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Although it’s a small country, Nepal is home to the tallest mountains and the best trekking in the world.
There are eight 8,000m (26,46ft) peaks throughout Nepal, and this trip takes you on a journey to the base camp of one of the mightiest of them all, Annapurna. Reaching a peak of 26,545 feet, Annapurna is a stunning sight that you must truly take in with your own eyes as it glows under the moonlight at night or sparkles as the sun rises at dawn. Named after the Hindu goddess of food and nourishment who is said to reside there, Annapurna is one of the more difficult 8,000 meter peaks in the world to climb.
But don’t worry, we won’t be doing any actual climbing on this trip. Instead, pack your hiking boots because we’ll be trekking by remote villages, through forests home to monkeys, over steel suspension bridges, and next to cascading glacier rivers all the way to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) at 13,550 feet (4,130 meters). Annapurna isn’t the only mountain we’ll be dropping our jaws at. From the ABC and along the way, you’ll be able to witness stunning views of Machhapuchhare (which means Fishtail in Nepali; you’ll get it when you see it), Hiunchuli, Dhaulagiri, Tilicho, Pisang, and more. Throughout the scenery, you’ll also see Buddhist temples and monasteries adorned with colorful prayer flags flying in the wind.
During this hike, you can truly disconnect from the modern world and give yourself a real mental break. For 5 nights on the trek, we will rest and relax overnight in cozy teahouses, which are accommodations along trekking routes in Nepal that offer basic lodging and meals. The teahouses are run by the local communities in the Annapurna region, meaning you’ll have the chance to chat with many friendly locals and other hikers from around the world. Rather than camping, everyone will have a bed each night, access to a shower, and a dining room where we’ll eat warm meals as a group. For those who need it, wifi is available, but there’s nothing as refreshing as a social media detox.
The menu options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner include dal bhat (a delicious mountain staple served with unlimited portions of a garlicky lentil soup, rice, curry, and various sides) momos (dumplings), and more Nepali options but also pizza, pasta, fried rice, stir-fry noodles, pancakes, oatmeal, popcorn, and more. Even people who don’t regularly love tea will be ready for a hot cup of masala tea or ginger and lemon tea with a drizzle of fresh Himalayan honey with every meal.
This trip is as much about experiencing the vibrant culture of Nepal as it is about the astounding nature. On day one, you'll arrive in Kathmandu, the country’s capital, which sits in a valley surrounded by Himalayan peaks. Right away, you’ll be introduced to the delicious Nepali cuisine, although there is an extensive variety of options to fuel up before we hike. On day two, you’ll see busy streets full of markets, several colorful Hindu temples, and the bustling Durbar Square, a place that has been home to royalty since the 3rd century.
From Kathmandu, we’ll take the shortest flight of your life (25 minutes!) to Pokhara, the second-largest city in Nepal and the starting point for the ABC trek. In Pokhara, we’ll stay in luxury in a hotel overlooking the tranquil blue lake the town is located on and the spectacular surrounding snow-capped peaks. You can rest up by swimming in the rooftop pool, walk down to the lake and take a rowboat out, walk along the lakefront past many shops and cafes, or adventure out to explore a nearby temple. For those interested, you can join Gavin and Jess for a yoga class at a Buddhist monastery overlooking the lake to get our bodies warmed up for hiking. Pokhara is where we will also spend our first night back in town after the trek, and there is no better place to get a delicious post-hike meal and then relax in our 5-star hotel.
The combination of mountains, nature, culture, and amazing food in Nepal is truly unlike anywhere else on Earth.
DATES
The trip dates are October 23 - November 2, 2024. Travelers coming from the Americas will likely need to depart on October 21st or October 22nd to arrive on the 23rd.
The price for this trip is $3149, but the first 8 people to sign up will receive $150 off, making their trip price $2999.
