At a glance
| Recommended days | 10 - 14 days |
|---|---|
| Budget level | $ / $$ |
| Daily cost | €15-25 / €35-60 |
| Best season | Oct-Nov · Mar-Apr |
| Region | South Asia |
Day-by-day plan
This route comes from our full Nepal: Annapurna Trek guide - each day below links to the deeper detail there.
- Kathmandu: Durbar Square + old city
- Kathmandu: Boudhanath + Pashupatinath
- Kathmandu: Bhaktapur day trip
- Fly to Pokhara (25 min)
- Pokhara: Phewa Lake + Sarangkot sunrise
- Pokhara → Nayapul → Tikhedhunga (trek start)
- Tikhedhunga → Ghorepani (4h uphill)
- Poon Hill sunrise (3,210m) → Tadapani
- Tadapani → Ghandruk → Pokhara
- Pokhara free day (paragliding, or rest)
- Fly back to Kathmandu
- Kathmandu: Thamel last buy, fly out
Pacing this route
Altitude sets the pace, not the map: the itinerary's acclimatization days in Namche or Manang are non-negotiable, and "climb high, sleep low" is the schedule's spine. Every 500 m gain above 3,000 m deserves a night.
Build weather slack: mountain flights delay and passes close. One buffer day per week of trekking is the difference between rerouting and stress.
Fewer or more days
- Fewer days: Poon Hill (4–5 days) is the classic short trek with the big-mountain sunrise; Langtang (7) is the budget alternative to Everest.
- More days: Annapurna Circuit (14–18) or Everest Base Camp (12–14) — the itinerary's 10–14 day frame assumes one of these plus Kathmandu.
Practical tips for this route
- Pack for the range: 25°C valley afternoons and -10°C pass mornings can share one trekking week — the layering system is the packing list.
- Carry NPR cash on trail: teahouses are cash economies; ATM coverage ends at Pokhara and Lukla.
- Purify water rather than buying bottles — the trails have enough plastic, and a filter pays for itself in three days.
Pair the route with the daily budget breakdown and the best-time-to-visit calendar to lock your dates, or hand the stops to our interactive trip planner.
Related guides
Best time to visit the Nepal Himalaya · the Nepal Himalaya travel budget · Full the Nepal Himalaya guide · Interactive trip planner
FAQ
When is the best trekking season?
October-November (clearest air, busiest trails) and March-April (warmer, blooming rhododendrons, more haze). Both windows need booked Lukla flights and early teahouse arrivals.
How high is too high without acclimatization?
Above 3,000 m the schedule must slow: one night gain per 300–500 m, acclimatization days built in, and worsening symptoms require descent and prompt medical assessment. The itinerary builds these days in — do not skip them.
Is Nepal safe for solo trekkers?
On the main routes, yes — teahouse villages every few hours and heavy foot traffic. Assess terrain, health, weather and personal safety together, and confirm mandatory guide arrangements.
Altitude planning
Plan gradual ascent and do not continue upwards with symptoms. For prevention and treatment decisions, use CDC altitude guidance with advice specific to your route and health.