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15 Mistakes to Avoid on the Annapurna Circuit Trek
Updated: Sep 21
The Annapurna Circuit is one of Nepal’s most iconic treks, taking hikers through lush valleys, traditional mountain villages, dramatic Himalayan landscapes, and across the 5,416-meter (17,769-foot) Thorong La Pass.
It’s an unforgettable adventure, but it’s also one that rewards good preparation.
After completing the Annapurna Circuit ourselves, we saw many plenty of trekkers making avoidable mistakes.Some carried far more gear than they needed. Others pushed themselves too hard at altitude or underestimated how cold and challenging the higher elevations could be.
The good news is that most of these mistakes are easy to avoid with a little planning.
Here are 15 common Annapurna Circuit mistakes to avoid so you can have a safer, more comfortable, and more enjoyable trek.
Quick Takeaways
If you're planning your Annapurna Circuit trek, these are some of the biggest things to keep in mind:
Before You Start the Trek
1. Not Training Beforehand
The Annapurna Circuit isn’t technically difficult for most experienced hikers, but it is physically demanding.
You're walking for several hours a day, often climbing and descending significant amounts of elevation, and doing it repeatedly for more than a week.
Even relatively easy trails can become exhausting when you're carrying a backpack and dealing with altitude.
You don't need to become an elite athlete before your trek, but some preparation will make a huge difference.
Before your trip, try to incorporate:
Long-distance hikes
Stairs and hill training
Strength training for your legs
Cardiovascular exercise
Hiking while carrying your expected pack weight
The goal isn't necessarily to arrive in Nepal in peak physical condition. It's to make sure your body is prepared for multiple consecutive days of walking.
The better prepared you are, the more energy you'll have to actually enjoy the trek.
2. Expecting Hotel-Like Tea Houses
One of the unique things about the Annapurna Circuit is that you don't need to camp. Tea houses and guesthouses are scattered throughout the route, giving trekkers a place to sleep, eat, and recharge.
But don't expect hotels.
Tea houses are generally simple, especially as you get higher into the mountains.
Most offer basic rooms, beds, meals, and some combination of Wi-Fi, electricity, and hot showers. However, amenities can become increasingly limited at higher elevations and sometimes cost extra.
During our trek, we were pleasantly surprised by how welcoming many of the tea houses were. The common areas were often warm and social, and the food was more than we expected for being on a mountain side.
One thing we quickly learned, though, was that arriving earlier matters.
During busy trekking periods, the best rooms can fill up, particularly in popular villages. If having a private room or a specific tea house matters to you, don't assume you'll be able to arrive late in the afternoon and have unlimited options.
Go in expecting basic accommodation, and you'll probably be pleasantly surprised.
3. Wearing the Wrong Footwear
Your feet are going to do a lot of work on the Annapurna Circuit, so footwear is one area where you don't want to experiment.
Whether you choose hiking boots or trail shoes, make sure they're:
Comfortable
Well broken-in
Appropriate for uneven terrain
In good condition
Suitable for the weather you expect
Do not show up with brand-new hiking boots.
I repeat, do not show up with brand-new hiking boots. Even the most highly recommended boots can cause blisters if your feet aren't accustomed to them.
At the same time, don't bring footwear that's already worn out. We were thankful our boots made it through our trek, but honestly, it was closer than we'd have liked.
Your footwear should be something you already know you can comfortably walk in for hours at a time.
4. Packing Too Much
This is probably one of the biggest mistakes first-time trekkers make.
Honestly, it got us too. But, every extra kilogram feels heavier as the days go on the and the altitude increases.
It's easy to look at a multi-day trek and think you need a different outfit for every day, multiple pairs of shoes, full-size toiletries, and every piece of gear imaginable.
You don't.
Pack strategically and focus on the essentials:
Lightweight layers
Warm clothing
Comfortable hiking clothes
Basic toiletries
Medications
A good insulated jacket
Gloves and a warm hat
Water and purification supplies
Essential electronics
Remember that you'll be walking for hours every day. The things that seem insignificant when you're packing at home can feel surprisingly heavy after several days on the trail.
Pack the essentials. Not more.
5. Not Bringing Enough Cash
Don't underestimate how important cash is on the Annapurna Circuit.
ATMs become increasingly scarce once you're away from the larger towns, and many tea houses and small businesses operate primarily on cash.
You'll need money for things like:
Accommodation
Food
Drinks
Wi-Fi
Hot showers
Charging electronics
Snacks
Transportation
It's better to carry more Nepalese rupees than you think you'll need rather than running short in a remote village.
And remember to keep your cash somewhere secure and dry.
6. Forgetting To Download Offline Maps
The Annapurna Circuit is generally well established, but that doesn't mean you should rely entirely on signs or other hikers to know where you're going.
Download an offline map of the route before starting your trek.
This is especially useful when:
Trails split
Weather reduces visibility
You're hiking early or late in the day
You're taking an alternate route
You encounter road sections or trail detours
We even met a solo trekker who stopped us to ask for directions after losing track of the route.
Having an offline map doesn't mean you'll never get lost, but it gives you a valuable backup when you're unsure which way to go.
7. Skipping Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is something you hope you'll never need—but on a high-altitude trek, it's worth having.
Make sure your policy specifically covers high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation.
Don't assume a standard travel insurance policy automatically covers everything above a certain elevation.
Helicopter evacuations in the Himalayas can be extremely expensive, and medical care can be difficult to access in remote areas.
Some trekking agencies and tour operators may also require proof of appropriate insurance, particularly for high-altitude trekking.
Before leaving home, check the fine print and make sure the elevations and activities on your itinerary are actually covered.
