Holidays
Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Sanctuary

11 reviews

Ke Classic

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Holidays

Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Sanctuary

Nepal

11 reviews

Available Departures: Jan, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec

Autumn Offer

22 days from

US$2,995

without flights

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Walk & Trek

Guided Group

CHALLENGING

The Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary combined. A classic trekking holiday in Nepal with ALL meals included

Trip Code: UAT

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays

4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays

7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays

10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Section:

Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Sanctuary

Highlights

Trek the Annapurna Circuit via the challenging Thorung La (5416m)
Hike from Tatopani to Ghorepani and see the sun rise on Poon Hill
Trek into the Sanctuary, at the spectacular heart of the Annapurnas
Views of Manaslu, the Annapurnas, Machhapuchhre and Dhaulagiri
FREE Sleeping bag and down jacket hire is available for this holiday

At a Glance

Group Size 5 to 14
18 days trekking
Max altitude - 5416 metres
Join In Kathmandu

Accommodation & Meals

All meals included
18 nights Lodge
2 nights Hotel with swimming pool
1 nights Hotel

Overview

North of the laid-back, lakeside city of Pokhara, the huge mountain massif of the Annapurnas is one of the most popular trekking destinations in Nepal. The highest peak, Annapurna I, was the first 8000-metre peak to be climbed and there are several other summits above 7500 metres in this accessible and magnificent Himalayan range. The circuit of the Annapurnas via the Thorung La is long-established as one of the world’s great mountain walks, whilst the trek into the spectacularly enclosed Annapurna Sanctuary provides exposure to the very best of Nepalese culture and landscape. KE is the only company offering a combination of these 2 treks within a single, brilliant 3-week holiday.

Trekking beside the Marsyangdi River, the first part of the itinerary leads to the north side of the Himalaya and into a high valley where the largest village is at Manang and the people are of Tibetan buddhist descent. There is a stunning cliff-side monastery at Braga and great views of the Annapurnas from the north. Beyond the high point of the circuit at the Thorung La (5416m), the route drops down to Muktinath in the Kali Gandaki Valley. Then, after driving to Tatopani, the second phase of the trek heads up to Ghorepani and Poon Hill, before continuing, amongst forest and picturesque farmland, into the Sanctuary. Combining the 2 most famous trails in the region, this is a classic trek and, without doubt, the ultimate Annapurna experience.

Is this holiday for you?

This Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Sanctuary lodge trek is quite sustained but offers relatively straightforward trekking conditions throughout, following excellent trails which are well-served with tea-houses and lodges. The trek has a number of quite long days and the crossing of the Thorung La will present a significant challenge to the regular hill-walker. It should be noted that trekking at altitudes above 3000 metres makes greater demands on the body than walking at low elevations, and is of itself challenging even for fit hikers. Our itinerary is well staged to allow the best possible acclimatisation but you will need to ensure you are physically prepared for the trek. You should be comfortable with walking for 5 to 7 hours each day and for several days continuously.

Why KE?

Unique to KE!
No-one else offers this amazing (and logical) combination of the Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Sanctuary treks. With all meals included it's great value for money, too.

Itinerary

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Day 1

Meet at the group hotel in Kathmandu. Transfers from Kathmandu Airport are provided.

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Your holiday starts at the hotel in Kathmandu. Transfers from Kathmandu Airport are provided. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to explore the immediate vicinity of the hotel and get acclimatised to this bustling city. Alternatively, you may prefer to recover from your journey by relaxing beside the hotel pool. Your guide will take dinner with you and will provide an informal briefing about the days ahead.

Accommodation

Hotel with swimming pool

Meals

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Day 2

Drive towards Pokhara, before turning into the Marsyangdi Valley. Overnight at Jagat (1300m)

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We set off after an early breakfast for the drive westwards to the start of the trek, accompanied by our trek crew. After 3 hours or so, we arrive at the town of Mugling and stop for an early lunch at a roadside restaurant. Soon after leaving Mugling, we reach the small town of Dumre, beside the Marsyangdi River. Here, we turn north on a smaller road which follows the river. We cross the river on a long suspension bridge at Syange before climbing to our overnight accommodation at Jagat (1300m).

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L D

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Day 3

Start trekking. Via Chamje and Tal to Dharapani (1860m)

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Today we begin our trek around the Annapurna massif. Although the road continues up valley, its condition is very rough and it is much more pleasurable to walk from here. Where we can, we take the old trekking trail away from the road. From Jagat we start with a steady climb to Chamje, before descending to cross the river on a suspension bridge. Climbing once more, we enter the Buddhist region of Manang at the village of Tal (which means lake in Nepali). Here the terrain levels for a short section and the raging river slows to a lake-like appearance. Beyond Tal, the trail crosses the river again and continues for 4 km to Dharapani (1860m).

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L D

Ascent

1060 M

Descent

500 M

Time

6 hrs trekking

Distance

14 KM

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Day 4

Trek through a number of villages to Chame (2713m) with good views of Manaslu.

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The valley now turns towards the west, as we pass through the interesting Buddhist village of Bagar Chap. Manaslu is visible behind us and Annapurna 2 comes occasionally into view to the south. Even during today's walk we will be obliged to follow sections of the new road, as we pass through forested areas and stop off to check out several small settlements en route to our overnight stopping place at Chame (2713m). This is the administrative centre of this region, with shops, a bank and a school, as well as views of the Annapurnas.

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L D

Ascent

1300 M

Descent

510 M

Time

6 - 7 hrs trekking

Distance

18 KM

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Day 5

Trek to Upper Pisang (3300m).

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We cross the Marsyangdi several times today, in a steep gorge section of the river. The path is sometimes built into the cliffside on wooden piers. Climbing through a forested ridge beyond Buradhan, we reach a more open valley with some pasture, where we cross the river to its north bank, to reach the terraced fields of Upper Pisang (3300m). We have great views of the north side of Annapurna 2.

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L D

Ascent

1000 M

Descent

300 M

Time

6 - 7 hrs trekking

Distance

19 KM

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Day 6

Trek on a high trail through Ghyaru (3720m) and Ngawal (3680m) to Manang (3540m).

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Today's walk will take us even further away from the valley floor and up onto its northern slopes, via the interesting villages of Ghyaru (3720m) and Ngawal (3680m). The main Annapurna Circuit trail follows the river in the valley floor but the views of the Annapurnas from this high level trail are simply stunning and this, together with the fascinating houses and gompas of the isolated settlements that we will see, makes the extra effort involved in walking this trail very worthwhile. Plus, it's great for our acclimatisation. From Ngawal we descend to the valley and rejoin the main Annapurna Circuit trail at Braga, from where we have a mainly level walk for approximately 4km to reach Manang (3540m).

