You are invited to experience the path of the warrior to the base of the 10th highest mountain in the world, Annapurna. Surrounded by the great Himalayas, the life force of Nepal, we will be meandering through villages, tribal communities, settlements, streams, forests, experiencing breathtaking sunrises, we will see eleven snow capped mountains. This fully supported 9 day tea-house trek promises to be a once in a lifetime experience as we enjoy the wild flowers of Nepal.

What you can expect? - An Adventure of a lifetime

• An adventure that can be slowly savoured in nature as you increase your sense of spaciousness
• Immediate application of tools and techniques for coherence which can be integrated with daily practice
• An opportunity to work on defining and creating the life you desire
• To be challenged beyond your comfort zone
• To learn about your body’s energy patterns and embodying them as you face each day​
• An opportunity to reconnect, restore, slow down, get fit, eat well, go local, unplug and step out of your comfort zone

The Invitation - Journey into wholeness
This is the ideal adventure for you if you are an avid hiker looking for a chance to explore your inner world in a supportive facilitated environment, if you are looking to make meaningful changes in your personal or professional life, if you have an internal longing for more satisfaction in your life, if you are ready to step into something new. In addition to local guides and porters, this trek will have 2 facilitators with over 25 years of experience travelling the world who will coach you as you step beyond the familiar, a new world may open up that allows you to explore something deeper, as you discover untapped strengths.

Cost
$4,950* per person, double occupancy
LAND ONLY (Based on a maximum group of 10 people)
*Price excludes International Airfares, Nepal Visa arrangement, travel and rescue insurance, lunch and dinner in Kathmandu or Pokhara, drinks, tips for guides and porters, personal expenses and personal items and equipment.

What is included

• 3 nights of accommodation with breakfast in Kathmandu, 3 nights of accommodation with breakfast in Pokhara
• Custom tour of Kathmandu, holy stupas and monument, Annapurna Conservation Area Permits
• Teahouse/Lodge accommodation during the trek and all meals during the trek
• Guides and Porters, Ground transportation, Duffle bag that includes sleeping bag and a down jacket for use during the trek
• Personal coaching throughout the hike

Over the last 20 years, Shakeela has tailored several expeditions through some of the most breathtaking regions of South America, Asia and Africa.

Please contact Shakeela at [email protected] if you are interested in this adventure which is expected to sell out.
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DAILY ITINERARY - April 4- April 2022 

Day 1 - Welcome to Nepal! Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, You will be met by a representative at the airport and driven to your hotel. Check in at your hotel and take some time to relax and unwind from your journey or take a stroll around Thamel area.

Day 2 - We start our day after breakfast with a whole day sightseeing around UNESCO world heritage sites at Kathmandu. Starting from Kathmandu Durbar Square, we visit the monkey temple of Swayambhunath, then take a drive to Pashupatinath and finally end at Boudhanath. All these are heritage sites that showcase the best of Nepal culture, Hindu and Buddhist religion, values, along with a range of architectures and temples.

We will have a pre-trip meeting and complete our trek preparation. Meet your trekking guide, get familiar with the trek and team.

Day 3 - We drive to Pokhara enjoying the lush green valleys, ridges, rivers, fields and settlements and have lunch along the way. Our destination for the day is lake city, valley of the seven lakes, Pokhara, we enjoy the town, take a walk around the lake side of Phewa Lake or you can enjoy the artisans and local drinking establishment. We stay overnight in Pokhara.

Day 4 - The Annapurna Trek begins North of Pokhara. We will be dropped off at Nayapul which is the start of our trek. We shall traverse through suspension bridges, bamboo forests, passing through a small town, Birethanti, we will pass a large waterfall and finally arrive at Tikhedhungasmall.  We will be staying overnight at a local teahouse. Walking time: 4 to 5 hours
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Day 5 - After breakfast, we will climb more than 3000 stone stairs to arrive at Ulleri. We will have incredible views of Annapurna along the route. We will make our way through meadows, forests and river streams. Surrounded by wildflowers, rare birds can be spotted - heavenly for keen bird watchers. We shall stop for lunch at Nangethati.  We shall continue our trek to Ghorepani which will be our final destination for the day. We will be staying overnight at a local teahouse. Walking time: 5 to 6 hours

Day 6 - We shall rise in time to see panoramic views of Annapurna Himalayan Ranges from Poon hill. Watching, as the golden rays of sun slowly reveals the snow capped mountains, The view of Dhaulagiri, Machapuchare, Annapurna South, Himchuli, Nilgiri and other nearby himlayas can be seen. After enjoying the breathtaking scenery, we will make our way down through lush forests towards Tadapani. We will be staying at a local teahouse. Walking time: 5 to 6 hours,

Day 7 - We descend and lose altitude from Tadapani to Gurjung Village. We pass through waterfalls, suspension bridges and traverse valleys as we arrive at Chhomrong. Chhomrong is a beautiful village located at the lap of Annapurna Himalayas and has excellent views of the snow capped mountains. We will be staying at a local tea house. Walking time: 5 to 6 hours,

Day 8 - We leave Chhomrong and follow the river gorge. Our hike takes us near Chhomrong River, where we go over a suspension bridge and come out of the side valley through bamboo, rhododendron and oak forests. We hike through a lush green forest, taking in the abundance of flora and fauna and arrive at Dovan by the end of the day. Our accommodation will be at a local teahouse. Walking time: 5 to 6 hours,

Day 9 -We start our day with a climb through bamboo forests and can enjoy the valleys, rivers and flowers with the many stone steps. Deurali is at foot of Modi Himal which will be our lunch spot. After lunch, we cross the small bridge at Modi Khola, and continue hiking towards the scattered glacial valley. From here, we can see the other side of Fishtail Himalaya, you can experience a difference in vegetation. After a couple of hours of hiking, we follow the Modi Khola again, which will be our destination for the night before we go arrive at the Annapurna base camp. As we are very close to the Himalayas, the views become even more spectacular upclose. We stay overnight stay at a local teahouse. Walking time: 3 to 4 hours,

Day 10 - A short hiking day as we approach the destination and major highlight of this trek. We hike for a couple of hours and arrive at the Annapurna Base Camp. This area is also known as Annapurna Sanctuary.  We will feel like we are being surrounded by the high Himalayas from all directions. We are free to explore the Annapurna Base camp throughout the day. Accommodation will be at a local tea house. Walking time: 2 to 3 hours,

Day 11 - We rise before the sun so that we can witness another glorious sunrise. We return to the teahouse for breakfast and make our way to Bamboo. We start our descent and pass through beautiful glaciers, forests; arriving in Bamboo. There will be huge drop of 2000 meters in elevation. Accommodation will be at a local lodge. Walking time: 6 to 7 hours

Day 12 -We continue our journey back to where we began. We hike head to Chomrong through a range of terrains, and slight ascends. We take the stone stairs down and cross the river. With couple of ascend and descends, we arrive at Jhinu Danda and visit the natural Hot Spring and take some time to relax. After relaxing our muscles, we step into a local teahouse for an overnight stay. Walking time: 5 to 6 hours.

Day 13 -As we leave Jhinu Dada, we descend passing rivers, valleys and hike through the forests. We traverse the valleys with ascends and descends and arrive at Sauli Bazar and Nayapul. From Nayapul, we drive to Pokhara and conclude our trek. We will stay at a local lodge. Walking time: 5 to 6 hours.

Day 14 - Optional excursion in Pokhara - Chitwan Safari or Everest Base Mountain Flight (extra fees for day excursion)

Day 15 - We drive back to Kathmandu. We will have a farewell dinner at a cultural restaurant with performances. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 16 - you will be escorted to TIA for your scheduled international flight.


Preparing your body for the hike

Fitness and getting hike ready
The hike to the Annapurna Sanctuary is comparatively easier than other high altitude treks and anyone who loves to travel with an average fitness level can join this hike. Previous trekking experience is not required. This is considered a suitable first time trek in Nepal. The best way to begin your preparations is to workout daily and include cardio exercises such as running, skipping, treadmill, elyptical, cycling or other activities that help you build your stamina to take on the challenge of hiking for 5/6 hours a day.

Medical issues
If you are taking any medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, neurology and respiratory system, please consult your doctor.

Equipment List

Please note that the weight limitation for each hiker is 15 KG
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To make the most of this hike, having the appropriate clothing and equipment is essential. A duffel bag will be provided. The bag will be carried by porters or yaks. Any valuable and travel clothes not needed can be left in the hotel at Kathmandu.

Personal belongings that you may need for the day (during the hike) like money, water bottle, rain gear, camera, sun cream, any layers that you may need for the day and toilet paper etc., should be carried in your daypack as the porters carrying your luggage will walk ahead of you and you will not be able to access your personal items until the end of the day.

