Soaring Himalayan Views, Exquisite Hill Village Trek
Annapurna Lodge Trek Private Journey
Overview
In the Annapurnas of Nepal, snowy peaks shimmer in the cobalt sky above spectacularly terraced fields, forests of giant rhododendrons, and slate-roofed villages that are centuries old. On this Private Journey, experience this extraordinary Himalayan beauty on a delightful lodge-based trek under the gaze of mighty Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Machapuchare. And it's all at a comfortable elevation—no higher than 7,300 feet! As you hike from one village to another in the company of your own private guide, you enjoy exploring one of the most culturally rich and scenic regions of the Himalayas. Along the way, our selection of charming lodges offers you the comfort of private rooms, en suite baths, and hot showers—and the mountain views are amazing! After our trek, you'll head to a delightful resort near a lake in Pokhara Valley.
Arrive: Kathmandu, Nepal
Depart: Kathmandu, Nepal
Highlights
- Spectacular trek below the soaring peaks of the Annapurna Himalaya
- Beautifully located lodges with breathtaking vistas, picturesque villages
- Exotic Kathmandu, with its maze of ancient temples and lively marketplaces
Itinerary
In the hidden corners of fabled Kathmandu, the ancient past lingers on in an enthralling maze of narrow streets crowded with spice merchants, golden-roofed temples, wandering sacred cows, and traditional workshops. Enjoy a guided exploration of the extraordinary sights and sounds of Kathmandu, including Pashupatinath, with its temples to Shiva and devout sadhus (holy men).
Fly to Pokhara and set off into the Annapurna foothills with your guide and porters. Your trek route is designed to grant you superb views of the Annapurnas (so close they seem within arm's reach!) as you hike from one lodge to the next, visiting picturesque hamlets and villages. The Annapurnas are a treasure house of traditional cultures, and the mix of peoples is one of its delights. Hike through villages of Brahmins and Chettris as well as Newaris, Gurungs, and Tibetans as your trail contours along terraced fields and through forests of giant rhododendrons, with blue skies and stunning Himalayan vistas all around. Follow a ridgeline into the Modi Khola Valley, enjoying magnificent views of 22,943-foot Machapuchare, a sacred peak, and continue through brilliant green hills brightened by the splash of colorful saris of local women. Enjoy an exploration day at Ghandruk, a beautiful village of slate-roofed houses with a maze of cobbled streets and neatly terraced fields. Ghandruk is home to generations of Gurung men who have served in Britain's legendary Gurkha regiments, and in the lanes of this lovely village you'll have a chance to learn about the local handicrafts and fascinating Gurung culture. The unique Gurung faith encompasses both Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. Continue on beautiful trails to the remote villages of Lamakhet and Majgaun, where you can visit the local schools. All the trails are at altitudes below 6,600 feet, and the lodges are well-appointed and stunningly located. They offer ample comforts at each day's end, including private rooms with solar-heated showers and flush toilets. Delicious meals are served, including breakfast in landscaped gardens with the panorama of the snow-covered Himalaya before you.
Descend through wooded hillsides and terraced farmlands to the floor of the lush Pokhara Valley for an overnight at the Temple Tree Resort and Spa. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the hotel's pool and gaze on panoramic Annapurna views from your room and from the spacious gardens.
Return to Kathmandu for forays through the lively bazaars of Thamel or enjoy a visit to Swayambu, the great hilltop temple with its painted “all seeing” eyes of Buddha. Swayambu is a great example of the religious harmony of Nepal, with Hindu and Buddhist shrines side by side throughout the temple complex. Depart on Day 11.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is a Level 4, Moderate to Strenuous, according to our trip grading system. Hikes are approximately 4 to 5 hours a day on moderate to steep trails including sections of ancient stone staircases. There is ample opportunity for exploring the villages and beautiful surroundings and, of course, for photography.
Average Hiking Day
- 4-5 hours
Challenge Day
- Day 4: 5-6 hours
The Annapurna area provides a truly ideal Himalayan trekking experience, relatively short yet intensely scenic. Incredible mountain panoramas and easy access make it among Nepal's most popular trekking areas, so please note that during the spring and autumn (the ideal hiking seasons), the trails can be busy and bustling with hikers and local people alike.
Most of the hiking is below altitudes of 6,500 feet, but there is a good bit of up-and down, including sections of steep, stone staircases on moderate to steep trails, and an optional day of hiking to 7,300 feet. The Annapurna foothills are criss-crossed by an ancient network of hand-built steps that lead up and down between villages. You might want to bring a hiking pole, if you like to use one.
You carry only a daypack on the hikes. For your own enjoyment, we recommend that you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. Daily brisk walking and/or regular hiking (or using a stair-climbing machine at your gym) are excellent preparatory exercises. You should wear sturdy, well-broken-in hiking boots for maximum comfort on the trail.
In the Annapurna foothills, temperatures tend to be quite cool in the mornings and evenings, but heat up at mid-day due to the strong direct sunlight at altitudes over 5,000 feet. The Terai Plain, where Chitwan National Park is located, is about 3,000 feet lower in altitude than Kathmandu, and is consistently warmer than the rest of Nepal. Climatically, the country ranges from subtropical to temperate and alpine.
October and April: Clear mornings with clouds developing in the afternoons; hot during the day, mild evenings. Highs in the low 90s, lows in the mid 60s. In the Terai, highs in the mid 90s and lows in the low 70s.
December/January/February: Clear mornings with clouds developing in the afternoons, warm days but cold at night. Highs in the low 70s, lows in the low 40s. In the Terai, the mornings are misty, with the sun only breaking through the dew for a couple of hours per day. Mid-day high is in the upper 60s, evenings and morning are in the mid 40s.
November and March: Clear mornings with clouds developing in the afternoons, warm during the day and cool evenings. Highs in the low 80s, lows in the low 60s. In the Terai, highs in the upper 80s and lows in the low 70s.
May through September: This is Nepal’s rainy season, fascinating for those interested in the flora and fauna of the country. Highs are in the mid 90s and lows in the low 70s.
October and April: Clear mornings with clouds developing in the afternoons; hot during the day, mild evenings. Highs in the low 90s, lows in the mid 60s. In the Terai, highs in the mid 90s and lows in the low 70s.
December/January/February: Clear mornings with clouds developing in the afternoons, warm days but cold at night. Highs in the low 70s, lows in the low 40s. In the Terai, the mornings are misty, with the sun only breaking through the dew for a couple of hours per day. Mid-day high is in the upper 60s, evenings and morning are in the mid 40s.
November and March: Clear mornings with clouds developing in the afternoons, warm during the day and cool evenings. Highs in the low 80s, lows in the low 60s. In the Terai, highs in the upper 80s and lows in the low 70s.
May through September: This is Nepal’s rainy season, fascinating for those interested in the flora and fauna of the country. Highs are in the mid 90s and lows in the low 70s.
Our own experienced cook crew is part of the Wilderness Travel trekking staff, and all our meals will be prepared by them. Our cooks are trained and offer a good variety of hygienically prepared meals. Our drinking water is always boiled and treated washing water is put out before every meal so you can wash your hands before eating. Meals are a blend of Nepalese and Western dishes. Breakfast is normally a light meal of porridge or granola, with hot milk, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, biscuits, or cookies. Lunches may include potatoes, eggs, curried vegetables, cheese, local-style breads, fruit, tea, hot chocolate or a fruit drink. Dinner is typically soup and a main course such as a noodle dish, or meat or vegetable stew, depending on what is available in local villages. Dessert on trek is usually canned or fresh fruit. If you are partial to special treats (licorice, candy bars, trail mix, and so on), please bring your own supply with you for the trek. A variety of sweets, nuts, and dried fruit can be purchased in Kathmandu.
Hiking distances on trek are normally measured in hours, not miles, since maps aren't really accurate enough to assess how far we walk up and down winding mountain trails. On a typical trek day, wake-up is around 7:00 am. After packing up our duffels and having breakfast, we set off on the trail while the porters or pack animals shoulder their loads. The crew usually passes us by midmorning to get ahead and prepare our lunch. We ask you not to hike ahead of the leader because trails are often not well-marked.
We typically walk for three to four hours in the morning, then stop for a leisurely lunch of an hour or more at a scenic spot on the trail. After lunch, we walk for another three hours or so until we reach our next night's lodging. Upon arrival, we have late afternoon tea and a snack. On our exploration days we occasionally have more time in the morning or afternoon for rest or further individual exploration. Temperatures drop quickly as the sun falls behind the peaks, and it's easy to get chilled after exerting yourself for several hours, so have an extra layer of clothing ready. Dinner is served to us in the lodge, and afterwards, we usually chat away the evening or read until bedtime.
We typically walk for three to four hours in the morning, then stop for a leisurely lunch of an hour or more at a scenic spot on the trail. After lunch, we walk for another three hours or so until we reach our next night's lodging. Upon arrival, we have late afternoon tea and a snack. On our exploration days we occasionally have more time in the morning or afternoon for rest or further individual exploration. Temperatures drop quickly as the sun falls behind the peaks, and it's easy to get chilled after exerting yourself for several hours, so have an extra layer of clothing ready. Dinner is served to us in the lodge, and afterwards, we usually chat away the evening or read until bedtime.
There are dangers inherent in any expedition traveling to remote wilderness regions, especially when they involve travel to high altitude. These dangers include everything from rock falls to the possibility of a serious fall, accident, or sickness without access to means of rapid evacuation, availability of medical supplies, or adequate medical attention once provided. Our Trek Leaders and support crew are experienced veterans of the Nepal Himalaya, but it takes cooperation and flexibility from each participant to ensure a successful trek.
We will be going to high elevation on this trip. It is not uncommon to experience headache, nausea, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, shortness of breath, and fatigue at altitude. These can occur when you first arrive at higher elevations and usually decrease in severity with time. We have designed this itinerary to allow for appropriate rest and acclimatization, but for your own enjoyment, we recommend that you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. While on trip, be sure to drink plenty of water, even if you don't feel thirsty, and avoid pushing yourself too hard, however physically fit you may be or feel. You may want to consult with your physician about bringing medication to prevent altitude sickness, such as Diamox. You can learn more about altitude and how to prepare for it in our video linked here.
We will be going to high elevation on this trip. It is not uncommon to experience headache, nausea, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, shortness of breath, and fatigue at altitude. These can occur when you first arrive at higher elevations and usually decrease in severity with time. We have designed this itinerary to allow for appropriate rest and acclimatization, but for your own enjoyment, we recommend that you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. While on trip, be sure to drink plenty of water, even if you don't feel thirsty, and avoid pushing yourself too hard, however physically fit you may be or feel. You may want to consult with your physician about bringing medication to prevent altitude sickness, such as Diamox. You can learn more about altitude and how to prepare for it in our video linked here.
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.