you can be consulted:
We offer you one of the best treks. No exaggeration. We have had dozens of groups on this route and each time we have improved and made it better and more comfortable for participants.
Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) with a local guide is an interesting and rich program. The route is for those who want to discover the world of the Himalayas, but have doubts about their strength or preparation. Yes, this trek compared to the trek to Everest BT will not be so difficult and it is usually difficult to get tired here. Because our transitions are more like "short runs".
The route is quite different from others in Nepal: we will often pass through different climatic zones, just past the thick forests and already visible panoramas of the majestic snowcapped peaks. And almost every day we can see majestic waterfalls, wild rivers, exotic jungles and of course blooming rhododendron bushes.
This trek takes place without the Couloir Team Leader, with a local guide. The difference is that the budget of the hike will be much cheaper and you can choose a more convenient date for you. In this case, you need to know at a sufficient level of English and have a lot of experience traveling alone.
Of course, our consultants, as always, all tips, help with tickets and other organizational matters. So there is no need to worry. Who knows English well, feel free to choose this program.
And who doubts - there is a trek to Annapurna with the Kuluar team leader.
We do not cancel or reschedule groups. If the manager has given permission to buy a ticket, you can buy it with confidence. There will be no cancellation through our fault.
Our Nepali partner will meet you at Kathmandu airport on the first day of the program, take you to the hotel, help you change money, buy equipment if necessary, choose a cafe and give you a tour around the city. All partners are proven by years of cooperation.
We have a list of checked lodges and we try to book only the best ones. Where possible - with amenities in the room.
In Pokhara and Kathmandu we stay in good 3-4* hotels, understanding that you will want maximum comfort after the trek.
Our Nepalese partner will meet you at the airport on the first day of the program and take you directly to the hotel. The guide will tell you and show you where to change money, buy souvenirs and equipment, what and where to eat...
The trek program was finalized several times, and we tried to make it as rich and comfortable as possible. That's why we have all the transfers by booked transfers.
The manager, who will advise you before the trip, has been to Nepal herself and will tell you the details from personal experience!
More than 12,000 participants have already been with Kuluar and 97.8% have been satisfied. We're sure you will, too!
We've been driving this route since 2014. Many groups have already passed since then, and each time we added something new, even better. So that there is more and more comfort and service. We believe that now this track is really one of the most comfortable in Nepal, in all senses.
Kathmandu can safely be called one of the most bustling cities in the world. And this is true. Reichold Messner was very fond of it and called it "the city of life.
Just after you leave the bustling airport, you find yourself in noisy streets filled with noise and rush. At first glance, it often seems like everything is turned upside down here. But that's just the way it is in this city. It's always like this here.
Be sure to visit the tourist district of Tamel after a short rest after your flight, look around and buy a lot of interesting and unique souvenirs, have lunch at local cafes, and talk to the locals. The people here are extremely kind and open. They are always smiling and friendly.
Don't forget the famous Durbar Square!
At this day we are scheduled to go to Pokhara. It will not be short and easy, so we should have patience - unfortunately, there is no other way. They didn't build good highways, so we have what we have.
But upon arrival at the local settlement Nayapul we will enter a true protected area. With unique fauna and a unique atmosphere. We register TIMS and permits and begin our trek to BT Anapurna with a local guide.
Our trail is shrouded in massive rhododendrons, through which it is a pleasure to walk. Right from the start of the trek there will be places where you will want to take lots of photos as a memento.
We are expecting a smooth ascent on the quiet stone steps, among which often pop up to meet the restless local monkeys, and also in the trees and the sky will observe strange and unusual birds. It seems as if we got into the heart of a tale about the jungle and its local inhabitants, and unknowingly became its main characters. The setting and atmosphere around really fairy tale and unusual. And this is still the beginning.
We spend the night and have dinner in the village of Ulleri. Here we suggest to have a mini photo shoot against the background of Hinchuli peak (6441 m).
According to the plan, today should be quite an interesting and rich day. And also - rich in unique landscapes and breathtaking panoramas. We will have to wake up early and, accordingly, get out on the route early. It will not be easy. A lot of steps are waiting for us, but almost all day we will be accompanied by thickets of rhododendrons. If you walk along the route in the period of their blossoming - the fragrance and unforgettable glades of a variety of flowers will be remembered for a long time. Our destination is Gorepani village. Majestic peaks Dhualagiri (8167), Annapurna (8091), as well as Machapuchare (6997) will beckon our eyes and make us pull out our cameras often.
