Annapurna Circuit – 230km hike

Having just completed the PCT and not being quite ready to rejoin the working world again I began thinking of what next. It was October and the hiking season arrows were pointing at Nepal.

Although I had just done all that hiking solo, Nepal felt intimidating. The altitude, the language barrier, just generally not knowing how things worked there. I wanted someone to go with. Particularly as due to the altitude many days would involve minimal hiking hours.

I started asking around although having just completed the PCT most people were too broke or had plans for what was next. This was when my Dad who had just retired popped up and agreed to join me.

We booked tickets and headed over. I arrived first and he met me the next day in a hostel.

We spent a few days figuring out permits and getting to know the streets. I gave my Dad’s bag a final shake down, stashed out bags our extras bags at one of the hostels, before jumping on a bus to the start of the trek.

For information of the trek itself see here.

I got pretty sick during the hike due to a broken water filter. Luckily, thanks to a patient Dad and some antibiotics I recovered fine.

The trek was very different to the PCT. No need for a tent and lots of delicious food. We made some good friends along the way and played so many card games. In the first tea house the owner taught us a Nepal card game called Dumbal which had us hookd.

After finishing the hike we spent a couple of days in Pokahara, eating good food .mostly at OR2K, which served really delicious, vegetarian Mediterranean food. Not traditional Nepalese food, but a lovely spot. You take your shoes off at the door and enjoy the floor seating and good view.

It’s a good hike to do with people as there lots of sitting around acclimatising/walking along stretches of dull road.The bus back to Katmandu was but than the one to Pokahara from the end of the trail so I wont complain. I felt homely to be back in Katmandu, where we felt we knew the street and how to get around.