- Stay overnight at Annapurna Base Camp surrounded by mountains
- Explore the Annapurna Sanctuary, a huge amphitheatre formed by glistening peaks
- Enjoy sunrise views of Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhare and the Annapurnas from Poon Hill
- Trek through magnificent forests, terraced fields and pretty villages
- Spend time in historic Kathmandu and lakeside Pokhara
- Special departure accompanied by Javier Frutos

RCGS: Annapurna Sanctuary Photography Trek with Javier Frutos
- Home
- Asia
- Nepal
- Walking & Trekking
- RCGS: Annapurna Sanctuary Photography Trek with Javier Frutos
Trek the Annapurna range in Nepal with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society accompanied by Canadian Geographic Creative Director, Javier Frutos
This special photography departure of our Annapurna Sanctuary Trek in Nepal is led by Canadian Geographic Creative Director and renowned photographer Javier Frutos.
Javier’s passion for travelling and photographing the world will inspire you. As the creative director for Canadian Geographic magazine, Javier designs and selects the photography for CanGeo magazine covers and will help you understand what makes a stunning cover shot, from planning to composition, execution and storytelling. Make the most of your trip and create memories to last a lifetime with his keen eye and your expert Exodus guide leading the experience.
Leave life as you know it and discover the Roof of the World through your camera lens, trekking to Annapurna Base Camp. Unveil the mysteries of Kathmandu, pilgrimage to rural temples, hike ancient trails, and trek to giant glaciers. Along the way, we discover the Annapurna range, a vast Himalayan massif where several peaks top 7,000m (22,965ft). It’s home to a natural amphitheatre known as the Annapurna Sanctuary, formed by mountain giants including Annapurna 1, Glacier Dome, Gangapurna, Fang and Machhapuchhare. Our trek starts through forested hills before arriving into the Sanctuary, where we enjoy panoramic views of the colossal Annapurna peaks. This photographic departure includes breath-taking scenery and trekking with a helpful photographer’s eye and instructions by your side.
Highlights
Key Information
- Four nights in standard hotels and 10 nights in teahouses
- 11 days point-to-point walking with full porterage
- Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader and local staff. Minimum age: 16
- Altitude maximum: 13,550ft (4,130m); average: 8,005ft (2,440m)
- Travel by private bus and one internal flight
- Between five and eight hours of walking per day
- Numerous stone steps
- Countries visited: Nepal
What's Included
- All breakfasts
- Morning bed-tea on trek
- Welcome drink at each overnight lodge
- Four nights in standard hotels and 10 nights in teahouses
- All transport and listed activities
- Tour leader throughout, plus local staff (staff to client ratio of 1:4 on trek)
- Free arrival and departure transfers for everyone
- Full porterage throughout trek
- Exodus kitbag
- Trekking map (provided locally)
- Trekking permit and national park fees
What's Not Included
- Travel insurance
- Single accommodation (available on request, Kathmandu and Pokhara only)
- Visas and vaccinations
- Sleeping bag (possible hire in advance through Exodus)
- Down jacket (possible hire in advance through Exodus)
11 Days of Walking & Trekking
Approximately six hours of walking per day
Moderate altitude; good paths with some steep ascents; numerous stone steps
2 km / 1.2 miles
11 km / 6.8 miles
7 km / 4.3 miles
15 km / 9.3 miles
7 km / 4.3 miles
11 km / 6.8 miles
9 km / 5.6 miles
3 km / 1.9 miles
14 km / 8.7 miles
10 km / 6.2 miles
8 km / 5 miles
People, Places & Planet
We work hard to create trips that improve life for the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Find out more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here, and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.
Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:
People
How this trip helps improve life for local communities.
- The use of a local leader and trekking support staff (guides, porters/yak herders) means our customers will be well informed about local traditions, and cultural-social sensitivities.
- This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, teahouses and restaurants, the emphasis on eating locally produced food, and supporting other local enterprises.
- Following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Exodus has supported Karma, our local partner’s Food Package Project in Nepal, which has distributed food parcels to those in need on the streets of Kathmandu at a time when lockdowns and a lack of tourism left many without an income.
