Trek the Annapurna Sanctuary Route – Self-Launched

Fly into Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) and make your own way to Thamel, Kathmandu's backpacker hub — taxis from the airport cost around £5-8, or pre-book a hotel transfer. Check into a guesthouse in Thamel and spend the evening exploring the chaotic, colourful streets. Grab dinner at one of the many rooftop restaurants and sort any last-minute gear you need from the excellent trekking shops nearby.

🚌Taxi from KTM airport to Thamel (~£5-8)

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Thamel — e.g. Zostel Kathmandu or similar (~£8-14/night)

• →Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM)
• →Take a taxi or pre-paid airport cab to Thamel (~£5-8)
• →Explore Thamel's markets and trekking shops for any last-minute gear
• →Dinner at a rooftop restaurant in Thamel

Take the tourist bus or public bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara — the journey takes around 7-8 hours through stunning Himalayan scenery and terraced farmland. Tourist buses depart from Thamel each morning (~£6-10), or you can take the faster but pricier Greenline bus (~£20). Arrive in Pokhara lakeside and check into your guesthouse. Spend the evening strolling along Phewa Lake and picking up any final trekking supplies.

🚌Tourist bus Kathmandu to Pokhara (~£6-10 per person)

🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel in Pokhara Lakeside — e.g. Zostel Pokhara or similar (~£8-14/night)

• →Board the tourist or public bus from Thamel to Pokhara (~7-8 hours, ~£6-10)
• →Arrive at Pokhara Lakeside and check in
• →Evening stroll along Phewa Lake
• →Final gear check and trekking supply top-up

Arrange a local jeep or shared taxi to Nayapul trailhead (about 2 hours, ~£4-6 per person). Before you leave, ensure you have your TIMS card and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) — both obtainable in Pokhara at the Nepal Tourism Board office. From Nayapul, begin the trek: the trail climbs steadily through forest past waterfalls and remote villages, with views of Machapuchare. After lunch on the trail, tackle the steep stone staircase ascent to Ulleri for your first teahouse night.

🚌Shared jeep/taxi Pokhara to Nayapul (~£4-6pp)

🛏Teahouse in Ulleri (~£3-6/night, often free or cheap if you eat meals there)

• →Obtain TIMS card and ACAP permit from Nepal Tourism Board, Pokhara if not already done (~£30 total)
• →Shared jeep/taxi from Pokhara to Nayapul trailhead (~£4-6pp)
• →Trek Nayapul to Ulleri via dense forest, waterfalls and suspension bridges (~6hrs, 10km, 1186m ascent)
• →First night in a traditional Nepalese teahouse

An earlier morning coffee with panoramic views from the teahouse, then hit the trail through mixed oak and rhododendron forest. In spring, expect a blaze of pink and red flowers. The moderate uphill climb rewards with glimpses of Hiunchuli (6,441m) and Annapurna South (7,219m). Arrive in Ghorepani, home of the Magar people, in time to catch an unforgettable Himalayan sunset.

🚌Trekking (no transport needed)

🛏Teahouse in Ghorepani (~£3-6/night)

• →Trek Ulleri to Ghorepani through rhododendron and oak forest (~4hrs, 8km, 820m ascent)
• →Spot Hiunchuli and Annapurna South en route
• →Watch sunset over the Himalayas from Ghorepani

Set an alarm — you'll want to be at Poon Hill (3,210m) for sunrise. The uphill walk takes about an hour from Ghorepani and the 360-degree panoramic views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, and Machapuchare are worth every cold, dark step. Return to Ghorepani for breakfast, then descend steeply through rhododendron forest via Deurali Pass, stopping for lunch in lush forest surroundings. Continue to Tadapani and then descend to Chuile for the night.

🚌Trekking (no transport needed)

🛏Teahouse in Chuile (~£3-6/night)

• →Pre-dawn hike to Poon Hill summit (3210m) for sunrise (~1hr uphill)
• →Return to Ghorepani for breakfast
• →Trek via Deurali Pass and Tadapani to Chuile (~8hrs total, 15km, 923m up / 1453m down)
• →Spot Annapurna South and Machapuchare from Tadapani

Wake to views of Machapuchare from your teahouse, then head downhill to Kimrong Khola as the forest transforms into dense jungle. Pass through Ghurjung and make the steep ascent to Chhomrong — the last permanent village in the valley and a great spot for lunch and supplies. The trail then descends stone staircases to the river before climbing steeply to Sinuwa, perched above the valley with more magnificent Machapuchare views.

🚌Trekking (no transport needed)

🛏Teahouse in Sinuwa (~£3-6/night)

• →Trek Chuile to Sinuwa via Kimrong Khola, Ghurjung and Chhomrong (~5hrs, 11km)
• →Stock up on snacks and water at Chhomrong — last reliable resupply point
• →Steep ascent to Sinuwa with views of Machapuchare

Descend through dense jungle on stone steps and follow the undulating trail along a wild river through some of the most dramatic terrain on the route. Pass through Bamboo village, rest up, then push on to the appropriately named village of Himalaya for the night. The mountaintop views peaking through the trees make every steep section worth it.

