Mountain Trek / Annapurna Region / Nepal

Best of Annapurnas Trek

12 days

Mostly Moderate

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Discover the Best of the Annapurnas, blending vibrant trails, the stunning Manang Valley, and a thrilling helicopter ride to Annapurna Base Camp for the ultimate Himalayan adventure.

Overview

12 days Total Duration

Kathmandu Trip Start Point

Kathmandu Trip Finish Point

4,130m / 13,550ft Highest Point

Mostly Moderate Difficulty Level

Experience the Best of the Annapurnas Trek, a journey that blends rugged adventure with breathtaking luxury. Wander through vibrant rhododendron forests, golden terraced fields, and quaint mountain villages before stepping into the magical world of Manang Valley, a pristine alpine haven where turquoise glacial lakes, windswept pastures, and ancient Tibetan culture thrive beneath the shadows of towering Himalayan giants, offering a perfect pause for acclimatization. The journey culminates in a spectacular helicopter ride to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC), where you’ll hover over glacial landscapes and land amidst the towering amphitheater of 7,000- and 8,000-meter peaks. Perfect for trekkers seeking both adventure and indulgence.

Group Size	Price per person
2 people	Inquire
4 - 7 people	Inquire
8 people and above	Inquire

	8 hotels, 2 resorts, 1 mountain lodge
	11 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 11 dinners
	Reserved vehicle Jomsom-Pokhara flight Pokhara-Kathmandu flight

Valid until Dec 31st, 2025

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Highlights

Manang valley offers amazing side trips like Gangapurna lake, Ngawal valley, Ice lake and Milarepa cave.

From terraced country fields, lush jungles, spectacular waterfalls, hot springs, apple orchards, pine forests, monasteries, wooden suspension bridges, scenic lakes, high pastures, and the rugged terrains above Manang valley, you’ll experience it all.

Circumnavigate the magnificent chain of the Annapurnas along the scenic Marshyangdi river. The trek offers some alluring views of Annapurna I (8,091m), Annapurna II (7,937m), Annapurna III (7,555m), Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak.

Explore the pristine Buddhist culture and arid desert landscape of Mustang, that is actually on the tip of the Tibetan plateau.

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

JanFebMarAprMayJun

JulAugSepOctNovDec

Spring is one of the best times to trek in the region. The weather is blissful, and the trails are adorned with vibrant rhododendron flowers from mid-March onwards. The skies are sunny and clear, and the days are warm. The average daytime temperatures range between 18°C to 24°C (64°F to 75°F) in the lower elevations and between 12°C to 16°C (54°F to 61°F) as you go higher. There are chances of occasional downpours in the lower parts towards the end of May. The trails and lodges will likely be packed with trekkers.

This time of the year is warmer than spring by a couple of degrees. The northern part lies in the rainshadow area and is not affected much by the monsoon rain. The challenge, however, is the lower areas before the Manang valley and after Jomsom on your way back to Pokhara. The terraced fields and forests are gorgeous and lush green, but the road conditions can be dreadful, with a high risk of floods, landslides, and rockfalls. The chances of flight cancellations are also very high. You can choose to trek in the region during early June and late September when the monsoon is low. Lodges will be open on the trails.

Fall brings clear blue skies with mountains gracing their glorious presence on the horizon. Chances of snowfall are low. It is the most popular time of the year to trek in the region. Trekking in these months is perfect as the days are still warm and sunny (nights are cold). The average temperatures hover between 10°C to 25°C (50°F to 77°F), colder up higher and warm in the lower parts. With bustling trekkers in full swing, all the lodges are very busy, so advance booking is a must.

Winter in the higher areas, above the Manang valley, will be extremely cold, with temperatures dropping below the freezing point at night. The average daytime temperature ranges between 5°C to 12°C (41°F to 54°F). During January and February, the trails can be snowy, and high mountain passes will be inaccessible. However, winter boasts some dazzling views of the snow-capped mountains when it’s not cloudy, and it’s also a good time for wildlife sightings as the wild animals descend to the lowlands. If you can brave the cold and pack well, December can be one of the best times with great views (except if the passes are obstructed by snow). Most hotels remain closed, and it is not advised to trek in the peak winter months of January and February.

