14-day adventure
Annapurna Circuit trek
Nepal
- Kandoo Trekking
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Our team in Nepal have been guiding Kandoo travelers through the iconic Himalaya since 2012. Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lakes and Annapurna Circuit are always the most popular but we also provide peak climbs and lesser known trekking routes on request. Our trips are expertly run by Pimba Tensing, a highly experienced guide who has summitted Everest twice! He and his team of guides, cooks and drivers run an incredibly efficient, encouraging and...
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Kandoo's view
Our Annapurna Circuit treks are all guaranteed to run, so you can confirm your travel arrangements without any delay.
With over 12 years of experience guiding our travelers through the peaks and passes of the Himalaya, you are in excellent hands with the Kandoo Nepal team. Many of our guides are highly experienced mountaineers who have been working for us since we first established our Kathmandu office back in 2012.
The Annapurna Circuit is one of the greatest treks in Nepal, if not the world. This classic circuit trek is an incredibly varied and extraordinarily beautiful journey. Dramatic deep gorges, bleak high mountain passes, Buddhist temples, picturesque farming villages and all the major mountains of the Annapurna Massif.
To reach the start of the trek, we drive first down the main Pokhara road from Kathmandu and then follow the Marshyangdi River to Besisahar. The trek proper begins here, crossing and re-crossing the gorge carved by the Marshyangdi River on suspension bridges before you reach Manang, the largest village on the route. An acclimatisation day is taken here to prepare for crossing the Thorung La pass which is the highest point of the trek at 5416m. From there you descend progressively with plenty of up and down along the way until you reach Jomsom. We end our trip with a spectacular mountain flight to Pokhara and then a second flight on to Kathmandu.
With over 12 years of experience guiding our travelers through the peaks and passes of the Himalaya, you are in excellent hands with the Kandoo Nepal team. Many of our guides are highly experienced mountaineers who have been working for us since we first established our Kathmandu office back in 2012.
The Annapurna Circuit is one of the greatest treks in Nepal, if not the world. This classic circuit trek is an incredibly varied and extraordinarily beautiful journey. Dramatic deep gorges, bleak high mountain passes, Buddhist temples, picturesque farming villages and all the major mountains of the Annapurna Massif.
To reach the start of the trek, we drive first down the main Pokhara road from Kathmandu and then follow the Marshyangdi River to Besisahar. The trek proper begins here, crossing and re-crossing the gorge carved by the Marshyangdi River on suspension bridges before you reach Manang, the largest village on the route. An acclimatisation day is taken here to prepare for crossing the Thorung La pass which is the highest point of the trek at 5416m. From there you descend progressively with plenty of up and down along the way until you reach Jomsom. We end our trip with a spectacular mountain flight to Pokhara and then a second flight on to Kathmandu.
Trip highlights
- One of the World’s greatest circuit treks
- Traverse the famous Thorung La pass
- Guaranteed departures
- Trip fully carbon offset as standard
Experiences
-
Kandoo Trekking
Our core collection of treks and hikes, through some of the world's most outstanding landscapes
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Itinerary
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Day 1
Arrival
All trekkers need to organise their own flights to Kathmandu International Airport (KTM). From Kathmandu Airport we will arrange a private transfer to your hotel. That night you will meet your local Kandoo representative and have a full pre-trek briefing.
- Accomodation: Hotel
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Day 2
DRIVE TO BESISAHAR – TREK TO BHULBHULE
We begin this trip driving along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway to Dumre and then following the rough road along the Marshyangdi River. After 6 hours we finally reach Besisahar, the capital of Lamjung District, and starting point of our trek. We begin the trek following the path to Pam Khola. On crossing the stream, we climb up towards the village of Denauti where we will see Nepali village life at close quarters; terraces stocked with tomato plants and potatoes spread out before us. As the trail nears the Khudi Khola, we reach the Gurung village of Bhulbhule.
- Hiking time: 3 - 4 hours
- Descent: 330 m
- Max. altitude: 1300 m
- Accomodation: Teahouse
- Meals included: Breakfast
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Day 3
TREK TO JAGAT
A steep trail descends from Bhulbhule before crossing a stream. It then climbs again and traverses the hillside before reaching the village of Hani Gaon. We follow the winding mountain path down through Syange and along the river for some distance. The trail then climbs steeply and the path is cut into the sheer cliff-face some 200-300m above the river-bed. Eventually we descend to the village of Jagat, situated on a shelf that juts out into the Marshyangdi valley. As we descend towards the village the path is littered with Mica rocks, the minerals glistening in the Nepalese sun.
- Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
- Ascent: 330 m
- Max. altitude: 1300 m
- Accomodation: Teahouse
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Day 4
TREK TO BAGARCHAP
The trail from Jagat descends until it reaches the river and then continues through a lush forest, before ascending to a sharp-edged cliff facing the riverbank. After crossing a suspension bridge, we climb steeply on the path to Sattale and then to Tal. As we walk away from Tal, the path becomes rugged and winding and we pass the forested village of Karte and Dharepani before we finally reach Bagarchap. Annapurna II becomes visible as we arrive at Bagarchap, a Bhotia village with colourful prayer flags.
- Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
- Ascent: 860 m
- Max. altitude: 2160 m
- Accomodation: Teahouse
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Day 5
TREK TO CHAME
As we continue ascending through forests of pine and oak, we pass through Dhanakyu before coming to a large waterfall. Further on, the Marshyangdi River enters a gorge and the trail follows a rock-strewn path. When the steep incline ends, we follow a path amid rhododendrons and continue on a gently rising path. We cross a stream before entering a pine forest. We then enter the hamlet of Kotho, from where we can get a good view of Annapurna II. The route reaches a large white gate with a corrugated iron roof, which is the entrance of Chame, the administrative headquarters of Manang district. There is electricity, shops, health post, post office and banks in Chame. The hot springs are a major attraction too.
- Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours
- Ascent: 550 m
- Max. altitude: 2710 m
- Accomodation: Teahouse
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Day 6
TREK TO PISANG
Today we head off for Pisang crossing a large suspension bridge over the Marshyangdi. Our trail meanders through fields leading to Teleku at 2775 metres before reaching Bratang. After leaving the forested village, the valley changes from a V-shape to a gentle U-shape. Further on, we continue up steep trails to the south side and cross a long suspension bridge at 3040 metres. From here we get to view Paungda Danda rising more than 1500 metres from the river. We cross one final bridge and enter the village of Pisang.
- Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours
- Ascent: 600 m
- Max. altitude: 3310 m
- Accomodation: Teahouse
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Day 7
TREK TO MANANG
We start today heading along a steep ridge with wonderful views of the Manang valley and the Tilicho peak. We descend through Manang's airstrip to come to Hongde, lying beneath Annapurna III on the north-east face. The route then leads to the wide plain of the Sabje Khola Valley from where we get views of Annapurna IV (7525m). Further on, we cross a wooden bridge, and enter the village of Mungji. We continue along the cultivated fields and after a while arrive at the village of Bryaga which has a lovely monastery. On trekking down to Manang, we get more views of the Annapurna range - Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Gangapurna (7455m) and Tilicho Peak (7134m).
- Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
- Ascent: 230 m
- Max. altitude: 3540 m
- Accomodation: Teahouse
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Day 8
ACCLIMATISATION IN MANANG
A day for rest and acclimatisation. Today we will trek up a further 300 metres to help your acclimatisation before returning to Manang.
- Hiking time: 3 - 4 hours
- Ascent: 260 m
- Descent: 260 m
- Max. altitude: 3800 m
- Accomodation: Teahouse
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Day 9
TREK TO LETDAR
Leaving Manang we cross a stream and climb to Tengi, 120 meters above Manang. We then ascend further past Marshyangdi Valley, turning up the valley of the Jarsang Khola. Here the vegetation of scrub juniper and alpine grasses marks the change in altitude, and with it, signs of buddhism becoming evermore present. We reach the small village of Gunsang, a cluster of flat mud roofs just below the trail at 3960 meters. The trail takes us further along a large stream that flows from Chulu Youst and Gunsang and leads to Letdar.
- Hiking time: 4 - 5 hours
- Ascent: 800 m
- Max. altitude: 4250 m
- Accomodation: Teahouse
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Day 10
TREK TO THORUNG HIGH CAMP
Leaving Letdar, we climb gradually to a ridge before descending to the headwaters of the Marshyangdi and crossing via a covered wooden bridge. After a short ascent up the path on the right bank, we follow a narrow trail across an unstable steep slope and then descend to Thorung High Camp.
- Hiking time: 4 - 5 hours
- Ascent: 600 m
- Max. altitude: 4850 m
- Accomodation: Teahouse
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Day 11
CROSS THORUNG LA PASS – TREK TO MUKTINATH
We have an early start today, leaving at around 4:30am, for the crossing of Thorung La (5416m). The trail becomes steep immediately on leaving camp, but as local people have used this trail for hundreds of years, the path is well defined and marked with poles. The gradient then eases and after around 4 hours of steady climbing, we reach the prayer flags of the pass. From the snow-covered mountains above, to the head of the Kali Gandaki valley below and the brown and purple hills of Mustang, which spread out before us, we are presented with dramatic views. The descent to Muktinath is a tough 1600m. But the excellent views of Dhaulagiri are a good distraction. Eventually moraine gives way to grassy slopes before a pleasant walk along the Jhong Khola Valley to Muktinath, with its shrines and temple.