🚌Trekking (no transport needed)

🛏Teahouse in Himalaya village (~£3-6/night)

• →Trek Sinuwa to Himalaya village via Bamboo (~5hrs, 9km, 840m up / 280m down)
• →Follow wild river trail through jungle terrain
• →Rest at Bamboo village before final push to Himalaya

A steep ascent through oak and bamboo forest to Hinku Cave, then a rocky trail crossing ravines and wooden bridges over small streams. At Deurali, navigate the glacial river bank and ascend through birch forest flanked by snowy ridges. Emerge above the tree line to Machapuchare Base Camp (3,700m) — the views here of Hiunchuli, Gangapurna and the full Annapurna Massif are staggering. Settle in early, stay warm and enjoy a night sky full of stars.

🚌Trekking (no transport needed)

🛏Teahouse at Machapuchare Base Camp (~£3-6/night)

• →Trek Himalaya village to MBC via Hinku Cave and Deurali (~4hrs, 8km, 1100m ascent)
• →Navigate glacial river bank and birch forest above tree line
• →Take in panoramic views of Hiunchuli, Gangapurna and Annapurna Massif
• →Stargazing at high altitude

Breakfast with magnificent mountain views, then leave the last of the greenery behind and ascend through snow-blanketed, rocky landscape. The gradient is gradual but altitude will be felt — keep pace slow and steady. Reach Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m), the high point of the entire trek and one of the most famous trekking destinations on Earth. On a clear day, Annapurna I, II, III, Gangapurna, Hiunchuli and Machapuchare surround you in a breathtaking amphitheatre of peaks. Stay for sunset if the skies cooperate.

🚌Trekking (no transport needed)

🛏Teahouse at Annapurna Base Camp (~£4-8/night — prices higher at altitude)

• →Trek MBC to Annapurna Base Camp (4130m) (~3hrs, 4km, 430m ascent) — go slow due to altitude
• →360-degree views of the full Annapurna Massif
• →Watch sunset from ABC (weather permitting)
• →Spend the night at the highest point of the trek

Rise early for the sunrise spectacle — Annapurna I, II, III, Gangapurna, Hiunchuli and Machapuchare all glow in the morning light. Then begin the long descent back through the sanctuary, soaking in 360-degree mountain views before dropping into forested slopes. It's a big day of downhill — knees will feel it — but the beauty more than compensates. Reach Bamboo village for a well-earned rest.

🚌Trekking (no transport needed)

🛏Teahouse in Bamboo (~£3-6/night)

• →Sunrise at Annapurna Base Camp — photograph the full Annapurna range at dawn
• →Trek ABC to Bamboo village (descent, ~6hrs, 18km, 1860m descent)
• →Re-enter the forest zone and watch the landscape transform back to jungle

Climb to Khuldighar on stone staircases, then follow a mostly downhill trail along stone steps to Chomrong Khola. A short uphill through Chhomrong village is followed by a final descent to Jhinu Danda. The reward: a soak in the natural hot springs on the riverbank — a perfect antidote to aching legs after 9 days of trekking. Spend your last mountain night here.

🚌Trekking (no transport needed)

🛏Teahouse in Jhinu Danda (~£3-6/night)

• →Trek Bamboo to Jhinu Danda via Chhomrong (~6hrs, 10km)
• →Soak in the natural hot springs at Jhinu Danda (small entry fee ~£1-2)
• →Celebrate your last night in the mountains

Your final trekking day: descend through mid-hill Nepal with lingering mountain views, taking final photos and breathing in that last hit of Himalayan air. Reach Naya Pul and arrange a shared jeep or local bus back to Pokhara (~£3-6). Back at Lakeside, clean up and head out to celebrate — Pokhara has a great bar and restaurant scene for exactly this occasion.

🚌Shared jeep/local bus Naya Pul to Pokhara (~£3-6pp)

🛏Budget guesthouse in Pokhara Lakeside (~£8-14/night)

• →Final trek descent to Naya Pul (~6hrs, 11km)
• →Shared jeep/bus from Naya Pul back to Pokhara (~£3-6pp)
• →Celebratory dinner and drinks at Pokhara Lakeside

Take the tourist bus back to Kathmandu (~8hrs, £6-10) or upgrade to a domestic flight (Yeti Airlines / Buddha Air, ~30 mins, typically £60-90 — book in advance online). Arrive in Kathmandu and return to Thamel. Spend the evening exploring — try the Garden of Dreams, stroll around Durbar Square, or grab dinner at one of Thamel's rooftop restaurants.

🚌Tourist bus Pokhara to Kathmandu (~£6-10pp) or domestic flight (~£60-90pp)

🛏Budget guesthouse in Thamel (~£8-14/night)

• →Tourist bus Pokhara to Kathmandu (~8hrs, ~£6-10) OR domestic flight (~30 mins, ~£60-90)
• →Check back into guesthouse in Thamel
• →Optional: visit Durbar Square or Garden of Dreams
• →Dinner in Thamel

Enjoy a leisurely last morning — lie in, grab breakfast at a Thamel café, and spend a few final hours exploring. Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple are both within easy reach by taxi (~£3-5) and well worth a visit if you haven't already. Head to the airport for your departure flight — taxi to KTM ~£5-8.

🚌Taxi to KTM airport (~£5-8)

🛏Check-out (no accommodation needed)

• →Leisurely breakfast in Thamel
• →Optional visit to Boudhanath Stupa (~£3 entry) or Pashupatinath Temple
• →Last-minute souvenir shopping in Thamel
• →Taxi to Tribhuvan International Airport for departure (~£5-8)