Annapurna Sanctuary in Comfort

13 Days & 12 Nights

Taking in the majesty of the Annapurna Sanctuary
Experiencing village life as you trek through the terraced fields of the Annapurna foothills
Watching dawn break over Annapurna South, Annapurna 1, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, and Machhapuchhre
Kathmandu; Durbar Square and Boudhanath
Discovering Nepali village life as you walk from lodge to lodge

Experience the classic Himalayan trek to Annapurna Sanctuary staying in Ker and Downey’s comfort trekking lodges and hand picked local trekking lodges. The Annapurna Sanctuary is a magnificent amphitheatre surrounded by a ring of eleven of Nepal's major peaks including Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Fang, Annapurna II, Roc Noir, Glacier Dome, Gangapurna, Annapurna III, and Machhapuchhare. The Annapurna Sanctuary is a deeply spiritual place blessed by the divine presence of the Hindu goddesses Annapurna and Gangapurna and prior to 1956, no one of low caste, no foreigners, and no “impure” foods such as pork, beef, chicken, garlic, and eggs were allowed into the sacred confines of the Annapurna Sanctuary. Your stay in Nepal begins at the Gokarna Forest Resort, in the Kathmandu Valley before you fly to Pokhara and begin your trek through the foothills of the Annapurna range. Trekking from village to village through the lush green hillsides of the Annapurna Foothills perfectly frame the white peaks of the mighty Himalayas you are soon immersed in the rhythms of rural Nepali village life. For the first two nights and last night on trek you stay in comfort at Ker and Downey’s unique lodges, which feature en suite rooms, comfortable beds with sheets, blankets, hot showers and hot water bottles. The other seven nights on trek are based at the best available local lodges. The trek to Annapurna Sanctuary continues through spectacular mountain scenery via Ghundruk, Chomrong, Bamboo and Deurali before passing through the narrowest point in the canyon, Panchenin Barha, into the sanctuary itself. Here you can sit in the Sanctuary meadows at 13, 200' / 4000m enjoying the views of these legendary mountains towering several kilometers above you in all directions. After a night at Annapurna Base Camp you can look forward to four and a half days of sublime trekking back to the road head and then a short flight back to Kathmandu, where you can look forward to a sightseeing tour visiting Durbar Square, Boudhanath and Kathmandu’s highlights. After a final night at the Gokarna Forest Resort we will transfer you to the airport for your flight home.

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What To Expect

Travel restrictions and resources, to and from any destination

Choose this trip if you would like to enjoy one of the Himalaya’s classic treks in comfort, staying at Ker & Downey comfort trekking lodges and hand picked local trekking lodges.

Tour Style:

Private Guided | Alone or with your chosen companion(s), benefit from a private guide throughout most of your tour.

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | A classic point to point walking trip, staying in a different location each night

This trip is suitable for:

Avid Adventurers

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Spiritual Journeys
Personal Growth
Elegance & Unique Stays
Wildlife
Mountains

Inspiration:

Classic

Activity Level & Terrain

This holiday is graded moderate to strenuous, due to the fairly long days at high altitude. You should be in good physical fitness and have experience of multi-day trekking or walking prior to undertaking the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek. The effect of altitude should not be underestimated and prior experience of walking at high altitude is helpful.

The trails are generally well maintained and a good walking surface, although the going can be slippery and wet in places and some short sections can be steep so walking poles are helpful.

Navigation

During your trek you will be accompanied by an experienced guide so you do not need to navigate.

Accommodations

On this in-comfort trekking trip we have carefully selected high quality accommodation both on trek and in Kathmandu.

During your trek you will stay three nights at Ker & Downey’s acclaimed trekking lodges in the Annapurna foothills. Ker and Downey lodges offer guests the opportunity to experience the magnificent scenery of the Himalayas in style and comfort whilst staying in en suite rooms with comfortable beds with sheets, blankets, down pillows, hot showers and hot water bottles.

For seven nights on trek you will stay at carefully chosen local trekking lodges. Although more basic we carefully select and book the best lodge in each location for you. You will stay in twin-share rooms where possible but during peak trekking season you may have to stay in rooms with up to 4 people.

In Kathmandu you have two nights at Gokarna Forest Resort. Situated within the city limits of Kathmandu Gokarna Forest Resort is located inside the serene temperate Gokarna Forest, the former private Royal hunting grounds of the Kings of Nepal.

You may wish to extend your stay with a few nights in Pokhara, where we recommend you stay at the Temple Tree Resort and Spa.

Single Rooms and Solo Walkers

Unfortunately this trip is not available to solo walkers, however if you do require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you, although there is a single room supplement payable.

Alternative Kathmandu Hotels

If you would prefer to stay in the heart of Kathmandu just let us know and we can book your stay at the Yak & Yeti Hotel or Annapurna Hotel for a small supplement. If you would like a touch of luxury in Kathmandu I would suggest booking the historic Dwarika’s Hotel, undoubtedly the finest property in Kathmandu. There is an additional cost for this.

Meals & Drinks

All meals except lunches and dinners in Kathmandu are included as is tea with meals. For three nights when staying at Ker and Downey lodges an evening happy hour includes local soft drinks and local alcoholic beverages. Other soft drinks, water and alcoholic drinks are not included.