Itinerary

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Day 1	Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 2	Kathmandu - Bandipur
Day 3	Bandipur - Bhratang
Day 4	Bhratang - Upper Pisang
Day 5	Upper Pisang - Ngawal
Day 6	Ngawal - Manang
Day 7	Manang exploration
Day 8	Manang - Tilicho Lake - Pokhara
Day 9	Pokhara exploration
Day 10	Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) Heli breakfast - Dhulikhel (near Kathmandu)
Day 11	Explore Namobuddha
Day 12	Departure

Day 1

Arrival in Kathmandu

Drive from Kathmandu to hotel

Welcome dinner at Nepal's architecturally marvellous hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Kathmandu

Day 2

Kathmandu - Bandipur

Morning Kora at Bouddhanath Stupa

Drive from Kathmandu to Bandipur 5 to 6 hrs

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Old Inn Bandipur

Day 3

Bandipur - Bhratang

Sunrise from Bandipur

Drive from Bandipur to Bhratang

We embark on a long, adventurous, and scenic road trip on winding Himalayan roads to reach Bhratang today. The first bit of the drive up to Besishahar is on the blacktopped highway while the later long journey is off-road drive along the banks of the Marshyangdi river. Expect a number of waterfalls, gorgeous forests, mountain villages, and road bumps on the way.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Farmhouse Bhratang

Day 4

Bhratang - Upper Pisang

Trek from Bhratang to Upper Pisang 6 to 7 hrs | 8 kms (5 mi)

Today, we come across apple orchards, suspension bridges and mani walls as we hike through pine woods and pretty little villages with fluttering prayer flags. The soaring peaks along with the snow-capped Annapurna II keep us company. We stop for lunch at Dhukur Pokhari and head to the peaceful settlement of Upper Pisang.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Royal Alpine

Day 5

Upper Pisang - Ngawal

Trek from Upper Pisang to Ngawal 4 to 5 hrs

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Mount View

Day 6

Ngawal - Manang

Trek from Ngawal to Manang 3 to 4 hrs

A pleasant few hours on the trails takes us to the glorious town of Manang today. Witness jaw-dropping magnificence of Annapurna II and Gangapurna mountains, and the turquoise Gangapurna lake. This charming little town also houses bakeries, souvenir shops, and serviced lodges with hot showers.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Mountain Lodges of Nepal Manang

Day 7

Manang exploration

Manang exploration 7 to 8 hrs

At an elevation of 3500 meters, Manang is our perfect acclimatization spot. You can opt for one of the short yet remarkable side trips (2-4 hrs) like Gangapurna lake, a monastery above Manang, Milarepa cave, or even Ice lake (6-7 hrs) if you’re feeling adventurous.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Mountain Lodges of Nepal Manang

Day 8

Manang - Tilicho Lake - Pokhara

Heli ride to Tilicho Lake for breakfast and fly to Pokhara 1 to 2 hrs

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Begnas Lake Resort

Day 9

Pokhara exploration

Begnas Lake Exploration

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Begnas Lake Resort

Day 10

Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) Heli breakfast - Dhulikhel (near Kathmandu)

Heli exploration to ABC, and fly to Dhulikhel 2 to 3 hrs

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: The Dwarika’s Resort

Day 11

Explore Namobuddha

	Drive to Namobuddha Monastery for prayers with monks
	Bhaktapur Durbar Square sightseeing
	Newari cooking with locals
	Drive to Kathmandu

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Kathmandu

Day 12

Departure

Drive from hotel to Kathmandu Airport 30 mins

Meals Included: Breakfast

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Accommodation & Logistics

Overnight accommodation included on this trip:

Hyatt Regency Kathmandu

Old Inn Bandipur

Farmhouse Bhratang

Hotel Royal Alpine

Hotel Mount View

Mountain Lodges of Nepal Manang

Begnas Lake Resort

The Dwarika’s Resort

Sharing rooms Accommodation is on twin-sharing basis, which means there will be two people to a room. If you are travelling solo, we can assign a room partner (with someone of the same gender if you so prefer) or if you are travelling with someone you know, you can share the room with them. For families with kids, room allocation depends on your preference and room availability. A separate single room can be arranged for an additional charge – please find details in the Prices section above.

