Trip Details

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

This is it! The journey of a lifetime, with all the exciting challenges it brings! One of Nepal’s best circuits, The Annapurna Base Camp Trek takes place at the foot of the magnificent Annapurna mountains. Impressively, with three peaks reaching over 8000 feet, the main Annapurna mountain is the 10th highest in the world. Not a small feat! Our Annapurna Base Camp Trek offers everything you would expect from such a well-known circuit. Spread over 3 weeks (with a further week should you choose it) this really is an amazing adventure, packed with new experiences, fun – and of course, trekking!

Learn about the Culture and Customs of Nepali People

What would such a trek be without some understanding of life in Nepal? Helping to set you off on the right foot, your experience will begin with a week of introduction to the culture, customs and people of Nepal.  Alongside this, you’ll have excursions to local markets, yoga sessions, and even try your hand at traditional cooking techniques! Lastly, to really help you to get the most from your stay, you will also take part in some basic language lessons. This will be really useful, as local people are incredibly friendly and will be as keen to learn about you, as you are, about them!

Take a Breath-taking Trek around Nepal’s Amazing Scenery

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek starts at Nayapul. From here, you will venture through changing countryside, up hills, through river beds, oak forests and fascinating Gurung villages. In fact, we think you’ll be blown away by what you see along the way, as much as the snow-capped mountains themselves!  Find picturesque valleys and the spectacular natural amphitheatre lying between Annapurna South, Fang, Annapurna I and III, Gangapurna, Glacier Dome and into Machhapuchre. Here you can choose either to camp under the starlit night sky or move on to alternative overnight accommodation.

Why Take the Annapurna Base Camp Trek?

  • A once-in-a-lifetime experience, trekking through Annapurna Base Camp
  • Put your stamina to the test, as you hike for 7-hour days
  • Get an introduction to Napali culture and immerse yourself in their way of life
  • Airport transfers, accommodation, transportation, meals and entry fees included
  • Build new friendships as you journey through this incredible challenge together!

Get in touch to find out more or browse through our many other volunteer experiences.

Trip Itinerary

Incorporating 4 weeks of activities, your schedule is packed to the brim with adventure, relaxation and voluntary experience.

Week 1 – Introductory Week

Monday

After a good night’s sleep at our volunteer centre, your day will start at 10am with a half an hour Puja – or worship – to the Gods and Goddesses of Hinduism. You will also witness Religious rituals which are central to the culture. Discovering the importance of murtis (images), mantras (prayers), and yantras (diagrams of the universe). Finally, you will discover the importance of the personal nature of Hindu worship and the significance of individual offerings.

After lunch, you’ll have a Nepali Language Training session which will introduce you to some essential words and phrases to help you communicate more easily with the locals. Following this, you’ll meet your host family, and get some great tips on the dos and don’ts of the Napali Culture.

Tuesday

In the morning you will have another language session,  followed by a talk on travelling safely whilst on the Annapurna circuit. After a tasty lunch, you’ll have a cross-cultural orientation session for an hour and a half to bridge the knowledge gap regarding dining, drinking, bathing, clothing and toileting customs in the culture of Nepal.

Wednesday

After a busy start to your week, today begins with a well-deserved, relaxing session of yoga and meditation. Then, a further Nepali language session should see you starting to become familiar with some useful greetings and conversational phrases. The afternoon session begins at 14:30 and will take you on a 2-and-a-half-hour tour of Boudhanath, one of the most sacred, and historically significant landmarks at Nepal.

Thursday

Your last 2-hour Nepali Language Training session for the week kickstarts your morning at 10am.  Buzzing with enthusiasm to try out your developing conversational skills, you’ll then head out to a local market between to find some local, authentic Nepali souvenirs.

Friday

Your first experience of trekking takes place today with a short “Day Trip”. After a 2-hour lunch break where you can relax and recharge your batteries, and then we’ll have question time! Thereafter, some culinary treats are in store, as your meal is prepared for you with a demonstration of traditional Nepali cooking techniques.

Weeks 2 and 3

Monday

Today you will travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara by bus and spend the night at a local guesthouse in preparation for your Annapurna Base Camp Trek!

Tuesday

Your adventure begins today! Rising early in Pokhara, you will begin the first part of the Annapurna circuit with a journey to Tikhedhunga. This involves a 2-hour drive to Nayapul before beginning your hike. The village of Nayapul is small and close to a river, a perfect location to start the trek. As you follow the trail to Tikhedhunga you’ll pass through beautiful scenery until you arrive at this small village. Here, you will settle for the evening at an overnight lodge.

