Nepal: Alternative Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

Example Itinerary

Overview

Trek through the Annapurna Range away from the crowds on this unique routing developed especially to provide a wilderness experience with breath-taking scenery and an insight into the villages and rural lives of the region. The journey begins in Kathmandu, from here you will travel overland to Pokhara passing through villages and stopping to explore Newari Bandipur. In the company of experienced guides and porters, your trek then takes you into the breath-taking scenery to Khopra Danda culminating ...

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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

How Tailor-Made Works

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Discuss your initial ideas with one of our experts, the types of things you want to see and do.

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Your expert will start designing your perfect trip. Within a day or two we'll send a suggested itinerary.

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At this stage you can still tweak anything from accommodation to experiences and dates, using our expert advice.

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Time to prepare for your trip, safe in the knowledge you'll be in the expert hands of local guides and drivers throughout.

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Relax and enjoy...through our partners you'll have support on the ground as well as 24-hour emergency assistance in the UK.

Example Itinerary

This is an example itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes and budget, or build a trip from scratch.

Day 1 Kathmandu: Arrival

Arriving in Kathmandu you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.

Kathmandu Guest House

Day 2 Kathmandu – Pokhara: Travel Overland Through Bandipur

Leaving Kathmandu this morning you will drive through the Nepali countryside to Pokhara, following the route of the River Trisula before making a stop at the Newari town of Bandipur. Once a busy stop off on the trade routes, the bazaar still bustles with activity and there are a number of 19th century mansions lining the main street. As your journey continues you will divert from the main highway along a scenic route past Begnas Lake and a number of smaller villages before arriving in Pokhara, the total 210km journey will take around 8-10 hours.

Hotel Barahi Pokhara Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Pokhara - Birethanti – Deopur – Langdi: Through Local Villages

Leave Pokhara early this morning for the 55km; 2 hour drive to the busy town of Birenthanti. Have a wander around the bazaar and stock up on some snacks before setting off on your hike. You will start by skirting the main trail to Poon Hill before climbing through villages, forests and terraced fields that lead the way downhill to the village of Kusma. It is approximately 3.5 hours to Deopur where you will break for lunch before continuing along the trail through villages inhabited by Pun Magars, an ethnic group known for serving in the Nepali army. As you continue you will be introduced to Nepali life seeing school children, men and women at work, temples and of course the beautiful landscapes you pass through. The camp tonight is at Langdi.
Trekking distance 24km; approximately 6 hours; ascent 215m

Private Mobile Camp Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Langdi – Lespar: Hills & Waterfalls

Today takes you along a series of hills, with their soft, undulating contours covered with rhododendron and evergreen forests. You will pass by one of the region’s waterfalls which after the monsoon is in full flow and a sight to be seen. The area is rich in birdlife and many of the birds should be visible for spotting or making their presence known with their calls and song.
Trekking distance 24km; approximately 7 hours; ascent 1190m; descent 615m

Private Mobile Camp Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Lespar – Nagi: Pun Heritage Village

After an early start and breakfast you will find yourselves hiking through forests of rhododendrons and evergreens, through the trees you will catch glimpses of the magnificent peaks of Dhaulagiri, Tukche, Niligiri, and Machhapuchhare. Reaching the overnight stop of Nagi (2090m) early you will have a chance to explore this interesting village. The villagers have constructed a school, put in electricity so students can study after dark, built a campsite for trekkers, started animal husbandry projects and constructed a library. The villagers are also proud of their Pun heritage and you may have the chance to see some of the traditional dances.
Trekking distance 24km; approximately 6 hours; ascent 320m; descent 90m

Private Mobile Camp Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Nagi – Swanta: Chitre & Swanta Villages

This morning the trail takes you north towards Swanta and the climb begins. Have lunch in the small village of Chitre, the last contact with trekking civilisation for a while as your path takes you in a more remote direction away from the main trails. From here you will climb steadily throughout the afternoon on the way to the village of Swanta at 2200m. The campsite for tonight will be next to the river or a little higher close to the school and tea house.
Trekking distance 24km; approximately 6 hours; ascent 870m; descent 940m

Private Mobile Camp Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Swanta – Chistibang: Dhaurali Views

This morning’s trail leaves from behind the school and takes you through an area of farmland, fields and villages. As you walk the snow-capped peaks appear to be getting closer and in the afternoon you follow a ridge which provides views of Dhaurali, the world’s seventh highest peak. A descent from the ridge and a river crossing lead you to the campsite at Chistibang (3000m).
Trekking distance 16km; approximately 6 hours; ascent 715m

Private Mobile Camp Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 Chistibang – Khopra Danda: Gaze Across the Annapurnas

A shorter day’s trekking today brings you along the back side of the ridge to the top from where there are dazzling views across the entire Annapurna Range to one side and the rolling grassy hills and rhododendron forests stretching behind. Even from the tent the views are spectacular and you won’t want to close the doors. Setting up camp early allows for time to wander and explore the area, this is the final camp below the tree line.
Trekking distance 13km; approximately 4-5 hours; ascent 865m

Private Mobile Camp Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 Khopra Danda – Khayer Lake: High Altitude Camp

Today is a trek highlight as you hike up to Khayer Lake (4270m) and camp at high altitude in the bowl by the lake. The path is quite narrow and due to the altitude the hike can take a while, this is not a problem though as the constant views of the mountains before you capture your attention. On arrival at the camp there is time to explore the rocks and waterfalls in the area.
Trekking distance 13km; approximately 4-5 hours; ascent395m