Battery Charging The charging station is usually at the reception area in the dining hall and each device is charged on a timely basis (e.g. USD 1-2 per hour). The rates are higher for more powerful devices (e.g. power bank, camera batteries, etc). A portable battery charger (15,000-20,000mAh) is highly recommended as it will allow you to charge your devices 3-4 times between recharging the battery pack at a teahouse.

Cellular Network For cell service, consider purchasing an international calling plan from your home cell service provider. Not only does this save you the hassle of searching for a local SIM card, but it also works just as effectively as the local networks. If you plan to get a sim card, Nepal Telecom (NTC) network works better in most areas compared to Ncell in most remote areas. Having said that, please bear in mind that the process of buying an NTC sim card is more time-consuming.

Wifi If you have a sim card or roaming service, you can buy an internet data pack. In several remote parts of Nepal, both the cell network and the internet can be patchy. Teahouses have local wifi installed in different parts of the Everest and Annapurna region. Rather than getting a prepaid card that they sell, we recommend purchasing wifi as per your need each night directly from the lodges. Please note that the internet can be very limited and slow.

Hot Showers Hot showers (solar/gas heated) are available for an extra fee. In elevations above 4000 meters, you only have the option of bucket shower.

Toilets Toilets are usually common to a floor and could either be western or squat style. In lower elevations, attached toilet options are available. However, the options get limited to shared toilets as we go higher (above 3000m/9850ft) and may not even have running water. Make sure to bring your own toilet paper and soap.

Transportation

City Flights Flights between Pokhara and Kathmandu operate throughout the day. The planes are bigger than the mountain aircrafts and accommodate 42-80 passengers. Buddha, Shree and Yeti Airlines are some of the common carriers.

Mountain Flights Mountain flights operate only in the mornings and will provide you with a scenic yet exhilarating experience. The mountain planes used in Nepal are Twin Otter with a capacity to accommodate around 18 passengers. Some of the common carriers are Summit, Tara, and Sita Air.

Vehicle We provide reserved private vehicles to drive you around for pick-ups and drop-offs as per the itinerary. The vehicle type (car, jeep, van, etc) will be allocated depending on the number of people and terrain.

Food & Water

Food Lunch and dinner are left out from price includes to give you full flexibility on meals, depending on your appetite and preference. The lodges have a decent selection of food and drink options. For vegetarians and vegans, or if you have any other dietary requirements, please let us know at the time of booking so we can make arrangements.

Water Carrying your own water bottle/ hydration pack is mandatory. It is always best to have a bottle (1.5-2 liters) and a thermal flask (1 liter or smaller) during the trek. You can refill your bottle with boiled or bottled drinking water available at lunch spots and hotels. We highly discourage buying plastic water bottles during the trek for environmental reasons.

Snacks to carry It is recommended to bring snacks (like chocolates, dry fruits, etc) and energy bars to munch on during the trek.

Shops along the way You will come across several well-stocked shops on the trails (especially in the lower elevations) to buy water, snacks and toiletries. There are also shops selling tea and beverages in between lunch stops.

Crew

Guide One lead guide and assistant guides (depending on the number of trekkers) will accompany you on the trek. All our team members are highly experienced in the mountains, with adequate trail knowledge and first-aid training. Feel free to reach out to the team for any kind of queries or emergencies as we leave no stone unturned to give you a great mountain experience.

Porter A porter is someone who carries your luggage. They are generally locals of the region and will accompany you directly on the day of your trek. The maximum weight one porter carries is 25kgs/55lbs.

Money

Extra Costs to Expect Possible expenses, other than meals, could be drinks, laundry, tipping, and shopping. Please make sure you have read the Prices section thoroughly so you know what you might need to pay for while travelling.