- Hiking time: 7 - 8 hours
- Ascent: 566 m
- Descent: 1616 m
- Max. altitude: 5416 m
- Accomodation: Teahouse
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Day 12
TREK TO JOMSOM
We now begin the descent down the dramatic Kali Gandaki valley, initially through arid country in the same geographical and climatic zone as Tibet. After passing through Jharkot and Khingar, villages with typical Tibetan architecture, we follow the valley floor most of the way to Jomsom. En route, we get tremendous views of both Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri. Our end point is Jomsom; a large town sprawled along both banks of the Kali Gandaki River. To celebrate our final night, we have dinner altogether this evening as a full team, it is customary for guests to buy dinner for the porters and guides on this night as a thank you for the support they have given you throughout the trek. There will also be an opportunity for you to hand out your tips for the support team during this meal.
- Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
- Descent: 1087 m
- Max. altitude: 3800 m
- Accomodation: Teahouse
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Day 13
FLY TO KATHMANDU VIA POKHARA
We take an early morning flight from Jomsom to Pokhara. Our accommodation is only a 5 minute walk from the airport but the kindness of the Nepalese people means our porters insist on helping us with our bags. It is a spectacular flight along the Kali Gandaki Gorge and provides wonderful views of both the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges. We then catch a further flight back to Kathmandu.
- Accomodation: Hotel
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Day 14
Departure
We will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to Kathmandu Airport for your departing flight
- Meals included: Breakfast
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Details
Trip information
Difficulty
The Annapurna Circuit is considered moderately difficult. A good level of fitness is required, as you will be walking long distances each day for two consecutive weeks. If you are comfortable walking for 6-7 hours with an ascent of 1000m over consecutive days then you are certainly fit enough to succeed on the Circuit. The toughest part of the Circuit is going from Thorong Phedi over the Thorong La Pass (5,416m). Here, there is a steep 45 minute climb at this altitude, which will take the breath out of you. The views are worth it at the top though!
Food & drink
You may have noticed that our prices for Nepal are generally much lower than other companies. This is because we have chosen not to include food and drinks in the teahouses within our trek cost. Our reasoning for doing this is as follows - as the quality of lodges has improved, so has the food. It used to be the case that the only meal available was Dahl Bhat - boiled rice with a very thin lentil dahl. This is what the porters will eat almost exclusively and you will often hear them joke "Dhal bhat - 24 hour power". It might be 24 hour power for a Nepali who has lived on it all his life but for anyone else it is pretty unappetising fair on a regular basis. Fortunately, all but the most remote lodges now offer an extensive menu of food including local delicacies such as Yak Steak with blue cheese sauce and more western alternatives such as calzone and chips as well as the standard Dhal Bhat.
We have found over the years that our guests require different intakes of food to suffice their energy needs and where some are content with Dhal Bhat everyday, others wish to sample the menu. We therefore decided that rather than restrict the options available to our guests with a set menu, we have handed over the choice to you; you can choose what you want to eat at the lodges, and settle your own bill in the morning. While you can eat heartily for very little money at any lodge, we do recommend that you budget £30-35 ($40-45) per day for meals and drinks. This will ensure that you not only have plenty of food, but that you enjoy your trek a lot more.
One word of advice, place your meal order as soon as you can upon arriving at the lodge as it is strictly ‘first ordered, first served’, and the best lodges are quite busy at meal times.
Accommodation
Your
full day by day itinerary shows what is included in terms of hotel
accommodation and meal basis. All of our pre- and post-trek nights are in comfortable 4* hotel accommodation based in the Thamel District of Kathmandu.
You will be staying at teahouses, situated in villages along the trail. The standard of accommodation still varies hugely but on the most popular routes there is generally plenty of clean, well kept accommodation. Rooms are normally twin shares and consist of two wooden bench beds per room with
mattresses and sheets. Most will provide blankets but we would certainly recommend bringing your own good quality 4 season sleeping bag unless you are used to sleeping rough in freezing conditions. Whenever possible we will try to book en-suite rooms, but availability is very limited and rooms cannot be pre-booked. Generally along this trek bathroom facilities will be shared and it will be a short walk to reach them so footwear to use at the teahouses is essential if you don't want to spend the entire trek in your boots. Showers are not always available and it tends to be just the communal areas that are heated.
Wifi is available in almost all villages and you will be able to access the luxury of hot showers at some teahouses. If you wish to use these sundry items then expect to add an additional $15 per day to
your food budget. We do probably over-estimate the food cost, but there is no
ATM until you reach Jomsom, so you have no access to money until
this point. We would rather you have too much money with you than not enough.
