Self-Launched Annapurna Panorama Trek: Kathmandu, Pokhara & Poon Hill

Land at Tribhuvan International Airport and take a pre-paid taxi (~NPR 800–1,000 / £5–6) to a hostel or budget boutique in Thamel or Paknajal. Drop your bags, then sort trek admin: pick up/pay for your TIMS card and ACAP permit at the Nepal Tourism Board office (Bhrikutimandap) or a Kathmandu permits office — budget roughly £35–40 for both. Rent or check any gear in Thamel, then wander Durbar Marg and Swayambhunath at sunset. Eat your first dhal bhat and sleep early.

🚌Airport taxi ~£5–6

🛏Hostel/budget boutique hotel, Thamel (private room £12–20/night)

• →Collect TIMS card & ACAP permit
• →Gear shop/rental in Thamel
• →Sunset at Swayambhunath (monkey temple)
• →Thamel street food & dhal bhat

Take the 7am tourist bus from Kantipath/Sorhakhutte to Pokhara (about 7–8 hours, ~NPR 2,200–2,800 / £14–18) — book through your hostel the night before, or use a shared jeep. Arrive late afternoon at Lakeside and walk down to Phewa Lake for the sunset over the Annapurnas. Book your bus back and your Day 3 jeep/taxi to Nayapul tonight.

🚌Tourist bus Kathmandu–Pokhara ~£15

🛏Lakeside guesthouse or budget hotel, Pokhara (£12–20/night)

• →Scenic bus ride along the Trishuli River
• →Phewa Lake sunset walk
• →Lakeside dinner

Take a local bus or shared taxi from Pokhara's Baglung bus park to Nayapul (~1–1.5 hrs, ~£2–4), passing Lumle and the Modi River. Register your permits at the Birethanti checkpoint, then trek ~2–3 hours uphill through Banthanti to Tikhedhunga (1,540m). Settle into a tea house, order dhal bhat and garlic soup. Ask about the steep Ulleri staircase for tomorrow.

🚌Local bus Pokhara–Nayapul ~£3

🛏Tea house in Tikhedhunga (dorm/private ~£4–7; meals extra ~£8–10/day)

• →Permit check at Birethanti
• →Trek Birethanti–Tikhedhunga (~2–3 hrs)
• →Modi River valley views

The big climb day: ~5–6 hours up the famous 3,300 stone steps to Ulleri (2,080m), then through rhododendron forest via Banthanti and Nangethanti to Ghorepani (2,860m). Fish-tail (Machhapuchhre), Hiunchuli and Annapurna South come into view. Tea houses take bookings on arrival; if you want a specific one, message ahead. Charge devices (small fee) and set an alarm for Poon Hill.

🚌On foot (~5–6 hrs trekking)

🛏Tea house in Ghorepani (~£5–8)

• →Ulleri stone staircase climb
• →Rhododendron forest walk
• →Sunset over Dhaulagiri & Annapurna South from Ghorepani

Head up to Poon Hill (3,210m) around 4:45am for sunrise — a ~1-hour climb, no guide needed, follow the torch-lit trail with other trekkers (~£1–2 viewpoint entry). Panorama includes Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, Nilgiri, Annapurna I–IV, Varaha Shikhar, Lamjung Himal and Fishtail. Back for breakfast, then trek ~5–6 hours over the Deurali ridge through rhododendron forest to Tadapani (2,630m).

🚌On foot (~6–7 hrs trekking total)

🛏Tea house in Tadapani (~£5–8)

• →Poon Hill sunrise viewpoint
• →Ridge trail Ghorepani–Deurali–Tadapani
• →Annapurna South close-up views

Descend ~2 hours through forest to the Gurung village of Ghandruk — worth an hour exploring the old stone lanes and the Gurung museum before continuing ~1.5 hours down to Kimche (or take a shared jeep from Ghandruk if your legs are done). From Kimche catch a shared jeep/local bus back to Pokhara (~2 hrs, ~£3–5). Reward yourself with Lakeside momos and a cold beer.

🚌Shared jeep/bus Kimche (or Ghandruk)–Pokhara ~£4

🛏Lakeside guesthouse, Pokhara (£12–20)

• →Ghandruk Gurung village & museum
• →Descend through terraced fields
• →Lakeside evening in Pokhara

Morning free at Lakeside — optional boat hire on Phewa Lake (~£3) or the World Peace Pagoda walk. Take the afternoon tourist bus back to Kathmandu (~7–8 hrs, ~£15), arriving in the evening. Check into a Thamel guesthouse and, if you have energy, catch a rooftop dinner with the city skyline.

🚌Tourist bus Pokhara–Kathmandu ~£15

🛏Budget boutique hotel, Thamel (£12–20)

• →Phewa Lake boating or World Peace Pagoda hike
• →Bus back to Kathmandu
• →Thamel rooftop dinner

Last morning for a quick Boudhanath or Kathmandu Durbar Square visit if time allows, buy last-minute souvenirs (pashmina, tea), then take a pre-paid taxi to Tribhuvan Airport (~£5–6). Allow 3 hours before an international flight.

🚌Airport taxi ~£5–6

🛏—

• →Optional Boudhanath stupa visit
• →Souvenir shopping in Thamel
• →Airport transfer