- Nepal
- Hiking the Himalayas' Annapurna Trail for Solo Travellers
Journey into the Himalayas along the Annapurna circuit, staying in unique mountain lodges on this 14-day tour that travels past snow-capped peaks and spectacular mountain vistas along one of the world's most rewarding walking trails.
Depart the UK on your scheduled, overnight flight to Kathmandu.
Lunch & Dinner
On arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, re-joining your group later tonight for a welcome dinner.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel or have an early breakfast and set out on a flight that carries you over Mount Everest for a spectacular bird's eye view of the world's highest mountain (at a fee). A full day of sightseeing following in Nepal's stupa-studded capital. Begin at historic Durbar Square where you'll follow ancient streets to the temple of the Living Goddess. Continue on to the Buddhist stupa of Swayanbhunath and admire this gilded structure under the watchful painted eyes that adorn its sides. After lunch at a local restaurant, journey onward to the nearby city of Patan, a 3rd-century settlement enclosed within four stupas. Wander among its 136 monasteries and temples, visiting the ancient Krishna Temple and the Tibetan Refugee Camp and Handicraft Centre where you'll witness artisans weaving Tibetan carpets and moulding metal statues. Return to Kathmandu for your overnight stay.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Set out on a morning tour of Bhaktapur. Perched on a hill to the east of Kathmandu, the city is still untouched by urbanization and retains its brick paved roads, charming red brick houses and old traditions. Visit Nyatapola, the tallest temple in Nepal, and the intricately adorned Bhairav Temple before exploring Pottery Square, the Palace of 55 Windows and the gilded archway of the Golden Gate. After lunch at a local restaurant, journey to the immense Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most sacred Hindu temples of Nepal. Return to Kathmandu for an evening of culture as you enjoy dinner and a Nepalese dance show in a traditional restaurant.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, drive to the airport for your flight to Pokhara. You will have an evening at leisure in this picturesque lakeside settlement.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today's trek has an ascent of approximately 770m. After breakfast drive from Pokhara to Syauli Bazaar (Trek starting point).. Then you begin our Trek from river bank of Modi river to Kimcha village, about a 30 min walk where you will stop for lunch at a local lodge. Then steep ascent on the stone steps for about one and half hours through the villages and paddy fields to reach the village of Ghandrung for the overnight stay in the lodge.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, visit Annapurna Conservation Area Project Head Office, a traditional museum, and the village of Ghandrung, which is the second biggest Gurung settlement in Western Nepal. Visiting Ghandrung also gives a snapshot of everyday local life in Nepal's mountains, especially that of the Gurung people. From here, one can see the panoramic close views of Mount Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, Machhapuchare (i.e. Fish-Tail), Annapurna III, and other snowy mountains, weather permits. After spending some time in the village, head back to the lodge for your overnight stay.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Follow an undulating trail that ascends and descends towards Jhinu Danda, your base for the night. Arrive at your lodge and break for lunch before you explore the surrounding area on foot, walking through forest-filled pockets to the riverside and some nearby hot springs. Lay back and relax in the rejuvenating waters of the hot springs for the remainder of the afternoon before returning to your lodge.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Depart Jhinu Danda on today's trek, descending to some nearby cliffs where the region's famed honey hunters scale ropes during their forages. Next, cross a suspension bridge that provides superb views of the valley and River Modi, stopping for a photo opportunity. Walk onward as you ascend to the village of Landrung where you will check into your mountain lodge and enjoy dinner in the evening.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today's trail takes you through rolling paddy fields and villages on a flat, hour-long walk. Following a break, begin a steep ascent up a series of stone steps to the charming village of Tolka, reaching the upper part of the village after a short walk along level ground. Enjoy lunch in this peaceful setting then set out on your afternoon trek, going further uphill through forested woodland towards Pothana village. From here, the trail gradually descends to Dhampus, where you'll stop for your overnight stay.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Wake before sunrise this morning to soak in magnificent views of the mountain peaks bathed in hues of pink and purple. After breakfast, descend through farmland and wooded areas to reach Suikhet Phedi. Depart for Pokhara, stopping for lunch en route or on your arrival in Pokhara. The afternoon is at leisure, allowing you to explore the city sights or relax before dinner in your hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Following your mountain trek, enjoy today at leisure or choose one of two optional excursions (at a fee). For the first excursion, drive up to the viewpoint at Sarankot for mesmerising sunrise views over the whole Annapurna range, with the option of a three-hour walk back down to the lakeside from Sarankot. Alternatively, take a stroll around the lake in the afternoon and a boat ride on its serene waters.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning, travel back to Kathmandu, stopping en route for lunch at a local restaurant. On arrival, check into your hotel for the evening.
Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK or continue on to your extension.
Lucy Zablocki
11 Oct 23Thank you very much for the wonderful staff and service in Nepal. Mitra was a fabulous tour guide, always helpful if you need it. The porters were very nice men and hard-working. I have been to many countries in the world, but the holiday in Nepal was the best!!!! Thank you Mercury holiday
The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. The driving times listed are point to point and do not include the duration of excursions or stops en route. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving/ trekking times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
British passport holders can now obtain their Nepal visa prior to departure for Approx £25 per person on this website https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/online A Nepalese visa can also be purchased on arrival into Kathmandu; but you will need to complete and download a form from the Nepal Embassy website and present this completed form on arrival at immigration together with your payment (currently USD $30). You must print the form with the barcode and take it with you for arrival. The barcode is only valid up to 15 days after issue so please complete this form within 2 weeks of travel. When applying for the visa on arrival you will need to ensure you apply for a multiple entry visa.
For entry in to Nepal your passport must have a minimum of 6 months validity from the date you arrive in Kathmandu and a minimum of two blank pages. You will also need to complete an ‘arrival card’ at the airport. We recommend you check the following website before travelling for all the most up to date advice, requirements and any changes uk.nepalembassy.gov.np. We strongly advise you to check with your destinations’ Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding required passport validity.
You must bring at least 2 passport-sized photographs for the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and the Trekkers’ information management system (TIMS) card. Both are required for trekking in Nepal.
Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your e-ticket and final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 21 days before departure. Check in baggage is included with your flight. Weight restrictions will be finalized on your final documentation. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-in should be at least 3 hours before departure. If you wish to arrange Airport car parking or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extras on 0871 360 2000, quoting HX313.
IMPORTANT: A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you. Please note that you should carry your invoice with flight details on it as you will need to show this at the airport.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote ‘WK830’ for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, www.travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
Flying insects including mosquitos are common in this part of the world, you may find it useful to wear long-sleeved, long-legged clothes and use repellents which contain DEET.
Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness is a fairly common condition that can occur when you ascend to a high altitude (generally higher than 2,500 metres above sea level) quickly. The decrease in atmospheric pressure can make breathing more difficult as the body is not able to take in as much oxygen. Most cases are mild with symptoms that can include: headache, nausea, dizziness and exhaustion. Several of the places on your trekking holiday are located at high altitude. Therefore, you may find you experience some symptoms at this altitude. It is advised that at these high altitudes, you keep hydrated and avoid alcohol. If you do experience symptoms of altitude sickness during your tour, ensure you tell your guide immediately who will be able to advise the best thing for you to do. It is advisable to consult your doctor before your holiday for any advice on the effects of altitude sickness and if you have any health problems that this could affect. It is advisable to carry the name, address and telephone details of your GP, in the event of becoming unwell your insurance company may require this information.
For this trekking holiday, previous experience and a good level of fitness & stamina are recommended. Trekking will be along well-worn paths at different paces. You will need to be prepared to negotiate steep inclines and uphill treks climbing stone steps. Your treks will be between mountain lodges and daily distances will vary from 6 to 13 kilometres. You will be able to take short breaks during your treks and you can look forward to arriving at your lodge, on average, in time for lunch. Please do consider the pace may vary depending on the abilities within the group. Most of the treks will take place in the morning allowing you to have the afternoons at leisure to relax or make the most of exploring the local area. It is important to note altitudes vary between 1170m and 1780m for most walks; the highest altitude that you will reach will be around 2000m. We recommend carrying a small backpack and if you are in any doubt as to the tours suitability, please speak to your GP as soon as possible as this is a physically challenging holiday.
