Annapurna Hiking

Overview

Being the most popular hiking trails of Annapurna region, Annapurna hiking is ideal for all those hikers who have time limitation or physical barrier to hike in Annapurna circuit and Annapurna base camp. The unique blend of culture and adventure makes this hike a surreal experience. Throughout the whole hike you will see the panoramic vista of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massif. The trail winds around the dense forest of Rhododendron, serene hamlets inhibited by Gurung ethnic community and chilly waterfalls.

Ideal for all the novice as well as experienced hikers, Annapurna hike offers the vibrant foray of Annapurna region. In every nooks and corner of the trail you will be greeted by the tantalizing glimpse of snow clad Himalayas. The cultural richness of the people inhibiting here makes this trip even more mesmerizing. Even though we will not reach up to high altitudes we can see the panoramic view of Manaslu, Machhapuchhare, Annapurna I, II, south, Hiunchuli, Baraha Shikar, Singu chuli, Gangapurna and Tharpu chuli.

Offering the dramatic landscape from deep valley to high mountain passes, sub tropical to alpine vegetation and extraordinary natural beauty; Annapurna hiking package is designed for both nature lovers and culture vultures. Here hiking can be done throughout the year.

Itinerary Detail

Day 1: Kathmandu Arrival
In airport our local representative will receive you and get transferred to the hotel. In hotel you will freshen up have some food and drive to our office for the briefing of your trip.

Day 2: Kathmandu Sightseeing
In the morning we will have the lunch and start to explore the historical city of Kathmandu. The places we will pay our visit are the holy temple of Pashupatinath which is located in the bank of Bagmati and the stupa of Bodhanath which dates back to 7th century. We will also visit the monkey temple of Swoyambhunath situated in the hilltop looking Kathmandu city and also visit Patan city which is known for its fine arts and architecture. Drive back to hotel have dinner and get to bed.

Day 3: Drive or Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara
Pokhara located 200km west of Kathmandu demands 7hours of bus drive to get there. We will get there by tourist bus which leaves from Kantipath( Pokhara) to Pokhara. The drive follows the Trishuli River. Throughout the whole path we will be greeted by the magical landscape. In the evening we can do some sightseeing in Pokhara. Or you too can take a 30min scenic drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Hike to Tikledhunga (1491m)
Grab your breakfast and drive for one and half hours to Nayapul which is the point for starting the hike. Now starting up the climb we will climb up to the rice, maize and millet fields. Following the main trail to Birethanti we will pass the small waterfall. Further continuing the walk we will reach Sudami and to Hile and ultimately to Tikledhunga for overnight stay.

Day 5: Hike to Ghorepani(2855m)
After having breakfast early in the morning we will climb to Ulleri(2070m). The trail goes steeply up for one and half hours through the cultivated fields, Rhododendron and Oak forest. We will have our lunch in Nangethanti we will continue the climb to Ghorepani. Overnight at Ghorepani in tented camp.

Day 6: Ghorepani to Poon Hill to Tadapani(2540m)
Wake up early in the morning and climb to Poon Hill(3210m) which takes around one hour to witness the magical view of sun rising over the Himalayas. From Poon hill one see the hodgepodge of different mountains like Dhaulagiri, Annapurna south, Machhapuchhare, Nilgiri, Singa Chuli , Annapurna and many more. After experiencing that magical moment hike down to Ghorepani have breakfast and hike for around six hours to Tadapani. The trail to Tadapani passes through the dense forest. Stay overnight in Tadapani.

Day 7: Hike to Ghandruk(1940m)
After having breakfast we will continue our hike to Ghandruk which takes about four hours. Ghandruk is a beautiful culturally rich Gurung settlement. The trail from Tadapani to Ghandruk passes through the dense forest. In the evening we will visit Gurung museum to know about their traditional cloths and way of life. Stay overnight at hotel in Ghandruk.

Day 8: Hike to Landruk(1565m)
Have breakfast the hike down following the Modi Khola through the Terrace fields to the village of Kyumi. We will cross the suspension bridge and follow the trail to the beautiful village of Landruk which offers the panoramic view of Hiunchuli and Annapurna. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day 9: Hike to Dhampus Village (1650m)
Today we will walk for five hours to the village of Dhampus. Initially we will walk through the village of Tolka and many other small villages which take us to the village of Bichko Deurali. From here the trail goes uphill for 45 through the Rhododendron forests which take us to the village of Pothana. In Pothana we will have our lunch and continue the walk for another 90min for Dhampus village. The village offers the excellent view of Annapurna massif. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day 10: Hike to Phedi to Pokhara
From Dhampus the trail descends through the terraced fields and forests to Phedi. From Phedi we will catch a ride to Pokhara. Get transferred to the hotel and in the remaining day we will explore Pokhara.

