Trek the Annapurna Circuit

A great trip! Amazing views - exactly as I had pictured trekking in Himalayas would look like. Actually, no, that's not true. It looked even better! The team did a fantastic job keeping us safe, entertained, and well informed. We learned about the local customs, culture, and history. The local people were very friendly and welcoming. The accommodation and food far exceeded my expectations. The trek was well organised and the representative of the local trekking company was always available for any questions/help needed both pre and throughout the trip.

A once in a lifetime experience! It was a challenge on all levels (endurance as well as leaving home comforts behind). Make sure you give yourself time to train. You'll need hiking fitness, but also good cardio capacity, and the less extra weight you are carrying the better. Kush was a great guide, with a lot of experience and a good ability to assess people's capabilities and advise accordingly. He also taught us a lot about Nepal, and was able to answer questions on history, culture and nature, as we went along. Not to mention his perennial sense of humour! The teahouses varied in levels of facilities, but they all offered full menus of tasty food, as well as having a communal warm area, to escape the cold rooms!

Fantastic experience - such good communication before arrival and nothing too much trouble. Kush was very knowledgable guide with great stories - supported so well by porters Nabin and Ananta - always smiling. Very professional when one of our group had some altitude issues.

This was my first trip with MBA can thoroughly recommend. I found the process very efficient: Prashant was always on hand (even before the trip started) to answer any questions and it was particularly nice to be met at the airport and taken to the hotel.

The trip itself (late December 2023 – early January 2024) was challenging and rewarding with beautiful views, demanding climbs, and lots of culture to take in. The route was well planned and, whilst the acclimatisation to altitude was challenging at times with some large altitude gains on certain days, all 6 of our group successfully completed the trip.

Credit for this success must go to team at Freedom Adventures, MBA’s local partner, who supplied all the staff for the trek itself. Tembi Sherpa, Chhiring Sherpa, Bhumie, Pravin and Mohan were professional; took personal responsibility for our safety; and went above-and-beyond to always help both me and the rest of the group. Our lead guide Tembi was very experienced and always provided clear and reassuring direction. Chhiring brought with him a wealth of experience at high altitude having recently summited Mt. Everest(!) in Spring 2023, and Bhumie, Pravin and Mohan not only carried the bags but provided a never-ending source of moral – both on and off the trails!

I can’t recommend this trip enough and would certainly look to use MBA & Freedom Adventures for my next trip to Nepal. Tembi, Chhiring, Bhumie, Pravin, Mohan: thank you again for everything and I wish you the best of luck for the future!

This was my 4th MBA trip and definitely one of the best. I've always found the local tour companies extremely organised and great people on the trip. Our Sherpa Tembi and the rest of the team Chhiring, Prabin, Mohan and Boomie were superb with lots of energy, knowledge and enthusiasm... they really made the trip so memorable.

We travelled over Xmas which is winter in Nepal and super off-peak. Personally I didn't find it too cold, the skies were so clear and the mountain was so quiet it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves... would definitely not put anyone off travelling over this time. Also, I would definitely reccomend having 2 or 3 nights in Pokhara at the end if your travels allow.

Tembi and Chhiring were absolutely amazing, both did a wonderful job at guiding us through the stunning Himalayan mountain range. We had plenty of rest breaks during the trek and we were well informed about what to expect each day of trekking. Nepal is a magical country and the mountains are majestic, that said, having amazing guides (Tembi and Chhiring) and porters (Boomie, Mohan and Prabin) really made the journey special. I HIGHLY recommend this trip, it is life changing.

This was the first trip that I have booked with MuchBetterAdventures and their local operator, FreedomAdventures.

MuchBetterAdventures were very helpful and are the easy choice for this trip; Prashant was always available to answer any questions.

It was nice to be met at the airport in Katmandu by Chhiring, from FreedomAdventures who was one of our trek leaders.

The Annapurna Circuit is both challenging and rewarding; a special and historical route with beautiful views and demanding climbs, within a unique mountain range, steeped in Nepalese history.

The itinerary and altitude acclimatisation was carefully managed and adapted when needed, including optional afternoon hikes to monasteries and visits to local villages for a cup of butter tea.

The route (for us, including the Tilicho Lake leg) requires careful thought. It became obviously cold as the altitude increased, but the team were always keeping a close eye with blood oxygen measurement and daily wellbeing surveys.

Tembi Sherpa, Chhiring Sherpa, Bhumie, Pravin and Mohan are best-in-class; They are professional trekkers, trail runners and climbers - Chhiring summited Everest in mid 2023 - we saw some questionable decisions being made by other groups in the cold or at altitude… they were amateurs compared to our pro team!

Safety first, a deep local knowledge and a fun loving team is everything when conditions are tough; also these guys love to dance, and sing, at every opportunity!

((Pokhara is worth the extra night; it’s a lovely city; and the flight to KTM is 25mins versus a 7/8 hour Jeep drive - sit on the left of the ‘plane to view the mountains!))

I had a brilliant time on this trip. Special thanks to our guides Tembi, Chhiring and the rest of the guys who made this a wonderful experience. The route was great and I felt incredibly well looked after by the team when altitude sickness took its toll! We went in December/January which was brilliant for empty trails, with blue skies every day. The cold in the evenings was a challenge, but well worth the experience!