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L D

Ascent

980 M

Descent

760 M

Time

7 - 8 hrs trekking

Distance

20 KM

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Day 7

A rest and acclimatisation day, with optional hike. A second night in Manang.

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Manang is a large village inhabited by Tibetan people. We spend a day here, to help with our acclimatisation, prior to crossing the Thorung La. There is plenty to see and do around Manang, which is the last sizeable village on this side of the pass. As a part of our acclimatisation, we will want to get up as high as possible during the course of a short walk. One option is to hike up to the Chongkor viewpoint above Gangapurna Lake and to carry on to a prayer-flagged ridge and deserted village, with great views northwards across the valley and towards the route leading to the Thorung La.

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L D

Ascent

460 M

Descent

460 M

Time

3 hrs trekking

Distance

6 KM

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Day 8

Short trek via several isolated tea houses to Letdar (4250m). Afternoon at leisure.

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In accordance with our programme of careful acclimatisation, we must ascend very slowly and this gives us a relatively short day as we continue toward the Thorung La. Climbing out of the Marsyangdi Valley, there are great views of Manaslu, the Annapurnas and Tilicho Peak as we head northwest up the Jarsang Khola, through scrubby juniper and across alpine meadows up to the settlement of Letdar (4250m).

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L D

Ascent

830 M

Descent

150 M

Time

4 - 5 hrs trekking

Distance

13 KM

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Day 9

Trek beside the Jarsang Khola, with views of Gangapurna. Overnight at Thorung High Camp (4750m).

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We continue on the east bank of the Jarsang stream to a covered bridge, beyond which a steep trail climbs across scree to reach the tea-houses at Thorung Phedi (4450m) (a name which means 'base of the Thorong La'). To make the crossing of the pass easier tomorrow, we will hike up for a further hour and a half to the single lodge at Thorung High Camp (4750m). Arriving at around midday, we will have lunch and then take it easy and make sure we are well fed and well acclimatised ahead of the pass crossing tomorrow.

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L D

Ascent

990 M

Descent

330 M

Time

4 - 5 hrs trekking

Distance

9 KM

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Day 10

Early start for the crossing of the Thorung La (5416m) and long descent to Muktinath (3800m).

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No need for too early a start from High Camp. After breakfast at around 6 am, we set off on the steep ascent to the Thorung La. The trail is well defined, though potentially icy in places. After the steep start, it eases off, passing a number of glacial lakes on the slow climb to the cairns and prayer flags at the pass (5416m). At this altitude, this is a tough 2 to 3-hour climb. There are tremendous views in both directions. In addition to the mountains that have been with us for the last few days, we can see the brown and red hills of Mustang to the north-west and the valley of the Kali Gandaki below us. Descending from the pass is quite straightforward, but hard on the knees. It is three hours (and 1500 metres) down to the sacred village of Muktinath, with excellent views of Dhaulagiri 1, Tukuche Peak and Nilgiri.

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L D

Ascent

670 M

Descent

1810 M

Time

8 - 9 hrs trekking

Distance

15 KM

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Day 11

Drive south through the Kali Gandaki Valley, via Marpha and Ghasa, to Tatopani (1190m).

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The road that for many years has been slowly extended up the Kali Gandaki Valley has now reached Muktinath. rather than walk along this dusty jeep road we now board our transport for the spectacular journey through the Worl'd deepest gorge between the Himalayan giants of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. This road through the mountains is subject to blockage and landslip so we may have to walk short sections of it as we make our way down through the airstrip town of Jomsom to Marpha with its whitewashed houses, paved streets and numerous well-kept lodges and Tibetan craft shops and then on into the wooded part of the valley and down to Tatopani, where it will feel particularly warm, having descended more than 2500 metres since setting out this morning. Tatopani means 'hot water' in the Nepalese language and there are hot springs here which can provide a relaxing end to a long day of driving. We stay overnight in a lodge at Tatopani.

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L D

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Day 12

Trek up out of the valley with great views of Dhaulagiri. Overnight at Ghorepani (2900m).

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Leaving the Kali Gandaki behind, we follow a steep trail which climbs the valley of the Gahr Khola. After a couple of hours the scenery opens out and there are fine views back towards the Kali Gandaki and Dhaulagiri, whilst ahead of us lies a steep terraced hillside, dotted with farms and villages. We take lunch in the village of Chitre approximately two-thirds of the way up the 1700 metre climb to Ghorepani. The going is easier after lunch and before long the trail enters an unusual (and cool) forest of moss-hung oak and rhododendrons for the last hour or so to Ghorepani (2855m). Large grey langur monkeys inhabit this high woodland and the sight of these bounding white-furred, black-faced creatures is at first startling. Entering Ghorepani is itself something of a surprise. Numerous tall, chalet-style, wooden lodges crowd around the trail at the ridge crest and present a rather incongruous sight. At this point we are at the junction of several trekking routes and there are likely to be lots of travellers passing through this ridge-top settlement in all directions. Whichever way they have come, they will be tired after a long climb and will stop to slake their thirst at one of the many hostelries. Traditionally a stopping place on the route from Pokhara into the prosperous Kali Gandaki Valley, the name Ghorepani means horse-watering place.

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L D

Ascent

1830 M

Descent

200 M

Time

6 - 7 hrs trekking

Distance

16 KM

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Day 13

Optional pre-dawn ascent of Poon Hill (3195m), then trek eastwards along a ridge to Chuile (2300m).

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It is a must for those who stay at Ghorepani to make the walk up to the celebrated viewpoint of Poon Hill (3195m), which is a continuation of the ridge to the west of the village. Dawn is the best time to go - so, we arrange a wake up call at 5 a.m. and those who wish can head up the well-marked track by the light of our head-lamps. The first light of dawn illuminates Dhaulagiri and Tukuche Peak with a surreal pink glow. You may be able to buy coffee and breakfast from some enterprising Nepali who has carried his wares up to Poon Hill to take advantage of the morning trade. Descending to Ghorepani, we make time for breakfast, before setting off on our trek towards the south side of the Annapurnas and the fabled Annapurna Sanctuary. Our trek today takes us eastwards, through rhododendron forest and along a pleasant ridge-top trail to Chuile (2300m) where we check into our lodge. The figures shown below include the Poon Hill ascent.

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L D

Ascent

850 M

Descent

1450 M

Time

6 hrs trekking

Distance

14 KM

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Day 14

Trek to Bhanuwa (2110m) via the village of Chhomrong (2170m).

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After breakfast we head steeply down to the river, crossing via another suspension bridge. The next couple of hours see us contour and undulate though the landscape before reaching the steep section of steps that take us up to Chhomrong (2170m) where we take lunch. From here, the true grandeur of the mountains can be seen, with unimpeded views of Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli and Annapurna South. From Chhomrong it is a steep descent, largely on steps, to the valley bottom and then back up again to our overnight stop at Bhanuwa (2110m).

