Annapurna Everest Spectacular
Moderate
More than just trekking "Annapurna Everest - the big show" combines the discovery of the two most famous mountain ranges of Nepal, the beautiful landscapes, while immersing you in the heart of the culture of this small sacred country of the Himalayas.
You enjoy extraordinary viewpoints: the pyramid of Macchapuchare (Fishtail), enthroned on the line peaks of Annapurna and dominating the horizon, then Everest, revered by the people of Khumbu Sherpa as the Sagarmatha, Mother Goddess of the earth. Let yourself subjugate, at the foot of the roof of the world, for this majestic excess breathtaking. Walk in the gentle valleys punctuated by even traditional lifestyles. Breathe in the tranquil beauty of Pokhara, offset by the frenzy of Kathmandu. Be swept finally by the mystical charms of Buddhist or Hindu temples.
The steps of this trekking are relatively short. So take your time ... to enjoy the luxurious comfort of your room and the moment.
Trip Highlights
- A comfort trek.
- Four days trekking in Annapurna and Everest to six days.
- The top hosting Nepalese range: the best hotels, lodges Annapurna and Khumbu.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Meet at the group hotel in Kathmandu. Transfers from Kathmandu Airport are provided.
Welcome to Nepal! On arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met at the airport by your representative. They will have YMH signboard if you have booked directly or the logo of travel agent if you are through your agent.There is a short drive to your hotel. You’ll be served with welcome drink and given keys to your rooms. Rest of the day is for you to prepare for the trek.
Meals: D
Hotel: Gokarna Forest Resort
Day 2: Fly to Lukla, then trek mainly downhill to the riverside settlement of Phakding (2610m).
An early start for the flight to the high airstrip in the Everest region known as Lukla. This incredible flight is a highlight of the trip, taking us through the Himalayan foothills and offering perhaps a glimpse of Everest as we come into land on the tiny airstrip at Lukla. After meeting our porters for this section of our trip, we will take lunch in the Yeti Mountain Home lodge and then start our trek with an easy, mostly downhill leg, from Lukla to Phakding. This trek takes us through Sherpa villages and individual farms. Many Sherpas now make their living exclusively from trekking and there are many tea-houses and basic lodges where it is possible to stop for a drink. We will also pass by many stones intricately carved with prayers in the evocative Tibetan script, as well as prayer wheels of all sizes. Everywhere in the valley colourful strings of prayer flags flutter from high points and bridges. Dropping down to a trail above the Dudh Kosi (river) we head north to reach our Yeti Mountain Home lodge at Phakding. The elevation at this first night's halt is actually lower than Lukla at 2610 metres.Meals: BLD
Hotel: YMH Lukla
Day 3: Trek through farms and villages to Namche Bazaar (3400m).
Leaving Phakding we head north along the west bank of the Dudh Kosi, passing several lodges and tea houses to a high thin waterfall at Benkar (2710m). Here there are sensational views of Thamserku (6623m). Beyond Benkar, we cross the river on a high suspension bridge and continue along the east bank below high cliffs clothed in rhododendron forest. The trail undulates as we negotiate several side valleys bringing melt water from the high peaks. Crossing the Kyashar Khola, we make a final climb to the village of Monjo (2835m) where we pass the entrance to the Sagamartha National Park. We then have a short but steep descent on stone steps to another suspension bridge where we cross once more to the west bank of the Dudh Kosi. We continue up the wooded valley on a good trail and cross the river again before reaching a confluence of rivers one coming down from Thame and the other from the main Khumbu Valley. We make a final crossing here on a spectacular high suspension bridge and then begin an hour and half long ascent to Namche on a wide switch-back trail. This is the sting in the tail of today's otherwise gentle ascent, and one of the steepest of the trip. About half an hour below Namche, we gain our first views of Everest. On arrival in Namche, we can take a breather in one of the town's coffee shops before finishing off the climb to our Yeti Mountain Home lodge. The location of our lodge is superb giving us a bird's eye view over Namche and across the Valley to the serrated ridges of the Kongde range, while the magnificent peak of Thamserku (6623m) rises as a back drop. Just a short walk away is a classic view of Ama Dablam, one of the most beautiful mountains in all Nepal and of Lhotse and Everest.After lunch, you may chose to hike with your guide to the nearby village of Tanchok, where there is a traditional house now made into a museum. The contents of the house illustrate how the local people live, together with the tools and implements of day to day traditional village life. You may also choose to visit the local school. Trek time 1-2 hours.
