Trekking in the Annapurna Circuit has been among the most beautiful and life-changing experiences for many people. The trails follow us through the world’s tallest mountains and diverse climatic zones. We enjoy the intensive days walking on our feet, enjoying the authentic hospitality of the Nepalese people. You’ll spend the time making your time most inspiring, passing through the challenges, and collecting beautiful memories.

Every trekker will have the same question before trekking to the Annapurna Base Camp, What to pack when trekking to the Annapurna Circuit? Most of the hikers have the same dilemma regarding the Annapurna packing list. The Annapurna Circuit Trek is a long trek of three weeks on average. The earliest materials needed for the trek should be packed as per the weather and hike conditions. 

Preparing for the gear to take for a trek like Annapurna Circuit trek is a tricky act. It’s all about finding the correct balance between packing as light things as possible and maximizing the gears you must take.  If you take the gears correctly. You’ll breeze through the days on the trek easily. If you get it wrong, you might spend the cold nights dreaming of an extra pair of fleece jumpers you left behind. You might also need some massages on the trip to cure the knots in your back and shoulder that you get from carrying a lot of stuff. Sometimes this may also lead to the group not being able to summit together.

Hence, you must be very careful with the Annapurna circuit Packing List. We’ve put together the list, full of useful packing tips, a list of the clothes, and a gear list that we must take for the trek. You must check the hiking essentials you’ll need. Make sure you check out the rest of the Annapurna circuit gear list before you head off for the adventure of a lifetime.

Annapurna Circuit Gear list

Clothing gears for the Annapurna Circuit

While trekking, try to wear as many layers as possible. Take the stuff that dries easily. You can pack thermal clothes for the nighttime. Using slippers for showering can help to protect shoes. You can also wear the sports legging under the hiking pants if the temperature drops down. Don’t make the bag heavy by taking both the legging and thermo pants as both can work the same. 

As you’ll be walking a considerable distance every day, you must wear good socks. Choose the socks preferably from the merino wool that breathes well and will keep you warm at the same time. The socks must dry quickly too so that you won’t have to carry the wet socks.

USEFUL TIPS: You will find laundry services in some large villages. So, you won't need to clean your t-shirts or clothes every day.

As you’ll not need make-up in the mountains, you can just carry some sunscreen and lip with a high SPF. The lips get cracked due to the cold wind. If you have a problem with stiff muscles, you can carry the tiger balm with you. As the temperature is slightly down and punctuality is very important, showering is not pleasant every day. You can use wet wipes. 

Trekking food and water bags for the Annapurna Circuit

You must not bring plastic materials into the mountainous region. In case you bring any stuff in plastic bags, make sure you don’t litter bags everywhere around the place. A small water bag with two water bottles is enough. You can fill the bottles along the way. The water is edible if you use water purification tablets. The tablets can be bought in the small shops in the Annapurna Circuit trails or simply in Kathmandu before the trek commences. 

Taking some small energy bars can be a big help throughout the trek. As it cannot be purchased in the routes and the villages, make sure you bring enough with you from the shops in the city areas. Chocolate bars are available in most places but the rate increases with the altitude you climb. 

Essential Travel Electronics for the Annapurna Circuit

• Phone
• Charger with an extra adapter
• Powerbank
• Camera
• Extra batteries for the camera
• Headlight

You get charging points in almost every hotel and guest house in the trails of Annapurna Circuit. Despite this, you must bring the power bank in case of any emergencies. If you cannot pass the free time you can bring an e-reader if you think it is a suitable idea. 

USEFUL TIPS: You can bring some offline movies to watch during your spare time being cozy in bed. 

Sleeping Essentials for Annapurna Circuit 

• Travel Sheet
• Sleeping Bags

One of the very important things, while you hike, is your sleep. You’ll be walking for a distance of 10-25 kilometers every day with very considerable height differences. You need a huge amount of rest to walk for a long time. Sometimes the tea houses where you shelter might have poor sleeping facilities. The bedding might not always be clean. Some may only provide thin blankets. Hence, with a very low temperature in the surrounding, taking a good sleeping bag with you can be a very helpful tip.

We can take proper lightweight sleeping bags with us to make sure we keep ourselves nice and warm at night. Taking a very light-weighted and warm sleeping bag can prevent you from getting cold.

USEFUL TIP: Make sure you get warm before you go to bed. As a sleeping bag holds warmth, you must make sure that you warm up with some exercises before crawling into the sleeping bag. This can keep you warm all night long.

ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT BACKPACKING TIPS

Before planning for the backpack for Annapurna Circuit, you can consider the following few tips to keep in mind.
 

