Annapurna Circuit over Thorung La 14 days

DISTANCE - BELOW AVERAGE

Although the walking dats are not long, the walks do take a bit of stamina as the altitude makes walking much harder as you get high into the mountains. The more training you can do, the better! Walk at least 3 times a week for over 15 km each time or cumulatively through the day. Throw in longer walks 1 to 2 months out to test yourself and to make sure you are ready and to build strength in the legs.

ELEVATION - ABOVE AVERAGE

Elevation training is a major consideration in your overall training program. You must include walks with serious hill climbs.

If you do not have access to hills, it is essential to replicate the elevation level you will be undertaking in any way possible such as on a treadmill or stair climber. Walking up and down stairs at work, at a local oval with a grandstand, or up and down small hills is incredibly useful. Also, prioritising resistance weight training will help you develop overall muscle strength.  Elevation is often where walkers encounter problems, as opposed to distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles to everyday flat walking.

If you are able to, incorporate sessions at a higher altitude to acclimatise your body to reduced oxygen levels. Ensure you can comfortably walk the average elevation gain per day displayed in the graph, at least one month before you undertake your hike.

EXTREME MOUNTAINOUS / UNDULATING TERRAIN

As terrain associated with mountain climbs is often somewhat uneven and rocky, balancing and core exercises are vital.

Try to also include some form of elevation in more than 50% of your walking and prioritise resistance training, whilst incorporating stairs anytime you can. Walking up mountains or hills, up and down stairs at work, or up and down at a local oval with a grandstand is incredibly useful. Elevation is often where walkers encounter problems not distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles to everyday flat walking. Concentrate on doing lots of squats and lunges to build your glute muscles. Altitude is an issue on this walk so you must do some training over the kilometres outlined above.

WHY TRAVEL WITH US - WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE

Travel without stress or delays

• Built-in contingency day in case the weather delays departure from the mountains.

The best possible food and accommodation

• Staying in a 4-star hotel  in Kathmandu, where you enjoy the sights but are insulated from the bustle.
• Enjoying the best accommodation options available on the trek.  Note: accommodation levels vary and, where possible, rooms have ensuites.   Accommodations at a few high-altitude locations are less luxurious but still comfortable
• Since food plays a significant role in hiking at higher elevations, we strive to serve our guests fresh and healthy meals every time

Be well guided and looked after

• Sufficient time to visit Kathmandu’s unmissable World Heritage sites with our guided tour
• Highly experienced fun-loving guides with fluent English
• Guide to hiker ratio of 1 guide to 6 passengers so you will be very well looked after
• Our professional safety-focused team on the ground ensure the best possible experience
• 1 porter per two passengers

We support the region and the environment

• We support the organization KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project). KEEP provides valuable training programs for guides, including language training, map reading, and a porter welfare program
• We offset our carbon emissions, raise money and donate to Odonata, an environmental charity committed to supporting biodiversity
• Auswalk has earned Advanced Eco Tourism Certification

AVAILABILITY

We only depart at the best possible times. Please see our departures dates.

WALKING

Challenging to Strenuous – Higher altitudes fitness level is a factor which is why we have rated this trip as we have. Tracks and trails on this tour will have prolonged ascents and less so some descents along mainly well-travelled tracks. There are a few long sections of elevation and sections of steps. Having an active lifestyle and preparing or being an experienced walker will make the journey much more enjoyable. The real challenge comes toward the end of the walk due to the altitude. Our acclimatisation day in Manang is essential and take extra care not to ascend too quickly.

Importantly, your guide is local with expert knowledge of the track and conditions.

HOW TO GET THERE AND AWAY

This walk starts in Kathmandu and ends at Kathmandu Airport. 

Kathmandu Airport 
The trip starts with a transfer from Kathmandu Airport to your accommodation. If you are already in Nepal then you can simply meet at the hotel.

At the end of the trip, we transfer you back to the airport for your international flight.

A useful planning tool for travel is Rome2Rio should you be travelling from or to other destinations.

LUGGAGE

Their are weight limits on this tour most notably for the flight from Jomsom to Pokhara which has an allowance of 15 kgs. 10kg for the hold luggage and 5kg hand luggage.

You will be able to store additional luggage at the hotel in Kathmandu and collect it at the end of the trip. For the hike we therefore recommend a soft bag (no hard suitcases) for luggage that can hold up to 10kgs and a day pack which you will carry for the entire trip with a carry weight of 5kg.

Every morning of departure to the next destination you should place your luggage bag outside your room, with your name on it before breakfast so that the porters can prepare it accordingly before leaving. Our guides will fully brief you on this procedure at the start of the trip.

INSURANCE

We require that you have adequate travel insurance against potential losses, damage or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.

For all trips that require international travel, you must have purchased travel insurance that also includes medical evacuation coverage.

We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred by our suppliers and in the office.  See the FAQ section for more information.

GEAR

In Kathmandu you will have the opportunity to purchase any extra clothing or equipment you would like and our tour leader will be able to make recommendations and assist with this.  Sleeping bags and down jackets are easily available to rent at very minimal cost. Good quality 4 season sleeping bags are essential. Whilst the teahouses all have blankets and bedding as you progress higher they are more basic so can get very cold. We highly recommend you either bring your own or purchase/rent a sleeping bag to ensure your comfort and to rest well during the tour.

HELICOPTER EVACUATION

Helicopter evacuations due to problems with high altitudes are rare but a potential occurrence.

We want to bring to your attention some important information regarding helicopter evacuation and associated costs, which are not included in your current Auswalk package.

In the event that a helicopter evacuation becomes necessary, please be aware that there will be additional charges. For this reason, it is essential to ensure that your travel insurance policy provides adequate coverage for emergency evacuation. Should you have any questions about this, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

An evacuation is an unforeseen event that incurs separate costs, supplementary to the Auswalk package you have purchased.

Furthermore, it is important to understand that you will be required to pay for the evacuation services before departing Nepal and then claim the expenses through your insurance provider. The helicopter company is unable to process claims on your behalf. Direct claims by you to your insurance company typically result in a faster reimbursement process.