Your holiday starts at the hotel in Kathmandu. Transfers from Kathmandu Airport are provided. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to explore the immediate vicinity of the hotel and get acclimatised to this bustling city. Alternatively, you may prefer to recover from your journey by relaxing beside the hotel pool. Your guide will take dinner with you and will provide an informal briefing about the days ahead.

We set off after an early breakfast for the drive westwards to the start of the trek, accompanied by our trek crew. After 3 hours or so, we arrive at the town of Mugling and stop for an early lunch at a roadside restaurant. Soon after leaving Mugling, we reach the small town of Dumre, beside the Marsyangdi River. Here, we turn north on a smaller road which follows the river. We cross the river on a long suspension bridge at Syange before climbing to our overnight accommodation at Jagat (1300m).

Today we begin our trek around the Annapurna massif. Although the road continues up valley, its condition is very rough and it is much more pleasurable to walk from here. Where we can, we take the old trekking trail away from the road. From Jagat we start with a steady climb to Chamje, before descending to cross the river on a suspension bridge. Climbing once more, we enter the Buddhist region of Manang at the village of Tal (which means lake in Nepali). Here the terrain levels for a short section and the raging river slows to a lake-like appearance. Beyond Tal, the trail crosses the river again and continues for 4 km to Dharapani (1860m).

The valley now turns towards the west, as we pass through the interesting Buddhist village of Bagar Chap. Manaslu is visible behind us and Annapurna 2 comes occasionally into view to the south. Even during today's walk we will be obliged to follow sections of the new road, as we pass through forested areas and stop off to check out several small settlements en route to our overnight stopping place at Chame (2713m). This is the administrative centre of this region, with shops, a bank and a school, as well as views of the Annapurnas.

We cross the Marsyangdi several times today, in a steep gorge section of the river. The path is sometimes built into the cliffside on wooden piers. Climbing through a forested ridge beyond Buradhan, we reach a more open valley with some pasture, where we cross the river to its north bank, to reach the terraced fields of Upper Pisang (3300m). We have great views of the north side of Annapurna 2.

Today's walk will take us even further away from the valley floor and up onto its northern slopes, via the interesting villages of Ghyaru (3720m) and Ngawal (3680m). The main Annapurna Circuit trail follows the river in the valley floor but the views of the Annapurnas from this high level trail are simply stunning and this, together with the fascinating houses and gompas of the isolated settlements that we will see, makes the extra effort involved in walking this trail very worthwhile. Plus, it's great for our acclimatisation. From Ngawal we descend to the valley and rejoin the main Annapurna Circuit trail at Braga, from where we have a mainly level walk for approximately 4km to reach Manang (3540m).

Manang is a large village inhabited by Tibetan people. We spend a day here, to help with our acclimatisation, prior to crossing the Thorung La. There is plenty to see and do around Manang, which is the last sizeable village on this side of the pass. As a part of our acclimatisation, we will want to get up as high as possible during the course of a short walk. One option is to hike up to the Chongkor viewpoint above Gangapurna Lake and to carry on to a prayer-flagged ridge and deserted village, with great views northwards across the valley and towards the route leading to the Thorung La.

In accordance with our programme of careful acclimatisation, we must ascend very slowly and this gives us a relatively short day as we continue toward the Thorung La. Climbing out of the Marsyangdi Valley, there are great views of Manaslu, the Annapurnas and Tilicho Peak as we head northwest up the Jarsang Khola, through scrubby juniper and across alpine meadows up to the settlement of Letdar (4250m).

We continue on the east bank of the Jarsang stream to a covered bridge, beyond which a steep trail climbs across scree to reach the tea-houses at Thorung Phedi (4450m) (a name which means 'base of the Thorong La'). To make the crossing of the pass easier tomorrow, we will hike up for a further hour and a half to the single lodge at Thorung High Camp (4750m). Arriving at around midday, we will have lunch and then take it easy and make sure we are well fed and well acclimatised ahead of the pass crossing tomorrow.

No need for too early a start from High Camp. After breakfast at around 6 am, we set off on the steep ascent to the Thorung La. The trail is well defined, though potentially icy in places. After the steep start, it eases off, passing a number of glacial lakes on the slow climb to the cairns and prayer flags at the pass (5416m). At this altitude, this is a tough 2 to 3-hour climb. There are tremendous views in both directions. In addition to the mountains that have been with us for the last few days, we can see the brown and red hills of Mustang to the north-west and the valley of the Kali Gandaki below us. Descending from the pass is quite straightforward, but hard on the knees. It is three hours (and 1500 metres) down to the sacred village of Muktinath, with excellent views of Dhaulagiri 1, Tukuche Peak and Nilgiri.

The road that for many years has been slowly extended up the Kali Gandaki Valley has now reached Muktinath. rather than walk along this dusty jeep road we now board our transport for the spectacular journey through the Worl'd deepest gorge between the Himalayan giants of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. This road through the mountains is subject to blockage and landslip so we may have to walk short sections of it as we make our way down through the airstrip town of Jomsom to Marpha with its whitewashed houses, paved streets and numerous well-kept lodges and Tibetan craft shops and then on into the wooded part of the valley and down to Tatopani, where it will feel particularly warm, having descended more than 2500 metres since setting out this morning. Tatopani means 'hot water' in the Nepalese language and there are hot springs here which can provide a relaxing end to a long day of driving. We stay overnight in a lodge at Tatopani.

Leaving the Kali Gandaki behind, we follow a steep trail which climbs the valley of the Gahr Khola. After a couple of hours the scenery opens out and there are fine views back towards the Kali Gandaki and Dhaulagiri, whilst ahead of us lies a steep terraced hillside, dotted with farms and villages. We take lunch in the village of Chitre approximately two-thirds of the way up the 1700 metre climb to Ghorepani. The going is easier after lunch and before long the trail enters an unusual (and cool) forest of moss-hung oak and rhododendrons for the last hour or so to Ghorepani (2855m). Large grey langur monkeys inhabit this high woodland and the sight of these bounding white-furred, black-faced creatures is at first startling. Entering Ghorepani is itself something of a surprise. Numerous tall, chalet-style, wooden lodges crowd around the trail at the ridge crest and present a rather incongruous sight. At this point we are at the junction of several trekking routes and there are likely to be lots of travellers passing through this ridge-top settlement in all directions. Whichever way they have come, they will be tired after a long climb and will stop to slake their thirst at one of the many hostelries. Traditionally a stopping place on the route from Pokhara into the prosperous Kali Gandaki Valley, the name Ghorepani means horse-watering place.

It is a must for those who stay at Ghorepani to make the walk up to the celebrated viewpoint of Poon Hill (3195m), which is a continuation of the ridge to the west of the village. Dawn is the best time to go - so, we arrange a wake up call at 5 a.m. and those who wish can head up the well-marked track by the light of our head-lamps. The first light of dawn illuminates Dhaulagiri and Tukuche Peak with a surreal pink glow. You may be able to buy coffee and breakfast from some enterprising Nepali who has carried his wares up to Poon Hill to take advantage of the morning trade. Descending to Ghorepani, we make time for breakfast, before setting off on our trek towards the south side of the Annapurnas and the fabled Annapurna Sanctuary. Our trek today takes us eastwards, through rhododendron forest and along a pleasant ridge-top trail to Chuile (2300m) where we check into our lodge. The figures shown below include the Poon Hill ascent.

After breakfast we head steeply down to the river, crossing via another suspension bridge. The next couple of hours see us contour and undulate though the landscape before reaching the steep section of steps that take us up to Chhomrong (2170m) where we take lunch. From here, the true grandeur of the mountains can be seen, with unimpeded views of Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli and Annapurna South. From Chhomrong it is a steep descent, largely on steps, to the valley bottom and then back up again to our overnight stop at Bhanuwa (2110m).

From Bhanuwa the trail climbs through terraced fields and then through forest of bamboo and rhododendron to the ridge crest at Sinuwa. We continue through the forest, looking out for troops of monkeys, whilst generally contouring along the valley side, before making a short descent to the collection of lodges known as Bamboo (2310m). From Bamboo we climb again, passing through Dobhan and then the place known as Himalaya (2920m) to reach our overnight stop at Deorali (3230m).

Beyond Deorali the valley narrows to a steep sided gorge as we head towards the 'gateway' to the Annapurna Sanctuary. Depending on the trail conditions, there are options to walk on either side of the river as far as Machhapuchhre Basecamp, a level and grassy moraine platform at 3700 metres, with several lodges. At this point we have passed through the narrow 'entrance' to the Sanctuary and find ourselves in more open country which is dominated by giant snow covered peaks. It will take around 2 hours to reach Machhapuchhre Basecamp where the trail turns towards the west. From here, it is a straightforward walk of just 3 kilometres to our overnight lodge at Annapurna South Basecamp (4130m). There are increasingly impressive views and jaw-dropping mountain moments as we climb the last steep section before reaching the basecamp area. At this point, the entire south face of Annapurna is revealed. A cirque of stupendous peaks surround us and the feeling of being inside a hidden valley - a sanctuary in fact - is overwhelming. After we check into our lodge we can relax and admire one of the most stunning mountain amphitheatres in the Himalaya.

For those who wish, a pre-dawn wake-up is worth the extra discomfort to catch the sunrise on this unique mountain scene. After breakfast we leave all this behind and retrace our steps first to Machhapuchhre Basecamp then on to Deorali where we take lunch after 3.5 hours of trekking. In the afternoon we continue our descent of the Modi Khola to reach the forest once again and warmer temperatures at Bamboo (2310m).

The first kilometre of the day is gently uphill as far as the ridge-top at Sinuwa, then it's downhill for an hour and a half through terraced farmland to a bridge over the Chhomrong Khola. A stepped trail then leads up to Chhomrong overlooking the Modi Khola and with great views back up towards Fish Tail Peak. We can have a coffee or Coca Cola stop in Chhomrong and admire the view, before finishing this relatively short day's walk with a steep descent to our lodge, not far above the river, in Jhinu Danda (1780m).

Dropping down to cross the Modi Khola this excellent final day of trekking leads through the Gurung village of Landruk (1565m) and then traverses above the east side of the Modi Khola, passing several more villages and some section of stone-flagged trail. As the trail climbs again to the ridge at Deurali, there are great views back towards Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. At this point, we gain a ridge top trail with more fine views of the Annapurnas including Machhapuchhre and there's a gradual descent for the last couple of kilometres to our lodge at Pothana (1890m).

It's just a short walk down to the roadhead at Phedi. The trail descends through pleasant farmland with colourful farms and orderly terraced fields. On our left-hand side we can look across and back to the Annapurna Massif. We are likely to see trekkers heading the other way, ascending the trail that we are descending. At Phedi, we meet up with our transport for the 45 minute ride back to Pokhara where we check in to our comfortable hotel close to Phewa Tal. After a shower and clean-up we will have some free time to wander by the lake - or sit in the garden of one of the excellent lakeside restaurants and admire the view of the Annapurnas. Compared to Kathmandu, Pokhara is a very laid-back town and is the perfect place to relax at the end of our trek. Pokhara also has a reputation for great restaurants and this evening we will go out for a celebratory meal.

We take the morning flight to Kathmandu. One of the attractions of any visit to Nepal is the chance to walk the streets of Kathmandu, which presents a fascinating mosaic of shops, cafes and restaurants, food markets and street vendors, as well as a bewildering array of colourful temples and shrines. This evening we will have a dinner in one of Thamel’s excellent restaurants.

Your holiday ends after breakfast. Transfers to Kathmandu Airport are provided. To extend your holiday in Nepal, why not pre-book a day's sightseeing tour in the Kathmandu Valley, or a multi-day excursion to the wildlife reserve at Chitwan. Contact our office for details.