Trek the Annapurna Sanctuary Route

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 - 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!

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.

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:

1. I recommend a 2l hydration pack - it makes drinking water frequently easy.
2. 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.
3. 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)
4. 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 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 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.

The important question answered first, “would I recommend the trip, and would I use Much Better/Freedom Adventures again. The answer to both is 100% YES. But there were just a couple of niggles that made it a 4.5*/5 experience (scroll to the bottom).

This was my first multi stage trek and I went as a solo traveler. I was blessed to have a FANTASTIC group of travelers, and I’m sure that’s not guaranteed to be the case of every trip. The guides are excellent, knowledgeable and made sure everyone had the full experience, this included one member spending the entire trip walking with just one person who was not as fit as the rest of us. They still made Base Camp which is credit to how hard the guides work.The trip is well organised and well paced. It delivered everything I expected.

The food is fresh, flavoursome and you’re never left hungry. Allow a budget of £40/day to cover your meals. Another £5/day for showers and WiFi (yes, available at most stops). Allow £100 to cover “tips” at the end of the trip.

Accommodation on the trip is basic but clean. Some toilets are just a hole in the ground, so it’s not for those who like creature comforts.

I would say you need to have a GOOD level of fitness. If you’re not someone who looks after themselves, this may prove a little too much. In total you’re going to climb over 20,000 feet in a week, it’s hard on knees, calves, quads and feet.

Why did I detract 0.5*?

A. There is a lot of pollution (clearly not anyone’s fault) at lower levels which impacts views. No blue skies, just haze.

B. The first day you start the trek on a dusty track, dodging busses, vans, trucks etc. I understand they do this to casually gauge the fitness levels of the team, HOWEVER, you do the same thing on the last day. Having just come down from the majesty of ABC, there’s nothing pleasing about dodging traffic in a dust bowl. If management are listening DROP THIS LAST DAY. I’m sure it’s so they can add ‘another night’ to the trip but EVERYONE agreed it takes the gloss off.

C. The company encourage you to add a few extra days at the beginning +/or end of the trip and if you can, I agree. HOWEVER, book the extra nights yourself. The company charges you £35-50 for something you can book yourself for £10-15. I appreciate these “margin mark ups” are important to their profitability, but for me, this was too much.

thank you lead guide Sunil for your support, understanding and knowledge of local customs and history, also guides Ujjwal and Saybica for your unwavering hard work, plus our team of four amazing young "ironmen" who provided logistical support with our duffles along the trek. I will always be grateful to you all for making my dream to see Annapurna come true "namaste" 🙏

Before the trek: booking via MBA was very easy, and any questions that I had were addressed quickly and competently. We also had a WhatsApp group once on the trek, for questions, and sharing of information, which was very helpful. MBA is very good value for money. One of the main reasons I booked with them was because food is excluded and I know my appetite can vary on treks, especially in high altitude, so this gave me choice and flexibility. On the trek: the route was wonderful - at the right level for me - and in line with my expectations. Some amazing scenery of Nepal's highest mountains. Accomodation was naturally basic but to very good standards. My only criticism would be more space and hanging pegs in rooms and when showers are billed as hot, they should be hot (they weren't in every location). Food at every location was delicious - even the basic soups were well prepared. The Nepalese have cooking in their blood and do local or International food to exceptionally high standards. The local team were excellent - very hard working. Ujjwal and Sebika the assistant guides were hard working, warm, supportive and highly skilled as trail runners. The iron men - in complete awe of their abilities as porters and trail runners. They were friendly, committed, and professional at all times - Ishwor and Nabin especially, went above and beyond to integrate with the group and support us. We made friends and bonded as a group and I won't ever forget this trek. I truly loved the local team - the Freedom Adventures team are very warm, dedicated, passionate, and vested in hiking and trail running. It was a privilege to walk with them - like hiking with Olympians!

Sunil, Anil and Santos were the most perfect guides. They looked after us so well and safety was paramount. They were great fun, the trek is breath taking and the group were amazing. The Iron men porters would put you to shame. A memory of a lifetime. Nepal is beautiful and so are the people. Can't wait to plan my next adventure with Much Better Adventures.

