Why is there a night in Pokhara in the middle?
The Annapurna Base Camp route ends at Nayapul and the Mardi Himal route starts from Kande, so they use different road-heads. Joining them in Pokhara also gives you a night of rest between two long walking blocks.
Is the Pokhara night included?
No. The hotel night is a booking add-on, USD 100 per room for a 3-star or USD 150 for a 5-star, so you can choose your own hotel or ask us to reserve one.
Can I do just one of the two treks?
Yes. We sell the Annapurna Base Camp trek (7 days) and the Mardi Himal trek (5 days) separately, both from Pokhara. This booking puts them together with one guide and one set of arrangements.
How hard is it?
It is a long moderate-to-hard trek. The Annapurna Base Camp days include the Chomrong staircase, a 7-hour day to Deurali and a climb of about 950 m to the Sanctuary. The Mardi Himal days climb about 1,060 m from Forest Camp to High Camp and reach 4,500 m. You need to be fit and to walk slowly.
Is the altitude a problem?
You sleep at 4,130 m at Annapurna Base Camp and 3,580 m at High Camp. Your guide checks everyone's oxygen level with a pulse oximeter and tells you when to slow down. The night in Pokhara between the two blocks brings you down to 820 m, so you start the second trek rested.
What permits do I need?
An Annapurna Conservation Area permit and a TIMS card for each route. We arrange them and the cost is in your price.
What is the best time to go?
March to May and October to November. Autumn has the clearest views, and spring has the rhododendrons.
Is this private?
Yes. Your guide, and your porters on Standard and Luxury, are for your party only, so the trek itself is private, and we never merge separate private bookings. On Budget and Standard the road transfers are in a shared vehicle; on Luxury the vehicle is private too.
What is the difference between Budget, Standard and Luxury?
The route is the same on all three. Budget gives you a guide, simple lodges with shared rooms, the permits and a local shared vehicle, with no porter and no meals. Standard adds one porter for every two trekkers (a solo guest has no porter and the guide carries up to 10 kg of the bag), a private room where the lodge has one, all meals and a shared tourist vehicle. Luxury gives each trekker a dedicated porter, the best available lodge room, all meals, fruit and nuts, unlimited soft drinks and a private luxury vehicle.
Do children pay less?
No. A child pays the same as an adult, because permits, hotels, a seat in the vehicle and taxes cost us the same for a child. Tell us the age of each child when you book so we can plan the days around them.
Who will be my guide?
A licensed guide leads every day. We tell you your guide's name once your booking is confirmed.
What happens if I need to cancel, or you cannot run the trip?
If we cannot run your trip, we refund what you have paid, less taxes, bank or card charges and any money already spent on your behalf, or move you to another date. Plans change? You can reschedule free to any date within one year with at least 72 hours' notice. The deposit itself is not refunded if you cancel.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. Buy travel insurance at home, before you travel, and check that it covers trekking to 4,500 m, medical care, emergency helicopter rescue and the dates of your trip. We do not recommend insurance bought in Nepal.
How do I pay?
You pay a 10% deposit to book and the balance before the trip. We take US dollars or euros, in cash or by card. We cover the card fee on the deposit. Paying the balance by card carries a 3.5% bank charge, and cash in Kathmandu has no fee.
How much does the 12 day Annapurna Base Camp and Mardi Himal trek cost?
Prices start from USD 1,060 per person for 2 to 4 people on Budget, with Standard from USD 1,810 and Luxury from USD 3,490. The price includes both Annapurna Conservation Area permits and TIMS cards, the vehicles from Pokhara to Nayapul and from Pokhara to Kande, and the return from Siding to Pokhara. Budget does not include meals on the trek. The Pokhara hotel night on day 7 is a separate add-on, and so are your international and Kathmandu costs.
Which part is harder, Annapurna Base Camp or Mardi Himal Base Camp?
Annapurna Base Camp is harder on the legs, because on day 3 you go down and up the Chomrong staircase of about 2,500 stone steps before you climb to Deurali and then to the base camp at 4,130 m on day 4. Mardi Himal is harder on the lungs and knees. You start before dawn on day 10 for Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,500 m and come back to High Camp at 3,580 m, then face the long descent to Siding on day 11. We recommend trekking poles for that last descent.
What altitude should my insurance cover on the Annapurna Base Camp and Mardi Himal trek?
The highest point is Mardi Himal Base Camp at 4,500 m, and you sleep highest at Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m). We advise cover for trekking and helicopter evacuation up to 4,500 m. Buy it at home, never in Nepal. Your guide carries a pulse oximeter and checks you each day.
Do I get a porter on the 12 day Annapurna Base Camp and Mardi Himal trek if I travel alone?
On Budget there is no porter, so you carry your own pack. On Standard there is one porter for every two trekkers, so a solo trekker has no porter and the guide helps with your bag. On Luxury every trekker has a dedicated porter, including solo. You can add a porter on any tier for USD 25 per day plus 13% VAT and the 3.5% bank charge.
Secure payment by Himalayan Bank.
