Most Inspirational Moment
Entering Annapurna Sanctuary after a 7 day walk.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Kind, considerate.....incomparable.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Get fit!
Suggestions
No
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY
The trip was both challenging and exilerating. It exceeded my expectations.
ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY
The whole holiday was a sensory overload. The contrasts between city life (Kathmandu/Pokhara), village life and mountain life were fantastic to experience.
Most Inspirational Moment
Poon Hill - simply breath taking views - we managed to get up there for both sunset and sunrise. Even more rewarding was the apple crumble and custard at the lodge on the way down!!!
Thoughts on Group Leader
All of the Exodus team were fantastic on the holiday - never failing to stop and offer help - even to hold my walking poles everytime I wanted to stop and take a photo!!!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Expect to be wow'ed by every morning view - some afternoons we'd reach the lodges in the clouds to then wake up in the morning with the most overwhelming views of mountains all around us.
Suggestions
An amazing trip which covers so many aspects of nepal's fantastic country - not only was it a treat to spend so much time walking through small villages/mountain passes but it was great to have the bonus of a couple of days to explore Kathmandu.
ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY
Excellent trip. Delivered beyond my expectations. The scenery was amazing and the staff all very helpful and made trip really enjoyable. Definitely recommend this trip.
Most Inspirational Moment
Amazing views of Annapurna from Poon Hill in the evening as well as sunrise. Plus sunrise at Annapurna base camp definitely leave you in awe.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Dawa was a great group leader. He ensured everyone was having a good time. When travel plans needed to change due to bad weather he organised alternative transport straight away so all went smoothly and we didn't miss a thing.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Only take what you need. Ideally the porters should carry no more than 12kg for each traveller. I did not know this before I went.
Suggestions
Brilliant trip. Also check out the apple crumble at Ghorepani brilliant.
ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY
Great trip. Excellent local leaders and good group made it all the more enjoyable. What can I say about Nepal; it's beautiful. Stunning scenery and great trekking. Oh, and the rice is good too! Kathmandhu is busy, noisy and chaotic, but still a place to savour. Pokhara, where we stayed a night after completing the trek, is set in a beautiful location. Lovely lake, surrounded by mountains, felt Alpine in character.
Most Inspirational Moment
Too many inspirational moments to list them all but I guess Reaching Annapurna Base Camp at 4100m and not feeling out of breath would be up there at the top of the list. Seeing the snow covered mountains at sunrise at ABC with no cloud to obscure the view, simply magnificent.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Dawa our group leader was excellent. He was patient, calm, approachable, cheery, positive, organised things efficiently and his English was well nigh perfect.
Advice for Potential Travellers
You'll be able to get mineral water ie bottled water on the first few days and the last day of the trek. In between you'll need to drink local water that has been filtered and/or boiled. It tastes ok but I'd recommend you use water filtration tablets with it to be safe. As you progress up the trail towards ABC be aware that food, showers and drink (soft drink and beer) prices increase. Budget for the trek should be about 2500 to 3000 Nepalese Rupees per day.If you're looking for somewhere to chill after the trek then the Busy Bee Bar in Pokhara is recommended and in Kathmandhu check out The Tom and Jerry Bar in Thamel.
Suggestions
Great trip, highly recommend. If you're reasonably fit you'll manage it no problem.Might be helpful to those who book this trip if you could add a PDF to the trip notes showing the typical menu choices and prices along the trail. Most tea houses offered very similar menus, although as mentioned above prices increased as you progress up the trail.
ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY
A very professionally organised & lead trip with a great group of participants.A great introduction to a country of wonderful people.