We will get to the village quite early, so we will have enough time to chat with the locals and rest.
Early rise again today. We suggest climbing Poon Hill again. Now here we will meet the sunrise. One of the most beautiful sunrises in the mountains. The mountains will shimmer with different colors and shades - first the light fills everything around, and just a couple of minutes after sunrise the golden glow of sunlight will make everyone look at the surrounding peaks Dhualagiri, Nilgiri and Machapuchare in a different way. It's an enchanting sight, so we take lots of good pictures for photos. Afterwards we go back down to the village. Quickly have breakfast and go further on the route.
It would be wonderful to spend the night in Tadapani, so we take a route there. On the way we pass the small village of Daurali, and watch the majesty of the harsh rocks and ridges.
The day before, for breathtaking sunrises, we had to get up early, go to the mountains. Today, all we have to do is wake up, open the door and all the beauty of the Nepalese peaks is right in front of us. The views are so fantastic that it feels like a dream and it can't be. But in fact, this is reality. The magnificent peaks of Machapuchare, Annapurna South and Hinchuli appeared before us in all their glory. Be sure to make a photo with a cup of coffee or tea in their background!
Ahead of us waiting for a fairly steep descent, and then a short climb, and the overnight stay is planned in one of the small Nepalese villages Chomrong. And again we are in for some incomparable scenery. You can't do without them.
Who wants to leave some extra things behind, we can do it today, because we will be going back along the same trail. By the way, after the descent we'll go to hot springs - it's worth to visit these places for everyone who has already been here.
Today will be remembered for a long time. And the association will be exclusively with thousands of steps. To be more precise - first, I will go down 2114 steps, and then another ascent. Yes, it will not be easy. But at home when you return you can share your impressions with your family and tell them how difficult it was from time to time. The number of steps we ourselves once counted. And this is just one descent. And how many more climbs and descents we have gone? Can't count. The bridge near the Chomrong Khola River will be one of the obstacles on the way, which we will overcome successfully.
We spend the night in Dovan village. Dinner will be especially delicious after such a hike!
The hike today is short, but interesting and unforgettable. In total the ascent will take about 6 hours. On the way we will admire the amazing jungle thickets, we will visit a small but quite extraordinary Hink Cave where a hermit lives.
Nepalis cherish their culture and traditions and we will be able to see this once again as we pass through the local villages and communicate with the locals. We will spend the night in Deoral. It's a small but so colorful village.
We will have lots of time to enjoy the unique views of Machapuchare peak, or as it is also called "Fishtail. Looking closely, you can really see the silhouette of a sea creature. The locals believe sacredly that this is the home of Shiva and climbing to this peak is forbidden.
After check-in we leave our things and walk to the neighboring ridge, where you can enjoy fantastic views of the moraine of Anapruna glacier. There is a chance to take dozens of great pictures - the main thing is to catch the good weather!
Early rise again today, a couple of hours before sunrise. These moments of trekking, though not the easiest, but unforgettable - we will be accompanied by the sky abundantly studded with stars. Ahead of us is Annapurna Base Camp, the very reason of our trekking in Nepal. The place is special. Here you can see a lot of daredevils, who plan to climb this difficult peak. It is interesting to meet and talk with such people. Be sure to wish them luck.
There are many memorial plaques in the camp with the names of those who died on this peak. Including the world-famous Anatoly Bkreyev, who died in 1997 in a snow avalanche.
At the observation point we are going to stay for a longer time. We will take a lot of good pictures, because the views around are simply unbelievable.
After camp we will continue our way, we will spend the night in the village of Bamba. It's much more comfortable and warmer here. Let's warm up and share our impressions of the day.
Today is the day of the steps. Yes, the 2114. Only this time we'll be climbing them. This is definitely more difficult than going down, but we have warmed up well over the past week and we are not scared at all. After a short rest in Chomrong we will continue our trek to the village of Jinu Danda. There are hot springs and fonts there. Those who are brave enough can take a dip in the Modi River. The water there is not just cold, but icy as it flows out of the glaciers of the Himalayas.
