Annapurna Treks

The Annapurna region offers some of Nepal’s most diverse trekking landscapes, with the best areas to explore including the Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Sanctuary, the Kali Gandaki Valley, Ghorepani and the Mardi Himal region.

Annapurna Circuit: The Annapurna Circuit crosses high mountain passes and remote valleys on one of the world’s classic long-distance treks.

Annapurna Sanctuary: The Annapurna Sanctuary trek leads into a dramatic glacial basin surrounded by the towering peaks of the Annapurna massif.

Kali Gandaki Valley: The Kali Gandaki Valley forms the world’s deepest gorge where trekking routes follow ancient trade routes between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.

Ghorepani & Poon Hill: Ghorepani offers rewarding trekking through rhododendron forests with panoramic sunrise views from Poon Hill.

Mardi Himal: The Mardi Himal trek follows quiet ridges and forest trails to dramatic viewpoints beneath Machapuchare and the Annapurna range.

The best time to travel to the Annapurna region for trekking and hiking is generally March to May and September to November, when clear skies and stable weather create excellent conditions for exploring the Himalaya. These months are widely considered the best season for multi-day treks such as the Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Sanctuary.

The Annapurna region has a mountain climate where temperatures vary depending on altitude, typically ranging between 5°C and 20°C (41°F–68°F) during the main trekking seasons. Lower valleys can feel warm during the day while higher passes remain cooler, particularly at night.

Outside the main trekking seasons, winter brings colder temperatures and occasional snow at higher elevations, while the summer monsoon from June to August transforms the landscape into lush green hillsides. While some trails may be wetter, these seasons can offer quieter trekking routes and vibrant scenery.

Nepal is +5:45 ahead of UTC/ GMT

Nepal is a country of high linguistic diversity. 123 different primary languages were reported in Nepal’s 2011 national census—including Nepali (official) 44.6%, Maithali 11.7%, Bhojpuri 6%, Tharu 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.2%, Magar 3%, Bajjika 3%, Urdu 2.6%, Avadhi 1.9%, Limbu 1.3%, Gurung 1.2%, other 10.4%, unspecified 0.2%

Nepali is Nepal’s official language and also its lingua franca, understood by most in Nepal, and spoken by many living in Bhutan, India and further abroad

Newar (aka Nepal Bhasa; not to be confused with Nepali) is the native language of the Newar people and was Nepal’s official administrative language from the 14th to late 18th centuries, but is now considered by UNESCO to be an endangered language.

English is spoken by many in government, business and tourism sectors, and is part of the core curriculum of Nepal’s education system

In Nepali the local currency is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR). The Nepalese Rupee is different to the Indian Rupee, and the Government of Nepal has banned the import, export and use of 500 and 1000 Indian Rupees notes in Nepal.

It is difficult to convert your NPR back to foreign currency, and you will not be able to exchange NPR once back in your own country. There are many money change shops in Thamel and around Kathmandu where you will also be able to change money, however, note that many places will not allow you to change currency back. There are also ATM’s available for use in Kathmandu.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Nepalese traders do not like TORN notes. Most people will not accept them so ensure you check your notes when exchanging and refuse to accept any torn notes

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Electricity in Nepal is 230 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin type is C (two round prong).

All nationalities require a visa for Nepal. You will find visa application forms and detailed instructions in your pre departure information kit and the up to date prices for visas obtained in your home country. Please note that if you are applying in Australia you must fill out the visa form provided and paste or staple your photographs in the top right hand corner. However, please note that THE VISA IS ONLY VALID FOR 6 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF ISSUE, ie. you must enter and depart Nepal within six months of the date of issue of the visa. If you are American or Canadian you will need to obtain application forms for your visa directly from your nearest embassy/consulate.

It is possible to obtain your Nepal visa on arrival at Kathmandu Airport, however this is not ideal as it can cause long delays to your group. At the time of printing the cost is as follows;

15 day tourist visa US$25

30 day tourist visa US$40

90 day tourist visa US$100

(All are multiple entry)

Although the preferred payment is USD, AUD, CAD and GBP will also be accepted very readily.

You can collect the application form required to obtain your visa on arrival, from your reservation consultant or at the Kathmandu Airport on arrival. You should carry two current passport photographs with you, to obtain the visa. These prices are subject to change without notice, however we will do our utmost to keep you informed prior to your departure.

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.