Meals: BLD
Hotel: YMH Namche
Day 4: At Namche Bazaar. Optional day-walk to Khumjung and Khunde for views of Everest.
Namche Bazaar is tucked away between 2 ridges amongst the giant peaks of the Khumbu. An ancient market place where goods from as far away as Tibet were and still are traded, Namche today boasts an abundance of lodges, cafes, bars and souvenir shops. Close to our lodge is the internationally known Museum of Sherpa Culture and the traditional villages of Khunde (3840m) and Khumjung are a highly recommended half-day excursion.Meals: BLD
Hotel: YMH Namche
Day 5: Trek above the BhoteKhosi River via Phurte and Thamo to the Sherpa settlement of Thame (3820m).
After breakfast at our lodge we start the day with a 2 to 3-hour walk through forest of spruce, juniper and pine to the village of Thamo. This trail is much less used by trekkers and we will immediately notice the difference. It is, however, an important trail which leads all the way to Tibet via the Nangpa La on the shoulder of Cho Oyu (8012m). On today's trek we are likely to see few other trekkers. We stop for our lunch in Thamo which is the home village of the Ang Rita Sherpa, who has summitted Everest 10 times without oxygen. After lunch, we continue walking for another 2 hours to arrive at a deep gorge where the Bhote Koshi River thunders through the narrow defile. We cross a sturdy bridge spanning the gorge to reach Thame (3800m). This important village is the home of many famous mountaineers including Tensing Norgay the first man to reach the summit of Everest along with Sir Edmund Hillary. Apa Sherpa who has reached the summit at least 18 times lives here now. The village is very picturesque and also has a magnificent 16th century Nyingmapa gompa (monastery) built by Lama Rolwa Dorje. We check into our deluxe rooms with breathtaking views of Thamserku and Kusum Kanguru.Meals: BLD
Hotel: YMH Thame
Day 6: Trek back down to Namche Bazaar and onwards beside the Dudh Kosi to Monjo.
We retrace our steps to the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar with great views of the Khumbu peaks ahead of us. We have lunch at Namche before continuing our descent, steeply at first, to Monjo where we check in at the Yeti Mountain Home lodge.Meals: BLD
Hotel: YMH Monjo
Day 7: Trek back to Lukla, with the afternoon free to explore this thriving airstrip settlement.
With a chance to take in all of the views that were behind us on the way up, we now walk back to Lukla. The prominent mountain of today is Kusum Kanguru which is prominent from this direction. Descending to ever more lush environs, we walk through several villages before making a final short but steep climb to the airfield at Lukla where we check in at the Yeti Mountain Home lodge. There should be some free time to explore this thriving settlement before returning to our lodge for dinner. This evening we will say goodbye to the trek crew who have been looking after us in the Khumbu.Meals: BLD
Hotel: YMH Lukla
Day 8: Fly via Kathmandu to Pokhara. Then transfer to the roadhead and trek to Birethanti (1025m).
We will be up early today to catch the spectacular flight back to Kathmandu. Here we connect with the 30 minute flight to Pokhara. This equally spectacular flight offers views of the Langtang, Manaslu and Annapurna ranges. We are met on arrival at Pokhara Airport and taken by vehicle (1 hour) to the start of our walk.Together with our new local team, we then follow a trail through the lower foothills of the Annapurnas with surrounding views of the Pokhara Valley. Finally we descend to the very comfortable Ker and Downey Sanctuary Lodge in the valley of the Modi Khola. Lunch is at the lodge and there is the option in the afternoon to walk to the nearby village of Birenthanti (1025m). Alternatively, you can rest at the lodge and do a bit of local exploration.Meals: BLD
Hotel: Ker and Downey
Day 9: Trek beside the Modi Khola to Landruk (1565m). Optional afternoon guided village tour.
After breakfast at the lodge, we have a pleasant morning of trekking alongside the Modi Kola (the river that flows out of the Annapurna Sanctuary). There are great views ahead of us of the Annapurna peaks and of the sacred 'Fish Tail' peak. We cross a suspension bridge to the opposite side of the river and from here it's about an hour's trek on a combination of a switchback trail and stone steps to reach the village of Landruk (1565m). Landruk affords more glorious views of the Annapurna range. We arrive at the Ker and Downey La Bee Lodge in time for lunch. After lunch, there is the option to accompany the guide on a sightseeing tour of this pretty mountain settlement.Meals: BLD
Hotel: Ker and Downey
Day 10: We trek south-eastwards across the grain of the country to Majhgaon (1400m).
