Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

15 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
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Small Group Tour
Discover the Annapurna range, a vast Himalayan massif where several peaks top 7,000m (22,965ft). It’s home to a natural amphitheatre known as the Annapurna Sanctuary, formed by mountain giants including Annapurna 1, Glacier Dome, Gangapurna, Fang and Machhapuchhare. Our trek starts through forested hills before arriving into the Sanctuary, where we enjoy pano...
$3,645
From$2,700
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Stay overnight at Annapurna Base Camp surrounded by mountains
    • Explore the Annapurna Sanctuary, a huge amphitheatre formed by glistening peaks
    • Enjoy sunrise views of Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhare and the Annapurnas from Poon Hill
    • Trek through magnificent forests, terraced fields and pretty villages
    • Spend time in historic Kathmandu and lakeside Pokhara

What's this trip about?

    Discover the Annapurna range, a vast Himalayan massif where several peaks top 7,000m (22,965ft). It’s home to a natural amphitheatre known as the Annapurna Sanctuary, formed by mountain giants including Annapurna 1, Glacier Dome, Gangapurna, Fang and Machhapuchhare. Our trek starts through forested hills before arriving into the Sanctuary, where we enjoy panoramic views of the colossal Annapurna peaks. We have a day to explore this breath-taking mountain arena before returning to Pokhara via a different route. Why trek with Exodus? One of the highest staff-to-traveller ratios on the trek with one staff member to every four travellers More than 30 years’ experience organising treks in Nepal A carefully designed itinerary to minimise long road journeys and maximise comfort and ascent rates on the trails Exodus annually commissions independent air-safety audits on domestic carriers in Nepal and only use those approved as part of the audit Experienced English-speaking local leaders who are qualified in first aid and trained to recognise and deal with altitude sickness All staff (leaders, guides and porters) are fully insured and paid a fair wage Staff carry oxygen, a first-aid kit, and self-assessment acute mountain sickness cards, used to monitor every traveller at altitude Speak to Exodus office staff who have done the trek themselvesThis classic trek in the Annapurna is one of the best for acclimatisation in Nepal

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range16 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityKathmandu
End CityKathmandu

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Hiking & Walking
  • National Parks

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • Hiking
  • Nature
  • Trekking

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 4

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 16

Trip includes

    • All breakfasts
    • Morning bed-tea on trek
    • Welcome drink at each overnight lodge
    • Four nights in standard hotels and 10 nights in teahouses
    • All transport and listed activities
    • Tour leader throughout, plus local staff (staff to client ratio of 1:4 on trek)
    • Free arrival and departure transfers for everyone
    • Full porterage throughout trek
    • Exodus kitbag
    • Trekking permit and national park fees

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu

The adventure begins in the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu. There are free arrival transfers available for any flight, provided you have supplied your sales representative with your flight details in advance and have requested one. Your local leader will meet you at the hotel (a time is provided on arrival) for the full trek briefing this evening. Accommodation: Royal Singi Hotel (or similar)

Day 2 Fly to Pokhara and on to Naya Pul; short walk to Birethanthi

Late morning we head to the airport and fly west to Pokhara, the 20-minute flight offers views of the Himalaya range to the north (on a clear day). Pokhara is set in a beautiful valley overlooked by the Annapurnas and the fishtail-shaped Machhapuchhare, one of the mo...

Day 3 Climb to lower Banthanti

We start our trek by following the Burungdi upstream. After a lunchstop in Tirkhedunga (renowned for its variety of local beer called chang), we climb up steep, stone staircases (approximately three hours) through neatly terraced hillsides to the top of Ulleri. Continuing through Ulleri we stop tonight at lower Banthanti. Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 7,350ft/2,240m)

Day 4 Ascend through rhododendron forests to Upper Ghorepani

The trail winds onwards and enters rhododendron forest, which is ablaze with colour in spring. Trains of mules provide vibrant, noisy interludes to the continuous ascent today (there are many stone staircases). Finally, we emerge from the forests at Ghorepani and sud...

Day 5 Optional early morning ascent of Poon Hill for incredible views of the Annapurnas, Machhapuchhare and Dhaulagiri at sunrise. After breakfast, we head through rhododendron forests to Chuili

This morning there is an optional ascent of Poon Hill (10,530ft/3,210m, about an hour's walk uphill) to see the spectacular sunrise over the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna range. As the sun emerges from behind the mountains, the sky glows red and pink. We head east after b...

Day 6 Descend to the Kyumnu river and climb up into the Modi River valley to Chhomrong

The trail descends steeply through the forest to the Kyumnu river, a tributary of the Modi River. A steep ascent then brings us to Chhomrong (7,285ft/2,220m) another Gurung village and the last permanent settlement in the valley. Beyond here we see yersas, the summer ...

Day 7 Trek up the Modi River valley towards the Annapurna Sanctuary; overnight in Dobhan

The trail from Chhomrong descends first on a stone staircase to cross the Chhomrong River and then climbs steeply on another stone staircase out of this side valley to Sinuwa, where we enter the main Modi River valley. From Sinuwa, the trail descends on stone steps th...

Day 8 Continue up the valley to Machhapuchhare Base Camp

It’s a tough day today as we walk above 9,845ft (3,000m). The trail continues up through the forest, passing the lodges at Himalaya Hotel. The trail gets steeper and rockier from here as we climb up past Hinko Cave, where the first expeditions to the basecamp used to ...

Day 9 Explore the high alpine wilderness of the Annapurna Sanctuary. Stay at Annapurna Base Camp

In the early morning, we walk for two hours up to Annapurna Base Camp (13,550ft/4,130m), surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of some of the highest mountains in the world. Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna Fang, Annapurna 1 and 3, Gangapurna and Machhapuchhare all...

Day 10 Descend back down the valley to Bamboo

It’s a long and mostly downhill day as we leave the Sanctuary. We follow the same trail back to Machhapuchhare Base Camp and further down to Deurali. Entering the forest, we descend slowly and carefully on a rocky trail through Himalaya and Dobhan back to the lodge at Bamboo. Accommodation: Teahouse (sleeping altitude: 7,645ft/2,330m)

Day 11 Ascend and descend stone steps to Chhomrong. Descend steeply through terraces to Jhinnudanda

We have a rollercoaster walk today with lots of ups and downs. We start with a climb up to Sinuwa, then we descend to the river and climb back up the stone steps to Chomro. A final steep descent on stone steps brings us to Jhinnudanda. There are nearby hot springs you...

Day 12 Trek to Sinwai; transfer from Naya Pul to Pokhara

The trail today undulates down the Modi River valley. We follow the valley down to the road head at Sinwai. If the road is in good condition, we pick up our transport here (sometimes our vehicle cannot get to here) and drive back to Pokhara. If we have to walk to Bire...

Day 13 Free day in Pokhara

Enjoy a full day to relax in Pokhara. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants along the lakeshore where you can watch paragliders in flight. You may wish to take a rowing boat across Lake Phewa and walk up to the hilltop World Peace Pagoda for fantastic views of the...

Day 14 Fly to Kathmandu

We fly to Kathmandu. If the weather plays nicely, we can have good views of the western end of Nepal on this flight. The afternoon is free for sightseeing. You may wish to visit the monkey temple at Swayambhunath, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world at Boudhanath, or the most important Hindu temple in the valley at Pashupatinath. Accommodation: Royal Singi Hotel (or similar)

Day 15 End Kathmandu

The trip ends after breakfast today. Say your goodbyes and begin your return journey home.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,700
Price per day$180
Last Updated: 1/31/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Shared Room
Single Room
Availability
26 Apr 2025
10 May 2025
$3,000
$3,285
27 Sep 2025
11 Oct 2025
$3,000
$3,285
11 Oct 2025
25 Oct 2025
$2,520
$2,805
18 Oct 2025
01 Nov 2025
$3,000
$3,285
25 Oct 2025
08 Nov 2025
$3,000
$3,285
01 Nov 2025
15 Nov 2025
$2,700
$2,985
08 Nov 2025
22 Nov 2025
$3,000
$3,285
22 Nov 2025
06 Dec 2025
$2,850
$3,135
06 Dec 2025
20 Dec 2025
$2,520
$2,805
13 Dec 2025
27 Dec 2025
$3,000
$3,285

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Exodus Adventure Travels Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
13,502
Great
3,265
Average
609
Disappointing
146
Terrible
190
A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Comfortable trek with beautiful scenery

This is the third trek I've done in Nepal, the fourth in the Himalayas. I enjoyed the trek, found it easier than Everest Base Camp, the Annapurna Circuit and Lada...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

A wonderful trek in the very heart of Nepal's Annapurna

Annapurna Sanctuary is 14 days of an excellent trek, which is very well organised, with excellent and attentive guides. It is great scenery, with such majestic and...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Peter Hodge

I am aged 62 with a decent overall level of fitness but no previous experience of trekking and limited day hike practice. I found this trek very 'do-able' and a fa...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Nepal Trekking

Ground service was excellent. The guides were professional, well organized and efficient. The distance hiked each day was well planned and made sense. Administra...

A

Anonymous

Mar 2018

Awesome

Fantastic in all respects. The trails were good, ascent and descent almost entirely stepped, nice and quiet . Views were spectacular and the surroundings changes w...

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Other Exodus Adventure Travels Reviews

S

Sheila Bissell

Apr 2025

Written on
Exodus Adventure Travels Company Reviewsby Exodus Adventure Travels

Excellent service

Excellent service

R

Roger hil

Apr 2025

Written on
Exodus Adventure Travels Company Reviewsby Exodus Adventure Travels

Roger

They were very helpful, polite and knowledgeable

G

Gill Barber

Apr 2025

Written on
Exodus Adventure Travels Company Reviewsby Exodus Adventure Travels

Quick invoice receipt sent...prompt

Quick invoice receipt sent...prompt, good service

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Travel insurance
    • Single accommodation (available on request, Kathmandu and Pokhara only)
    • Visas and vaccinations
    • Sleeping bag (possible hire in advance through Exodus)
    • Down jacket(possible hire in advance through Exodus)

Accommodation

3 nights standard hotels, 11 nights teahouses 11 days walking with full porterage Between 6 and 8 hours walking per day Altitude maximum 4130m, average 2440m
We stay in teahouses for most of this adventure, a classic experience for trekkers in the Himalaya. We spend the rest of our time in hotels. The accommodations we typically use are on the day-to-day itinerary; however, below are a few of the notable places we stay on this trip.  Kathmandu: Royal Singi Hotel (nights 1 and 14)  The Royal Singi, a quality three-star hotel, has been welcoming our groups for more than two decades. The name is inspired by the Snow Lion, a mythical creature in Tibetan Buddhism, which represents immense joy, positivity, delight and comfort. The hotel embraces the name with a restaurant, bar, outdoor courtyard, and complimentary wifi throughout. There’s also an Exodus desk in the lobby and an Exodus representative is usually available daily in the mornings and evenings. The Royal Singi is well located near the Thamel district, close to banks, restaurants, shops and attractions.  Annapurna: Teahouses (nights 2-11)  Staying in teahouses is a time-tested tradition for hikers in the Himalaya. They may be basic, but they’re a welcome sight after a day of walking among the spectuacular peaks. The hub of teahouse living is the dining room, which is usually decorated with traditional rugs, sometimes with a stove or heater (some lodges charge a fee to put the heater on). Most teahouses sell snacks and other essentials such as tissues, soap and toilet paper.  We stay in twin-share bedrooms, which come with foam mattresses, bedsheets and a pillow. Remember to bring (or hire) a sleeping bag, rooms are unheated so they can get cold at night.  Worth knowing  Some teahouses above 9,845ft (3,000m) may not be heated due to local environmental restrictions. Occasionally, kerosene burners can be used to heat common areas if requested. We recommend against using these due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Your leader will not offer this to you.  Most teahouses have electricity, but it is not wholly reliable, and lighting may not be bright enough to read by – a torch (flashlight) is essential. Charging facilities are generally only available in the dining room (charged at approximately 200-500 Nepalese rupees/US$1.50-US$3.80 per hour per device). Many of the teahouses use solar power, so sometimes there is not enough electricity for charging. Many also have wifi, though it can be slow and temperamental.  Most teahouses have Western-style toilets, though some may have squat style. Toilet paper is not provided, so you should bring your own or buy it locally (please dispose of it in the receptacle provided). If there is not a flush handle, there should be a container of water to pour down – if it is empty (or frozen), please refill it or ask the lodge to.  Some teahouses have hot ‘showers’ (charged at approximately 250-500 rupees/US$1.90-US$3.80 per shower). Sometimes this is simply a bucket of hot water.  Standards of cleanliness vary, especially in the peak trekking season and in winter when the water freezes at night. Please report any problems to your leader or the teahouse staff and be vigilant in your personal hygiene regime – use soap or hand gel before and after toilet breaks, snacks and mealtimes.  Generally, the higher the altitude, the more basic the teahouse and the more expensive food and services.  Extra accommodation  If you require additional accommodation in Kathmandu, either before or after the tour, we can book this for you (subject to availability). Please enquire with your sales representative.  Single accommodation  If you prefer your own room, we offer a single supplement for the hotel nights in Kathmandu and Pokhara only (subject to availability). While in the teahouses, single rooms cannot be guaranteed so these have not been included in the single supplement price paid in advance. However, if a single room is available on arrival at a teahouse, you can pay locally on a day-by-day basis. 
Cancellation policy

The cancellation policies of this trip when booked through Travelstride are determined by the stated policies of the tour operator - Exodus Adventure Travels.

If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel a confirmed booking you must notify Travelstride in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by Travelstride and will be effective from the date on which we receive it.