Most trekking in Nepal starts with warm, low altitudes and the weather gets colder as we gain altitude. It will be necessary for you to be able to control your comfort by adding or taking off layers as needed. You may start your day in t-shirt and shorts, and may end the day with a down jacket, warm pants, a hat and gloves.

Be prepared at all times whilst trekking to experience changing weather conditions. A day that starts sunny and clear could become cold and windy as you gain altitude. It can rain or snow at any time during the day or trekking season. Remember, your physical comfort and well-being greatly influences your ability to appreciate the environment. Hopefully you may not need all your rain or cold weather gear, but being prepared for any weather is essential.
Consider clothing that can be used for many occasions and travel sized personal care items.

Be aware that your sleeping bag and duvet jacket have to fit in your duffel bag which is commonly referred to as a kit-bag. This sausage-shaped zippered hold-all style bag is 80cm long x 40cm wide x 40cm deep. All your clothing and equipment for the trek should be kept in this bag, other than any items which you carry in your day pack. To ensure all clothing and equipment is kept dry, line the kitbag with a strong, large, plastic bag, and, for added protection wrap major items (such as your sleeping bag and down jacket) individually in another plastic bag.

You may wish to leave old clothing (t-shirts, socks, old jumpers, running shoes, etc.) in Nepal at the end of the trek. Consider donating these items to your porters – they are greatly appreciated.

Clothing can also be rented in Kathmandu,

Clothing for Kathmandu - Modest clothing is required. Light clothing is usually adequate for most of the year. There is a swimming pool in the hotel in Kathmandu.

Trekking Gear

• 4 seasons Sleeping bag (provided for the duration of the trek)
• Duffel bag or Rucksack (70-80 liters) (provided for the duration of the trek)
• Down Jacket (we provide one if you need one but is to be returned after the trek)
• Daypack (25-30 liters)

Feet

• Socks: 4 pairs of liner socks, synthetic or capilene, 3 pairs heavy weight socks (wool) to be worn over liner socks
• Trekking Boots: 1 pair light trekking shoes or sneakers. Good for around the camp/lodges and in Kathmandu. Remember it is your feet that will be doing all the work. We recommend a good quality boots with a hard lug-cleated sole. Boots should be sturdy enough to tackle rough terrain. For this trek a mid weight leather or Gore-Tex/Cordura style is an excellent choice. If you are buying boots for your trek, make absolutely sure that they are broken in before leaving home.
• Gaiters (seasonal): 1 pair hiking gaiters, good for keeping dust and rocks out of your shoes / boots as well as keep your feet dry as necessary. Highly recommended for keeping snow from getting inside your boots. They will also help keep the bottom of trousers clean on muddy trails. They can be bought cheaply in Kathmandu.
• Sandals (optional): A pair of running shoes or sandals will be very useful for wearing around the lodge after the day’s trekking.

Lower Body – Legs

• Hiking Shorts (2): Quick drying type, not cotton!
• Trekking Pants (2), preferably that zip on/off at the knees so they double as shorts
• Lightweight underwear – capilene or other synthetic.
• Soft shell pants – synthetic, full zip from top and bottom preferable.
• Hard shell pants. Waterproof / breathable, Gore-Tex or equivalent is best. Should zip from the top and bottom – this makes it easier to put on over boots without getting undressed should the weather change once you are underway for the day.
• Cotton pants or (loose jeans/khakis).

Upper Core Body

• Dry Wick T-Shirts For lower altitudes and long sleeved t-shirts for above 2500m when, even on warm days, you chill quickly when stopping for rest
• Thermal Underwear - Synthetic polypropylene long johns and long sleeved vests are useful for the evenings and make ideal sleeping gear.
• Waterproof Jacket. Quality waterproof clothing is essential. A Gore-Tex jacket with hood is required. Ensure that it is about mid-thigh length, with large pockets and has a full-length zipLight and expedition weight thermal tops.
• Fleece jacket or pullover.
• Fleece Wind-Stopper jacket (optional).
• Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket.
• 2 women sports bras, Synthetic
• Swimsuit for women

Hands

• 1 pair liner gloves, thin wool or synthetic, useful alone on mild days or as a layer inside other gloves / mitts for additional warmth.
• 1 pair warm gloves (heavier fleece or wool).
• 1 pair shell gloves or mitts; Gore-Tex is preferred for keeping hands dry.
• Instant hand warmers are always nice in a pinch, but really shouldn’t be necessary on the trek. Bringing appropriate hand protection as recommended above, should be sufficient (optional).

