Trek the Annapurna Sanctuary Route
Explore remote Himalayan valleys, hike mountain trails and follow wild rivers to see some of the most incredible views on the planet
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, local, English-speaking guidesHotel & Teahouses
4 nights in hotels and 9 nights in traditional teahouses along the trailMeals
4 breakfasts and 2 dinners are includedTransfers & Porterage
Airport transfers, local transfers and transportation of your overnight luggagePermits
All fees and trekking permits are taken care ofSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 12 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
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What's it like?
Experience views that will leave you speechless, including Hiunchuli, Gangapurna and the awesome Annapurna Massif
Hike to Annapurna Base Camp (4130m) – summit of the trek and the reason this is one of the world's most famous hikes
Witness the endless colours of a Himalayan sunset from Ghorepani and watch dawn break from the top of Poon Hill
Want to extend your adventure in Nepal after the trek? See our alternative trip to add on a safari in Chitwan – eyes peeled for rhinos
Key Information
Day 1
Kathmandu awaits
Check into your hotel in Thamel, the heart of the sensory overload that is Kathmandu. After meeting your guides and making any last-minute plans for the trek, finish the day with a group dinner alongside the rest of your team.
Day 2
The road to Pokhara
Driving
Drive to the lakeside city of Pokhara (approximately eight hours away) – the gateway to your trek. After road-tripping through some mind-bendingly beautiful Himalayan scenery and terraced farmland, settle into your hotel and soak in the tranquillity as you prepare for your first full day of hiking in the morning.
Day 3
The trek begins
Hiking
Take a short scenic drive (about two hours) to Nayapul and set off from the trailhead, taking your first steps along the path that gradually ascends through dense forest, passing remote waterfalls and villages along the way. Tuck into lunch with an epic view of Mount Machapuchare (6993m), then cross a suspension bridge and begin the long, steep climb up a stone staircase all the way to Ulleri. This will be one of the most challenging stretches of the whole trek, but your guide will help with the pace so that it's manageable for your group. Once at the village, refuel with a well-deserved hot meal and enjoy your first night in a Nepalese teahouse.
Day 4
Ulleri to Ghorepani
Hiking
Enjoy a morning coffee as you soak up the panoramic view from your teahouse and prepare for a moderate uphill trail through a mixed forest of oak and rhododendron. If you're travelling in the early spring, the area will be covered in colourful flowers – a true spectacle of nature. Camera ready, head straight up the nearby mountain, catching glimpses of Hiunchuli (6441m) and Annapurna South (7219m). After another lunch with world-class views, continue on to Ghorepani, home to the Magar people, in time for a special sunset over the Himalayas.
Day 5
Ghorepani to Chuile
Hiking
Set off before dawn and hike to the top of Poon Hill (3210m, about an hour's walk uphill), famous for its epic mountain views, just in time for the sunrise of a lifetime. Backtrack to Ghorepani for breakfast, then descend steeply through the rhododendron forest negotiating yet more stone steps to Deurali Pass (3210m). Cross a small stream by bridge, grab lunch surrounded by a beautiful lush forest and begin the short but steep ascent to Tadapani village – eyes peeled for Annapurna South and Machapuchare ('Fishtail' Mountain). From there it’s a slow descent to tonight’s destination, the village of Chuile.
Day 6
Chuile to Sinuwa
Hiking
Greet Machapuchare peak from your teahouse as you enjoy breakfast, then set off following the trail downhill through sparse settlements to Kimrong Khola. See the landscape change by the second as the forest thickens into untamed jungle. After following the trail downhill to Ghurjung there's a steep ascent to Chhomrong, the last permanent village in the valley. The route undulates once more as a stone staircase leads down to the river and then climbs steeply up the opposite side of the valley to tonight’s destination, Sinuwa, overlooking again the beautiful Machapuchare.
Day 7
Sinuwa to Himalaya
Hiking
Descend via stone steps through dense jungle and follow an undulating trail along the banks of a wild river as it weaves its way through some of the most challenging terrain on the entire trek, until you reach the village of Bamboo. The mountaintop views make all the hard work worthwhile. After resting up, continue through the forest to tonight's stop – the perfectly named village of Himalaya.