Day 11: Fly or drive back to Kathmandu
fly or drive back to Kathmandu. In Kathmandu you can do some family shopping.

Day 12: Farewell
At the time of your flight, transfer to Tribhuwan International Airport for you onward Journey.

Cost Info

The Trip Cost Includes:

• All airport/hotel transfers
• Guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu
• 3 nights accommodation in 3-star hotel in Kathmandu (2 before trek, 1 after trek)
• 2 nights accommodation hotel in Pokhara (1 before trek, 1 after trek)
• Teahouse accommodation enroute
• Breakfast in Kathmandu
• All meals enroute and boiled water in mountain
• Welcome and farewell dinner
• All ground transportation as per the itinerary by private vehicles
• Salary for all expedition staff.
• All necessary paper work, including trekking permits
• Travel and rescue arrangements
• All government and local taxes
• Duffel bag, t-shirt, trekking map

The Trip Cost Does Not Include:

• Nepal Visa fee
• International airfare to and from Kathmandu
• Extra nights accommodation in Kathmandu
• Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu
• Bottled beverages, including water
• Snacks such as energy bars, candy or chocolate
• Travel and rescue insurance
• Personal expenses such as snacks, laundry, battery recharge, extra porters
• Optional trips and sightseeing
• Tips for guides and porters

Trek Info

Accommodation

Wildpath Adventure Pvt. Ltd has chosen the best accommodation with your comfort and budget in mind. This includes staying in a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu and staying in comfortable, well-run lodges along the trekking route.

All accommodation is based on twin sharing but we will provide a single supplement if there is an odd number of participants. If you simply prefer a single room, this is available by paying an additional single supplement.

Meals

One of the joys of travelling abroad and trekking is the wonderful food prepared for you at each meal at the lodges and hotels. From the first tea of the morning to the last meal of the day, you will be treated to meals that are nutritious, healthy, fresh and suitable for a mountain expedition. 

We have chosen lodges and hotels where the food is of the highest quality. Their experienced local cooks will provide meals from a variety of cuisines such as Nepali, Sherpa, Tibetan, Continental, Italian and Indian cuisine. Breakfast and dinner will be taken at the lodges where we are staying, while lunch and tea breaks will be taken at a suitable lodge or teahouse along the day’s route.

Note: Before arriving in Nepal, please advise Wildpath Adventure  if you have any special dietary requirements or restrictions such that we can accommodate your request. 

What to Know

Fitness Requirements

In order to maximize your enjoyment of this trek, you will need to be in good physical condition and you will need to be prepared for rough conditions.  In general, trekking consists of many days of walking for at least  5-6 hours, some of it on rugged terrain. You should also be very comfortable walking with a small daypack and carrying up to 5kg of weight.

In addition to a good level of fitness, we believe you must possess: a willingness to tolerate difficult conditions, a flexible mindset, a sense of humor and good health.

Health & Safety

Your safety and well-being are of paramount concern to Wildpath Adventure Pvt. Ltd. For that reason, the trek leader has the authority to change or cancel any part of the trek if it is deemed necessary for safety reasons. Wildpath Adventure will make every effort to keep to the planned itinerary; however, we simply cannot guarantee it. Changes to the itinerary can occur due to weather conditions, the health of a team member or unexpected natural disasters. The leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please understand that these events are a possibility.

It is imperative that participants with pre-existing medical problems or conditions make these known to Wildpath Adventure when booking. Medical and evacuation expenses are the responsibility of the participant and must be covered by your personal travel insurance. It is also important that you consult your doctor for vaccinations and other medical requirements for your trip. Wildpath Adventure reserves the right to require a medical certificate prior to booking your trip.

Acclimatization

Any trek to high altitude carries with it the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness, or AMS. This is a serious and potentially life-threatening illness, generally caused by going up too fast. The higher the altitude, the less oxygen there is in the air. For example, at 6500m there is only half the oxygen that there is available at sea level.

Your body needs many days to adapt to this less-oxygen environment. Our itinerary is planned to allow sufficient time for acclimatization, by going up slowly and including acclimatization days as needed. It is not uncommon to experience mild headaches, loss of appetite or nausea when ascending, but these symptoms usually disappear with rest...

Although your appetite may diminish as you trek higher, it is very important to eat enough to maintain a good energy level. Similarly it is extremely important to drink sufficient water to stay hydrated.  The trek leader will advise you on what is sufficient food and water and we ask that you follow his advice.

We also advise anyone with known heart, lungs or blood diseases to consult their doctor before traveling. Our itineraries are designed to prevent AMS as much as possible, but it is important to remember that some people are more vulnerable than others.