This was a life changing trip! Much Better Adventures organised all details very well - great communication before, during & after the trip. Our guides (Sunil, Sebika & Ujjwal) are incredible!! They paced us well, took care of us, and were warm, friendly and gave us great knowledge throughout the tour.

The scenery of this hike is stunning - from jungle, to waterfalls and snowy peaks. The food was delicious (more options than I had expected). It is a moderate level hike- a good base level of fitness is required (you’re going up and down a lot!)

The Ironmen (porters) deserve a mention - they are so strong and keep a smile on their faces the entire time! They carry the bulk of your stuff. Thank you!!!

I would recommend this trip to anyone looking for a well organised hiking trip that stretches you a bit out of your comfort zone. The people, scenery, food and experience are ones I will never forget!

An unforgettable trip of a lifetime. The Annapurna sanctuary is a very special trip filled with breathtaking views. I loved doing this in a group. Special people and the trip was very well organised by Much Better Adventures in partnership with Freedom Adventures in Nepal. The entire team of our guides and Ironmen (porters) were fantastic.

Jam Jam! I went as a solo traveller but left with 12 new family members. Everyone from Freedom Adventures were incredible. Our main guides Sunil, Anil and Santosh were so patient and supportive and our iron men not only carried our bags but also were so involved, playing games with us and teaching us Nepali songs and dances! The Annapurna Sanctuary trek does have A LOT OF STAIRS, I read the reviews and thought "stairs? No problem" but there are A LOT OF STAIRS. It is the "Nepali flat". It is breath taking and at times, challenging for an average Joe, but I would do it again in a heart beat!

Absolutely loved our trek on the Annapurna Sanctuary route and cannot recommend the trek or Freedom Adventures highly enough. Before we arrived, Prashant was super helpful and responsive to any queries we had. All logistics worked without issue. Our guides (Sunil, Anil and Santoss) were excellent and the perfect balance of professional, enthusiastic and friendly. The porters team were also excellent. Definitely would recommend this trip which had stunning views, great accommodation and food and a fun and supportive group. Thanks again for a brilliant trip

A great well organised trek. A lot of steps like some other reviews have pointed out, but there's a surprising variety of scenery - every day was different. We trekked through flowering rhododendron forests, jungle, bamboos, and snow. It felt like experiencing all four seasons in ten days. The sunrise on Poon hill, Annapurna base camp at any time if day, and a dip in the hot springs were some of the main highlights, but it felt like the next view around each corner was a highlight on its own.

Great group, excellent guides, excellent care.

Our first MBA trip but not our last . I would rate every single element 10 out of 10 except the leadership of our Freedom guides Sunil, Amil and Santos which were all 11 out of 10....pleasure to be only irish on the trip with our new UK, Finnish and Latvian friends...Namaste

Just got home from a fantastic two week adventure trekking up to annapurna base camp. It was brilliant. The support from the company was fantastic all the way through, from booking, arriving at Kathmandu, trekking up the mountain and returning home. Our guides and iron men (porters) were amazing. They were so supportive and worked really hard to make sure we were well and happy, and were such good fun and friendly. This was my first experience of travelling with an organised group and will most definitely be booking with much better adventures again. Already looking at our next trip. The trip to the base camp was awesome. The different terrains led to different challenges each day. The scenery was stunning, from the lovely rhododendrons, the fantastic views from the start of the annapurna range which got closer each day, and the breathtaking view of the mountain range at base camp. Thankyou so much to Sunil and his team and also to the group for making this trip the best.

With the absolute grandeur of the Himalayas, the natural spectacle of the Rhododendron trees in full bloom and the right dose of physical challenge, this trek was close to perfect in my book. Every day of the trek brought something different and even an unexpected change in the weather at Annapurna Base Camp provided an unforgettable life experience for trekkers leaving there the next day. I highly recommend this route if you love everything the natural world has to offer.

This trip was incredible!! The group was super and the guides (Kanchan, assisted by Sebika and Resham) made things so fun and relaxed! It was awesome having a female guide on the trip, incredibly uncommon for Nepal. The food is great - stick to Nepalese as it’s nicer, and don’t bring too many snacks as they’re sold all along the way. The scenery is beautiful! Couldn’t recommend this trip highly enough! You need to be fit as there are a lot of stairs and if you have knee problems, bring some knee supports. 5*!!!

