1

Certainly is not what it was and there are roads higher than you mention but much more impressive than kaligandiki. But your opinion can only be yours. Remember it is probably still the most popular trek in the world.

2

RE AC: below is a post I wrote very recently on the LPTT, in reply to a similar question:

AC: my guide and I did the full AC in Dec 2012, and we walked all the way from Besi Sahar to Phedi. We took almost 30 days, as we did a number of side trips. This was the 3rd time I have done AC, and in Dec the traffic on the road was minimal, and just a minor irritant some of the time. There were very few other trekkers, even though the weather was very good apart from 3 days when we had cloud and some snow, and there were also very few pilgrims at Muktinah. I still think that AC is a great trek, and will do it again at some point. What it is like at other times of year nowadays, I can't say. The NATT thing, which we did not have with us, may help.

3

I also still recommend the Annapurna Circuit. I walked part of it during the fall of 2011, coming down off the Manaslu Circuit. I also trekked to BesiShar. As you mentioned, roads are encroaching on both ends. However, there are often many trails on the other side of the river that offer a wonderful experience.

4

Thank you very much for this information!

Can anybody precisely tell how far the roads go in each valley? From where to where?
Or where can I find this info?

Sounds like the traffic is sort of light and trekking is still reasonably possible, correct?

Thanks again for all your help!
Happy trekkings!

5

Hi

On the eastern side the road reached Chame a few months age, newspaper report here. On the west the road goes all the way to Muktinath. See this Annapurna map.

I have not trekked the AC recently but the majority of the reports I have seen on here and elsewhere are positive despite the road and the most negative opinions are from those who trekked it before much of the road was buil! The NATT Guide might be useful.

scoodly

6

Hi scoodly,
Many thanks for this excellent info and links, it is very helpful !!!

7

Hi there

Tossing up whether to join a tour or get a guide for a planned trip in mid October. Or has anyone had experience in finding people on line doing about the same time to share a guide?

Have never visited Nepal before.

Muddy

8

Hi Muddy ..

I am also looking at doing the AC in mid October, and keen to hire my own guide. Message me if you would like to discuss possibilites of joining up. Im not keen on the whole tour group idea, as would love the time to explore etc ...

9

Muddy, I definitely recommend hiring a guide or guide/porter rather than joining a tour. If you hire you own guide, you can travel at your own pace rather than the pace of a group. Sometimes you can connect with like minded individuals like the post above from antwakeuk If you are doing one of the popular treks like the Annapurna Circuit or Everest Base Camp treks, you certainly can do it independently too (without a guide or porter). You don't need a guide to show you the way because the trail is very obvious and if you happen to get off of it by mistake, a local will help you get back on it. However, a good guide provides opportunities, opens doors, and provides information, especially if you are into the culture, curious about various plants and animals, etc. In my opinion, a good guide offers a lot of value, especially for the first timer to Nepal.