Dining in the lodges will be in a large open room with tables round the outside and a fire in the centre. Our guides try to make sure we secure you a spot away from the door and nearer to the fire but can't always guarantee this.
The toilet situation is something a lot of our guests want to know about! In Nepal, the hotel we use has western flushing toilets. On the trek itself, the teahouses will have squat toilets or "posh squats". This will most likely be a tiled squat toilet with somewhere to wash your hands. We recommend bringing toilet roll with you as you won't find any in the toilets, however you will find it is available to buy at most teahouses.
There are now a small but increasing number of "luxury lodges" - these are not on a par with a normal 3 star hotel but they will have heating, en-suite bathrooms and other home comforts. Upgraded accommodation can be provided on request and subject to availability on private treks only.
Transport
We insist on using a high standard of
vehicle and driver for all of our transfers. In Nepal it is not a legal
requirement to have seatbelts fitted in the back of vehicles, and while we try
to use vehicles that do have rear seatbelts fitted, this cannot always be
guaranteed. If you are unhappy about any aspect of the vehicle or the standard
of driving, please speak to the driver or our local office immediately.
Luggage
The internal flights from Jomsom
to Pokhara
and Pokhara
to Kathmandu operate an absolutely strict maximum limit of 10kg for your main
equipment bag and a maximum of 5kg for your day sack. Your baggage will be weighed by the airport staff so it is
important that you
do not exceed these limits.
The porters can carry up to 15kg in
the main equipment bag, so there is scope for
your bag to be slightly heavier while you are on the trek. However, you may
need to move items into your daysack for the flight out of Jomsom.
Duffel bags
You will be provided with a large duffel bag at the pre-trek briefing that will be yours to use for the duration of your trek. Your equipment will then need to be transferred into this bag. If you are travelling with a duffel bag then it is up to you which bag you choose to use for the trek, if you are travelling with a suitcase then this will need to be left at the pre-trek hotel and collected upon your return as our porters need the bags they carry to be flexible.
All
items must be packed in your main equipment bag. They should not be attached to
the outside, as we are not responsible if items fall off when the bags are
being carried on the trek.
How do I get there?
There are several ways to get to Nepal from Europe and the USA all of which involve an international flight to Tribhuvan International Airport which is the main airport in Kathmandu.
There are a lot of flights that fly to Kathmandu through the Middle East. Qatar, Gulf and Air Emirates offer daily flights from Europe and the US to Kathmandu, with a stopover at their central hubs. You must be careful though, as some of these layovers are very long indeed. Check the schedules carefully, and consider using Qatar. They seem to have the shortest layovers (at Doha) by a substantial margin.
The other alternative is to fly via Delhi, with BA , Air India or Jet and then catch a shorter flight up to Kathmandu. Again be careful of long layovers and be warned - some of the reviews for Air India are less than glowing!
If you are changing airlines or re-checking your luggage at an airport on route, please ensure you leave a minimum of 3 hours between flights. This will account for any delays on arrival, travel time across airports (this can take longer than you think) and time taken to re-check baggage.
Travelling Responsibly
Here at Kandoo, we like to support our guests to make their travel more sustainable. As of 2025, we are offsetting the carbon on all of our trips from arrival in destination to dropping you back off at the airport. As we don't include flight travel in our trips these aren't included in our offsetting calculations, so we are providing you with the calculator below for you to do this yourselves.
Pre-trek briefing
Your pre-trek briefing will be at 4pm the evening before the trek begins, at your hotel. The briefing is an opportunity for your guide to check you are fully prepared and also an opportunity for you to ask any final questions. We will carry out your baseline health check which will be used to spot any early signs of altitude sickness after you start trekking.
Budget & change
The Nepali Rupee is a closed currency so you will not be able to buy this before you arrive. If travelling from the UK or the US, it is advisable to travel with your home currency and exchange this in Kathmandu. It is very important that bills be new (less than 10 years old), crisp and untorn. We recommend changing currency in Kathmandu rather than at the airport as you will get a much better exchange rate. There are exchange kiosks less than a 5 minute walk from the hotel and your guide will be happy to assist you in finding these should you need them to. Alternatively all the hotels in Kathmandu will change small amounts of money for you.
We recommend that you take local currency on the actual trek with you, as the teahouses prefer local currency. You will also get a more favourable exchange rate in Kathmandu than in the mountains. If you are relying on a credit or debit card for emergency funds, make sure you tell your card issuer that you will be using it abroad, or you may find that it won't work when you really need it.