Day 8
Machapuchare Base Camp
Hiking
Start the day with a steep ascent through oak and bamboo forest to Hinku Cave, then push onwards and upwards on a rocky trail crossing some steep ravines as well as a few small streams on wooden bridges. As the trail reaches Deurali, negotiate the glacial river bank and ascend through birch forest, flanked by multiple layers of snowy and sharp ridges on both sides. Finally, emerge above the tree line and over the mountaintop to Machapuchare Base Camp. Try not to lose the power of speech as you look out on some of the most spectacular vistas on the entire trail, including Hiunchuli, Gandharyachuil, Gangapurna and the awesome Annapurna Massif. Relax, recover and then enjoy a Himalayan night sky filled with stars.
Day 9
Annapurna Base Camp
Hiking
Enjoy breakfast with magnificent views of surrounding mountains, then leave the greenery behind and head into the snow-blanketed and rocky landscape that lays above. Though the trail ascends gradually and does not steepen, you may feel the effect of altitude on your breathing and pace. Hike the final stretch to Annapurna Base Camp (4130m) – the summit of the entire trek and a major reason why this is one of the most famous treks on the planet. If the weather is clear, enjoy a magical sunset you'll remember for a lifetime.
Day 10
Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo
Hiking
Rise early to glimpse the breathtaking view of giant peaks such as Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna South, Gangapurna, Hiunchuli and Machapuchare as they emerge at the glow of sunrise. Then get back on the trail, this time heading downhill, soaking in the 360-degree mountain views before dropping back down to the forested slopes with a long descent to the village of Bamboo for the night.
Day 11
Last night in the mountains
Hiking
Climb to Khuldighar on stone staircases and follow the gentle downhill trail and stone steps that lead to Chomrong Khola. From there, it's a short uphill walk through the village, followed by a downhill section to Jhinu Danda. From there, you'll head to the bubbling hot springs at Jhinu Danda for some much-needed downtime.
Day 12
Return to Pokhara
Hiking
Begin your last day of trekking with some mesmerising views of the mid-hills of Nepal. Breathe in that mountain air, take some final photos and then enjoy your final descent into Naya Pul, from where you’ll be driven back to Pokhara. Head out for a celebratory dinner with your crew, then spend the rest of the night relaxing, partying beside the lake, sleeping – whatever you want, you’ve earned it!
Day 13
Back to Kathmandu
Driving
Take a bus through the Himalayas (approximately eight hours) back to Kathmandu and your hotel in Thamel. Enjoy some downtime in Nepal’s chaotic but intoxicating capital.
Day 14
Last chance to enjoy Nepal
Enjoy a lie-in followed by breakfast at your hotel, then spend your last day exploring the city before returning to the airport and back to reality.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
Arrive by 16:00 on Day 1
Ends
Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
Any time on Day 14
Transfers
Airport arrival and departure transfers are included no matter when you arrive and depart (even if booking extra nights before or after the trip), provided you have completed your passenger information form and have supplied your flight details in advance. On Day 1, your tour leader will arrange a group briefing before a welcome dinner, so we strongly encourage you to book a flight landing by 16:00 in order to be able to join this on time.
Travel options
There are regular flights to Kathmandu from major aiports across the UK and Europe.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4 – Day 11
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 12
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 13
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 14
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Breakfast is usually hot porridge, muesli or Tibetan bread served with an omelette or boiled eggs.
The dinner menus in the teahouses are very similar at every stop and there will usually be a choice of traditional Nepalese dhal bhat (a mixed plate of lentils, rice, vegetables and pickles – delicious and healthy), momos (Nepalese dumplings), mixed noodles, pasta and even pizza. Although meat is available at some teahouses, we suggest that you ask your guide for their advice regarding its consumption, as it tends to depend on how far it has travelled as to whether or not it is a safe option.
Dairy-free, vegan or vegetarian diets can be catered for while trekking, although meals may get a bit repetitive – dhal bhat will likely be your go-to staple. Gluten-free/coeliac diets are tricky to cater for on teahouse treks (beware that powdered soups and seasonings used often contain gluten, and cooking oil is commonly reused and may cause cross-contamination). Please explain your dietary requirements to your guide so that they can assist when ordering, and bringing along some extra food/snacks is advisable.