Mistakes to Avoid on the Trail
8. Hiking Too Fast
One of the biggest mistakes you can make on the Annapurna Circuit is treating it like a race.
We saw trekkers trying to cover too much ground each day or rushing to reach the next village. The problem is that your body needs time to adjust as you gain elevation.
Going slowly isn't a sign that you're out of shape.
It's part of acclimatizing.
A steady pace gives your body more time to adapt and allows you to conserve energy for the days ahead.
And honestly, there's no reason to rush.
The scenery is one of the best parts of the Annapurna Circuit, so give yourself time to stop, take photos, enjoy the villages, and appreciate where you are.
9. Skipping Acclimatization Days
If there's one thing you shouldn't try to shortcut, it's acclimatization.
We unfortunately saw some trekkers (of all ages and fitness levels) struggle with this, having to return to lower elevations and stay additional days at tea houses to acclimate.
Rest days—particularly around Manang—give your body valuable time to adjust to the increasing elevation before you continue higher.
And an acclimatization day doesn't necessarily mean sitting in your tea house all day.
Many trekkers use the day to take a shorter hike to a higher elevation before returning to sleep at the same altitude.
You might feel perfectly fine and think you don't need the extra day. But altitude sickness doesn't always give you much warning, and feeling good at one elevation doesn't mean you'll feel the same several hundred meters higher.
Build acclimatization into your itinerary rather than treating it as wasted time.
10. Ignoring Altitude Sickness Symptoms
Altitude sickness is one of the biggest risks on the Annapurna Circuit, and it should never be taken lightly.
Symptoms can include things like:
Headache
Nausea
Dizziness
Unusual fatigue
Loss of appetite
Difficulty sleeping
Shortness of breath
During our trek, we saw several hikers convince themselves they were simply tired before their symptoms became more serious.
That's a mistake.
If you develop symptoms at altitude, don't simply assume they'll disappear if you keep pushing upward. Pay attention to how you're feeling, tell your trekking companions or guide, and follow appropriate altitude-safety guidance.
If experiencing symptoms, descending is generally the safest response.
No summit or itinerary is worth risking your health.
11. Not Eating or Drinking Enough
Your body works harder at altitude, even when you don't feel like you're doing anything particularly strenuous.
You're also burning a lot of calories walking for hours every day.
The problem is that altitude can sometimes reduce your appetite, making it easy to unintentionally eat and drink less than you need.
So, it's really important to:
Drink water regularly
Eat consistent meals
Carry snacks
Replace electrolytes when appropriate
We also recommend carrying your own water purification supplies. It can save money, reduce the amount of plastic you use, and make it easier to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Don't wait until you're extremely thirsty or exhausted before eating and drinking.
12. Starting Too Late Each Morning
Getting an early start is one of the simplest ways to make your trekking days easier.
Mornings are often cooler, trails can be quieter, and mountain conditions can be more favorable before the afternoon.
We also found that some of our favorite mountain views came shortly after sunrise.
Starting early gives you another important advantage: more flexibility.
If the trail takes longer than expected, you have plenty of daylight left. And when you arrive at your destination earlier, you have a much better chance of finding a good tea house and having time to relax.
13. Poor Timing on Thorong La Pass
Thorong La Pass is the highest point on the Annapurna Circuit at 5,416 meters (17,769 feet), and crossing it is one of the biggest challenges of the trek.
It's also a long day.
This was probably the day that felt the longest during our entire trek (even including Tilicho Lake). The altitude was challenging, slowing our pace significantly.
Many trekkers begin the ascent well before sunrise. An early start helps you take advantage of calmer morning conditions and gives you plenty of time to complete the crossing before weather and winds become more challenging later in the day.
Honestly, this isn't a day to sleep in.
Prepare everything the night before, get an early start, bring plenty of water and snacks, and give yourself enough time to move at a comfortable pace.
Reaching Thorong La is an incredible feeling—but getting there safely is far more important than getting there quickly. This is a day to take your time and be proud of the accomplishment.
14. Underestimating the Cold
The higher elevations can be extremely cold, particularly in the early morning and after sunset.
Even during popular trekking seasons, temperatures can drop well below freezing at higher elevations.
Make sure you have appropriate layers, including:
A warm base layer
Insulating mid-layer
Quality insulated jacket
Gloves
Warm hat
Warm socks
Layering is key because temperatures can change dramatically throughout the day.
This will also be an important consideration for your sleeping bag, which you should bring for higher elevations. Be sure that is rated to at least 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees celsius).
Sleeping bags are often a question we see raised. Yes, it is more weight. And it is possible you may not need on your trek. But, at the end of the day,
15. Trying to Keep Up With Other Trekkers
And perhaps just as importantly, don't let someone else's pace dictate yours.
There's no prize for being the fastest person on the trail.
Everyone acclimatizes differently. Someone who looks completely comfortable hiking ahead of you may have a very different response to altitude than you do.
Slow down when you need to. Take breaks. Enjoy the scenery. Stop in the villages. Listen to your body.
Some of our favorite moments on the Annapurna Circuit came when we weren't trying to get anywhere quickly.
Final Thoughts
The Annapurna Circuit is one of the most rewarding treks we've ever completed. From the changing landscapes and mountain villages to the incredible views of the Himalayas and the challenge of crossing Thorong La Pass, it's an experience we'll never forget.
But like any major adventure, a little preparation goes a long way.
Train before you arrive. Pack light. Carry enough cash. Download your maps. Build in acclimatization days. Pay attention to your body. And don't be afraid to slow down.
The goal isn't simply to complete the Annapurna Circuit.
It's to enjoy the journey along the way.
If you're planning your own Annapurna Circuit adventure, check out our other guides to help you prepare:
And we have a series of videos on Youtube, including:
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