Emergency Fund Our trips are planned to the last detail. However, there might be unforeseen circumstances arising from factors beyond our control (like political unrest, strikes, bad weather, natural calamities, bad road conditions, airport closures, flight cancellations, etc). For this reason, please set aside Rs. 20,000 as reserve fund.

Currency You are advised to carry the local currency (Nepali rupees) for the trails, as all the service providers transact in rupees.

ATMS and Credit cards In most areas outside the cities, cash is the more reliable and widely accepted payment method. While you will have the option to pay by card at some hotels and eateries in popular towns, it’s important to note that card transactions can sometimes be unreliable. Additionally, you will be charged an extra 3-4% transaction fee on top of the amount if you choose to pay by card. As for ATMs, you will come across a few in major towns but we recommend you to carry enough cash during the trek.

Tipping A service charge with tips is included by most hotels and eateries in their bills. You are welcome to give some gratuities to the trekking crew if you like their service. A good reference is around USD 10-15 per day for the guides and USD 5-10 per day for the porters. Feel free to tip higher if you love their service. You can tip either in Nepali rupees or US dollars. Generally, you chip in money as a group and tip your guides and porters on the last day of your trek over dinner.

Cancellations and Refund In case of flight delays/cancellations due to bad weather or unforeseen circumstances, we will reschedule at no extra cost. However, any extra cost incurred and extra charges because of the changes, including but not limited to transportation, accommodation and food, will be the responsibility of the trekker.

Health & Safety

Altitude sickness

We take altitude sickness very seriously and all our itineraries are designed to go on a slow pace, covering short distances as we go higher. With the increase in every thousand meters, we stay an extra night at the same stop or place with a similar elevation to acclimatize our bodies to the altitude.

During the trek, we will also take precautions by staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol consumption, and going for acclimatization hikes as needed. Our guide will check your vitals with oximeter every evening during the trek so we know how your body is reacting to the changing elevation. If you see any symptoms of AMS or have a headache, please contact our guide immediately. In most cases, mild headaches can be tackled with food, hydration and rest. We don’t recommend diamox (pills for altitude sickness) but you can take it as precaution starting a day or two before the trek if you are coming from sea level.

Trail Safety

Our guide will have a well-equipped first-aid kit at all times. Please go through our equipment and medical checklist for better preparedness as the common problems like foot blisters and knee pain can be tackled with proper packing. If you have any pre-existing health conditions, kindly let us know when booking.

Pack your passport, flight tickets, phone, wallet, camera equipment, cash, and all your valuables in your day pack or waist belt. Please don’t bring or carry expensive items like jewellery etc or a large sum of cash while travelling for security reasons.

Insurance You must obtain travel insurance for the trek. This should cover emergency evacuation (including helicopter rescue) and medical expenses up to 5,500m (18,044ft) above sea level.

Drinking Water Water safety is very crucial as one can easily contract waterborne diseases, and you don’t want that. We recommend drinking only boiled water or using one of steriPEN, LifeStraw, or purification tablets during the trek.

Immunization The immunizations recommended before trekking in Nepal are Hepatitis A, Typhoid fever, and chickenpox. There’s no specific checking but it is for your own safety.

Emergency Contacts If you have any issues or emergencies while trekking, please contact the lead guide or anyone from the team. They will help you contact the nearby hospitals, transport, ambulance, police office, army checkpoints, embassy, and even facilitate rescue operations. We will also send you a list of relevant emergency contacts before the trip.

•	Free Wi-Fi	•	Room Service	•	Air Conditioning
•	Balcony	•	TV	•	Mini Bar
•	Private Bathroom	•	Hot Shower	•	Bathtub
•	Free Toiletries	•	Towels	•	Slippers
•	Power Socket	•	Electric Kettle	•	Daily Housekeeping

•	Restaurant and Bar	•	Child-friendly	•	Pet-friendly
•	Terrace	•	Garden	•	Swimming Pool
•	Plunge Pool	•	Massage	•	Spa
•	Laundry	•	First Aid Kit	•	Fire Extinguisher
•	POS Machine	•	Outdoor Seating	•	Mountain Views

