Self-Launched Special Annapurna Trek: Kathmandu, Australian Camp & Poon Hill (13 Days)

Land at Tribhuvan International Airport; pick up a local SIM/eSIM at arrivals and change some cash (ATMs charge ~£3 per withdrawal, cards often carry a 4% surcharge outside big hotels). Get a prepaid taxi or ride-hailing app to Thamel (~£4-5). Settle into a Thamel guesthouse, sort your permits briefing for tomorrow, and eat momos and dal bhat on a rooftop. Buy or hire any missing gear in Thamel (down jacket, sleeping bag, poles) — much cheaper than at home.

🚌Airport taxi ~£5

🛏Thamel guesthouse, twin/double (~£12-15 pp)

• →Thamel orientation walk
• →Gear hire/shopping in Thamel

Do the same four sites the tour covers, self-guided. Start early at Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) for sunrise over the valley, then take a taxi or local bus to Patan Durbar Square and explore the Newari courtyards and Patan Museum. Afternoon at Pashupatinath to observe the cremation ghats respectfully (no photos of ceremonies), finishing at Boudhanath for kora (circumambulation) and dinner. A licensed local guide for 3-4 hours costs ~£15-20 if you want context — book via GetYourGuide or at the site. Entry fees: Swayambhunath ~£1, Patan ~£6, Pashupatinath ~£6, Boudhanath ~£2.

🚌Taxis between sites ~£8 total, or local buses ~£1.50

🛏Thamel guesthouse (~£12-15 pp)

• →Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
• →Patan Durbar Square & Patan Museum
• →Pashupatinath cremation ghats
• →Boudhanath stupa at dusk

This morning buy your TIMS card (~£15) and ACAP permit (~£22) at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Bhrikutimandap — bring passport photos and passport. Then take the 7-hour tourist bus to Pokhara (approx £12-15, book the day before at a Thamel agency or online with a company like Greenline/Swift). Alternatively, a 25-minute flight is ~£70-90. Arrive Pokhara, walk Lakeside, and buy a map or download an offline trekking app. Optional: hire a local trekking guide in Pokhara for ~£20-25/day if you'd rather not go fully solo.

🚌Tourist bus Kathmandu–Pokhara ~£13

🛏Lakeside guesthouse, Pokhara (~£10-14 pp)

• →TIMS & ACAP permit office
• →Lakeside evening walk, Phewa Lake

Take a local bus or shared jeep from Pokhara's Baglung bus park to Kande (~1 hour, ~£2). The trail climbs through forest about 2 hours to Australian Camp (2,060m) with Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre views. Lunch at the camp, then relax. Teahouses at Australian Camp and nearby Dhampus are simple but friendly.

🚌Local bus Pokhara–Kande ~£2

🛏Teahouse, Australian Camp (twin, ~£5-8 pp)

• →Trek Kande to Australian Camp
• →Sunset mountain views

Walk down to Dhampus and Pothana, then contour through terraced farmland to Tolka (1,810m) — roughly 5-6 hours. This is a quiet stretch of the trail with few groups. Teahouse meals: dal bhat ~£3-4, porridge ~£2, garlic soup ~£2.50.

🚌On foot

🛏Teahouse, Tolka (~£5-8 pp)

• →Trek Australian Camp – Tolka via Dhampus/Pothana

A long 6-7 hour day descending to the Modi Khola and climbing steeply to Chhomrong (2,170m), the gateway to the Annapurna Sanctuary. Great views of Machhapuchhre. Chhomrong is a checkpoint for ACAP permits — keep yours handy.

🚌On foot

🛏Teahouse, Chhomrong (~£6-9 pp)

• →Trek Tolka – Chhomrong
• →ACAP checkpoint

Climb through rhododendron forest to Tadapani (2,630m), about 5-6 hours. In spring the forest is in bloom; in winter expect snow patches. Cold nights at this altitude — check your sleeping bag rating.

🚌On foot

🛏Teahouse, Tadapani (~£6-9 pp)

• →Trek Chhomrong – Tadapani

A short but lovely 4-5 hour walk through mossy forest to Dobato (3,420m). This is the highest sleep of the trek, so go slow and hydrate. Sunset over the Annapurna range from the ridge is the payoff.

🚌On foot

🛏Teahouse, Dobato (~£7-10 pp)

• →Trek Tadapani – Dobato
• →Annapurna ridge sunset

Descend to Ghorepani (2,860m) in about 5 hours via Deurali, passing through rhododendron and oak forest. Ghorepani has more teahouses, bakeries and a warmer dining hall — a good night to treat yourself to a hot shower and apple pie.

🚌On foot

🛏Teahouse, Ghorepani (~£6-9 pp)

• →Trek Dobato – Ghorepani

Headlamp up at 4:45am for the 45-minute climb to Poon Hill (3,210m) for sunrise over Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South — an entry fee of ~£2 applies. Come back for breakfast, then a long descent via the famous 3,300 stone steps to Tikhedhunga (1,540m), about 6 hours total.

🚌On foot

🛏Teahouse, Tikhedhunga (~£5-8 pp)

• →Poon Hill sunrise hike
• →Trek Ghorepani – Tikhedhunga

A gentle 2-3 hour walk out to Nayapul, then a local bus or shared jeep back to Pokhara (~£2-3, 1.5 hours). Shower, laundry, and celebrate with a Lakeside dinner. Keep your permits — you'll sign out at the Nayapul checkpoint.

🚌Local bus/jeep Nayapul–Pokhara ~£3

🛏Lakeside guesthouse, Pokhara (~£10-14 pp)

• →Trek Tikhedhunga – Nayapul
• →Lakeside recovery evening

Return by tourist bus (~£13, 7 hours) or splurge on a Pokhara–Kathmandu flight (~£70-90, book on Buddha Air/Yeti Airlines) with Himalaya views. Afternoon free in Kathmandu for last-minute shopping — pashmina, singing bowls, tea — then a farewell dinner in Thamel or Patan.

🚌Tourist bus Pokhara–Kathmandu ~£13 (or flight ~£80)

🛏Thamel guesthouse (~£12-15 pp)

• →Souvenir shopping
• →Farewell dinner

Transfer to the airport for your flight home. If you have a late departure, squeeze in a final breakfast rooftop and a walk around Asan Tole market.

🚌Taxi to airport ~£5

🛏—

• →Airport transfer