- It was not until 2005 that the ancient tradition of chhaupadi (banishing menstruating women and girls to huts or sheds during their period) was made illegal in Nepal. In rural parts of the country, menstruation is still a taboo subject. Since 2018, Exodus has supported the Freedom Kitbag Project, providing reusable sanitary wear and education in reproductive health to many hundreds of women and to their wider communities.
- Exodus has had a deep connection with Nepal since the 1980s and over the years has supported, and continues to support, many Himalayan Community Projects, including an elderly person’s home, the High Altitude Workers Welfare Association, providing solar cookers, smokeless stoves and running medical camps in hard-to-reach communities, to name a few.
Places
How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.
- Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels.
- By travelling in a small group and on foot, for the most part, led by a local leader, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
- We buy our trekking permits and pay our Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) fees, the income from which helps to preserve the region.
- Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices with regard to working animals and wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.
- We work with our partners on the ground to proactively eliminate or reduce waste, for example eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles and instead recommending that you refill your own reusable bottles with boiled water on the trek or that you treat tap water. Bottled water is technically banned in the Annapurna region.
Planet
How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.
- Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.
- In Kathmandu, we stay at a family-run Nepali-owned hotel, rather than using a large international hotel chain, and during the trek we stay in small locally owned teahouses, which helps reduce the carbon footprint of this trip.
- Few crops grow nor do animals graze at these altitudes, and as there are no roads to the more remote villages, food is often carried along the trails by porters or yaks/mules, making its transportation footprint inherently low carbon.
- A vegetarian diet is common in Nepal, especially in the mountains where eating meat is not generally recommended due to hygiene concerns and a lack of refrigeration facilities.
- Exodus established the Braga Tree Nursery Initiative, in the Upper Annapurna Region of Nepal, in the 1980s to play a part in tackling the deforestation problem at the time, and to this day, the tree nursery sustains itself.
- The provision of solar cookers to many villages along the popular trekking routes in Nepal has helped prevent further deforestation in the pursuit of wood used for cooking.
- There is no mains electricity in the mountains and many of the teahouses use solar power for hot showers or lighting.
Tips for sustainable travel on this trip
- Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish behind in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, we’d ask you to consider bringing recyclable materials home with you. When trekking, biodegradable soap, shampoo, and toilet paper are recommended. Keep to paths to reduce damage to plants and disturbances to wildlife.
- Plastic waste reduction: Avoid using plastic bottles or buying mineral water and instead use refillable water bottles wherever possible. Buy boiled water or carry water purification treatment.
- Try to buy locally made handicrafts but be wary of items made from wild animals eg shahtoosh shawls made from endangered Tibetan antelope.
- If, while packing, you find a spare bit of space in your bag then you may be interested in donating to one of our projects. Exodus supports a Porter Clothing Bank in Kathmandu and also distributes clothing to villages and schools.
Cultural respect:
- The Nepalese greeting is namaste, with hands held in front of the face, the higher they are held, the more respect it exudes. Men will shake hands with men but not with women.
- Walk in a clockwise direction around temples or monuments. Ask permission before entering places of worship and remove your shoes. Leave leather behind before entering Hindu temples.
- Pointing your feet (the least sacred body part) at people or religious places or pointing or beckoning with a single finger is considered impolite.
- Displays of affection should be kept at bay, and loose-fitting clothing that covers legs and shoulders is advisable, especially when visiting homes, monasteries or temples.
- Do it like the locals! The left hand is associated with toilet duties, so eat, wipe your mouth, pass food, give and receive with your right hand. Only handle your own food and drink.
- Ask before you capture people on camera. Exchanging a few words or gestures beforehand can go a long way. Offering (and actually sending) a copy via post is a great way to benefit both parties.
Itinerary
The group flights depart London this evening.
The adventure begins at our hotel in Kathmandu. There will be a full trek briefing this evening where we meet as a group for the first time and can ask any questions we might have.
Accommodation: Royal Singi Hotel (or similar)
The group flights arrive into Kathmandu this afternoon. There will be a full trek briefing this evening where we meet as a group for the first time and can ask any questions we might have.
