
Annapurna Sanctuary
This high glacial basin is ringed by ten of the most impressive peaks in Nepal – magical sunrises and starry nights are waiting for you on arrival!
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Price$2,795
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Duration17 Days Door to Door
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Activity Level Moderate
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Elevation4130m | 13,550 ft.
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Travel Dates Dates will be provided on request
Overview:
The Annapurna Sanctuary Trek is often used as an introduction trek at altitude. Reaching a high of 4130m and offering breathtaking views of the Annapurna Sanctuary, this 17-day trip will take you on a journey through remote villages, terraced fields, rhododendron forests and into the heart of the mountainous amphitheatre that is home to Annapurna Base Camp.
The Annapurna Sanctuary is a high glacial basin lying 40 km directly north of Pokhara. This oval-shaped plateau sits at an altitude of over 4000 metres, and is surrounded by a ring of mountains, the Annapurna range, most of which are over 7000 metres.
Skill Level
This is a fairly moderate trek that is even suitable for unseasoned trekkers. That being said, a certain amount of training before the trip is important so that you do not find the steep parts of the trip unpleasant. Remember that we take a “slow and steady” approach – so factor in some long walks at home to prepare your body, as well as frequent trips up and down flights of stairs.
- Conservation/National Park fees and all Government taxes
- All trekking permits
- Three nights’ hotel accommodation in Kathmandu on a bed-and-breakfast basis (twin beds sharing)
- Welcome dinner in Kathmandu
- Half-day world heritage sites tour with a guide and private transport
- All airport/hotel/airport transfers
- Domestic airfares (Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu) and domestic airport taxes
- Two nights’ hotel accommodation in Pokhara on a bed-and-breakfast basis (twin beds sharing)
- All accommodation and meals whilst on the trek
- Hot drinks with meals
- Western leader/facilitator
- Nepali Head Guide and assistant guides
- Porters as required
- Insurance for all Nepalese staff
- General first aid kit
- Celebration Meal after the trek
- International airfare and departure taxes
- Visa costs
- Items of a personal nature – personal gear, telephone calls, laundry etc.
- Staff/ guide gratuities
- Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu and Pokhara, other than those mentioned above
- Alcohol, soft drinks, mineral water and boiled water
- Personal medical expenses, medical and evacuation insurance
- Any costs arising from flight cancellation/ delays, political disturbance or natural disasters.
- Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu
- Day 2 Kathmandu
- Day 3 Kathmandu to Tikedungha (1480m)
- Day 4 Tikedungha to Deorali (2834m)
- Day 5 Deorali – Poon Hill to Tadapani (2590m)
- Day 6 Tadapani to Chhomrong (2040m)
- Day 7 Chhomrong to Bamboo Lodge (2340m)
- Day 8 Bamboo Lodge to Himalyan Hotel (2900m)
- Day 9 Himalayan Hotel to Macchapuchhare Base Camp
- Day 10 Machhapuchhare Base Camp to Annapurna Base Camp (4095m)
- Day 11 Annapurna Base Camp to Deorali (3230m)
- Day 12 Deorali to Doban (2630m)
- Day 13 Doban to Chhomrong (2040m)
- Day 14 Chhomrong to Ghandruk (1970m)
- Day 15 Ghandruk – Naypul – Pokhara
- Day 16 Pokhara
- Day 17 Pokhara to Kathmandu
- Day 18 International Departures

A variety of clothing is necessary for the trip. You will need clothing for around Kathmandu, trekking in the humidity and heat, and to protect you from the cooler temperatures in the mountains. This list is designed to help you choose the right gear for the demands for this trek and is the minimum requirement. These items are mandatory for survival in the mountains, so ensure you have everything on the list.
The emphasis on equipment necessary for mountain travel follows two simple tenets: lightweight and functional. The items you choose to take should be lightweight, dependable, and adaptable to a variety of extreme conditions. The quality of the equipment you choose has a lot to do with how warm, dry, and safe you will remain, so be critical of quality and the proper fit of clothing. Comfort lends itself to a more enjoyable experience!
The layering system outlined below is usually sufficient for most people, but if you tend to be colder, bring one extra medium layer (such as a vest), which will be ideal for extra warmth around camp. When making the final decision as to what goes into your pack, remember that it’s a fine art of taking just enough clothes and accessories to do the job, while not over-burdening yourself with items you probably will not use.
Cotton clothing must be avoided because it dries very slowly and is a poor insulator when wet. Instead, choose wool or synthetic fabrics that “wick” the sweat and moisture away from your skin to keep you much warmer.
