Self-Launched Annapurna Sanctuary Trek & Chitwan Safari

Land at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) and grab a prepaid taxi or a Grab ride into Thamel (~£4-6). Settle into a Thamel hostel or budget guesthouse — this is the hub for trekking shops, permits and gear rental. Spend the afternoon sorting logistics yourself: buy your ACAP permit and TIMS card at the Nepal Tourism Board office (Exhibition Road), or arrange a guide/porter through a registered agency if you want one. Wrap up with a meal of dal bhat or momos on a rooftop, and introduce yourself to the vibe of backpacker Kathmandu.

🚌Airport taxi ~£4-6; walking around Thamel

🛏Thamel hostel or budget guesthouse, dorm or twin room (~£8-15)

• →Thamel orientation walk
• →Buy ACAP permit & TIMS card (NTB office)
• →Gear rental / hire guide or porter (optional)
• →Boudhanath or Swayambhunath stupa visit

Book a tourist bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara (departs ~7am, 7-8hrs, ~£12-18 one-way). The route follows the Trishuli River with terraced hills and Himalayan glimpses. Alternatively fly Kathmandu-Pokhara (~£70-90) if short on time. On arrival, walk or take a short taxi to Lakeside and check into a guesthouse. Spend the evening strolling the lakefront, checking out trekking shops and stocking up on snacks and any last gear before you head to the trail.

🚌Kathmandu-Pokhara tourist bus ~£12-18; local taxi to Lakeside ~£2

🛏Lakeside guesthouse, twin room (~£8-15)

• →Scenic bus journey through mid-hills
• →Lakeside evening stroll
• →Buy trekking snacks and supplies

Take a local bus or shared jeep from Pokhara to Nayapul/Birethanti (~1.5-2hrs, ~£2-4). Pick up your ACAP permit check-in and begin trekking. Follow the Modi Khola through lush forest, passing waterfalls and riverside villages, with your first striking views of Machapuchare (6993m). Cross suspension bridges and tackle the long stone staircase up to Ulleri — one of the toughest climbs of the trek. Settle into your first teahouse for a hearty dal bhat and a well-earned sleep.

🚌Local bus/shared jeep Pokhara to Nayapul ~£2-4; trekking thereafter

🛏Teahouse, twin/triple share (~£5-8 room, pay for meals)

• →Trek Birethanti to Ulleri (6hrs, 10km, ~1186m ascent)
• →Machapuchare viewpoint
• →Permit checkpoint at Birethanti

A shorter, steady day climbing through oak and rhododendron forest. Trekking in spring rewards you with carpets of wildflowers. Watch for your first proper views of Hiunchuli (6441m), Annapurna South (7219m) and Dhaulagiri (8167m), the world's 7th-highest mountain. Arrive in Ghorepani, a Magar village perched on the ridge, and if the weather cooperates catch a memorable Himalayan sunset from near your teahouse.

🚌Trekking

🛏Teahouse, twin/triple share (~£5-8)

• →Trek Ulleri to Ghorepani (4hrs, 8km, ~820m ascent)
• →Rhododendron forest walk
• →Himalayan sunset from Ghorepani ridge

Set an early alarm to hike up to Poon Hill (3210m) for one of Nepal's most famous sunrises over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas (~1hr up). Return to Ghorepani for breakfast, then descend steeply through rhododendron forest towards Deurali Pass, cross a stream and climb to Tadapani. Continue down to the quiet village of Chuile for the night. This is a long day, so pace yourself with frequent water and snack breaks.

🚌Trekking

🛏Teahouse, twin/triple share (~£5-8)

• →Poon Hill sunrise hike (3210m)
• →Trek Ghorepani-Chuile (8-9hrs, 15km)
• →Tadapani village

Wake to Machapuchare framed in your teahouse window. Descend through scattered settlements to the Kimrong Khola, where the forest thickens into wild jungle. Climb to Chhomrong — the last permanent village in the valley and a great lunch stop — then descend stone steps to the river and climb again to Sinuwa, with Fishtail Mountain dominating the view ahead.

🚌Trekking

🛏Teahouse, twin/triple share (~£5-8)

• →Trek Chuile-Sinuwa (6hrs, 11km)
• →Chhomrong village viewpoint
• →Jungle forest section

A demanding day of stone steps and undulating trail through dense jungle alongside a wild river — the longest sustained climb is roughly 45 minutes. Pass through Bamboo and its string of cosy teahouses, take a well-earned break, then continue through the forest to the aptly named village of Himalaya. Once you're above Bamboo the scenery closes in and feels increasingly remote.

🚌Trekking

🛏Teahouse, multi-share (~£5-8)

• →Trek Sinuwa-Himalaya (6hrs, 9km)
• →Bamboo village
• →Riverside jungle trail

A big climbing day through oak and bamboo forest to Hinku Cave, then onwards along a rocky trail crossing ravines and streams via wooden bridges. Pass Deurali, follow the glacial river through birch forest flanked by snowy ridges, then break above the treeline to reach Machapuchare Base Camp (~3700m). Sink into spectacular views of Hiunchuli, Gandharbachuil, Gangapurna and the Annapurna Massif — and thousands of stars after dark. Keep the pace slow, drink plenty of water and watch for altitude symptoms.

🚌Trekking

🛏Teahouse, multi-share (~£5-8)

• →Trek Himalaya to MBC (5hrs, 8km, ~1100m ascent)
• →Hinku Cave
• →Deurali glacial valley
• →Annapurna Massif views

The highlight of the trek. A steady 3-hour climb above the treeline on snow-dusted rocky terrain brings you to Annapurna Base Camp at 4130m. The trail isn't steep but altitude makes it feel harder — take it slow. The panorama of Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Gangapurna and Machapuchare is unforgettable, and if conditions allow, stay for a magical sunset. Spend the night at ABC to maximise your time at the summit of the route.

🚌Trekking

🛏Teahouse, multi-share at ABC (~£5-8)

• →Trek MBC to Annapurna Base Camp (3hrs, 4km, 430m ascent)
• →4130m sunrise/sunset panorama
• →Annapurna I viewpoint

Rise early for the famous ABC sunrise as Annapurna I, Annapurna III, Annapurna South, Gangapurna, Hiunchuli and Machapuchare glow in the morning light. Then it's a long, steady downhill day — 1860m of descent through forested slopes — retracing the valley back to Bamboo for the night. Take care on the steps; poles help tremendously on these big descent days.

🚌Trekking

🛏Teahouse, multi-share (~£5-8)

• →ABC sunrise viewpoint
• →Trek ABC to Bamboo (7-8hrs, 18km descent)

Climb back up to Khuldighar, then follow a gentle downhill trail with steps down to Chhomrong Khola. Climb through the village again before descending to Jhinu Danda. Reward yourself with a soak in the riverside hot springs — the perfect antidote to ten days of stone steps. Spend your final mountain night in Jhinu Danda.

🚌Trekking

🛏Teahouse, twin/triple share (~£5-8)

• →Trek Bamboo to Jhinu Danda (6hrs, 10km)
• →Jhinu Danda hot springs (~£2 entry)

A short final hiking morning with views of Nepal's mid-hills — descend to Sewai (3-4hrs, 8km downhill), where you'll catch a local bus or shared jeep back to Pokhara (~1.5-2hrs, ~£3-5). Check into your Lakeside guesthouse, shower off eleven days of trail dust, and head out to celebrate with a well-earned dinner by the lake.

🚌Trek to Sewai; local bus/jeep to Pokhara ~£3-5

🛏Lakeside guesthouse, twin room (~£8-15)

• →Trek Jhinu Danda to Sewai (3-4hrs, 8km)
• →Return bus to Pokhara
• →Lakeside celebratory dinner

Take a tourist bus from Pokhara to Sauraha, the gateway village to Chitwan National Park (5-6hrs, ~£8-12). Nepal's first national park protects over 900 sq km of forest, grassland and wildlife — gharials, rhinos, elephants, pythons, deer and the elusive Bengal tiger and leopard. Check into a budget jungle lodge, freshen up, then pay a visit to a traditional Tharu village and catch sunset along the banks of the Rapti River. Dinner and an early night ahead of a full day of exploration.

🚌Pokhara-Sauraha tourist bus ~£8-12

🛏Chitwan jungle lodge (budget/simple), twin room (~£12-20)

• →Tharu village cultural walk
• →Rapti River sunset
• →Sauraha riverfront

A full day of wildlife exploration. Start at the Gharial Crocodile Breeding Centre (established 1971), then board a dugout canoe for a leisurely cruise along the Rapti River — your best chance to spot aquatic birds, gharials and riverbank wildlife. After lunch, head out on a jeep or walking safari (book locally through your lodge or a recognised operator) deep into the jungle, eyes peeled for bison, deer and the one-horned rhino. Most lodges sell a 2-3 day Chitwan package including canoe, jungle walk, jeep safari, meals and guide, which often works out cheaper than paying per activity.

🚌Local transport within park / guided jeep

🛏Chitwan jungle lodge (budget/simple), twin room (~£12-20)

• →Gharial Crocodile Breeding Centre
• →Dugout canoe on Rapti River
• →Jeep or walking safari in Chitwan National Park
• →Birdwatching

Begin with an early morning jungle walk led by a park naturalist (book via your lodge, ~£10-15), looking out for birds, flora and fauna. Afterwards, take a bus back to Kathmandu (6-7hrs, ~£10-15) or the quicker option of a tourist bus/shared vehicle, and check into your Thamel guesthouse. Enjoy some downtime in the capital and an optional final dinner out.

🚌Sauraha-Kathmandu tourist bus ~£10-15

🛏Thamel hostel or guesthouse, dorm or twin (~£8-15)

• →Guided jungle walk (1-2hrs, 5km)
• →Bus back to Kathmandu
• →Thamel evening

A relaxed final day. Enjoy a lie-in and breakfast, then, time permitting, explore more of Kathmandu — Durbar Square, the Garden of Dreams, or a cafe crawl in Thamel — before grabbing a prepaid taxi to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight home. If your flight is later, consider stashing your bag and doing a half-day sightseeing loop.

🚌Taxi to airport ~£4-6

🛏None (check-out)

• →Kathmandu Durbar Square
• →Garden of Dreams
• →Last-minute souvenir shopping in Thamel