Private Mobile Camp Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 Khayer Lake: Shiva Shrine

A rest day today allows you to take it easy and enjoy the views or head out on a hike to a shrine dedicated to Shiva, commemorating Shiva’s swallowing of demon poison in order to keep the world’s water pure. Due to the religious sanctity of the lake it is necessary to leave all leather items back at the camp. The walk itself takes you along a narrow path on the edge of the mountain, across the tundra dotted with wild flowers and then around the lake. After a picnic lunch you return to camp to relax for the rest of the day.
Trekking distance 9.5km; approximately 4 hours; ascent and descent 600m

Private Mobile Camp Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 Khayer Lake – Khopra Danda: Ridge Descent

Today you begin heading back downhill and after a few hours trekking you return to the ridge with the spectacular views at Khopra Danda, again with the snow-capped mountains on one side and the rolling hills on the other.
Trekking distance 16km; approximately 5 hours; descent 585m

Private Mobile Camp Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 Khopra Danda – Dobate: Through Fields & Forests

Continuing the descent today you hike through fields and forests, across rolling grass covered hills to Dobate. A drier and often arid area, at certain times of year water can be scarce here. At night the sky is full of twinkling stars and the soft snow on the peaks of the mountains still glistens against the black night sky.
Trekking distance 16km; approximately 5 hours; descent 310m

Private Mobile Camp Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13 Dobate – Ghandruk: Gurung Village

As the sun comes up against the peaks they change in colour with the gentle hues of the morning. Continuing the descent the trail eventually meets the main trail and leads to Ghandruk, one of the bigger Gurung villages in the area. Here you can make a stop at the Annapurna Conservation Area Office to learn about the different conservation projects in the area, there are many success stories and the models have been used internationally. Enjoy a walk through the town this afternoon, Ghandruk was once a major recruitment centre for the famous Gurkha regiment and today the village women still maintain a tradition for weaving beautifully made Nepalese rugs.
Trekking distance 29km; approximately 7 hours; altitude decrease 1400m

Ghandruk Village Ecolodge Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14 Ghandruk – Kimche – Pokhara – Kathmandu: City Tour

An hour’s walk this morning brings you to Kimche where it is time to climb back into a vehicle and rejoin the world. Driving on to Pokhara you will then board the flight to Kathmandu. This afternoon you will head out with a guide to explore Kathmandu’s Durbar Square, an area of temples and palaces, as well as making a stop at Swayambunath, one of the city’s huge stupas.

Dwarika's Hotel Breakfast

Day 15 Kathmandu: Departure

You will be taken to the airport for your international flight home.

Breakfast

EXAMPLE ACCOMMODATION

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

15 days from $6,008

MEALS

As specified in the itinerary, sampling some of the country's finest cuisine.

TRANSPORT

Private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced, dedicated drivers, unless otherwise stated.

ENTRANCE FEES

Tours and admission fees, including tickets specified in the itinerary.

EXPERT TEAM

Licensed English-speaking guides and a support team available 24/7.

ACCOMMODATION

As specified in the itinerary, using some of our favourite local properties.

WILD MILES

This tour will earn you 9128 Wild Miles

ACCOMMODATION

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Wild Miles Club

When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:

Blue More than 10,000 points 2.5% discount
Bronze More than 30,000 points 5% discount
Silver More than 45,000 points 7.5% discount
Gold More than 60,000 points 10% discount

This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.

Positive Impact of this Trip

Tree
Ten trees are planted per passenger on this trip
Community
Supports Wild Frontiers Foundation community projects
Wind Turbine
A contribution to renewable energy projects

Making a Difference

Community Tourism

People and local communities have always been at the heart of Wild Frontiers and the travel experiences we offer. Through community tourism we have the opportunity to generate real positive impact, supporting people we visit through sustainable local development, and in turn help to alleviate poverty and protect culture and environments in often more vulnerable destinations. While doing so, our clients gain richer travel experiences and more meaningful connections with the people they meet.

Conservation and Climate Action

As a travel company, we hold a responsibility to minimise our environmental footprint and contribute to sustainability, and work closely with local communities to support their efforts. By implementing initiatives such as carbon measuring, tree-planting, reducing single-use plastic and promoting eco-friendly practices, we can help mitigate the negative impacts of tourism on fragile ecosystems and local communities. Additionally, prioritising conservation efforts helps preserve natural habitats and wildlife, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the wonders of our planet.

Wild Frontiers Foundation

The Wild Frontiers Foundation aims to provide a platform to create awareness, raise money and deliver funding to projects in countries where we operate as a travel company. Through the foundation, we are able to channel money into grass roots projects, which we have either established ourselves or support through charity partners. These include initiatives focused around education, the empowerment of local people and community conservation.

WHEN TO GO

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your adventure of a lifetime.

WHY WILD FRONTIERS?

Meet the expert, Shalmali

Shalmali is our Indian Subcontinent expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.

Speak to Shalmali by calling
+44 (0)20 3944 6258

Take the Everest helicopter flight from Kathmandu, rhino and tiger tracking in the forests of Chitwan and Bardia, visit remote Mustang, walk around Bhaktapur and Patan, experience Pashupatinath aarti, try the 22 course Newari feast at Dwarika’s

OTHER ITINERARIES IN NEPAL

Check out our group tours in Nepal

As well as private tailor-made trips, we also offer small group tours (max size 12) to Nepal. Led by an experienced tour leader, travel with a group of like-minded people on one of our award-winning group tours.

View Group Tours in Nepal