Trekking Difficulty

Experience is not necessary. Good health and a minimum of fitness are still required as you walk 4/5 hours a day. Easy grade treks are short in duration and at a lower altitude. Yet walking and going up gentle mountains, well-defined trails and regular stages of 5 to 6 hours over decent passable paths over 3000 m of elevation, about 10 kilometres each day, is typically ideal for one week and many people with an average fitness level. Trekking in this class is also ideal for family groups with smaller or time-limited children. These low-altitude treks often offer colourful horizons in a number of areas.

You may also be interested in our similar package 12 days-  Annapurna Poonhill Circuit Trek with Optional Chitwan Jungle Safari. 

Best seasons to do this trek

Spring and autumn mark this trek for the best time. The weather is moderate and favorable, and the visibility is clearest during this season.

And on the drier routes, you get to walk. During this time of year, you don't have to worry about the rain or leaks.

But even in summer and winter, this walk is feasible.

The road can be found slippery and leek-faced during the summer/monsoon. But the walk isn't a major issue with proper plumage and insect repellents.

You can find the hill slippery in winter because of the snow and at high altitudes, feel very cold. But you can easily go to this trek with the warm clothes and a happy heart.

Experience of trekking in different seasons have been broken down here in detail. 

Permits required for the trek

Both Trekking Information Management System (TIMS) and an Annapurna National Park Permit also known as Annapurna Conservation Area Permits  (sometimes also known as the Annapurna Protected Area Permits) would be required for this trip. 

The Annapurna Conservation Area is home to the majority of trekking trails, including the world-famous Annapurna Base Camp circuit. Other people are expected to obtain a TIMS card for trekking in the Annapurna region as well as a permit from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP).

Annapurna Region Permits and charges :

• ACAP offer to give foreigners a rate of three thousand NPR (Approx. US$ 30).
• SAARC nationals ACAP permit cost: 200 NPR Entry Charge
• TIMS allows: 1,000 NPRs (about $10 dollars).

The costs of these will be taken into account in your trekking fee and your guide will oversee the entire operation (organization and travel through the trek).

These permits put you back about $40-50 for trekkers doing it alone.

You will always have to carry these permits on the trail with you as they are checked at various checkpoints.

Travel and Transportation Modes

There are two options of transportation used through out this trip.

On land: Touring to and from city destinations is done on a private vehicle such as a car, jeep or microbus. Luxury tourist buses, which are only hired by the company for the most part, make the long distance travel. You will may have to take a public bus on some trip, but you do not need to worry about your protection or comfort because you ride with our guides and support staff in a group.

By air: Transportation by plane is available to fly from Kathmandu- Pokhara (flight is optional and cost is USD 110PP- One way) and Pokhara- Chitwan and back to Kathmandu (USD 90- one way) at the end of the trip.

If you want to experience helicopter ride to Annapurna Base Camp and no trek, then you can have a look at our program Annapurna Base Camp Heli Tour with Everest Scenic flight

Accommodations used in this trip

In Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan, you will be spending luxurious night in five star hotels or resorts as mentioned in itineraries however during the trek, teahouses shall be used that are handpicked by our guides based on their quality and services.

The tea houses are not the Shangri-La, they are a nice place to rest at the end of an long day's stroll. They are built of stone and wood.

Rooms are typically twin sharing rooms with ample space to stretch.

Most rooms have a separate shower and toilet — even though we do our best to manage tea houses with hot showers! There will also be a seating space, which will be like a living room with a fireplace or boiler that will warm up to the night.

Fooding and catering

While you will be enjoying varieites of delicasies in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan during your luxurious stay in 5 star accommodation or eating outside in full fledged cafes, restaurants and diners, you will also have an ample opportunity to get healthy food varieties while on the trek.

The food is served on the Trek according to the menu of the tea house. Pancakes, chapati, bread, french toasts, egg, tea, coffee, butter tea, milk are expected to be served for breakfast. Dinner will include items such as dal bhaat, curries, chapatis, momo, noodle, thupka, dhindo, etc.

It is also very convenient and expected to eat your evening meal in the same tea house in which you stay, and you will usually be told to order your dinner when you sign in.

Availability of Drinking Water 

Planning to have at least two liters of water when trekking every day is a smart way to start. Filling up water is quick. Taps in, out or in guesthouses mean that there are plenty of places to fill your bottles and/or your water bladders.This could be where you stay, a lunch stop, or a shared public tap used by locals. Use an efficient sterilization method to make sure your water is safe and not contaminated in anyway.Bottled water is available to buy throughout the trek, but we would advise against this for a number of reasons.You do not need them if you use sterilization method. Environment concerns are there and also buying water is expensive up in the mountains.

Electricity and connectivity 

Free WiFi and charge is generally available (with some exceptions) you can find free WiFi and charge, most places charge a modest fee (e.g. Rs100-400) to use WiFi or charge; WiFi can be unreliable, sluggish or unusable. 

