JOURNEY TO ANNAPURNA
NEW DATE : 02 - 14 NOVEMBER 2024
ONLY 6 SPACES LEFT
PRICE:
£2495PP ($3145)
BOOK WITH JUST 10% DEPOSIT + PAY OFF IN SIX INSTALLMENTS
SINGLE ROOM UPGRADE: £185 ($225) PER PERSON
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EXPERIENCE OVERVIEW
The experience of running in the high Nepali Himalayas is unmatched. The mountains seem to rise higher and higher than you can imagine. Combining that with the wholehearted, warm, and kind approach of the local communities we meet and endless trails running in quite simply some of the most breathtaking scenery you have ever seen, this experience truly takes some beating.
Our trail running adventure is a perfect introduction to higher altitude trail running, flowing our way through the relative tropical rhododendron forests, where waterfalls flow and flowers grow. Before long we are gracing the higher mountain plains, craning our necks up to the skies where the clouds of burning juniper rise, with mountains towering 7000+m above. It’s spectacular.
As with travel in the Himalayas the route we follow includes ‘a little bit up, a little bit down’, but we manage it perfectly for a trail running experience like no other.
DATE: 02 - 14 NOVEMBER 2024
TRIP ADVENTURE GRADE: C2 - C3
DISTANCE: 3 - 5 hours per day
MAX. 12 RUNNERS
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HIGHLIGHTS
Outstanding Himalayan trail running in the Annapurna & Mardi Himal Ranges
Seeing the sunrise over Annapurna the tenth highest mountain in the world
Experience a fully-supported adventure travelling only with light-packs
Stay in cosy tea houses and uncover the rich tapestry of Sherpa life
ITINERARY
Click to explore in more detail.
+ DAY 1: ARRIVE IN KATHMANDU
Arrival into Kathmandu
Group transfer to our hotel
Check-in and relax
Catch up with the rest of our team over fresh tea on the garden terrace
5-10Km city Run to explore this ancient city
Drinks on the balcony
Welcome dinner ceremony at one of Kathmandu's best-kept secrets
+ DAY 2: EXPLORE KATHMANDU - POKHARA
Optional: sunrise yoga
Breakfast
Trail running sightseeing: Easy paced running through Thamel District - Durbar Square - Swayambhunath Monkey Temple
Group transfer back to the hotel with time to chill
Transfer to the domestic airport
Economy flight to Pokhara
Transfer to our hotel in Pokhara, check-in relax
+ DAY 3: INTO THE TRAILS OF THE HIMALAYA
Early breakfast
4WD group transfer along the mountain road to Nayapul (2.5 hours)
Hit the trail towards Ghandruk, approx. 2.5 hours running/hiking
Arrival into Ghandruk, check-in to our tea house
Local village exploration and relax
Afternoon stretch in the garden with beautiful views of Annapurna South, Himculi and Annapurna III
Local Nepali dinner and a briefing on the day ahead
+ DAY 4: THE TRAIL TO SINUWA, VIA CHOMRONG
Early breakfast
Pack up our kit
Trail Run to the village of Sinuwa, via Chomrong (approx. 4 - 5 hours trail run/walking
Lunch in the mountain village of Chomrong which flanks the Komrong Danda river
Arrive into Sinuwa, check into our tea house and relax
Recovery stretching and taking in the mountain views over tea/coffee
Local dinner served in our guesthouse
+ DAY 5: ONWARDS TO HIMALAYA
Breakfast
Morning stretching and preparing our kit with mountain views
4 - 5 Hour trail run/hike to Himalaya village
This section of the trail is mostly uphill and routes through a jungle, so we will combine today with hiking to ensure we acclimatise appropriately
Arrive in Himalaya, check into our tea house and relax
Recovery stretching and taking in the mountain views over
Local dinner served in our guesthouse
+ DAY 6: TO MBC
Breakfast
Hiking day as the trail takes us to Machhapuchre Base Camp (3,700m)
4 Hour trail hike routing uphill with outstanding mountain scenery
Arrive into MBC, check-in and relax
Local dinner served in our guesthouse
+ DAY 7: MBC TO ANNAPURNA BC - BAMBOO
Super early start
Easy hike to Annapurna Base Camp (approx. 2 hours - 4,130m)
Sunrise of Annapurna - the 10th Highest Mountain the World
Soak up the spectacular views of the surrounding mountain amphitheatre- Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, Himchuli, Gandharva Chuli, Glacier Dom, Annapurna III, Gangapurna...the list goes on
Breakfast and relax at Annapurna Base Camp
Begin the downhill trail run towards the village of Bamboo (approx. 3 hours)
Lunch served in a village on the way down
Arrival into Bamboo, check-in and relax
Local dinner served in our guesthouse with beers and dancing to celebrate
+ DAY 8: BAMBOO TO LANDRUK
Breakfast
Downhill trail running to the village of Landruk (approx. 3 hours on the trail)
Stop at the hot springs to relax with lunch
Arrival into the village, check-in and relax
Afternoon to chill
Local dinner served in our guesthouse
+ DAY 9: LANDRUK TO BADAL DANDA
Breakfast
Easy morning hiking to ease us back into the trail
3 - 5 hour hike/run to Badal Danda via the Forest Camp, the trail routes back through the Rhododendron forest with uphill sections
Check into our tea house
Afternoon to explore the local Sherpa culture in surrounding villages
Stretching and relax
Local dinner served in our guesthouse
+ DAY 10: TRAIL TO MARDI HIMAL BC
Breakfast
3 - 4 hours easy running to Mardi Himal BC
Trail routes with an initial short, steep climb as we venture out of the forest, along a grassy ridge with epic views of Annapurna South and Macchapuchre
