Self-Launched Annapurna Sanctuary Trek: Kathmandu to Annapurna Base Camp

Land at Tribhuvan International Airport and make your own way to Thamel (pre-paid taxi ~£4-6, or grab a local taxi at the rank). Check into a budget guesthouse in Thamel and spend the afternoon sorting trek admin: get your TIMS card and ACAP permit at the Nepal Tourism Board office (Exhibition Road) or via the TAAN office — bring passport photos and cash. Wander the maze of Thamel's gear shops to rent or buy a down jacket and sleeping bag if you need them (rental ~£1-2/day each). Dinner at a Thamel momo or dal bhat spot.

🚌Airport taxi to Thamel ~£4-6

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

• →Collect TIMS card and ACAP permit
• →Hire or buy trekking gear in Thamel
• →Explore Thamel and Durbar Marg

Take a tourist bus from Kathmandu's Kantipath or Sorhakhutte bus park to Pokhara — around 7-8 hours on a winding mountain road with a lunch stop. Buses leave early morning (roughly 7am); book through your guesthouse the night before. Alternatively, a domestic flight takes 25 minutes (~£80-100) if you prefer to skip the drive. Arrive in Pokhara's Lakeside district, settle into a guesthouse and walk the lakefront for dinner.

🚌Tourist bus Kathmandu–Pokhara ~£8-12 (7-8 hrs)

🛏Guesthouse in Pokhara Lakeside (twin, ~£8-15)

• →Scenic mountain-road drive to Pokhara
• →Evening stroll along Phewa Lake

Take a local bus or shared jeep from Pokhara's Baglung bus park to Nayapul/Birethanti (~1.5-2 hrs, ~£2-3). Start walking from the trailhead, ascending gradually through forest past waterfalls and villages. Lunch with views of Machhapuchhare, then cross the suspension bridge and tackle the long, steep stone staircase up to Ulleri — the toughest single stretch of the trek. Check into your first teahouse and order dal bhat. Note: teahouses expect you to eat your meals with them.

🚌Local bus/jeep Pokhara–Nayapul ~£2-3

🛏Teahouse, Ulleri (twin/triple share, ~£3-5)

• →Trek Birethanti to Ulleri (6 hrs, ~1,185m ascent)
• →Machhapuchhare viewpoint at lunch

A moderate uphill day through oak and rhododendron forest — spectacular in spring when the whole hillside blooms. Climb towards Ghorepani with glimpses of Hiunchuli, Annapurna South and Dhaulagiri (8,167m). Arrive in Ghorepani, home of the Magar people, in time for a Himalayan sunset. It's cold up here, so layer up and check whether your teahouse charges for hot showers and charging (usually ~£2-3 each).

🚌On foot (4 hrs, ~820m ascent)

🛏Teahouse, Ghorepani (twin/triple share, ~£3-5)

• →Trek Ulleri to Ghorepani
• →Rhododendron forest walk
• →Sunset over the Annapurnas

Set your alarm for before dawn and hike ~1 hour up to Poon Hill (3,210m) for the classic sunrise panorama over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range. Back down to Ghorepani for breakfast, then descend steeply through rhododendron forest to Deurali Pass, cross the bridge and continue to Tadapani, then drop slowly down to the village of Chuile. This is a long, knee-testing day with more stone steps than you can count.

🚌On foot (8-9 hrs)

🛏Teahouse, Chuile (twin/triple share, ~£3-5)

• →Poon Hill sunrise hike (3,210m)
• →Descend via Tadapani
• →Views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare

Breakfast with Machhapuchhare in front of you, then follow the trail downhill through scattered settlements to Kimrong Khola. The forest thickens into jungle as you descend to Ghurjung, then climb steeply to Chhomrong — the last permanent village in the valley. Undulate across the stone staircase, drop to the river and climb the opposite valley wall to Sinuwa, again facing Machhapuchhare.

🚌On foot (6 hrs)

🛏Teahouse, Sinuwa (twin/triple share, ~£3-5)

• →Trek Chuile to Sinuwa via Chhomrong
• →Jungle forest walking

Descend stone steps through dense jungle and follow an undulating riverside trail — the longest ascent is only about 45 minutes — through the wildest terrain on the trek, to the village of Bamboo. Stop for lunch, then continue through the forest to the perfectly named village of Himalaya. Altitude is starting to bite now, so keep drinking water and walk slowly.