The trip was fab. A great challenge with great rewards! Really well planned allowing for acclimatisation and getting to know the culture.

A mind blowing hike through the Himalayas. Everyday we experienced a different terrain and scenery - from forests, to lakes, to snow, to desert - all while staying in gorgeous home stays and tea houses. Especially enjoyed the Nepalese food, the wildlife, and learning about the culture from the brilliant team - special mention to Nurbu, Anill, Asman, and Prabin. Got serious mountain blues now that it’s over :(

Amazing trip with amazing leaders.

An epic trip. The landscapes are awe inspiring. The whole experience was made even better by sharing it with an amazing group and Nurbu Sherpa and his team.

Better than expected! An incredible trip! Thanks to our guide Tika and his team for guiding and supporting every member of the group. A perfect itinerary and organisation that allows anyone to reach the top and enjoy the landscapes and Nepali treasures.

Great trip. Especially many thanx to our guide Tina

The annapurna circuit is a wonderful experience. The guides make it achievable for anybody with a base level of fitness, and the pace of the trip is excellent. It was the perfect introduction to multi-day trekking abroad.

An unforgettable trip, expertly led by a fantastic team. The guides were all fantastic and kept us constantly comfortable and safe, checking us when we tried to go too fast and stopping at nothing to keep people safe when they suffered from altitude. Nurbu led the group expertly, Anil kept a constant smile on everyone's faces and Asman's infectious energy was crucial on the mountain. The scenery constantly changes day by day as the altitude increases, and the Nepali people could not be more accommodating. A beautiful country, and a trip I would highly recommend.

This was the best trip I’ve ever done, challenging but great fun. Really good group expertly led by Nurbu, assisted by Asman, Anil and ‘the boys’. We were well looked after and had some great laughs, including snooker and cricket at altitude! Can’t recommend highly enough

I could not recommend this trip enough the scenery was stunning, the guides were helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. Walking with the guides and porters really made us feel immersed in the nepalese culture. The teahouses we stayed at were all up to a great standard and served lovely food. Overall no complaints whatsoever

Absolutely Awesome trip. I would highly recommend 👌

I had the most brilliant time doing the Annapurna circuit. Nurbu, Padam and Ashman were absolutely fantastic and I wouldn’t change anything they did. The porters were also so amazing and friendly. The group worked incredibly well and the scenery was stunning. Would recommend 10/10!

The trip overall was super. The weather was a bit mixed, however, that is obviously out of your control. I thought in particular the itinerary was exceptional and just what I wanted. We didn’t walk an excessive amount each day and took lots of stops. The highlight probably was crossing the pass when the sun came out at the top when we got above the clouds. Quite special. The guides and porters were exemplary and managed every situation very professionally. Nerbu and particularly Padam were personable and professional and always keen to inform us about the landscape and Nepalese culture. The kit list was very useful and I didn’t feel I brought too much or too little. Health and safety were clearly at the front of the guides' minds and I was at ease and felt safe the whole time. They didn’t take risks even if it meant missing Tilicho Lake because of snow and I did appreciate that. The group dynamic was fine. I was the youngest by a few years so I didn’t always feel like I fitted in but overall everyone was very friendly and sociable and I got on with everyone. We were just at different stages of life so didn’t necessarily have a huge amount in common. I also loved Pokhara by the way and was very glad to extend a night there I think it is a great addition to the itinerary. A great place to relax after the trek. The trip felt fairly sustainable. I mean we did fly from Jomsom, but not to Kathmandu so that was good. We did all use water purification tablets instead of buying bottled water. But I suppose at the end of the day we all did fly halfway around the world to get there. However, it's not like we could take the train! I think the only comment I would make is with regard to Kathmandu. The hotels we stayed in were fine but nothing amazing. After our trip ended I stayed in the Kathmandu Guest House for a very reasonable rate, less than the Hotel in Pokhara and it was quite a lot nicer. I think maybe just choose the Hotel in Kathmandu a bit more carefully. Not that the other hotels weren’t nice. They were clean and comfy. Just not nearly as nice as where I stayed after. Overall I had the best time though!

The trekking around Annarpuna delivers what it promises, spectacular landscapes, living with the local culture and difficulty along the way. The unity of the group achieved by the guide Nurbo was essential for the circuit to be completed by all with safety and satisfaction with the feat. In my particular case, due to my difficulty keeping up with the pace of the group, the guide Nurbu put the assistant Asman to accompany me, which was essential for me to complete the circuit. Asman proved to be a spectacular person who helped me all the time, encouraging me but without neglecting my safety. I recommend, without a doubt, the trek organized by Much Better Adventure and the team led by guide Nurbu.

I had a great time on the Annapurna Circuit; great hiking, beautiful scenery, brilliant and knowledge guides and really good group. I really recommend this trip to explore Nepal

The Annapurna circuit trek was absolutely fantastic and I would recommend it to anyone who loves hiking. Nurbu, Padam and Ashman (as well as all of the porters) were absolutely fantastic - I could not have dreamt of having a nicer, kinder, more fun or more helpful team. We were also very lucky with the group and everyone got on really well. 10/10 from me! Thank you to everyone at muchbetteradventures for making it all so easy and smooth!