Premium Hiking and Trekking in Nepal's Annapurna region - 8 Days

Namaste! Welcome to Nepal. When you arrive at the airport, a representative will meet you to drive you to your hotel. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 2 pm at your hotel. If you arrive early, there’s plenty to explore in Nepal's culture rich capital. Wander the markets and bazaars of Thamel where stalls and hole-in-the-wall shops sell everything from bangles to Buddha statues to beetroot. Perhaps check out Durbar Square, home to the palace of the Kumari Devi who is considered to be a living goddess. Or learn how to make momos and dal bhat at a home cooking class. After your welcome meeting, get to know your leader and fellow travellers over an authentic Nepali dinner of traditional thali with delicious momos at the Mahotsav Restaurant.

Depart Kathmandu early and take a private minivan for the long drive to Pokhara, watching as the scenery changes from central to western Nepal. Along the way, break for a delicious lunch and to stretch the legs. Upon arrival in this lakeside city, take some time to explore the markets on a leader-led walk, strolling past colourful paddle boats in the lake or relax with a chiya (Nepalese tea) before the trek ahead. Set in a valley beneath the snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna range, Pokhara was once part of a vibrant trade route between India and Tibet. It's also home to the Magar and Gurung ethnic groups – known for their rich culture and service as Gurkha soldiers. This evening, you’ll collect your included trekking poles and down jackets (if you haven't brought your own) and have your trek briefing. After, maybe head out for dinner with your group – Pokhara has no shortage of restaurants to tempt your taste buds and your expert local leader will be happy to provide some great quality recommendations.

Meet your local mountain guides and porters this morning before hitting the road to Ghatte Khola – the starting point of the trek. Today you’ll be hiking to the traditional Gurung village of Dhampus on a relatively easy trail that winds along terraced fields and hillside homes. When you arrive at Dhampus, check into your first comfortable mountain lodge. This lodge has impressive views spanning the entire Annapurna Range when the weather is clear – including Annapurna 1, 2, 3 and 4 towering up to 8000m. Once you are settled in it's time to enjoy one of Intrepid's unique 'a day in the life of' moments where you will visit a typical Gurung village nearby to learn about their lifestyle and of course enjoy a home-cooked lunch with the villagers themselves. After, you may want to unwind on the grassy terrace with a warming tea or take a walk through Dhampus village. This evening, there’s an optional 1-2 hour hike to the Australian Base Camp viewpoint (2060m) or the village of Pothana – both of which are renowned for their superb views of the Annapurna peaks. Enjoy dinner in with a stunningly unique view before tucking into your comfortable bed in the first of Nepal’s best mountain lodges on this trek.

After breakfast you'll make tracks for Majgaon village via Pothana. The trail contours the side of the hill before bringing you up to the ridgeline – have your camera handy! Stop for a tea break in Pothana village (1890 m) where many Tibetan traders live and sell handmade jewellery, clothing and other souvenirs. The next section of the trail descends through subtropical forests filled with tree orchids, rhododendrons and magnolias. You'll arrive at your lodge in Majgaon in time for lunch. Settle in then explore the nearby villages of Tanchok and Patleket, which feature classic Nepalese stone houses with raised wooden platforms. Then, return to your comfortable lodge to enjoy the stunning views of Machhapuchhre, the famed Fishtail Mountain (6997m) with a well-earned drink while the sun sets.

The hike to Landruk today weaves along the hillsides, taking you through villages, farms and the famous suspension bridges festooned with multi-coloured Buddhist prayer flags. The trail has some steady dips and climbs as you pass farmers working in their fields, buffalo and grazing goats. You’ll reach your comfortable lodge in time for lunch, followed by an optional afternoon hike to explore Landruk and the surrounding villages – Landruk is famous for its honey hunters who climb bamboo ladders to collect honeycomb from steep cliff faces. The rest of the evening is yours to relax – how about a drink around the crackling fire? Or watch in awe as the last pink light catches the high mountains of the Annapurna range.

Set off for Ghandruk this morning. Along the way you’ll hike up some ascents along stone-paved switchbacks, cross a suspension bridge and pass through forests before emerging onto the small plateau of Ghandruk. At the highest point of your trek, the location of your final lodge is second to none, looking out over the staggering peaks of Annapurna South (7219m) and the neighbouring Hiunchuli (6441m). This afternoon you'll explore Ghandruk and meet some of the villagers. Ghandruk is known for its traditional slate-roofed houses featuring hand-carved wooden windows and strong Gurung cultural heritage – which you’ll learn about at the Gurung Museum. Gain insight into Gurung customs, lifestyle and their remarkable contributions to the Gorkha Army. You might also like to try on a traditional Gurung costume here or relax on the lodge terrace with a glass in hand, looking out over the incredible mountain scenery.

It’s all downhill today (literally) for your final hike down the valley through the terraced hills to Syauli Bazaar where you’ll jump in the van and follow the Modi River downstream to the riverside town of Birethanti (1100m). Enjoy a well-earned lunch here before returning to Pokhara. After checking into your hotel and freshening up, get to know the city on an orientation walk with your leader – including a peaceful boat trip on Fewa Lake. If you’re not quite ready to pack away your walking shoes, you might like to join your leader for a hike up to the Peace Pagoda on Anadu Hill overlooking the lake – or just take the van for all the views but none of the effort! Then, head back into town for a free afternoon. This evening, perhaps join your leader and group for a farewell dinner and toast to a brilliant week exploring the Annapurna region.

Your adventure comes to an end today. If you have time, you could visit the International Mountain Museum to learn about the history of trekking and mountaineering in the Himalayas and the mountain communities that live here. If you’d like to stick around in Pokhara, we can book additional accommodation (subject to availability) – just let us know when booking.