The tour pace for Hiking The Himalayas Annapurna Trail is challenging. A higher level of fitness as required as you may be on your feet for most of the day though this will be interspersed with regular breaks and vary from day to day. You will be walking around the sights, getting on and off coaches, trains, boats and climbing steps which may be irregular. There may be some time spend at high altitude. You will stay in variety of hotels, possibly including overnight trains, and accommodation standards may not match those you are used to at home.
Our guides will always endeavour to provide the highest level of service and assistance; however, they cannot be expected to cater for customers who are unfit to complete the itinerary.
The currency in Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee or NPR, divided into 100 paisa. US dollars are also often accepted should you wish to keep an alternative currency on you. You can take cash or travellers' cheques (in pounds sterling or another foreign currency) and/or a bank card with you and exchange or withdraw rupees once in Nepal.
ATM’s are widely available in only in Kathmandu and Pokhara to withdraw money in local currency. It is important that you budget carefully and ensure you have the right form of currency before you arrive in the country
As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels as well as American Express.
You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any lunches and dinners where these are not mentioned on your itinerary and personal purchases, such as souvenirs, laundry and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £200- £300 per person will be sufficient for the duration of the tour.
Tipping is not compulsory and is at your discretion. Should you wish to tip, we recommend tipping £16 per person in general plus £48 per person for your guide and driver, totalling approximately £64 per person per tour. This will be collected at the end of your tour for your convenience. Tips are accepted in the local currency, US dollars and British pounds.
The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 10, and the maximum will be 20. If in the unlikely event there are less than 7 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
This is a fully escorted tour, meaning that you will be met on arrival by your national guide who will remain with you for the duration of your trip. You will also be joined by a backmarker on each of your treks.
Private Tour: If you have booked a private tour then you will be accompanied by a Driver Guide or a Driver and Local Guides. These will be available to you during all scheduled sightseeing. Private Tours can depart on any day of the week depending on flight and train schedules and the opening days of the attractions. They will follow the itinerary as described in the brochure unless you have been advised otherwise and you will still have all of the same meals, sightseeing and local excursions included.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character, and can range from business hotels to lodges and home stays. Hotel accommodation is basic, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist between the UK and Nepal. If you are staying in a lodge during your tour, plumbing and electricity supplies can vary and, in some cases, infrequent, with electricity only being accessible during certain times of the day. Please note hot water is based on solar power, due to weather conditions this can be infrequent, in this case a hot water bucket can be purchased for $5 per bucket.
Please note the lodges and guest houses on the trek do not have star ratings. Accommodation is basic, with neat and clean rooms. All accommodation features either a shared bathroom or en-suite bathroom. Water provided by the lodges are heated using solar panels, therefore it is recommended to shower at the end of the day. Electricity is available in all lodges/ Guest Houses, despite their location. During your stay in lodges throughout your tour, plumbing and electricity supplies can vary and, in some cases, infrequent, with electricity only being accessible during certain times of the day. Some lodges and guest houses do not have a heating system, we advise that you follow the ‘What To Pack’ and ‘Clothing’ section to ensure you are well prepared. The Mountain Lodges/Guest Houses you’ll stay in are welcoming and offer fantastic views. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.
Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotels. In lodges breakfast will be local Nepalese food each morning. Lunch and dinner on your tour where stated will be taken at local restaurants or at your hotel with some packed lunches. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes.
Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information. Vegan, vegetarian and non-spicy meal options are available, all meal requests need to be sent over to our suppliers before travel.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way. On the trek, bottled water is not provided. Passengers to carry their own refillable bottles. Filtered water can be bought from lodges.
On your arrival in Kathmandu you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Earthen Experiences, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/Earthen Experiences representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your national guide will be on hand 24 hours a day should you have any queries.
Earthen Experiences: A – Earthen Experiences, 2 DDA Commercial Complex, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi 110017 Telephone Number: 0091 11 4921 1000 (09:30 – 18:00)
Monday to Fridays E-mail: info@earthenexperiences.com
Please find below the emergency contact details:
Mr Laba Budhathoki – 0097-79841442602 or
Mr Bijay Nepal- 0097-79851115939