Annapurna Circuit Short Trek

The Annapurna Circuit Trek is a moderate to strenuous trek. In order to opt for this trek, you must have a good physical fitness level. As you’ll need to hike several uphill and downhill terrains, hikers will need proper physical strength and endurance level for the hikes.

The most challenging part of the trek is the Thorong La Pass at 5416m. It takes around 7-8 hours to cross this mountain pass, and the rocky paths add up to the difficulty level of this trek.

The highest elevation we reach on this trek is 5416m at Thorong La Pass. At this level, there is a risk of altitude sickness, but we’ve got an acclimatization day at Manang, and also, following the itinerary, we’ll slowly hike up, adapting to the altitude. Hence, this will ensure that the body is fully adapted to the altitude reducing the risk of altitude sickness.

In the 14-day package, the route starts from Kathmandu- Jagat- Dharapani and ends at Muktinath. Then, we continue the hike from Muktinath to Jomsom and take a flight to Pokhara and drive to Kathmandu by bus.

Whereas, in the 12-day package, the route begins from Kathmandu, where we’ll drive directly to Dharapani, skipping the drive to Jagat. The route then continues to the same path and ends at Jomsom. From Jomsom, we’ll take a drive to Pokhara instead of a flight, and we take a domestic flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu. 

The drive will be absolutely scenic, where you’ll be able to see the majestic peaks of mountains, rivers, landscapes, and much more. In addition to this, driving is a better option in this region, as there will no risk of flight cancellations or delays.

If you have a longer vacation, you can opt for the 14-day package. But if you are short of time, then the 12-day package will be most suitable for you.

On the Annapurna Circuit Trek, mostly there are a mix of trekking trails and off-road. We’ll trek mostly via trekking trails. But in some areas, we’ll have to walk on the roads. These roads are not busy, so there is no need to worry about the cars that will pass by. Overall, we’ll try to avoid the road as much as possible.

As you arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport, you will find our staff waiting for you outside the terminal Hall. He will be holding a “Nepal Hiking Team” display board so that you can easily spot him in the crowds. He will then escort you to your hotel and assist you with check-in.

In case you don’t find him or you face any difficulty, you can call us at our emergency contact numbers, 0977-98510 58678 (Ganga) or 0977-9851058667 (Balaram). We will assist you as quickly as possible and solve the problem immediately.

Note: Please be on the lookout for people approaching you outside the departure area. They may offer to help you with your luggage or transportation. However, it's best to be cautious and wait for our trusted staff to pick you up. Plus, our staff will never ask you for any money in exchange for their services, so you can rest assured that you're in good hands.

Yes, you can certainly obtain a Nepal visa on arrival at the airport. Firstly, you should complete the application form online before arriving at the entry point. You’ll have to provide personal information details, visa information, and passport number and so on. Here is the offical website to fill the visa form.

Important Notes

• The immigration office at the Kathmandu airport is open 24/7.
• To apply a Visa in Nepal, you need to have a passport with the validity of at least six months and a blank page in the passport for the visa stamp.
• Visa fees should be paid in cash or by credit card.
• Please remember that travelers (citizens), namely from Nigeria, Eswatini, Ghana, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Cameroon, Iraq, Syria, Ethiopia, Liberia, and Palestine, must obtain Nepal Visa before arriving in Nepal. They are NOT eligible for an ON-Arrival visa.
• Indian citizens do not need to apply for visa for their trip to Nepal.

For the local address in Nepal to submit the visa application, visa fee structure, and other information, visit our website: Visa Information.

We've made arrangements for you to stay at a comfortable 3-star hotel in a centrally located area in Kathmandu. It is a bustling neighborhood in Kathmandu with easy access to nearby markets and restaurants. The hotel rooms are clean and comfortable and have an en-suite bathroom for your convenience. And to start your day right, breakfast is included during your stay.

Depending on their availability, we usually use Woodapple Hotel and Spa or other comparable hotels in Kathmandu. This newly built hotel is located on the outskirts of Thamel and offers excellent service.

Moreover, if you're interested in extending your stay in Kathmandu, we're more than happy to help. We’ll arrange the stay and according to the different hotels, the rates may vary.

If you prefer deluxe/luxury hotel option during your stay in Kathmandu, we'll surely help you arrange with an upgrade. There are many 4-5 stat category hotels in Kathmandu that you can choose from.