Accommodation: Royal Singi Hotel (or similar)
We leave early and drive west to Pokhara. This town is set in a beautiful valley overlooked by the Annapurnas and the fishtail-shaped Machhapuchhare, one of the most distinctive of the Himalayan peaks. We continue through Pokhara to Naya Pul and then have a 30-minute (1.2mi/2km) walk to Birethanthi, a village at the confluence of the Modi and Burungdi rivers, where we stay overnight. If there is time, we can bathe in the clear but cold pools of the latter.
Accommodation: Teahouse
Meals Included: Breakfast
We start our trek by following the Burungdi upstream. After a lunchstop in Tirkhedunga (renowned for its variety of local beer called chang), we start the long, steep climb up a stone staircase through the neatly terraced hillsides to the top of Ulleri. Continuing through Ulleri we stop tonight at lower Banthanti.
Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 7,350ft/2,240m)
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trail winds onwards and enters rhododendron forest, which is ablaze with colour in spring. Trains of mules provide vibrant, noisy interludes to the continuous ascent today (there are many stone staircases).
Finally, we emerge from the forests at Ghorepani and suddenly a splendid mountain vista appears before us – Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhare, Lamjung and other Himalayan giants. We continue up through Ghorepani to our lodge in Upper Ghorepani (9,515ft/2,900m), usually arriving by lunchtime.
Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 9,515ft/2,900m)
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning there is an optional ascent of Poon Hill (10,530ft/3,210m, about an hour's walk uphill) to see the spectacular sunrise over the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna range. As the sun emerges from behind the mountains, the sky glows red and pink.
We head east after breakfast, following a ridge to cross a pass at 10,335ft (3,150m). We cut through more forest and past teahouses and then the descent becomes steeper as we take stone steps through jungle to a few lodges in a clearing called Banthanti at 9,055ft (2,760m), where we have lunch. Descending further to a small stream, we cross a bridge and climb back up to 8,825ft (2,690m) at Tadapani where we have a superb view of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare. From here, we descend for a short while to our lodge at Chuili, where we have great views of the mountains from the lovely garden.
Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 7,515ft/2,290m)
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trail descends steeply through the forest to the Kyumnu river, a tributary of the Modi river. A steep ascent then brings us to Chhomrong (7,285ft/2,220m) another Gurung village and the last permanent settlement in the valley. Beyond here we see yersas, the summer shelters used by herdsmen. From Chhomrong, we have good views again of Annapurna South and from this point onwards the twin-peaks of Machhapuchhare (Fishtail) that give the mountain its name.
Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 7,285ft/2,220m)
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trail from Chhomrong descends first on a stone staircase to cross the Chhomrong River and then climbs steeply on another stone staircase out of this side valley to Sinuwa, where we enter the main Modi River valley. From Sinuwa, the trail descends on stone steps through dense jungle and then undulates to lunch at Bamboo, a cluster of lodges in a clearing surrounded by bamboo thickets. These are cut extensively to make dokos, the carrying baskets used by our porters, and woven mats for floors and roofs. Undulating further through the bamboo forest we reach Dobhan at 8,200ft (2,500m), another small forest clearing with several teahouses.
Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 8,200ft/2,500m)
Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s a tough day today as we walk above 9,845ft (3,000m). The trail continues up through the forest, passing the lodges at Himalaya Hotel. The trail gets steeper and rockier from here as we climb up past Hinko Cave, where the first expeditions to the basecamp used to spend the night. Crossing a ravine, the trail continues to climb steeply among boulders, leaving the trees behind us. We have lunch at Deurali and from here the valley broadens and the scenery becomes wilder as we approach the gates of the sanctuary.
From Deurali, there are two trails. The one on the left side of the valley is the main trail but when there is a lot of snow (especially in spring) it is not used and an alternative trail on the right side of the valley is used. Your leader will decide which to take. Both meet for the last 1hr 30min climb up between the heights of Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhare to Machhapuchhare Base Camp (12,140ft/3,700m), where we spend the night. The views are stupendous and the panorama includes Huinchuli, Annapurna 1, Annapurna 3, Gangapurna and Machhapuchhare.
Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 12,140ft/3,700m)
Meals Included: Breakfast
In the early morning, we walk for two hours up to Annapurna Base Camp (13,550ft/4,130m), surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of some of the highest mountains in the world. Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna Fang, Annapurna 1 and 3, Gangapurna and Machhapuchhare all encircle us with unbroken soaring ramparts but for the route by which we entered. The sunset and sunrise are truly magnificent in this mountain arena.
We spend the day in this special place with a chance to watch sunrise tomorrow. There should be time to make an excursion to the ridge overlooking the basecamp from which Sir Chris Bonington led the ascent of Annapurna's South Face. (Occasionally there is too much snow to stay at Annapurna Base Camp. In this case, we walk back down to Machhapuchhare Base Camp in the late afternoon).
Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 13,550ft/4,130m)
Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s a long and mostly downhill day as we leave the Sanctuary. We follow the same trail back to Machhapuchhare Base Camp and further down to Deurali. Entering the forest, we descend slowly and carefully on a rocky trail through Himalaya and Dobhan back to the lodge at Bamboo.
Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 7,645ft/2,330m)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We have a rollercoaster walk today with lots of ups and downs. We start with a climb up to Sinuwa, then we descend to the river and climb back up the stone steps to Chomro. A final steep descent on stone steps brings us to Jhinnudanda. There are nearby hot springs you can visit if you wish; getting there involves descending for 20 minutes or so down to the river, and the climb back up takes a little longer (around 30 minutes).
Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 5,610ft/1,710m)
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trail today undulates down the Modi River Valley. We follow the valley down to the road head at Sinwai. If the road is in good condition, we will pick up our transport here (sometimes our vehicle cannot get to here) and drive back to Pokhara. If we have to walk to Birethanthi this will add an additional 3 hours/10 km.
Hotel Dahlia / Hotel Barahi (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a full day to relax in Pokhara. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants along the lakeshore where you can watch paragliders in flight. You may wish to take a rowing boat across Lake Phewa and walk up to the hilltop World Peace Pagoda for fantastic views of the lake. There are also plenty of shops and a traditional bazaar where you can pick up souvenirs. Alternatively, there are several museums to visit, including the International Mountain Museum and the Gurkha Museum.
Accommodation: Hotel Dahlia/Hotel Barahi (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We fly to Kathmandu. If the weather plays nicely, we can have good views of the western end of Nepal on this flight.
The afternoon is free for sightseeing. You may wish to visit the monkey temple at Swayambhunath, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world at Boudhanath, or the most important Hindu temple in the valley at Pashupatinath.
Accommodation: Royal Singi Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trip ends after breakfast today. Say your goodbyes and begin your return journey home.
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trip ends after breakfast. Those on the group flight will be transferred to the airport for the flight back to London. Those not on the group flight will leave us after breakfast.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Essential Info
Visa
Nepal
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally need a visa to enter Nepal. Visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
- Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/nepal
- Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/nepal
- United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/nepal/entry-requirements
- USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Nepal.html
You can obtain your visa in advance or on entry. If possible, apply in advance as queues on arrival can be very long. Please note, the Immigration Department of Nepal has suspended visas on arrival for certain nationalities – please check if this applies to you with your nearest embassy or consulate .
When you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, there will be three lines. If you have already secured you visa, go straight to the Immigration line. If not:
- Fill in a tourist visa form at the electronic kiosks. After inserting your passport, the machine will automatically fill out an application form, take an electronic photograph of you and print a paper slip. If the machine won’t read your passport, complete the details manually using the touchscreen. We recommend taking a passport photo with you just in case.
- Proceed to the visa fees collection counter and pay the visa fee (in cash, if possible). Make sure to keep the receipt.
- Go to the relevant immigration desk and present your tourist visa form, payment receipt and passport to obtain your 15-, 30- or 90-day visa stamp. Please check you have been given the correct visa duration.