Most Inspirational Moment
Waking at ABC to find the cloud clearing to reveal what must be one of the most stunning mountain panoramas in the world.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Dawa was an excellent leader - keeping the team together and progressing at a pace that meant we achieved our goals while still having bags of fun.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you can walk up & down Snowdon and not be exhausted, then you're probably fit enough to do this trip.If you need mobile phone reception, then Nepal Telecom (check your mobile company's roaming agreement) has decent coverage in the mountain villages.Mains power is available in most tea houses for camera/phone battery charging, though mains power is mostly limited to light fittings in the bedrooms.The variety of tea-house food was much greater than we expected. Not just Dahl Baht!9pm bed time is considered late in the hills.If you've time, get away from the main tourist trail in Kathmandu to see how the real city lives.Roads are being driven slowly towards the villages in the Annapurna area. In 10 year's time, when the mule trains have been displaced, the character of the place will be very different. Go soon!
Suggestions
We really appreciated the background work done by Exodus to ensure that the tea houses standards of kitchen food hygiene were up to scratch. 11 people over 15 days & not one case of Delhi belly! We met several independant travellers and people from other groups who'd succumbed after visting other tea houses. When time is limited, it is important to stay fit & healthy.We were all impressed how the team leaders got stuck in in the kitchens to help prepare some superb meals.
ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY
" Go while your hips are still working " Advice given to aged self by a friend !! I went, I saw and I conquered. It was a wonderful two weeks, with some unforgettable moments and memories.
Most Inspirational Moment
When we went "off the beaten path" e.g. improvisation needed to avoid landslides and avalanches. This necessitated detours along untracked mountain sides and over fragile and rickety bridges, or across slippery river bed rocks. Arising in the dark, donning head torches, and climbing up before dawn in time to see the sunrise at Poon Hill and Base Camp. Unexpected richness of flora and fauna. ( monkeys, wild goats, birds etc. )
Thoughts on Group Leader
Pasang was first class. He was very experienced and knowledgeable. He managed, cleverly and sympathetically , to cater for the differing needs and varying levels of fitness of our group. He was full of mountain lore, knew lots about the flora and fauna, the regional history, etc. and was always helpful and cheerful.
Advice for Potential Travellers
To make the most of this special time, ensure you are fit before you go. Poles were very helpful - and essential if you have dodgy knees. Pack as little as possible, as the porters have to carry it for you !
Suggestions
We were all "d'un certain age" - we all loved this tour and would go somewhere else next time . Take your camera and GO NOW BEFORE THEY COMPLETE THE ROAD BUILDING PROGRAMME when it will become too accessible and over run !!
ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY
I absolutely loved my walking holiday. I am an avid hiker but have never done such an extended trek before. There really is something glorious about spending days with no more pressing thought than what hiking tight/tshirt combo to throw on and whether it will be daal bhaat with gurung bread or pizza for dinner? … and to just enjoy being in the most dramatic mountain scenery amougnst cool people:Good times!
Most Inspirational Moment
The most inspirational moment of my trip was waking up at first light in ABC (Annapurna Base Camp), looking out my window and being greeted by the most totally awesome mountain views I could have hoped for. I felt that THIS is what life is ALL about.
Thoughts on Group Leader
DAWA:D: Dashing and CharmingA: Absolute man of the people: Story Teller, Joker, Group Bonder, Game Player, LEGEND!W: WHAT A GUY!!!!!!!!A: awesome characterThank-you SO much for really making the trip for me.. what super sweet!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do this: it is wicked!
ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY
An amazing diversity of scenery and experiences. 8000 metre peaks, village life in the mountains, lovely people and a chance to chill in Pokhara and experience crazy Kathmandu as well.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing how the local people live and feeling humbled by their resilience.Being in the Sanctuary - truly the Land of the Gods - and looking up at 8000 metre peaks (and thinking 'thank goodness we're not going up there'!).Seeing how the local community had taken it upon themselves to manage the area, keeping it clean and free of litter - an excellent example of community led tourism.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Ugs was a character and kept us very entertained; also caring, knowledgable and passionate about the area. The other guides and porters were also excellent.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be positive! Listen to your body. Don't eat yak curry.If you haven't been on a trip like this on your own before (I hadn't), don't worry - there will be others on their own and it is amazing how quickly you all become a 'team'.
Suggestions
It was a fantastic trip, helped by having a really good group. I would whole heartedly recommend it.