Wednesday

Some early morning exercise will wake you up this morning! In fact, you’ll need to find a good rhythm as you climb the numerous steps to the Ulleri Village! Remember to take in the wonderful sights unfolding around you as you climb from the valleys, through the beautiful Rhododendron forest. After conquering the challenging ascent, your journey continues upwards, although more gradually, to the large town of Ghorepani. Here you can relax with your new friends in an overnight lodge, and recharge your batteries.

Thursday

Be prepared for an early morning wake-up call that you won’t want to miss! After taking an hour walk up to Poon Hill, you’ll watch the world awaken with a glorious sunrise against the backdrop of the magnificent mountains. Returning to Ghorepani, you’ll enjoy breakfast before trekking to Tadapani where you will once again rest at an overnight lodge.

Friday

Along the Annapurna circuit, your trek takes you on from Tadapani to Chhomrong. Beginning with a steady descent into Kimrung Khola through a beautiful jungle, you will need to keep an eye out for the wildlife here! After enjoying lunch at Kimrong Khola, you’ll ascend to Chhomrong village at the base of the amazing Himchuli. From your overnight location, you have opportunities for fabulously close views of Annapurna and Machhapuchhre.

Saturday

As you make your way to the Himalaya Hotel from Chhomrong, you’ll trek for 3 hours towards Kuldi Ghar and along the bank of the Modi river, a popular location for whitewater rafting and boasting a lush green valley and gushing waterfalls. Your journey will then take you past bamboo thickets and grassy green Tomo pastures, as well as Panchen Barah before the final climb to the Himalayan Hotel to rest for the night.

Sunday

Continuing to follow the Annapurna circuit trail, you will trek along the west bank of the Modi river, the open valley landscape running alongside the Machhapuchhre Base Camp. You’ll have the option to stay at this camp or carry on going until you reach the Annapurna Base Camp where you can stay at overnight accommodation.

Monday

From Annapurna Base Camp on to Bamboo, your 7-hour trek will unveil yet more outstanding natural wonders as you descend towards a relaxing camp site and overnight accommodation to rest your legs.

Tuesday

On your journey from Bamboo to Jhinu Danda, the path will take you through varying scenery from snippets of rainforest, to agricultural farming land. Slightly retracing the previous path from Chhomrong, you’ll encounter more steps today with an almost equal amount of incline and decline. As you descend into Jhinu Danda the bright rooftops will stand out, inviting you to your small but bustling stop for an overnight rest. Make sure you remember some bathing clothes as the natural hot springs at the site are a treat not to be missed!

Wednesday

Heading back towards your start, the journey today sees you leaving Jhinu to trek to Pothana. It’s approximately a 9-hour trek taking you through Landrung where you will walk through luscious green scenery and on past Gurung, a beautiful village of rural homes. There’s a break for lunch at Tolkha followed by a gentle uphill trek to Deurali, which is dotted with lodges. Ending your day at Pothana, you’ll stay overnight to enjoy a well-earned relaxing evening and mull over the sensational experiences of the day.

Thursday

Last stretch! Making your way back towards Pokhara today is slightly easier as you head downhill. Passing firstly the village of Dhampus, regarded as one of Nepal’s paradises, your journey takes you on to Phedi village where your trek ends and you take a one hour drive back to Pokhara.

Friday

After a refreshing overnight stay at a guest house at Pokhara, you will take a bus trip back to Kathmandu giving you time on the journey to relive the magical memories you have made during your Annapurna circuit trek.

Week 4 – Volunteering in Kathmandu (Optional)

After your amazing trek through Annapurna, we expect you may want to give something back! In your last week, you have the option of enriching the education of children in the local area by assisting with the teaching at local schools or a kindergarten or taking an active role at a canine rehabilitation centre. This really is a fantastic opportunity for you to gain experience of working within other cultures and building long-lasting relationships.

Please note: This schedule can be changed depending on weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

Exclusions

  • Personal expenses such as table drinks, room service items, laundry, telephone calls, tips, portage at hotels or airport, bottles of
  • water during your road travel etc.
  • Our program does not cover any liability and does not insure participants. Participants must have appropriate insurance before joining the program.
  • Any camera fee where applicable.
  • Any service not specified above.

Few things to consider when you are with us!

