Side trips during Annapurna circuit trekking

Side trips during the Annapurna Circuit trek are highlights of this trek. The Annapurna Circuit trek is known as one of the best trekking trails in Nepal. Since the route was opened in 1990 AD  it has become very popular among the trekkers from all over the world. Still, the number of new trekkers hitting the trail of the Annapurna Circuit is increasing annually. Starting at the sub-alpine climatic zone of Beshisahar (760 m/2492 ft) and crossing through the world's largest pass called Thoroung-La (5416 m/17764 ft). This trek takes around two weeks or more. We have many choices for this trek, that how many days we would like to spend in the mountains. We have the option of taking a jeep from Muktinath or flying out from Jomsom, or we can walk through the region, exploring the landscape and people. There are a bunch of side trips during the Annapurna Circuit trek below. we're going to talk about them one by one.

I) Milarepa's Cave, 4000 m/13120 ft: This cave is located at the foothill of Annapurna III on the north-north-north-facing side of the mountain. This cave is named Milarepa and belongs to the Buddhist saint Milarepa. It is believed that Milarepa had meditated under this cave. This cave can be reached after walking 3 hours from Manang. During the hike to the cave, we can see beautiful scenery of the Marsyangdi valley and Chulu & Pisang peaks as well.

II) Ice Lake 4600 m/1588 ft: This lake is located at the connecting neck of Chulu Far East. It takes hours to reach the lake from Manang via Braga. The scenery from the lake is very stunning, as we can see Annapurna II, Annapurna IV, Annapurna III, Gangapurna, Khangsahar, Tilicho peak, and Chulu East. The lake freezes over during the night and morning in winter and spring; thus, this lake is called Ice Lake.

III) Gangapurna lake 3500 m/11480 ft: This lake is located at the foot of Mt Gangapurna Glacier. This lake we formed due to the meltdown of Glacier Gangapurna. To reach this place, it takes 20min from Manang. Alpine migratory ducks can usually be seen at this lake. The Marsyangdi River flows just through the side of this lake.

Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

IV) Tilicho Lake, 4900 m/16072 ft: This lake is known as one of the highest lakes on earth. The scenery is so stunning, surrounded by beautiful mountains. To reach this lake, it takes around 10 hours from Manang, so we have to stay in the Tilicho base camp for the first night, which is 4150 m/13612 ft, and the next day, early in the morning, we go to visit Tilicho lake, then we come back down to Manang.

V) Kagbeni 2800 m/9184 ft: This village is located at the bank of the river Kaligandaki. After crossing Thorong-La Pass, we can reach this place the next day. Many trekkers don’t care about this village while going to Jomsom or further, but for sure, this is one of the worthy places to visit and explore in the Kaligandaki valley. We can see a medieval village, a monastery, a temple, an apple orchard, and farming.

VI) Marpha 2670 m/8758 ft: This village is located some 6 km further from Jomsom, which is the headquarters of the Mustang district. There are a bunch of things to explore in Marpha village. The first thing that fascinates visitors in Marpha is the typical house and the dried wood on the rooftop. Then there are numerous things to explore, like the monastery, apple orchard, apple brandy brewery, Marpha spinach, and Himalayan herbs.

VII) Titi Lake, 2550 m/8364 ft: This lake can be reached after hiking 1.5 hours uphill from Kokhethanti. The walk to Lake Traverse is through a pine tree forest. When we reach the lake, we are surprised by the surrounding beauty. From the lake, we can see Mt Dhaulagiri, Tukuchey Peak, Thapa Peak, and Dhaulagiri Icefall.

As we discussed the possible side trip and place of interest in the Annapurna Circuit in the above paragraph. There are still a lot more possible places of interest that we haven’t mentioned in the above paragraph.