Everyone else will enjoy the mischievous monkeys. There are plenty of them in this place.
The hardest part is over. Trekking is fun. The trail has no steep descents or elevations, so there's plenty of time to admire the fantastic scenery. We head to Nayapulu, to the bus that will take us to Pokhara. On the way we enjoy the nature through the window, because then it's civilization. Upon arrival, we rest and have lunch.
The program is as interesting and intense as possible - there is no need to get bored. So to have time to see more, we get up early and go boating on Feva Lake. We will swim to the other shore and go up to the Peace Stupa. There are fantastic panoramas of the whole city and the Annapurna Ring. Then we have a small photo session and go down.
We take the bus to Davis Falls. Here we have the opportunity to visit an extremely sacred place. Next to the unique waterfall is a temple of Shiva. The locals are very appreciative of this temple and cherish its amazing history, including the image of the supreme god himself, which is represented in the form of a six-headed snake imprisoned in a cage.
We try to walk for a long time, because we still have to go to Kathmandu. We reach our destination after dark. We will have a lot of impressions after this day!
How quickly the time flew by! No sooner had you arrived in Nepal than this unforgettable journey was over.
It is strongly advised to buy tickets for late evening, so you can walk around the city more. And there is a lot to see!
The day is a free program and everyone can spend it as they see fit. Some may prefer to just wander around the city, and some may want to visit the sights of Kathmandu.
Ask your local guide for advice - they will be happy to tell you the most interesting and sometimes unknown to the general public of tourists, places.
We are sure that Nepal will always remain in your hearts. And maybe very soon you will come back here again.
Friends, if you want to experience more of Nepal's inner world, we recommend a visit to Chitwan National Park. Elephant trekking is something unforgettable. In addition, you can see the dances of the local natives and even take part in them if you wish.
Time should be set aside for this trip at least 3 days. Local guide will tell you all the organization.
And here is a video of one such trip.
A manager will advise you on equipment, help you find the best flight, share information on hotels and excursions. You make your own payments and purchases. If you want the manager to buy the ticket for you, it is possible, but for extra money, because it's a big responsibility. More in the article: additional services and service charge.
In accordance with weather conditions, the condition and the general wishes of the group, the guide has the right to make changes in the route.
The visa to Nepal is taken directly at the border; the cost of visa for 15 days of stay is 30$. You can find detailed instructions on visa registration here >>. To get visa you need only valid foreign passport, which is more than 6 months from the date of return flight.
To participate in the hike you must be free of diseases that are not compatible with active tourism: list here.
After the trek to Annapurna with a local guide, we recommend the following routes:
Tickets must be purchased in advance, as soon as we confirm your participation in the trek. The cheapest flights are AirArabia and FlyDubai, at $500-$700. Also fly Turkish Airlines, Qatar, etc., with more convenient connections, but ticket prices start at $1,000 and up. Note that luggage may not be included in the original price and you will need to order an extra 20 kg at the time of purchase, or take a package at once, including 1 luggage piece. At check-in at the airport you may be asked to show your card, which was used to pay for the tickets - don't forget it!
You need to be in Kathmandu on the first day of the program during the day, time is not important. If you have a morning flight then you will have time to have a rest from the road, if necessary, go to the market to buy some equipment, to change currency. The next day at 6-7 am we leave for the route.
We recommend to take return tickets for the evening flights on the 12th day to have time to take a tour of Kathmandu and buy some souvenirs.
If you plan to visit Chitwan National Park (elephant safari through the jungle, canoeing on the river with crocodiles...), then add +3 days.
After purchasing tickets, send the details of your arrival/departure flights to your manager.
Use the form below to find the best flight options:
As always, we take care of all the organization and reservations, and our consultants will help with the preparation for the program, selection of air tickets and equipment.
Upon arrival in Kathmandu you will be met at the exit of the airport by our Nepalese representative (with a nameplate or a Kuluar flag), take you to the hotel and help with check-in. If necessary, will organize a tour of the capital, will advise where to eat or buy normal equipment at the local market.
