Annapurna Homestay Trek
5 Days Starting and ending in Pokhara
Visiting: Pokhara/Kalikasthan - Yangjakot trek (1440m), Yangjakot - Tanting trek (1580m), Tanting - Siklis trek (1980m), Siklis to Ghale Gaun trek (1620m), Ghale Gaun to Bhurjung Khola trek/Pokhara
Tour operator:
Tour code:
HNAA
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99 years
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
Travel to Nepal and hike through the Annapurnas, one of the most naturally beautiful regions on the planet, on this active adventure. Through rocky terrain, lush forests and fields of wildflowers, and under the shadow of snowy peaks, spend each day walking through the wonder of nature. Stop and rest at rural villages for a glimpse into a simple, traditional life. Reach a prime vantage point which offers panoramic views of the awesome Annapurna region – a true highlight of an unforgettable journey.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Pokhara/Kalikasthan - Yangjakot Trek (1440M)
Location: Pokhara/Kalikasthan - Yangjakot trek (1440m)
Accommodation: Homestay
Namaste! Welcome to Nepal.
Meet your trek leader at the Pokhara office at 9.00AM ready to embark on a scenic drive to the outlying village of Kalikasthan. Enter a world of friendly villagers, terraced fields, alpine meadows and rhododendron forest set before a back-drop of snow-clad peaks. Begin with a walk down to the Modi river (2hrs approx). Along the way pass through delightful little villages and enjoy mesmerizing vistas of the Lamjung Himal and Annapurna II mountains.
Cross over a long suspension bridge in the Modi Valley, pass through a densely shaded Sal forest, and ascend steeply to the village of Chachowk. Continue on to the village of Yangjakot where we spend the night in a homestay (3hrs approx.) (1440m).
Trek Distance: 10 km
Approximate Duration: 5 hours
Ascent: 800 m
Descent: 530 m
Day 2: Yangjakot - Tanting Trek (1580M)
Location: Yangjakot - Tanting trek (1580m)
Accommodation: Homestay
This morning take a gradually descending track down to the Modi Valley (1.5hr approx). Cross the river and follow the path on the western flank of the river to the village of Chasu (1.5hr approx). A long flight of steep but well-laid stone steps tests your fitness and takes you past verdant terraced fields to Tanting (2hrs approx). This Gurung village is typical of the raw beauty of traditional Nepalese hillside villages. We spend the night in a homestay (1580m).
Trek Distance: 14 km
Approximate Duration: 6 hours
Ascent: 1150 m
Descent: 950 m
Day 3: Tanting - Siklis Trek (1980M)
Location: Tanting - Siklis trek (1980m)
Accommodation: Homestay
This morning take the gradual descending track down to the river (1.5hr approx). After crossing, head to uphill to Siklis, where we stop for the day ( 2.5 hr approx) (1980m).
You'll be hard pressed to find a more delightful place to spend your day than Siklis, a village with welcoming inhabitants, picturesque terraced fields, alpine meadows and views of the giants of the Annapurnas section of the Himalayas: Annapurna IV (7,525m), Annapurna II (7,937m) and the monolithic hulk of Lamjung Himal.
There are many activities with which to fill your time in this village. You can hike to viewpoints, explore the surrounding villages, and soak up the rhythm of local life. You can also help your host with the daily chores, perhaps getting your hands dirty in the farms!
Trek Distance: 6 km
Approximate Duration: 4 hours
Ascent: 725 m
Descent: 420 m
Day 4: Siklis To Ghale Gaun Trek (1620M)
Location: Siklis to Ghale Gaun trek (1620m)
Accommodation: Homestay
After a tranquil day in Siklis, set out on the longest section of your trek. Leave the village and enter deep woods trekking westwards with snow-capped peaks to your right. Make a steep climb up to a grassy wooded knoll known as Tara Top (4hrs approx) (2800m). This is the vantage-point for a spectacular 360-degree view that encompasses most of the Annapurna massif. Clear skies will allow for unforgettable memories of this majestic panorama.
Descend through shady forests of rhododendron hung heavy with lichen and moss, with wild flowers on the sunnier banks and wild orchids attached to the branches above us, before arriving at Ghale Gaun (approx 3hrs), our stop for the night (1620m).
Trek Distance: 13 km
Approximate Duration: 8 hours
Ascent: 910 m
Descent: 1220 m
Day 5: Ghale Gaun To Bhurjung Khola Trek/Pokhara
Location: Ghale Gaun to Bhurjung Khola trek/Pokhara
Head down to Bhurjung Khola, a tributary of the Seti River, following it south until you reach the road-head (2hrs approx) where your transport awaits to return you to Pokhara (1.5hr drive).
Our trip finishes in Pokhara this afternoon around 1pm. Extra accommodation or a transfer back to Kathmandu are available. If you wish to leave today, you will need to book a flight as buses to Kathmandu all leave before 1pm. Please speak to your agent when booking.
What's Included
What's Not Included
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International Travel
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Tipping and Gratuities
Included Activities
Transport
- LUGGAGE LIMITS:
- Domestic flights in Nepal have strict weight limits - 10kg of check-in luggage and 5kg of carry-on hand luggage per person is included with your flight ticket. Excess baggage (up to 5kg per person only) will be charged at your own expense.
