Annapurna Panorama Trek

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  • Duration

    10 days

  • Bookable From

    Mid-September to mid-June

  • Trip Style

    Privately Guided

  • Country

    Nepal

  • Physical Rating

    Average

Overview

This Annapurna Panorama Trek in Nepal is a perfect combination of adventure with villages, almighty mountains, and relaxation.

This trip is a way of discovering Nepal in style while staying in the mountain lodges of the Annapurna region. The trails between lodges lead you through picturesque, typical villages with remarkable views of Annapurna and will introduce you to the amazing local residents and their friendliness. The safari to the wilderness is the perfect opportunity to spot wildlife and appreciate stunning views.

The Annapurna Panorama Trek consists of 5 days of relatively gentle walking through the low-lying Annapurna foothills. These middle hills provide spectacular alpine views as you explore this scenic Himalayan region. Walk with your own group, or individually with a private guide so you can journey at your own pace.

On days when you're not trekking, you'll have cultural tours and leisure time.

On this holiday trek, you will enjoy the regional cuisine, and the lakeside city of Pokhara, where you will be astounded by its sheer beauty and pristine charisma. What makes this trip even better is that it is designed to help Nepalese people reap the benefits of tourism. Your visit to Nepal helps the mountain people with income, job opportunities, and development.

Highlights

  • Experience the culture of traditional life in Nepali villages
  • Enjoy the magnificent snowcapped Annapurna and fishtail mountain views
  • Explore the city of lakes, Pokhara
  • Visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kathmandu and witness rich history, heritage, culture, and tradition
  • Get a glimpse of Gurung culture, the largest ethnic group in Nepal’s Himalayas
  • Visit Buddhist and Hinduist temples and local architecture

Seasonal Notes

The high season is from mid-September to April. During the high season, the weather is perfect and filled with sunshine and clear weather. Trekkers will have the opportunity to walk through beautiful forests of colorful rhododendron trees if they book this trip in the spring (March-April).

The low season is May to mid-June. Low season is the hottest season of Nepal, but the days are hot and dry. This makes for more comfortable trekking than during the off-season when days are hot and humid.

The off-season (monsoon season) is mid-June to mid-September. During the off-season, there is constant rainfall and a higher chance of leeches in the jungle. The mountain views Himalayan views may not be clear and trekking trails are slippery.

Itinerary

Day 1 Kathmandu [Nepal] (Arrival day)

  • Arrive in Kathmandu, filled with ancient temples and traditions.
  • Picked up at the airport, and escorted and transferred to the hotel in our private vehicle.
  • Brief description of the activities that will take place during the upcoming trip and a preliminary briefing on hygiene and safety by a representative.

    Accommodation at a hotel
    Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m.

Day 2 Kathmandu: Cultural Tour

Today will start with an introductory cultural tour of UNESCO World Heritage Sites & the medieval village,

  • After breakfast, visit the temple-filled courtyards known as the Kathmandu Durbar Square.
  • Visit Monkey Temple, a complex of temples of different faiths dating back to the 5th century.
  • Drive to Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in Nepal, built in the 5th century.
  • Observe Buddhist monks draped in maroon robes in prayer in the monasteries surrounding the stupa.
  • Visit Pashupatinath temple, a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, and witness people performing the religious ritual and funeral pyres burning at open-air cremation.
  • Transfer to the hotel.

Accommodation at a hotel
Breakfast included
Tour duration: 8 hours
Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m.

Day 3 Start trek. Pokhara & Birethati Hike (~4 hrs)

  • After having breakfast, our representative will transfer you to the airport for a short, spectacular flight (25 mins approx.) to Pokhara.
  • Upon reaching Pokhara, take a drive along the Seti River valley to the trek starting point off the road at Lumle.
  • Hike for four hours in the lower foothills of the Annapurna, passing through the "bee village" of Tomijung as well as terraced fields growing vegetables
  • Cross the suspension bridge over the Modi River

Accommodation at a hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included
Altitude above sea level: 1,263 m.
Hike duration: 4 hours approx.

Day 4 Birethati – Ghandruk Village (~5-6 hrs)

  • Today, after a hearty breakfast, you start your trek through scattered farms to ascend the valley.
  • Through this 5-6 hour hike, you will enjoy the view of Mt. Machhapuchhre ahead and you will pass through rice fields and forests.
  • Walk through the forest in the lower foothills of the Annapurnas enjoying mountain views and views of the Modi Khola river far below in the valley.
  • Upon arrival at the lodge, we have time to freshen up and then have a hot lunch.

Accommodation at a lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included
Altitude above sea level: 2,012 m.
Hike duration: 5-6 hours approx.

Day 5 Ghandruk – Landruk (~4 hrs)

  • After an early breakfast, we trek to Landruk which will take approximately 4 hours.
  • The trail descends to the banks of the Modi River
  • You will be crossing a suspension bridge and passing through the cliffs where honey hunters climb up to get wild bee honey.
  • Once at the lodge, enjoy lunch and remarkable views of the mountains, or go on a guided sightseeing tour in the village.

Accommodation at a lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included
Altitude above sea level: 1,565 m.
Hike duration: 4 hrs. approx.

Day 6 Ghandruk Village (~4-5 hrs)

  • After breakfast, start the trek following the side of the hill, passing through hamlets and the countryside.
  • Savor lunch at the lodge, relax, and spend time in the garden
  • Optional afternoon walk

Accommodation at a lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included
Altitude above sea level: 1400 m.
Hike duration: 4-5 hrs. approx.

Day 7 End trek. Majgaun – Phedi via Dhampus (~1 hr)

  • After breakfast, you will hike through forests of oak, rhododendron, and silver birch with incredible views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Lamjung.
  • Your lodge will be an old Gurung village house with superb views of the Fishtail Peak and the Annapurna range.
  • Enjoy lunch and walk to Phedi passing villages and terraced fields.
  • Private transfer to Pokhara

Accommodation at a resort
Breakfast and Lunch included
Altitude above sea level: 850 m (Pokhara)
Hike duration: 1 hr. approx.

Day 8 Pokhara: Leisure Day

  • After breakfast, you can spend your day relaxing or exploring around. There are caves, museums, waterfalls, and pagodas to visit.
  • Activities like paragliding, bungee jumping and many more can be done to get a rush of adrenaline.
  • A boat trip on the Phewa Lake, where the Himalayas reflect themselves majestically, is an option for those who want to enjoy the tranquility of nature.

Accommodation at a resort
Breakfast included

Day 9 Pokhara - Kathmandu

  • Breakfast and drive to Pokhara airport for your flight to Kathmandu.
  • Check-in at the hotel and leisure time to rest or go souvenir shopping.
  • Dinner at a traditional Nepalese restaurant.

Accommodation at a hotel
Breakfast and Dinner included
Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m.
Flight duration: 25 minutes approx.

Day 10 Kathmandu (departure day)

  • After breakfast, you will be transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA)
  • If you wish to stay for more days, there are plenty of places to explore around the Kathmandu Valley.

Breakfast included
Driving Duration Hotel-Airport: Approx. 30 minutes depending on traffic.

Route Map

Inclusions & Exclusions

  • 3-night hotel in Kathmandu

  • 2-night hotel in Pokhara

  • 4-nights accommodation at Ker & Downy lodge during the trek

  • Breakfast in the hotel in Kathmandu

  • Breakfast in the hotel in Pokhara

  • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner during the trek

  • Farewell Dinner in Kathmandu (Day 9)

  • Internal flight Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu

  • Private airport pick-up and transfer

  • Private transfer to/from trek point

  • Sightseeing in Kathmandu (Day 2)

  • Entrance fees National Park & TIMS permit fee

  • Trekking guide and porter/s

  • Map

  • Any meals not mentioned above

  • Flights to/from Nepal

  • Tips

  • Travel Insurance

  • Liability Insurance

  • Beverages

  • Personal equipment

  • Visa fee: US $30 for 15 days, US $50 for 30 days, and US $125 for a 90-day, multiple-entry visa

  • Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary

  • Excess baggage beyond 15 kilos including day pack

Pricing

Prices exclude flights to/from the destination.

Prices are for double room occupancy unless indicated otherwise.

Solo travelers will have private rooms.

  • Deposit per person

    $200 pp

  • Group of 2 Travelers - price per person

    Contact for pricing

  • Group of 10 Travelers - price per person

    Contact for pricing

  • Single Supplement

    $950 (if traveling with a group and you prefer a private room)

Sustainability

Our company is Travelife certified, and we are committed to minimizing our negative impact on the environment and society. To achieve this, we work with our business partners such as accommodation providers and excursion providers to encourage the adoption of sustainable practices. We also create awareness among our guests and staff about the importance of sustainability. We believe that by promoting sustainable tourism, we can contribute to the preservation of natural and cultural resources for future generations.

  • Environmental Initiatives

We have taken various measures to reduce our carbon footprint. For example, we encourage guests to bring reusable water bottles and water filter tablets to reduce plastic waste. Our guides also collect trash along the trail and dispose of it in designated areas. During the trip, we avoid plastic-related items as much as possible, and we use cloth bags instead. Additionally, the trip is centered around trekking, which is a low-carbon impact activity. Our accommodations, including hotels and mountain lodges, are environmentally friendly, and most electricity and heating are generated by solar power and village electricity schemes.
Lastly, our office is an example of our economic practices, where we prioritize the use of sustainable products. We use biodegradable hand soap and cleaning powder, which are handmade and hand-packed by women from poor, remote communities. The office is solar-powered, and we use energy-efficient lights and water-efficient toilets. By incorporating sustainable practices in all aspects of our operations, we aim to promote responsible tourism that benefits both the environment and society.

  • Sociocultural Initiatives

We support the local community in various ways. The mountain lodges we use are made by locals with local materials, and they employ locals as staff. These lodges serve organic meals prepared from local produce and ingredients, catering to guests' dietary requirements such as vegetarian and vegan. The trip also includes hiking through villages, providing guests with an opportunity to interact with locals and witness their traditions and way of life.

Health & Safety

Be sure you have traveler's insurance.

FAQs

What does the Physical Rating of "Average" mean?

The trek is a relatively gentle walk through the low-lying Annapurna foothills. These middle hills provide spectacular alpine views as you explore this scenic Himalayan region. Hikes range from about 30 minutes to about 6 hours.

What are the accommodations like?

The accommodations on this trip are hotels and mountain lodges. The lodges are traditional buildings made with local materials of stone and wood. There are comfortable communal areas where guests can sit to warm up at a fire pit lit at the communal dining area during winter.

What about the weather?

Annapurna Panorama trek has varied temperatures. This depends on the season, altitude, and time of day. In the mountains between 1,000m and 3,500m the nights will be cool around 5°C (41°F). During the day temperatures sometimes rise to 30°C (86°F).

While designing the itinerary, we give importance to the handpicked lodges and take into consideration weather conditions in that particular season and also the trekker’s physical capacity.

What about health & safety?

  • For the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash, and other valuable items we advise the use of a neck wallet or money belt while traveling.
  • A safety deposit box is available in city hotels to store your valuable items but during the tour, you have to secure your belongings. We recommend you leave valuables at your home. A lock is suggested for securing your luggage.
  • It is advised to consult or get professional advice from a travel doctor about vaccinations and medical travel information beforehand.
  • Avoid consuming ice, salad, raw vegetables, and deep-fried, spicy, and greasy food.
  • The company and our suppliers (including for accommodation and transportation) adhere to stringent protocols related to health and safety.

Is this trip safe for solo travelers?

This trip is safe for solo (female and male) travelers.

Do I need a visa?

A visa for Nepal can be acquired on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, and at border entry points in Kakadvitta, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Gaddachowki on the Nepal-India border and Kerung on the Nepal-China border. Outside of Nepal, a visa can also be obtained at the nearest Nepal Embassy or Diplomatic Mission.

  • Visa fee: US $30 for 15 days, US $50 for 30 days, and US $125 for a 90-day, multiple-entry visa.

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