Annapurna Revisited

sam371 · Jul 11th, 2006, 21:51

Hello fellow IMers,

I am thinking about doing the Annapurna Sanctuary in October with a good friend. We noticed that most websites suggest that the sanctuary (the shortest of the Annapurna treks) is 8 days long. Quite frankly, neither I, nor my friend can get enough time off work to do this. What we have is a grand total of 14 days during which we have to fly to Delhi to visit some family first and then fly to Kathmandu and to Annapurna from there. So the question I have for you kind folks is: Is there any way to shorten the Annapurna Sanctuary to 6 days? For example, getting dropped off by jeep to a remote village to gain 2 days?
The way I figure:
Day 1: flight to New Delhi
Day 2: Rest
Day 3: Fly to Kathmandu
Day 4: Sightsee around Kathmandu
Day 5: Start Trek
Day5-10: Trek
Day 11: Fly to New Delhi from Kathmandu
Day 12: Rest and shop in New Delhi
Day 13: Leave for New York
Day 14: Arrive New York

Any suggestions or ideas? Is it possible to do the Annapurna Sanctuary in 6 days? We definitely don't wish to rush through and I completely understand that this is a trek that needs to be savored and enjoyed at a reasonable pace. But the way it's looking, it's practically impossible to get more than 2 weeks off work at a stretch. All help is greatly appreciated.

Shimla, are you still around? Perhaps you can shed some light on this.

Thanks.

Sujoy · Jul 12th, 2006, 18:27

Its really tough..

the locals walk from Pokhara to Chomrong in one day via Birethanti - Suili Bazar and Beehive but I have walked down that way and it is quite long especially up hill.
From Chomrong you could probably get to Deorali in one day and to ABC in the next but what about acclimatisation?
From ABC if you are coming down you could make possibly Dovan or even Sinuwa but thats hard walking too.
In the end of it you will possibly be walking from sunrise to sunset and maybe more! No time to see anything or savour the views!
I dont recommend it!

dooms · Jul 12th, 2006, 18:57

I dont know much about ABC or EBC but if trekking to ABC is on top of your list why dont you fly directly to Khatmandu finish the trek and come to Delhi? Or finish your work in Delhi, do the trek and fly to NY? If you are hard pressed for time forget sightseeing in these places. There isnt much you are going to miss anyway

Finish your main objective without compromise and the rest dont matter.

As Sujoy says acclimatization is the big issue. Main thing is for you to enjoy your trip.

Best of Luck

jens · Jul 12th, 2006, 20:45

I did the circuit few years ago in 4 days. The main HUGE difference for me was that I was extremely well acclimated because I had just done the Annapurna circuit, AND I wasn't in a rush, so that if something had gone wrong, with the bus from the trail, a fall, the weather, or altitude sickness, I had time to sort out the problem. I stayed at the top for a day to enjoy the view, but it WAS a day of rest, which it helped the quick descent, which was brutal. Your main issue with the sanctuary is altitude sickness, which is a serious concern there, a lot more people run into trouble in the Sanctuary than in the circuit, precisely because their going too fast.

Frankly, I would never embark on your schedule. You have no room for anything to go sideways, or even to prepare properly, never mind to "enjoy" the trail. Plus you've just dished out several thousand dollars to get to the other side of the world. With that amount of time I would go to the Adirondacks, maybe, the Alps....naahhh...too short. Let us know how it goes, no you probably won't have time...

sam371 · Jul 12th, 2006, 23:48

Thanks for your opinions - I will discuss with the boss to see if I can get some more time off.

jens · Jul 13th, 2006, 00:07

That's really your best bet -- I know how tough it is to get time off, so I didn't want to suggest it. My own experience when I trekked in Nepal was I took a month off, then extended my trip 3 months once I was in Asia to see some more (I had worked for years without a vacation). Obviously, I left my job. When I was traveling, Americans were always shocked at my rashness. Europeans --not at all. I'm very serious about my career though, and go for years without vacations, however I never regret a job lost over travel, travel is so valuable. My best trips have been the longer (I'm not talking 10 years here -- 6 months), and I don't do a serious flight (India, Asia, S. America, Africa), unless I have at least 3 weeks. Hope your boss sees the sense in your proposal.

sam371 · Jul 13th, 2006, 02:38

Totally agree with your their Jens. I am trying to balance a career (which I love at this point) with my desire to travel. However, the business world in America is so cut throat that even suggesting a 2 week vacation is like being anti-company. I just have to find the right way to bring this up otherwise my plans are shot. As is, it's not looking too promising.

jens · Jul 16th, 2006, 05:38

Good luck. Americans are wierd about travel, it's a scam. No position is worth it. I know one guy though that took a job under the condition that he could travel for a year. It was a Serious banking position, so there's hope. All business should see the sense in it, in adds invaluable experience in the globalized economy. Good Luck.

Jul 11th, 2006, 21:51	#1
sam371 Dreaming of India... Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York Posts: 374	Annapurna Revisited Hello fellow IMers, I am thinking about doing the Annapurna Sanctuary in October with a good friend. We noticed that most websites suggest that the sanctuary (the shortest of the Annapurna treks) is 8 days long. Quite frankly, neither I, nor my friend can get enough time off work to do this. What we have is a grand total of 14 days during which we have to fly to Delhi to visit some family first and then fly to Kathmandu and to Annapurna from there. So the question I have for you kind folks is: Is there any way to shorten the Annapurna Sanctuary to 6 days? For example, getting dropped off by jeep to a remote village to gain 2 days? The way I figure: Day 1: flight to New Delhi Day 2: Rest Day 3: Fly to Kathmandu Day 4: Sightsee around Kathmandu Day 5: Start Trek Day5-10: Trek Day 11: Fly to New Delhi from Kathmandu Day 12: Rest and shop in New Delhi Day 13: Leave for New York Day 14: Arrive New York Any suggestions or ideas? Is it possible to do the Annapurna Sanctuary in 6 days? We definitely don't wish to rush through and I completely understand that this is a trek that needs to be savored and enjoyed at a reasonable pace. But the way it's looking, it's practically impossible to get more than 2 weeks off work at a stretch. All help is greatly appreciated. Shimla, are you still around? Perhaps you can shed some light on this. Thanks.

Jul 12th, 2006, 20:45	#4
jens Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: US Posts: 109	I did the circuit few years ago in 4 days. The main HUGE difference for me was that I was extremely well acclimated because I had just done the Annapurna circuit, AND I wasn't in a rush, so that if something had gone wrong, with the bus from the trail, a fall, the weather, or altitude sickness, I had time to sort out the problem. I stayed at the top for a day to enjoy the view, but it WAS a day of rest, which it helped the quick descent, which was brutal. Your main issue with the sanctuary is altitude sickness, which is a serious concern there, a lot more people run into trouble in the Sanctuary than in the circuit, precisely because their going too fast. Frankly, I would never embark on your schedule. You have no room for anything to go sideways, or even to prepare properly, never mind to "enjoy" the trail. Plus you've just dished out several thousand dollars to get to the other side of the world. With that amount of time I would go to the Adirondacks, maybe, the Alps....naahhh...too short. Let us know how it goes, no you probably won't have time... Last edited by jens : Jul 12th, 2006 at 23:56.

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Jul 12th, 2006, 18:27	#2
Sujoy Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kolkata Posts: 16	Its really tough.. the locals walk from Pokhara to Chomrong in one day via Birethanti - Suili Bazar and Beehive but I have walked down that way and it is quite long especially up hill. From Chomrong you could probably get to Deorali in one day and to ABC in the next but what about acclimatisation? From ABC if you are coming down you could make possibly Dovan or even Sinuwa but thats hard walking too. In the end of it you will possibly be walking from sunrise to sunset and maybe more! No time to see anything or savour the views! I dont recommend it!

Jul 12th, 2006, 18:57	#3
dooms Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 163	I dont know much about ABC or EBC but if trekking to ABC is on top of your list why dont you fly directly to Khatmandu finish the trek and come to Delhi? Or finish your work in Delhi, do the trek and fly to NY? If you are hard pressed for time forget sightseeing in these places. There isnt much you are going to miss anyway Finish your main objective without compromise and the rest dont matter. As Sujoy says acclimatization is the big issue. Main thing is for you to enjoy your trip. Best of Luck

Jul 12th, 2006, 23:48	#5
sam371 Dreaming of India... Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York Posts: 374	Thanks for your opinions - I will discuss with the boss to see if I can get some more time off.

Jul 13th, 2006, 00:07	#6
jens Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: US Posts: 109	That's really your best bet -- I know how tough it is to get time off, so I didn't want to suggest it. My own experience when I trekked in Nepal was I took a month off, then extended my trip 3 months once I was in Asia to see some more (I had worked for years without a vacation). Obviously, I left my job. When I was traveling, Americans were always shocked at my rashness. Europeans --not at all. I'm very serious about my career though, and go for years without vacations, however I never regret a job lost over travel, travel is so valuable. My best trips have been the longer (I'm not talking 10 years here -- 6 months), and I don't do a serious flight (India, Asia, S. America, Africa), unless I have at least 3 weeks. Hope your boss sees the sense in your proposal.

Jul 13th, 2006, 02:38	#7
sam371 Dreaming of India... Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York Posts: 374	Totally agree with your their Jens. I am trying to balance a career (which I love at this point) with my desire to travel. However, the business world in America is so cut throat that even suggesting a 2 week vacation is like being anti-company. I just have to find the right way to bring this up otherwise my plans are shot. As is, it's not looking too promising.

Jul 16th, 2006, 05:38	#8
jens Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: US Posts: 109	Good luck. Americans are wierd about travel, it's a scam. No position is worth it. I know one guy though that took a job under the condition that he could travel for a year. It was a Serious banking position, so there's hope. All business should see the sense in it, in adds invaluable experience in the globalized economy. Good Luck.

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