Trekking bootsYour boots should be comfortable, light or mid weight, and waterproof. They should also have good grip. For the Annapurna Circuit trek you should ideally wear backpacking boots, which are the hardiest and most supportive walking shoe out there.
People Also Ask
Yes, if by trekking you just mean longer routes than hiking. Generally, for longer routes, you will want to pay more attention to a pair of shoes that are comfortable. If you are going on a short, sharp hike, you might choose to wear more technical shoes but these might not be so comfortable for longer treks.
To manage the Annapurna Circuit, you should train like you would for any multiday high-altitude trek. This means incorporating aerobic, cardio and strength training into your physical prep. It should also involve doing some strategic preparatory hikes.
Difficulty levelMost trekkers reach Kala Patthar to enjoy the fantastic early morning views. Generally, treks above 5,000m are regarded as challenging. Hence, Everest Base Camp treks are much more challenging than the Annapurna Base Camp trek.
If you're unsure of your mountaineering abilities, Annapurna is a slightly less taxing circuit. There are fewer steep climbs and the average altitude is much lower. Plus, instead of being funnelled into the Khumbu Valley on Everest, you can choose from a variety of trails, some of which don't exceed 2000m in altitude.
You have to slowly get your body used to the lack of oxygen. All the research on high altitude suggests that spending more time at the critical acclimatization point of 3,500m/ 11,500 feet is essential. All of our Annapurna Trips include a hike up to the famous Poon Hill.
Most of your trek to Annapurna Base Camp is spent below 3,000m/ 10,000 feet. However, the terrain is challenging, with thousands and thousands of stairs. This trek is achievable for any trekker who is ready to put in the preparations and training needed.
Most would rank the Annapurna Base Camp Trek as low-moderate difficulty! The trail length may seem daunting, and the heightened altitude may be tough to overcome for some, but the overall trail and minimal technicalities ease the overall difficulty.
Now, K2 is either the most or 2nd most difficult 8000er at the least (Annapurna is more dangerous but K2 is considered harder) and K2 has the 2nd least amount of oxygen of any peak on Earth.
Is Annapurna harder than Kilimanjaro? As a comparison, Everest Base Camp is a Level 4, and Kilimanjaro is a Level 5. So technically, Annapurna Base Camp is “easier” than both of those expeditions.
However, the road access all the way to Manang and even to Muktinath has made every trekker question if Annapurna Circuit Trek is still worth it, and the answer is yes!
If you're unsure of your mountaineering abilities, Annapurna is a slightly less taxing circuit. There are fewer steep climbs and the average altitude is much lower. Plus, instead of being funnelled into the Khumbu Valley on Everest, you can choose from a variety of trails, some of which don't exceed 2000m in altitude.
The Poon Hill-Ghorepani trek is one of the best Annapurna short trekking options. It's actually known as an 'easy' option in the Annapurnas, but that isn't necessarily true. There are some steep ascents, including a pre-dawn climb to the top of Poon Hill for a sunrise view.
This walking route leads you to reach a base camp of Mt Annapurna. Annapurna Base Camp Trek is suitable for beginners who are hiking in the Himalayan zone for the first time. Every person with a normal fitness level can walk 5 to 6 hours a day may join Annapurna Base Camp Trek.