Vaccination
Nepal
There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, cholera, Japanese encephalitis, rabies and tuberculosis. You will also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you're arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or transiting for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Some travellers may also need proof of a polio vaccination. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
There is little to no risk of malaria in Nepal; therefore, antimalarial tablets are not usually advised although may be considered for certain high-risk groups. You may wish to consult your doctor or travel clinic for further advice.
Additionally, dengue fever, a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes, is a known risk in Nepal with an outbreak in September 2022. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis, so take extra precautions (such as wearing full-length trousers, long sleeves and applying insect repellent during the day, dawn and dusk) to prevent being bitten.
Most of our trips to Nepal go to high altitudes where there is a risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness. Our itineraries are designed to enable everyone to acclimatise to these altitudes, but you should be aware that it is still possible for you to be affected. Please refer to the Altitude Warning within the Trip Notes for further advice on AMS.
Eating and Drinking
Breakfast is included throughout the trip.
The breakfasts on trek are fixed set menus, usually porridge or muesli with either toast, chapatti or pancake, plus an egg or omelette and a cup of tea/coffee. You may also be able to supplement your included breakfast with additional items on the teahouse menu should you wish. Items not included should be ordered and paid for separately.
Please note, some more remote teahouses/lodges are unable to provide an extensive menu due to irregular delivery schedules and during periods of bad weather or a high volume of trekkers, there may be a more limited menu choice.
We do not include lunch and dinner on trek allowing you to choose what you want to eat. Lunch will be taken at a teahouse en route – sometimes one of your guides will go ahead with the group’s order to make it more expedient. Dinner will be in the same teahouse that you sleep at (this is custom in Nepal as teahouses base their room rate on it).
The menus in the lodges are almost identical to one another but offer a varied choice, ranging from traditional Nepalese dhal bhat to pizza and apple pie. Dhal bhat is the staple diet in Nepal and comes in many different forms but generally comprises curried lentils and meat or vegetables, rice, and a pickle/chutney. Another popular snack is momos, a type of Nepalese dumpling, fried or steamed and filled with meat or vegetables.
Although meat is available in the teahouses, we advise against eating it on trek. The meat has often been carried in the heat from lower altitudes for several days before reaching the lodges and can cause stomach upsets or illness. Germs can also be spread by handling dirty money – we recommend using hand sanitiser.
If you have a gluten-free diet, we strongly recommend you bring extra food and snacks with you to supplement the food on trek as there will be little variety available to you, particularly for breakfast. Even many of the soups are from powder/packets and contain gluten.
If you buy imported food and drink on trek you will spend more than the suggested amount.
Drinking water
Staying hydrated is important when undertaking any physical activity but particularly so at altitude where it is generally recommended to drink at least 100floz to 135floz (three litres to four litres) per person per day.
However, we strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water on trek as this contributes to the growing problem of plastic pollution in the trekking areas of Nepal.
A few villages along the Annapurna Sanctuary route have safe drinking water stations selling UV-treated water for about 50 rupees (US$0.40) per litre but these are not always open.
The teahouses also sell boiled water for approximately 150-300 rupees (US$1.15-US$2.30) per litre (the price increases the higher you trek) which should not require treating. This is also perfect for a bedtime refill as it can double up as a hot-water bottle.
Alternatively, all teahouses provide free cold water. Although this should not be drunk untreated, we recommend you bring a reusable bottle (or two) and use an effective form of water treatment. There are a wide range of products available that are more effective than traditional purification tablets – we recommend talking to an outdoor retailer for the latest advice as technologies are improving all the time. Make sure to check the product’s performance in cold/freezing conditions and consider battery life (lithium batteries are best in cold conditions).
Exodus has partnered with Water-to-Go, a filtration system that eliminates more than 99.99 percent of all microbiological contaminants from any non-saltwater source – visit Water-to-Go for more information. Exodus customers can claim 15 percent off their first order and, better still, 15 percent of the purchase value will be donated to the Exodus Travels Foundation. Please note, if the water freezes it will clog up the filter. In this event, defrost before use by sitting the filter in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes.