Leaving Landruk and the valley of the Modi Khola, today's walk contours the valley-side to the east and heads south, with fairly minor undulations, passing through picturesque villages and farmland with great views looking back to the Annapurnas. We will reach the Ker and Downey Gurung Lodge near to Majhgaon in time for lunch. The lodge is built to resemble a traditional Nepalese village and every room has spectacular views of the surrounding valley and mountains. The afternoon can be spent in the lodge gardens or we can opt to do some exploration to nearby villages with our guide.Meals: BLD
Hotel: Ker and Downey
Day 11: Trek to Dhampus (1525m) with great views of the Annapurnas.
This morning we start out trekking through the unspoilt village of Patlekhet. Our walk takes us through sub-tropical forests that include tree orchids, rhododendrons and magnolias. Along the way, we will stop at the village of Pothana where many Tibetan traders live and sell their souvenirs. Once again, we aim to reach our next lodge in time for lunch. Our accommodation for the night is at the small, but splendid Ker and Downey Basanta Lodge, where we are treated tosweeping views of the entire Annapurna Range. After lunch at the lodge there will be an optional walk through the old
village of Dhampus.
Meals: BLD
Hotel: Ker and Downey
Day 12: Trek out to the road, return to Pokhara and overnight in a hotel.
After a leisurely breakfast at our lodge, we have a short downhill walk of about an hour and a half along a scenic ridge to the farmland and scattered houses of the broad Yangdi Khola Valley. Here, we meet the road and our waiting vehicle and make the 30-minute transfer to Pokhara, where we check in at a luxurious resort hotel. The afternoon is free for independent exploration of this friendly, lakeside town, before returning to the hotel for dinner.Meals: BLD
Hotel: Temple Tree
Day 13: Fly to Kathmandu. Afternoon free to relax by the pool or to do some independent sightseeing.
We take the morning flight to Kathmandu. One of the attractions of any visit to Nepal is the chance to walk the streets of Kathmandu, which presents a fascinating mosaic of shops, cafes and restaurants, food markets and street vendors, as well as a bewildering array of colourful temples and shrines. This evening we will have a dinner in one of Kathmandu's excellent restaurants.Meals: BLD
Hotel: Gokarna Forest Resort
Day 14: A free day in Kathmandu.
Today we have a day, free to relax in the hotel gardens or beside the pool, or for further independent sightseeing. One of the attractions of any visit to Nepal is the chance to walk the streets of Kathmandu, which presents a fascinating mosaic of shops, cafes and restaurants, food markets and street vendors, as well as a bewildering array of colourful temples and shrines. Kathmandu is a very safe city (provided you watch out for the traffic) and exploring on your own is great fun. This evening we will have a celebratory dinner to mark the end of a most excellent trip.Meals: BLD
Hotel: Gokarna Forest Resort
Day 15: Departure day. Transfers to Kathmandu Airport are provided.
Transfers to Kathmandu Airport are provided for international flight.Meals: B
Essential Info
Visa
Most nationalities require a visa for Nepal, which can be obtained in advance or on entry. If you wish to apply before departure the current visa cost is £20 for a 15 day visa and £35 for a 30 day visa for UK passport holders. The current cost of a visa on arrival is US $25 for 15 days, US $40 for 30 days or if extending your stay $100 for 90 days. All are multiple entry. The visa on arrival fee can be paid for in cash in US Dollars, Pounds Sterling or Euros. You will also need a passport photo. Application forms are available in the immigration hall (or for electronic passports there are visa registration machines which, after inserting your passport, automatically fill out a form for you). You must firstly join the queue to pay the visa fee, and then go to the relevant immigration desk to obtain your 15, 30 or 90 day visa stamp. There can be long queues for visas on arrival.Non UK nationals should check requirements with their nearest embassy (a few nationalities are not permitted visas on arrival).
