Mick Bromley of Wilderness Trekking confirms that the Annapurna Circuit is no longer one of the best treks in the world:
… You can rent a jeep all the way to Muktinath on the West side, and much of the East is road bed. Still there is magic to be found and the environs of Manang are still stunning, but just not fair to recommend this anymore. …
Here’s a list of hikes Mick organizes, all better than Annapurna:
Top Ten Treks
Sacred Tsum Valley – Nepal
Classic Manaslu Circuit – Nepal
Everest Base Camp – Nepal
Dolpo Traverse – Nepal
Mythical Nar & Phu – Nepal
Mount Kailas Kora – Tibet
Remote Zanskar Traverse – India
Markha Valley – India
Wild Lunana – Bhutan
Phubjikha Festivals – Bhutan
details – wildernesstrekking.com
besthike.com 
Such a shame. I haven’t done the Annapurna Circuit but it was on my list to do one day. I’d heard about the road being built and was worried it would seriously detract from the wilderness experience. On the other hand I’m sure I’m sure that the road will massively help development of the villages it reaches which (assuming the villages want the development) will be a huge benefit for them. Still sad to see a great trek falling by the wayside.
I just hiked the Annapurna Circuit last month and despite being able to take a bus from Muktinath it is still a trek worth traveling aroun the world for. The road construction on the East side of the trek hardly altered a thing.
I’m surprised the outdoor media hasn’t reported more on this. Besides wealthy recreationalists (us) losing a revered option, the impact on local communities is more more significant – “local development” means tea shop owners become hourly service workers as more highly capitalized businesses move in from down valley, and the local infrastructure (schools, medical, trash) cannot handle the increases.
Highly informative post. Keep on posting such a informative post. I would really like to do Everest Base Camp Trekking In Nepal before I die.
Thanks for posting some alternative hikes in the area – we have done most of our hikes in Australasia so far and have some beautiful spots down under as well. But getting to Nepal, India and Bhutan for some trekking is definitely on our wish list for next year.
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