Nepal's Annapurna Trails Lodge To Lodge Walk + Overnight at Annapurna Base Camp 15D14N, Guided

- The departure and finish point is Kathmandu
- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Kathmandu. Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport is the closest airport and receives airlines mostly from South-east Asia and Europe. A number of direct flights fly from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Varanasi to Kathmandu. Popular airlines that operate regularly are Jet Airways, Air India, IndiGo and Nepal Airlines.

The main trekking season in Nepal is from October to mid-May when daytime temperatures at most altitudes are generally comfortable for walking, the sky is clear much of the time and rain and snow are occasional occurrences. Daytime temperatures will vary from 150 to 35C (59F to 95F) in the Kathmandu Valley to around 10C (50F) at 11,810ft (3,600m) and progressively lower the higher we go. Different seasons offer different advantages for trekking.

Post-monsoon/autumn: Mid-September to November
The main trekking season in Nepal. Day temperatures in Kathmandu are approximately above 20C (68F). Skies are usually clear and days on trek ara sunny and mild with clear mountain views. Nights will be colder with temperatures dropping as low as -10C (14F) at the highest altitudes.

Winter: December to end of February
Despite the cooler conditions, this is an ideal time to trek in Nepal. Skies are usually very clear, especially in December, and the mountain views are at their best. Nights will be very cold with temperatures down to -20C (-4F) at the highest altitudes but days are pleasant and sunny. The trails are also much less busy at this time of year. In Kathmandu, maximum daytime temperatures are 19C (68F).

Pre-monsoon/spring: March to May
Both day and night temperatures will be warmer in general but often a haze will build in the afternoons. It is very hot in the lowlands and temperatures rise to 350 (95F) in Kathmandu. Flowers bloom in this season, one of the reasons people chose to trek in spring.

Snow should be expected on any departure, usually at the higher altitudes. Please remember, in any mountain area the weather is never wholly predictable, and you should be equipped to deal with any differences in weather beyond the conditions described above.

The walking level on this trip is rated Level 4 Moderate/Challenging

Level 1 Leisurely: Experience is not necessary; anyone fit and healthy enough to complete a weekend walk will thrive. Walks are often optional. Trails are seldom flat, so expect a reasonable number of ascents and descents. You normally walk for two to five hours per day; daily ascents will likely be around 985ft to 1,640ft (300m to 500m), perhaps with the odd day around 1,970ft (800m).

Level 3 Moderate: Expect easy, medium-length walks or harder, shorter walks. Some experience is useful, but not essential. Good health and reasonable fitness are important. There will be walks at higher altitudes and some longer, harder days. Generally, though, the underfoot conditions will be fair. A walking day is normally five to seven hours; daily ascents will likely be around 1,640ft to 2,625ft (500m to 800m), perhaps with the odd day around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (800m to 1,000m).

Level 5 Challenging: Fitness is vital with extended walking in mountainous terrain. You might also experience high altitude, challenging climates and remote locations. Trekking experience is desirable, but not vital if you are confident in your physical condition. Walking days are usually between six and eight hours, although they may be longer for passes or peaks. Daily sacents can be around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m), perhaps with the odd day around 3,610ft to 3,940ft (1.100m to 1,200m).

Level 7 Tough: Trekking experience is essential and preferably at altitude. You need complete confidence in your ability to trek for many days over difficult terrain. You may encounter extreme altitude and weather conditions and may need to use ice axes and crampons. Stamina is essential as walking days last six to nine hours (sometimes more on occasions). Daily ascents will likely be around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m), perhaps with the odd day around 3,610ft to 3,940ft (1.100m to 1,200m).

Split and optional grades: Where a trip falls between two grades, an intermediate or 'split' grade is used. For example, Level 2 (Leisurely/Moderate). Occasionally there are optional ascents available; in this case, the grade will be highlighted.

This trek has been graded Activity Level 4 (Moderate/Challenging). It comprises 11 days point-to-point walking with full porterage throughout.

Altitude: The maximum altitude is 13,550ft (4,130m) and the average is 8,005ft (2,440m) - we ask you to refer to the Altitude Warning within the Trip Notes. This is one of the best-paced trekking routes in Nepal for acclimatization. The ascent is gradual; most nights are spent at low to medium altitudes (below 9,840ft/3,000m) with only two nights at high altitude (over 11,480ft/3,500m).

Fitness and ability: This is an ideal trek for those confident of their physical fitness; most of the more challenging walking is on the last approach to the Sanctuary itself. Some previous trekking experience and physical preparation, such as hill walking, is recommended.

On most days, we walk for approximately five to seven hours, although there are some shorter and longer days. There are numerous stone staircases to climb and descend and we would not recommend this trek to anyone with weak knees. There are prolonged ascents and descents on some days (more than 3,280ft/1,000m). We highly recommend using trekking poles.

This trek is at the more difficult end of an Activity Level 4 (Moderate/Challenging) trip due to the ascents and descents and the stone staircases. However, it is graded Activity Level 4 and therefore is a lower Activity Level than our Everest Base Camp Trek (as it does not go above 16,400ft/5,000m).

Heights: The trail crosses approximately five modern suspension bridges; all have mesh sides, and none are particularly long or high; however, anyone with a strong fear of heights or vertigo may find them difficult.

Leech socks: After rain, especially in spring, leeches may be present on short parts of the trek, particularly on the Day 11 optional walk to the thermal springs. You may wish to bring leech socks or wear long socks to prevent bites.

Walking hours: Those stated within the itinerary are given as approximates only. Timings stated exclude Tunch stope and will vary depending on the pace of your group.

All luggage for the trek should be packed in the Exodus kitbag provided or in a similar soft duffel bag. Many people find it easiest to pack the Exodus kitbag inside a wheelie case which can be left at the Kathmandu hotel free of charge with anything not needed for the trek, while the kitbag will be carried by your porter on the trek.
When packing, please consider the quantities/volume of the items you bring. Decant larger toiletries into small reusable bottles, take a lightweight travel towel etc. Each porter carries two kitbags, therefore, please limit your kitbag to 22lb (10kg) per person. Your Leader will weigh each bag before departing Kathmandu and may ask you to remove non-essential items and leave them in Kathmandu if your kitbag is too heavy.

The weight allowance on the domestic flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu ie 22lb (10kg) checked-in baggage and 11lb (5kg) for hand baggage - any excess is chargeable.
Please note, many Nepalis wear traditional clothing, so we suggest you dress conservatively. T-shirts are preferable to sleeveless tope and it is not advisable to wear tight or revealing clothing. Although long shorts (knee length) are acceptable, we recommend a skirt for women rather than shorts for the trek.

• Two passport photos for your trekking permit (plus another one if getting your visa on arrival in case the electronic machines are not working)
• Three-to-four-season sleeping bag (four-season for November/December departures)
• Sleeping bag liner
• Three-to-four-season jacket (four-sssson for November/December departures)
• Two large water bottles
• Water purification treatment
• Waterproof walking boots (worn in)
• Waterproof jacket and trousers (pants)
• Gaiters for winter and spring departures
• Trainers (sneakers)/sandals for the evening
• Warm hat
• Scarf/buff (which can be pulled over your nose and mouth to protect against fine mountain dust)
• Gloves
• Several pairs of walking socks
• Thermals
• Warm mid-layer (fleece)
• Light/mid-weight trousers (pants) (warmer for winter)
• Walking shorts or a skirt for women• Shirts T-shirts or base layers
• Sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and lip salve with sun protection
Mosquito repellent (see advice on dengue in the vaccination section)
• Backpack
• Small personal first-aid kit
• Toilet paper
• Towel
• Hand-washing gel
• Biodegradable mini toiletries for the trek (please do not bring full-size items and limit to essentials)
• Biodegradable plastic bags (ao as not to leave a trace if nature calle between teahouses)
• Headtorch (head lamp)
Plastic bags (bin liners) to line backpack and for packing clothing in the kitbag
• Plug adaptor
• Solar charger/spare batteries/powerbank

Optional Equipment
• Leech socks - particularly for the thermal spring optional walk on Day 11
• Trekking pole(s) - highly recommended due to the numbers of steps encountered on this trek
• Yaktrax or mini crampons

Annapurna Base Camp is mostly clear of snow and ice in autumn and winter but there can be snow on spring departures. The snow can make trails slippery. If you are unsure of your footing you may like to carry a pair of Microspikes, Yaktrax or similar with you just in case on winter/spring departures. If there is unseasonal snowfall, your leader will advise you to carry a pair of Yaktrax. It is possible to buy these in Kathmandu.

There are many equipment shops in Kathmandu where you can buy much of the above clothing. The quality does vary and cannot be guaranteed. You should choose carefully.

Equipment Hire
The following equipment can be hired through Exodus - the equipment is good quality and will keep you warm but it is bulky and you should take this into account when packing due to the porterage weight limit. Hire equipment should be requested and paid for in advance of travel but will be provided locally in Kathmandu.
Approximate hire prices are:
• Down jacket (approximately 1.8kg: from approximately AUD $104
• Four-sesson sleeping bag (approximately 2.3kg): from approximately AUD $138
• Package including a down jacket and a four-season sleeping bag: approximately AUD $172

Hotels: This tour spends two nights in a comfortable hotel in Kathmandu, two nights in a hotel in Pokhara and 10 nights on trek in lodges (teahouses). The hotels used may vary by departure date.

Teahouses: The teahouses are basic but adequate; please be realistic about what to expect in the mountains. The hub of the teahouse is the dining room, usually decorated with colourful traditional rugs, sometimes with a stove or heater (some lodges charge a fee to put the heater on) and some teahouses above 9,845ft (3,000m) may not be heated due to local environmental restrictions. Occasionally, kerosene burners can be used to heat common areas if requested. We recommend against using these due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning (your leader will not offer this to you).

Most teahouses sell snacks and other essentials such as tissues, soap and toilet paper. Almost all have electricity, but it is not wholly reliable, and lighting may not be bright enough to read by - a torch is essential. Electrical charging facilities are generally available only in the dining room (charged at approximately 150-350 Nepalese rupees per hour per device). Many of the lodges use solar power, so sometimes there is not enough electricity for charging. Many lodges have wifi - in some areas it works well but in others it is slow and temperamental.

The bedrooms are almost all twin-share, except for nights 7 to 10, above Chhomrong. Above Chhomrong. the lodges are controlled by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project and, for conservation reasons, there is a limit to the number of lodges that can be built and the number of rooms per lodge. This means the rooms have more than two beds, often three to five beds in a small room. Due to the limited accommodation available, the lodges will not allow us to book twin rooms on these nights, even if we pay a higher price. Your leader will try their best to sort the rooms out fairly but please be aware that you will be in multi-bedded rooms in close quarters for some nights. Beds with foam mattresses, bedsheets and a pillow are provided. Bedrooms are generally unheated and can get cold at night, so you will need to bring or hire a sleeping bag.

Most lodges have only one or two basic toilets and sometimes these are outside the main lodge building. Toilets are usually squat style, although many lodges have now installed seated ones. Toilet paper is not provided so you should bring your own or buy it locally (please dispose of it the bin provided - do not put it in the bowl). If there is not a flush handle, there should be a container of water to pour down - if it is empty (or frozen) please either refill it or sak the lodge to.

Some lodges now have hot 'showers' (charged at approximately 250-500 rupees per shower). Sometimes a hot shower is simply a bucket of hot water and not a shower head.

Standards of cleanliness vary, especially in the peak trekking season and in winter when the water freezes at night. Please report any problems to your leader or the lodge and be vigilant in your personal hygiene regime - use soap or hand-sanitiser gel before and after toilet breaks, snacks and mealtimes.

As a rule, the higher altitude you go, the more basic the lodges and the more expensive food and services become.

Single Accommodation: if you prefer your own room, we offer a single supplement for the hotel nights in Kathmandu and Pokhara only (subject to availability). While in the teahouses, single rooms cannot be guaranteed so these have not been included in the single supplement price paid in advance. However, if a single room is available on arrival to a teahouse, you can pay locally on a day-by-day basis. Single aupplement from AUD 317

Nepal Flight Safety

Many of our treks in Nepal use domestic flights to reach the trekking areas. The mountainous Nepalese terrain is subject to changeable weather, which makes flying conditions complex and challenging, and unfortunately there are significantly more incidents here than in other countries, including fatalities. The EU highlighted the poor safety record in Nepal in 2013 by including all Nepalese-registered airlines on the EU banned list, which prevents them from flying in EU airspace. While no Nepalese-registered airlines currently fly within the EU, the EU instigated this ban to highlight the risk of flying in Nepal to EU citizens. These airlines are unlikely to be members of any internationally recognised safety audit systems and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Nepal does not operate to the same standards as those of Western nations.

Flying within Nepal is therefore a known risk, and we strongly encourage you to consider this carefully before booking. We suggest you refer to the following sources:
- The current travel advice for Nepal issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
- The Air Safety Network entry for Nepal

In response to concerns over this safety record, Exodus arranges for independent air-safety auditors to visit Nepal annually to assess the suitability of the available carriers. We then restrict our use to only those approved se part of this audit. In emergency situations, we will need to use helicopters, so we also have a list of approved helicopter carriers. Should concerns arise regarding the safety of an airline on our approved list, we will remove the carrier from the list immediately, and it would only be reinstated once our air-safety auditors are confident the airline meets acceptable safety standards

Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.

Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.

A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 90 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 90 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.

Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.

General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 90 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 90 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance

Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.

Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.

Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.

Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.

Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.

Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.

Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a tour with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the tour has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any tour up to 60 days prior to departure if the minimum number requirement of 4 is unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the tour or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.

Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.

Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
In the genuine spirit of expedition travel, we encourage exploration and adventure offering flexibility in challenging environments. This itinerary is only a guide and is subject to change due to weather, sea and other conditions beyond our control.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.

Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.