What is the accommodation like?
Kathmandu
You’ll stay in a hotel in Thamel close to the main shopping area and heritage sites. Expect a twin-share ensuite room, with air-con and WiFi included.
On the trail
You’ll be staying in teahouses – mountain lodges with a communal dining area and basic toilets, which are usually sorted by gender. WiFi, phone charging and hot showers are often available for a small cost. On some nights, the rooms will be multi-share.
Pokhara
You'll stay in a hotel near the lake on a twin-share basis, close to local bars and restaurants.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked – see Optional Extras. This only applies to the nights spent in hotels, and is subject to availability. Please request this at the time of booking.
This trip has been rated as Moderate
The Annapurna Sanctuary is the ideal trek for those who are keen to experience the Himalayas but aren’t quite ready for the longer, higher altitude treks such as Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Circuit. Ideally you should have some experience of trekking but the trip is designed with plenty of time factored in to rest up and enjoy the incredible views. Although the trek is graded as moderate, don't underestimate the effort it takes to complete. There are a lot of stone staircases on this route as well as some longer days and steep steady climbs, so you may want to think twice if you suffer from bad knees.
This is one of the best routes in Nepal for acclimatisation as the ascent rate is well-paced. Still, it is important to note that trekking at altitudes above 3000m/10,000ft is more demanding on the body than walking at low elevations. Your guide will set the pace and as with all altitude treks, the theme is ‘slowly slowly’ to help you adjust to the altitude. A good level of fitness and stamina will make the going more enjoyable, so consider factoring in some training beforehand – we advise doing at least a couple of weekends of back-to-back days walking.
What will I need to carry?
This trip includes one porter for every two trekkers. They will carry up to 20-25kg of kit so your overnight bags and spare clothes will be transported for you (maximum 12kg per person). You will only need to carry a daypack with essentials in (extra layer, snacks, water, suncream, camera etc).
The main trekking season in Nepal is from September to May (before or after the monsoon). The trekking season can be split into three seasons:
Winter (Dec-Feb): Despite being seen as ‘off-season’ this is often the best time to trek in Nepal. The nights can be very cold (down to at least -10ºC/14F) at Annapurna Base Camp but the trails are quieter and the mountain views are often at their best due to the crisp dry air and clear sunny skies.
Pre-Monsoon/Spring (Mar-May): Spring (particularly April and May) is the mildest time to trek in Nepal and magnificent rhododendron forests bloom along the Annapurna Sanctuary route at this time of year. It will be hot in the lowlands (30ºC/86F) but more comfortable as you gain elevation. Rain is not uncommon and snow cover is likely at Base Camp. Night-time temperatures should remain above freezing for the most part but can still drop below zero at Base Camp.
Post-Monsoon/Autumn (Sep-Nov): The rains can sometimes persist into September but in general this time of year is characterised by sunny, relatively mild days and clear skies. It can get cold and windy at higher altitudes and nights can be cold (typically -5ºC/23F) at the high points.
Of course, mountain weather is notoriously hard to predict and snow and extremes of temperature can be expected on any trip so come prepared.
ABC May 2024
Just returned from ABC - Annapurna Sanctuary Route.
A really great experience and a big shout out to Tika our guide and the porters who without the trip would have not been possible. They really went the extra mile so really big thanks to them.
The scenery is amazing in the clear days the views were amazing.
The tea houses were pleasant and Tike and the team always planned ahead so we stayed and ate in the best places. The food was great but kind of repetitive.
One thing I would say which I think other reviews have pointed out but the distances walked seemed to be more than what’s advertised - and also there is a lot of stairs - however it was still manageable just with the heat I did struggle for the first few days however once you get past day 4 I feel like things got easier.
Once in a lifetime trip
Once in a lifetime trip - it was incredible! The views of the forest's with the amazing rhododendron flowers, towering waterfalls to the tall snow peaked mountains are memories that I will never forget.
Being my first multi stage trek, I could not have asked for a better group to have done this with. Ujjwal and Sebika have a such bright future as guides and I really hope the company see what amazing assets they really are. A big thank you to the 'ironmen' who always had smiles on their faces and always super polite. Also a big shout out to Ishwor who was one of the ironmen. Seeing him carry our bags to later see him run back down the trail to help one of our group members everyday was truly inspirational to see.