• Consider what season you are trekking in

Nepal faces its season change around the monsoon period during May. This can have a big impact on the place where you hike as well as what’ll you need to bring with you for a successful trek. The best time to trek to the Annapurna Circuit is during October, November, and early December. You can also trek from late February to April. Trekking outside this time can be a little more difficult than the usual time as you have to bring adequate weatherproof and warming gear.

• Know that the climate varies dramatically throughout the trek

The Annapurna Circuit extends from the tropical plains to the alpine climatic zones. Some days you might need to hike in shorts whereas some days you might need heavy furry trousers. So, you must be adequately prepared for both of the conditions. 
 

• Don’t bring unnecessary things

You’ll have a guide and porters for your trip unless you’re hiking the circuit completely solo. Though you will have porters going with you, helping to carry your loads, they are normal human beings like us. You can help them out by bringing out only things that you’ll need. This can be done by keeping the extra gear locked up safely in Kathmandu. Your porters will bless you and thank you for this later.
 

• Buy the hiking gear in Kathmandu

Kathmandu has everything you need and wants when it comes to hiking gear and clothes. Much of the gear available in Kathmandu, especially in Thamel, is cheaper and very convincing. These items stand up to harsh weather conditions, particularly at higher altitudes also.

Conclusion

Annapurna Circuit Trek, undoubtedly one of the best treks in Nepal, is the best experience around the mountains, cultures, and landscape of the place. If you are among those people who are preparing to get ready for the trip, you can start humbling the journey. We hope that the list we’ve prepared is helpful for you. The items listed above are based on our opinion and experience and hence can differ as per your choices. You can take the article as a reference for your needs. Contact Nepal Vision Treks for any queries or further information. We are happy to serve. 

FAQs
 

1. Do we need to take the sleeping bag for the Annapurna Circuit?

Yes, you will need a light-weighted winter sleeping bag that can handle below-freezing temperatures for the Annapurna Circuit trek. You can bring a sleeping bag rated around -6º or -10ºC for an autumn trek.

2. What size should the backpack for Annapurna Circuit Trek be?

The average Backpack size for the Annapurna Circuit trail is 35 liters. This site will be enough if your sleeping bag is very small. You can also attach it to the outside of your backpack. The backpack of 40 – 50 liters will be perfect if you want a free bag with little extra space.
 

3. What are the important things I should bring to the Annapurna Circuit Trek?

The Backpacks lists and the gears to pack for the Annapurna Circuit Trek are as:

• Backpack. 
• Day Pack 
• Duffle Bag with Lock
• Stuff Sacks and Organizers
• RainCoats
• Hiking pants or tights (1 or 2) 
• Shorts (optional)
• T-shirts (2)
   

4. What are the special features of the Annapurna Region Treks?

The lower Annapurna region is very perfect for short treks. You'll experience what makes this part of Nepal special within just a few days in the mountains. The accessible views of snow-capped peaks, rhododendron forests, and easy trails lined with a selection of cozy teahouses are the perfect sight for your eyes.
 

5. Do I need crampons for the Annapurna Circuit Trek?

Crampons are not required for the Annapurna Circuit trek if you are trekking during the season. If you choose to do the trek during mid-winter or monsoon season, then crampons are required.
 

6. How cold does the weather fall around the Annapurna region?

Most areas around the Annapurna Massif can get very cold in the winter months. The temperature during the daytime can get as low as -10 degrees, with extreme lows of around -19 degrees in the depths of winter.
 

7. How do I prepare myself ready for the Annapurna Circuit Trek?

Before your Annapurna Circuit trek, you should engage in multi-day training or hiking, according to training advice. The closer your trek is, the more crucial it becomes. With 3 liters of water, you will be walking for several hours at a time. Depending on the day, you might also pack a down jacket or a fleece.

8. What is the hardest part during the Annapurna Circuit?

The high altitude that the route covers is the most difficult part of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. The Annapurna Circuit trek takes you to the high altitude of 5,416m, which is the highest point of the trek at the Thorung La, the highest altitude pass in the region. 
 

9. What are the best months to trek to the Annapurna Circuit?

The best month to trek to the Annapurna Circuit is during September, October, and November. The autumn in the Himalayas is generally during October, the best time to trek to the Annapurna Circuit. During this time the monsoon has cleared the air and the trails are dust-free. This time is also considered the peak trekking season. The tea houses in the Mananag areas might be packed.
 

10. Do you need a guide to trek to the Annapurna Circuit?

As the Annapurna Circuit trek is one of the well-traveled routes, a guide is not necessary. In case you lost your way while traveling, there are friendly locals who will help you point you in the right direction. However, a quality guide can be very helpful if you are a novice traveler.