In Kathmandu a meal for two at a mid range restaurant will cost ~$20. A taxi will generally start on a base rate of $0.45 and then charge $0.4 for every km. Or you can ride the bus which will be around $0.15 for a 5km journey. Souvenirs in Kathmandu are generally on the cheaper side too.
Whilst on the trek, we recommend that you budget £30 - £35 ($40 to $45) per day for meals and drinks.
You may also want to be prepared to pay for the cost of a helicopter which can fly in bad weather (around US$300-500 per person), in the case of your flight to or from Pokhara being postponed due to bad weather conditions.
Our recommended guidance for spending budget in Nepal would be between $500-800 (depending on the length of the trip and your meal preferences) on top of your tips, to give you ample money for souvenirs and treats.
Tips
We
realise that tipping may not be a common practice in all countries but for
Nepal it is a standard practice that all operators support. The decision on how
much to tip should be determined by how well the team served you while you were
on the trek. Tips are always discretionary and if you are not happy with the
service you have received you do not have to pay tips. Tips can be made in US
dollars or Nepali Rupees. It is very important that US bills be new (less than 10 years old), crisp and untorn.
We
are members of the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal and the Nepal
Mountaineering Association, and follow their guidelines when recommending tip
levels for guides and porters. We would suggest you budget $200 per
trekker for your tip contribution on this route. The group tip can be given to your porters and guides during your celebratory meal in Jomsom on the final night of your trek. You will then say goodbye to your porters the following morning.
Formalities & health
Passport
Please double check that your passport is valid for 6 months beyond the date of arrival in Nepal. We recommend that you take a photocopy of your passport and keep it separate from the original, and this will be useful if the original is lost while you are travelling. You must carry your passport on the trek with you, as it is required for internal flights.
Visa
Most visitors to Nepal (including nationals from the UK, Europe, USA and Australia) require a tourist visa to enter Nepal. To secure a visa you will need to present proof that you have a return ticket, and proof that you have sufficient money to support yourself during your stay in Nepal. Visa can be obtained online at: https://uk.nepalembassy.gov.np/visa/. Visas are valid for 6 months from the date of issue, so do not send off your application too early.
The other option is to queue and pay for a visa on arrival at Kathmandu Tribhubhan International Airport. This will need to be paid for in cash. We highly recommend securing a visa before departure as this will ensure you have no problems passing immigration, as well as speed up the process of clearing immigration. You will need at least one blank visa page in your passport. Certain nationalities not mentioned above must apply for a visa in advance, so check with your local Nepalese Embassy or online at: https://www.immigration.gov.np/page/visa-on-arrival.
For most of our trips, you may be ok with a 15 day tourist visa which costs USD30 (around GBP25). However, if you are adding any extra days in Kathmandu you would then require a 30 day tourist visa which USD50 (around GBP40). Visas can be extended once you are in Nepal, but overstaying your visa is taken very seriously, and can result in your being detained or not allowed to leave without paying a fine. In Kathmandu airport they will assume you are paying in your home country currency so make sure you have the amount you need for your visa, or to extend your visa, in cash in your home currency. For smaller currencies, USD will be the best replacement.
The other option is to queue and pay for a visa on arrival at Kathmandu Tribhubhan International Airport. This will need to be paid for in cash. We highly recommend securing a visa before departure as this will ensure you have no problems passing immigration, as well as speed up the process of clearing immigration. You will need at least one blank visa page in your passport. Certain nationalities not mentioned above must apply for a visa in advance, so check with your local Nepalese Embassy or online at: https://www.immigration.gov.np/page/visa-on-arrival.
For most of our trips, you may be ok with a 15 day tourist visa which costs USD30 (around GBP25). However, if you are adding any extra days in Kathmandu you would then require a 30 day tourist visa which USD50 (around GBP40). Visas can be extended once you are in Nepal, but overstaying your visa is taken very seriously, and can result in your being detained or not allowed to leave without paying a fine. In Kathmandu airport they will assume you are paying in your home country currency so make sure you have the amount you need for your visa, or to extend your visa, in cash in your home currency. For smaller currencies, USD will be the best replacement.
Vaccinations
The standard vaccinations required are diphtheria, tetanus, typhoid and hepatitis A, but you should always consult your doctor or travel clinic for the most up to date advice.
Insurance
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully and adequately insured for the duration of your trip. Please ensure that all activities, excursions and destinations in your itinerary are included in your travel insurance policy, in addition to your regular cover for cancellation and medical expenses. For the Annapurna and Everest Regions, we recommend cover up to 6000m of altitude. If you are climbing Mera Peak or Island Peak you will need cover for trekking up to 7000m of altitude.