Let us know if you have any specific hotel preferences in mind, and we'll do our best to accommodate your request. Alternatively, we can provide you with a selection of luxurious hotel options to choose from so that you can pick the one that best fits your needs and preferences.

Carrying all the luggage on the trek can be a hassle for you and the porters. Hence, a quick solution to this would be to leave the luggage at the hotel in Kathmandu.

The hotel staffs will store your belongings safely and return it to you upon your arrival at the end of your journey. And it is free service.

Booking with us is an easy hassle-free process.

To book your trip with NHT, all you have to do is follow three simple steps. 

Step 1: Check out the itinerary on our website or as per email correspondence. We can also further customize the itinerary to suit your preference if you want to change it.

Step 2: If the itinerary suits your preference, contact us to ask about its availability or check our website’s departure dates.

Step 3: We require you to deposit 20% of the total cost and send a photocopy of your passport to confirm your booking. You can pay the rest of the balance after you arrive in Nepal/Kathmandu either by card or cash in US dollar.

In case of any confusion, you can contact us and we’ll reply back with a clear solution.

The cancellation and refund policies are clear and simple. If a situation arises in which you need to cancel your trip, all you have to do is send us a trip cancellation request. And then we will proceed with your cancellation process.  We ensure that the process will be smooth and hassle free.

As for the refunds, we apologize to inform you that the 20% of the deposit that was made to confirm your booking will not be refunded. This amount will be considered a cancellation fee.

We do not encourage our clients to cancel the trip with us. Instead, you can postpone the trip to a later date without losing a penny.

Yes! We offer a free postponement service to all our clients. In case you need to postpone the trip due to travel restrictions or any kind of issue, you can do so by choosing a date that is convenient for you.  

Note: Please be sure to inform us two weeks prior to your trip departure date. This will give us enough time to make all the arrangements and ensure you have a smooth trip.

Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trekking packages. You must get it before you arrive in Nepal. And please make sure that it covers the maximum elevation of your trek with a provision of a helicopter in case of an emergency evacuation. Must provide a copy when you arrive in Kathmandu.

For reference, you can check out the recommended list of the different travel insurance companies based on different continents. If you need further assistance, we’ll always be here to provide more references.

The packing list completely depends on the time of the year of your trek and the regional differences. You should pack according to the different seasons and consider not over-packing for the trek. We have a list of the recommended general checklist for most of the treks.

Notes

• We provide complimentary duffel bag, down jacket, and a sleeping bag.
• There are different rental stores for equipment’s, gears and clothes in Kathmandu.

For the footwear along the trek, we recommend you to bring hiking boots and a pair of slippers for your comfort and convenience. Please make sure to break in your hiking boots before your adventure to avoid blisters and for a comfortable hike.

Note: We also recommend you to get a hiking boots which can easily fit the micro spikes and crampons in case you need to hike on snow or on a steep incline/decline. Micro spikes is a must for mountain passes.

A porter can carry up to a maximum 25 kg of weight for two people in the mountains at a time. One porter will be divided amongst two trekkers.

Therefore, please make sure you pack your trekking gear accordingly.

Preparation for a trek is a must! To get ready for the trek, you can follow these steps so that you can get ready.

• Include cardio exercises like swimming, running, walking, and jogging.
• Walk on similar terrains or hills.
• During weekends, go hiking with your friends.
• Include a balanced diet.
• Join the gym and include strength training in your routine.
• Incorporate exercises targeting thighs and calves.
• Invest in a good pair of hiking boots.

If you are a solo traveler looking to join other trekkers for the trek, we arrange several small group-joining treks with guaranteed departure dates. Hence, there’s no need to worry about your plans being disturbed just because you are alone. You can join strangers from all around the world in our group-joining trek and embark on your adventure.

Note: Please be assured that all our departure dates are guaranteed to depart.

Or you can choose a private trip for you too. In a private trip, you can customize the itinerary, extend days, and add more trips according to your preference.

Note:

• For a solo traveler to embark on a private trip, a surcharge will be applied to the displayed rate on our website. However, this surcharge will not be applied to a group of two or more.
• For private trips, we can arrange departures at your convenience. This lets you select travel dates for your flight back home and participate in any desired activity.

In the tea house along the trek, you can choose any food from the given menu. Most of the food will be Continental, Tibetan, Sherpa, and Nepalese cuisines.