Continue towards Mardi Himal Base Camp with the great ice fields and blue glaciers of the Sanctuary Wall come into view
Check into our lodge and relax
Local dinner served in our guesthouse
+ DAY 11: FINAL DAY TO SIDDING & BACK TO POKHARA
Breakfast
Prepare our running kit for our last day on the trail
3 - 4 hours trail running descending to the village of Sidding via terraced fields, the torrent of Mardi Khola and the friendly village of Kalimata
Arrival into Sidding with a stop of a local restaurant to relax
4WD group transfer back to Pokhara
Check-in to our hotel, relax and chill
Nepali feast to celebrate our journey with local beer
+ DAY 12: RETURN TO KATHMANDU
Most of the day at leisure to relax in Pokhara
See the lake, markets, try a massage
Afternoon transfer to Pokhara Airport
Economy flight Pokhara - Kathmandu
Group transfer to our hotel
Check-in relax
Farewell dinner ceremony
+ DAY 13: HOMEWARD BOUND
Breakfast
Last-minute shopping and exploring
Pack up our gear and check-out
Group transfer to the airport for onward flight
Depart
INCLUDES:
2 nights at the Hotel Holy Himalaya in Kathmandu (twin or double share)
2 nights at the Big Pillow in Pokhara (twin or double share)
8 nights accommodation in cosy tea-houses on the trail (twin-share with shared toilets)
Fully-supported trail running trip
Internal return flight ticket (Kathmandu - Pokhara) in Economy Class
Cultural sightseeing incl city trail running sightseeing in Kathmandu
Dinner on the first and final night in Kathmandu
Full board throughout the duration of the trail run
All transfers
Permits and conservation fees
1: 3 Guides to Runners Ratio
Local porterage
Return Group Airport transfers
EXCLUDES:
International flights
Lunch in Kathmandu / Dinner in Pokhara on day 2 / Meals on departure day
All Beverages and snacks
Personal equipment
Personal bills
Visa fee US$30 per person for 15 days
Travel Insurance (REQUIRED before the trips departure - for cancellation, accidents, health and emergency evacuation, loss, theft or damage to baggage or personal effects. Ensure coverage up to 4500m)
Tips
Excess baggage beyond 15kg (for local flight)
WHERE WE STAY
Tea Houses
Tea houses are part of the fabric of rural Nepal – charming, cosy and serving up hot, tasty local fare to keep you full along the trail.
It must be stressed that tea houses by their nature are simple, rooms often only have twin beds and come with a clean sheet on a mattress and pillowcase. Toilets are almost always shared and are in squat format. Tea houses in the lower valleys will have access to hot water and ‘probably’ a shower, the higher you go the less likely the chances of showering facilities, but you can always buy tubs of hot water for a bucket wash.
We always use the best tea houses in every village. Considering the environment they provide everything you need.
FAQ
FLIGHTS
We specialise in arranging excellent trail running holidays, but do not book International flights. As there is a great variety of value flights departing from all over the world to Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM).
We will discuss with you about our trusted and recommended ways to book international flights through excellent ATOL protected partners who offer great value, ease of service and flight protection.
VISAS
All travellers to Nepal must hold a valid passport. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your expected departure from Nepal.
An entry visa for Nepal is also required. It can be obtained either online or at the airport upon arrival in Nepal. If you plan to obtain it in Nepal, be sure to bring the current visa fee in cash. You will also need to bring passport photographs with you which are necessary for your visa and trekking/climbing permits.
GROUP MANAGEMENT
Being a group of max. 12 runners with a mixture of ages and running abilities we may decide to split into flexible groups, all of which will be supported by Nepali running guides who will travel with us on the trip.
By splitting the group will allow us all to move more fluidly, allowing all team members to run at their own comfortable pace, without feeling pressured.
TRAIL RUNNING
Not only are the mountains spectacular, but the trail runs through a great variety of terrain along every step of the way – it is a wonder.
Lush forests and canyons characterize the entry valleys where we will spend our time traversing wide dusty trails at altitudes of 700-1000m. We follow along the banks of wide glacial rivers and undulating trails.
The terrain slowly becomes more mountainous the higher we go, picking our way through large boulder fields and dry plains where gigantic mountains – seemingly in touching distance – surround us on all sides. All the while the trail is very obvious as we pass through one charming village after the next.
Bear in mind this is Nepal, there is a lot of uphill travel involved in our journey which has been staged carefully to allow us to acclimatise and trail run as we go. This trip is a perfect introduction to trail running at altitude.
TEMPERATURES
Temperatures tend to be quite cool in the mornings and evenings, but heat-up at midday due to the strong, direct sunlight at high altitudes. Clear mornings with the chance of clouds developing in the afternoons. Highs in the mid 20’s to mid-teens (Celsius). It will be perfect for trail running.
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