Please take a copy of your insurance policy to the pre-trek briefing, as the guide will need to collect your insurance details. We also ask that you keep a copy of your policy summary (containing policy number and the emergency contact number for your insurer) in your day sack at all times, so that we can access this information should we need to contact the insurer on your behalf.
Please take a copy of your insurance policy to the pre-trek briefing, as the guide will need to collect your insurance details. We also ask that you keep a copy of your policy summary (containing policy number and the emergency contact number for your insurer) in your day sack at all times, so that we can access this information should we need to contact the insurer on your behalf.
Health
Malaria
There is no risk of malaria in Kathmandu and or on the majority of Himalayan treks that we operate, due to the altitude. However, there is a risk of malaria in areas of Nepal below 1,500m, particularly in the Terai district, the lowland region of Nepal adjacent to the Indian border. This region includes Chitwan National Park, so if you are planning a safari extension to your trek, you need to plan anti-malarial medication for this part of your trip. In addition to taking medication, we would recommend you take every precaution to prevent mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeved trousers and shirts at dusk and dawn when the mosquitos are active, and by using a DEET based mosquito repellent.
Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness, also called Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), hypobaropathy and soroche, is an illness caused by exposure to low air pressure, especially low partial pressure of oxygen, which many trekkers experience at high altitudes. AMS is caused by exerting yourself at high altitudes, especially if you have not been properly acclimatised. It is most common at altitudes above 2400 metres. Your route into the Annapurna Sanctuary has been designed to aid your acclimatisation wherever possible, but the following will also help your body adjust:
Slow and steady. You need to keep your respiration rate low enough to maintain a normal conversation. If you are panting or breathing hard, you must slow down. There is no pressure on you to keep up with other members of your group.
Drink much more water than you think you need. Proper hydration helps acclimatisation dramatically. You need to drink at least three litres each day.
Diamox
There has been a lot of research on Diamox that shows is that it has been reasonably well proven to be helpful in avoiding AMS by speeding up the acclimatisation process. In the UK it is a prescription drug which must be prescribed by a doctor, but some doctors are reluctant to prescribe it. The concern is that by taking Diamox, people believe that they are immune from AMS and can ignore the symptoms. In reality, although Diamox can help prevent the symptoms, should symptoms still develop it means that you are not acclimatising and you have to take notice. Diamox is taken before you start trekking to prevent altitude sickness, not once you are on the trek and symptoms have developed.
Dehydration
You can easily become dehydrated at high altitudes. The lower air pressure forces you to breathe more quickly and deeply, and you lose a lot of water through your lungs. You will also be exerting yourself, and sweating, and may even suffer from diarrhoea. As a result, you will have to drink much more water than you normally would so you should drink at least 3 litres of fluids every day while trekking. Even when you do not feel thirsty you have to drink this amount as a minimum, preferably more. Stay on the look-out for signs of dehydration in yourself and your fellow trekkers. The most common symptoms include thirst, dry lips, nose or mouth, headache and feeling fatigued or lethargic.
There is no risk of malaria in Kathmandu and or on the majority of Himalayan treks that we operate, due to the altitude. However, there is a risk of malaria in areas of Nepal below 1,500m, particularly in the Terai district, the lowland region of Nepal adjacent to the Indian border. This region includes Chitwan National Park, so if you are planning a safari extension to your trek, you need to plan anti-malarial medication for this part of your trip. In addition to taking medication, we would recommend you take every precaution to prevent mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeved trousers and shirts at dusk and dawn when the mosquitos are active, and by using a DEET based mosquito repellent.
Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness, also called Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), hypobaropathy and soroche, is an illness caused by exposure to low air pressure, especially low partial pressure of oxygen, which many trekkers experience at high altitudes. AMS is caused by exerting yourself at high altitudes, especially if you have not been properly acclimatised. It is most common at altitudes above 2400 metres. Your route into the Annapurna Sanctuary has been designed to aid your acclimatisation wherever possible, but the following will also help your body adjust:
Slow and steady. You need to keep your respiration rate low enough to maintain a normal conversation. If you are panting or breathing hard, you must slow down. There is no pressure on you to keep up with other members of your group.
Drink much more water than you think you need. Proper hydration helps acclimatisation dramatically. You need to drink at least three litres each day.
Diamox
There has been a lot of research on Diamox that shows is that it has been reasonably well proven to be helpful in avoiding AMS by speeding up the acclimatisation process. In the UK it is a prescription drug which must be prescribed by a doctor, but some doctors are reluctant to prescribe it. The concern is that by taking Diamox, people believe that they are immune from AMS and can ignore the symptoms. In reality, although Diamox can help prevent the symptoms, should symptoms still develop it means that you are not acclimatising and you have to take notice. Diamox is taken before you start trekking to prevent altitude sickness, not once you are on the trek and symptoms have developed.