To improve your connectivity, carry your phone with the Nepal SIM, you'll get more than you'd think (GPRS/EDGE speed). Village electricity could be perfect during your stay. Tea houses can have the electricity to charge your electronics either from solar sources or from a battery bank but it is most wise to either have your own or not depend on electronic devices.

Ensuring Safety

Travel insurance

We suggest taking out an insurance plan for your individual accountability, accidents and illnesses during the service. Regarding the type of activity, you may be asked to show a certificate of insurance for help and support, sanitation and search. This service is private and not free in Nepal, the helicopter will not take off until it is convinced to pay for the insurance.

Personal Safety

Wherever you are your health and security is your responsibilities. In the city area be aware of scammers and touts. Outside the airport, or on the road, taxis are likely to charge more than normal. Pickpockets are active in cities and also in the mountains. Even if you are experienced trekker or have good health and stamina, you don’t know mountains of Nepal and hence, it is wise to keep up with your guide and stay close with your group.

Valuable items like gold or diamond chains, rings, bracelets are best not carried to the mountains and also keep your day pack with you safe. Your passport, permits, phone, cameras are supposed to be with you all the time. Keep the money you carry safe and securely.

Dont try to get too close to the animals or go extra lengths for the photos during your jungle safari, rafting and also trekking times. It is expected and is also for your safety that you travel with responsibility and sensibility. 

As long as you are respecting local norms and culture and are open minded towards local community, you will be treated well and respected regardless of what gender, religion, and culture you are from.

Physical Fitness and Trekking Difficulties

This is one of Nepal's easiest treks. In comparison with other hiking destinations, the potential for altitude sickness is also very low. You have to walk 6-7 hours a day, which means good health and strong will. It will definitely help you a lot, though, if you have a previous trek or walking experience. In the event of bad weather, the trek may be difficult for you. Expect lots of stairs, ascends and descends and prepare accordingly.

Persons with a medical condition before the trip is considered must seek medical advice / agreement.

This Tour with HSJ

Guides and Porters

Our local Nepali team is one of the most experienced, hospitable and respected trekking outfits in Nepal. The team is fully licensed and affiliated with the Trekking Agency's Association of Nepal (TAAN), Nepal Mountaineering Association, Nepal Tourism Board, Govt. of Nepal, Sustainable Tourism Network, Himalayan Rescue Association and Kathmandu Environmental Educational Project. You will be provided with the professional and an experienced English speaking trekking guide with the good knowledge of the place and the trek. The trekking crew is skilled with the experience of over 10 years, well-trained, friendly guide and, courteous and helpful porters, assured of a wonderfully memorable experience.

For the trek, we'll have one porter for two people as per group size. The porter will carry 12-15 kg per person luggage during the trek. You need to carry your day pack to keep your personal belongings such as wallet, camera, water bottle, dry snack, headlight, gadgets, etc. The safety and concerns of our porters is our collective responsibility. We take our responsibilities towards them and their safety concerns strictly. On your part, please carry only things that are of absolute necessities.

Other Programs and complimentary services with this trip

• Welcome and Farewell dinner
• Yoga Classes
• Spa services

How do we make sure you get the best experience of this trek?

We are your completely flexible travel partner. Want to follow different routes? We have you covered. Have extra time in Nepal? Excellent! We have more add-on tours like Chitwan Jungle Safari, Cable Car ride to Chandragiri hills, Cooking and Yoga classes in Kathmandu, and so on. Would like to customize the trip? Well, why not? Give us your ideas and we will prepare a complete itinerary for you. Do you want to use different standards of accommodations than provided in the itineraries? Of course! You absolutely can. From your arrival until you depart, your wishes are our command. Feel free to make the request.

Booking

We accept 20 percent of deposit or at least USD 100 for your booking payments and other necessary documents and the rest of the due amount of total trip cost may be submitted later but must be before two weeks of the departure date. You can also make the payment upon arrival to Kathmandu. During the reservations, documents like a copy of your passport should be sent via email along with insurance policies for travel, arrival, and departure flight. Do not forget to bring 4 pp sized photos with you.  Payment shall be rendered directly from our website by bank transfer, western union, and electronic payment. The remaining travel costs can be paid by cash or credit card upon arrival in Nepal or by bank transfers. In addition, we make all the confirmation of the payments via email.

Last-minute booking

It is best to book in advance but for those who cannot, for whatever reason, make a last-minute reservation special arrangement for Himalayan Social Journey. In the case of last-minute reservation, 100% tour payment will be approved within 24 hours. We try to operate a trek at any time but we are not liable for the delay in case of last-minute reservation, because of uncontrolled changes such as weather and the availability of accommodation.

Feedbacks

Throughout the years of business, we have always put the customer's feedback as our inspiration towards making our company a great travel partner. With many ups and downs, and good and not so good feedbacks we have reached where we are now. At the end of the trek, while you are with the crew during farewell dinner, we would appreciate it if you give us your valuable feedback, an account of good and bad experiences, recommendations, and also your honest rating to our trip advisor page.