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L D

Ascent

800 M

Descent

1000 M

Time

4 - 5 hrs trekking

Distance

10 KM

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Day 15

Trek through rhododendron and bamboo forest to the collection of lodges at Deurali (3230m).

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From Bhanuwa the trail climbs through terraced fields and then through forest of bamboo and rhododendron to the ridge crest at Sinuwa. We continue through the forest, looking out for troops of monkeys, whilst generally contouring along the valley side, before making a short descent to the collection of lodges known as Bamboo (2310m). From Bamboo we climb again, passing through Dobhan and then the place known as Himalaya (2920m) to reach our overnight stop at Deorali (3230m).

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L D

Ascent

1300 M

Descent

180 M

Time

6 - 7 hrs trekking

Distance

11 KM

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Day 16

Ascend via Machhapuchhre Basecamp to Annapurna Basecamp (4130m).

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Beyond Deorali the valley narrows to a steep sided gorge as we head towards the 'gateway' to the Annapurna Sanctuary. Depending on the trail conditions, there are options to walk on either side of the river as far as Machhapuchhre Basecamp, a level and grassy moraine platform at 3700 metres, with several lodges. At this point we have passed through the narrow 'entrance' to the Sanctuary and find ourselves in more open country which is dominated by giant snow covered peaks. It will take around 2 hours to reach Machhapuchhre Basecamp where the trail turns towards the west. From here, it is a straightforward walk of just 3 kilometres to our overnight lodge at Annapurna South Basecamp (4130m). There are increasingly impressive views and jaw-dropping mountain moments as we climb the last steep section before reaching the basecamp area. At this point, the entire south face of Annapurna is revealed. A cirque of stupendous peaks surround us and the feeling of being inside a hidden valley - a sanctuary in fact - is overwhelming. After we check into our lodge we can relax and admire one of the most stunning mountain amphitheatres in the Himalaya.

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L D

Ascent

950 M

Descent

50 M

Time

4 hrs trekking

Distance

7 KM

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Day 17

Early start for the sunrise views. Then, after breakfast at the lodge, descend to Bamboo (2310).

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For those who wish, a pre-dawn wake-up is worth the extra discomfort to catch the sunrise on this unique mountain scene. After breakfast we leave all this behind and retrace our steps first to Machhapuchhre Basecamp then on to Deorali where we take lunch after 3.5 hours of trekking. In the afternoon we continue our descent of the Modi Khola to reach the forest once again and warmer temperatures at Bamboo (2310m).

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L D

Ascent

80 M

Descent

1900 M

Time

6 - 7 hrs trekking

Distance

13 KM

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Day 18

Trek down to the Chhomrong River, up to Chhomrong and down to Jhinu Danda (1780m).

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The first kilometre of the day is gently uphill as far as the ridge-top at Sinuwa, then it's downhill for an hour and a half through terraced farmland to a bridge over the Chhomrong Khola. A stepped trail then leads up to Chhomrong overlooking the Modi Khola and with great views back up towards Fish Tail Peak. We can have a coffee or Coca Cola stop in Chhomrong and admire the view, before finishing this relatively short day's walk with a steep descent to our lodge, not far above the river, in Jhinu Danda (1780m).

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L D

Ascent

550 M

Descent

1080 M

Time

4 - 5 hrs trekking

Distance

9 KM

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Day 19

Cross the Modi Khola and trek through Landruk to Pothana (1890m) on a ridge-top trail.

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Dropping down to cross the Modi Khola this excellent final day of trekking leads through the Gurung village of Landruk (1565m) and then traverses above the east side of the Modi Khola, passing several more villages and some section of stone-flagged trail. As the trail climbs again to the ridge at Deurali, there are great views back towards Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. At this point, we gain a ridge top trail with more fine views of the Annapurnas including Machhapuchhre and there's a gradual descent for the last couple of kilometres to our lodge at Pothana (1890m).

Accommodation

Lodge

Meals

B L D

Ascent

800 M

Descent

690 M

Time

7 hrs trekking

Distance

14 KM

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Day 20

Trek to the roadhead at Phedi and drive to the hotel in Pokhara. Afternoon free to explore Lakeside.

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It's just a short walk down to the roadhead at Phedi. The trail descends through pleasant farmland with colourful farms and orderly terraced fields. On our left-hand side we can look across and back to the Annapurna Massif. We are likely to see trekkers heading the other way, ascending the trail that we are descending. At Phedi, we meet up with our transport for the 45 minute ride back to Pokhara where we check in to our comfortable hotel close to Phewa Tal. After a shower and clean-up we will have some free time to wander by the lake - or sit in the garden of one of the excellent lakeside restaurants and admire the view of the Annapurnas. Compared to Kathmandu, Pokhara is a very laid-back town and is the perfect place to relax at the end of our trek. Pokhara also has a reputation for great restaurants and this evening we will go out for a celebratory meal.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L D

Ascent

50 M

Descent

850 M

Time

2 - 3 hrs trekking

Distance

6 KM

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Day 21

Fly to Kathmandu. The rest of the day is free for sightseeing or relaxing.

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We take the morning flight to Kathmandu. One of the attractions of any visit to Nepal is the chance to walk the streets of Kathmandu, which presents a fascinating mosaic of shops, cafes and restaurants, food markets and street vendors, as well as a bewildering array of colourful temples and shrines. This evening we will have a dinner in one of Thamel’s excellent restaurants.

Accommodation

Hotel with swimming pool

Meals

B L D

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Day 22

Your holiday ends after breakfast. Transfers to Kathmandu Airport are provided.

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Your holiday ends after breakfast. Transfers to Kathmandu Airport are provided. To extend your holiday in Nepal, why not pre-book a day's sightseeing tour in the Kathmandu Valley, or a multi-day excursion to the wildlife reserve at Chitwan. Contact our office for details.

Meals

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The Route

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Point

Airport

Direction

Pass

Trek

Transfer

Internal Flight

Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

Holiday

General

Equipment

What's Included

A professional and qualified Nepalese tour leader
Kathmandu Airport transfers
Internal flights and all land transport involved in the itinerary
All accommodation as described in the trip dossier
All meals
Once on trek the group will be assisted by porters and a local guide
FREE Sleeping bag and down jacket hire is available for this holiday on request

What's not Included

Travel Insurance
Nepalese Visa
Tips for porters and other trek staff
Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc.

Joining Arrangements & Transfers

The group will meet at the hotel in Kathmandu.

Transfers are provided from/to Kathmandu Airport for all clients arriving on Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary and departing on the last day of the Land Only itinerary.

Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation.

Meal Plan

All meals are included in the trip price from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 22 of the land Only itinerary.

Food & Water

Drinking Water

It is not recommended to drink untreated water from the taps. If you are on a trekking or cycling holiday, water is supplied to fill up your individual bottles. This will be boiled, filtered or provided in large jerry cans or 5 litre bottles. Additionally you should take purification tablets or a filter bottle (such as a Water-To-Go bottle) to treat your water when in towns or where water is not supplied. We do not encourage the purchasing of single use plastic bottles.

Breakfasts on trek will generally be a set meal including porridge, bread with jam and/or honey and a small omelette or hard-boiled egg, together with tea or coffee. Lunch will be a set, single-course meal with tea or coffee. Dinner will be a set 3-course meal; soup, main and a simple dessert with tea or coffee. The lodges will typically provide Nepali dishes such as rice and dal, as well as ‘international’ dishes like pizza and chips. So that the group can eat dinner together, your trip leader will pre-order the main course, alternating daily between local and international dishes. If you wish to order additional dishes and/or snacks, you should budget accordingly. Boiled drinking water is provided at breakfast, lunch and dinner. All the lodges and tea-houses sell snacks, chocolate bars, soft drinks and beer. In Kathmandu we normally choose one of the excellent restaurants in the city for dinner.

Special Diets

Whilst we can cater for vegetarians, albeit sometimes with a more limited choice, we cannot always provide for special diets. Due to the nature of some of the trips that we operate and the countries in which we operate them, it can be very hard (and sometimes impossible) to cater for a wide range of dietary choices and you may have to supplement your meals with food/snacks from home. If you have specific dietary requirements please do speak to our sales team and they will be able to advise you whether or not we will be able to offer your specific choice. Please note that we are unable to provide separate menus and cannot accept liability for any problems arising from special dietary requirements or intolerances.

Accommodation

In Kathmandu we use comfortable 4 and 5 star accommodation including the Hotel Shanker and the Shangri-La Hotel. Located in the heart of the city, these hotels offers a range of first-class facilities including pleasant tree-shaded garden areas complete with swimming pools. The group will also spend a night in Pokhara at a tourist-class hotel near the lake. Whilst on trek there are 18 nights in lodges. Accommodation is generally arranged on a twin sharing basis and if you are travelling by yourself you will usually be paired up with someone of the same sex. Please note that at one or two of the higher lodges we may be forced to use multi-bedded rooms. Nepalese trekking lodges are simple, friendly and atmospheric. They generally have heated dining areas which are often attractively decorated. Bedrooms are, however, basic and unheated with wooden beds and foam mattress. You will need a sleeping bag. The lodges have shared washing and toilet facilities. Some lodges have solar powered showers (charged at $2 - $3 per shower) and battery charging facilities (also charged at a rate per hour). Staying at the lodges is a great way to meet fellow hikers and the locals. For the 3 hotel nights single rooms are available at supplementary cost. It is not possible to arrange single accommodation in lodges. Additional hotel nights in Kathmandu can also be pre-booked.

Internal flights

Access to the high and remote areas of the Himalaya where our treks start is often only possible using internal flights. The changeable nature of mountain weather makes flying conditions complex. In addition, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal does not operate to the same standards as those of western nations and all airlines in Nepal appear on the UK Air Safety List (ASL), and are banned from operating commercial air services to, from, and within the United Kingdom. Flying in Nepal is an acknowledged risk, and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice provides further details which you can read on their website. KE is mindful of its duty of care to clients travelling with us in Nepal and we are stakeholders in an annual independent air audit of Nepal airlines undertaken by UK tour operators, most recently carried out in February 2025. KE only uses airlines in Nepal which have been approved by this audit. We continue to cooperate with other tour operators to monitor aviation safety in Nepal and will ensure we remain a stakeholder in any further air safety audits. While we have taken appropriate action to try to minimise the risks of flying in Nepal, you should be aware that flying in mountainous terrain is not without any risk.

Please note that poor weather can cause delays on internal flights. If at the start of your holiday internal flights are cancelled for the day, you will spend an extra night near the airport (this may be at a hotel other than the group hotel). On the majority of trips there is enough flexibility in the trekking itinerary to make up 1 or possibly 2 lost days, but an alternative trek will be provided if delays to internal flights mean the original itinerary (or a shortened version of it) is no longer feasible.

For trips that end with an internal flight out of the mountains with no alternative road access, we have included 2 nights in Kathmandu as a contingency against delay. In the extremely unlikely event that a delay to your internal flight causes you to miss your homeward international flight, KE will re-book international flights for Flight Inclusive clients, but please be aware that clients booking on a Land Only basis will be responsible for re-booking their onward travel and for any associated costs. We advise you to take out suitable travel insurance and to keep your receipts, as you may subsequently be able to make a claim.

Group Leader & Support Staff

The group will be led by a professional and qualified Nepalese tour leader, assisted by an experienced team including Sherpa guides and porters.

Altitude

This holiday involves going to very high altitude. During the course of your trip you will be spending at least one night above 4000 metres and/or trekking to 5000 metres or above. This is not something that you should worry about; the human body is quite capable of adapting to a very wide range of altitudes, but it is important that we follow some simple rules in order to acclimatise successfully. Before coming on this holiday you should read the advice on trekking at high altitude. Unless you have previous experience of trekking above 4000 metres you should consult one of our trekking experts before embarking on this holiday. On this trip we carry a portable altitude chamber (PAC-bag) and/or bottled oxygen for use in emergencies.

Spending Money

Approximately £250 (or equivalent in US dollars, Euros etc.) should be allowed for miscellaneous expenses including approximately £80 (in equivalent Nepali rupees) for porter and trek crew tips. It is not necessary to obtain local currency prior to departure. Sterling, US Dollars and Euros are equally acceptable for exchange in Nepal. Please note: Scottish and Northern Ireland bank notes are not accepted in Nepal. We recommend that you carry your travel money in the form of cash, since you will exchange the majority of this on the day of your arrival in Kathmandu. If you prefer not to carry all of your spending money in cash, it is possible to withdraw money from ATMs in Kathmandu using your debit or credit card. During the trek it is possible to buy snacks, chocolate, soft drinks and beer on most days. Please be aware that since everything has to be carried up by porters or animals, these items become more expensive as you gain altitude.

Guidance on Tipping

Tipping is the accepted way of saying thank you for good service. Normally the porters and any other trek staff are given their tips at the end of the trek and this is best done as a group. Your Nepali tour leader will advise the group on an appropriate level of tipping. Most groups will hand out the tips with a bit of ceremony (or sometimes a party) on the last evening, to mark the end of the holiday. As a guide, we recommend that each group member contributes around £90 (in rupees) to these tips. At the end of their trek many people also like to donate various items of equipment to the porters and trek staff who work so hard to make the trip a success. Boots, gloves, hats, scarves and even socks are always warmly received by the porters. Your tour leader will make arrangements for a fair distribution (possibly by raffle) amongst the trek crew. Please note that you will have the opportunity to tip your tour leader separately (and additionally) during dinner on the final evening of the holiday.

