The Annapurna High Route

21 jours

4/5

12 personnes

The Annapurna High Route

Activity

Difficulty

4/5

Duration

21 jours

Dates

12 Apr.

In progress

18 Oct.

In progress

Price

From 4690.00 €

About the Annapurna High Route trek in Nepal

A close cousin of the classic Tour des Annapurnas, the Annapurna High Route trek takes you on an itinerary that follows the ancient route of the nomadic traders who travelled between India and Tibet.

The Annapurna High Route follows forgotten trails to the medieval villages of Phu and Naar, to the world’s highest lake, Tilicho, and over high passes perched at over 5,000 meters above sea level.

This destination brings you face to face with the Himalayan giants of the Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri.

You will leave with :
Pierrick
Guide and founder of Watse
“The most important thing for me is to enable walkers to discover new places, new cultures and to interact with the locals.”

Photo gallery of the Annapurna High Route Trek, Nepal

Trek Haute Route 14 Annapurnas

The Annapurna High Route Trek in Nepal

What's included in the formula
  • Return international flights
  • A professional French tour guide supported by a local team of guides, porters and helpers
  • Insurance for the local team
  • Ground transfers in private vehicles as mentioned in the program
  • Flight from Jomsom to Pokhara
  • Accommodation in hotels in Kathmandu, lodges and tents on the trek, in double or twin rooms
  • Full board during the trek except for meals mentioned as “free”.
  • Trekking permits and national park entrance fees
  • The SOS MAM medical service at Iffremont, including a hyperbaric chamber
What's not included in the package
  • Visa fees
  • Meals on international flights and in Kathmandu
  • The drinks
  • Any visits to Kathmandu and cabs
  • Personal travel and hiking equipment (shoes, poles, sleeping bag, personal first-aid kit, etc.)
  • Single room supplements in accommodations
  • Hot water in the lodges
  • Battery recharges and any Internet connections in lodges
  • Cancellation or comprehensive insurance, to be taken out at the time of registration.
  • Everything not mentioned in the “included in the package” section

Day 1-2: Flight to Nepal

Overnight at hotel – Meals at your own expense

We fly to the Himalayas, to Kathmandu, Nepal’s fascinating capital.

On arrival, our first steps take us into the alleys of this extraordinary city for an immersion with the Nepalese.

Day 3: Free day in Kathmandu

Overnight at hotel – Meals at your own expense

We take advantage of this day in the Nepalese capital to immerse ourselves a little more in the city’s atmosphere and the country’s cultural traditions, with the opportunity to visit some of Kathmandu’s tourist sites.

Finally, we finish packing our bags for our adventure, which starts tomorrow.

Day 4: Transfer to Dharapani (1900m)

10-hour transfer – Overnight in lodge

We leave bustling Kathmandu and embark on a long day’s drive through the Nepalese landscape. The journey immerses us in the everyday life of the Nepalese people.

We follow the course of the roaring Marshyangdi, first on the road and then on a track to Dharapani.

Day 5: On the Annapurna Tour

5 hours 30 mins walk – Overnight in lodge – D+ 1070 m / D- 330 m

Our trek begins this morning in a gorge that will slowly open up over the course of the day. We’re on the popular Annapurna Tour itinerary and stop at Koto (2600m).

Day 6: Entering the hidden valley of Naar Phu

7 hours’ walk – Overnight in a basic lodge – D+ 1480 m / D- 520 m

All day long we follow the Naar Khola river in the valley, crossing it several times on suspension bridges. We pass magnificent coniferous forests, slowly giving way to juniper as we gain altitude. Finally, we reach a plateau where Meta (3610m), our stopover for the day, is located.

Day 7: Meta - Kyang (3870m)

4 hours’ walk – Overnight in a basic lodge – D+: 620m / D-: 360m

Another very wild day, helping us acclimatize, and a short stage to Kyang. On the way, fine views of the Annapurna II (7,937 m) and Lamjung (6,932 m) summits.

Day 8: Arrival at Phu (4080m)

3 hours’ walk – Overnight in a basic lodge – D+: 570m / D-: 400m

The environment becomes increasingly dry and arid in this region with very little monsoon rainfall. We continue along the south-eastern bank of the river before finally crossing it and finding ourselves facing the village of Phu, which gives the impression of a fortified town. Beautiful view of Himlung Himal (7126m).

Day 9: Around Phu

Overnight in a basic lodge

We’ll need another day to enjoy and discover the surroundings of this medieval city. We’ll be able to visit Tashi Lhakhang and Samdu Choling, two monasteries clinging to the cliffs and offering a beautiful view of Phu.

