Trek the Annapurna Sanctuary Route

Thanks for a truly wonderful trip. Krishna, Asman, Santos and the crew took such good care of us all and enabled us to have a safe, fun and epic journey into the high mountains. A true bucket list adventure. I don’t think I’ll ever see landscapes as majestic again. Thank you!

What a wonderful time. Everything was above 100%. The porters and all the team was truly exceptional I've been on many Treks and I have to say this one was one of the best for being spot-on.

From start to finish, this was an incredible experience. As my first solo trip and first trek, I didn’t know what to expect but it exceeded everything I imagined. I spent two unforgettable weeks in the Himalayas, and I already can’t wait to return!

The trek itself is breathtaking, just to name a few: the rhododendron forests, Poon Hill, the valley walk from Deurali to MBC, and of course the sunrise at ABC. Each moment more memorable than the last. The scale of it all is not something you can express in words or pictures. The Himalayas are extraordinary on their own, but the MBA team made this journey truly special! If you’re considering ABC, a guided tour with MBA is absolutely the way to go. The (assistant) guides and support staff went above and beyond. After long days of walking, they take exceptional care of you with welcoming tea houses, great food, sharing (so much!) knowledge and providing a warm, safe space. They constantly looked out for us, adjusted the pace to suit everyone and nothing was ever too much. You’re cared for as if you’re family. Tejshree, our incredible guide, and one of the first female guides(!), you led our group with intelligence, humor, kindness, and heart. You gave this trek a personal touch that made it so much more than just a hike. Thank you for giving it your all. Ujjwal, Dilli, and Anajana, you each brought something unique as assistant guides. Stepping up to lead at times couldn’t have been easy, but you handled it with confidence and care and showed that you have it in you to become lead guides like Tej someday! You are knowledgeable, responsible, social, and genuinely supportive, which I believe are just some of the important qualities for a guide. Even in rain and storms, you made us feel safe and kept our spirits high. That means more than words can express. A special thank you as well to the support staff—Amrit, Devan, Tuk, Sayson, Surya, and Khim. Your hard work and kindness did not go unnoticed! And of course I have to mention the rest of the team, the fellow travellers. It was so nice meeting you and getting to know each other over the past few weeks. We've had lots of fun, good talks and good games and I couldn't have wished for better company during this trek! See ya next time! Thank you for making it such a special and unforgettable experience! I will never forget the rain song.

I’ll miss you all dearly. 
 Until next time, jam jam!

This was an amazing trip with brilliant guides and support crew, a great group of fellow travellers and breathtaking views of the Himalayas.

The Sanctuary trek follows a fantastic route, which included seeing the sun rise at Poon Hill, passing through jungles with monkeys and an amazing climb through a snowy wonderland to Annapurna Base Camp. A real highlight was seeing the bright pink bloom of the rhododendron forest.

Our lead guide, Tejshree, was really impressive and not only made sure that we were all well prepared and informed but was also great fun. The other guides, Ujjwal, Anajana and Dilli, looked after us really well. A huge thanks also to our brilliant support staff - Amrit, Devan, Tuk, Sayson, Surya and Khim.

Having the best local people to support you on the trek will make all the difference to your enjoyment of this trek and that is what you get when you use MBA. We had 4 amazing guides ( one head guide and 3 assistant guides plus support staff) and they couldn’t have been better. It’s not just the help and support you get while trekking, which was great as helps with pacing and best stop points along the way but it’s also the help you get at the end of the day ; where they make sure the accommodation and food etc is all organised and everyone is happy , plus the daily recap from all the participants and then advising what’s coming the next day. I always felt safe in their heads and if you had any concerns or problems they quickly resolved them ( my cramps broke twice and then guides lent me theirs when needed etc). When we were sharing accommodation with other groups we could easily see how much better our guides were ( more of them and far better trained and experienced). We never had to worry about anything and that allowed us to relax and enjoy the trek knowing we were well cared for. They even managed to get me a birthday cake up to base camp without me knowing so that will be a great memory. I’d strongly recommend using MBA for this trek and by extension any trek as the they really made sure we have the best time.

