Annapurna Base Camp Trek

The Annapurna Circuit loops around the Annapurna massif, climbing the Marsyangdi valley on the east side, crossing the Thorong La pass at 5,416 m, and dropping into the Kali Gandaki valley on the west. Over two to three weeks the landscape changes from rice terraces and subtropical forest to pine and juniper, then to the dry, high plateau around Manang and Muktinath, which sits in the rain shadow of the Himalaya. The route passes through Gurung, Manangi and Thakali villages, Buddhist gompas and chortens, and the Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site of Muktinath. Teahouses are found in every village, so you sleep indoors and eat in lodge dining rooms along the whole route. Roads now reach far up both valleys, and most trekkers take a jeep for the lower sections and walk from around Dharapani or Chame. Quieter footpaths on the opposite bank of the river, such as the upper route via Ghyaru and Ngawal, avoid much of the traffic. The crossing day is long and starts before dawn, which is why an acclimatisation day in Manang matters. The trek suits fit walkers with some hiking experience who are comfortable with several days above 4,000 m. A licence-verified guide you contact directly can adjust the pace, choose the quieter trails and judge conditions on the pass.

📅 Duration: 14-21 Days

🏔️ Max Altitude: 5416m

📝 Permit: Standard Parks

The Ghorepani Poon Hill trek is a short loop in the foothills west of Pokhara, climbing through Magar and Gurung villages and rhododendron forest to Poon Hill at 3,210 m. From the top, the sunrise view takes in Dhaulagiri, the Annapurna range, Machapuchare and many lesser peaks across the skyline. Most of the trek stays below 3,000 m, so altitude is rarely a concern, but the trail involves long stone staircases, especially the climb from Tikhedhunga to Ulleri. Days are moderate in length, and lodges are plentiful in every village, from Ulleri and Ghorepani on the ridge to Tadapani and the stone-built Gurung village of Ghandruk on the way down. It suits first-time trekkers, families with active children, and anyone short on time who wants a taste of Himalayan trekking without high altitude. In March and April the rhododendron forests flower in red and pink; in autumn and winter the skies are usually clearest for the mountain views. A licence-verified local guide you contact directly can arrange permits and transport from Pokhara, time the Poon Hill climb for the clearest sunrise, and explain the villages and culture along the way.

📅 Duration: 4-7 Days

🏔️ Max Altitude: 3210m

📝 Permit: Standard Parks

The Jomsom Muktinath Trek is a short walk into the dry upper Kali Gandaki valley, on the edge of Mustang. After a mountain flight from Pokhara to Jomsom, it follows the wide river bed to the old village of Kagbeni, then climbs to Muktinath, a temple complex at about 3,710–3,800 m sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, known for its 108 water spouts and a natural gas flame that burns beside a spring. The landscape is closer to Tibet than to the green hills of Pokhara: wind-carved cliffs, flat-roofed stone villages, apple orchards and chortens, with Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri above the valley. Thakali and Tibetan-influenced culture is everywhere, especially in Kagbeni and Marpha. A road now runs the length of the valley, so jeeps and motorbikes share parts of the route. Good itineraries use side trails where they exist and keep road walking short. The trek suits people with limited time, pilgrims, and walkers who want altitude and scenery without long climbs; days are moderate, though afternoon wind in the valley is strong. The Pokhara–Jomsom flight depends on morning weather, so build in a spare day. Licence-verified guides you contact directly can explain which trails they use to avoid the road.

📅 Duration: 7-10 Days

🏔️ Max Altitude: 3800m

📝 Permit: Standard Parks