Trek the Annapurna Circuit

The preferred currency is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR). Whilst ATMs are available in the main cities, please do not rely on them as they are often out of order and most have a maximum withdrawal limit equivalent to about £300.

It's best to bring the bulk of your money with you in cash, then exchange it at a bank or at one of the many money changers in Nepal – your guide can help you with this. Most major currencies are accepted, including GBP (Sterling), Euros and US Dollars, however Scottish or Northern Irish currency cannot be changed. Keep your exchange receipts in case you want to change any unused Rupees back into hard currency when you leave Nepal (it is illegal to export Nepalese Rupees, as it is a closed currency).

You will need to carry a fairly large amount of cash while trekking, for the meals (see 'Not Included' above). We advise that you keep this in a waterproof bag and in your day bag along with your passport.

We work with some of the best leaders in the industry. Every single one of them is government licensed and very experienced. In order to ensure guides’ high standard of performance, the host provides them with top-notch in-house training that covers Leave No Trace (LNT) principles, advanced wilderness first aid, hyperbaric chambers, oxygen systems, mountain rescue and incident management.

Although we schedule departure dates outside of the main monsoon season, weather conditions in any mountain region can be unpredictable and sometimes your host will need to revert to 'Plan B'. No two trekking seasons are the same but occasional landslides after Yak Kharka or heavy snowfall at Thorong Phedi or on the Thorong La are known to lead to trail closures on this route.

If the trail is closed or deemed unsafe, your host will organise an alternative trek – usually an extended version of the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek (also visiting Australian Camp). However, if after you’ve set off on the Annapurna Circuit Trek an issue subsequently arises and you cannot cross the Thorong La, you’ll have to retrace your steps back to Taal.

At the end of the trek, a flight from Jomsom to Pokhara is included – if this is cancelled you will drive to Pokhara instead.

You can leave any luggage not needed during the trek at your hotel in Kathmandu.

This trip includes one porter for every two trekkers. They will carry up to 20-25kg of kit so your overnight bags and spare clothes will be transported for you (maximum 12kg per person). You will only need to carry a daypack with essentials in (extra layer, snacks, water, suncream, camera etc).

We’ve sourced some great optional activities for you to do in and around Kathmandu should you wish to explore that little bit further. Please discuss these directly with your host who will be able to book them for you.

Cook Like a Local: This short cooking workshop (approx. 3 hours) teaches you how to cook popular Nepali dishes like momos and dal bhat. You’ll meet your teacher and accompany them shopping, then head to the kitchen and learn to cook alongside them. Price: Pay what you think the workshop is worth!

Shop Local: A 2-3 hour guided exploration of the markets of Kathmandu. Prepare to learn about the vendors that line the crowded narrow alleyways and witness everything you could ever imagine being sold, haggled and bargained for. A great experience to learn about the melting pot of cultures that exist in Kathmandu. Price: $9-$50pp, depending on the group size

Master of the Arts: Patan Durbar Square is popular for its Fine Arts and this trip will explore the local factories where handicrafts are made. You'll visit 2-3 factories to learn about traditional processes and see art being produced. Price: $14-$59pp, depending on the group size.

Introduction to Shamanism: Shamanism, which is believed to heal many diseases, is not practiced widely these days however this trip enables you to meet a practising Guru and learn all about this age-old tradition. You'll visit a small house to have an introduction, followed by lunch and a drumming session where you'll learn the importance of rhythm pattern to healing. Price: $90-$150, depending on group size.

Lakeside Pokhara, with its laidback vibe, is a popular spot to relax after a trek. Although the tour starts and ends in Kathmandu, your host can arrange extra nights for you in Pokhara after your trek. They will simply shift your included bus transfer from Pokhara to Kathmandu and your final night's hotel reservation in Kathmandu to a later date for you, so you'll only need to pay for the additional accommodation in Pokhara.

Although most teahouses have the option to buy bottled water, we advise against it to reduce the use of plastic in the mountains (this ends up being burnt or dumped into landfill out of sight).

You will instead be provided with cold water that needs treating. There is a wide range of products available these days which are more effective than traditional purification tablets – some trekkers like to use handheld UV devices such as a Steripen but other options are available (just check their performance in freezing conditions).

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

This trip includes a domestic flight from Jomsom to Pokhara. Nepal's mountainous terrain and weather make for challenging flying conditions and sadly more incidents (including fatalities) occur here than in other countries. Since 2013 the EU has banned all Nepalese domestic airlines from flying within EU airspace in order to raise awareness of the poor safety record (although no Nepalese airlines were operating routes within the EU prior to the ban). You should be aware that flying in Nepal is an identified risk: please consider this carefully before booking. Additional information can be found on the Aviation Safety Network entry for Nepal (opens in new tab) as well as the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice for Nepal (opens in new tab).

Domestic airlines in Nepal are generally not accredited by any internationally recognised safety audit systems and the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal does not operate to the same standards as those of Western nations.

What does Much Better Adventures do about this?
Much Better Adventures collaborates with other UK travel companies to arrange for independent air-safety auditors to visit Nepal annually to assess the local airlines. Much Better Adventures then only uses the carriers that were approved as part of the most recent audit. If any concerns are subsequently raised about an approved airline between audits, we put them on hold until the auditors are satisfied that safety standards are being met.

Owing to the nature of this trip, it is essential that your personal travel insurance policy provides cover to the maximum altitude visited on this trip (5416m) as well as for emergency medical evacuation by helicopter.

This trip reaches elevations above 4500m, where the risks associated with Altitude Sickness (opens in new tab) (AMS) are higher, and where more serious conditions like HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema) and HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema) can occur.

Previous high-altitude experience doesn’t guarantee the same reaction every time, but it can be a helpful indicator. It gives you insight into how your body might respond, helps you recognise symptoms early, and prepares you mentally and physically for the demands of high-altitude trekking.

Your guide is trained to manage altitude risk by carefully managing the rate of ascent, monitoring group wellbeing, and taking action if anyone becomes unwell.

Before travelling, think about your own physical condition and consult a medical professional if you have concerns – especially if you have underlying health issues. If possible, arriving a day or two early at altitude is a great way to help your body adjust.

Your travel insurance must cover the maximum altitude reached on this trip and include emergency evacuation.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with (opens in new tab). You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website (opens in new tab), where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information (opens in new tab) and also talking to a travel nurse.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here (opens in new tab) for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

There are 3 different seasons for trekking in Nepal:

Winter (Dec-Feb): Despite being seen as ‘off-season’ this is often the best time to trek in Nepal. The nights can be very cold (down to -20ºC) but the trails are quieter and the mountain views are often at their best due to the clear sunny skies.

Pre-Monsoon/Spring (Mar-May): Temperatures rise significantly in spring and flowers are in full bloom in the lower areas. Although it can still drop below freezing at night, the daytime temperatures tend to sit between 10-15ºC.

Post-Monsoon/Autumn (Sep-Nov): This is the most popular time to trek in Nepal with generally sunny and mild days. It can get cold and windy at higher altitudes, however the skies are usually clear.

Of course, mountain weather is notoriously hard to predict and snow can be expected on any trip so come prepared.

As the Annapurna Circuit has wide trails, and much of it sits in a rain shadow, the summer months of June-August are still good for trekking. These months are a great time to have the trails almost entirely to yourself.