Thank you so much to the local guides and supporters ; Tej, and her team;

Anjana, Ujjwal, Dilliram, Surya, Amrit, Sayson, Tuk, Khim, and Devan.

Absolutely loved this trip. The route was amazing, in particular the poon hill sunrise hike and the route from MPC to ABC. If you’re considering doing this hike I would highly recommend booking!! The guides were excellent, in particular Tejshree the lead guide. (She was brilliant- really competent, but also injected some fun and humour to the trip!) assistant guides were also great- Ujjwall, Anjana and Dilli. They were super attentive and I felt really well taken care of during the trip. The support staff (Amrit, Devan, Tuk, Sayson, Surya, Khim) were so hardworking and really welcoming to us too! The kit list was great- would advise following, as I ended up needing a few bits I hadn’t been sure on packing!

Our trek was quite simply the time of our lives — we loved every single moment.

We felt incredibly lucky to experience just about every kind of weather imaginable, which only added to the sense of adventure. The constantly changing terrain and landscapes kept things fresh and exciting throughout, from lush greenery to dramatic alpine scenery. One of the standout highlights was walking through the beautiful rhododendron forests, and the sunrise at Poon Hill was absolutely breathtaking. Reaching Annapurna Base Camp itself was, of course, an unforgettable and emotional moment.

The trek is challenging in parts — especially the seemingly endless steps — but overall it’s very manageable. You quickly learn to make peace with the stairs! The regular tea and lunch stops break up the days nicely and help keep energy levels up. It was also our first time using trekking poles, and we were so glad we had them, particularly for those long descents and climbs.

What truly made this trip exceptional, though, was the people. Tej and her assistants, Ujjwal, Anajana, and Dilli, elevated the experience far beyond what we expected. Their humour, warmth, and constant encouragement made every day more enjoyable. Tej’s passion for trekking and the mountains is genuinely inspiring, and her depth of knowledge is incredible — she’s a fantastic role model, especially for young women. The whole team was attentive, making sure everyone felt happy, safe, and supported at all times. Their strong bond with each other created such a positive group dynamic that it naturally spread to all of us.

A huge thank you also goes to the support staff — Amrit, Devan, Tuk, Sayson, Surya, and Khim — for their hard work and kindness. We’re so grateful for everything they did behind the scenes, especially carrying our bags and always greeting us with a smile.

They even went above and beyond in the most unforgettable way — arranging a birthday surprise for someone in the group with a cake helicoptered all the way into Annapurna Base Camp. It was such a thoughtful and unique moment, and really speaks to the level of care and effort they put into making the experience special for everyone.

We had initially wondered if the food might become repetitive, but while menus are fairly similar across teahouses, there’s enough choice to keep things interesting, and we enjoyed trying something different each day. The accommodations are basic, as expected on a trek like this, but all part of the experience. One amusing reality: the walls are very thin — you can hear your neighbour breathing — so definitely bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper!

All in all, an unforgettable adventure that we would recommend wholeheartedly.

I couldn't have asked for a better experience for my first time trekking in the Himalayas. Our lead guide Tejshree did an amazing job of keeping everyone safe and informed as well as making every moment of the trek enjoyable. The assistant guides Ujjwal, Anjana and Dilli worked together as an brilliant team, providing excellent service and spreading out through the group keeping everyone's spirits high! The support team of Amrit, Devan, Tuk, Sayson, Surya and Kim were extremely friendly, and I felt confident knowing my pack would arrive safely to the teahouses. Their hard work does not go unnoticed! I would recommend this trip to anyone - all parts of it from the trek itself, to the evenings in the teahouses with your group and guides, to sharing highlights and lowlights (and usually the laughter that comes with that!) as well as of course the incredible views that come with the experience. The ABC trek and the Himalayas speak for themselves but what made this trip the most special was the support and hard work from the incredible group of guides and support staff we were so lucky to have.

