Annapurna Circuit, An Introduction

I am getting ready for the Annapurna Circuit in October.  The Annapurna Circuit is a 133 mile, 21 day hike through the Himalayas.  I will be using the blog to cover the things I learn about the trek as I prepare, including places to stay, dangers to watch out for, what/how to pack, and importantly how to get yourself in shape for a trek through the Himalayas but first, a quick overview about the Annapurna Circuit. It is frequently rated as the best hike on Earth.  The route takes you through lush jungle, arid planes, and of course glacier covered mountains.  Unlike many other treks such Everest Base Camp, you do not need to worry about bringing a tent or bringing all of the food you will need for the trek with you.  This is because all along the circuit there are numerous villages with "teahouses" where you can stay and eat very cheaply.  As to be expected the higher in elevation (and more remote) you go on the trail, the more expensive your food and lodging will become, though even at its most remote things are still very cheap.  Due to the large number of villages on the trail (generally no more than 3 hours apart) you do not have to hire a porter but if you are hiking alone like me it might be good to have for security reasons.  The best time of year to go is in October when the views are the clearest and the weather is the driest.  The biggest dangers are from altitude sickness (the trail tops out at around 18,000 feet), cold, and contaminated water  (making avoiding travelers diarrhea very important for parts of the trip).  The other big issue to deal with when on the trail is the road that is being built.  Some parts of the circuit have been covered with a road decreasing the appeal of some of the trail's sections.  This also makes hiking this trek a race against time as the beauty of this centuries old trail will eventually be destroyed.