Weather
October, when this trip takes place, marks the start of the main trekking season in Nepal. Daytime temperatures in Kathmandu are typically above 20C (68F). Skies are usually clear and days on trek are sunny and mild with clear mountain views. Nights will be colder with temperatures dropping as low as -5C (23F) at higher altitudes. Please note, there can be snow at Annapurna Base Camp at any time of year and that the weather is never wholly predictable in any mountain area. You should be prepared and equipped to deal with any differences in weather beyond the conditions described.
Is this trip for you?
This trek has been graded Activity Level 4 (Moderate/Challenging). It comprises 11 days point-to-point walking with full porterage throughout. Please read our Activity Levels guidelines, found on our website.
Altitude: The maximum altitude is 13,550ft (4,130m) and the average is 8,005ft (2,440m) – we ask you to refer to the Altitude Warning within the Trip Notes. This is one of the best-paced trekking routes in Nepal for acclimatisation. The ascent is gradual; most nights are spent at low to medium altitudes (below 9,840ft/3,000m) with only two nights at high altitude (over 11,480ft/3,500m).
This is an ideal trek for those who are confident of their physical fitness, although most of the more challenging walking is on the last approach to the Sanctuary itself. Some previous trekking experience and physical preparation, such as hill walking, is recommended.
Fitness and ability: This is an ideal trek for those confident of their physical fitness; most of the more challenging walking is on the last approach to the Sanctuary itself. Some previous trekking experience and physical preparation, such as hill walking, is recommended. On most days, we walk for approximately five to seven hours, although there are some shorter and longer days. There are numerous stone staircases to climb and descend and we would not recommend this trek to anyone with weak knees. There are prolonged ascents and descents on some days (more than 3,280ft/1,000m). We highly recommend using trekking poles. Walking hours stated within the itinerary are given as approximates only. Timings stated exclude lunch stops and will vary depending on the pace of your group.
To help you better prepare for your Nepal holiday, please also see our Nepal Destination Guide.
Why Trek with Exodus?
- More than 30 years’ experience organising treks in Nepal
- ‘Ask an expert’ – talk to Exodus office staff who have done the treks themselves
- Experienced English-speaking local leaders who are qualified in first aid and trained in recognising and dealing with altitude sickness
- One of the highest staff-to-client ratios on trek: one staff for every four clients
- All staff (leaders, guides and porters) are fully insured and paid a fair wage
- Carefully planned ascent rates and itineraries with built-in acclimatisation and contingency days
- Staff carry oxygen and a first-aid kit
- Self-assessment acute mountain sickness (AMS) cards used to monitor every client at high altitude
Nepal flight safety
Many of our treks in Nepal use domestic flights to reach the trekking areas. The mountainous Nepalese terrain is subject to changeable weather, which makes flying conditions complex and challenging, and unfortunately there are significantly more incidents here than in other countries, including fatalities. The EU highlighted the poor safety record in Nepal in 2013 by including all Nepalese-registered airlines on the EU banned list, which prevents them from flying in EU airspace. While no Nepalese-registered airlines currently fly within the EU, the EU instigated this ban to highlight the risk of flying in Nepal to EU citizens. These airlines are unlikely to be members of any internationally recognised safety audit systems and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Nepal does not operate to the same standards as those of Western nations.
Flying within Nepal is therefore a known risk, and we strongly encourage you to consider this carefully before booking. We suggest you refer to the following sources:
- The current travel advice for Nepal issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
- The Air Safety Network entry for Nepal
In response to concerns over this safety record, Exodus arranges for independent air-safety auditors to visit Nepal annually to assess the suitability of the available carriers. We then restrict our use to only those approved as part of this audit. In emergency situations, we will need to use helicopters, so we also have a list of approved helicopter carriers. Should concerns arise regarding the safety of an airline on our approved list, we will remove the carrier from the list immediately, and it would only be reinstated once our air-safety auditors are confident the airline meets acceptable safety standards.
We appreciate that you may have concerns about flying within Nepal, so we ask that you please consider all the information above when deciding to book this trip.
Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.
Hotels, Lodges, and Teahouses
This tour spends two nights in a comfortable hotel in Kathmandu, two nights in a hotel in Pokhara and 10 nights on trek in lodges (teahouses).
The hotels used may vary by departure date. In Kathmandu, we usually stay at the Royal Singi Hotel within walking distance of the Thamel district. In Pokhara, we use Hotel Dahlia.
The teahouses are basic but adequate; please be realistic about what to expect in the mountains.
The hub of the teahouse is the dining room, usually decorated with colourful traditional rugs, sometimes with a stove or heater (some lodges charge a fee to put the heater on) and some teahouses above 9,845ft (3,000m) may not be heated due to local environmental restrictions. Occasionally, kerosene burners can be used to heat common areas if requested. We recommend against using these due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning (your leader will not offer this to you).
Most teahouses sell snacks and other essentials such as tissues, soap and toilet paper. Almost all have electricity, but it is not wholly reliable, and lighting may not be bright enough to read by – a torch is essential. Electrical charging facilities are generally available only in the dining room (charged at approximately 150-350 Nepalese rupees per hour per device). Many of the lodges use solar power, so sometimes there is not enough electricity for charging. Many lodges have wifi – in some areas it works well but in others it is slow and temperamental.
The bedrooms are almost all twin-share, except for nights 7 to 10, above Chhomrong. Above Chhomrong, the lodges are controlled by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project and, for conservation reasons, there is a limit to the number of lodges that can be built and the number of rooms per lodge. This means the rooms have more than two beds, often three to five beds in a small room. Due to the limited accommodation available, the lodges will not allow us to book twin rooms on these nights, even if we pay a higher price. Your leader will try their best to sort the rooms out fairly but please be aware that you will be in multi-bedded rooms in close quarters for some nights. Beds with foam mattresses, bedsheets and a pillow are provided. Bedrooms are generally unheated and can get cold at night, so you will need to bring or hire a sleeping bag.
Most lodges have only one or two basic toilets and sometimes these are outside the main lodge building. Toilets are usually squat style, although many lodges have now installed seated ones. Toilet paper is not provided so you should bring your own or buy it locally (please dispose of it the bin provided – do not put it in the bowl). If there is not a flush handle, there should be a container of water to pour down – if it is empty (or frozen) please either refill it or ask the lodge to.
Some lodges now have hot ‘showers’ (charged at approximately 250-500 rupees per shower). Sometimes a hot shower is simply a bucket of hot water and not a shower head.
Standards of cleanliness vary, especially in the peak trekking season and in winter when the water freezes at night. Please report any problems to your leader or the lodge and be vigilant in your personal hygiene regime – use soap or hand-sanitiser gel before and after toilet breaks, snacks and mealtimes.
As a rule, the higher altitude you go, the more basic the lodges and the more expensive food and services become.
Extra accommodation
If you require any additional accommodation in Kathmandu either before or after the tour, we can book this for you (subject to availability), please enquire with your sales representative.
Single accommodation
If you prefer your own room, we offer a single supplement for the hotel nights in Kathmandu and Pokhara only (subject to availability). While in the teahouses, single rooms cannot be guaranteed so these have not been included in the single supplement price paid in advance. However, if a single room is available on arrival to a teahouse, you can pay locally on a day-by-day basis.
Covid-19 refund commitment
You will get a refund if you have to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.
Start
Finish
Availability
Adult Price From
Optional Single Supplement
Saturday Saturday
21 Oct 2023 21 Oct 2023
Saturday Saturday
04 Nov 2023 04 Nov 2023
Availability Available
Adult Price From USD 3,199
Optional Single Supplement +USD 217
Special RCGS Departure with Canadian Geographic Creative Director, Javier Frutos
Special RCGS Departure with Canadian Geographic Creative Director, Javier Frutos
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesNo departures found.
Would you like to include flights with your booking?
- ATOL protected
- Competitive flight prices
- Full refunds in the event of FCDO cancellations or major disruption at your UK departure airport
- Specialist support to rearrange flights and transfers
- Regional flights available from many UK airports
*Please note any date & price adjustments will be displayed on the next step of booking. You will be able to revert back to booking without flights if the options aren't suitable for you.
You may also like
The Adventure Begins Here
Get regular inspiration straight to your inbox from Exodus' experts.