I can’t recommend this trip enough. From the route and the views, to the fellow trekkers and guide team, it was an absolutely amazing experience that I hope to remember forever. Such a cool opportunity to see a beautiful area of Nepal, while being supported by a kind, knowledgable and fun team. Huge shout out to Tejshree, Ujjwal, Anajana, Dilli and the support staff Amrit, Devan, Tuk, Sayson, Surya, Khim. Jam jam!

A brilliant experience top to bottom. Really can't recommend highly enough. The walking and views were second to none, an absolute once in a lifetime experience. The group was also fabulous - without a doubt it made the trip being surrounded by lovely and sociable people that all wanted to be there as much as the next.

Special shout out to the group of guides - Ujjwal, Anjana, Dilli, and Tej, along with all the porters were excellent - they were all helpful, caring , informative and very fun. They really helped make the trip what it was.

Only very minor caveat is just for people who are super fit and want something that pushes them I would suggest going for slightly harder hike/itinerary. This was more on the gentle side.

The headlines are this is an amazing trek and the support team couldn’t have been better ; I’d strongly recommend both the trek and using MBA.

The trek is amazing ; very varied scenery and stunning Mountain View’s along the way and especially at the top at ABC.

I’d strongly recommend using MBA and their local support team. The support and help along the treks was great but also ; less obviously all the help once you arrive at the lodgings and lunch places make everything very easy and nothing is too much trouble for them.

I have been to Nepal before and hiked unguided ? Which is no longer permitted) so was wondering if I wanted a group but this was so good and made everything very easy. From knowing what was safe to eat ; to how long the treks were; helping ordering food; making sure we had rooms booked in the lodges ; helping with the crampons etc; setting a good pace for us; checking out health as we got higher up and much more.

They even got me a birthday cake to ABC and had the whole crew sing me happy birthday ! Thanks so much to tej, her team of guides ( Ujjwal Dilli and Anjeena ( apologies for spellings) and the supporters). Tej especially thanks so much for the help you gave ( I was unwell at the end of trek) and she couldn’t have helped me more if I was her own family. I’d recommend this trek and this team to anyone and they will always do anything you need to help you.

If you are contemplating doing this trip, do it! It was a an experience of a lifetime from start to finish. From the first briefing session, you know you are in safe hands with the team of guides from MBA. Our lead guide Sabin ensured provided daily briefings to ensure had all the information we needed for the day ahead - from what to wear to what terrain to expect. The assistance guides Dilli, Santosh and Anjuna were amazing, they went to no ends to make sure we were safe, comfortable and having a good time. Extra shout out to Dili who not only kept moral high throughout the trek (jam jam!) but also made sure I was comfortable crossing the long suspension bridge at the end! The porters were also incredible, carrying the heavy loads every day and always there to greet us with a smile when we arrived. The walking is well paced and manageable, made all the better by the stunning views as you go. The scenery is ever changing as you wind through the jungle of the foothills and up to base camp where the views are indescribable. I'd recommend taking a moment at base camp to sit and listen to the constant echo of glacial cracks and noises in the distance. The trip wouldn't have been what it was without the fantastic group of trekkers we had, lots of laughs and comradery as we went made the trip even more special.

I would recommend this trip to absolutely everybody! The beautiful landscapes and wonderful group of people you meet along the way make this trip a once in a lifetime opportunity. The evenings and night times get cold, but the days were sunny and warm so take lots of layers! The food at the tea houses is delicious with a great range to choose from, but make sure to take plenty of snacks for during the day to keep your energy up! Sabin was an incredible lead guide, knowledgable and informative but also made it so much fun and made sure everyone was always enjoying themselves! Dilli, Santos and Anjuna were all kind, helpful and safe guides that made sure everything was running smoothly. This trip will be remembered forever, I will definitely be going on another one ASAP!

