How to Hike the Circuit in Reverse: Is It a Genius Idea?

Annapurna Circuit trek is a classic high-altitude trek renowned for its anti-clockwise walking route. This traditional trek – introducing Marsyangdi Valley at a low elevation and gaining momentum all the way up to Thorong La Casse from its North side is used by every Annapurna Circuit Trek Guide and every Annapurna Circuit Trek Agency for a reason: safety! But the idea of doing it in reverse (clockwise) has been an alluring–– if not punishingly hard–– alternative for the most extremely experienced trekkers who want to approach the trek differently than on any old circuit with their back towards home. This guide investigates the huge pitfalls and very occasional flights of fancy that are available to those who dare to do the Annapurna Round Trek reversed.

The Irreversible Logic of the Anti-Clockwise Trip

The clockwise and canti-clockwiseand well-defined on the Annapurna Circuit Map and the Annapurna Circuit Trekking Map are for the sake of safety from Acute Mountain Sickness. It does so by allowing you to avoid a yo-yo up in elevation: You spend roughly a week gradually ascending the Marsyangdi Valley before hitting the higher elevations.

Crawling along like this allows the body to properly acclimatize to the diminishing oxygen before the hardest test of all: an attack on the Thorong La Pass ($5,416m). The other direction, though, will lead to some hard work sooner: it’s a steep upwards climb out of the Kali Gandaki Valley (Muktinath is at 3,710m) and onto the pass. This logistical buffer is the biggest cardholder of both your average Annapurna Circuit Trek Cost and the architecture of almost all sane Annapurna Circuit Itineraries.

The Terrain Challenge: Reversing Course at Thorong La

The high pass itself (the Thorong La) is challenging in both directions. The traditional route is, however, a long descent and Muktinath, 1,600 m below the pass.

This section is one long, powerful ascent, on the other hand, nd with Annapurna Circuit Trekking. It is more physically challenging in the normal direction, but a trip up the E46 siis de 1/5th as saturated as compressed in terms of days (Aso!) IIRC! The valley immediately above Muktinath and toward the pass is frequently a skating rink of loose scree, blown bone-dry by fierce winds, all of which would make an uphill climb far tougher than its metering out as leveling along a path engineered in it. Some heavy workouts at unacclimatized altitudes are what you really need, and that is to be done in a bigger way, whether it Short Annapurna Circuit Trekking or anything else.

Logistical and Teahouse Complications

All of the infrastructure in the Annapurna Circuit, Nepal, is designed for anti-clockwise trekking, from where the teahouses are, where you can resupply. There are teahouses in the western valley, but their scale and setting are predicated on trekkers descending from the pass.

In reverse, would descend those popular lower stretches (where the road is, of course) on your way, but — not in. And more to the point, the prospect of solitude and secure high-altitude accommodation (such as Thorong Phedi) was less guaranteed for someone climbing from the other direction. For travelers traveling in the opposite directiothey’dhey better be self-sufficient and not rely on the support network that shuttles you along what’s usually an easier itinerary around the Annapurna Circuit.

The Appeal | Privacy, and Soaring Views

The only single and one valid reason a trekker may want to reverse route is that it is a more remote, untravelled, photo-opportunity trek. Almost no one actually does the Annapurna circuit clockwise, so those few trekkers who do would find virtually deserted trails – especially in Manang – and a truly different Trek Nepal Annapurna Circuit.

Then, the view of the gigantic Himalayan horizon, which includes Annapurna II (7937m), Annapurna III (7555M), and Gangapurna from a totally new side, demeans in our ascent path to Manang, is another attraction for people who have already trekked around this whole Annapurna circuit. And the only truly “genius” thing about this flip is this real novelty brain tickle, which must be weighed against the enormous health risks.

The “Dumb” Way: Tilicho Lake From Manang And Side Trips

Instead of risking your life doing a complete circuit in reverse, for experienced hikers, the best option is to prolong it by including an exhilarating Lake with the standard anti-clockwise Annapurna Circuit itinerary.

The detour to Tilicho Lake ($4919m) and the solitude of the Mesokanto Pass ($5300) are very physically tough but quite far off track, which makes up for it as there are considerably fewer teahouses. It reaches the physical (and logistical) limits, but also provides a real chance at proper acclimatization for a healthy schedule. It gets you that removed, completely getting away from the Hiking Nepal Annapurna Circuit feel without having to do the dead-rush toward the Thorong La Pass, and makes for some great trekking for anyone who wants a tougher version of the Annapurna Round Trek.

Good Advice To Any Old Men — The Importance Of Spiritual Reflection

For the very few, exhibit A type ultra trekkers who are actually considering it just remember you’ll need plenty of experience at 5000+m altitudes, a personally customized Annapurna Circuit trek itinerary which includes multiple acclimatization rest days (and thus bloating the amount of time needed and raising your budget considerably) AND of course a seriously filled out emergency exit plan both in terms of sat phone usage & rescue insurance.

It’s the wrong hike for 99.9% of hikers, even those (perhaps even most) who had previously done long hikes. See it in the same light as the high-altitude ascent risk, paired with potential lack of rescues—nowhere near worth it, I do not think. No responsible Annapurna Circuit Trek Company would permit it; safety over ditziness!

Final Conclusion

The idea of thumbing one’s nose at convention and hiking the Annapurna Circuit in reverse certainly has sexy cache, but with geological features so geologically challenging and a human body so physiologically incompatible to boot, we pretty much would have been dead before it began. The one way, Annapurna circuit, and the only no-go on this is because it’s safe to the altitude sickness will save people’s lives by respecting the thinned air.r The Annapurna Circuit Altitude the whole year through. The players trying to make their way out of here can trace that path in all the challenging byways, like the Tilicho Lake Trek — this is how one walks along the road, realistic for those who think walking isn’t enough. And still for many, the standard remains the high and responsible road of brilliance and reality that is walking the Trekking in Nepal Annapurna Circuit if ever you desire to indulge your fix with a tantalizing reward.