Beat the Jet Lag

Our holidays are normally designed with minimal 'down time' at the start of the trip, but having a day or two at the beginning will have the additional benefit of allowing you time to get over the stress of a long journey or travelling across time zones, leaving you refreshed and ready for your holiday. We can easily arrange for you to have additional nights and airport transfers.

Baggage Allowance

Your main item of luggage should be a sturdy kit bag, duffle bag or similar which will be carried during the trek by porters animals and must weigh no more than 15kg. If you are picking up a sleeping bag and down jacket from KE in Kathmandu, you need to factor in the weight of these items (around 3kg) and allow space in your bag for them. You should also take on your holiday a daypack of approximately 30 litres capacity. It is possible to leave items not required on trek at the hotel in Kathmandu. For your international flights, please check the baggage allowance with your airline.

Group Size & Holiday Status

For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in the ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements.

Passport & Visas

The information that we provide is for UK passport holders.

A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

For other nationalities, please refer to your own Government website for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents including vaccinations and health certificates (see Health & Vaccinations below), and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check the FCDO for the latest advice for each country visited before travel.

Visa Nepal

All nationalities require a visa. The visa process is partly automated and the fee is $30 for 15 days, $50 for 30 days, $125 for 90 days. The visa is FREE for children under 10 years. The visa allows multiple re-entry. Payment must be made in cash and USD, GBP or Euros are accepted.

Part of this on-arrival visa process involves filling in a ‘Tourist Visa Application Form’ and you can simplify the procedure at Kathmandu Airport by filling this form in online (within 15 days of travelling) at this link. This generates a receipt which you present (hard copy or saved on your phone) on arrival. This should allow you to go straight to the cashier to pay for your visa and has the potential to save you time in the visa queue.

Whilst these are not now needed for the visa process, we recommend that you travel with at least 2 spare passport photographs.

If you are travelling via India (Delhi or Calcutta) to your destination you may also require a visa for India. This may apply even if you are not leaving the airport unless your baggage has been checked all the way through to your destination. Generally, if you use the same carrier for both legs of your journey, you will not need an India Visa. Please download the detailed information document: Visa PDF India.

TREKKING PERMITS – WHAT DO WE NEED FROM YOU ?

For treks in the Everest region – EBL, EVL, EHW, ELL - we need your passport details and we need you to take with you to Nepal 2 passport photographs. You will hand these over to your local leader on Day 1.

For treks in the Annapurna region – ASL, ACL, UAT, ANL and for the Gosainkund and Langtang Trek - GLT – we need your passport details and we need to send through to Nepal ahead of your departure a scan of a passport-style photograph of yourself. Please send this to us once your holiday is guaranteed.

For these Conservation Area treks and other treks requiring Special Permits – KAN, DLG, NAP – we need to send through to Nepal ahead of your departure a scan of a passport-style photograph of yourself and a scan of the information pages of your passport. Please send these to us once your holiday is guaranteed. On arrival in Kathmandu you will still be required to provide your passport (with your visa) for presentation at the Nepal Tourism Board. Your passport will be returned to you by your tour leader at dinner.

For those trips requiring Climbing Permits – MER, IPC, CTL, YAR - we need to send to Nepal ahead of your departure, a scan of a passport-style photograph of yourself and a scan of the information pages of your passport. Please send these to us once your holiday is guaranteed. On arrival in Kathmandu, for YAR and for CTL, you will still be required to provide your passport (with your visa) for presentation at the Nepal Tourism Board. Your passport will be returned to you by your tour leader at dinner.

Health & Vaccinations

Vaccinations

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations or other preventive measures. On holidays to more remote areas you should also have a dentist check up. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella, along with hepatitis A and typhoid. In addition you should check whether any specific vaccinations are needed to the regions that you are travelling to. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro.

Malaria

Malarial prophylaxis is not usually required for trips in the mountains, however if you are visiting rural and remote low lying areas then they might be necessary.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Severe Allergies

If you have a severe allergy please inform the KE office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on KE trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' are not carried as standard by KE leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

Currency

The unit of currency in Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee.

Preparing for your Holiday

It makes a lot of sense to spend some time before coming on a trekking holiday getting some additional exercise. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the experience. We suggest that you adopt a weekly exercise regime leading up to your trip. Regular hiking in hill country is the best training but jogging, squash and swimming are also good for developing cardio vascular fitness and stamina. We also suggest you do some reading about the culture of Nepal and its various ethnic groups.

Climate

October to November and March to May are the best times for trekking in Nepal. These months either side of the summer monsoon season are neither too hot in the foothills nor too cold in the higher elevations. Pre-monsoon is the time to see the colourful blooms of the rhododendron at lower elevations. The post-monsoon months usually offer the clearest skies and the most settled weather. At either of these periods you will encounter a wide range of daytime temperatures during your trip from approximately 25ºC in Kathmandu to approximately 14ºC at 3000 metres and approximately 3ºC at 5000m. The ‘real feel’ temperature in the middle of the day will be much warmer than this. At night in the rarefied air the temperatures plummet. You can expect to experience overnight temperatures below freezing once above approximately 4200 metres and at our highest camps night time temperatures may drop as low as minus 10 or more rarely to minus 15ºC. Extended periods of rain or snow are very unlikely outside of the monsoon period but short lived storms can and do occur.

Travel Aware

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware’ campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that before travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates directly from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

Single Use Plastic

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

Books

Trekking and Climbing in Nepal. Steve Razzetti. New Holland
Annapurna, a trekkers guide – Kev Reynolds, Cicerone
Trekking in Nepal. Stephen Bezruchka
Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya. Stan Armington
Trekking in Nepal, West Tibet and Bhutan. Hugh Swift
Kathmandu and the Kingdom of Nepal. Prakash Raj
Insight Guide to Nepal
Adventure Treks Nepal. Bill O’Connor

Maps

Annapurna Adventure Trekking Map - 1:125,000. National Geographic & Nepa

Nowadays the best maps of Nepal tend to be produced in Nepal. This map is a collaboration between the Nepal publishers Nepa; and National Geographic. It covers the whole of the Annapurna Circuit and the Sanctuary.

Private Groups Information

Make this KE Adventure holiday your own!

Do our normal group departure dates not fit?
Would you prefer to travel with just friends and/or family?
Are you looking to organise a trip for your local walking, biking or mountaineering club?

It's really easy to make a trip your own. Simply select from our full range of adventure holidays and choose the dates that work for you and your group.

