Classic treks to the Annapurna Massif

The Trail

Nepal is about five hundred miles from east to west, and the Great Himalayan Range stretches along its northern border with Tibet. Here we include the most popular treks out of the Pokhara Valley to the Annapurna region. The routes cover some of the most beautiful country and offer some of the finest mountain views in Nepal. Our group treks will enable you to discover exotic Himalayan destinations traveling in small groups supported by our famous Sherpa Mountain guides.

Around Annapurna ~ 20 or 13 days

This is one of Nepal's most renowned treks. The route climbs along the Marsyangdi gorge through the remote valley of Manang to crest the arid, windswept northern flank of Annapurna at the Thorong La, a high but straightforward pass at over 5000m. The route then passes through Jomsom to join the ancient trading link beside the Kali Gandaki River. The location of the Kali Gandaki gorge between Tibet and India made it one of the most important passageways through the Himalaya for thousands of years. From its origin, the river flows south to India carving its way between the two towering massifs of Dhaulagiri (8172m) and Annapurna (8091m). These two giants are only 35km apart, turning the plunge to the Kali Gandaki at Tatopani from their summits into a staggering 6660m gorge - the deepest on earth. This magnificent circuit route draws to a close through the Gurung villages and rhododendron forests of midland Nepal.

Annapurna Sanctuary ~ 15 or 16 days

The Annapurna Sanctuary is a high glacial basin lying north of Pokhara. Situated below a ring of eleven of Nepal's major peaks, it has spectacular views of each of these giants. This magnificent amphitheatre is called a "sanctuary" because of its natural serenity, beauty and the divine presence of the Hindu goddesses Annapurna and Gangapurna. One can sit in the Sanctuary meadows at 4000m enjoying the views of these legendary mountains towering several kilometres above in all directions. (The varieties of alpine flowers and lichens make these meadows brilliant with colour at certain times of the year). This isolated cirque of peaks can only be approached by one route, a deep gorge that carves into the fortress of mountains between Machapuchare and Hiunchuli.

The Royal Trek ~ 4 days

Mountain Travel Nepal designed this trek for His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales in the winter of 1980. It was so well received by the Prince that we have run the same trek every Tuesday from November until March since his visit. "The Royal Trek" as it has come to be known, may be short in duration but it is physically demanding. By Himalayan trekking standards it is easy but there are still many ups and downs! For those who wish to extend their stay in Nepal, this trek is linked to weekly departures by raft down to the Royal Chitwan National Park. Here we can arrange for you to stay at the internationally renowned Jungle Lodge and/or Safari Lodge.

Yak Attack

Machupuchare: The Other Sanctuary ~ 14 or 8 days

Mountain Travel Nepal's founder, Lt. Col. J. O. M. Roberts was, in 1961, one of the first westerners to explore the other side of Machupuchare when he made the first ascent of Mardi Himal (which has since become one of Nepal's so-called "Trekking Peaks" Lt. Col. Roberts coined the phrase "The Other Sanctuary" to differentiate the area from its famous neighbour, the Annapurna Sanctuary. The Other Sanctuary gets away from the popular tea house trails, offering a climb to bamboo and rhododendron forests and high grazing pastures. It offers possibly the finest view point of all for the Annapurna massif and this contrasts with the quiet beauty of the low lying Seti valley and river gorge.

To choose from our list of destinations, please contact us.