The Best Long Trek To Do In December - Annapurna Circuit Trek

You'll find the most important details you need to know about this trek here, ranging from average cost to the nearest airport, aswell as a brief description of what you should expect on this trek.

FYI - This is part of a series of blogs that describe and detail the best short and long treks around the world per month. The trek per month is not random, I chose the best treks with the best climate conditions per month. Type in January in the search bar of my blog section and find out what the best treks to take are in January.

Name of the Trek: Annapurna Circuit Trek

Location: Nepal

Nearest Airport: Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport

Average Trekking Duration: 12 days

Distance: 160 to 230 km approximately

Difficulty: Challenging

Highest Altitude: 5,416 m

Best Month To Go: December

Average Temperature: Reaches below 0 degrees at night

Average Cost: While trekking mountain, you can go solo with ease or even hire a porter if you are carrying heavy luggage. Otherwise, if you are an experienced trekker, go on your own. Cost per head will be around USD $1200 to USD $3000 if you go with a tour operator. If you plan to go alone, it should be about USD $1000 per head. There are additional expenses of permits and lodging along the way.

Nepal is famous for its Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Base camp treks. Both have their positives and negatives. You can reach the peak of Thorong La, the summit through a couple of routes. In December, it is freezing, and so carry thermal innerwear and other warm clothes. The Western route is the most scenic while the Eastern way is more commercialized.

At the base camp area, there are many lodgings available. Since December is not the time to get plenty of trekking enthusiasts, you will find a place to stay. You can find several small teahouses where food is also available.

What to Expect?

Annapurna Circuit trek is one of the most strenuous treks in Asia, and this is not a hyperbole. Though Decembers are dry here, it can snow anytime. Some trekkers begin the trek from Jagat and go anti-clockwise all the while acclimatizing themselves. You can return from the Western side of the peak to stop over and enjoy a little bit at Kagbeni and other such more villages. Many trekkers recommend taking a detour and heading out to Dhaulagiri Icefall. This is the most recommended and affordable side trip to consider if you have more time.

Covered with snow, the Annapurna Circuit Trek is hard because of its weather and snowy ways. The trails are slush-covered during the summer months of the year. However, the positive reason to visit this trek is to have one of a kind experience. You can get fresh food and water everywhere on this route. So a big plus point is you will not need to carry a heavy bag or too much dried food for the way. The only negative is you cannot camp out in the snow during this month.

For more info on this incredible trek, check out the following two blogs:

“The 13 Most Commonly Asked Questions About The Annapurna Circuit Trek (ACT)”

“Annapurna Circuit Trek or Annapurna Base Camp? And What’s The Difference?”