Amazing trek. The scenery is breathtaking. Such a sense of achievement reaching base camp. Tough at times but the fantastic support from Sunil, Anil, Santos and their superb team of porters meant that we were looked after every step of the way. Nothing was too much trouble and their local knowledge was impeccable. Pace was good. And a great group of fellow hikers who kept us laughing all the way up and down!

I really enjoyed this trip. The guides were amazing and so helpful and organised. The trek itself is well paced and you acclimatise slowly. The tea houses are basic but the food was great and it was well organised. Make sure you have enough cash on you as the prices do climb up as you get higher/more remote, and hardly anything is included (eg you need to pay for hot showers and charging your devices if you want to).

However, there are some long/tough days and it’s well worth coming prepared, eg at least having some experience in shorter multi day hikes, if not at altitude, just so you can fully enjoy the trip. It’s also worth being prepared for the very long bus journeys to and from Pokhara - due to construction on the road it can take around 10 hours, and sometimes more if it’s rained. With that in mind I would try and have an extra day in Pokhara or Kathmandu at the end so you are not going straight on a flight from a really long bus.

This trip/trek was a once in a lifetime experience that I enjoyed so much. Even though the weather was not great with lots of clouds, that did just make the views even better when they did come out. The Nepalese guides and porters were really great to get to know and hear about their experiences and knowledge of the country. I would have preferred if the main guides were from the area we were trekking in, but they still knew their stuff so it was fine. I was pleasantly surprised about the facilities of the teahouses that mainly did have western toilets; the beds were not that comfortable, but that's expected for being up a mountain, just need to know to expect that.

This trip was amazing and I’d recommend it to anyone that likes hiking (and has experience with multi-day hikes). The guides and porters were fantastic, the group was amazing and the views were incredible - the trip was definitely a highlight of the year, I just wish I could have stayed longer!

A really great trip with some of the most stunning scenery I have ever seen. The trip was well organised, with guides and porters ensuring we were well looked after. The accommodation and food on the trek were basic, but the accommodation was generally comfortable, and there was sufficient food available to fill you up. The bus ride from Kathmandu to Pokhara is an adventure in itself!

Absolutely brilliant trip, great guides, great route. Loved it!

Absolute trip of a lifetime. Enjoyed every minute from start to finish. Our guide Pujan and assistant guide Chhiring made us feel safe and relaxed but it still felt like a proper adventure. They, along with the porters Balloram, Lila and Gobinda, went above and beyond the whole trip and made it run smoothly. We were both vegan and they made sure that the food we ordered at the teahouses was vegan which was great. We also added an extra couple of nights in Pokhara at the end and they were really accommodating with moving the included transport and hotel in Kathmandu for us. The hiking was tough, with some days harder than others, but definitely doable with the regular tea and lunch breaks. The scenery was also stunning and even more varied than I had anticipated. Would strongly recommend following the packing list as we ended up using every single item we brought (the weather is very changeable!). Doing it in December meant that the nights were very cold but definitely doable with good sleeping bags and the hot water bottle trick! If you want a proper adventure, to see some incredible scenery, and to meet some great people, 100% book this trip!

This trip is without doubt the best thing I have ever done. The guides were fantastic, the trek itself was utterly beautiful and I want to go back and do it all again! Tembi, Soleek, and Tej made sure we were happy, safe and enjoying ourselves the whole time, and were there to give some motivation when my legs were particularly stiff! The teahouses were much nicer than I had expected, and the variety of food available was also a lot more than I’d thought it would be somewhere so remote. The website says you need moderate fitness for this trek, but beware of the huge amount of stairs you will be climbing up- although it is 100% worth it when you get to ABC! If you have time, I would recommend going to Kathmandu a couple of days earlier than suggested so you have more time to see the city- it is a crazy crazy place, incredibly vibrant and busy.

The trip was amazing, Nepal is absolutely stunning. Our guides were fantastic, they were very welcoming and knowledgeable. I would happily trek with them again. This was my first solo trip and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to be there with

An incredible trip with amazing people and beautiful scenery. The views were phenomenal throughout the whole trek. Seamlessly organised from start to finish with good food, comfortable tea houses and lots of card games. The guides Poojan and Chhiring were fantastic, sharing lots of knowledge and history throughout the trek. Balloram, Lila and Gobinda were brilliant.