The Annapurna trek was nothing short of extraordinary. From start to finish, everything was impeccably organised allowing us to enjoy this experience without a single worry. The whole trail is breathtaking and everyday is different. Our lead guide Sabin was knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely so passionate about the region. He was able to answer any question we had, and shared fascinating insights into the geography, traditions, and local culture. We also had 3 assistant guides, Dilli, Anjuna, and Santosh. They were also brilliant throughout in their roles! The teahouses were welcoming, although they did get cold in the evening so wrap up! The food was far better than expected, and was good fuel for all the trekking. If you’re considering Annapurna Base Camp, a guided tour like this is absolutely the way to do it. I would recommend using these guys without hesitation. 10/10.

This trip is one of the best adventures I’ve ever had. If you want the big Himalaya views but also some jungle time (including monkeys!) this is the trip for you. My highlights were Poon Hill (cold but worth it), Machapuchare (from all angles), sunrise over Annapurna I (awe inspiring) and all the sweet dogs along the way. The guide team (Sabin, Dilli, Santosh and Anjuna) were fun, helpful and knowledgeable - I felt like I was in safe hands the whole time. The hero porters also deserve a shoutout! All the admin was completely seamless - my bag was left in London but MBA/Freedom Adventures managed to get it to Pokhara in time for the trek starting! I had a fabulous time and will be going back to the Himalayas as soon as possible! Jam jam!!

This was an amazing experience. The mountains were incredible and we were so lucky with the weather having brilliant sunshine during the day. A big thank you also to our guides Dilli, Santos and Angelina - for their smiles and good humour - nothing was too much trouble. Especially Dilli who did everything to make sure we all had a fantastic time.

I joined this group trek with the hope of stepping out of my shell and opening myself to new connections. While that wasn’t always easy for me, the care and attentiveness of the lead guide Sabin made all the difference. His kindness and effort to make sure I felt included allowed me to truly enjoy the journey. Every guide and assistant was exceptional,supportive, always present, and generous with their time and energy. Their warmth created a sense of safety that stayed with me throughout the trek, thank you Anjana, Dili and Santos . The mountains offered moments of pure stillness and wonder: watching the sun rise over Annapurna I, sharing lunch with breathtaking views at MBC, and sitting in silence as clouds drifted slowly past. This trek was more than a journey through the mountains; it was a gentle reminder to slow down, open up, and simply be present.

A journey like this is not just about what you can see for miles on end and how hot / cold / tired / exhilarated you feel each day; all of that can be Googled. Adventurers like us who choose these trips need to know we will be given the chance to make the most of a short time in a region that commands so much more. Sabin and his fantastic team - Dilli, Santosh, Anjuna and our hardworking porters made sure everything we needed was provided, either physically or motivationally. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and although they had conducted multiple treks on this route it was like it was also their first. I felt safe, protected and informed right from booking the trip and Geeta answering endless questions to trekking the endless steps on the route with the team. By nature of my profession I am used to solo travel, leading trips and being responsible for groups; trusting my indépendance to another team was a big deal. Daily briefings, welfare checks and the team being available 24/7 kept me informed and prepared for each leg, each day. I got way more out of the experience than just fresh air and exercise. I hope other MBA trips have a bar set this high. I would 100% recommend this team to everyone wanting to learn about Nepal, this region and themselves. Thankyou so much.

This trip was an unbelievable experience. Everything was put together perfectly and the whole team was so attentive with their 25/7 service. Pujan was absolutely brilliant and was a great leader for our group. He was so knowledgable and was always checking in on everyone to make sure everything was okay. Santosh and Mohan were also brilliant and did so much for everyone to make sure they were having the best time. The porters were also very friendly

Tika and all the team were amazing. They were all so helpful and generous with their time. Had the most amazing two weeks trekking the Annapurna Sanctuary route with a great group of people. Thank you so much for an unbelievable experience.

Truly the trip of a lifetime! This was the most scenic place I’ve ever been. The scenery changed dramatically day by day, depending on the altitude and the valley. You really have to go there to get a feel for the scale of it all. There was so much more variety than I expected - glaciers, rainforests, waterfalls, terraced farms, suspension bridges, monkeys, goats, and a preying mantis. So much to see, and it was great fun spending the time walking and chatting to everyone in the group.

