DOSSIER:  The Annapurnas
PART 1: 
(The Middle Hills up to 3,000m)
Royal Trek
Lamjung & Tara Top

PART 2: 
(Higher Altitude
up to 4,500m & Beyond)
Machhapuchare & Mardi Himal
Annapurna & Dhaulagiri
Annapurna Sanctuary

AT ONE WITH MOUNTAINS

Come to discover for yourself a unique Himalayan quality to the stillness and awe of mountains.

Come to wander through the sun-soaked thatched villages and among green rice paddy terraces.  Among the hardy, splendidly self-reliant hill folk, and to reach the stone-built settlements way up among the yak pastures.

Between tropical jungle and frozen slope almost the entire range of the world’s climate – and hence its flora and fauna – is contained.

Teak, mango and spreading banyan give way to pine and oak, to juniper and to flamboyant rhododendron and poinsettia, and higher to spruce and fir and so to lichen-covered birch atop the mist-shrouded passes.  Only then do the trekking trails break out of the tree-line onto the tundra and towards the snows.

There are two distinct ‘lifestyles’ when trekking in The Annapurnas:  Tea-House Trekking and Tented Trekking.

TEA-HOUSE TREKKING with Guide & Porters
The ‘tea-houses’ are the Himalayan lodges we stay at; simple and hospitable, with good food and stunning views.

Why ‘tea-houses’?  To put it succinctly, there’s precious little point sleeping in a tent when a matter of yards away there’s a comfortable lodge or ‘tea-house’.  (This is why our fully supported tented treks are entirely away from all well-trodden routes in areas where there are no lodges.)
This is why ‘tea-house’ trekking is our chosen method in the Everest region; using the best available lodges.  Most of these lodges sleep perhaps 16-20 people, cook good food and are fairly concerned about hygiene. 

Most use kerosene for cooking.  The basics of conservation and of ecology are practised with some success.

FULLY SUPPORTED TENTED TREKKING with Sirdar, Sherpa Guides and Porters
-It’s the best way to experience the high Himalaya, fully supported and thoroughly equipped to the last detail, under the Sirdar, a splendid team of sherpas, cook, kitchen staff and porters gives the trek considerable style.  In such company we can go almost absolutely anywhere in Nepal.

The expedition is fully equipped in every way
for the remote wilderness conditions encountered.  We are not however involved in full-on mountaineering or rock climbing, nor needing ropes, crampons, ice-axes etc.

Experienced, able, trustworthy and friendly Sirdar, Sherpas, Cooks and Kitchen Staff
form the framework of the expedition.  Two-person insulated tents, mattresses, mess tent, lightweight tables and chairs, kerosene cookers, lanterns, toilet tents…mean we are certainly NOT uncomfortable.

All equipment – including your personal kit – is carried by a team of energetic porters
(mostly hired from neighbouring villages).  Despite their heavy loads, they will have helped establish each night’s camp by the time we arrive.

Meals are EXCEPTIONAL. 
‘Bed-tea’ wakes you in time for sunrise views at 6.30am.  (Basins of hot water for washing and shaving soon follow).  Breakfast is at approximately 7.30am.  There is a real spread for lunch and then refreshments on reaching camp.  A three-course evening meal is at around 7.00pm.

GROUP SIZE:  is typically anything between 6-12 Trekkers; typically 3-5 nationalities, probably between the ages of 24 and 60, easy-going, energetic types, there to enjoy the opportunity.

The typical day involves a morning of approximately 3-4 hours of slow but steady trekking with rests now and again, and an afternoon of 2-3 hours of similar progress, with the higher altitudes addressed by having well placed afternoons of rest and acclimatisation.

FITNESS:  Taking part calls on some determination and stamina and we rely on the camaraderie created.  The conditions, when the weather turns unfavourable, can be arduous, however the demands should not be exaggerated.  If you are of average fitness and enjoy the outdoors you should manage well.

GUIDES & PORTERS: 
Every Guide with Himalayan Encounters has considerable first-hand local experience.  His chief concern is his group’s welfare and safety and he’ll help set a relaxed pace and will ensure the best possible food and accommodation.  He’ll also strive to earn your friendship and will be keen that you should come to know and love Nepal.

Our Porters
work hard and cheerfully (one day, soon perhaps, to train as junior guides).