The hike was well paced, lots of breaks and everyday there were so many highlights. I highly recommend going in April to see the beautiful rhododendron flowers, it was just amazing walking through and being surrounded by them. The tea houses were so much better than I thought they were going to be. Yes they are basic but they are clean and I loved rocking up to find out what charm each had. The food was always super tasty from local dishes to international dishes perfect for when I craving a big bowl of pasta.
Only criticism I have for the trip is that I didn't enjoy the morning of last day (day 12). It was called a sanctuary route and it felt far from that. We all had an amazing time leaving the last teahouse and crossing the last bridge but from there onwards, we were walking down a dirt track where cars and buses were passing leaving huge clouds of dust. Not sure whether the company is trying to save money by making us walk down to then be picked up, but I think it needs rethinking as it was disappointing to finish an incredible trip like that. Personally I would have preferred a longer breakfast to enjoy those snow peaked mountains and more time in Pokhara.
Overall I would highly recommend the trip, you won't regret it!
Annapurna Sanctuary Route
This was a wonderful route. The daily distances were very manageable but we walked through such varied scenery and conditions as we gradually ascended into the high mountains. We were lucky to have perfect visibility for spectacular views from the Poon Hill viewpoint, and at the Annapurna Base Camp itself.
Our guide and porters were exceptional - we felt in very safe hands, and were so well looked after.
Memories for a lifetime
What an incredible trip and no better way to start this review with the the amazing team of guides that look after you. The guides are everything - they guide you on the route, set manageable pace, assist and solve any problems/injuries, translate with the locals, fill your water bottles, take your food orders, serve the food and clear the tables after. They are an integral part on making this tour a success and we were lucky enough to have Sunil, Sibeka and Ujjwal who was absolutely amazing and made this trip a lifetime memory. They were always happy to help and I believe you could do any trip with them and it would be amazing... and this is what Much Better Adventures has done incredibly well - picked the right people to ensure a safe and memorable trip.
I found the ever changing landscapes beautiful and well worth all the steps. We were lucky enough to go at mid April when the rhododendrons we in full bloom making the jungle that much more beautiful. Once through the jungle you are greeted by the steep mountains filled with waterfalls before making a push to the base camps. The accommodation is basic but comfortable and the food is also one of the many highlights. Overall the trip is very well organised and you are made to feel comfortable (even on the difficult days).
A few tips from my experience:
- I recommend a 2l hydration pack - it makes drinking water frequently easy.
- Stay vegetarian - the food is delicious and we had no problem with our stomachs. We also did the water purification tablets which worked well for us.
- Layers are very important - the temperatures are very different (the beginning of the hike was 25 degrees and Basecamp was zero and even colder in the early mornings)
- take card games - you have some downtime to kill in tea houses and it's a great way to bond with your group and guides.
We had a wonderful time
We had a wonderful time on this trek - the scenery was beautiful, with amazing views of the Himalaya. Whilst the weather was very hazy for the first few days, once we got to Annapurna Base Camp, it was beautifully clear. I was very glad to have packed warm clothes and thermals, as the tea houses are unheated, so nights are extremely cold once you get high up! Our guide, Tika, did an excellent job of organising accommodation and meals, making sure we had everything we needed, and setting a good pace for the climbs. We always felt safe and all the organisation was taken care of for us, which was very relaxing! Our porters, Kim and Purna, were fantastic too.
An excellent trip with an
An excellent trip with an excellent Guide - Tika - along with Purna and Kim our Porters. Tika was a very thoughtful, kind and a supportive guide who was there for us throughout the whole trip doing what he could to make it the best experience for us. He achieved that and sending him my thanks for such a lovely holiday.
If you are keen to join a group trip then it is a good idea to wait till many people have signed up before you book as the trips will run with one so sharing for anyone new to this site. Whilst only 3 of us, I was lucky to share the hike with two lovely people - so thank you to them for being such great trekking buddies! The organisation with both much better adventures and the local host in Nepal was excellent! Thank you.