Conquer the Himalayas: Nepal Annapurna Trek 2027

This trip is ideal for singles, couples, and groups of friends. Participants are both avid hikers who have always dreamed of hiking in the Himalaya and being in shape. The participant and their equipment may not exceed 100 kg in total weight. The cardiovascular demands of the Himalaya favor those who have a smaller mass and are not carrying excess muscle. Muscle demands more oxygen than fat, and as we reach higher elevations, it becomes a liability.

Hiking in the Himalaya is demanding at many levels, and all participants should be comfortable walking in mountainous terrain at elevation for four to seven hours a day. If you need assistance in achieving the fitness required, Jeff Gaura is a certified coach and will gladly create a training plan for you to increase your fitness during your preparation.
As a pre-trek training goal, we suggest that everyone be able to run a half marathon on a relatively flat surface in less than 2.5 hours. Although running fitness is not a guarantee of success, it has a significant correlation. In the past, those who were unable to run the half marathon often failed to complete the trek and had to return to a lower elevation before the rest of the group.

You need to fly into Kathmandu no later than early evening before we fly to Pokhara. We will handle all the logistics of picking you up at the airport and taking you to our transition hotel before catching an early morning plane. It would help if you considered arriving several days before the trek begins for those who need additional time acclimating to the differences in time zones.

I will send everyone a video showing you what to bring or purchase upon arrival and how to pack about two months before the trip starts. The only items that I strongly recommend you not buy or rent in Kathmandu are your hiking boots and personal hygiene/care items. Everything else, from clothing to electronics, is available in Nepal at lower prices than in the USA

Days will be 11 hours long, and nights will be 13 hours long. The weather will be transitioning from Fall to Winter. Weather will be dry and mild, with daytime highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s F. Nighttime temperatures will reach about 30 degrees. The risk of rain is low in October. Typically, you start the day in a light jacket, and before lunch, you will be hiking in shorts and a T-Shirt.

On your arrival day, either Jeff or one of his Nepali contacts will meet you at the airport after you clear customs and step outside. We will take you to our group hotel and let you adjust to the time zone changes. Although we will keep in communication with you, you are on your own until the day the trip starts. Jeff arrives in Nepal three days before the journey begins to secure permits and coordinate with the porters, guides, and transportation agents that will take us around the country. As we get closer to the trip start date, Jeff will get copies of your airline tickets and work with you to find “jet lag” hotels where you can ready your body for the upcoming adventure.
On departure day, we will take you to the Kathmandu airport for your onward departure flights. If you have additional travel other than returning home, we will try to accommodate getting you to your next location.

A $1000 deposit is due upon booking, with the balance due 120 days before departure. Terms and conditions of cancellations and refunds are explained in our travel agreement. You can transfer the refundable portion of your fee to a future year or a different trip at no cost.

On nearly every trip, someone fails to meet their goals and has to stop trekking before we reach the end. The most common occurrence is not an injury but illness, almost always Altitude Sickness (Acute Mountain Sickness) or diarrhea. Jeff will spend each day asking you questions to see if you are showing any symptoms of AMS. If it appears that you are getting AMS, Jeff will arrange for you to descend with one of our porters to a tea house at a lower elevation, where you will wait for our arrival a few days later. Since there are no prescription laws in Nepal comparable to the US, Jeff will carry various medications to treat diarrhea. Once you get AMS, there is no medication; the only sure antidote is to descend to a lower elevation ASAP.

The Rupee is the monetary unit of Nepal, but you can use the dollar both in Kathmandu and Pokhara and many of the shops. Cash will always be best in the country’s remote locations that lack access to reliable internet and, therefore, credit card processing. There are places to exchange currency both in Kathmandu and Pokhara; often, the best exchange rates are found at the Kathmandu airport and not at the banks.

Hygiene and sanitation are poor, at best. The fact that you are in the third world is most apparent when you go to the bathroom. Clean drinking water should never be assumed unless it is first boiled or from a purchased plastic bottle. We will provide a group water filtration system for everyone’s use, but we can do little to help you understand the bathrooms. Fortunately, we only spend a few minutes a day in the bathroom, and the views of the Himalaya and the warmth of the Tharu people should more than offset this experience.
We also recommend carrying your washcloth and towel, as none will be provided for you either on the trek or in Dang.