- TRAVEL BETWEEN KATHMANDU & POKHARA:
- On itineraries that include road travel between these destinations, past travellers have often decided to fly this route independently to avoid the long overland journey (200km, approx 6+ hours). The flight takes around 35mins. Should you decide to fly, this will be at your own expense with no refunds for road travel available.
- ROAD TRAVEL:
- Roadworks and infrastructure projects can cause significant delays on major roads within cities and highways between destinations. Road travel can also be disrupted due to demonstrations and bandhs (strikes) without warning. Major roadworks are currently ongoing in and around Kathmandu and the roads to Chitwan National Park. Delays, heavy traffic, poor road conditions and dust are a reality of road travel in Nepal.
- MONSOON:
- The monsoon season is from June to September and weather conditions can disrupt travel during this time due to flooding and landslides. Disruption of air travel and airport closures are also possible. Be prepared that the itinerary may need to change at short notice.
Accommodation
- TEAHOUSES:
- Accommodation at local lodges - better known as teahouses - are simple but comfortable. Toilets and washing facilities are shared and rudimentary, and the food is plain and filling. In a teahouse, travellers are provided with small twin share rooms with twin beds, mattresses and pillows. At times, in high seasons, and in places where there are limited number of teahouses, travellers may have to make do with dormitories. In some places, teahouses don't have access to electricity, depending on solar powered lighting instead. In more remote regions, teahouses don't have running water and toilets can mean just a hole in the ground. Hot shower facilities are available in some teahouses for a price but occasionally a hot shower means a bucket of hot water, enough to wash your body. Electricity to charge devices as well as WiFi is usually for an additional fee when available.
Important Information
- 1. This trip starts in Pokhara Day 1 at 9 am and finishes in Pokhara on Day 5 at approx 1 pm.
- To enable the trip to depart at 9 am, please meet your group leader or local representative at Dahlia Boutique Hotel listed in the Essential Trip Information the day prior to departure at 5 pm for a pre-departure meeting.
- 2. Tourist buses all leave Pokhara by 1 pm, so if you wish to depart on Day 5 for Kathmandu you will need to arrange a flight to Kathmandu on that day.
- 3. Between June and August, it is monsoon season in Nepal. If you do choose to travel during this time, please note that you will encounter wet conditions, obscured views, and an extra leech or two. During the monsoon, there is a chance that your itinerary may be adjusted pending water levels in rivers. Don't forget to pack rain proof jackets and trousers. Please see alternative monsoon season itinerary in the weather section of these notes.
- 4. This is a join-in trip, so if other travellers have booked on the same date you will share included activities.
- 5. The single supplement price does not guarantee you will have a single room on our short break trekking trips in Nepal. While we try our best to secure a single room, due to the nature of trekking during peak seasons, teahouses will not guarantee them.
- 6. You may be asked to provide TWO passport size photographs for your trekking permit.
- 7. Please be aware that in the event of an emergency evacuation, Intrepid does not have control over which helicopter service may be used. Some helicopters are not in regular use with Intrepid and have not passed our internal safety auditing.
Mode of Transport
- LUGGAGE LIMITS:
- Domestic flights in Nepal have strict weight limits - 10kg of check-in luggage and 5kg of carry-on hand luggage per person is included with your flight ticket. Excess baggage (up to 5kg per person only) will be charged at your own expense.
- TRAVEL BETWEEN KATHMANDU & POKHARA:
- On itineraries that include road travel between these destinations, past travellers have often decided to fly this route independently to avoid the long overland journey (200km, approx 6+ hours). The flight takes around 35mins. Should you decide to fly, this will be at your own expense with no refunds for road travel available.
- ROAD TRAVEL:
- Roadworks and infrastructure projects can cause significant delays on major roads within cities and highways between destinations. Road travel can also be disrupted due to demonstrations and bandhs (strikes) without warning. Major roadworks are currently ongoing in and around Kathmandu and the roads to Chitwan National Park. Delays, heavy traffic, poor road conditions and dust are a reality of road travel in Nepal.
- MONSOON:
- The monsoon season is from June to September and weather conditions can disrupt travel during this time due to flooding and landslides. Disruption of air travel and airport closures are also possible. Be prepared that the itinerary may need to change at short notice.
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
On Short Breaks, you maintain a good level of independence and freedom, with the added bonus of having the details sorted out for you. You’ll have lots of free time and you won’t be accompanied by a Trip Leader. This means that all included activities and tours will be run by different local Intrepid partners, and these may operate independently from each other. The included activities and transfers will operate on a join-in basis, which means that you could have your Adventure all to yourself, or others may join you along the way. If you would prefer to travel in a group with a dedicated Trip Leader, just get in touch with your booking agent and they will take you through some alternatives.
While no where near as challenging as a multi-day trek at altitude such as Everest Base Camp, you will still need excellent fitness for this trek as you will be trekking on average 5–7 hours a day, with some travellers reporting the final trekking day as the longest and toughest.
This trek consists mainly of climbing and descending ancient stone steps. We recommend the use of hiking poles which can be purchased for very little in Pokhara and Kathmandu or alternatively, you can bring your own from home.
Take note of the time of year you are trekking to know what to expect weather wise. While June–August is monsoon, weather conditions can be unpredictable at any time of the year including rain and fog which can make views cloudy and the ground muddy.
A duffel bag is provided on this trip, along with a porter. Your porter can carry up to 8 kg per traveller. Other luggage can be left in Pokhara. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions