Cost Includes
- Trekking permits.
- Guesthouse accommodation.
- Transportation to the trailhead and return from the finish point after the trip.
- Three meals a day.
- English speaking licensed Trekking Guide.
- One porter.
- On camping option, all camping gears, kitchen utensils, food supplies, pack animals and service of Sherpa crews are included.
Cost Does Not Include
- Accommodation in Pokhara.
- Transportation to and return from Pokhara.
- Drinks, tip, and other expenses of personal nature.
- Extra expenses caused due to nature and unforeseen events.
- Travel Insurance.
An easy trekking
This trip is an easy cultural trek with a maximum altitude of 1,980m (6,500 ft.), suitable for the people of all ages with normal health conditions. We require walking 4-5 hours daily without any significant altitude gain, but we still need to be physically fit for the trekking. We advise you to do some power jogging, cycling, swimming or aerobics about 30 to 45 minutes a day. Some training before the trip helps build stamina in your body as well as increases your confidence level and of course, minimizes the chances of getting acute mountain sickness. We have to avoid dehydrating, and so we advise you to consume 3-4 liters of water daily and also liquid food in meals. Not sure if it has any medical grounds, but our Sherpa guides recommends garlic soup to treat the effects of the altitude. Porters or pack animals will carry all gear and camp supplies (if you are on a camping trip). It leaves members free to take only a light day pack. No technical climbing or other special abilities are required.
Lodge accommodation?
We will be using lodge accommodation, popularly known as "tea-houses" available in the villages that our trail passes. We will also be eating our meals in these lodges. These lodges or guesthouses are basic and family-run. They provide with private and dorm-style rooms with futon or foam mattress and quilt or blankets. We offer you a private room, usually with two twin beds. You need to share the toilet/showers with other guests of the lodge. Hot shower, if it exists in the lodge, is a luxury and is not included in the room rent. Staying in guesthouses allows knowing the locals and fellow international trekkers like you.
Meals during trekking
Our trekking cost includes standard breakfast, lunch, and three-course dinners, followed by tea or coffee. The family of the lodge owner cooks meals. Although the food is usually plentiful and delicious, you should be aware that the menu is not often extensive. Most tea houses offer a variety of rice and noodle dishes, as well as soup and seasonal vegetables. A variety of cereals, bread and egg dishes are generally available for breakfast. There will also be plenty of snacks available such as biscuits, chocolate, and soft drinks (extra cost). In some areas, you will find fresh fruits in season. You can buy boiled and filtered water in the Annapurna Area. Packaged water bottles are discouraged.
Guide and support staff
You will have local English speaking certified Guide, accompanying you as from Kathmandu. All Highland Asia Guides are trained by KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project) on first aid, environment, conservation, and biodiversity. As required by law, all our trekking guides are licensed by the Tourism Department’s academy. Most importantly, they are professional, helpful, and always willing to provide you with personalized care and services.
Your guide escorts you along the trail, selects the lodge for accommodation and help you choose your meal and deals with local bureaucracy whenever required. As you pay all trekking charges in advance, the guide will take care of the bills. We provide one porter for every two trekkers, and he carries 15 kilograms. We hire porters locally at the village where your trek begins from, if not hired from Kathmandu. The guide and porters will have proper clothing and boots to survive the harsh weather of the mountains.
A typical trekking day
Each morning after packing our bags and having a good breakfast, we set off on the day's walk. All we need to carry is a small day pack containing a water bottle, camera, sun cream, hat, rain jacket, and warm jumper, just in case. The porters will carry the rest of our gear for us.
After walking for 3-4 hours, we stop for lunch at around midday. The afternoon's walk is generally shorter, and we usually arrive at our destination in time for afternoon tea. The remainder of the afternoon can be spent exploring the village, doing a bit of washing or simply relaxing with a good book. On some days we will arrive at our destination by lunchtime and the entire afternoon will be free.
After dinner, the evening will often be spent playing cards and reliving the day's adventures, before heading off to bed for a well-earned sleep.
Hotels in Kathmandu, pre-trip and post-trip add ons
We can book accommodation for you in Kathmandu. Also, before heading to the trailhead, you can spend a few days in Kathmandu, touring the temples, monasteries, Malla Palaces, etc. After the trip completes, you can extend your trip to Chitwan National Park for three days and Pokhara two days.