Our team will check very carefully to determine if anyone has a serious problem. If anyone is showing signs of AMS, they will not be permitted to trek higher and will be required to descend to a safe altitude with a member of the team.  If the symptoms disappear at the lower altitude, the person may be permitted to rejoin the trek after a suitable rest period.

What to Bring

The following list is a guideline of what you should bring with you for the trek. Please note that clothing for Kathmandu and other non-trekking destinations is not included in this list. While you can bring everything from your home country, it is also possible to rent or purchase almost everything in Kathmandu.  Most of the gear for sale in Kathmandu is manufactured locally and thus considerably cheaper. However, it is also possible to buy brand name clothing and equipment at quality and prices that are comparable to home country prices.

At lower elevations on the trek it is likely to be very warm and the lightest of layers can be worn. However, at altitudes above 4000m it may be bitterly cold and windy, particularly after the sun disappears. The secret to staying warm and comfortable is to layer your clothing and to avoid cotton, as it becomes very cold when wet and is slow to dry. Pack with a minimalist view, as the load limit per person for porters and on domestic flights is 15kg.

Treks in Nepal are tough on gear and clothing. We recommend that you bring well-used items that can stand a fair bit of abuse. Many people bring gear that can  be given away at the end of the trek to the porters or guides. Please check with Wildpath Adventure if you are uncertain about what to bring – we will be happy to advise you.

During the trek the porters will be carrying most of your gear. On the trail you can expect to carry in your daypack item such as 1 to 2 liters of  water, your camera, a jacket for rest stops, sunscreen, tissue paper, a route map and binoculars.

CLOTHING

• T-shirts – 2 or 3, long-sleeved and short-sleeved, quick-drying
• Hiking shorts or capris
• Lightweight Long Hiking pants
• Lightweight thermal inner layer – top and bottom
• Fleece pants and jacket
• 2 pair inner liner socks
• 2 pair outer socks, wool,  medium to heavy weight
• Shirt with collar

OUTERWEAR

• Lightweight gloves
• Heavyweight gloves or mittens and waterproof  outer shell
• Wind-Stopper jacket (optional)
• Waterproof, breathable jacket
• Down jacket
• Waterproof, breathable  shell pants
• Warm hat or balaclava
• Gaiters (for high-elevation treks and passes)

FOOTWEAR

• Hiking boots
• Sneakers or  Teva-like sandals
• Down booties (optional, but very nice at high altitude)

MISCELLANEOUS

• Camera and extra battery and card
• Sun hat or bandana
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• 4 season sleeping bag (rated to -15 to -20 degree centigrade.  Down is preferable)
• Sleeping bag liner  (optional, but very useful)
• Trekking Bags/Duffel bag *
• Headlamp with spare bulbs and batteries
• Small lock
• Basic First Aid Kit (Wildpath Adventure staff will also carry a team First Aid kit)
• Daypack (approximately 2500 to 3000 cubic inches)
• Trekking Poles
• Water bottles (2) or camel back
• Ear Plugs
• Sewing and repair kit
• Sarong (optional, but very useful when washing)
• Energy bars, chocolate, candy
• Water-purifying tablets or water filter pump

TOILETRIES

• Sunscreen with high UV protection
• Lip balm for altitude (e.g. Labazan)
• Face and body moisturizer
• 1 medium sized quick drying towel
• Tooth brush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
• Multipurpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
• Deodorant
• Nail clippers
• Feminine hygiene products
• Small mirror
• Wet wipes
• Toilet tissue
• Ant- bacterial hands wash

FIRST AID AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES

All of the items listed here can be purchased in Kathmandu, however you may prefer to bring trusted brands from home. Note also that Wildpath Adventure will carry an extensive first aid and medical kit, so please bring the minimum required.  There are many good books and websites which carry extensive lists of recommended drugs and medical supplies. We suggest that you review this material before making any purchases.

• Plasters/Band aids
• Moleskin
• General-purpose  antibiotic such as Cipro
• Headache medicine –  (not Codein-based)
• Anti-inflammatory pills
• Antibiotic cream
• Eye drops
• Rehydration salts such as ORS
• Multi-vitamins
• Throat lozenges
• Anti-diarrheal  medicine
• Anti-constipation medicine

 
And if your pack is still light:

• Binoculars
• Journal
• IPOD (note that recharging may not always be possible)
• Reading material
• Travel game or cards
• Photos from home

Travel Insurance

All participants in a Wildpath Adventure must have travel insurance. This will protect you against the risk of comprehensive expenses which may result due to medical emergencies or accidents. This insurance should include air ambulance, helicopter rescue, and treatment costs.  Please be noted that we don't arrange or sell insurance and it is best to arrange this in your home country.