Trek the Annapurna Sanctuary Route

Check into your hotel in Thamel, the heart of the sensory overload that is Kathmandu. After meeting your guides and making any last-minute plans for the trek, finish the day with a group dinner alongside the rest of your team.

Drive to the lakeside city of Pokhara (approximately eight hours away) – the gateway to your trek. After road-tripping through some mind-bendingly beautiful Himalayan scenery and terraced farmland, settle into your hotel and soak in the tranquillity as you prepare for your first full day of hiking in the morning.

Take a short scenic drive (about two hours) to Nayapul and set off from the trailhead, taking your first steps along the path that gradually ascends through dense forest, passing remote waterfalls and villages along the way. Tuck into lunch with an epic view of Mount Machapuchare (6993m), then cross a suspension bridge and begin the long, steep climb up a stone staircase all the way to Ulleri. This will be one of the most challenging stretches of the whole trek, but your guide will help with the pace so that it's manageable for your group. Once at the village, refuel with a well-deserved hot meal and enjoy your first night in a Nepalese teahouse.

Enjoy a morning coffee as you soak up the panoramic view from your teahouse and prepare for a moderate uphill trail through a mixed forest of oak and rhododendron. If you're travelling in the early spring, the area will be covered in colourful flowers – a true spectacle of nature. Camera ready, head straight up the nearby mountain, catching glimpses of Hiunchuli (6441m) and Annapurna South (7219m). After another lunch with world-class views, continue on to Ghorepani, home to the Magar people, in time for a special sunset over the Himalayas.

Set off before dawn and hike to the top of Poon Hill (3210m, about an hour's walk uphill), famous for its epic mountain views, just in time for the sunrise of a lifetime. Backtrack to Ghorepani for breakfast, then descend steeply through the rhododendron forest negotiating yet more stone steps to Deurali Pass (3210m). Cross a small stream by bridge, grab lunch surrounded by a beautiful lush forest and begin the short but steep ascent to Tadapani village – eyes peeled for Annapurna South and Machapuchare ('Fishtail' Mountain). From there it’s a slow descent to tonight’s destination, the village of Chuile.

Greet Machapuchare peak from your teahouse as you enjoy breakfast, then set off following the trail downhill through sparse settlements to Kimrong Khola. See the landscape change by the second as the forest thickens into untamed jungle. After following the trail downhill to Ghurjung there's a steep ascent to Chhomrong, the last permanent village in the valley. The route undulates once more as a stone staircase leads down to the river and then climbs steeply up the opposite side of the valley to tonight’s destination, Sinuwa, overlooking again the beautiful Machapuchare.

Descend via stone steps through dense jungle and follow an undulating trail along the banks of a wild river as it weaves its way through some of the most challenging terrain on the entire trek, until you reach the village of Bamboo. The mountaintop views make all the hard work worthwhile. After resting up, continue through the forest to tonight's stop – the perfectly named village of Himalaya.

Start the day with a steep ascent through oak and bamboo forest to Hinku Cave, then push onwards and upwards on a rocky trail crossing some steep ravines as well as a few small streams on wooden bridges. As the trail reaches Deurali, negotiate the glacial river bank and ascend through birch forest, flanked by multiple layers of snowy and sharp ridges on both sides. Finally, emerge above the tree line and over the mountaintop to Machapuchare Base Camp. Try not to lose the power of speech as you look out on some of the most spectacular vistas on the entire trail, including Hiunchuli, Gandharyachuil, Gangapurna and the awesome Annapurna Massif. Relax, recover and then enjoy a Himalayan night sky filled with stars.

Enjoy breakfast with magnificent views of surrounding mountains, then leave the greenery behind and head into the snow-blanketed and rocky landscape that lays above. Though the trail ascends gradually and does not steepen, you may feel the effect of altitude on your breathing and pace. Hike the final stretch to Annapurna Base Camp (4130m) – the summit of the entire trek and a major reason why this is one of the most famous treks on the planet. If the weather is clear, enjoy a magical sunset you'll remember for a lifetime.

Rise early to glimpse the breathtaking view of giant peaks such as Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna South, Gangapurna, Hiunchuli and Machapuchare as they emerge at the glow of sunrise. Then get back on the trail, this time heading downhill, soaking in the 360-degree mountain views before dropping back down to the forested slopes with a long descent to the village of Bamboo for the night.

Climb to Khuldighar on stone staircases and follow the gentle downhill trail and stone steps that lead to Chomrong Khola. From there, it's a short uphill walk through the village, followed by a downhill section to Jhinu Danda. From there, you'll head to the bubbling hot springs at Jhinu Danda for some much-needed downtime.

Begin your last day of trekking with some mesmerising views of the mid-hills of Nepal. Breathe in that mountain air, take some final photos and then enjoy your final descent into Naya Pul, from where you’ll be driven back to Pokhara. Head out for a celebratory dinner with your crew, then spend the rest of the night relaxing, partying beside the lake, sleeping – whatever you want, you’ve earned it!

Take a bus through the Himalayas (approximately eight hours) back to Kathmandu and your hotel in Thamel. Enjoy some downtime in Nepal’s chaotic but intoxicating capital.

Enjoy a lie-in followed by breakfast at your hotel, then spend your last day exploring the city before returning to the airport and back to reality.