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8th Nov 2026 - 19th Nov 2026
12 days/Nepal /Moderate to Challenging
Located 270 km west from Kathmandu, we start our trek to Poon Hill from Nepal’s capital, where you will make a difference at a local community project by taking part in hands-on tasks such as refurbishment and redecoration.
After the project you set off from Poon Hill for the lakeside town of Pokhara and spend five days trekking in the breathtaking Annapurna region of Nepal.
A moderate to challenging trip because of the combination of long days trekking over varying terrain (including some days where you will trek uphill all day), the changeable climate and the basic conditions at the teahouse accommodation. Each day’s trek is between 5 and 8 hours in duration (variable depending on group pace).
The first two days of the trek you will gain altitude so you will spend more time going uphill. On day three you will spend the morning ascending and the afternoon descending, and the final two days will be descending. It is essential that your training includes plenty of hillwalking and trekking up gradients over consecutive days in order to condition your muscles to this type of exertion. Underfoot you will find stony trails, discover muddy forest floors, rocky steps or scree slopes. In some places it will be very dusty (bring a ‘Buff’ to cover your nose/mouth). There are some suspension bridges to cross.
Temperatures are dependent upon the weather which is usually clear and sunny in the morning, with clouds coming in during the afternoon. You can expect days to be sunny and warm (between 15 ÌŠC to 25 ÌŠC) and nights to be cold (between -5 ÌŠC to 5 ÌŠC). It is important to be prepared for all weather conditions and temperatures by packing technical non-cotton layers and waterproofs.
Please note: the conditions above are historically accurate but climate change can lead to uncharacteristic conditions which are out of our control. The guides will assess the situation and make decisions to ensure the best enjoyment and safety of the group.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included throughout the trip as specified on the itinerary. You will eat at local restaurants in Kathmandu and Pokhara and at teahouses along the trail during the trek. Although the food is plentiful during the trek the menus are not varied and most teahouses offer the same variations of rice, potato and noodle dishes, and soups.
A typical breakfast may include a choice between: eggs, omelette, toast, pancakes and porridge.
A typical lunch may include: dal bhat, pasta, noodles, vegetables, rice, soup, fried potato, momos.
A typical dinner may include: soup, dal bhat, vegetables, pasta, noodles/rice, potato dishes.
You will stay at a hotel in Kathmandu for three nights at the start of the trip and one night at the end of the trip. You will stay at a hotel in Pokhara for one night before the trek, and one night after the trek. All hotels have en-suite facilities and are on a twin or triple-share basis. A single-occupancy hotel room may be possible subject to availability and payment of a single supplement. During the trek you will stay for four nights in tea houses with shared bathroom facilities. There will be two, three or four people per room at each teahouse.
Tea houses are locally-owned lodges which comprise of a heated dining area, shared bathroom facilities and bedrooms. The tea houses are comfortable but very simple. You will eat your meals in the dining room and in the evenings you will likely enjoy the warmth of the room to play cards and get to know each other before retiring to bed. Battery charging facilities, soft drinks, hot drinks, snacks, toilet paper etc. are available to purchase from the reception area in the dining room. The bedrooms have mattresses, pillows and blankets but are not heated.
The hotels have en-suite facilities with flushing toilets and hot showers. The shower and toilet facilities at the tea houses during the trek will vary. Most now have gas-powered hot water showers, payable locally (approx. 400-750 rupees). You need to bring your own towel. A highly absorbent but lightweight and fast drying trek towel is recommended.
There will be Western and Asian squat toilets which flush. Toilet paper should always be placed in the bin, not flushed. If you need to use the toilet during the trek day you must find a private area off the trail. Used toilet paper must be packed up into a nappy bag or sanitary disposal bag, carried in your daypack and disposed of properly at the teahouse (please bring your own nappy sacks with you). You should bring one to two rolls of toilet paper for your own use but more can be purchased along the way if you run out. You are advised to bring a small pack of baby wipes and use natural or biodegradable soap/shampoo.
This trek is graded challenging because of the combination of long days trekking over varying terrain (including some days where you will trek uphill all day), the changeable climate and the basic conditions at the teahouse accommodation. Each day’s trek is between 5 and 8 hours in duration (variable depending on group pace).
