Memories from Trekking the Annapurna Circuit

As I think back, so many memories from our big 10-day adventure last year come back to me. Day 1 started with a cool hike through the beautiful paths of Nagarjun National Park in Kathmandu, Nepal. Wearing our sturdy hiking boots and carrying backpacks full of excitement, my friend and I began a journey that turned out to be something we'll never forget.

We took lots of pictures to show how it all felt. Sometimes, pictures can tell the story better than words.

Day 2 on our journey along the Annapurna Circuit was quite a challenge! We trekked 22.5 kilometers from Upper Pisang to Manang, reaching an impressive 11,614 feet above sea level. The high altitude made it tough, but let me tell you, it was totally worth it!

The day felt long as we navigated through the beautiful Himalayan landscapes. The air was cool, the paths were tricky, and the high altitude made it a bit hard to breathe. But guess what? Every step was like a painting of stunning views, and the idea of getting to Manang kept us going strong.

Of course, the pictures and videos we captured tell the story better than words ever could. Each photo freezes a moment of our adventure—the challenging climbs, the awe-inspiring views, and the smiles of accomplishment. Here's to these snapshots that preserve these beautiful memories in time!

Day 3 of our journey took us from Manang to ShreeKharka, gaining an impressive elevation of 13,318 feet! As we climbed higher, there was a chance of mountain sickness, but here's a tip: the garlic soup in the tea houses helps reduce this risk! Stay tuned for more adventures at greater heights.

On Day 4, we mastered the trail from ShreeKharka to Tilicho Base Camp, reaching an impressive 14,022 feet! Along the way, we encountered fellow trekkers who, unfortunately, had to descend due to altitude sickness. They carried a Nepalese flag, aspiring to place it at Tilijothal, a goal left unfulfilled. I pledged to triumphantly raise the flag at Tilijothal, perched at 16,076 feet, and soon I shared a picture with them. Stay tuned for more highs in our mountain adventure.

On Day 5, we did it! Our team reached the beautiful Lake Tilijothal at 16,237 feet. We kept our promise to Janak Ghimire from Dhading and proudly raised the Nepalese flag. We also helped some trekkers who were feeling sick from the altitude by sharing our medicine. We ensured they achieved their dream of reaching the lake, maybe even saving lives in the snowy mountains! Our next goal is to reach Throng La Pass at a height of 17,769 feet.

After Day 5, we didn't get to talk to our family or friends. After several days, we achieved our mission. We completed our trek along the Annapurna Circuit as we ascended over Thorong La Pass, which is at an altitude of 17,769 ft. Being at a higher altitude comes with many challenges: no electricity, no charging stations, no heat, no hot water, no running water, & of course, no wifi! Chances of altitude sickness get reasonably higher, including fatigue, sleeplessness, & headaches! Luckily, our team didn’t develop any major symptoms of altitude sickness that required medical intervention! 

The final day started from Throng High camp at 4:30 a.m., when it was -21 degrees Celsius. We walked for 3.5 hours on an icy trail to the Thorong La Pass. Then, we descended to Mukti Nath for another 6 hours. It was a long, chilly day, but we felt accomplished and proud of ourselves.