Annapurna in Luxury - 9 Days

Ace the Himalaya is widely regarded as one of the best trekking and travel companies in Nepal due to its expert local guides, high safety standards, well-designed trekking packages, and consistent service quality since 2006. With operations based in Kathmandu and across the world with our representatives, we deliver reliable, professionally managed trekking and travel experiences.

Here are 18 reasons why you should choose Ace the Himalaya for your next adventure!

• Two passport-sized photos (2×2 inch) to give to our office staff
• A copy of your international flight ticket to give to our office staff
• A copy of travel insurance to give to our office staff

Yes, you need to book your own international flights. We are a local agent and it would cost you significantly higher to book through us. Please find more information in the International Flight page.

Yes. For this trip, you’ll be accompanied by an experienced trekking guide during the trek and a knowledgeable city tour guide during sightseeing in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Your trekking guide ensures a safe and smooth journey on the trail, while your tour guide provides fascinating insights into the history, culture, and significance of the places you visit, making the overall experience more enjoyable and enriching.

Yes. Our trekking guides can communicate effectively in English. Most begin their careers as porters and gain 3 to 4 years of trekking experience before becoming guides, so their English comes from years of practical experience rather than formal education. While English is not their first language, they communicate well and will assist you throughout the trek.

During sightseeing in Kathmandu and Pokhara, you’ll be accompanied by a licensed, English-speaking city tour guide who provides detailed insights into the history, culture, and heritage of the places you visit.

Our trekking season extends from mid-September to May. From early September, the monsoonal rains decrease. By end of September to December, the weather is usually stable with mild to warm days, cold nights. February, March, April, May, June, October, November, December is the best time to do this trek.

The Annapurna Luxury Trek stays at relatively low elevations, with the highest point being Ghandruk (1,940 m/6,365 ft). As a result, temperatures are generally mild and comfortable throughout the year.

• Spring (March–May): Warm, clear days with blooming rhododendrons. Daytime temperatures range from 18–25°C (64–77°F), while mornings and nights are around 8–12°C (46–54°F).
• Summer/Monsoon (June–August): Warm and humid with frequent rainfall. Daytime temperatures are 20–28°C (68–82°F), with nights around 12–16°C (54–61°F).
• Autumn (September–November): Clear skies and pleasant trekking conditions. Expect daytime temperatures of 15–22°C (59–72°F) and nighttime temperatures of 5–10°C (41–50°F).
• Winter (December–February): Cool but generally comfortable during the day. Daytime temperatures range from 10–18°C (50–64°F), while mornings and nights can drop to 0–5°C (32–41°F).

Although evenings can be cool, the luxury lodges and hotels included in the itinerary provide comfortable rooms, warm blankets, and hot meals, ensuring a cozy stay throughout the trek.

The temperature rating of the sleeping bags that we rent to trekkers is about -15 °C (5 °F). Also, our guides can obtain extra blankets if needed at the teahouses.

Yes, you can obtain a Nepal visa upon your arrival at the airport. There are kiosks in the arrival hall that you use to complete the necessary forms.  The cost is USD 30 for a 15-day tourist visa, including numerous entries, or USD 50 and USD 125 for a 30-day or 90-day tourist visa including numerous entries respectively. You should carry cash (USD) with you to pay your visa fees quickly and easily, as digital payments are frequently unavailable.

To save time, we recommend filling out the online visa application form in advance. Applying online 2 weeks before your arrival will expedite the process at the airport. For detailed guidelines, please refer to our blog titled Guidelines for Online Tourist Visa Form in Nepal.

Our staff will be waiting for you outside the airport terminal with our signboard (Ace the Himalaya). You will be accompanied to a hotel in a private tourist vehicle.

We recommend budgeting around USD 20–30 per person per day for personal expenses. This is generally enough for snacks, drinks, and meals not included in the itinerary, such as lunch or dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara (Sarangkot).

If you plan to buy souvenirs, local handicrafts, or extra beverages, you may need to bring additional cash.

In Kathmandu and Pokhara, yes – to some extent. Once you are out of the cities, all you need is cash. Please change the currency in local Nepali Rupees before you go to the mountains.