  • Returning to the accommodation after your personal trips before 22.00 every day
  • You will not be allowed to hire any vehicle on your own
  • Consumption of alcohol inside the accommodation is strictly prohibited
  • Respect and adhere to our code of conduct
  • Our staff is there to support you, guide you and make your trip memorable. We kindly request you to follow their instructions at all times
  • You will not be allowed to bring outsiders inside our centres/ tea houses or hotels

What is included in the Programme?

  • Airport transfers as per the policy – Airport Pickup in Kathmandu – Tribhuvan International Airport
  • Presence of a dedicated program coordinator throughout your Annapurna Circuit Trek, at the projects and facilities- Logistical management support in case of emergencies
  • Authentic Nepali meals and European (breakfast, lunch, dinner) for the duration of the entire program as per the meal plan
  • Accommodation at hotels, tea houses, and at our accommodation facility – Shared accommodation
  • Local transportation to all venues included in the Annapurna circuit trek
  • Entry fees to all places
  • Extensive pre-departure information
  • Overland public local transportation

Evenings and Weekends

After a day of trekking, you can choose to explore the area or simply chill at your accommodation. Many of our volunteers enjoy mixing with their new volunteer friends through the week and plan bigger outings at the weekends!

 

Trip Accommodation

This route takes you through Pokhara, to Ghodepani, Ghandruk and Pothana.

Accommodation during trekking
You’ll experience authentic Nepali hospitality as you stay in a range of Tea Houses (mountain lodge). A Tea House is a combination of guesthouse, restaurant, and social hang out. The rooms are separate with twin beds or dorm-style 2-6 people per room single-gender, with blankets provided. Furthermore, most bathrooms are shared and toilets can be either squat type or the western version. Finally, the Tea Houses generally have a running water facility, whilst most of them provide hot water for a shower.

Meals during trekking
You will usually have breakfast and dinner at the lodge; lunch will be eaten at one of the trail side restaurants. Every Tea House serves the traditional Nepali meal of Dal Bhat (rice and lentils), as well as a variety of different food items, such as rice, vegetables, noodles, potatoes and soup. Also, some restaurants have western food such as pizza, pasta and French fries, as well as soft drinks, snacks and beer. Consequently, you can give yourself a well-earned treat at the end of the day!

Safe drinking water during Trekking

We provide chlorine liquid and water purification pills during the trek. You need to use 3 drops in a litre and wait 20 minutes to consume it. If you want to buy bottled mineral water, you are more than welcome to do so, and will find plenty available at the tea house.

Trip Country Info

Nepal

Population: Approx. 28.98 million
Capital: Kathmandu
Language: Nepali
Currency: Nepalese rupee (NPR)
Time zone: UTC +5:45

Namaste and welcome to Nepal, a country of high Himalayan Mountains, artistic monuments, exotic wildlife, and diverse cultures. Located between 80 12′ east longitude and between 26 22′ and 30 27′ north latitude, Nepal extends along the south slopes of the Himalayas in central Asia.

Although Nepal is small, it has the greatest latitudinal variation of any country. The land rises from the southern plains of the Terai, barely above sea level at 70 meters, to the top of the Mt. Everest, the highest peak on Earth at 8848 meters above sea level, in a distance of less than 200 km.

Book your volunteer travel  holiday and experience one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world as well as the highest mountain ranges. Nepal has lush valleys that team with exotic wildlife ready to be explored on your gap year adventure.  It is a beautiful country located in South Asia bordering both India and China.  As you enjoy your volunteer travel experience in Nepal you will come across many remote monasteries and villages that adorn the stunning landscape where you will experience the best of Nepal.  The outstanding beauty and friendly Nepalese people are the main reasons people book gap year holidays to Nepal and why they are a popular choice with us.   We have a compreshensive selection of gap year holidays in Nepal with a number of teaching and community programs on offer.

Have a look at our latest gap year experiences in Nepal or contact us for more about work & travel in Nepal or your questions about specific programs.  The volunteer Nepal program is a very good way for you to experience the most of what the spiritual and enchanted land of Nepal has to offer. You may also choose to trek Mount Everest or smaller mountain hikes like Poon Hill.

Participant Criteria & Requirements

Standard Requirements

Travel Insurance

Additional Requirements

Sturdy Boots/Shoes

What's included

  • Accommodation
  • Airport Pick up
  • English speaking coordinator
  • Meals
  • Orientation

What's not included

  • Airport drop off
  • Breakfast
  • Departures/ drop offs
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Vaccination
  • Visa