Head / Ears / Eyes

• Shade hat or baseball cap – some people drape a bandana down the back of their head and then put a baseball cap on to hold it is place. This can be a flexible alternative while keeping the sun off your ears and neck.
• Warm wool Hat or synthetic hat that covers your ears.
• Balaclava – lightweight, thinner variety.
• Glacier glasses-100% UV protection with side shields and a hard-sided storage case (i.e. Julbo or Cebe). This is to protect your eyes from the stronger rays of the sun due to the thinner atmosphere which can cause a painful condition known as snow blindness. Regular sunglasses are not sufficient. If you wear prescription glasses, speak to your doctor about prescription glacier glasses, perhaps with transitional lenses.
• Headlamp: Black Diamond and Petzl are good choices. Make sure to bring extra batteries and that they are lithium batteries so that they will last in the colder temperatures. These are indispensable for getting around at night, reading, etc.
• Ear Muffs (optional): Some people like ear-muffs; These are optional; a good hat, balaclava, and hooded jacket should really be sufficient,
• A neck warmer (optional): is another piece of gear for extra warmth if you feel you will need it

Medicines and First Aid Kits
Our main guide will be carrying a first aid kit bag during the trek. However, it is recommended that you also bring your own personal first aid kit as well

• Extra Strength Excedrin for altitude related headaches.
• Ibuprofen for general aches and pains.
• Immodium or Pepto bismol capsules for upset stomach or diarrhea.
• Diamox (commonly prescribed as Acetazolamide) 125 or 250mg tablets for altitude sickness. Please discuss with us before starting to take this medicine.
• 1 small personal sized first-aid kit with blister treatments such as mole skin, band-aids, some waterproof tape, anti-infection ointments, etc. Your guides will have more extensive medical gear, but you should have the basics for general use.

Toiletries and personal Hygiene

• Quick drying towel (medium sized)
• Tooth brush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
• Multipurpose soap/handwash
• Deodorants
• Nail clippers
• Face and body moisturizer
• Feminine hygiene products
• Small mirror
• Wet wipes
• Sanitizers

Miscellaneous, but essential!

• Valid Passport
• Passport size photos (2 + copies).
• Airline ticket (Please make a copy and provide us one just in case if you need to change the date of your flight).
• Luggage Locks (2)
• 2 strong plastic garbage bags (for laundry and in case of rain) Refillable water bottle
  Durable wallet / pouch for travel documents, money & passport.
• Lip balm. At least SPF 20, 2 sticks. A string taped to the stick is helpful, to hang around your neck and some are now being sold with a cord already attached. Handy as it avoids you from having to stop and look for it.
• Sunscreen. SPF 40 is recommended and should be relatively new since it loses its’ effectiveness over time.
• Pocket knife or small Swiss Army type.
• Water purification Iodine tablets or Polar-pure crystals.
• 2 bandanas.

Optional (Luxuries)

• 1 pair adjustable trekking poles. Although these are listed as optional, these can be of great assistance to people who may think of themselves and generally clumsy or with bad knees, ankles, etc, especially when going downhill
• Favorite snack foods, no more than 2 pounds
• Reading materials, games (cards, chess, backgammon, scrabble, etc) music and chargers (there are a couple of stops where you could recharge. Avoid players with moving hardware as it may not function. Remember, keep these items light weight
• Binoculars
• Camera, film/memory cards, spare batteries (you must keep the batteries warm when not in use)
• Voltage converter (from 220 to 110)
• Plug adapter (2 round pegs to 2 fl at pegs)
• Trail Map/Guide book
• Journal & Pen, Pencils and small notebooks
• Extra contacts or glasses
• Pillow case (if use lodge provided pillows) or can use your own stuff sacks as pillow(s)
• Sleeping bag liner
• Hydration bladder with drinking tube and tube insulator
• A pee bottle for men and pee funnel for woman to avoid that chilly late night trip
• 1 small stainless steel thermos

Please Note: Tight fitting, figure-hugging clothing, such as those made with Lycra can often be offensive to locals, especially to women. If you find these items comfortable as a base layer, please pack something to wear on top of them.