He will instruct you on the timing, give you the tickets and the necessary documents, and the next day he will arrange your transfer to the airport and the flight to Lukla, where an experienced and reliable local guide (with a nameplate or shouting) will be waiting for you. Then you begin the trek accompanied by him. He will be sure to monitor your well-being, give advice, and tell you about the route and local culture.
To participate in the program, you need good insurance that will cover trekking at altitudes up to 6,000 m and include a helicopter evacuation. Please do not neglect this point. It has saved some participants thousands of dollars. Our insurance recommendations can be found here: "Insurance for Kuluar Hikers".
Along the route there will be a mobile connection, 3G internet, but in some places will be lost. To buy a local SIM card you will need a passport and a photo 3x4 (can be taken from home or made there for an extra fee). Wi-Fi is available in every lodge, it costs 100-300 rupees. In larger towns there is free internet in cafes. Charging is available in almost all lodges, the cost may be per hour or per device, price 100-700 rupees.
Type of outlets in Nepal
Programs with a local guide are cheaper and possible for virtually any date.
Participants are required to:
In classic programs, all these issues are covered by the team leader Kuluar.
In Kathmandu we will stay at the Hotel Arts 4*. Standard accommodation in 2-bed rooms.
During the trek we live in lodges, which are tourist shelters with a public shower and toilet (sometimes in the room). Food we order in the same lodge where we live. Rooms are very simple, small, for 2-3 people, not heated. Of furniture there are often only beds. Beds are made with linens, but it is recommended to take your sleeping bag and sleep in it. Upon request, you can ask the hosts for a blanket. Electricity is available in almost all the loggias, but in the rooms there are rarely outlets.
To better understand the living conditions, we highly recommend watching some examples of lodges from our tracks. Click on the name: a nice lodge in Namche Bazar with a shower in the room, a basic lodge in Dole - no shower and with ice in the sink, cool rooms at the Eco Resort in Gokyo, a standard lodge in Chukung, a mug of tea after a night in a room in Gorak Shep. Even if you sleep in other localities, the lodges will be about the same level.
Individual accommodations are possible for the entire program, it costs +$250. Be sure to notify the manager in advance.
The menu at all lodges is extremely varied (different types of eggs, pasta, soups, potatoes, pizza, rice). An interesting feature is that the same dishes in different lodges may be cooked differently and taste completely different! Food prices increase proportionally with altitude. On average, it will take $15-$25 per day to get a decent meal.
For an example, we recommend looking at some of the most expensive prices on the route in the village of Gokyo, and here is a folder with photos of menus and food from other lodges on the trek to Everest.
Let's face it, some people like Nepalese food a lot, but there are also those who "don't get it". Meat is usually scarce on the trek, so you can take some lard and a stick of sausage with you.
These people are porters who carry your things for money. One porter can carry no more than 24 kg. The cost of this service is about $ 20 per day, but you can take one porter for two - it will be twice cheaper! It is not customary to feel sorry for porters, no matter how much they might unload on themselves. Nor is it customary to invite them to your table. Porters have their own room in the lodges where they eat and sleep with their friends. The best thanks on your part would be a tip equal to the porter's daily wage. So prepare an extra $20-30 to tip the porter and the Nepali guide. For more details about the porter's work, see the article "Porter on the trek - to take or not to take".
As in other regions of Nepal, there are two seasons for trekking in the Himalayas, spring (mid-March to late May) and fall (mid-October to mid-December). If you go in early spring, you should be prepared for the fact that there is still a lot of snow on the pass and the approaches to the lakes, and the lakes themselves are hidden under the ice. Closer to the middle of April the first lakes will melt, the snow on the trail will remain only on the approach to the base camp. A big plus during this period is the blooming rhododendron forests, which against the background of snow-white mountains create incredible contrasting pictures. In the afternoon in spring the sky is often covered with clouds and at about 3 or 4 o'clock in the afternoon it may rain or snow. But by this time we usually arrive at the boat house. Also, spring is the active season for climbers of Everest and Lhotse, so the sections of the classic trail will be oooh-full of people and cargo animals. But there is an upside to this - April and May are the base camp full of life, with lots of tents and would-be climbers. Autumn is warmer, there are hardly any clouds, the snow is already melted everywhere; base camp is empty.
