questions about Annapurna circuit

[mand]

Hi everybody,

i need help from you in sorting this out. I am planning a trip in Nepal during august, the only period of the year, besides Christmas break, i am allowed an holiday. Since it will be monsoon season, i am considering to stick in the Annapurna circuit area, as i read that it is partially spared by the rains.
-being a photographer, I am mostly interested in a route which will allow spectacular views of the mountains/peaks, especially: Machhapuchhre, Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri.
-as I gather, the complete circuit is going to take at least 20 days, which may be a bit too long for the planned trip.

This is what i have learned lurking around on the web:
1. the western side of the circuit might be more suitable for seeing the above mentioned mountains;
2. adding (bits or all) side treks such as the ones to Annapurna base champ and possibly Dhaulagiri base champs will add even greater views;
3. visiting Poon Hill is worthwhile.
Please criticize, amend, offer suggestions to the above statements especially considering the month i am planning to visit, august, and considering i might be able to visit Nepal again during the next Christmas break.
thank you very much,

Simone

[Oli]

If you are going to Annapurna during the monsoon time then you might want to try to spend your time up in the rain shadow area at the north side of the circuit. Fly to Jomsom and spend time around Muktinath and if you can maybe visit Mustang. The southern side of the mountains (including Poon Hill) will have far more cloud and rain.

I don't know about getting clear skies in the Annapurna Sanctuary during the monsoon. Does anyone else know whether the mountainous walls of the Sanctuary keep the clouds out?

The weather during December would be much colder and with clear skies come great views of the mountains.

[Lars]

Does anyone else know whether the mountainous walls of the Sanctuary keep the clouds out?
I don't know, but I doubt it. There aren't really any mountainous wall on the
southern side of the sanctuary. I can well imagine fat clouds sneaking into the
sanctuary and then dumping all its rain right in there.

[mand]

thanks for the info. i have checked about the Dhaulagiri circuit, but it seems to be way too tough for my first nepal experience. western part is out of the rain shadow, hence few chances of cloud-free views. better off trying there in december-january.
as you suggested, maybe the best august option would be flying to jomsom, and wander around that area. best side treks in the area? would it be worthwhile to cross thorung la and spend few days in the other side of the circuit?

also, would i get more chances of better mountain views in the khumbu valley in august? is there any rain shadow there or i am just more likely of getting snow storms at higher altitudes.
thanks a lot.

[Sujoy]

The Khumbu would also be cloudy and wet in August.. peaks would probably be visible above 4000 metres but just for a while usually in the morning before the clouds settle in again

[Oli]

How long do you have for your trek? I'm guessing around two weeks?

I'd suggest flying up to Jomsom and head up to spend some time around Muktinath. There is a lot to be seen and done around there, particularly if you are a prepared to spend your days with photography rather marching long distances.

I would recommend finding a nice lodge in Jharkot, a traditional village a short way from the big touristic lodges. From there you'll have a great base to explore the head of the valley for a few days - visit the temples in Muktinath, a day hike up towards Thorung La, observe the industry in the fields as the locals make the most of the growing season... When you are heading back down be sure to stop in Kagbeni, a day hike up a nearby hill you for a view into Mustang. Below Jomsom you might like to stop in Marpha, if you want to make a day hike to the Dhaulagiri icefall then you need to go from near Larjung. When you get to the hot springs and good food at Tatopani you can decide whether you've the time and fair weather to make the climb up to Poon Hill or head direct back to Pokhara.

That's what I'd do if I were going to Annapurna in August, maybe. HTH

[GoNepal]

Fly to Jomsom. Acclimitise and make side trips. Dhaulagiri Ice Fall from Larjung, Alubari from Tukche or Marpha, Muktinath and possible to Thorong La. There used to be a small lodges at the base of Thorong La both side.

Photography? Better in December.

[mand]

sujoy, oli, gonepal: thanks a lot for your suggestions and places to visit, they will be very valuable. i really appreciated. indeed, if i will visit, i will probably spend 2 weeks in the annapurna region hauling around at least 5kg of camera+accessories.
i would be considering reaching thorung la, just if you confirm the scenary is really worthwhile, or alse for crossing through to the easter side of the trek: i have seen beautiful pictures of the annapurnas taken from a side trek in upper pisang, i believe. then i will have the problem to return to jomsom, which ideally could be done through tilicho lake, but i guess that then i will need a tent/food, which i am not sure i want to add to the weight burden.
a porter/guide would make any sense for the section manang-->jomsom through tilicho?

by the way, is there any safe place (e.g. a locker) in jomsom i can leave some stuff i don't want to carry for a few days ?

also, can i fly to jomsom straight from kathmandu or i necessarily have to pass through pokhara (i thought going to pokhara on the way back)?
thanks a lot again!

[Escher]

i would be considering reaching thorung la, just if you confirm the scenary is really worthwhile, or alse for crossing through to the easter side of the trek: i have seen beautiful pictures of the annapurnas taken from a side trek in upper pisang, i believe. then i will have the problem to return to jomsom, which ideally could be done through tilicho lake, but i guess that then i will need a tent/food, which i am not sure i want to add to the weight burden.
a porter/guide would make any sense for the section manang-->jomsom through tilicho?



What is your experience trekking at high altitude? Normally people cross the Thorung La the other way. You start the climb from 4400m or 4800m then 1000 or 800m to the top then 1600m down to Muktinath/Ranipuwa. The other way is considerably longer going uphill, starts from a lower altitude and then you will sleep at a higher altitude. I would want to be well acclimatised to do that and would want to know how I react at altitude. People do go that way but it will be long and tiring day with potential for altitude problems.

I definitely would not go on my own to Tilicho. There are two trails (upper and lower) that cross very steep scree and in places it is quite risky and depending on how many people have been that way recently landslides may have removed the trail.



by the way, is there any safe place (e.g. a locker) in jomsom i can leave some stuff i don't want to carry for a few days ?


If you stay in a lodge there I am sure they will look after your stuff if you return there to stay before flying out. I would not leave anything particularly valuable though,


also, can i fly to jomsom straight from kathmandu or i necessarily have to pass through pokhara (i thought going to pokhara on the way back)?
thanks a lot again!

You need to go to Pokhara to fly to Jomsom.

To be honest with the time you have I would do the normal circuit and fly out of Jomsom. Unless you are very strong and cope very well with altitude the flying to Jomsom, crossing the Thorung La from Muktinath, then doing the high route past Pisang and out through Tilicho and the Mesokanto La sounds like a really, really tough trek! Starting from Besisahar/Bhule Bhule gives you all the acclimatisation and fitness built in as you approach Upper Pisang/Ngawal/Gharu, Tilicho and the pass.

[mand]

thanks Escher, for your suggestions!