Self-Launched Annapurna Foothills Trek: Pokhara to Kathmandu

Arrange a local taxi or shared jeep from Pokhara to Khare (around 1 hour, ~£3-5 by shared vehicle or ~£10-15 by private taxi). From Khare, follow the well-marked trail uphill through pleasant forest to Australian Camp (2,065m) and then on to Pothana. On a clear day you'll be rewarded with sweeping panoramas of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare (Fishtail Mountain). Arrive at your teahouse by lunchtime and relax for the afternoon. Tip: hire a licensed local trekking guide in Pokhara the day before departure — Lakeside guesthouses and the Nepal Tourism Board office can recommend reliable guides for ~£20-25/day. A porter costs a similar amount and is well worth it.

🚌Shared taxi or local jeep from Pokhara to Khare (~£4 shared / ~£12 private)

🛏Pothana teahouse (e.g. Deurali Guest House or similar, ~£5-8/night B&B)

• →Trek from Khare through forest to Australian Camp (2,065m)
• →Panoramic views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare
• →Arrive at Pothana teahouse for overnight stay

Today's trail climbs to Deurali — stop at one of the tea shops here for a well-earned break — before descending steeply through forest to Tolka and then undulating through farmland to the beautiful Gurung village of Landrung (1,648m). The distinctive orange mud-brick houses and terraced hillsides make this one of the most photogenic stretches of the route. Spend the afternoon exploring the village and chatting with locals. Meals at teahouses are inexpensive — a dal bhat (the local staple and highly recommended) costs around £2-3.

🚌On foot (7km / ~3-4 hours walking)

🛏Landrung teahouse (basic lodge, ~£5-8/night B&B)

• →Steep descent through forest to Tolka
• →Explore the traditional Gurung village of Landrung
• →Observe traditional subsistence farming and terraced hillsides

Fine views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli open up ahead as you descend a stone staircase to the Modi Khola River, cross by bridge, and make the long climb up through farms and small hamlets to Ghandrung (1,951m). This is the largest Gurung village in the Annapurna region — spend the afternoon wandering its maze of narrow alleyways and slate-roofed houses. From your teahouse, watch the sunset paint the flanks of Annapurna South in gold. The ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) checkpoint here is routine; make sure you have your ACAP permit and TIMS card (obtained in Pokhara before the trek, ~£25 total).

🚌On foot (4km / ~3 hours walking)

🛏Ghandrung teahouse (e.g. Himalayan Lodge or similar, ~£5-8/night B&B)

• →Cross the Modi Khola River by footbridge
• →Climb to Ghandrung (1,951m)
• →Explore the old part of Ghandrung village — narrow alleyways and slate-roofed houses
• →Watch sunset on Annapurna South from the lodge

A mostly downhill day — follow the stone staircase out of Ghandrung all the way down to Birethanti, with the roaring Modi Khola far below and the snowy peaks towering above. Have lunch in Birethanti (a simple meal at a teahouse, ~£2-4) then catch a local bus or shared taxi back to Pokhara (~£2-4 by local bus, ~£15-20 for a private taxi). Check into a budget guesthouse or hotel near Lakeside — a comfortable en-suite room with hot shower can be found for £12-20/night. Celebrate finishing the trek with a lakeside dinner.

🚌On foot to Birethanti then local bus to Pokhara (~£3 / or private taxi ~£18)

🛏Budget hotel near Lakeside, Pokhara (e.g. Hotel Namaste or similar, ~£15-20/night)

• →Descend stone staircase from Ghandrung to Birethanti (8.6km)
• →Lunch in Birethanti
• →Return to Pokhara by local bus or shared taxi
• →Relaxing evening on Phewa Lake waterfront

Take the tourist bus from Pokhara to Kathmandu — tickets are sold at any guesthouse or the Tourist Bus Park on the Lakeside, typically departing around 7-8am. The 200km journey follows the Marsyangdi and Trisuli rivers through stunning mountain scenery, past villages and terraced hillsides, and takes around 6-8 hours (tourist buses are faster and more comfortable than local buses). Cost is around £7-10. If you prefer to fly, domestic flights with Buddha Air or Yeti Airlines cost around £90-110 and take 25 minutes — book online in advance. Arrive in Kathmandu by early evening and check into a guesthouse in Thamel (the backpacker hub), where comfortable rooms start from £10-18/night.

🚌Tourist bus Pokhara to Kathmandu (~£8) or domestic flight (~£100)

🛏Thamel guesthouse, Kathmandu (e.g. Hotel Thamel House or similar, ~£12-18/night)

• →Scenic tourist bus journey following river valleys through the mountains
• →Check in to Thamel guesthouse
• →Evening wander through Thamel's lively streets

Start early if you want to take an optional Everest mountain flight — Buddha Air and Yeti Airlines both operate scenic flights (departing ~6-7am, ~£150-180, book directly at Kathmandu airport or online). These early-morning flights give spectacular views of Everest and the Himalayan chain on clear days. For the main sightseeing, hire a local taxi for a half-day (around £12-15 for the cab) and visit Pashupatinath Temple, the holiest Hindu site in Nepal (foreign visitor entry ~£10), and the magnificent Boudhanath Stupa (entry ~£3), one of the largest stupas in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon, explore independently: Swayambhunath (the Monkey Temple, entry ~£2, great views over the city), Durbar Square with its carved temples (~£8 entry), or simply browse Thamel's superb bookshops, handicraft stalls and clothing markets. Dinner at one of Thamel's many excellent restaurants — try Nepali, Tibetan, or Indian cuisine for £4-7.

🚌Local taxi for half-day sightseeing (~£13)

🛏Thamel guesthouse, Kathmandu (~£12-18/night)

• →Optional scenic Everest mountain flight (bookable on arrival, ~£150-180)
• →Visit Pashupatinath Temple — Nepal's most sacred Hindu site (~£10 entry)
• →Explore Boudhanath Stupa — one of the world's largest Buddhist stupas (~£3 entry)
• →Optional: Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) and Durbar Square
• →Browse Thamel for souvenirs, Tibetan handicrafts and bookshops

Your adventure ends after breakfast. Tribhuvan International Airport is around 6km from Thamel — a taxi costs around £4-6 (agree the price in advance or use a metered cab). If you have time before your flight, grab a final coffee at one of Thamel's excellent cafes or pick up any last-minute souvenirs. Pre-booked airport transfer services are also available through your guesthouse for a fixed fee.

🚌Taxi to Kathmandu airport (~£5)

• →Final breakfast in Thamel
• →Taxi transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport (~£5)