Premium Hiking and Trekking in Nepal's Annapurna region

While this is a relatively low-altitude trek (the maximum sleeping altitude is 1981 m), you’ll need a high level of fitness as you'll be walking between 5 and 7 hours a day on some days. You’ll ascend and descend uneven stone steps for much of the trek, so it’s recommended you use hiking poles (which are provided).

For the trek, you’ll be provided with a duffel bag that a porter will carry – your porter can carry up to 8 kg per traveller. Any other luggage can be left in Pokhara and collected at the end of the trek.

Some trails require unexpected maintenance throughout the year and may require closure. If that’s the case, we’ll take an alternative trail with similar features, distances and elevation where possible.

To get to the hiking trails in this region, you’ll spend quite a bit of time on the road – but all in the comfort of a private vehicle.

1. A Single Supplement to have your own room is available to purchase and is valid for all nights on the trip.
2. Please bring 2 passport size photographs for your trekking permit.
3. Between June and August, it is monsoon season in Nepal. If you do choose to travel during this time, please note that you will likely encounter wet conditions, obscured views, and an extra leech or two. During the monsoon, there is a chance that your itinerary may be adjusted pending water levels in rivers. Don't forget to pack rain proof jackets and trousers. Please see alternative monsoon season itinerary in the weather section of these notes.
4. Please be aware that in the event of an emergency evacuation, Intrepid does not have control over which helicopter service may be used. Some helicopters are not in regular use with Intrepid and have not passed our internal safety auditing.

What you need to bring will vary according to when you are travelling. Generally speaking, we recommend you pack as lightly as possible and make sure that you are able to carry and lift your own luggage, and walk with it for short distances. As well as your underwear, toothbrush and other items you always need to pack for travel, below are some items that you specifically need for this trip.

Intrepid provide an individual duffel bag to carry your trekking gear. The weight limit per person is 10kg each. Porters carry two bags each as well as a their own backpack. Porters weight limit is 25kg each.

Please keep the weight and bulk of your trek bag to a minimum by bringing clothes made from lightweight material. Don't pack too much clothing; one or two changes will be all you need. However, as the weather conditions in the Himalayas are often unpredictable, be prepared for all eventualities, be it rain, unseasonable cold or heat. For the trek all of your gear should be packed into plastic bags to protect it from the weather - dry clothes are essential for your comfort.

Your trek leader will assist you in packing your kitbag and can advise what to bring and what can be left behind in Kathmandu.

Day pack - Your day pack must have the capacity for the items you will be carrying on a day's walk: rain jacket, spare trousers, warm clothing, water bottles, camera equipment, washing items and other personal effects. A hip/waist strap provides additional comfort. You should consider day packs of at least a 30 to 40 litre capacity. You only need to carry your day pack when trekking each day. 

SLEEPING BAG & INNER SHEET
A good quality, warm sleeping bag is essential while trekking as only blankets are provided at tea houses. Please note that sleeping bags, are readily available to buy or hire in both Kathmandu at very reasonable rates. Your group leader can assist you in hiring gear after your joining meeting. If you plan to hire a sleeping bag we recommend that you bring an inner sleep sheet, which adds another layer of warmth. In winter a thermal inner sleep sheet is warmer. If you bring your own sleeping bag, please think about the time of year of your trek. We recommend a four season bag with a rating to around -10c. In Winter (Dec-Feb) a five seasons bag is recommended.

WATER BOTTLES
It is essential to bring 2 x 1lt water bottles to refill along the way. 
While trekking, boiled or safe drinking water is available to purchase in tea houses.
However, you should also carry a water purification method. Options include:
- purification tablets available from camping stores or pharmacies eg. Micropur.
- 2% tincture of iodine, available from pharmacies, used at 4 drops per litre of water and left for at least 20 minutes - longer in very cold weather.

ESSENTIAL TREKKING EQUIPMENT
Trekking boots (broken in)
Gaiters + spikes (for winter departures Dec-Feb only - can be hired in Kathmandu if required)
Waterproof 3/4 season jacket and trousers (can be hired/purchased in Kathmandu if required)
Camp footwear (ie sneakers, thongs or booties)
Several pairs of high quality hiking socks
T-Shirts - highly recommended are synthetic t-shirt styles that wick away moisture
Thermal underwear/layers
Down jacket (can be hired/purchased in Kathmandu if required)
Warm mid layers (fleece/micro fibre)
Trousers - lightweight, loose fitting, trekking trousers (can be purchased in Kathmandu)
Shorts or skirt for summer
Tracksuit or fleece pants for even
Sleeveless fleece and extra layers for winter departures (Dec-Feb)
Warm hat & sun hat 
Scarf/neck warmer
Gloves and mitts - waterproof and warm.
Sunglasses with UV protection
Head torch (with spare batteries)
Sunscreen and lip balm
Light weight towel or sarong
Personal first aid kit (including electrolytes/rehydration tablets)
Biodegradable wet wipes/toilet paper
Hand sanitizer gel
Trail mix/nuts/muesli bars (bring zip lock bags from home)

OPTIONAL GEAR
Pocket knife
Insect repellent
Ear plugs
Walking poles
Extra zip lock bags
Hot water bottle (winter months)

CASH:
Before departing on your trek, make sure you have enough Nepalese currency to purchase meals and drinks during the trek - in the smaller denominations where possible, there are no ATM's and it can be harder to change a NPR1000 note.

OTHER GUIDES & FURTHER TRAVEL:
For other guides to packing for treks: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/packing-guide-for-trekking-in-nepal/
If you are spending further time in the region, please see some ideas for regular travelling gear to pack.
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list

A good level of fitness is required for this trip. The more preparation you have done for it the more you will get out of it. You will be walking at altitudes of up to around 2000m above sea level. Whilst this trip isn't as demanding as longer and higher treks into the Annapurna or Everest regions, you will be walking with your day pack, with the possibility of variations in temperature. We recommend that you undertake regular aerobic exercise in the months before you travel, particularly if you are not in the habit of regular exercise. Doing mountain walks or climbing long stair cases with a pack is good preparation (try putting a few bricks in your pack for real training!). Walking, jogging, swimming or riding a bike are all good ways to increase your aerobic fitness, which will allow you to enjoy the trek to its fullest.

Hotel Barahi, Kantipath Road Kathmandu, Kathmandu, Bāgmatī, Kathmandu, NEPAL

Alternate Joining Point

Hotel Barahi, Barahi Path, Lakeside, Pokhara, Gandakī, Pokhara, NEPAL

Alternate Finish Point

Breakfasts included: 7

Lunches included: 6

Dinners included: 5

FOOD IN NEPAL:
We do not include meals while trekking, allowing you to choose what you want to eat and when. We know from experience that the altitude and physical exercise can mean trekker's appetites differ quite widely. The menus in the teahouses are varied, ranging from traditional Nepalese dhal bhat to pizza and apple pie. Vegetarians are well catered for in Nepal. How much you need to spend per day will vary, but it could be anything up to US$60 per day for meals, snacks and drinks. Prices tend to get higher the higher you go on trek in response to the difficulty of getting supplies to the teahouses.

In Kathmandu and Pokhara there are plenty of restaurants and cafes for all tastes and budgets. For a glimpse at what traditional Nepali cuisine entails, check out our guide here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/guide-to-nepali-cuisine/

ALCOHOL & CAFFEINE:
Alcohol and trekking don't mix. We highly recommend that you limit your alcohol consumption in Kathmandu prior to your trip. Celebrate your achievements after your trek. Both alcohol and caffeine increase dehydration. Limit your intake of both when hiking at high altitudes.

SEASONAL INFORMATION:
Nepal's climate varies greatly depending on the season:

JUN - SEP: the monsoon rains (mostly at night) bring landslides in regional areas. Cloud cover often obscures mountain views with rain, mud, and leeches deterring most trekkers at this time of year. Treks running in September can be hot and very humid at lower altitudes. See what it's like to trek during monsoon here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/nepal-during-monsoon-season/

MAR-APR: Spring brings warm weather and spectacular rhododendron blooms. A popular time to visit and one of the peak times to trek.

OCT - NOV: Clear skies and warm days make autumn the peak season.

DEC - FEB: Winter brings cold temperatures and snow to the mountains. Good trekking,but remember to rug up. Make sure to bring appropriate winter clothing.

Some towns, including Kathmandu, experience very high levels of seasonal smog which can lead to decreased scenic visibility.

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us

In the case of a genuine crisis or emergency please contact our office responsible for trips in this region, which is located in Kathmandu:

Available for phone call or WhatsApp call on +977 980 112 3617

TEAHOUSES:
Accommodation at local lodges - better known as teahouses - are simple but comfortable. Toilets and washing facilities are shared and rudimentary, and the food is plain and filling. In a teahouse, travellers are provided with small twin share rooms with twin beds, mattresses and pillows. At times, in high seasons, and in places where there are limited number of teahouses, travellers may have to make do with dormitories. In some places, teahouses don't have access to electricity, depending on solar powered lighting instead. In more remote regions, teahouses don't have running water and toilets can mean just a hole in the ground. Hot shower facilities are available in some teahouses for a price but occasionally a hot shower means a bucket of hot water, enough to wash your body. Electricity to charge devices as well as WiFi is usually for an additional fee when available.

TRAVEL BETWEEN KATHMANDU & POKHARA:
On itineraries that include road travel between these destinations, past travellers have often decided to fly this route independently to avoid the long overland journey (200km, approx 6+ hours). The flight takes around 35mins. Should you decide to fly, this will be at your own expense with no refunds for road travel available.

ROAD TRAVEL IN NEPAL:
Roadworks and infrastructure projects can cause significant delays on major roads within cities and highways between destinations. Road travel can also be disrupted due to demonstrations and bandhs (strikes) without warning. Major roadworks are currently ongoing in and around Kathmandu and the roads to Chitwan National Park. Delays, heavy traffic, poor road conditions and dust are a reality of road travel in Nepal.

MONSOON:
The monsoon season is from June to September and weather conditions can disrupt travel during this time due to flooding and landslides. Disruption of air travel and airport closures are also possible. Be prepared that the itinerary may need to change at short notice.