You will slowly ascend to an altitude of 2800m, then trek to the highest point on the trek at 3400m (Poon Hill) where you will spend a short period of time before descending back to 2800m. Despite 3400m being within the agreed threshold for high altitude (3000m+), your time at this altitude is very limited so you are unlikely to feel symptoms of altitude exposure. Your local guides are experienced in spotting altitude related symptoms but please speak up if you are concerned about how you feel.
London to Kathmandu
Depart for Kathmandu on an indirect overnight flight. Upon arrival in Kathmandu you will transfer to a central hotel. Depending on flight times there may be an opportunity to do some independent sightseeing before gathering together for a briefing on the days ahead and a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Dinner
Kathmandu
Spend two full days at the hospice care project in Kathmandu on a range of tasks such as painting, decorating, gardening. Hospice Nepal is a non-profit organisation in Kathmandu offering services and support to terminally-ill patients and their families. It was set up by a team of local doctors in 2000, and since then has provided free-of-charge medicines, therapies and support to those in need. It is envisaged we will assist with some basic refurbishment at the hospice, such as repainting rooms and improving kitchen or bathroom facilities. Further details will be confirmed nearer the time.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Kathmandu to Pokhara
After breakfast we depart for the scenic drive to Pokhara (approx. 6 hours). Upon arrival in this beautiful lakeside town we check into the hotel then the afternoon is free to take in the sights or even take the opportunity to do some last minute shopping in preparation for the trek!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Pokhara to Birethanti to Ulleri
This morning we transfer to Nayapul (approx. 2 hours’ drive) from where you commence the trek. You will follow the banks of the Bhurungdi Khola River as far as Tikhedhunga (1575m), then it is a steep uphill walk to Ulleri where we stay the night in a lodge.
Approx. 8km trek / 530m ascent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Ulleri to Ghorepani
A day of ascent! Today we will gradually gain more altitude as we walk for about 5 hours uphill to the overnight teahouse in Ghorepani (2900m). As we approach Ghorepani we will pass through stunning rhododendron forests.
Approx. 13km trek / 1400m ascent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Ghorepani to Poon Hill to Tadapani
An hour-long pre-dawn ascent gives us the opportunity to see the fascinating views of the Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri glowing in the morning sun from Poon Hill (3210m). After breakfast back at the teahouse there is a climb to Thapla Danda (3165m) for some fantastic views before a mostly downhill walk through magnificent oak and rhododendron forests, to reach our teahouse in Tadapani, where you will have another chance to enjoy views of Annapurna South and Machapuchare (Fishtail Mountain).
Approx. 11km trek / 700m ascent / 840m descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Tadapani to Ghandruk
The descent to Ghandruk is a shorter and easier walk, mostly downhill. From Tadapani you descend through mossy forests and deep gorges, before the scenery changes to a drier more sparse forest as we approach Ghandruk, where we will stay in a lodge tonight. Ghandruk is a beautiful Gurung Village, where many of the inhabitants are Gurkhas.
Approx. 8km trek / 620m descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Ghandruk to Pokhara
Today is our final day of trekking (approx. 6hrs) as we descend to Birethanti, from where we travel by road back to our hotel in Pokhara.
Approx. 8km trek / 650m descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Pokhara to Kathmandu
This morning we transfer back to our hotel in Kathmandu (approx. 6 hours), stopping for lunch en-route. Upon arrival in Kathmandu we will freshen up before a farewell dinner at a local restaurant this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Kathmandu to London
Transfer to the airport for the return flight to London. You may arrive on Thursday 20 November depending on flight schedules.
Meals: Breakfast
N.B. This itinerary has been prepared in advance so while we do not anticipate changes, this itinerary may be subject to alteration due to flight schedules, hotel availability and other factors outside our control. During the trip itself the itinerary will depend on the group ability, weather and the daily circumstances. Any changes in the itinerary will be made in the interest of group safety and enjoyment. In-country, your guide and tour manager will have the final say in the interest of the health and safety of the group.
Please contact us at accounts@different-travel.com for details on how to pay your deposit or trip costs by instalments.
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