The guiding team (Tika, Santosh, and Lakpa) were incredible. They were super organized all the way through, they were great fun to be around, very knowledgeable and interesting, and most importantly they worked hard to look out for our wellbeing. Tika checks in with everybody regularly while walking (how are energy levels, how are knees and legs), and checks how we each slept every morning. Each evening and morning while at altitude he measures our blood oxygen levels with a pulse oximeter, and gets us to complete a Lake Louise questionnaire to monitor for signs of altitude sickness. At each of the tea houses they give advice about what’s good and what might not be safe to eat, and they keep an eye on the kitchens. We all felt super safe throughout the trip and everyone stayed healthy. Walking at altitude was hard work, but the route is well planned out so that everybody’s ready for it by the time you reach ABC.

Organization of the trip was perfect. Transfers were smooth at all points, the guides handled things like ordering and paying for meals. Food was delicious and plentiful everywhere we went, with plenty of choice. The tea houses were well chosen; they were as comfy as possible given the remoteness, with great views.

Late November was a great time to go. Almost completely dry for 10 days except a lovely and moody rain for 1 hour on day 3, just before reaching the day’s destination. Great visibility, blue skies, not very windy. Very warm in the sun during the days, but with the nights getting very cold at higher altitude (around -10C at ABC, and no heating in bedrooms at any of the tea houses). Snow on the ground only at ABC itself, and above on the mountain peaks. The packing list was spot on—pretty much everything on there got used, and nothing important was missing. If you’re missing anything when you arrive, Kathmandu and Pokhara have loads of outdoors clothing shops, including lots selling knock-off but pretty good quality kit. Slept in a sleeping bag liner + blankets from the tea houses most nights, with a (UK rented) 4 season sleeping bag used instead of a blanket only on the coldest nights. Warm layers were mostly for sitting around in the evenings.

I’d do it again in a heartbeat, and half of the group are already planning their next trips!

A trip I'll remember forever. This is a trip that was filled with a variety of landscapes and stunning views. It was made memorable in part from the landscape but in large by our amazing guides (Tika, Santosh and Lakpa) and fellow trekkers. Everything was extremely well organised and we were well looked after at all points in the trip, so much so I could switch off and immerse myself in the outdoors. I really appreciate the efforts Tika went to make sure we were always safe and also comfortable! All three of our guides were able to do all this whilst keeping things light and full of laughs.

It was my first experience at hiking at altitude so it was interesting to see the added difficulty it added to trekking. The trip is well planned and gave us time to adjust to this. And as advised by our guide, drinking more water and tea really did help a lot!

Small tip for future travelers: The kitlist is spot on (I really appreciated taking my hut slippers for the evenings, although this is a luxury really).

When we finally reached Annapurna Base Camp, any fatigue that I had accumulated on the way paled into insignificance when we saw the scale of what was around us! This trek offered mesmerising views of the mountains from far and near through varying landscapes - and it was a joy to go through this adventure with the group. Yes there are a lot of steps, cold nights and mornings, but all worth the effort when you get to the goal!

Leader Tika, and his assistants, Santosh and Lhakpa were extremely accommodating, knowledgeable and helped ensure everyone got the most of this experience!

Special shout also to Tika's support staff porters - I am still in awe with what they do!

Cant reccommend this trip enough - an experience thats a perfect balance of challenge and amazing reward. The group was fantastic and superbly supported by lead Tika alongside Santosh and Lapka (whose a whizz at cards!) They took care of literally everything, always with a smile on their face. Big shout out to porters too - Purna, Deepak, Bir, Ramesh and Sujan.

• Thousands of steps up and down arent to be underestimated. I trained before going but my knees definitely were feeling it by the end - do as much as you can to get those legs ready! Think we were all a bit achy after some steep descents on Day 6 in particular (but its all worth while!)
• Kit list was spot on - dont forget those poles! Also found having a bumbag useful, as well as plastic zip pockets to keep things together. You can buy much of what you need in Kathmandu, if needed.
• Take your favourite hiking snacks - plenty on route but pricier as you get higher.
• Great range of food options at every stage (noodles, soups, dal bhat, pasta, omlettes etc). Lemon, ginger and honey tea will be a new favourite and best hot chocolate ever to be found at Himalaya teahouse
• Really reccomend adding a day or more for Kathmandu and Pokhara (latter is excellent for post trip massage and wind down)

Overall, dont hestitate to book this - it was a trip of a lifetime. Dont think will ever forget seeing the Himalaya night sky when popping to the ABC loo at 3. 00am!