Period before departure in which you notify us

From the date your Booking Confirmation is issued up to, and including, 90 days prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.

  • 89 to 52 days (inclusive) prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
  • 51 to 31 days (inclusive) prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
  • 30 days or less prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation, or after the booking has started

Cancellation charge

Deposit can be transferred to a new booking which must be made within 3 months of the date the original booking was cancelled, and depart within 12 months of the new booking date. If a new booking is not made within this period then the deposit will be forfeited. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.

  • 50% of the total holiday cost. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
  • 75% of the total holiday cost. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
  • 100% of the total holiday cost.

For Polar holidays, the following cancellation charges will be made:

Cancellation period (before departure) - Cancellation Fee (per person)

Outside of 180 days - No fee if cancelled within 15 days of booking date. US $1,250 cancellation fee if cancelled 16 days or more of booking date.

179 to 120 days - Loss of deposit.

119 to 90 days prior to departure - 50% of the holiday cost.

89 to 60 days prior to departure - 75% of the holiday cost. 

59 to 0 days prior to departure - 100% of the holiday cost.

For more additional details, see the booking conditions of Exodus Adventure Travels at the following web address: https://www.exodustravels.com/us/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
Breakfast is included throughout the trip. The breakfasts on trek are fixed set menus, usually porridge or muesli with either toast, chapatti or pancake, plus an egg or omelette and a cup of tea/coffee. You may also be able to supplement your included breakfast with additional items on the teahouse menu should you wish. Items not included should be ordered and paid for separately. Please note, some more remote teahouses/lodges are unable to provide an extensive menu due to irregular delivery schedules and during periods of bad weather or a high volume of trekkers, there may be a more limited menu choice. Also, the higher altitude the more expenses the menus and extras generally are. We do not include lunch and dinner on trek allowing you to choose what you want to eat. Lunch will be taken at a teahouse en route – sometimes one of your guides will go ahead with the group’s order to make it more expedient. Dinner will be in the same teahouse that you sleep at (this is custom in Nepal as teahouses base their room rate on it). The menus in the lodges are almost identical to one another but offer a varied choice, ranging from traditional Nepalese dhal bhat to pizza and apple pie. Dhal bhat is the staple diet in Nepal and comes in many different forms but generally comprises curried lentils and meat or vegetables, rice, and a pickle/chutney. Another popular snack is momos, a type of Nepalese dumpling, fried or steamed and filled with meat or vegetables. Meat is available in the teahouses but we advise against eating it on trek. The meat has often been carried in the heat from lower altitudes for several days before reaching the lodges and can cause stomach upsets or illness. Germs can also be spread by handling dirty money – we recommend using hand sanitiser. If you have a gluten-free diet, we strongly recommend you bring extra food and snacks with you to supplement the food on trek as there will be little variety available to you, particularly for breakfast. Even many of the soups are from powder/packets and contain gluten. If you buy imported food and drink on trek you will spend more than the suggested amount. Drinking water Staying hydrated is important when undertaking any physical activity but particularly so at altitude where it is generally recommended to drink at least 100floz to 135floz (three litres to four litres) per person per day. However, we strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water on trek as this contributes to the growing problem of plastic pollution in the trekking areas of Nepal. A few villages along the Annapurna Sanctuary route have safe drinking water stations selling UV-treated water for about 50 rupees (US$0.40) per litre but these are not always open. The teahouses also sell boiled water for approximately 150-300 rupees (US$1.15-US$2.30) per litre (the price increases the higher you trek) which should not require treating. This is also perfect for a bedtime refill as it can double up as a hot-water bottle. Alternatively, all teahouses provide free cold water. Although this should not be drunk untreated, we recommend you bring a reusable bottle/water bladder/Camelpak (ideally two) and use an effective form of water treatment. There are a wide range of products available including Steripens or purification tablets, which are the quickest and easiest options to use on trek – we recommend talking to an outdoor retailer for the latest advice as technologies are improving all the time. Make sure to check the product’s performance in cold/freezing conditions and consider battery life (lithium batteries are best in cold conditions). Exodus has partnered with Water-to-Go, a filtration system that eliminates more than 99.99 percent of all microbiological contaminants from any non-saltwater source – visit Water-to-Go for more information. Exodus customers can claim 15 percent off their first order and, better still, 15 percent of the purchase value will be donated to the Exodus Travels Foundation. These bottles filter the water as you drink through the spout may not be the most efficient while on the go on a trek. Please note, if the water freezes it will clog up the filter. In this event, defrost before use by sitting the filter in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes.
Age Requirements
16 years and up
Additional Information
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Trip ID
exodus-TNS

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