We can certainly arrange a vegetarian or other special diets on request.

Notes:

• If you are a vegan, there are vegan meals available at the tea houses along the trek as well. You can indulge in green vegetables, potatoes, and many other food items that are vegan.
• And if you require a gluten-free diet, the tea houses have meals that cater to that requirement during the trek. Our guide will also assist in preparing gluten-free meals.

You can certainly charge your electronic devices during the trek. But please remember that the power supply is limited and dependent on weather conditions. Moreover, there is a fee of approximately USD 2-3 or equivalent in Rupees per hour for charging your devices.

In Nepal, we use three plug types — C, D, and M. The two round pins (type C) and three round pins in a triangle form (type D) are standard in the country. The country mainly operates on a 50 Hz and 230 V supply voltage. Hence, bringing along a universal travel adapter for charging is safer.

The most well-known seasons for the trek are spring and autumn season. In Nepal, spring begins in February and goes on until May. This season offers moderate temperatures, lots of sunshine, and the bright blossoms of wildflowers and rhododendrons. Trekkers who need to see the Himalayas at their best should do trek during this time of the year and it is also one of the best times for mountain expeditions in Nepal.

Likewise, those who want to see splendid mountain views should also consider traveling during the autumn season which falls from September and November. This is top trekking season, with low precipitation, clear blue skies, and a clear view of the skyline. Obviously, you can also trek in different seasons.

Nepal's late spring is characterized by the monsoon season, which brings substantial downpours, quick streaming waterways, and lavish greenery. This is an extraordinary season if you prefer not to be on the trail full of trekkers. Winter is likewise a decent choice; despite the fact that the temperatures can be cool, you'll appreciate unimaginable perspectives on the mountains and slopes covered by snow.

Regardless of which season you pick; you will get a life-changing experience on the trek.

A typical day of trekking would commence with a delicious breakfast being served to you at 7:00 am. After fueling up for the day ahead, we would set off on our hike at 8:00 am. We would trek for around 3-4 hours before making a pit stop at a teahouse for lunch. Once we've refueled, we would continue our trek.

As we reach near our destination for the day, which is usually a guesthouse, we would arrive at around 3-4 pm. Here, you would have the opportunity to freshen up and change out of your hiking clothes. You could head to the dining hall for some tea and relax with your fellow team members, playing card games or engaging in any other activity that interests you.

In the evening, at around 7 pm, we would sit down to a hearty dinner. Following dinner, our guide would brief us on the plan for the next day's hike. Then, you could retire to your rooms for the night, ready to tackle the next day's adventure.

Tipping is customary in Nepal's tourism industry, particularly for the guides, porters, and drivers who provide their services during the trek. It's a way of showing gratitude for their hard work. At the end of your trek, you can offer a tip of your choice based on your satisfaction and budget. Any amount is accepted, you can tip in US dollars or Rupees at your convenience.

Since 2009 we have been working hard to build a company that values its clients and provides the best services possible. We have a 99% success rate with all trips that we organize and many repeat clients. The quality of our service, the friendliness of our guides, and the helpfulness of our porters give every visitor a memorable experience and leave them wanting more.

We operate with transparency and honesty, which is a significant part of why clients enjoy our services and make us an ideal organizer for your adventure.

Additionally:

• We have a team of experienced and well-trained guides who are prepared for any situation that may arise.
• Most of our guides are locals and reginal. Being from that area, they have plenty to share about the region’s culture and traditions.
• We have exceptional relationships with teahouse owners along the route, and this ensures you will have some of the best rooms available.
• We also have a strong network of service providers, from hotels to airlines to ensure you have a seamless journey.
• Our sales team provides outstanding support and prompt communication before and during your trek to ensure everything goes according to plan.
• We ensure fair and transparent transactions with no hidden costs.
• All of our team members are genuinely warm and friendly and want you to have the best possible experience while in Nepal.

We advise you to carry enough cash on the trek to cover your expenses, such as hot showers, drinking water, drinks/snacks, Internet/phone call, power charging, etc.

We recommend you prepare roughly 2500 Rupees per day.

Please note that this amount is for general ideas only, and can vary depending on your spending habits.

Only a few shops on the trek will accept credit cards. Hence, we strongly advise you to carry enough cash before starting the journey.