Dehydration
You can easily become dehydrated at high altitudes. The lower air pressure forces you to breathe more quickly and deeply, and you lose a lot of water through your lungs. You will also be exerting yourself, and sweating, and may even suffer from diarrhoea. As a result, you will have to drink much more water than you normally would so you should drink at least 3 litres of fluids every day while trekking. Even when you do not feel thirsty you have to drink this amount as a minimum, preferably more. Stay on the look-out for signs of dehydration in yourself and your fellow trekkers. The most common symptoms include thirst, dry lips, nose or mouth, headache and feeling fatigued or lethargic.
Equipment & clothing
Equipment supplied by Kandoo Adventures
We
recommend that wherever possible you use your own gear for your trek as this
is the best way to ensure your comfort and enjoyment. We recognise though
that the cost of some items is very high and this may not be possible.
Duffel bags
You will be provided with a large duffel bag at the pre-trek briefing that will be yours to use for the duration of your trek. Your equipment will then need to be transferred into this bag. If you are travelling with a duffel bag then it is up to you which bag you choose to use for the trek, if you are travelling with a suitcase then this will need to be left at the pre-trek hotel and collected upon your return as our porters need the bags they carry to be flexible.
We
do not have any other gear available for rental but there are many places
offering gear for rental in Kathmandu and we can recommend a number of places
for you. The quality of rental gear is very variable and it is your
responsibility to check carefully the condition of any item you rent. We
accept no responsibility for the quality of equipment hired. An indication of
the likely rental costs is below.
- Four
Season Sleeping Bag - $2
per day
- Down
Jacket - $2
per day
- Trekking
Poles - $1
per day
Most
of the rental shops close around 8pm, so if you are arriving on a late flight
the day before the trek starts there will not be an opportunity for you to
visit a rental store. If you are planning on renting equipment, you need to
make sure you have allowed sufficient time at the beginning of your trip.
All
rental equipment is included in your overall trekking bag weight, so make
sure you have allowed for this when packing your bag at home. A sleeping bag
will weigh around 2kg.
Clothing to bring
HEADGEAR
- Warm
beanie style hat – knitted or fleece
- Buff - Essential to prevent the cold air reaching your lungs and causing "Khumbu cough"
- Sun
hat – preferably wide-brimmed for protection
- Sunglasses
– high UV protection
- Headlamp
(plus extra batteries)
UPPER
BODY
- Thermal
or fleece base layer (x2)
- Long
sleeve shirt/tshirt –
light or medium weight, moisture wicking (x3)
- Short
sleeved shirt/tshirt –
lightweight, moisture wicking (x2)
- Fleece
or soft shell jacket (x2)
- Insulated
jacket – down or primaloft
- Lightweight
water/windproof hard shell outer jacket
- Gloves
– lightweight, fleece or quick drying fabric
- Waterproof Gloves
or mittens – heavyweight, insulated, water resistant
LEGS
- Leggings
– thermal or fleece base layer (x1)
- Trekking
trousers – light or medium weight (x2) – convertible trousers work well
- Waterproof
hard shell trousers – ski pants work fine (x1)
- Gaiters
FEET
- Trekking
boots – mid weight with good ankle support
- Training
shoe or similar – to wear around the teahouses
- Micro-spikes
– required for snowy conditions on the Thorung
La pass
- Mid-weight
trekking socks (x5 pairs)
- Breathable,
high-wicking liner socks (x3 pairs)
- Thermal
trekking socks for upper reaches of your trek
(x1 pair)
Equipment to bring
GEAR
- Small
Rucksack or Daypack (30-40 litres) to carry water and personal items
- Main equipment bag – max weight when full should be 15kg. This
weight restriction includes your sleeping bag. Your
duffle will be carried by a porter
- Sleeping
bag (4 season or -10 Deg C) and compression sack
- Trekking
poles
- Water
bottle or hydration bag – must be able to carry 1.5-2L of water
- Microspikes
OTHER
ACCESSORIES
- Sunscreen
- high SPF
- Lipbalm - ESSENTIAL in Nepal!!
- Toiletries, including wet wipes and hand sanitiser – please carry all
rubbish back off the
trail
- Toilet paper - you won't find any in the toilets, but it is available to buy at most teahouses
- Camera
and spare batteries
- Plug
adapter, for charging devices in teahouses and hotels
- Personal
medication and first aid kit
- Personal
snacks and energy bars – dried fruit and nuts are also a good source of
energy
- Isotonic
drink powder / energy drink powder to mix in with your water. This improves
flavour and helps replace electrolytes
- Microfibre
towel for wiping hands and face each day
- Ear
plugs, if you are a light sleeper
- Pee
bottle, useful for late night toilet needs
- Dry
bag (only required if your main duffle bag is not waterproof)
Dates & prices
| From | To | Price | Availability | Book | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31/08/2025 | 13/09/2025 | £1,529 $1,929 |
Sold out
|
Sold out | Enquire now |
| 07/09/2025 | 20/09/2025 | £1,529 $1,929 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 21/09/2025 | 04/10/2025 | £1,529 $1,929 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 05/10/2025 | 18/10/2025 | £1,579 $1,999 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 26/10/2025 | 08/11/2025 | £1,579 $1,999 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 09/11/2025 | 22/11/2025 | £1,579 $1,999 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 16/11/2025 | 29/11/2025 | £1,529 $1,929 |
Guaranteed
|
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| 23/11/2025 | 06/12/2025 | £1,529 $1,929 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 30/11/2025 | 13/12/2025 | £1,529 $1,929 |
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|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 08/02/2026 | 21/02/2026 | £1,529 $1,929 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 22/03/2026 | 04/04/2026 | £1,579 $1,999 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 29/03/2026 | 11/04/2026 | £1,579 $1,999 |
Guaranteed
|
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| 12/04/2026 | 25/04/2026 | £1,579 $1,999 |
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|
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| 19/04/2026 | 02/05/2026 | £1,579 $1,999 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 03/05/2026 | 16/05/2026 | £1,579 $1,999 |
Guaranteed
|
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| 10/05/2026 | 23/05/2026 | £1,579 $1,999 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 17/05/2026 | 30/05/2026 | £1,529 $1,929 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 24/05/2026 | 06/06/2026 | £1,529 $1,929 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 06/09/2026 | 19/09/2026 | £1,529 $1,929 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 20/09/2026 | 03/10/2026 | £1,529 $1,929 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 04/10/2026 | 17/10/2026 | £1,579 $1,999 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 18/10/2026 | 31/10/2026 | £1,579 $1,999 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 25/10/2026 | 07/11/2026 | £1,579 $1,999 |
Guaranteed
|
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| 08/11/2026 | 21/11/2026 | £1,579 $1,999 |
Guaranteed
|
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| 15/11/2026 | 28/11/2026 | £1,529 $1,929 |
Guaranteed
|
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| 22/11/2026 | 05/12/2026 | £1,529 $1,929 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 29/11/2026 | 12/12/2026 | £1,529 $1,929 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 07/02/2027 | 20/02/2027 | £1,579 $1,999 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 21/03/2027 | 03/04/2027 | £1,629 $2,049 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 28/03/2027 | 10/04/2027 | £1,629 $2,049 |
Guaranteed
|
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| 11/04/2027 | 24/04/2027 | £1,629 $2,049 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 18/04/2027 | 01/05/2027 | £1,629 $2,049 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 02/05/2027 | 15/05/2027 | £1,629 $2,049 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 09/05/2027 | 22/05/2027 | £1,629 $2,049 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 16/05/2027 | 29/05/2027 | £1,579 $1,999 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 23/05/2027 | 05/06/2027 | £1,579 $1,999 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 05/09/2027 | 18/09/2027 | £1,579 $1,999 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 19/09/2027 | 02/10/2027 | £1,579 $1,999 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 03/10/2027 | 16/10/2027 | £1,629 $2,049 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 17/10/2027 | 30/10/2027 | £1,629 $2,049 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 24/10/2027 | 06/11/2027 | £1,629 $2,049 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 07/11/2027 | 20/11/2027 | £1,629 $2,049 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 14/11/2027 | 27/11/2027 | £1,629 $2,049 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 21/11/2027 | 04/12/2027 | £1,579 $1,999 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 28/11/2027 | 11/12/2027 | £1,579 $1,999 |
Guaranteed
|
Book now | Enquire now |
Want to ask us a question or book a private trip? Don't hesitate to contact us!
Contact usPrice includes
- Your
hotel stay for the nights before and after the trek
- All
airport transfers
- Flight
from Jomsom - Pokhara and Pokhara - Kathmandu
- Conservation
Area entry
and TIMS fees
- A
fully supported trek with a qualified mountain guide
- All
drinking water on the trek
- Teahouse
accommodation on a room only basis
- Access
to emergency oxygen and first aid kit
Price does not include
- Tips
for your guides and porters
- Personal
items
- Travel
insurance (you must be insured, and specifically
for
treks up to 6000m)
- Your
personal trekking gear
- Meals
and drinks on the trek
- Meals
and drinks in Kathmandu (breakfast is included)
Options
- Additional hotel nights before or after your trek
Extensions
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