Struggling to put into words what an incredible trip this was: the food, the views, the people. It truly was an unforgettable trip.

I have to give a massive shout out to Tika and the team from Freedom Adventures (Santosh, Lapka and the amazing porters: Deepak, Purna, Ramesh, Bir and Sujan). We couldn't have been better supported or looked after. Tika went above and beyond to make sure we were happy and, most importantly, safe. His care and support really allowed the group to focus on having the best experience we could do, without any of the anxiety that can sometimes be associated with high altitude trekking- especially when the breathing can become laboured and your limbs weary above 2500m.

Already mulling my next MBA trip to Nepal and I will certainly be hoping that Tika and the team are there to greet me.

Tikka and team went above and beyond and were incredible. The trek is second to none, highly recommend!

A fabulous 9 day trek - Annapurna Sanctuary Route - with a lovely mixed group of people from 3 continents. Every day was a sensory overload - the views of the mountains as we got higher and closer were simply breathtaking. Our guide Tika gets my highest recommendation, he handled the trip brilliantly and with such a calm, fun, knowledgeable and helpful manner. Great choice of tea houses for overnight stays and meal stops, plus super advice on the best menu picks (and the ones to avoid!). Our trip was at a super busy time during Diwali which caused some accommodation challenges but Tika navigated these skilfully and successfully. Nothing was too much trouble for him and his team of guides and porters. All the team were brilliant but a special shout out to Lhakpa, Jivan and Niru who were really fun, engaging and enthusiastic. 10/10 chaps, you made it special.

Either side of the trip we added a couple of days in Kathmandu and Pokhara - very different places but both terrific experiences. Did some white water rafting in Pokhara which was a white knuckled hoot.

Can't recommend this trip highly enough, was fabulous. We will be back.

I had tried to visit Nepal in 1999 with a view to doing this trek and been unable to get into the country , so at the age of 63 years old I am so grateful to have made this dream a reality. I did the trek with my 24 year old daughter, Tiks and Niru were our guides, Tina seems to genuinely care about the health and wellbeing of all our group members and Niru smiles every day even when he was clearing snow off the path with his bare hands. We had a wonderful trek, towering mountains, powerful rivers and walking through v remote villages, I loved it all. IF you decide to do this trek you are in good hands with these guides!

A dream come true! I am 63yrs old I tried to visit Nepal to do this trek in 1989 but could not enter the country. I did the trek with my 24 year old daughter. Wonderfully remote terrain towering mountains and powerful rivers. We walked through local villages and slept in peoples homes. I loved Nepal and learned so much form our guides. Tika and Niru really looked after us so well. Tika seemed to care about us all so much he made sure none of the group picked up any bugs and kept a close eye on us for signs of altitude sickness. Niru smiled every day even when is snowed and he was clearing snow off the path with his bare hands! If you decide to do the trek you are in safe hands with these guides.

The Annapurna Sanctuary route was a mesmerising experience from start to finish. The scenery throughout the trek was nothing short of spectacular.

Our lead guide Tej, and assistant guides Manisha & Surya from Freedom Adventures were amazing. Their knowledge and experience of the mountains ensured we were in safe hands all the way. They were also very patient and full of good humour.

Not to mention the support staff Tuk, Balaram, Sadhuram, Sameer & Amreet whom all carried our bags all the way and always greeting us with a smile and a high five as we reached the tea houses at the end of the day.

The food along the way was another highlight. I was very impressed by how well we ate at such high altitudes.

If you're looking for an adventure with stunning scenery and warm hospitality I can't recommend this trip highly enough.