When you book, you must pay a 30% deposit to secure your itinerary. The remaining balance can be paid upon your arrival at Kathmandu or before arrival. US Dollars cash and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, and American Express) are accepted once in Nepal. Please note a 4% transaction fee will be added for all credit card transactions.

You can make payments via US Dollars cash or credit card (Visa, Master, and American Express). A 4% transaction fee is added if paying with a credit card. Thus, we encourage you to pay with USD cash if you are planning to pay upon your arrival in Kathmandu.

We prefer you pay with larger bills (USD 50 or 100).  Please note that the cash should not be older than 2009 and in good condition, as banks do not accept worn, torn, or crumpled bills.

Previous trekking experience is not required if you are physically healthy and have enough enthusiasm for the trek.

Our treks have no age restrictions if members are healthy and willing. We have had families with kids as young as 5 years do the treks along this region, and our oldest adventurers have been in their late 70s.

It is safe for a female to trek alone in Nepal. Nepal is usually regarded as a safe nation for female visitors traveling alone. It is entirely safe for a solo woman to trek with Ace the Himalaya on any of our treks.

This is a relatively low-altitude trek, with the highest point being Ghandruk (1,940 m/6,365 ft), so you don’t need to be an experienced trekker or undergo intensive training. However, being in good general health and having a reasonable level of fitness will make the trek more enjoyable.

We recommend light preparation, such as regular walking, hiking, jogging, or cycling for a few weeks before your trip to build stamina and confidence on the trail.

Participants in good physical condition should be able to complete this trek. If you are not physically active, we advise starting an exercise regimen two months before the trek that includes at least an hour of walking at an incline, running, or biking four to five times a week.

Incorporating hiking into your workouts is ideal. It is advised to speak with a doctor before making travel arrangements if you have any health conditions that could affect your ability to complete the trek.

After making the deposit, one of our staff will email you for further information. We will require a copy of your passport photo page and your arrival/departure flight details. We will also provide you with additional trip information.

Travel insurance is mandatory for our hiking itineraries. We require your policy have medical evacuation coverage for the maximum elevation of your itinerary.  Insurance may also cover additional costs in the event of a flight delay or cancellation caused by bad weather, medical costs, theft, loss, and damage to your items while traveling.

Travel insurance can be obtained online by one of several travel insurance companies. Please note that insurance obtained from an airline at the time of booking your flight may not cover medical evacuation coverage.

You can find the necessary items to pack for the trek here on the Equipment section. Gear and equipment can be bought or rented upon your arrival in Kathmandu. If you plan on buying or renting gear in Kathmandu, please allow extra time.

Yes, we do provide sleeping bags or down jackets for rental costs of USD 35 each. Do let us know before initiating the trek and we shall provide items. You can view the photos of the gear at this link: Photos of the Gear.

We provide you with a free duffel bag of 70 to 80-liter capacity that our porters will carry. The maximum weight that porters can safely carry is 30kg, and each porter is assigned to two people.

However, each porter carries a maximum of 25 kg/55 lbs in total during the trek period. Your duffel bag, which should weigh no more than 12.5 kg/27.56 lbs per client, will be carried by the porter throughout the trek.

We suggest a 30 to 40-liter capacity daypack. Wider straps and hip belts are recommended to assist you in carrying weight evenly and reduce pain.

Bring copies of your passport, insurance papers, and other essential items in your carry-on during your flight. If you need to take medications daily, keep them in your daypack with your other essential possessions.  You can store other non-trekking essentials in the office of Ace the Himalaya or at the hotel in Kathmandu.

The hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara does provide the free storage services. So, you can leave all your items that are not required for the trekking at your hotel.

Whilst on the trek, our porter will take care of your luggage. All you need to carry is your small day bag for your personal belongings like camera, water bottle, sun cream etc.

In Kathmandu, you’ll stay at Hotel Yak & Yeti or a similar 5-star hotel with twin/double rooms and breakfast included. In Pokhara, you’ll stay at Sarangkot Mountain Lodge or a similar luxury hotel, offering comfortable rooms and panoramic Himalayan views.