Included

All airport and internal transfers in Nepal
Return internal flights from Kathmandu to Pokhara including taxes
2 Nights accommodation at Gokarna Forest Resort in deluxe rooms including breakfast
Trekking permits
10 Days guided trekking to Annapurna sanctuary with guide, porter (1 porter per 2 clients : luggage allowance - 15 kg per person)
3 Nights at Ker & Downey’s Lodges
7 Nights at the best available local trekking lodges including all meals
Half day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu visiting Boudhanath and Durbar Square
Detailed pre-departure information pack

Excluded

International flights to/from Nepal
Lunches and dinners while in Kathmandu
Travel Insurance
Personal equipment
Nepal Visa
Extra drinks and snacks, hot showers, laundry
Excess baggage charges for internal flights
Tips for your trekking crew (expected, but not mandatory)

Extras

Accommodation upgrade in Kathmandu
Additional Nights

When To Go

The trekking season in the Annapurna region runs from the end of September to May. The most popular times are October/November, when the post monsoon mountain air is clear and fresh, and March to April when the weather is dry and pleasant and the rhododendrons bloom. You can start your trip on any date in the season.

Average daytime temperatures between October-November and April-May range from approximately 25c in Kathmandu to approx. 14c at 3000m, and approximately 3c at 5000m. From December through to April, the temperatures will be about 5c lower. Night time temperatures are lower and will get to below freezing once above 3000m.

Getting to the Start

Flights to Kathmandu are available daily from the UK and Europe via the Gulf or India. Airlines include Jet Airways, Emirates Airlines, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways & Etihad Airways. Kathmandu is also very well served from North America and Australasia.

Luggage Transfer

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, (for example, proper rain gear jacket and pants, sun hat, sunscreen). Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes or the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Altitude Sickness & Trekking at Altitude

Acute Mountain Sickness or Altitude Sickness is a major concern when trekking in Nepal and although our itinerary is designed to minimise the chances of you suffering from AMS each individual is affected differently by altitude. The majority of trekkers will suffer from at least mild altitude sickness.

Your leaders are all trained in dealing with AMS but your health is your responsibility and you should educate yourself on AMS. If you have any pre-existing health conditions that you think may make you more susceptible to AMS we recommend that you consult your doctor before booking this trip. You should also report any illness to your guide right away.

Your Guide & Porters

Quality guides make the difference between a great trip and an unforgettable experience. Our Nepali guides are qualified and trained. All have many years experience of guiding trekkers in Nepal, and speak fluent English.

They bring a wealth of knowledge to your journey, opening your eyes to the legends, culture, food, flora and fauna of the Himalayas. Additionally they are first aid trained and trained and experienced in dealing with cases of Altitude Sickness.

Your luggage will be transported by porters (1 porter between 2 people).

Air Travel in Nepal

Due to the nature of our treks in Nepal, access to the start point is often only possible by taking an internal flight. Flying in Nepal is an acknowledged risk due to the changeable nature of mountain weather and the fact that the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal does not operate to the same standards as those of the UK and other western nations.

However, we have taken steps to ensure that our customers travelling to Nepal are as safe as they can possibly be by becoming stakeholders in an independent air audit of Nepal airlines undertaken by UK tour operators in 2015. This audit deemed several airlines as safe to fly to with including Yeti Airlines and Tara Air, and our itineraries will only include flights with these particular airlines. Tara and Yeti Airlines have also fulfilled the IATA Standard Safety Assessment (ISSA) which is a new global safety standard for commercial airlines operating smaller aircraft.

Whilst we have taken the above steps, you should be aware that flying in mountainous areas like Nepal does carry with it a certain amount of risk.

If you would like to find out further information on flying on Nepal and the associated risks, you can read advice on the UK Foreign Office Travel Advice page - https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/nepal/safety-and-security.

Visa

Please be aware that you need a tourist visa for Nepal to enter. You can get this upon arrival at Kathmandu airport, where a few forms need to be filled out before you can go through customs. You will need to make sure you have the right amount of USD with you and two passport photos in order to obtain your visa. Alternatively Nepali embassies will also issue visas.

Extra nights and extensions

If you would prefer a more relaxed trek to Annapurna Base Camp we would recommend adding an extra night at Annapurna Base Camp which allows for some wonderful walks in the area. On the way down an extra night at Himalaya and Ghandruk make the descent much easier.

You should also consider adding additional nights in both Pokhara and Kathmandu to allow yourself extra time to explore. Other popular extensions include Chitwan National Park, Birethani and Seti River rafting/float.

Equipment

While trekking you will only have to carry a day bag with water, snacks, spare clothes and your camera. Your main bag will be moved by a porter. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 15kg per person. It is possible to store excess luggage at your hotel in Kathmandu. You will need normal walking and travelling gear as well as a sleeping bag and warm clothes. We will send you a comprehensive packing list on confirmation of your booking in your pre-departure information pack.

Trekking equipment is also available to hire in Kathmandu.

How far in advance do I need to book?

How fit do I need to be?

How is my baggage transported on trek?

What equipment do I need?

When is the best time of year?

Will I be affected by altitude sickness?