This trip is now sold out. Join the email list here to get updates on any open spots on the 2024 trip or future Nepal trip updates.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
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10 nights in accommodations
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In Kathmandu and Pokhara, rooms are double-occupancy private rooms with ensuite bathrooms. There will be 2 travelers from the TWC group per room. Please reach out to jessica@travelwc.com to get a quote for a single occupancy upgrade.
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For the 5 nights spent on the trail to and from Annapurna Base Camp, rooms are triple-occupancy and quadruple-occupancy private rooms with shared bathrooms in "teahouses." There will only be TWC travelers in each room. It is not possible to upgrade to single occupancy for those 5 nights per restrictions set by the Annapurna Conservation Area. Please note that the teahouse accommodations are extremely basic. All teahouses in the Annapurna Conservation Area are very similar, so there is no variation in accommodation on the trail for TWC to choose from. The rooms are extremely basic without heating. Bathrooms are separate from the rooms, not private, and are a mix of western toilets and pit toilets. Sinks and showers are available, and TWC will be covering the additional fee for daily warm showers for those on this trip.
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24 meals
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In Kathmandu, welcome and farewell dinners will be included at our favorite spots.
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On hiking days, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.
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Additionally, 3 warm drinks a day, snacks, and fruit will also be included on the hiking days.
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Water purification tablets for safe drinking water during hiking days are also included.
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Round-trip transportation from Kathmandu to and from Pokhara by plane
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Round-trip transportation from Pokhara to and from the start of the trek by jeep
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Airport transfer service on arrival and departure in Kathmandu
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Several fun activities:
- Kathmandu Valley sightseeing day to Baudhanath, Pashupatinath Temple (the holiest temple in Hindu culture), Swoyambhunath (also known as the monkey temple), and Kathmandu Durbar Square with a local guide and private transportation
- 6 days of trekking in the Annapurna Conservation Area, including entry fees, local professional hiking guides, and porters
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A TWC group leader for the duration of the trip
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Jess and Gavin will be on this trip!
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Local hiking guides on several days of the trip
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Porter assistance in carrying your bag on all hiking days
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Each hiker can have up to 20 pounds (9kg) carried for them.
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All required hiking permits, including the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) Fee, Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) card fee, and government taxes
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A down jacket and sleeping bag to be used on the trekking days, provided for free to whichever travelers don't bring their own
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A detailed packing list will be provided, but the only other "gear" travelers will need to bring themselves is hiking shoes and clothes for hiking in.
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Account to manage your booking and access to a private Facebook group for the trip
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Each TWC Traveler will be given access to their account where they will find a trip-specific packing list, a payment section to manage and make payments, options to contact their trip consultants with any questions, a link to a private Facebook group, and more preparation information.
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TWC trip consultants leading up to and during the trip for travel advice and to answer questions
1. Note that your international flights to and from Kathmandu are not included. However, we have free information on how to find the best flights, and we work with travelers to help find available deals.
2. Each traveler will be responsible for paying for their visa upon arrival in Nepal. The cost of the tourist visa is either 30 USD for a 15-day stay, 50 USD if the traveler plans to stay for up to 30 days, or 125 USD if the traveler plans to stay for up to 90 days. If you are only staying in Nepal for the duration of the TWC trip, the 15-day stay is sufficient.
3. There is a 3% fee for paying with a credit card. Alternatively, travelers can pay via bank transfer to avoid any processing fees.
4. Note: The activity level of this trip is high. There are 6 days of hiking, and there will be a lot of walking involved on most other days. The terrain on the hiking days is strenuous and can be steep. The mileage of the hikes are long, especially towards the beginning of the trek, but the elevation gradually increases, starting from 5,840 feet (1,780 meters) and reaching a maximum of 13,550 feet (4,130 meters). It is recommended that those who join this trip have either hiked with TWC before, hiked on their own before, or have travel experience, but information on how to best prepare to make the hikes as comfortable as possible will also be given. Prepared hikers are the happiest hikers.