We are experts in creating holidays for groups of friends, families, charities and clubs. Our personal service means you’ll be fully involved as we make the arrangements for your perfect adventure holiday.

Independence with Security

Travelling as a KE Private Group allows you more flexibility and choice, but still with the peace of mind that everything is pre-planned and arranged for your group by a reputable adventure travel company.

To take your first step to an amazing adventure with your friends and family complete the private group enquiry form, or call our Sales Experts on: 017687 73966

Travel Insurance

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation. When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct. Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

Equipment List

The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. The packed weight of your kit bag while trekking should be no more than 15 kgs. It is possible to leave clothes or other items not required on trek at the group hotel.

You must bring the following items:

Hiking boots
Trekking poles (see notes)
Trekking trousers
Waterproof overtrousers
Baselayer shirts
Casual shirt and/or T-shirts
Fleece jacket or warm jumper
Waterproof jacket
Warm jacket (down)*
Sunhat
Warm hat
Sunglasses
Gloves or mittens
Daypack 30 litres
Headtorch and spare batteries
Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)
Water bottles 1 Litre x2 (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic)
Water purification tablets
Sleeping bag (comfort rated –15ºC)*
Washbag and toiletries
Travel towel
Toilet paper (you buy this in the lodges)
Antibacterial handwash
Selection of dry bags (to keep your kit bag contents dry)
Small padlock (to lock your kit bag)
Basic First Aid Kit including: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, insect repellent, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Glucose tablets and multi-vitamin tablets.

The following items are optional:

Trainers or similar
Gaiters
Microspikes (Kahtoola) or similar footwear traction (see notes)
Spare laces
Shorts
Baselayer leggings
Sleeping bag liner
Pillowcase
Swimwear (for the hotel pool in Kathmandu)
Travel clothes
Camera
Pen-knife (remember to pack sharp objects in hold baggage)
Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)

Notes

*FREE sleeping bag and down jacket hire is included in your KE holiday booking on request.

Please make all requests at least 4 weeks prior to the trip departure date. Please note all hire / rental equipment is issued in Kathmandu. Please remember to allow room in your kit bag for these items.

Trekking Poles and Instep Crampons. For this trip you must bring a pair of trekking poles, even if you only use them as a safety measure for the crossing of the Thorung La. In certain conditions, the trip leader may also issue Grivel Spider ‘instep’ crampons to group members for this crossing. These are small lightweight crampons, which can quickly and easily be attached to any kind of walking boot. If you have brought your own footwear traction such as the excellent Kahtoola Microspikes you can use these instead.

Respect Nepalese Custom. The Nepalese are still traditional and conservative in the way they dress. Therefore to avoid embarrassment on both sides we recommend that you respect this and do not wear revealing clothing or sleeveless tops while visiting Nepal. Shorts are acceptable, but they should reach to just above the knee and be modest and for women it is preferable to wear trousers or a long skirt.

Extensions

Chitwan Jungle Extension

3 Days

The jungles of southern Nepal are an interesting counterpoint to trekking in the foothills or the high Himalaya. Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge provides a relaxing and comfortable base for a wildlife safari and cultural village experience. During two days of wildlife viewing in the Chitwan National Park 'buffer zone' - the interface area between visitors and the animals that live at Chitwan – you will be accompanied by expert guides on safaris by jeep by boat and on foot.

Extension Code: CHTL

Sharing Price from

US$1,680

Single Traveller Price from

US$2,290

Single Room Supplement from

US$465

Extension Itinerary

Day 1

Show Details

KE extension package services begin with a transfer to Kathmandu airport for the flight to Bharatpur. You are met by a Tiger Tops representative and transfer to the lodge. After a welcome briefing, you head off for the first of your jungle activities which may be by jeep, on foot or by boat. We can enjoy an excellent meal from the Tharu kitchen before retiring.

Meals

L D

Hide Details

Day 2

Show Details

After an early wake-up call you will go out with your guide to catch the birds and animals at the watering hole. After breakfast at the lodge you will go out on safari again. As with yesterday your safaris can be by jeep, on foot or by boat. After a full day of wildlife viewing, you spend your final night at Tharu Lodge.

Meals

B L D

Hide Details

Day 3

Show Details

Depending on your flight time, you may have another opportunity this morning to observe the animals at the watering hole, then after breakfast at the lodge, you transfer to the airport for the flight to Kathmandu where KE extension package services end.

Meals

Hide Details

Whats Included

Return flights - Kathmandu / Bharatpur / Kathmandu
Kathmandu Airport transfers
Transfers to the lodge on arrival at Bharatpur Airport
2 nights full board accommodation at Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge
Jungle activities including jeep rides / boat rides / nature walks and birdwatching
Airport departure tax
National park buffer zone fee

What's Not Included

Any additional hotel nights required in Kathmandu before or after the extension
Expenses of a personal nature - drinks and souvenirs etc.

Kathmandu Tour - Nagarkot and Bhaktapur

1 Day

The Kathmandu Valley contains the cities of Patan, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu itself, all of which were once independent kingdoms. An exploration of the valley’s historic and cultural sights is an excellent way to begin or end your adventure in Nepal. Highlights of this tour includes a very early drive up to Nagarkot on the Kathmandu Valley rim, the perfect place to watch a Himalayan sunrise. This is followed by a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bhaktapur, renowned for its temples and traditional buildings.

Extension Code: KTMV

Sharing Price from

US$175

Single Traveller Price from

US$270

Extension Itinerary

Day 1

Show Details

We have a long morning of sightseeing in the Kathmandu Valley, beginning with a very early start (at around 0430). We drive for approximately 1 hour through the quiet streets to Nargakot on the valley rim to watch the sunrise light up the Himalayas. Dropping back down to the valley, you will then have a guided tour of medieval Bhaktapur before returning to your hotel towards midday.

Hide Details

Whats Included

Experienced tour guide
Vehicle transport and driver
Entrance fees

What's Not Included

Packed breakfast to be provided. Other meals and drinks are not included

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 from 11 reviews

Very impressed ★★★★★

This was my first trip with KE and I was very impressed with the customer service and organisation throughout the whole process. Having all food included made everything so much easier, especially while trekking in a region with no access to ATMs or banks. Having compared the KE trip with those of other companies, it definitely seemed better value for money.

Accommodation was basic as expected for the location, but the facilities were much better than I had expected. There were ho t showers available most nights, only ever twin share in lodges. Our guide Rinji was excellent. He was cheerful and friendly, communicated everything clearly, kept us all safe and healthy and checked that we were all well. He organised the food and lodging quickly and efficiently. One of the best guides i've encountered.