During the trek, you’ll stay at Mountain Lodges of Nepal or similar premium lodges in the Annapurna region. These lodges offer well-appointed twin or double rooms, comfortable beds, attached or well-maintained bathrooms (where available), hot showers, delicious meals, Wi-Fi, and warm hospitality, providing one of the most comfortable trekking experiences in the Annapurna region.

Yes, the luxury lodges and guesthouses on the Annapurna Luxury Trek are well-equipped with heating facilities. Most lodges have heated common dining areas with fireplaces or electric heaters, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere in the evenings.

All luxury lodges on the Annapurna Luxury Trek have attached bathrooms with western-style toilets. The facilities are clean, comfortable, and maintained to a high standard. You’ll also have access to hot showers.

All the guesthouses sell the toilet paper, so you can buy it there itself. As for hand sanitizer, towel and any other personal toiletries you need for the trek, you can bring your own to maintain personal hygiene.

There are toilet facilities in the teahouses/lodges during the trek. Trekkers can also find private areas along the trail for emergencies.

The Luxury Annapurna Trek offers a wide variety of fresh and delicious meals throughout the journey. Typical options include Nepali dal bhat, soups, noodles, pasta, rice dishes, fried rice, momo, pizza, sandwiches, eggs, potatoes, pancakes, porridge, fresh seasonal vegetables, and a selection of desserts at some lodges.

All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, along with safe drinking water (boiled, filtered, or bottled) during trek days in Annapurna region, are included in your package. If you’d like additional snacks, chocolates, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, or other personal treats along the way, these can be purchased at your own expense.

Most of the teahouses in the mountains offer vegetarian meals. So, being a vegetarian is not a problem. Vegetarian meals are preferable to avoid food poisoning and indigestion.

Indeed, the guesthouses follow international guidelines while setting up the food and serve you clean, protected, and warm meals.

Safe drinking water is provided throughout your trek and is included in the trip cost. Depending on the location, you’ll have access to boiled, filtered, or bottled water, so there’s no need to purchase drinking water separately.

Most of the guesthouses provide proper running (both hot and cold water) shower and attached toilet facility.

In case of unforeseen circumstances such as flight cancellation, your health, or for any reason you decide to discontinue the trip and arrive early in Kathmandu then you will need extra accommodations in Kathmandu. The cost of the teahouses in the mountains is not equivalent to the cost of a hotel in Kathmandu.

In such cases, we will arrange your accommodations, but you will need to pay a supplemental charge.

Yes. Charging facilities are available at your hotels in Kathmandu and Sarangkot, as well as at the guesthouses throughout the trek. In Nepal, Type C (two-pin) and Type D (three-pin) power outlets are commonly used, so we recommend bringing a suitable travel adapter to ensure your devices can be charged throughout the journey.

We provide licensed trekking guides with fluent English. Our guides are certified by the Hotel Management and Tourism Center after receiving 45 days of training. Similarly, the guides receive high-altitude training from Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP).

Our guides are well trained and certified in first aid. Throughout the journey, our guides will evaluate your condition and your oxygen level using an oximeter. Our head office receives continuous updates on your condition and location through the guides. In places without a phone signal, your situation will be updated through a satellite phone during emergencies.

We allocate one guide for groups of up to 7 participants. For groups of over 7 participants, we allot an associate guide. As per the size of the group, we may add more guides or divide them into sub-groups.

We provide one porter for every two clients. Two clients’ duffel bags will be carried by one porter. The weight limit is 25 kg (55 lbs) or 12.5 kg (27.56 lbs) for each client. For an additional cost, we can arrange for one porter to carry one participant’s duffel.

Our company insures all our trekking staff members, including guides, cooks, Sherpa, and porters. Please browse through our legal docment page to view insurance details.

While no vaccinations are strictly mandatory for travel to Nepal, it is highly advisable to take precautionary measures to protect your health. To ensure a safe and enjoyable trip, we recommend the following vaccinations: Routine Vaccines, Malaria, Japanese Encephalitis, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies, Cholera, etc.

It is also helpful if you inform us of any medical condition that is relevant so we may convey this information in the event of an emergency. Ace the Himalaya keeps your medical condition confidential unless treatment is necessary.

