The long-form itinerary, day by day, in our own words

On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport you are met by a The Himalayan Gudies representative and taken by private transfer to your Kathmandu hotel, at 1,350 m (4,429 ft). After checking in, you can rest, or stroll through the streets of Thamel, the city’s tourist hub, for souvenir shopping. You sleep in Kathmandu tonight. Dinner is not included

Today is for getting ready. There is a brief pre-trip group discussion, followed by trek preparation at your hotel. Kathmandu is at 1,350 m (4,429 ft), the same elevation as last night, so there is no altitude change. Breakfast is included; other meals in the city are not. You sleep at 1,350 m

An early morning flight of about 30 minutes takes you from Kathmandu to Pokhara, the lake city, from where the Himalaya, including Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna peaks, can be seen in clear weather. A drive of about two hours leads to Syauli Bazaar, where the walking begins: about three hours to Ghandruk, a major recruitment centre for Gurkha soldiers and a hub of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project. You sleep in Ghandruk at 1,940 m (6,365 ft).

From Ghandruk, where Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna South and Hiunchuli can be seen in clear weather, the path climbs through Deurali into dense rhododendron forest. Rhododendron is Nepal’s national flower, and the forests are in bloom in spring. After a small pass you reach Tadapani in about 3–4 hours. Many Tibetans live in the village and sell souvenirs to visitors. You sleep at 2,700 m (8,859 ft).

Beyond Tadapani you leave the main trail and, for the next five days, walk in a more remote part of the Annapurna region. The trail is relatively easy and takes about 4–5 hours, passing through varied flora and fauna, with Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South in view in clear weather. Dobato, where you sleep at 3,350 m (10,991 ft), is dominated by the outlook to Annapurna South

After breakfast the trail descends through open ground and forest to the pastures of Lower Chistibung, then climbs gradually through forest to Upper Chistibung, a temporary herders’ settlement, in about 4–5 hours. The stretch from Dobato includes a narrow ledge flanked by rhododendron. Danphe, Nepal’s national bird, and Himalayan thar are sometimes seen on the grassy ridge above the trail. You sleep at 2,975 m (9,761 ft).

A steady climb of about 3–4 hours leads above the tree line through alpine meadows and pasture to Khopra Ridge, where the tip of Annapurna South comes into view on the approach. After arriving, a short walk down the ridge reaches a viewpoint over the Kali Gandaki river, far below in its deep valley. In clear weather Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri and Annapurna South form the panorama. You sleep at 3,660 m (12,008 ft).

An early start, around six in the morning, leads towards Kaire Lake, with views of the Fang and surrounding mountains in clear weather. The lake is considered sacred by Hindus, and, because Hinduism and Buddhism are closely intertwined in Nepal, shrines of both faiths stand on its shore. The full day takes about 10–11 hours, with a packed lunch; a half-day walk from Khopra can be arranged instead. You return to sleep at Khopra Ridge, 3,660 m (12,008 ft); the lake, at 4,500 m (14,765 ft), is the high point of the day only

From Khopra Ridge the trail leaves the hillside and drops on a steep path for about 5–6 hours, a descent of roughly 1,460 m, to Swanta. Dhaulagiri provides a backdrop to terraced fields and traditional houses in nearby villages when the weather is clear. You sleep in Swanta village at 2,200 m (7,218 ft).

From Swanta the path descends through village fields to a small river and passes a local water mill. It crosses a suspension bridge and climbs to the village of Chittre, where you join the main trekking trail at Ghorepani. After Ghorepani the way descends through rhododendron forest to Ulleri, in about 5–6 hours of walking in total. You sleep at 2,050 m (6,726 ft).

The walk to Nayapul takes about 5–6 hours through the hill landscape of western Nepal, and the trek ends there. A vehicle then takes you about one hour to Pokhara, the lake city, where you check in to your hotel and rest, or stroll the streets. In clear weather the Himalaya, including Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna peaks, can be seen from the city. You sleep at 827 m (2,713 ft).

You leave the hotel early to visit Shanti Stupa, a Buddhist stupa in Pokhara. The day continues with Davis Falls, Shiva Cave and the International Mountain Museum, with boating on Phewa Lake, the largest lake in Pokhara. A late-afternoon flight of about 30 minutes returns you to Kathmandu, at 1,350 m (4,429 ft), where a farewell dinner marks the end of the journey.

Our journey in Nepal comes to an end today. A THG representative escorts you by private transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport, approximately three hours before your scheduled flight. Breakfast is included at the hotel.