There are a number of treks of varying length and difficulty starting from Pokhara. Roshan, Prakash and our friend Hem, each with their own style and personality, as well as excellent English, can guide you, and will tailor the trek according to your interests, time available and fitness level.
Here are some of the best…
1 night / 2 days (easy) – Australian Camp, Dhampus or Annapurna Eco Village
2 nights / 3 days (easy) – Australian Camp or Dhampus to Annapurna Eco Village
3 nights / 4 days (medium) – Panchase trek
4 nights / 5 days (medium) – Poon Hill short trek ( Hille or Tikhedungha, Ghorepani, Tadopani, Ghandruk)
5 nights / 6 days (medium) – Poon Hill medium trek (Hille or Tikhedungha, Ghorepani, Tadopani, Ghandruk or Jhinu Danda hot springs, Australian Camp or Dhampus)
6 nights / 7 days (medium) – as above with an extra final night at Annapurna Eco village
7 – 10 nights / 8 – 11 days (challenging) – Annapurna Sanctuary and Base Camp
12 – 14 nights / 13 – 15 days (challenging) – Annapurna Circuit
Please note: it is now possible to take a jeep from Nayapul, where the Poon Hill treks start, to Tikhedhunga, half way to Ghorepani. A jeep will cost 5,500 NPR’s shared between the number of people travelling. This will cut one day off the Poon Hill treks and is advisable as the first day’s trek from Nayapul to Tikhedungha is no longer very pleasant because of the jeeps!
Most of the above treks start and end from Nayapul, 45 minutes to one hour by taxi, or a little longer by bus, from Pokhara. Alternatively, they may end at Khade, or another point on the main road where a local bus can be taken back to Pokhara.
Simple accommodation, food and drink are readily available in tea houses along the trails. Thick quilts and bedding are provided but you are advised to take a sleeping bag liner.
Suggested packing list:
Hiking boots
Rubber slippers / flip flops for evening
Trekking pants with zip off legs
Tracksuit pants for evenings
Quick dry t-shirts or shirts
Fleece jacket
Raincoat or poncho
Trekking socks
Socks for evenings
Sleeping attire (warm advised)
Quick dry towel
Toiletries (kept to a minimum)
Head torch
Water bottle and water sterilising tablets or water filter (alternatively, water can be purchased)
Trekking poles
Sunscreen
Wet wipes
Swimsuit (if going to the hot springs at Jhinu Danda)
Personal medications (the guide will have a basic first aid kit with him)
Depending on season, the following will also be useful:
Sunhat or fleece / woollen hat
Gloves
Thermal underwear
Down jacket
A small lightweight backpack
Some of these items can be borrowed from us at The Garden, free of charge. Please just wash / clean and return them to us after your trek. Please write in our notebook “Items Borrowed” what you have taken. Otherwise items can be rented or purchased from the many trekking shops here.
Preparation:
An ACAP permit will need to be bought at least one day before departure as well as a TIMS permit.
2 passport sized photos are needed (can be made near the ACAP office)
We will assist you with your preparation.
Costs:
- Guide: USD 25 per day for one person and an extra USD 5 for each additional guest. (ie. USD 15 per day per person for 2 people). Please note: this includes a contribution towards the running of The Garden and our projects
- Optional porter: USD 18 per day. Porters generally do not speak English, so they can not take the place of a guide. We only ask them to carry part of your load, and 2 people can share one porter. (We find it unacceptable for a porter to carry 40 or 50 kg, whilst the guest has only a day pack.)
- ACAP permit: 2,000 NPR’s (USD 20)
- TIMS permit: 1,600 NPR’s
- Accommodation: usually no more than 300 – 500 NPRs a night for a double room. It is expected that you eat at the same tea house, and your guide (and porter) will receive a free bed and meals at a special reduced rate. They will cover their own costs. Please note: Annapurna Eco Village rooms cost 2,000 NPRs per night.
- Food: the higher you go, the more expensive the food and drink becomes. You should generally allow 2,000 – 3,000 NPRs a day for 3 meals and drinks and accommodation. Add on more for beer and alcohol
- Transport: Taxi to Naya Pul: 1,800, private car: 2,500, taxi + bus: 350 (approx.), all prices one way, in NPR’s
Extra charges:
- 100 – 150 NPR’s for a hot shower in some tea houses
- 50 NPR’s to go up Poon Hill
- 100 – 150 NPR’s for internet use
All payments on the treks will be in cash. Please pay the guide half the expected guiding cost before you leave so that he can cover his expenses during the trek.
Please note:
- It is advisable to take some snacks with you such as muesli bars, chocolate, biscuits etc., as these things are quite expensive on the trekking routes.
- Do keep the weight you carry to a minimum; a heavy backpack will significantly detract from the enjoyment of your trek. Pack the minimum toiletries in smaller plastic bottles. You will find that you can manage with much less than you thought! If your guide offers to carry your pack or part of it for you, please be sure to pay him something reasonable for this service.
Please let us know if you have any questions or special requests.
The Garden Team
Sansar Nepal 