Most of the trek is at moderate altitudes. Temperatures will be around +20 degrees during the day and can drop to freezing at night. At the highest overnights the temperature can drop to -15 outside, and to 0...-2 in the rooms. Rains are not frequent. Characteristic weather for the mountain regions is clear mornings and cloudy evenings.
The currency of the country is the Nepalese rupee. The exchange rate is approximately 100 rupees to one dollar. It is noteworthy that Nepalis are very careless about paper money - it is quite normal to puncture a bundle of rupees with a stapler. All expenses along the route are in rupees only. Exchange about $400-500 for them before the trek. Bank cards are only accepted at some points in Kathmandu, so be sure to take cash. Also, ATM cash withdrawals are heavily restricted and charge a fee. You should buy souvenirs at the stalls in Thamel (the tourist district of Kathmandu) rather than on sightseeing tours. Always bargain with Nepalis; sometimes the price can be reduced by several times.
If you are going to Nepal for the first time, you want to see the maximum to fully experience the variety of Himalayan landscapes, walk through jungles and forests and reach the highest mountains of our planet - you are on the right track. This trek is considered the easiest and most accessible in Nepal, so often beginners who are not confident in their strength and tolerance of heights sign up for the group. In addition to the great variety of nature (jungle, gorges, rivers and waterfalls, canyons, mountains large and small) you will also often encounter monasteries and other Nepalese shrines, where you can visit puja, penetrate the spirit of Buddhism. The main highlights of the route are the viewpoints where we go out to meet the sunrise. You will have to get up early and get a little frosty, but the morning views of the mountains will remain the most vivid impressions of your life.
Thanks to the fact that we sleep and eat in the lodges, the backpacks on the route will be light. Besides there is always a possibility to hire a porter, which we highly recommend to all the participants. He will carry the main part of your luggage (up to 12 kg), and you will have a small backpack with warm jacket, water, documents and money. The trek to Annapurna base camp is the easiest by Nepalese standards and can be done by anyone with an active lifestyle. But just to get up from the couch and pass the track will be very difficult. The best preparation for the mountain trek is running (about 5-7 km 2-3 times a week), squats, cardio exercises, which will not only increase your endurance, but also train your legs for the daily transitions. The better your fitness, the easier you will tolerate altitude, acclimatize, and enjoy the trek and the scenery around you more.
Read more about physical preparation for the hike in the article "Training before hiking in the mountains".
Everyone probably knows that Nepal is famous for extremely cheap travel gear. Well, it really is! You can buy a flicer for $5, a down jacket from $30, trekking poles from $10. But you have to understand that despite the tag - it's not branded equipment, but made somewhere in the local basements. There are stores with the original, but prices are the same as ours. In general, do not necessarily carry a whole pile of equipment from home, most you can buy cheap already on the spot. Tourist stores simply unreal number. Read more about equipment in a separate article =>>.
The cost of the program depends on the number of participants in the group:
| Number of participants | Value |
|---|---|
| 5 and more | $750 |
| 4 | $800 |
| 3 | $900 |
| 2 | $1000 |
| 1 | $1550 |
The total amount of mandatory expenses not included in the price is approximately $470 + airfare to Nepal. We recommend that you bring about $300 extra for your trip. Of that, we recommend exchanging about $400-500 to rupees.
We recommend: For $100 you can order a porter (will carry your 12 kg) for the whole trek. Those who have little hiking experience, we strongly recommend ordering a porter at once and not to spoil the experience of the trek with a heavy backpack.
*Please, pay your attention: it's not the manager's task to choose a flight for each participant. The manager gives general recommendations, based on his experience and shares the flights of other participants, so you can fly together. It's up to the participant to select and purchase his own convenient airfare. If you want the manager to buy you a ticket, book a hotel or an additional excursion, read the terms and conditions on the page: additional services.
To reserve a place in the group, you must pay a $400 deposit in advance. These funds are required for passes and hotel reservations. Methods of payment and terms of return in case of cancellation or dropping out of the route here. The rest of the payment must be given to the guide on the first day of the program.
Friends! We kindly ask you to bring banknotes of 2009 or newer. Banknotes from the 90's are not accepted in many countries, and we sometimes have problems with payments to local partners. Thank you for your understanding and new dollars to all :)
