Annapurna Panorama Trekking

Would you like to hire a porter?

Hiring a porter for the Annapurna Panorama Trek costs $20 per day. If you're in a group of three, you can share a porter for just $7 per person daily. This covers the porter’s wages and insurance. Each porter can carry up to 24kg of luggage. We provide double bags free of charge.

The Best Time of Year for the Annapurna Panorama Trekking:

The best seasons for trekking in the Annapurna region are spring (February to late April) and autumn (late September to late November). Winter is also possible, especially for Ghorepani, Annapurna Base Camp, and Kali Gandki Treks. However, the Annapurna circuit is likely to be closed as the higher passes on Dhaulagiri may have too much snow at this time. During winter there are very few tourists. Some people prefer this season, as they enjoy the beauty of the snow, and the environment of the remote areas without the influx of foreigners.

Cultural Aspects of the Annapurna Panorama Trekking:
The most prominent ethnic groups in the Annapurna region are the Gurungs, Thakali, and Manangba. The Gurungs are the most widely dispersed, being found from the hills of Gorkha district to as far West as Palpa. The Thakalis come from the upper Kali Gandaki Valley around Jomsom, where their traditional farming has been supplemented by trade, in particular the hotel and restaurant business.

Spending Money per Day:

Although it depends on your spending habits, you should allocate US$ 10 - 15 per meal in Kathmandu. On the trek, your meals are included, but you may wish to purchase extras which are not included in your package, such as chocolate bars, Coca Cola or a beer. US$10 - 15 a day should be enough, but keep in mind the cost of all items increases proportionately with the distance from the trail head.

Safe Drinking Water on the Annapuran Panorama Trekking:

While trekking, it is important to keep hydrated; you should drink at least 3 liters of water each day. In the Annapurna Region there are Euro-guard filters, so all you need is your own water bottle and you can refill it easily. We suggest you bring a supply of water purification tablets in case Euro-guard water is not available. We request that you avoid using bottled mineral water, as the bottles are not easily disposed of.

We suggest that you drink boiled water or bring chlorine tablets to purify the normal water available in the guest houses along the way. There is a small fee charged for the boiled water. Several guesthouses have Euro-guard filters. Although mineral water is available in most places, there is no provision to dispose of the plastic bottles, so we encourage the guests to do what they can to protect the environment.

Washing and Toilet Facilities on the Annapurna Panorama Trekking:
Most lodges offer hot showers, though sometimes a hot shower means a bucket of hot water. You can ask your trekking guide about the availability. For ecological reasons please try and limit your use of hot water unless the water is solar-heated. Please note that at higher altitude and in colder seasons there is very little chance to have enough hot water for all the trekkers. If the water is frozen then ask your guide to get warm bowl of water. Every lodge will have some kind of hand washing facility but it is good idea to carry a bar of soap with you.

Toilets may be commode style or Asian squat style and vary in how clean they are. Normally toilets are outside the lodge but now some lodges have attached or indoor toilets. The rubbish bin in the toilet is kept for your used toilet paper.

Re-charging Batteries of Electronic Items on the Annapurna Panorama Trekking:
You can recharge your digital camera, iPod, batteries etc. with electricity or solar power sources. You may need to buy an adaptor in Kathmandu before the trip since the plugs in Nepal might be different. The lodges charge a small fee per hour for recharging facilities. Nepal uses 220-240 volts to power your appliances. The sockets fit both round and flat plugs.

Garbage Disposal:
Don’t throw anything into the fire in any house, Buddhist or Hindu. In most cultures the household gods live in fire.

Travel Insurance for the Annapurna Panorama Trekking:
Annapurna Foothills Treks and Expeditions strongly recommends you have sufficient insurance coverage to go into this remote area. You need specialized travel insurance that covers emergency evacuation, injury, lost baggage, liability and medical treatment. Make sure the insurance covers all the activities that you will be undertaking during your stay in Nepal. Annapurna Foothills Treks and Expedition Pvt. Ltd. can organize the appropriate medical response based on your policy.

How can I plan and confirm my Trip?
Annapurna Foothills Treks and Expedition is a government licensed trekking and touring company in Nepal. On the following terms and conditions, we accept your bookings.

In order to confirm your bookings we require a non-refundable deposit US$ of 15% down payment in advance is mandatory to book the flight tickets and hotel booking and permit process too. Bookings must be done 60 days prior to your planned trekking date, to reserve a place. This amount can be sent by bank-to-bank transfer, Western Union, money grams, or credit card (telex transfer or wire transfer). And the rest of the money must be paid to us upon arrival.

Annapurna Panorama Trekking Packing List:

The following information will give some idea about what you need to bring for the trek as the back pack for the Ghorepani Poonhill Trek.

Upper Body:

• Warm beanie hat
• Sun Hat or Cap (cap and buff all fit under your hood)
• Polarized Sunglasses with UV protection
• Headlamp (Black Diamond / Petzl) with spare batteries
• Sunscreen with factor 50+

Upper Body (Core body):

• 1 Light and trekking weight thermal tops
• 2 T-shirts or cool-max trekking shirts
• 1 Fleece Jacket or pull over (Merino, soft shell)
• 1 Warm Jacket

Lower Body:

• 1 Thermal base layers (merino or polartec power dry)
• 1 Pairs trekking pants, preferably that zip on/off at the knees so they double as shorts.
• 1 Waterproof/ Rain pants
• 3 Under wears (merino)

Hands:

• 1 Lightweight gloves or liner gloves

Feet:

• 2 Pairs of liner socks
• 1 Pairs of thick/ warm socks
• Trekking Boots (waterproof, ankle support with rigid sole)
• Lightweight Rubber Shoes / Trainers / Trail Runner to wear at the Tea Houses

Accessories:

• 1 Daypack (approximately 2500 to 3000 cubic inches) 40 - 50 Liters
• 2 Water bottle or camel bag, 1-liter (one with an insulated cover is recommended)
• Large duffle bag (and a lock as the porters will carry this), if you hire a porter
• A pair of adjustable Trekking Pole
• Camera with extra battery
• Sleeping bag (- 15 C depending upon trips)
• Sleeping Bag liner
• Raincoat
• Ear Plugs
• Smart Trekking Watch

Personal First Aid Kit:

Please do note that our trekking guides will be too carrying the first aid kit with them especially for the guests and the entire team as a whole. Still, we suggest the following items to be carried with you while trekking in the Himalaya of Nepal.

Personal Medication

• Diarrhea Stopper (e.g. Imodium)
• Paracetamol Tablets
• Small Swiss Army knife (which has knife, scissors and tweezers)
• Diamox for altitude (consult your doctor about this)
• Water Purification tablets or drops
• Blister kit / Zinc Tape
• Hand Sanitizer
• Dressing Gauze
• Antibiotic Cream