5. Each traveler will also have to purchase travel insurance of their choosing that fits specific requirements. This insurance starts at approximately 25 USD.
TWC works with local hiking guides during all hiking days and ensures that we only partner with companies that ensure the fair treatment of their guides and porters.
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Day 0
Flight to Kathmandu
Many travelers will need to book their flight leaving their home airport on October 21st or 22nd in order to arrive in Kathmandu on the 23rd due to the time change and length of the flight(s).
Note: When searching for flights, it is sometimes more affordable to book a round-trip flight to a major airport like Dubai, Doha, or New Delhi and then book a round-trip flight to Kathmandu from there. If you want help searching for deals, send us a message or email, and we're happy to help!
We are expecting to help everyone search for flights, so please don't hesitate to send an email or message if you have options that you want us to look over or if you don't know where to start. We can help advise you on how to book your flights using the multi-city method above, as you want to be careful when doing this to give yourself enough time on the layovers.
Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu, the gateway to the Himalayas. Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), you will be welcomed to Nepal by the local guide and TWC group leaders. Private transportation will be given from the airport to the centrally and conveniently located boutique hotel in the Thamel area of Kathmandu. Thamel is well known as an exciting tourist hub and has a full range of restaurants, coffee shops (who's ready for some Himalayan java?!), gear and souvenir shops, pubs, nightspots, and tourist facilities. You'll be treated with a beverage at check-in, your first opportunity to try the delicious masala tea. From the hotel rooftop, you can look out over the entire Kathmandu Valley and see many mountain peaks and temples.
Join the group for an included welcome dinner in the evening and get to know your fellow travelers and hikers! On this trip, you'll have plenty of opportunities to discover the local cuisine, which has quickly become a worldwide favorite of TWC. Vegetarians and vegans will feel especially at home, as the options are very friendly for those who eat meat and those who don't.
Dinner is included.
Day 2
Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing
After an included breakfast with the opportunity to drink specialty coffee, the group will depart together to visit several World Heritage Sites:
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Baudhanath
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Pashupatinath Temple
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Swoyambhunath
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Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Via private transportation, the group will first visit the Boudhanath Stupa to see the ancient stupa
situated in Baudhanath. A local guide will be with us to explain the significance.
Next, the group will visit Pashupatinath Temple and visit the holiest temple of all Hindu culture. Hindu people from all over the world come here to get a blessing here.
Next, the group will be driven to the "Monkey Temple" (Swoyambhunath).
Lastly, we'll return to the center of Kathmandu to walk through Durbar Square. The outer complex consists of several 16th-century temples, one of which is the residence of the Kumari, a young girl worshipped as a living embodiment of the Hindu Goddess Durga.
Before dinner, there will be a hiking briefing with the local guides to:
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Review the trek itinerary
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Introduce the guides and porters
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Recheck each traveler's gear and clothing to make sure each person is ready to go
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Advice on how to set your pace, take breaks, and eat and drink to feel your best during the trek
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Motivate the group!!!
Join the group for an optional dinner in the evening.
Breakfast is included.
Day 3
Fly to Pokhara
After another breakfast in Kathmandu, the group will be transported all together to the domestic airport. The 25-minute flight to Pokhara offers views of picturesque green and snow-capped mountains and rivers.
Pokhara is in a beautiful valley set on the banks of the Phewa Lake and is also known for its panoramic views of Annapurna (8,091m),
Machapuchare (6,993m) in the north, Dhaulagiri (8,169m) in the west, Manaslu (8,156m), and Lamjung Himal (6,983) in the east. Pokhara is a
lakeside paradise with many restaurants, cafes, shops, yoga studios, and more. You can roam around the lakeside where people of different cultures come to hang out, row a paddleboat out onto the lake, hike up to temples, and more. For those interested, Gavin and Jess will be organizing an afternoon yoga class at a monastery with views over the lake.
The group's accommodation is a beautiful hotel with more views and an infinity pool looking over Pokhara. Soak up the amazing amenities and food in town before we head out to hike the next day!
Join the group for an optional dinner in the evening so that we can fuel up before the trek!
Breakfast is included.
Day 4
Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Day 1
It's time to hike! After a nourishing breakfast spread the next morning, the group will depart on a 3-hour drive from Pokhara to Jhino Danda, the start of the trek to Annapurna Base Camp. This drive is primarily off-road, so be prepared for some bumps!
After arriving at the end of the road, the group will head out on the first leg of the hike! Porters will be accompanying each traveler to carry their bags.
Before we begin hiking, we will cross a 287-meter-long (almost 1,000-foot) suspension bridge over the Modi Khola, a river, made of steel cables and adorned with prayer flags.
The first day of hiking will take approximately 2 hours over 2 miles (3.2km) with 1900 feet of elevation gain (580m). Note: the number of hours is relative to each person and may not be an accurate estimate for everyone. We have given our best estimate of an average time.
The hike will end at the first teahouse of the trip! Teahouses are accommodations along trekking routes in Nepal that offer basic lodging and meals. Only TWC travelers will be sleeping in each room, and each traveler will have a bed, access to toilets, and the option to take a warm shower in detached bathrooms. Wifi is available.
A warm dinner will be served, and travelers will be able to choose their dinner from a menu including dal bhat (a delicious mountain staple served with unlimited portions of a garlicky lentil soup, rice, curry, and various sides), pizza, pasta, momos (Nepalese filled dumplings with either meat or vegetables), and more. TWC will also be including a warm drink for each traveler at each meal. kisWifi
The first teahouse is located in a village that is spread over a hillside with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.
Day 5
Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Day 2
The day will begin with a warm breakfast in the teahouse dining room. Pick from an omelet, oatmeal, fresh gurung bread (a local specialty that is fried and delicious), pancakes, and more. Of course, a warm drink is served with each meal.
After breakfast, the group will pack up their things and do a group stretch. Sometimes the best way to loosen up the muscles is with a group dance!
The second day of trekking will take approximately 4 hours over 6 miles (9.6km) with 2250 feet of elevation gain (686m).
Partway through the hike, we will stop in another teahouse to eat a warm lunch.
Today's trek is a bit longer. We will be hiking through several villages in the valley of the Modi River. The trail will take us through a forest and lush jungle where you can see rhododendron (Nepal’s national flower), dense bamboo, and oaks. Sometimes monkeys make an appearance as well!
After arriving at our teahouse for the night, showers will be available, and a warm dinner will be served. As usual, everyone will order what they'd like and get a warm drink. Snacks, like Snickers bars, are also available to buy at each teahouse.
In the evenings, star gazing, games of cards and chess, and relaxing with a book may all be on the agenda!
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.
Day 6
Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Day 3
The mornings will each have the same comforting routine: a hot breakfast, warm tea, a group stretch, a little group dance to get our muscles warmed up, and good vibes.
The third day of trekking will take approximately 4-5 hours over 6 miles (9.6km) with 3250 feet of elevation gain (990m).
Partway through the hike, we will stop in another teahouse to eat a warm lunch.
Today's trail will take us through a dense bamboo forest before we enter the alpine terrain. We will walk next to a glacial river flowing downwards, through Hinku Cave, down to the Modi Khola river bank, and back up to our teahouse for the night. Along the way, we will pass a beautiful temple built in front of a series of towering waterfalls that are sometimes home to families of monkeys.
After arriving at our teahouse for the night, once again showers will be available, and a warm dinner and drink will be served. From the teahouse terrace, you can spot multiple towering waterfalls and see mountains in every direction.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.
Day 7
Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Day 4
Today's the day we reach Annapurna Base Camp! This may be your first-ever sighting of an 8,000-meter peak. We'll begin the morning the same: breakfast, tea, stretching, and one of Gavin's classic motivational speeches.
The fourth day of trekking will take approximately 4 hours over 5 miles (8km) with 3100 feet of elevation gain (945m).
Before reaching Annapurna Base Camp, we will stop at Machhapuchhare Base Camp (MBC). Machhapuchhare is one of the most unique peaks in the world, as it is too sacred to be climbed. At MBC, we'll eat a warm lunch with views of Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna III, and Gangapurna.
After one more hour of climbing, we will reach the famous Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) sign. Our teahouse here will be surrounded by Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Singu Chuli, Gangapurna, Khangsar Kang, Annapurna III, and Tent Peak. Just being at ABC is soul-soothing, and it is truly a once-in-a-lifetime place to spend the night.
We'll be served a warm dinner and drink in the teahouse dining room. Celebratory treats will be passed out. For those who stay up, the view of the moonlight reflecting off of Annapurna's peak is stunning after the sun sets.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.
Day 8
Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Day 5
For those who want to get the best view, it will be an early morning waking up at ABC. From the teahouse, we will walk less than 5 minutes to a viewpoint where hundreds of prayer flags are strung up in front of a view of Annapurna. This is a great time for photos and a quiet moment of reflection. For those who want to sleep in, we'll see you at breakfast. After some time for pictures, we'll return to the teahouse for breakfast, tea, and stretching.
The fifth day of trekking will take approximately 6 hours over 11 miles (17.7km) with 6200 feet of elevation loss (1890m).
It's (almost) all downhill from there... literally. From ABC, we will have a long day of hiking down back to the same teahouse we slept in on the second night of the trek. The views never get old, and there is always more to see as you hike. We will pass monasteries, stupas (structures containing Buddhist relics that are used as places of meditation), temples, and more viewpoints.
At our teahouse, we'll enjoy another group dinner and celebrate our last night out on the trail! There are truly fewer peaceful days than these ones in nature, away from work and social media, and spent with new friends.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.
Day 9
Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Day 6 & Back to Pokhara
It's time for our last breakfast and tea of the trip. Today we'll soak up our last hours of the trek and say our goodbyes to the Annapurna Conservation Area.
The sixth day of trekking will take approximately 4 hours over 8 miles (12.9km) with 4300 feet of elevation loss (1311m).
We’ll continue our way downriver, passing through a serene forest. We will descend to Kimrong Khola, ascend again to the village of Chomrong, pass by their beautiful stupa, and then make our final descent back to Jhinu Danda. After crossing back over to the other side of the suspension bridge from the first day of our trek, we will have lunch in a teahouse there. We'll then be picked up and driven through the picturesque countryside back to Pokhara. The drive will again take approximately 3 hours.
Upon arriving in Pokhara, we will check back into our hotel with views overlooking Pokhara, the nearby mountains, and the lake. Join the group for an optional dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in town. Nothing tastes quite as good as that first meal back post-trek!
Breakfast and lunch are included.
Day 10
Flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu & Goodbye Dinner
Today we will wake up well-rested in comfortable beds and enjoy a breakfast spread at the hotel. Soak up your last bit of time in Pokhara before we'll be transferred to the local airport to catch a 25-minute flight back to Nepal's capital, Kathmandu.
After we land in Kathmandu, we'll be transported back to our hotel in Thamel. The afternoon will be yours to grab lunch (a full recommendation list for the area will be given out), grab souvenirs, or explore more of the area.
A farewell dinner will be included this evening so that everyone can come together to celebrate all that was accomplished on this trip. We'll go over our highs and lows, the funniest moments, and plan what trails are up next on our bucket list.
Breakfast and dinner are included.
Day 11
Flight Home
Time for the final goodbyes! (Where will the reunion be?!) Enjoy one last included breakfast and soak up the rooftop views from the hotel.
Professional transportation from the accommodation to the Kathmandu airport is included.
Breakfast is included.