🚌On foot (6 hrs)

🛏Teahouse, Himalaya (multi-share, ~£3-5)

• →Trek Sinuwa to Himalaya via Bamboo
• →Riverside jungle trail

A steady climb through oak and bamboo to Hinku Cave, then onward over a rocky trail crossing ravines and small wooden bridges. At Deurali you pick your way along the glacial riverbank and climb through birch forest, snow ridges on both sides. Emerge above the treeline at Machhapuchhare Base Camp (3,700m) — the views of Hiunchuli, Gangapurna and the Annapurna Massif are extraordinary. Eat early and get to bed; tomorrow is an early start.

🚌On foot (5 hrs)

🛏Teahouse, Machhapuchhare Base Camp (multi-share, ~£4-6)

• →Trek to Machhapuchhare Base Camp
• →Hinku Cave
• →Stargazing at altitude

Leave the greenery behind and climb gradually through a rocky, snow-streaked landscape into thin air. The trail doesn't steepen, but at 4,130m you'll feel the altitude — pace yourself. Reach Annapurna Base Camp, the high point of the trek and the reason this is one of the world's most famous hikes. If the weather plays ball, the sunset over Annapurna I is unforgettable. Sleep early; sunrise here is the real prize.

🚌On foot (3 hrs, ~430m ascent)

🛏Teahouse, Annapurna Base Camp (multi-share, ~£4-6)

• →Hike to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m)
• →Sunset on Annapurna I

Get up before dawn for the sunrise as Annapurna I, III, Annapurna South, Gangapurna, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhare catch the first light. Then turn downhill for a long, 360-degree-view descent — all 1,860m of it — back to forested slopes and the village of Bamboo. It's a big day on the knees, so bring trekking poles or borrow a stick.

🚌On foot (7-8 hrs, ~1,860m descent)

🛏Teahouse, Bamboo (multi-share, ~£3-5)

• →Sunrise at Annapurna Base Camp
• →Long descent to Bamboo

Climb to Khuldighar on stone staircases, then follow the gentle descent and steps to Chhomrong Khola. Climb briefly through the village, then descend to Jhinu Danda. Drop your bag at a teahouse and walk 20 minutes down to the bubbling riverside hot springs — the perfect reward for ten days of stone steps. Soak, then eat well and sleep deep.

🚌On foot (6 hrs)

🛏Teahouse, Jhinu Danda (twin/triple share, ~£3-5)

• →Trek to Jhinu Danda
• →Jhinu Danda hot springs

A short final morning of trekking with big views of the mid-hills — breathe the mountain air, take last photos, then descend to Sewai/New Bridge where a local jeep or bus runs back to Pokhara (~1.5-2 hrs, ~£3). Check into a Lakeside guesthouse, shower properly, then eat too much and sleep in a real bed. If you're still standing, Lakeside's bars are right there.

🚌Local jeep/bus Sewai–Pokhara ~£3

🛏Guesthouse in Pokhara Lakeside (twin, ~£8-15)

• →Final trek morning
• →Celebratory dinner in Pokhara

Take the tourist bus back to Kathmandu (~8 hrs, ~£8-12) or, if your knees have had enough, a domestic flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu (~25 mins, ~£80-100 through Yeti or Buddha Air, book via Klook or directly).Return to a Thamel guesthouse and enjoy a low-key evening in Nepal's chaotic, intoxicating capital.

🚌Tourist bus Pokhara–Kathmandu ~£8-12, or domestic flight ~£80-100

🛏Budget guesthouse in Thamel, Kathmandu (twin, ~£8-15)

• →Travel back to Kathmandu
• →Evening in Thamel

Sleep in, then spend your last day seeing what you missed: Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) or Patan Durbar Square, all reachable by taxi or local bus. Grab a final dal bhat or a Newari feast in Patan, then head to the airport for your flight home. Most nationalities can get a Nepal visa on arrival at KTM — check current fees and bring USD cash.

🚌Taxi to airport ~£4-6

🛏Check out (no overnight)

• →Boudhanath Stupa or Swayambhunath
• →Patan Durbar Square
• →Last Nepali meal