By Jo from Romford | 25 April 2025

Trip of a lifetime ★★★★★

This was a trip of a lifetime. Nepal is a wonderful place and the people are so welcoming. The scenery was stunningly beautiful.The visit was set up well with plenty of information available to understand the physical commitment and basic nature of the amenities. I was pleasantly surprised by the variety and quality of food, and the comfort & cleanliness of the rooms - though cold nights are a feature of the trip. The team on the ground in Nepal were great. Rinji was a fabulous leader who le d us through the challenges with humour, humility and encouragement. His deep knowledge of the mountains, wildlife and culture really added to our experience. He ensured we all made it through the altitude without any significant problems. I would highly recommend him for future trips! The porters were also great, constantly smiling and always looking to assist where they could. Communications from KE and their local partner were very clear. Overall I was delighted by the trek and the overall experience of visiting Nepal with KE and team.

By Ian from York | 10 April 2025

A 30 year dream has been fulfilled ★★★★★

Excellent service from start to finish. Our guide and porters were fantastic, as was the itinerary. All bases were covered, a walk through the mountains with a step by step acclimatization programme built in. All food was excellent and no one was ill. Traditional tea houses where cultural and simplistic but met our needs. Just outstanding friendly support all the way.

By Mark from Lancashire | 10 April 2025

Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Sanctuary ★★★★★

Excellent communication from pre-booking stage all the way through, great organisation throughout, very reasonable accommodation arrangements and fantastic, friendly and competent team, led by Milan Tamang, on the ground. Great itinerary, very reasonable (ranging to really good) accommodations considering region and altitudes, really nice and hearty food and scenery to die for!

By Jurate from Dalkeith | 28 November 2024

A first class experience with exceptional scenery ★★★★★

This was my first experience of KE despite knowing about the company for 35 years. Overall, I was very impressed with the level of organisation both before I departed and during the trip itself. Our guide, Raj Rai, had an incredible knowledge of the region and Nepal and Himalayas in general. Raj supervised the preparation of all foods and fluids which meant that over the 22 days none of us had any health issues. Raj also ensured we made steady progress gaining height so none of us had any altitu de issues either. I think this is testament to his level of experience and his professionalism. The trek was very well organised and well paced. The accommodation was pretty much as described. Not luxurious but generally clean and as comfortable as you could expect. The real joy was the scenery as we moved from humid, warm and steamy jungles to frozen snow-capped mountains. This really is a trip for people who want to experience trekking in multiple ecosystems in one holiday. I thoroughly enjoyed the company of our guides, porters and the other members of the group. The laughing and joking with each made the trip a joy. I would like to thank everyone on the trip and KE for making it an experience that I won't forget. I'm now looking for my next challenge!

By Adrian from West Perth | 07 November 2022

Very impressed

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

By Jo from Romford | 25 April 2025

Trip of a lifetime

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

By Ian from York | 10 April 2025

A 30 year dream has been fulfilled

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

By Mark from Lancashire | 10 April 2025

Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Sanctuary

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

By Jurate from Dalkeith | 28 November 2024

A first class experience with exceptional scenery

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

By Adrian from West Perth | 07 November 2022

Annapurna Circuit & Sanctuary Trek

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This was an excellent 22 days trek, taking in the Circuit & Sanctuary. We trekked through terrains as diverse as snow-covered high mountains, sub-tropical forest with monkeys, and beautiful flower filled valleys. The itinerary was well paced, allowing for good altitude acclimatisation, and the weather in October was perfect. Our guide (Raj Rai) provided excellent leadership, and thanks to his vigilant scrutiny of the kitchens throughout the trip, no-one suffered any illness. The team bon ded well, and we all enjoyed each other’s company. And, needless to say, the scenery was spectacular. I would highly recommend this trek.

By Garrett from Rickmansworth | 31 October 2022

Rough, tough, and challenging . Well organised very good leadership.

★ ★ ★

Felt well taken of by staff inc porters, assistants, and overall leader. Local trek guide painful. Whole outing was made more difficult by very poor accommodation and even worse ablution facilities. Health and hygiene were certainly compromised. The trek underfoot conditions were patchy. Best to avoid the dirty, noisy, dusty "road". Walking from dawn to dusk up 1800m is too much. most of the trekkers suffered from persistent coughs and blocked noses. Walkers need to be made aware of th is. Nepal needs to up its game to retain and indeed attract more trekkers based on my experience

By Brendan from Killorglin | 07 December 2017

KE Adventure reply

Thank you for your review. We are pleased to know that you felt well taken care of by our local staff and leader. The lodges in the mountains are quite basic given that everything required to build and furnish them has to be carried in for several days on the backs of animals or porters, but they are usually cosy and welcoming and run by the friendliest people you could ever hope to meet. The road connection between Muktinath and Tatopani is dusty but this is what allows us to combine these two classic treks in one holiday.

Excellent taste of the Annapurna Region!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary was a great trek, with some fantastic highlights such as; crossing the Thorong La pass, Poon Hill and the Annapurna Sanctuary. The trip was well organised from a UK point of view and communication was good which meant you felt at ease. From being picked up on arrival day, to being dropped off on departure day the trip was memorable and enjoyable. The local staff organised the trek excellently, meaning you were at ease for the whole trek. The staff were knowled geable and felt like you could approach them about anything. I would suggest if your travelling from the UK, send for your Visa prior to travel, it just stops a lot of delays and confusion when you get to the airport. There were a few flights that came in at once and people were waiting ages. The scenery on the trek was simply stunning. The people are friendly. This was my second trip to Nepal and I will certainly be going back. My initial thought was that 3 weeks would be too long, but the trek is varied and interesting and keeps you hooked throughout. Food and accommodation was fine, just have plenty dhal bat! Make sure you are well prepared as there are some long days, with good ascents and alot of steps! The 2 long jeep transfers were fine, albeit a little uncomfortable, quite funny actually, adds to the experience. If you want to see the best parts of the Annapurna region do not hesitate to go on this trip.

By Jessica from Wigan | 06 December 2017

Time Lapse

By David from Skipton | 01 December 2017

Mediocre - could have been so much better

★ ★

I was really excited and looking forward to going on the Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary trip, however things didn't turn out to be as good as I had hoped for. The main reason for this was the performance of our leader. He started off as being very enthusiastic and engaging, but as the trip went on he withdrew and was difficult to be around. During the trip, we had an incident in which a member of the group developed hypothermia. At this point our leader basically disappeared and left it to me and the rest of the trekking group to manage and care for the casualty. The leader did reappear later on, and did as we asked him to, but he gave the impression he either didn't know how to treat hypothermia, or he didn't want to. Had it been left to him, the casualty could have developed into a very serious case. The leader also basically laughed off requests for weather forecasts, implying he didn't need them. You might recall the mass loss of life in the Annapurna region caused by Cyclone Hudhud in 2014 (at least 43 fatalities). Given this I am at a loss as to why a professional mountain guide would not get a forecast. Over the course of the trip, the leader also withdrew and became less communicative with the group, which as a real shame as I was hoping to learn about the local geology, mountains and plants etc. Although I tried discussing and asking questions, he wasn't really interested in talking, and largely just put his hands in his pockets and wandered off at the front of the group. Don't get me wrong, the Annapurna region is spectacular and worth a visit, but what could have been a really exciting and adventurous trip fell flat, and felt mediocre at best to me.

