Where the Mountains Whisper: Trekking the Annapurna Circuit.
8 July 2025
Where the Mountains Whisper: Trekking the Annapurna Circuit.
The Annapurna Circuit felt like a slow, unfolding story. From warm village paths to the cold climb at Thorong La, each day brought something new. It wasn’t too hard, but it pushed me gently. The people, food, and silence made it unforgettable.
Nilanjan Ghosh Roy
By day, I’m a Product Designer. Off-duty, I’m chasing mountain trails and capturing landscapes through my lens.
Grade
Moderate.
Moderate.
Maximum Altitude
5,416 m
5,416 m
Location
Nepal
Nepal
Hike duration
10 - 15 Days
10 - 15 Days
Across Thorong La and Through Myself: My Annapurna Story.
In 2013, I went on the Annapurna Circuit Trek with someone I called Kaka. He was older than me, but during treks, age doesn’t matter—he was my hiking partner. We first met in 2011 during the Sandakphu trek and stayed in touch since then.
We had talked about doing a big Himalayan trek together, and finally, we chose Annapurna. The journey was long and full of variety—green valleys, dry rocky paths, snowy sections, and high passes. Every day brought something new.
But the most amazing part of this trip wasn’t just the views or the trail. We unexpectedly met a wonderful hiking group from Kolkata. None of us planned it, but we ended up staying in the same places, walking together, and slowly becoming a team.
They brought so much fun and energy to the journey. We shared stories, food, jokes, and even helped each other on tough climbs. It felt like a mountain family had formed without trying.
This trek gave me more than just mountain views. It gave me memories, friendships, and simple moments I still think about even today.
The Journey Begins: From Kolkata to Pokhara
In October 2013, I packed my rucksack, laced up my trekking boots, and boarded a train from Howrah to Raxaul. I was traveling with Kaka, my elder hiking partner whom I had first met during the Sandakphu trek in 2011. We had shared trails before, but this time, we were going for something much bigger — the Annapurna Circuit.
After an overnight train, we crossed the Raxaul–Birgunj border, completed immigration formalities, and took a bumpy, dusty bus ride to Pokhara. By the time we reached Lakeside, Pokhara, it was evening. The chill in the air, the backdrop of the Annapurna range, and the calm Phewa Lake already felt like a reward.
Entering the Circuit: Besisahar to the Himalayan Trail
The next morning, we took a local bus to Besisahar (760 m), the traditional starting point of the Annapurna Circuit. From there, we began walking—passing through charming villages like Bhulbhule, Jagat, and Dharapani. The early days of the trail offered beautiful riverside paths, suspension bridges, and terraced fields.
As we moved higher, we reached Chame and then Upper Pisang, where the air became thinner and the mountains grew taller around us. The sense of awe deepened with every step. We were finally in the heart of the Himalayas.
A Serendipitous Connection: Meeting a Kolkata Trek Group
In Manang (3,519 m), where we stayed two nights for acclimatization, something unexpected happened. We met a trekking group from Kolkata, also traveling along the circuit. At first, it was just a shared tea house and casual greetings, but gradually we started walking together, sharing meals, and bonding over the shared challenge of high-altitude trekking.
Their presence added warmth to the cold evenings. We laughed, exchanged stories, shared snacks, and even discussed everything from mountain routes to Bengali food. It felt like a small mountain family had formed in the middle of Nepal.
A Spiritual Pause: Muktinath Temple
8 July 2025
Where the Mountains Whisper: Trekking the Annapurna Circuit.
The Annapurna Circuit felt like a slow, unfolding story. From warm village paths to the cold climb at Thorong La, each day brought something new. It wasn’t too hard, but it pushed me gently. The people, food, and silence made it unforgettable.
Nilanjan Ghosh Roy
By day, I’m a Product Designer. Off-duty, I’m chasing mountain trails and capturing landscapes through my lens.
Grade
Moderate.
Moderate.
Maximum Altitude
5,416 m
5,416 m
Location
Nepal
Nepal
Hike duration
10 - 15 Days
10 - 15 Days
Across Thorong La and Through Myself: My Annapurna Story.
In 2013, I went on the Annapurna Circuit Trek with someone I called Kaka. He was older than me, but during treks, age doesn’t matter—he was my hiking partner. We first met in 2011 during the Sandakphu trek and stayed in touch since then.
We had talked about doing a big Himalayan trek together, and finally, we chose Annapurna. The journey was long and full of variety—green valleys, dry rocky paths, snowy sections, and high passes. Every day brought something new.
But the most amazing part of this trip wasn’t just the views or the trail. We unexpectedly met a wonderful hiking group from Kolkata. None of us planned it, but we ended up staying in the same places, walking together, and slowly becoming a team.
They brought so much fun and energy to the journey. We shared stories, food, jokes, and even helped each other on tough climbs. It felt like a mountain family had formed without trying.
This trek gave me more than just mountain views. It gave me memories, friendships, and simple moments I still think about even today.
The Journey Begins: From Kolkata to Pokhara
In October 2013, I packed my rucksack, laced up my trekking boots, and boarded a train from Howrah to Raxaul. I was traveling with Kaka, my elder hiking partner whom I had first met during the Sandakphu trek in 2011. We had shared trails before, but this time, we were going for something much bigger — the Annapurna Circuit.
After an overnight train, we crossed the Raxaul–Birgunj border, completed immigration formalities, and took a bumpy, dusty bus ride to Pokhara. By the time we reached Lakeside, Pokhara, it was evening. The chill in the air, the backdrop of the Annapurna range, and the calm Phewa Lake already felt like a reward.
Entering the Circuit: Besisahar to the Himalayan Trail
The next morning, we took a local bus to Besisahar (760 m), the traditional starting point of the Annapurna Circuit. From there, we began walking—passing through charming villages like Bhulbhule, Jagat, and Dharapani. The early days of the trail offered beautiful riverside paths, suspension bridges, and terraced fields.
As we moved higher, we reached Chame and then Upper Pisang, where the air became thinner and the mountains grew taller around us. The sense of awe deepened with every step. We were finally in the heart of the Himalayas.
A Serendipitous Connection: Meeting a Kolkata Trek Group
In Manang (3,519 m), where we stayed two nights for acclimatization, something unexpected happened. We met a trekking group from Kolkata, also traveling along the circuit. At first, it was just a shared tea house and casual greetings, but gradually we started walking together, sharing meals, and bonding over the shared challenge of high-altitude trekking.
Their presence added warmth to the cold evenings. We laughed, exchanged stories, shared snacks, and even discussed everything from mountain routes to Bengali food. It felt like a small mountain family had formed in the middle of Nepal.
A Spiritual Pause: Muktinath Temple
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