FOOTWEAR:
- 4 pairs sock liners
- 4 pairs trekking socks
- 1 pair hiking boots
- 1 pair running shoes
- 1 pair sandals
TECHNICAL CLOTHING:
- 3 T-shirts
- 2 thermal long-sleeved shirts
- 1 fleece long-sleeved top
- 1 long-sleeved hiking shirt
- 2 women’s sports bras
- 1 fleece jacket
- 1 down jacket
- 1 waterproof jacket with hood
- 1 pair long thermal underwear
- 1 pair long hiking pants
- 1 pair tracksuit pants
- 2 pairs hiking shorts
- 1 pair waterproof pants
- 3 pairs underwear
HANDWEAR:
- 1 pair liner inner gloves
- 1 pair fleece windstopper gloves
- 1 pair waterproof shell gloves
HEADWEAR:
- 1 beanie or balaclava
- 1 sun hat or peaked cap
- 1 pair 100% UV protection sunglasses with side shields
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT:
- Day pack (50 litres)
- Sleeping bag
- 1 large duffel bag for gear
- 1 pair trekking poles (optional)
- 1 headlamp
- 2 water bottles (wide-mouth Nalgene) with insulators
- 1 camp towel
- 1 medical kit
- 1 toiletry kit
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Wet wipes
- Favourite snack foods (optional)
- Stuff sacks for food and gear storage – large Ziplock bags are also useful
- Water purification tablets (optional)
- Pee bottle (optional)
- Spare batteries and bulbs
PRE & POST TREK:
- Large waterproof duffel bag x1
- Locks
- Shorts and t-shirts
- Mobile phone and charger
- Books
- Passport and travel documents
- Passport photos x4
- Certified copies of all travel documentation
- Currency / credit cards
- Pens and pencils
- Journal
- Reading glasses (optional)
- Camera equipment
- Battery chargers
- International adaptors
- Binoculars (optional)
- Playing cards (optional)
- Clean clothes for travelling home
Visas
Tourist entry visas can be obtained at Tribuvhan International Airport on your arrival in Kathmandu for US$ 25. You need 2 colour photos for your entry visa (bring 5 in total as you will need additional colour photos for trekking permits etc.)
Vaccinations
The following vaccinations are suggested:
- Hepatitis A and B
- Typhoid
- Tetanus-Diphtheria- Revaccination recommended every 10 years
This training information is intended as a guideline and should be used as such. If you are unsure about anything, please chat to us!
Most importantly, before you embark on any exercise program, please consult your doctor or exercise physiologist to make sure that you are ready for the increased workload.
A focused training program should begin 3 – 4 months before the trip, but working on your base fitness before that is important as it lays a good foundation for the harder work that will follow.
Physical Conditioning
Climbing big mountains requires cardiovascular endurance (via aerobic training), strength endurance (through strength conditioning) and climbing-specific training (i.e. hiking with a pack).
Being in strong physical shape is one of the most important aspects for a successful trek. You should be planning to progressively increase your aerobic training and speed of weekly training hikes to give you climbing-specific conditioning that cannot be matched by any other sort of training.
Cardiovascular Conditioning
Suggested activities include running, cycling, mountain biking, swimming, walking on an inclined treadmill, doing stair stepping or stepmill training, trail running, walking up and down hills, or participating in step aerobic classes.
When first beginning a cardiovascular training program, begin with three workouts (i.e. Monday, Wednesday and Friday) of 30 minutes of sustained activity at a moderate intensity, and build up to 4-5 aerobic sessions of sustained effort for at least 45 – 60 minutes (taking Wednesday and Sunday as rest days, for example).
Be sure to include a 5-10 minute gentle warm-up before working at your target heart rate for the day. For most workouts, choose a level of exertion that allows you to connect a few words together in a phrase, but leaves you feeling comfortably tired at the end of the workout.
Remember to cool down with 5-10 minutes of appropriate stretching of the muscles you used most in your activity, including lower back, calves, hamstrings, hips and quadriceps.
Strength Conditioning
Training with weights, backpacks and gym machines will help you build overall strength, particularly in the lower back, abdominals, upper back, shoulders and legs. Developing strength in your upper back and shoulders will help with carrying a pack and using trekking poles.
The calves, hips, quads, hamstrings and glutes are all involved in ascending and descending steep sections and scree slopes, which will be encountered on our trek.
Before embarking on any weight training, please consult with a qualified gym instructor so that you are well briefed in terms of using the equipment. Most important in strength training is to be sure that you maintain proper form at all times in order to prevent injury or strain.
Climbing Conditioning
This involves hiking steep outdoor trails, going up and down stairs or training on an inclined treadmill. In the months leading up to the expedition, it is important to do some long walks in the mountains.
Remember: All of your training is geared towards giving you the strength and endurance to complete the trek and enjoy every moment!
Most guesthouses offer WiFi for a small charge. However, since you will be in the mountains, the WiFi might not be working on any given day for many reasons, so don’t rely on it. That being said, there will definitely be connectivity during the trip – usually on a daily basis.