21 DAYS in NEPAL - advice please last three weeks December

[mrjack]

What should not be missed!
I have heard that the annapurna circuit is out becuse the main pass is closed!
What can I do and see that is worthy of the trip, can I do the first part of the circuit(which I heard is the most spectacular)?
Any advice appreciated, I'd love to mix some trekking in a spectacular place with some culture! Remember I only have 21 days!

Many,many, thanks if you respond

[yakshaver]

It is a possibility that Thorung La might be full of snow at some stage (on the AC) but there is a good chance you can pass... Nothing is guaranteed when you come to the last couple of weeks in December or first weeks of January. But nothing can be ruled out either. You can reach Gokyo in nice weather, and be dumped with snow overnight, meaning you might be blocked there for a week.
However it is the dry season.
If you have 21 days, assuming you might spend 2-3 days in the Kathmandu Valley (well worth it), you can do:
1. AC - about 17 days, but the longer you take the more you enjoy it. A couple of days more it would be good. If Thorung La is snowd in, you can do lots of interesting side trips, from Manang, Koto Qupar and other places.
2. EBC - about 14 days but ditto above (flying in&out of Lukla)
3. Gokyo - about 11 days (in&out of Lukla) + 4 days in Chitwan as a change of pace
4. Langtang-Helambu, 14 days
5. ABC - 10 days, + 4 days in Chitwan
6.Gokyo & EBC (maybe 17-18 days) if you fly in and out of Lukla.

All of these treks involve some high altitude stuff, and the weather may intervenene. Or it may not. I would not worry to much about it. There is not much you can do, appart from changing plans if things require. There is plenty of stuff to do in Nepal, so you won't get bored.
Do you plan to hire a guide?

[Oli]

... wot Yakshaver said, but...

I'd also suggest flying to Jomsom, down the Kali Gandaki then across & up to the Annapurna Sanctuary. And if you decide on the Marsyangdi side of the AC but find that Thorung La is closed then remember that catching a scheduled fight our of Humde (Manang) is much more random than the flights out of Jomsom

And if you head up to the Khumbu / Everest but time and weather curtails your trekking then (IMHO) Gokyo is more of a 'not to be missed' place then Gorak Shep & EBC

Have fun :)