Why is there a night in Pokhara in the middle?
The Poon Hill route ends at Ghandruk 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 hard 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 Poon Hill trek (4 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 moderate trek made of two blocks. The Poon Hill days are three to six hours of steady walking. The Mardi Himal days are longer, and the climb from Forest Camp to High Camp gains about 1,060 m. The base camp day reaches 4,500 m, so you need to be fit and walk slowly.
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. The rhododendrons flower in spring, and autumn has the clearest views.
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. 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.
Secure payment by Himalayan Bank.
