Our Nepal Walking Holidays
We offer two hikes in Nepal, which visit popular trekking routes in the Annapurna region. These are challenging treks that are physically demanding, with our Annapurna Sanctuary Lodge trip rated as a strenuous trek and better suited to experienced trekkers. Expect steep climbs, extended daily walking hours, high altitude, hiking to remote areas and extreme weather. You must be an experienced walker with a good level of physical fitness. Solid hiking experience and time trekking at altitude are important for these difficult trekking routes, and you should have properly prepared for walking at high altitude. As walking holiday specialists, we've written several guides on how to manage altitude sickness:
- Guide to High Altitude Trekking
- How to Prepare for a High Altitude Trek
- Advice on Trekking at Altitude
Which hike in Nepal is for me?
Choosing the right trek depends on your fitness, hiking experience, and the altitude you expect to reach.
Annapurna Sanctuary Lodge Trek
For majestic mountain scenery, our favourite Himalayan trek is hard to beat and amply warrants its reputation as a classic. What makes this group tour different is that rather than camping we stay in rustic lodges that provide a modicum of comfort. Passing from delightful villages with neatly terraced rice paddies to dense rhododendron forests, we enjoy awe-inspiring vistas daily. High up in the bamboo woodlands of the Modi Khola valley, we emerge into Nepal's famed Annapurna Sanctuary, a magical natural amphitheatre surrounded by snow-covered behemoths.
- The mountain amphitheatre at Annapurna base camp
- Stunning Himalayan panorama from Poon Hill
- Iconic Fishtail
Underfoot the trail conditions on most of this trip are fairly straightforward following very good trekking trails. As your main baggage is carried for you, you will only need to carry your regular daypack during the walking day. The daily distances we walk are relatively modest (by Himalayan trekking standards) although with the trails usually being either steep up or down, this popular trek still represents a moderate challenge, especially when trekking above 3,000 metres. It's essential that you are capable of walking 5-7 hours a day (both ascent and descent) for several days consecutively.
Annapurna In Style
This stunning lower-level trekking loop beginning and ending in Pokhara takes you through friendly mountain villages accompanied by a private guide for a unique experience with spectacular views of the Annapurna range. What could be better than ending each day at luxury lodge accommodation?
- Trek along village trails in the Annapurna foothills
- Stay at luxury lodges in the beautiful Himalayas
- Enjoy spectacular views of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain)
- Explore ancient Kathmandu and peaceful Pokhara
The conditions underfoot on this trip are fairly good, as for most of the trek you will be walking from village to village on well-laid paths and yak trails. As this is the Himalayas there are, of course, many sections involving ascent and descent - although these are quite modest by Himalayan standards and rarely sustained. However many visitors are surprised by the number of sections with stone steps, which can be hard on the knees (trekking poles are useful for reducing the impact, as well as for balance). There are a surprising number of places where you can stop for refreshments along the way. Altitude sickness is not usually an issue as you hike at a moderate altitude, starting from around 1,000 metres and reaching a maximum of approximately 2,400 metres. As a result, it also tends to be significantly warmer than at higher altitudes e.g. up in the Everest region.
This trip is suitable for regular hill walkers and anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. You only need to carry a daysack with whatever you need for a day’s walking as porters will carry your main baggage.
This infographic ranks our treks in Nepal, from the least demanding to the most. If you’re unsure about your ability, just give us a call – we are all experienced walkers and will give honest advice using our firsthand knowledge.
Text Summary
Nepal Trekking
Annapurna in Style
Max altitude: 2,400m
Average daily distance: 8 kilometres
Grade: B - Moderate/demanding walking
Trip highlight: Stay in luxury lodges in the mountains
Annapurna Sanctuary Lodge Trek
Max altitude: 4,130m
Average daily distance: 12 kilometres
Grade: B/C - Moderate/demanding walking
Trip highlight: Watch the sunrise from the summit of Poon Hill
Browse all our walking holidays to Nepal, or for further information give us a call to contact our team!