Our guides are 24 hours available for the services during the trek. They are trained to use first aid kit and have knowledge to use Oxy meter. They are very much aware that higher the altitude the oxygen level gets lesser so to get updated on the oxygen level of our client and to know whether they are fit enough or needs extra precautions to continue.

Guides carry local sim cards both Nepal Telecom and Ncell in order to update whereabouts and situation of our every client. During the time of emergency our guides are alert and keeps updated to head office in Kathmandu that is available 24 /7 to arranging from horse to mules or helicopters in the must needed cases especially when client is seriously sick in the mountain and needed to be hospitalized.

Although this trek is at relatively low elevations, sun protection is still important. We recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher (SPF 50+ is ideal), along with UV-protection sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat or cap, and lightweight clothing that covers your skin.

Applying sunscreen regularly will help protect you from UV exposure, especially on clear days.

We recommend lightweight, waterproof trekking boots with good grip and ankle support. Most importantly, make sure your boots are properly broken in before the trek by wearing them on several walks or hikes.

Well broken-in boots provide better comfort, reduce the risk of blisters, and make trekking much more enjoyable.

Notice should be provided 20 days before the trip start date in case of cancellation. The trip can be canceled for justifiable reasons. Once the trip is canceled, a fee of 30% of the trip cost is retained for administrative costs.

However, the trip amount is entirely non-refundable if the cancellation is not made before the 20 days as per our terms and conditions. For submitting a claim to your insurance company after the cancellation, we can assist with documentation such as a receipt of monies paid. Refund will not be provided for unused accommodation in case of trip cancellation caused by personal reasons/sickness/weather.

More information about our cancellation policy can be found here in Terms and Conditions page.

Tipping is both expected and appreciated, and it reflects your satisfaction and enjoyment of the trek. We recommend tipping based on the number of participants in your trekking group and the duration of the trek. As a general guideline, consider allocating at least 10% of your total trek cost for tipping. Detailed tipping recommendations for your guides and porters will be provided during our pre-trip briefing in Kathmandu.

Yes. Since this is a low-altitude trek, communication is generally reliable throughout the journey. Mobile network coverage is available in most places, including Landruk and Ghandruk, as you can stay connected using a local SIM card with a data package. Wi-Fi is also available at your hotels and at most guesthouses along the Annapurna Luxury trek.

Yes. Since the Luxury Annapurna Trek is operated as a private trip, solo travelers are required to pay an additional amount. Please contact us for the applicable solo traveler price.

Trekkers occasionally fail to complete the journey for medical or personal reasons. In this situation, be aware that we do not issue any refunds for products purchased or unused trek days. We must pay our administration staffs, guides, and porters, purchase trekking permits, and all other booked accommodations in advance, so our expenses remain the same.

Our Annapurna in Luxury is primarily a private trek. Occasionally, there may be open spots available for those interested in joining a group. If you wish to participate in a group trek, please feel free to contact us. However, the trek is generally conducted as a private experience.

You can extend your trekking trip for an additional cost. Potential arrangements will be made if we get a request from your guide. This is applicable for private or solo trips as the itinerary can be easily adjusted. The addition of extra days is bound by time when you are in a group. Therefore, discuss with your group and guide, what changes can possibly be made.

Yes, you can extend your holiday. Ace the Himalaya offers many options and alternatives for your holiday extension. For more information, you can visit our Day trips pages.

Yes, you must book your international flights. We are a local agency and do not make international flight arrangements. You can easily browse through flight tickets in airlines sites to book ones most feasible for you.

YES, all our trips are guaranteed to run. We never cancel the trip due to not having enough participants; we can arrange the trip for one person as well as a private trip at a very minimum additional cost. Please inquire about this during the time of booking.

We provide you only those options, which enhance your local experience while allowing you to travel comfortably and efficiently. We use private tourist vehicles for sightseeing, city tours, and pickups. Depending on the group size we use cars, minibusses, vans, and tourist buses to and from Kathmandu/ Pokhara. All the vehicles are usually air-conditioned unless you are traveling in cooler areas.

For flights from Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu, we use Budhha air, Yeti air, and Shree Airlines; all the popular airlines for domestic flights in Nepal.