Vaccinations
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. The risk of malaria is present in certain regions only (such as Chitwan); you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Most of our trips to Nepal go to high altitudes where there is a risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness. Our itineraries are designed to enable everyone to acclimatise to these altitudes, but you should be aware that it is still possible for you to be affected. Please refer to the TRIP NOTES for complete advice on AMS.Eating & Drinking
Breakfast is included throughout the trip and all meals are provided while camping (all breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners).Breakfast is included throughout the trip and all meals are provided while camping. On trek the breakfast will be a set menu usually consisting of porridge and toast. Any additional items that are not included in the set menu should be ordered and paid for separately. We do not include lunch and dinner in the tea-houses, allowing you to choose what you want to eat and when. Although most lodges have almost identical menus, they are reasonably extensive and offer a varied selection, ranging from traditional Nepalese dal bhat to pizza and apple pie.
Although meat is available in the tea houses, we advise against eating it on trek. The meat has often been carried in the heat from lower altitudes for several days before reaching the lodges, and can cause stomach upsets or illness. Germs can also be spread by handling dirty money - we recommend using hand sanitiser.
If you buy imported food and drink whilst on trek you will spend more than the suggested amount.
Drinking Water
Staying hydrated is important when undertaking any physical activity but particularly so at altitude where it is generally recommended to drink at least 3-4 litres per person per day.
We strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water on trek as this contributes to the growing problem of plastic pollution in Nepal’s trekking areas.
All tea houses will provide cold water free of charge, if requested. Although this should not be drunk untreated, we recommend that you bring a reusable bottle with a wide opening (Nalgene or similar) with you and use a SteriPEN to treat it with. A SteriPEN is a handheld UV water purifier – small, lightweight and battery powered so easy to pack for a trek. In Nepal’s trekking regions most of the bottled water isn’t strictly ‘mineral water’ anyway but is UV treated, so it’s exactly the same technology. It’s quick to use, far more effective than purification tablets, and the water is ready immediately. It’s fine to use a SteriPEN on non-boiled water so long as it isn’t cloudy or full of sediment (which is uncommon in these regions).
SteriPENs are widely stocked on Amazon, outdoor shops and other online retailers; look for the latest models but avoid USB charging ones. Better still, a SteriPEN will pay for itself over the course of the trek and you won’t leave behind a single plastic bottle – you will end up spending the same or even less than you would on bottled water, plus you can keep it for future trips.
If you prefer not to invest in a SteriPEN, the tea houses also sell boiled water for approx. Rs150-300 per litre (the price increases the higher you trek) which should not require treating. This is also perfect for a bedtime refill as it can double up as a hot water bottle.
While camping boiled water is supplied for drinking.
Weather
The main trekking season in Nepal is from October to mid-May when daytime temperatures at most altitudes are generally comfortable for walking, the sky is clear much of the time and rain and snow are occasional occurrences. Daytime temperatures will vary from 15ºC to 35ºC in the Kathmandu Valley to around 10ºC at 3,600m and progressively lower the higher we go.Different seasons offer different advantages for trekking.
Post Monsoon/autumn: Mid-September to November. This is the main trekking season in Nepal. Day temperatures in Kathmandu are approximately above 20ºC. Skies are usually clear and days on trek are sunny and mild with clear mountain views. At the highest altitudes although the days can be nice and sunny the temperatures can drop to 10ºC and much lower. Nights will be colder with temperatures dropping as low as minus 10ºC and lower at the highest altitudes.
Pre-monsoon/spring: March to May. Both day and night temperatures will be warmer in general but haze will often build up in the afternoons. It is very hot in the lowlands and temperatures rise to 35ºC in Kathmandu. Flowers bloom in this season and this is one of the reasons people chose to trek in spring.
Snow can be expected on any departure, usually at the higher altitudes. Summit day will be a very early start (usually about 2am) and will be extremely cold. Although mostly it is calm and clear on summit day the mountain does occasionally get high winds. You need to be equipped for temperatures as low as minus 25ºC plus wind chill on summit day.
Please remember that in any mountain area the weather is never wholly predictable and you should be prepared and equipped to deal with any differences in weather beyond the conditions described above.
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You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
To Book
Let us know which trip you would like to join. For trips that require a certain level of skills and prior experience, we will ask you to provide us with details so that we know the trip is the right one for you.We will send you a form for you to complete your personal details, medical and fitness information. We will also send you our bank details for you to make payment – we will tell you how much and how to pay.
When you are ready, simply complete the form and send it back to us and let us know once you have deposited the relevant funds into our bank account.
We will send you back a written acknowledgement and other information about your trip such as a gear list and any other relevant information specific to your trip.
Of course, at any time leading up to your trip, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us as we will want to give you as much information as you need so that you can feel comfortable and excited about your forthcoming adventure.
We look forward to having you on an adventure with us!