•	Free Wi-Fi	•	Room Service	•	Air Conditioning
•	Balcony	•	TV	•	Mini Bar
•	Private Bathroom	•	Hot Shower	•	Shared Toilet
•	Towels	•	Slippers	•	Power Socket
•	Electric Kettle	•	Daily Housekeeping

•	Restaurant and Bar	•	Child-friendly	•	Terrace
•	Garden	•	Massage	•	Laundry
•	First Aid Kit	•	Fire Extinguisher	•	POS Machine
•	Outdoor Seating	•	Mountain Views

•	Free Wi-Fi	•	Room Service	•	Private Bathroom
•	Hot Shower	•	Free Toiletries	•	Towels
•	Electric Blanket	•	Slippers	•	Power Socket
•	Daily Housekeeping

	Transportation Manang - Tilicho - Pokhara heli flight ABC heli breakfast tour Pokhara - Kathmandu heli flight Reserved vehicle throughout the trip Pokhara to Kathmandu flight
	Accommodation 2 nights in Hyatt Regency Kathmandu 1 night in Old Inn Bandipur 4 nights in the comfort mountain lodges in Bhratang, Ngawal and Manang 1 night in basic mountain lodge in Upper Pisang 2 nights in Begnas Lake Resort, Pokhara 1 night in The Dwarika's Resort, Dhulikhel
	Food 11 breakfasts 10 lunches 11 dinners
	Crew An experienced trekking guide and an assistant guide with medical kit Expert culture guides for heritage tours Porters on trek days (to carry your luggage) on a sharing basis Salary, room, board, insurance and any expenses for all crew members
	Misc 13% Government taxes Annapurna Conservation Area Permit Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) Permit All heritage sites permits All National Park permits

•	Hiking Boots with a good grip
•	Rain gear (for you and your bag)
•	Comfortable hiking pants
•	Quick dry, breathable T-shirts
•	Windproof Jacket
•	Sleepwear
•	Trekking Socks (thick)
•	Underwear
•	Neck buff/ gaiter
•	Sun hat/cap

•	Downjacket
•	Thermals (top and bottom)
•	Fleece jacket
•	Sleeping bag
•	Sleeping bag liner
•	Gloves
•	Woolen hat/beanie

•	Day bag
•	Duffel bag (for porter)
•	Quick dry towel
•	Extra pair of shoes (preferably, slip-ons)
•	Water bottle or camel bladder (1.5 litres).
•	LifeStraw filter or purification tablets
•	Flask (for hot water)
•	Walking Poles
•	Sunglasses (Polarized, with good UV protection)
•	Locks for your backpack/luggage
•	Waist belt
•	A pair of binoculars
•	Trail snacks and energy bars

•	Head lamp (with extra batteries)
•	Camera with charger and extra batteries
•	Phone with charger
•	Power bank
•	Travel adapter (type C, D and M)

•	Sunscreen (SPF 30 or above)
•	Sanitizer
•	Wet wipes
•	Toiletries (incl toilet papers, soap, etc)
•	Personal first aid kit
•	Rehydration salts/tablets
•	Throat lozenges
•	Prescription Medications
•	Lipbalm (SPF 30 or above)

•	Passport with visa
•	A copy of Work ID (for expats)
•	A copy of Insurance papers
•	Permits (carried by guide)
•	Flight tickets (carried by guide)
•	Money
•	Credit Card

Best of Annapurnas Trek

Overview

Highlights

Best time to go

Itinerary

Customize this trip

Take a heli back.

Kathmandu Hotel and Transfers

Prices

My Own Room

Includes

Transportation

Accommodation

Food

Crew

Misc

Excludes

My Own Room

Extra Expenses

Important Details

Accommodation & Logistics

Hyatt Regency Kathmandu

Old Inn Bandipur

Farmhouse Bhratang

Hotel Royal Alpine

Hotel Mount View

Mountain Lodges of Nepal Manang

Begnas Lake Resort

The Dwarika’s Resort

Transportation

Food & Water

Crew

Money

Health & Safety

Checklist

What to pack

Outfit

Warmth

Accessories

Electronics

Toiletries & Meds

Documents & Money

How to pack

Duffel Bag

Day Bag

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