Those wishing to do so can reach the Himlung Himal base camp at the end of the Phu valley, located on the last high pastures at 4850m.

Day 10: Return to Naar Phedi (3650m)

6 hours 30 mins walk – Overnight in basic lodge – D+: 1300m / D-: 840m

We retrace our steps along the path we’ve taken over the last few days. Before reaching Meta, we turn west into the Naar valley. We spend the night on the Naar Phedi plateau.

Day 11: Ascent to Naar (4200m)

2 hours 30 mins walk – Overnight in basic lodge – D+: 700m / D-: 130m

Steep ascent past many stupas to Naar, a village on a plateau. The afternoon is free to visit the many Buddhist monasteries in the village. Beautiful views of Pisang Peak (6091m) and other peaks.

Day 12: Via Kangla pass (5300m)

8 hours’ walk – Overnight in lodge – D+: +1140m / D-: 1640m

We set off by headlamp for a long climb to conquer the Kang-la pass. The climb is steady and we are rewarded at every step as the sun illuminates the surrounding peaks. At the pass, the panorama of the entire Annapurna massif is grandiose.

Long descent to the traditional village of Ngawal (3670m) facing the northern slopes of Annapurna II, Annapurna III and Annapurna IV. Well-deserved rest.

Day 13: Passage on the Annapurna Tour

4 hours’ walk – Overnight in lodge – D+: 250m / D-: 370m

The day is short and we should reach the large town of Manang (3570m) for lunch. As we’re back on the popular Annapurna Tour, Manang will be crowded, but with more stores, more bakeries and more comfort!

En route, we can stop off at the pretty clifftop village of Braga and its 13th-century monastery.

Day 14: Manang to Tilicho base camp (4140m)

6 hours 30 mins walk – Overnight in basic lodge – D+: 850m / D-: 240m

It’s a long day, but nothing too technical, apart from the narrow, vertiginous scree before reaching base camp. Today we pass the 4,000-meter mark again.

Day 15: Bivouac at Lake Tilicho (4950m)

6 hours’ walk – Overnight in tents – D+: 1000m / D-: 200m
We leave the Tilicho base camp for a steep climb to Lake Tilicho, the highest lake in the world, at 4920m. We pitch our tents above the lake, facing the 7134-metre Tilicho Peak (7134m). The camp isn’t the most comfortable at such an altitude, but the scenery offered by the lake and the surroundings make bivouacking a little less arduous.

Day 16: Mesokanto pass (5240m)

7 hours’ walk – Overnight in tents – D+: 500m / D-: 1250m
We leave camp early this morning in the hope of getting over the Mesokanto pass before the high winds kick in. There are several routes to the pass, and the guide will decide which one to take depending on the local situation. At the pass, we admire the north face of the Annapurnas one last time, as we take in the impressive Nilgiri and a new 8000-meter peak: Dhaulagiri.
After crossing Mesokanto Pass, we descend to Chauri Kharka (4300m), a small pasture where we can set up camp beside a water source.

Day 17: Descent to Jomsom (2720m) in the Kaligandaki valley

5 hours’ walk – Overnight in lodge – D+: 160m / D-: 1600m
Today’s descent is a mere formality. We quickly return to vegetation, passing through forests of conifers and rhododendrons before reaching the small village of Thinigaon, where we can see the typical architecture of the houses on this side of the Annapurnas. We soon reach Jomsom, on the banks of the Kaligandaki, the deepest gorge in the world.
Tonight, we celebrate our last evening with the Nepalese team who have accompanied us on our two-week adventure.

Day 18: Flight to Pokhara

25-minute flight – Overnight at hotel
Early this morning, a flight takes us to Pokhara, 2000 metres below. We’re back in the warmth of Pokhara, a pretty town on the shores of Lake Phewa. Free time for the rest of the day.

Day 19: Return to Kathmandu

8-hour drive – Overnight at hotel – Meals at your own expense
A day’s drive back to Kathmandu, which we reach mid-afternoon. This is the end of our adventure.

Day 20: Kathmandu

Overnight at hotel – Meals at your own expense
In Kathmandu, we can discover some of the Buddhist and Hindu sites that can be visited. The day is free for everyone to organize their own activities.

Day 21: Departure from Nepal

Meals at your expense
Flight back to France and the end of our fantastic journey.

Highlights of the trip

A trek on the edge of wild, isolated and untamed Nepal

The memorable crossing of two passes at over 5000 metres altitude

Discover the medieval villages of Phu and Naar and the majestic monasteries overlooking them

General information

SAFETY

You can find the Quai d’Orsay’s position on these countries on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: diplomatie.gouv.fr in the “Travel advice” section. Les informations contenues sur le site du Ministère des Affaires Étrangères sont susceptibles d’être modifiées et données à titre indicatif. En outre, il est rappelé qu’aucune région du monde ni pays ne peuvent être considérés comme à l’abri du risque terroriste.

REGISTRATION

By post:

Ask us for a registration form

  • by phone: 06 65 93 29 29
  • or e-mail: contact@watse.fr

Send us your registration with a copy of your passport, your postal address, telephone number and e-mail address, together with a deposit of 30% of the cost of the trip.
Also, if you wish to take out a Comfort or Comfort Multirisk cancellation insurance policy, this must be paid at the same time as the deposit when you register. You can consult our insurance contracts on our website.

By internet:
Book your holiday directly on our website: directly on the holiday page, choosing your dates and insurance options. ATTENTION: air fares will be maintained until 3 months before departure and may be readjusted if necessary if you book during this period.

ASSISTANCE AND SAFETY

We strongly advise you to take out assistance insurance for the duration of your trip.

We offer two different types of insurance: Comfort Cancellation and Comfort Multirisk, to be taken out when you register for your trip.

Details of this insurance are available on request or can be viewed by by clicking here.

Other offers include Mondial Assistance, your own insurance company or Club Alpin Français. Check that your trekking activity is covered.

Make sure your insurance covers all medical expenses in the event of an accident.

You must make sure that you are covered for mountain rescue costs. If this is the case, you must provide us with the following information before you set off on your trek:

  • a certificate from the insurance company covering mountain rescue costs.
  • the contract number and telephone number of the assistance center

Beware of restrictive clauses in certain insurance policies (particularly those linked to Visa Premier, Gold or other cards), such as mountain insurance limited to snow activities, or altitude sickness not recognized as an illness requiring repatriation, which will be refused.

Please check the actual content of your insurance and take the necessary steps if necessary.

Health & climate

JET LAG

+ 4h45 from France (winter) + 3h45 from France (summer)

REGISTRATION

All climates are present in Nepal and change with altitude: tropical in the jungles of the Terai, temperate in the valleys and polar in the high mountains. Nepal’s climate varies greatly according to region and season. The country’s latitude is roughly equivalent to that of Florida, giving it a similar tropical and subtropical climate in the Terai region. Outside the Terai, however, the climate is completely distinct. Remarkable differences in climatic conditions are generally linked to the enormous range of altitudes within a short distance, from north to south. Nepal’s climate is suitable for all seasons. But to see and hike the mountains, you need to go between October and April, when it’s dry and sunny. At altitude, you’ll need a good fleece, a down jacket for the evenings and a good sleeping bag for the night, even in summer.

The climate in Nepal month by month :

  • January-February:
    It’s cool and the big passes are snowed in, but the sky is blue and with a little wool you’ll be fine.
  • March-April-May:
    This is a very good time for long treks. The weather is fine, you can see the mountains and the rhododendrons are in bloom.
  • June to September:
    It’s monsoon season, but it rains mostly at night. The atmosphere is very special and the light perfect for photos. There are some great festivals in the Kathmandu valley.
  • October to November:
    This is still a very good time for long treks, with crystal-clear landscapes all day long.
  • December:
    It gets colder in December, but it never freezes in Kathmandu.

HEALTH AND VACCINES

There are no compulsory vaccinations, but we strongly recommend that you are up to date with the usual vaccinations: diphtheria-tetanus-poliomyelitis, whooping cough, tuberculosis, hepatitis A and B. You may also wish to be vaccinated against typhoid fever, yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis. Malaria and dengue fever are present all year round below 2,000 m altitude, particularly in the rural areas of the Terai – classified as zone 2. Anti-malarial treatment is recommended if you are planning a prolonged stay in this region. Consult your family doctor. In addition, you should take precautions to protect yourself against mosquito bites (repellent, loose-fitting clothing).

We recommend that you have a check-up with your dentist before you leave.

IFREMMONT

For this trip, Watse offers you Ifremmont’s SOS MAM service, which means that in the event of a problem, a French doctor specializing in altitude and isolated environments can be reached by satellite telephone. Your Guide is also specially trained by Ifremmont to deal with these situations. He is the local medical correspondent for these doctors. We’ll ask you to create an online medical file (http://www.teleconsultationsosmam.com), which you can also use every day to take charge of your health. We’ll provide you with a code to link your file to the trip you’re about to embark on. You’ll then be able to carry out a teleconsultation with these mountain medicine specialists before you leave, at a cost of €46 (non-reimbursed). This service is a real plus in terms of preventing the risks associated with altitude and remote areas.

Please note that this service does not replace your repatriation insurance, which is compulsory in some countries.

Transport and conditions

Private bus to and from the start of the trek. Private cab in Kathmandu.

AIR

Air fares will be maintained until 3 months before departure and may be readjusted if necessary if you register during this period.

LUGGAGE

Your personal belongings will be carried daily by porters, as is traditional in Nepal.

The carriers :

To comply with the recommendations of the carriers’ union, the maximum load per carrier is 20kg. Our proposal includes one porter for every 2 participants. Please ensure that your personal bag does not exceed 10kg. Any excess weight will require the hiring of an additional porter, at the expense of the participants.

The stay

MEALS

You are responsible for your own meals in Kathmandu and on international flights. During the trek, we take morning and evening meals at the camps. At lunchtime, we organize a picnic or eat at lodges along the way. In Nepal, the food is simple but good. Mostly rice, pasta and vegetables, meat is rare. The traditional dish is Dhal Bhat (rice and lentils), which can be eaten anywhere in Nepal or in the mountains.

Please let us know if you have any food allergies when you register.

ACCOMMODATION

During the trek, we stay in lodges, similar to mountain refuges in France, sometimes very basic. The atmosphere is always warm and welcoming. They generally contain a common room with a stove, a kitchen, usually bedrooms and sometimes dormitories.
Heating is not always available, and toilets are often rudimentary and outside.
Any hot showers, telephone and camera battery recharging, and Internet connections must be paid for directly on site. Community lodges are run by villagers, with profits going back into the community to maintain schools and dispensaries. Hotel in Kathmandu based on 2 people per room. For a single room supplement, please contact us.

TRAINING

State-qualified French mountain leader for the entire trip, plus a local team of guides, helpers and porters.

Practical info

ELECTRICITY

Alternating current 220 Volts, 50 Hertz. Sockets have three round plugs, so adapters are recommended.

FORMALITIES AND VISA

For French, Belgian, Luxembourg and Swiss nationals :

  • Your passport valid 6 months after the date of exit from Nepal, with at least one blank page;
  • A tourist visa, issued on arrival in Kathmandu, for a maximum of 90 days.

Visa applications (in English) are made at automatic terminals available at the entrance to the immigration hall. Please bring cash (euros) for payment.

Consular fees (for information only) for a visa :

  • 30 (or € equivalent) for up to 15 days on site;
  • 50 (or € equivalent) for up to 30 days on site;
  • 125 (or € equivalent) for up to 90 days on site.

As these formalities may change, please check with the country’s consular authorities. All travelers are responsible for complying with entry requirements in the countries they visit. Watse cannot be held responsible for changes in formalities.

BUDGET, CHANGE AND TIPS

The currency in Nepal is the Rupee. The indicative rate is : 1 € = 140 Rupees.

Cash: you can travel with euros or dollars. Exchange is available at exchange offices, banks and even hotels.

  • Meal in a tourist restaurant in Kathmandu: between 800 and 1500 Rupees

During the trek :

  • 1 beer: 700 to 1200 rupees
  • 1 Coca Cola between 200 and 500 rupees
  • 1 tea between 100 and 300 rupees
  • 1 hot shower between 200 and 500 rupees
  • 1 phone or camera battery refill between 200 and 500 rupees

Tipping is not compulsory and should reflect your satisfaction with the team. Your guide will inform you if you wish to provide one.

Watse added value

CHOICE HOUSING

Every effort is made to offer you access to accommodation selected according to its location. You’ll be able to enjoy the surrounding villages in complete peace of mind. You’ll enjoy a complete and immersive experience.

YOUR GUIDES ARE EXPERTS IN HIGH-ALTITUDE TREKKING

Our teams are specially trained in high-altitude trekking, so you’ll be in complete safety. What’s more, you’ll progressively acclimatize at different levels.

WATSE KNOW-HOW
AND TREKKING EXPERIENCE IN NEPAL

Our team has been running tours in Nepal for many years! Our guides are all deeply involved in the country’s culture. This in-depth knowledge of the terrain will ensure your stay is unique.