By Wayne from Seascale | 13 November 2017

KE Adventure reply

Thank you for your review. We are sorry that your holiday did not turn out to be as good as you hoped. The local Nepali leader who led you around the Annapurna Circuit and into the Sanctuary normally gets fantastic feedback from KE clients, as he did from some other members of your group. We have written to you separately about this but it is possible there has been some misunderstanding between you for which the guide has apologised. Regarding the incident of hyperthermia you mention, we have been contacted by the person you have referred to as the ‘casualty’ and they have told us they are very grateful for the help given to them by the trip leader at the time.

Awsome Experiance! Fantastic Guide!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Raj from KE was the best guide that I have ever had the privilege to Trek with. This was a fantastic trip. If you want to experience trekking in Nepal and can't decide between the Sanctuary and the Circuit, this is the trip for you. Everybody in our group had a wonderful time. 5 starts to Raj and KE.

By Bruce from Colfax | 24 October 2017

Nepal open for business

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I booked my first trip to Nepal just before the earthquake and after the disaster I was still keen to go ahead if possible - Nepal needs its tourist industry. Fortunately KE persevered with the trip despite only 5 travellers and the risk that the fuel crisis might interrupt the trip. We were rewarded with a great trek led by enthusiastic and experienced local staff. We were well acclimatised for the Thorung La and very well fed. The Annapurna range is stunning and we got to view it from all side s. I didn't enjoy our drive up the "road" and given the choice again, I'd start walking sooner but otherwise a very successful trip and I'll definitely be visiting Nepal again.

By Kathryn from INVERNESS | 26 October 2015

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2025

Sun 2 Nov Sun 23 Nov

US$3,265 US$2,995 per Adult per Adult

US$475

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Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Sanctuary
With Flights

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Departure Reference: UAT /04/25/
This trip departs the UK on Sat 1 Nov returning to the UK on Sun 23 Nov

This trip begins on Sun 2 Nov and ends on Sun 23 Nov
Single Supplement Price: US$275 - Pokhara - KTM - Includes group nights in Kathmandu & Pokhara only (not available in lodges)
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2026

Sun 15 Mar Sun 5 Apr

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US$475

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Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Sanctuary
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Departure Reference: UAT /01/26/
This trip departs the UK on Sat 14 Mar returning to the UK on Sun 5 Apr

This trip begins on Sun 15 Mar and ends on Sun 5 Apr
This departure is guaranteed. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$475
Single Supplement Price: US$325 - Pokhara - KTM - Includes group nights in Kathmandu & Pokhara only (not available in lodges)
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Sun 18 Oct Sun 8 Nov

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Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Sanctuary
With Flights

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Departure Reference: UAT /02/26/
This trip departs the UK on Sat 17 Oct returning to the UK on Sun 8 Nov

This trip begins on Sun 18 Oct and ends on Sun 8 Nov
This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$475
Single Supplement Price: US$325 - Pokhara - KTM - Includes group nights in Kathmandu & Pokhara only (not available in lodges)
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Sun 8 Nov Sun 29 Nov

US$3,265 per Adult per Adult

US$475

2 more to guarantee

Book Now

More Information

Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Sanctuary
With Flights

Without Flights
Departure Reference: UAT /03/26/
This trip departs the UK on Sat 7 Nov returning to the UK on Sun 29 Nov

This trip begins on Sun 8 Nov and ends on Sun 29 Nov
This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$475
Single Supplement Price: US$325 - Pokhara - KTM - Includes group nights in Kathmandu & Pokhara only (not available in lodges)
Download Trip Notes

Sat 12 Dec Sat 2 Jan

US$3,265 per Adult per Adult

US$475

Available

Book Now

More Information

Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Sanctuary
With Flights

Without Flights
Departure Reference: UAT /04/26/
This trip departs the UK on Fri 11 Dec returning to the UK on Sat 2 Jan

This trip begins on Sat 12 Dec and ends on Sat 2 Jan
This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$475
Single Supplement Price: US$325 - Pokhara - KTM - Includes group nights in Kathmandu & Pokhara only (not available in lodges)
Download Trip Notes

Land Only Information

Please refer to the 'Joining Arrangements & Transfers' within Holiday Information for further details.

Flights and other transport to your destination should not be booked until you have received your booking confirmation and the departure is showing 'Guaranteed to Run' or 'Limited'.

The LAND ONLY dates and prices are for the itinerary starting at the hotel in Kathmandu. Transfers are provided from/to Kathmandu Airport for all clients arriving on Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary and departing on the last day of the Land Only itinerary.

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, KE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.

KE Adventure is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 2808) and are bonded with ABTA (Membership No: W4341)

Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Sanctuary

Holiday Grades

Our Holiday Grades Explained

1 - 3 LEISURELY

4 - 6 MODERATE

7 - 9 CHALLENGING

10 - 12 TOUGH

Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Sanctuary

Highlights

At a Glance

Accommodation & Meals

Overview

Is this holiday for you?

Why KE?

Itinerary

The Route

Essential Information

TREKKING PERMITS – WHAT DO WE NEED FROM YOU ?

Vaccinations

Annapurna Adventure Trekking Map - 1:125,000. National Geographic & Nepa

Make this KE Adventure holiday your own!

Independence with Security

You must bring the following items:

The following items are optional:

Notes

Extensions

Chitwan Jungle Extension

Extension Details

Chitwan Jungle Extension

3 Days

Sharing Price from

US$1,680

Single Traveller Price from

US$2,290

Single Room Supplement from

US$465

Extension Itinerary

Whats Included

What's Not Included

Kathmandu Tour - Nagarkot and Bhaktapur

Extension Details

Kathmandu Tour - Nagarkot and Bhaktapur

1 Day

Sharing Price from

US$175

Single Traveller Price from

US$270

Extension Itinerary

Whats Included

What's Not Included

Reviews

Traveller Reviews

Very impressed

Trip of a lifetime

A 30 year dream has been fulfilled

Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Sanctuary

A first class experience with exceptional scenery

Annapurna Circuit & Sanctuary Trek

Rough, tough, and challenging . Well organised very good leadership.

Excellent taste of the Annapurna Region!

Time Lapse

Mediocre - could have been so much better

Awsome Experiance! Fantastic Guide!

Nepal open for business

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DATES & PRICES

2025

More Information

2026

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More Information

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Land Only Information

Flight Inclusive Information

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee