Trek the Annapurna Sanctuary Route

Guides: the four guides for this trip were excellent. The lead guide Tika was awesome, caring and showed great leadership. He checked in every day for each person to see how you slept, if you are eating enough and your general condition. He was very kind and helpful to make sure no one was left behind on this trip and you could go on your own pace if a section was particularly hard. He was also quite funny too!! The assistant guides Ananta, Dilliram and Santosh were also excellent. Each guide had a different personality but they all complemented each other well that the group dynamic between the four made the trip run smoothly and efficiently. Each guide seemed to have a clear task for each section of the day and all the logistics were handled exceptionally well for a 12 hiker group. I felt very safe and supported from start to finish. The guides planned and managed to bring a whole cake up the mountain to surprise me for my birthday which was really special! I hope the assistant guides will become lead guides in the future because they were all excellent!! I would love to have Tika as my lead guide as well as Dilliram, Ananta and Santosh whenever I come back to Nepal in the future! Shout out also to the porters - they brought our belongings on time to the teahouses and handled them with care.

The Hike: ten days of hiking was the perfect amount of time. The days didn't feel too long and it was enough to recover and acclimate to the altitude for the next day. There were lots of stairs and the path winds through many scenic villages. The teahouses we stayed at were clean and the beds were comfortable. Food options varied at each teahouse; make sure you bring enough NPR to be able get tea, snacks/full meal, charging and showers. It's gets more pricey as you ascend. It became considerably more cold past Sinuwa so make sure you have a good sleeping bag. Each teahouse except the one in Jhinu Danda had thick blankets and I managed with a 15F down bag and it was more than enough when sleeping at base camp! Base camp was one of most beautiful views I've seen! Make sure you wake up early before sunrise that day, you can see the sun rising on the peaks and it looks like fire! Very cool. It was very dry up there, I wished I had brought saline nasal spray and throat lozenges to help. Also might help if you were to catch a cold which I did towards the descent.

Overall, fantastic trip! Great impression of Nepal overall and would come again. Also book the heritage tour if you have extra time before or after - Adi, the guide was great and knowledgeable.

A special thank you to the following people who guided us on our trek to Annapurna Base Camp.

To our guides Kevin, Robinson and Santos: your expertise, patience and guidance filled us with such confidence and gratitude throughout our trip. To Kevin for his amazing leadership, to Robinson for his magical photography and knowledge and to Santos for his incredibly kind and gentle approach to all group members.

And to our porters Umar, Ramos, Nobbin, Prakash, Utom and Santos, thank you for everything you do and for all of your incredible hard work day after day. We are very privileged to have met such wonderful people.

We cannot recommend this group enough. It was a true pleasure to be a part of something that we will remember for the rest of our lives.

Michael & Carmel Gallagher, Ireland

This has been such an amazing experience from so many different perspectives.

-Ananta is one of the assistant guides, and is 100% cool and excellent, and a LA Dodgers fan based on his hat choice. On my wife’s birthday, he managed to carry an entire cake in secret through probably one of the hardest and wettest days on the trail.

-Dilliram is a fantastic assistant guide who takes his job very seriously when it comes to safety. He is very cognizant of making sure folks don’t outpace ourselves or fall off the mountain on steep and slippery days. He tends to also deal with the tea house payments, and is extremely patient with us on the bill counting/exchange.

-Santosh is the chill younger assistant guide who is surprisingly relatable despite growing up in a completely different world. His TikTok videos of past treks were really cool. He will go at a faster pace, which im all for sometimes. He has a bright future for sure.

-Tika is a fantastic lead guide that’s very knowledgeable about the trek and the dangers involved. He is like a concerned parent that’s making sure we’re feeling okay to hike and eating enough. Some other amazing things he did: —He managed to coordinate the pickup of someone in the group that both had a flight delay and had her checked hiking gear lost. He got a porter to recover her bag and carry it to one of the tea houses. —A couple people on the group got sick, and he managed to allow them a little more time to recover and go at their own pace by splitting up the group temporarily. —It was my wife’s birthday and he caught it on the manifest. He somehow found a way to order a cake and prayer flags, and put together a whole celebration in secret. —He was able to coordinate an impromptu helicopter ride back from ABC for one of the group members that desired to fly back.

-Himal was the heritage tour guide and coordinator of the hotel stays at Kathmandu. We just happened to run into him at the lobby on our final days and managed to give us a couple extra hours for checking out for free, since we had a late departure. Great guy and we learned a lot about Nepal culture through him.

-The porters are the true rockstars of the group. The amount they’re able to carry is stunning and it eliminated any excuse I had to the difficulty of the trek.

-The group that ended up on this trek was probably the best I’ve ever experienced and came from all walks of life that made for great conversation. I know that MBA isn’t able to guarantee a good group dynamic, but so far I’ve been really happy with the people that take an interest to MBA’s offerings.

-I can’t describe how stunning the view becomes as we approach and leave ABC. I have never seen a mountain range so dramatically high and jagged as Annapurna.

It's hard to put into words how much reaching the base camp and seeing Annapurna has meant to me. It's the dream any mountaineer to be in front of a 8,000m. I don't know how I will be able to look at any mountain again without dreaming of being back in the Himalayas.

The trek was not too difficult, but it did have a lot of stairs! The pace was set well and there were plenty of acclimatisation breaks. I never felt like I couldn't keep going, although some days were mentally challenging.

However, it was the team from Freedom Adventures which has made the trip so unforgettable for me. The main guide, Tika, and the assistance guides Santosh, Dilliram and Ananta were exceptional. Tika is the best mountain guide I have ever had, point blank. I also found Dilliriam's calm demeanor particularly helpful when I just need some mental peace. They were beyond professional at all times, and I feel honoured for having been able to hike next to them for 10 days. The porters did a great job as well.

Himal was also excellent in the background, sorting and smoothing any issues.

I thought Nepal would be a one in a lifetime experience, but I cannot wait to be back. If I do come back, it will be with the Freedom Adventures team. This trip has meant so much to me, thank you team!!

For anyone wanting to see the Himalayas, I cannot recommend this trip highly enough. The landscapes were truly astonishing, cannot be captured on camera and will live rent free in my head forever.

Tika, Santosh, Dilliram and Ananta were true professionals and the depth of their experience was evident as soon as we met them. They went above and beyond what could be expected and exuded warmth and kindness. I always felt like there was someone to help which made the hike feel far less daunting. Additionally, the porters were lovely and very hard working. Thank you to the whole Freedom Adventures team for making the experience what it was.

If you’re unsure about booking this trip, just go for it. It’s a true adventure and will give you memories to last a lifetime.

As well as fellow trekkers, you will encounter on the trail sunbirds, butterflies, ladybugs, honey bees, ponies, mules, water buffalo, friendly dogs which belong to greater community, and more. From forest trails to seemingly endless steps winding up and around the mountain sides to the views of the peaks at Annapurna Base Camp. Some real effort involved particularly on day 3 after the pre-breakfast trek to Poonhill chasing the sunrise, but all worth it. The accommodation in the tea houses is basic, as advertised. The food, delicious. Just take things in stride and keep moving -- and you will truly have one of best outdoor experiences of your lifetime.

What a fantastic trip organised by MBA who used Freedom Adventures. Very good information given prior to the trip and the packing list was spot on. The trip was so amazing it is hard to put into words. Firstly the guides were fantastic, Anil and Pravin both went out of their way to make this the most enjoyable experience, I was ill one day and they went above and beyond to help me and ensured I carried on with the trip. They were also very knowledgeable on the trek and I learnt a lot about Nepal and its culture whilst walking. The three porters Bhumi, Bikal and Min were always smiling and friendly and very good at playing card games with us. The hiking was manageable if you have reasonable fitness and the views of the mountains were worth all the steps climbed in the previous days. The route we took meant we gained altitude steadily and no one in the group got altitude sickness. The hot springs on the way down were also a really enjoyable experience. We had an extra night in Kathmandu both before and after the trip which I would recommend. The mountains at sunrise were a wonderful experience, but my best memory will be the kindness of all the team that took us up to Annapurna base camp. Thank you!

This trek was an incredible adventure and I fell in love with Nepal, the people and the beautiful Annapurna sanctuary. Our guide, Anil, assistant leader, Pravin, and the team of three sherpas from Freedom Adventures were outstanding. Nothing was too much trouble and their knowledge, resourcefulness and ability to handle unexpected situations ensured we were in safe hands throughout the trek. Each day the trail offered something new, from forests, jungle, and awe inspiring views. The tea houses were basic, but comfortable and for a small fee, hot showers were available at some stops. Good was plentiful along the trail and morning and lunch breaks at tea houses were much appreciated. I suggest spending an extra day in Pokhara post-trek to relax and explore before the long bus journey back to Kathmandu. A night in Kathmandu also allows time to recover and discover the city before heading back home. I would strongly recommend this beautiful trek.

This was a richly varied and wonderful experience Anil, our leader and his amazing team of porters, Bhumi, Bikal and Min and co-leader Pravin, throughout the trip went above and beyond, ensuring everything went well for each and every one of the group. The quality of the mountain hut accommodation and food greatly exceeded my expectations and the location, quality and helpfulness of the Kathmandu and Pokhara hotels was excellent. The true draw to this trip more than lived up to expectations - the scenery is varied, magical and jaw-dropping and the cultural and social insights are fascinating, humbling and inspiring. A life changing holiday I shall never forget.

I went into the trip solo and booked fairly last minute. The guides and porters made everything so easy and were always there to help. Our group was lovely and we all got on really well. Inspired to trek more in Nepal!

This was my first time in Nepal (April 2025) and what an amazing country. This was a fantastic trip. The route was absolutely beautiful, you get to see a varied landscape with waterfalls, villages, rivers and of course mountains – lots of them! The guides were simply amazing, the lead guide Kevin is warm, friendly and knowledgeable – I felt very confident in having him as the main guide. The two supporting guides Rabinson and Santos were just as professional and friendly, I enjoyed talking with all them and they did so much for us whilst on the trek. The porters were amazing, I’m in full admiration for what they do daily to support our hike and they always had smiles on their faces – they really do enjoy it. The other trekkers on the group were just great, we were all there for the same reasons and this allowed us to all build upon our similar interest from the outset, creating a fun, relaxed and supportive group – just perfect for a trip like this, it was truly a pleasure to hike with them all. This trip really did feel like an adventure, crossing high rope bridges (even though I’m not a fan of heights), crossing rivers, hiking in the sun, hiking in a snow storm, walking through high altitude forests, going to sleep at Annapurna Base Camp surrounded by cloud only to wake up with the cloud cleared to see a beautiful sunrise – living in the mountains for a couple of weeks really is life affirming.

I got back from doing the Annapurna Sanctuary Route at the end of April / start of May 2025. I had the most brilliant of times! The group I joined was great, all different ages and backgrounds and we got on like you wouldn't believe. The guides - I seriously couldn't fault them. The lead guide Kevin, really went above and beyond - he supported me and I felt safe in his hands at all times. Rabinson and Santos as support guides, Robinson took some excellent photos for us and Santos is an excellent pacemaker. The guides do so much, not only due they keep you safe on the trek, tell you all about the range you are walking in, but they help with your transport to and from the route and with all the meal prep each day.

The advice given by the guides throughout the trip meant that I was successful making it to Annapurna Base Camp. Thank you!!! And our amazing porters who carried our duffle bags for us, they are simply fantastic and always smiling and happy. Each day coming out to welcome us as we reached close to our destination for the night.

Now the trek itself, not sure how to convey this but it was simply brilliant. You start by walking through forests for a few days, then into more a open desert like landscape. We had sun and a snow storm, went from temperatures in the 30s to temperatures below zero. We saw monkeys, incredibly bright birds and I even managed to see a Red Panda with Santos which I was told I was incredibly lucky to see.

The teahouses are basic but comfortable and incredibly welcoming with food you can't fault especially when you think about the logistics of not only getting food to some of the altitudes but also cooking it up there! Dahl Batt is great and setting up the day with a massive bowl of steaming porridge and a Honey, Lemon, Ginger tea 😊

If you can't decide if you should do this trek or not - I promise you, you will love it! I am already looking to see what other trips I might want to do in Nepal! And off for a Nepalese dinner soon with some of the group I met while out there.

Take me back to the mountains!

I really enjoyed the trip. The Himalayas delivered as always in terms of scenery. In that respect sunrise at Poon Hill was the highlight for me despite the deluge of fellow tourists. There's several other very insta-friendly backdrops 😅

The walking itself is very doable for anyone who's in decent shape. There's a lot of steps but don't let that out you off. It's the first time I've got past my ego and used poles and they were a revelation.

It was one of my favourite MBA groups. Super important given we were with eachother 16 hrs a day. Lots of laughs, card games and in jokes. Our night out in Pokhara was very memorable.

The food in the tea houses was a lot better than the last time I stayed in them. Lots of good egg veg fried noodles, the obligatory dal baht and even some passable pizza and pasta (which they call macaroni). That said I wasn't a fan of the beds. I'm 178cm (so not even 6 foot) and fairly broad and I found them very narrow and struggled to sleep. Ear plugs and an eye mask are essential.

Lastly a word about our guides. Kevin, Raban San and Santos are legends. Incredibly caring and hard working. I got altitude sickness and Raban San made sure I got down safely and as quickly as I could manage. Even watching me sleep for a night because my breathing was a bit quick. I plan to go back to Nepal and do another trip and I'll be asking for those guides again.

Annapurna is course beautiful but what really elevated this hike was the quality of the guide team of Kevin, Robinson and Santos. From the opening briefing right through to our closing dinner I felt like, as a group, we received perfect support and encouragement all done with professionalism, sensitivity and good humour. It really was a pleasure to be guided by this team and I'm very grateful to all of thee team for getting me all the way to base camp.

An exceptional trip! Trekking to Annapurna base camp was wonderful: walking through traditional villages, seeing daily life, sleeping in simple tea houses, the many many concrete steps. . it’s a wonderful adventure.

Our guides Kévin, Santosh and Rabinson went above and beyond to look after our group. They set a sustainable speed (aka SLOW!) to look after our legs for the duration of the trip, advised on meals to help with altitude sickness & kept us all smiling.

A tip for packing: don’t overpack (you need half the amount of t shirts / socks you think you do), but be prepared for every weather. 80% of our trip was dry and hot (24 degrees), but we were also caught in a snow storm and slept two nights in minus 7. Bring layers and waterproofs! Follow the kit list! We would not have been able to be prepared had it not been for our wonderful team of 6 porters, carrying our gear (at absurdly fast paces up the mountains).

Our wonderful group was made up of all ages, and we all had a moderate level of fitness to be able to LOVE the trekking. Be prepared for lots of steep ups and downs in one day (was grateful to have done some strength training before getting there). When your legs feel good you can really take in the entire experience.

Absolutely loved Annapurna and Nepal and hope to go back soon.

The trek itself is breathtaking—it’s the Himalayas, after all!

What made this truly exceptional was the seamless organisation and the incredible team—the guides, the porters, and the individuals.

Our guides were outstanding, balancing fun with professionalism while the sharing information on the history and culture. Anil and Risham (spelling? Sorry!) were amazing. Going out their way to help, and nothing was ever too much.

The porters deserve recognition too - they weren’t just carrying gear; they were an integral part of the journey. Their warmth, interaction, and attentiveness made all the difference. I could walk into a room and, if I paused for a moment, they were already on their feet, checking if I needed anything.

Thanks to this fantastic team, the trek wasn’t just about reaching base camp - it was the whole journey. The memories will last a lifetime. Highly recommended to anyone considering this adventure!

This trip was amazing! The trek offered natural beauty, cultural richness, and a real physical challenge. From the terraced fields and rhododendron forests and amazing mountains the landscape is incredible, and views were breathtaking.

Our guide Krisna was incredibly knowledgeable and kept us safe and informed about the treking, weather, and local customs. Each teahouse along the way was welcoming, offering hot meals and warm beds, though amenities are basic as expected it all felt really clean and comfortable.

Thank you for an amazing trip!

I won't be able to squeeze everything I want to say about how incredible this trip was into this review. The guides, the people, the scenery, the trek itself - it's all just too amazing to put into words! But here goes . . .

Anil and Raisom were the most fantastic guides. They looked after us very well, taught us how to play all sorts of card games and made me laugh every day. They are very knowledgable about the trail and I feel like I learned a lot about Nepal while we walked.

I would recommend this trip to anyone and everyone. It is a good length of time to not just get to know Nepal and your teammates (who I am missing a lot), but to also give yourself space to unpick some of the mental knots so many of us go on treks to reflect on. I felt pushed and challenged in all the right ways and have returned from this trip feeling like a different person. The Himalayan scenery, good food and layers of nature will have something to do with that, but the people do too.

The trail takes you through some stunning terrain, and through three different climates. You get to roam around the rainforest, traipse over rushing Himalayan rapids and over the remains of avalanches. I lost count of the number of birds we heard, and the landscape is so rich with life that every day I woke up blinking trying to take it all in.

Everything about Nepal was welcoming and inspiring, and this trip was very well run. I have no advice or packing tips beyond bringing your full self and an open mind.

This trek was one of my most memorable travel experiences! The guides (Krishna, Dilliram and Resham) and porters are some of the kindest, most attentive and most knowledgeable people I’ve met. They kept energy levels high on the longer days, teaching us card games and Nepali phrases, and created such an uplifting atmosphere. We were looked after from the beginning until the very end – the level of organisation before the trip was so helpful and reassuring, and the team stayed there for us not just until the end of the hike but until we left Nepal. I’m equally grateful for my fellow hikers and the memories I made with them!

The pace of the trekking was perfect as the guides were attentive to how everyone was feeling and would take short breaks whenever needed. I would recommend bringing poles for the many many stairs though! There were some long days, but the incredible views and scenery made these some of the best days. The shorter days in the higher altitudes were needed, and by taking an extra day to reach ABC we were able to see the peaks in the clear morning and also without the crowd of trekkers that came later in the day. I also stayed extra nights in Pokhara which I would highly recommend. Also bringing a deck of cards is a must!

I’m so grateful to have had such an incredible experience and would recommend it to anyone!

Incredible trip on the Annapurna Sanctuary. Expertly planned and then led by Krishna and his team at Freedom Adventures. Couldn’t recommend more

Had an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience trekking the Annapurna Base Camp with Krishna, Dili and the rest of the team!! Everything was super well organised and help was provided when needed to make the trek go as smoothly as possible. I cannot recommend this trip enough :)

What an amazing trip! It really couldn't have been any better and was awe-inspiring to be up in these majestic mountains. Massive shout out to our guides and sherpas, particularly our lead-guide Khrishna and his assistant Dilliram. Khrishna is so experienced and was really encouraging, he brought really good humour and great positivity when we needed a little lift. Everything was so well organised. Dilliram was also so selfless and attentive to our every need - it was really humbling to be looked after so well. I could go on for hours about the scenery, the culture, the Nepalese hospitality, the wildlife (so much to see!), the food, but for anyone thinking of doing it, just go and experience for yourself, you won't regret it. It is quite tough going at times, I particularly found that around Days 8 & 9 when we were doing most of our descent, but the Hot Springs comes along just at the right time in the trek to soothe any aching muscles! We had such a wonderful group who really bonded quickly and I really enjoyed Monopoly Deal sessions at night over a few local beers! Facilities do get a bit basic toward the top but that is to be expected, you are at the top of the Himalayas after all! Highly recommended.

This is one of the best trips I have ever done. Normally a solo traveller, it was great to be in a group.

The trip team were incredible from start to finish, taking care of everything, super response and going above and beyond to make sure everyone on the trip was looked after and had a good time.

The trip itself was incredible, crossing different landscapes everyday, seeing beautiful things and meeting wonderful people, you will stay in different tea houses along the way up to the base camp, all unique in their own way. With great food, hot showers and places to relax after a day hiking.

You will be immersed in the Nepalese landscape, the perfect trip to switch off, push yourself physically and make great memories along the way.

We have just returned from the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek with the best group do people and I really cannot recommend this trip highly enough! What an introduction to the Himalayas and beauty of Nepal!

From forests of bamboo and rhododendrons to waterfalls and towering mountains - every day was so amazing in its own right. The route of the trek meant that we acclimatised well and there was a good mix of short and long days. The best thing for me was that the way the itinerary was planned meant that we had a whole beautifully sunny morning at Annapurna Base camp alone to take in the scenery with our group which made for a really special experience.

The food was great - dal baht power 24hr, gurung bread, green sauce & base camp pizza being the highlights. We had so much fun every evening playing various card games - it got quite competitive ;)

We were led by the wonderful Krishna and Dilliram and their team of porters and felt completely safe in their hands. They always had us laughing and I really appreciated their positive outlook. They taught us to play Dumbal which I will be playing back at home for sure! I felt very sad saying ‘see you again’ (no goodbyes in Nepal).

I would recommend bringing noise cancelling headphones (to help block out the crowing 4am chickens ha!), monopoly deal, electrolyte tablets to add to your water & tagging on a few days in Pokhara if possible, which is a lovely break from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu and I wish we had longer to spend there.

Can’t wait to book our next adventure! Alex & Rich

I had the best time on the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek - we had an incredible group of guides, porters and fellow trekkers who all made this an unforgettable experience! Huge thank you to Krishna and Dilliram who were so friendly and kind - we couldn't have done this without you!

The trek is really well paced with plenty of breaks to help with the (seemingly endless) stairs. There are a few shorter days too which gives you lots of time at ABC and MBC to take in the incredible views and rest your legs. We arrived at Annapurna Base Camp with perfect blue skies and before the crowds and this was a really special experience. . . it is so beautiful up there! The scenery is really varied from day to day and it was so great to do the trek with the rhododendron's in bloom! The food is great at the teahouses too.

I would highly recommend booking this trip to anyone thinking about it - it's totally manageable and the guides really do everything they can to make this a trip of a lifetime. We had an amazing group - I'd recommend taking some cards/uno/monopoly deal for the evenings, and the SIGG water bottle as a hot water bottle at night on the colder evenings was a game changer! A few extra days in Pokhara is worthwhile - the lake is beautiful and lots of places to get a massage after the trek!

I'll definitely be back to do the Annapurna Circuit one day!

PS - we all loved Dilliram guiding us through some team stretches each day before the hike!

This trip has been one of the most amazing experiences with the best guide and the endlessly happy and strong porters. Immersing myself in the nature of Nepal for two weeks works wonders for the mind, with everything being so well organised from the food to the itinerary the next day. Would 100% recommend to anyone thinking of trekking in Nepal.

Words can not describe the most amazing experience I had with Much Better Adventures completing the Annapurna Sanctuary Route.

We had excellent and hard working Sherpers. Our leader Krishna and Dilliram (Freedom Adventures) were extremely professional, attentive, caring, kind, supportive and bought fantastic energy every single day. I felt very safe and well looked after for which I’m very grateful.

This has been the most memorable trip I will never forget :-) and I can highly recommend Much Better Adventures to anyone.

I’m already looking at booking my next trip…

Thank you.

:-)

The entire trip was 10/10 and I can't wait to go back!

We have a wonderful group of 7, and I'm so grateful I got to spend 2 weeks with such lovely people.

The teahouses were great - all a bit different, but comfortable enough, with excellent food and cosy spaces to hang out in in the evenings. My favourite was in Ghorepani with views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna from the outdoors sink! There were basic showers throughout although by MBC & ABC, most of us gave up on using them as it was just a bit too cold to get changed.

The trek itself was just incredible. The scenery was varied, and we were so lucky to have almost perfect weather throughout. I'd highly recommend travelling in November just for the clearer weather. Yes there are lots of steps but the ups and downs are pretty varied throughout the trek, and the guides set a really manageable pace so you never feel like it's too much. There are breaks built in regularly too so you can fuel up on honey lemon tea and snickers bars. And finishing the trek at the hot springs was a highlight.

The Freedom Adventures team (who look after you in Nepal) made the trip for me. Thank you everyone who came into contact with our group.

Tej (Tejshree)- our amazing, incredible guide. She's honestly the best! Tej is so knowledgeable, kind, supportive and friendly. We had a couple of illnesses in the group and she handled it all so well. I'd travel on another tour with Tej in a heartbeat. As a woman, having a female guide in Nepal was really special.

Resham - our assistant guide. He's got a great sense of humour, and was supportive and helpful. I'm sure it won't be long until you're leading tours yourself!

Surya, Murali, Anish and Saroj - our fantastic group of supporters. We wouldn't have made it to ABC without them. They went above and beyond to help us when some weren't feeling too well on the day we went to Sinuwa. Thank you for your support.

Tips: -bring some snacks with you, but you can also buy them at the teahouses. They're a pretty reasonable price. -bring sleeping mask and ear plugs -bring a waterproof bag for the showers to keep your clothes dry in there

I'm already planning to go back to do the Annapurna Circuit, and if MBA started a Manaslu Circuit trip, I'd do that too.

My only recommendation for how to improve the itinerary is to amend the final morning. The first part of the hike from Jhinu Danda was lovely, but then you end up on a dirt trek for about 90 mins, breathing in lots of dust. If the trek can end with a jeep ride instead, I reckon that would be a nicer experience.

But overall, it was an amazing trip. If you're thinking of going, just book - you won't be disappointed!

What a great trip! The views are out of this would beautiful and we were so lucky to have such great weather. Firstly I still can't believe it was our assistant guides Ashish and Ngawang's first time on the route! They were amazing! So attentive, kind and knowledgeable, we had no clue. They took very good care of a very fun and playful bunch of strangers, thank you. The porters were also so fun and STRONG. Very grateful for all they did. The group were fantastic, I had the best time with such a great uplifting group.

As for the actual trek itself, I would highly recommend training your knees for a lot of up and down stairs. Definitely bring poles and use them as much as you can. I struggled on the last two days and I regret not using them from the start.

Pokhara is a beautiful place and would highly recommend staying an extra night and day there. The 8 hour coach was pretty hard going but very comfortable. If you're not up for that then look into the local flights to and from Kathmandu.

I would highly recommend this trip :)

Thank you Krishna, Ngawang, Ashish and my 11 fellow adventurers for an unforgettable Christmas and New Year. Whilst my knees might not have agreed with the difficulty rating of “Moderate” by day 8 or 9, this was a thoroughly enjoyable trip that felt like a real introduction to trekking in the Himalayas.