Trek the Annapurna Circuit

I recently completed the Annapurna Circuit Trek with Much Better Adventures, and it was an incredible experience! From start to finish, the team was friendly and approachable, knowledgeable, making the entire journey seamless and easy and hassle free.

The trek itself was breathtaking, with stunning views of the Annapurna range and Himalayas, including so many diverse and memorable landscapes. Our two biggest days with the early morning starts were definitely highlights; but day after day we were blown away by breathtaking vistas.

Our guides, led by Tika, were amazing and I cannot speak highly enough of them. They were not only enthusiastic and informative but also very attentive to our group's needs, ensuring everyone was comfortable and safe along the way. It was clear that our experience was their absolute priority and they did all they could to ensure we had the best experience possible.

Overall, I highly recommend this experience. It was not just a trek; it was a dream come true adventure filled with laughter, camaraderie, and memorable moments. I can't wait to book my next adventure with them!

Tika was the best guide we could and all the other guides were fantastic. Tika toook care of my partner so well when he got a bit ill halfway round, under Tikas diligentl supervision he got better and continued the trek and enjoyed all of it.

We have a great trip with an amazing group. The guides couldn’t have been more attentive and knowledgeable. They gave us guidance on everything from kit, food, how to deal with altitude etc. Every day was full of amazing views and experiences and each night we all would huddle round the fireplace in the tea houses.

Can’t recommend this trip or this guide enough.

I couldn’t rate this trip any higher from the hike itself, to the incredible hospitality shown by our lead guide Tika and his team - it was flawless.

The trek itself is a joy, it starts off leisurely allowing the group to really get to know each other as the views gradually get more impressive. Then the the two climaxes at Tilicho Lake and Thorong La pass are super challenging, rewarding days - tears were shed when we made it.

I’d recommend managing your expectations on the accommodation, and bring more layers than you think you’ll need and you’ll be all set. Despite the basic accommodation, Tika and our assistant guides Sabin, Bir and Asman more than made up for it offering some of the best hospitality I’ve ever witnessed. They are there for anything you possibly need, from any food and drink, hiking expertise, facts about the area or just a nice chat. They’re absolute pros and it’s down to their commitment and care that got us all through it.

An experience I’ll never forget. Highly recommend!

This is by far the best guided trek I have been on. The scenery was epic, each day just as spectacular as the next and we were blessed with clear blue skies every day. But what made this experience so unforgettable was the people that we were with, strangers became good friends overnight and the humour and support within our group was so special. I cannot praise our lead guide Tika enough, he was so professional from beginning to end and made each of us feel cared for and safe throughout the trip. Nothing was too much for him, he didn’t miss a trick and would immediately notice if someone wasn’t comfortable with anything. The assistant guides Asman, Sabin and Bier were equally caring, attentive and great fun to be around and our 6 porters were amazing, we loved celebrating with them at the end of the trek party. Freedom Adventures has planned this trip perfectly and provided the most professional guides you could ask for. We would love to come back but only if we can have Tika!

I had to come here to back up my team mates' reviews below!

This trip, for me, had it all - a brilliant introduction to hiking in the Himalayas & to Nepal, the most incredible scenery, the right amount of challenge, great food and culture and not least - wonderful people and a lot of fun.

Where to begin. . . The itinerary and route were brilliant - varied walking through valleys, villages, mountain paths -  surrounded by ever changing and unforgettable views of Annapurna II, Manaslu and Gangapurna. The days varied in intensity, with some being longer than others, but there was a great balance and the plan was really well thought out to help with acclimatization / allow rest as we reached higher altitudes. It never felt too little or too much. I had wondered if the route would be over crowded but the paths weren't too busy (we went late November) and the circuit was nicely trodden but not overly crowded or touristy. The accommodation is basic & no frills, but I enjoyed it - the tea houses are comfortable little hubs of respite in the mountains and the perfect place for an end of day tea / beer / card game and good sleep. The food was great - mainly veggie based Dal Bhat and fried rice / noodles or Momo's - and our lead guide, Krishna, was super helpful at suggesting what we should eat or avoid to keep us well and swerve tummy issues as much as possible.

The Team / hosts - I'd never been on a group trip before this and, perhaps like others, was a little uncertain about what it would be like to relinquish control (!) and follow a set itinerary everyday, with a group strangers I'd never met before. . . . but any worries pretty much dissolved at our first briefing meeting when we met our brilliant lead guide Krishna & went out for a first dinner together. Krishna was, throughout the trip, everything you could want in a leader - brilliantly knowledgeable, friendly, encouraging, responsible and fun. Every evening Krishna would check in with us with regards to how we all found the day, check in on health (checking O2/ altitude symptoms etc) and brief us on what to expect the next day. He kept us on track, energised and safe and happy with what seemed like absolute ease and effortlessness - but with what was, I'm sure, a lot hard work and energy from him and his team's side. The wider team (our assistant guides - Dili, Dependra and Prabin and the team of 6 brilliant porters) were faultless  - the most genuine, kind and supportive team I could imagine and you could hope for. The organisation of the trip from day 1 - the final day (including extra flights / varying differing plans amongst the group for onward travel etc) was totally smooth and seamless - just amazing.   Huge thanks to the whole of the Freedom Adventures team for all your hard work, energy, support and smiles.

Our Group - was wonderful and strangers quickly felt like friends. I feel lucky to have shared this experience with such a genuinely lovely group of people and it wouldn't have been the same without each one of them.  

Tips - it gets cold at night and the water bottle in sleeping bag tip works - do it! Take more electrolytes than you think you need (incase you get sick). Hand warmers were a winner for the early morning cold mountain starts. Maybe don't turn up with painted nails like I did - as it makes the oxygen readings harder to take. I rated my lifestraw bottle as a reliable way of filtering water. I really enjoyed having a few extra days in Pokhara too, lovely place to relax for a few days before heading on elsewhere and leaving the mountains behind - enjoyed the sound bath at Pema Dechenling Monastery. Also - Sam's bar in Kathmandu was fun!

Overall - a wonderful experience and I'd 100% recommend this trip for anyone who loves mountains, likes a bit of a challenge and is up for meeting new people!

Annapurna Circuit in November 2024

I have travelled with various teams but never on a high altitude trek as part of a group of 12 walkers (including my ace partner), and led by 4 guides and 7 porters! New territory for me, indeed. I was also double the age of most on the trek, so I needed to adapt a bit (and very probably they did too, as they learnt to cope with the Legends or Vets as I think we may have been called!)

As for our guides and porters: they could not have done more for us all. They were clearly available for us 24/7, and our safety and our health were paramount.

Their advice on food and fluids was invaluable, and this became more important the higher we went. They helped us understand something of local cultures and passed onto to us really useful knowledge of the mountains, as well as respect for them and those who live in them.

With regards to any waste/litter I particularly appreciated “LNT”…. . ”Leave No Trace”, as Dipendra explained.

The trek far exceeded my expectations! It was epic adventure for us/me.

I am still trying to “work it all out”, but I have come away quite humbled.

My thanks to the organisers, Krishna and his guide team and to the porters, as well as my/our fellow trekkers - together we got there!

We were a group of three friends who completed the 16-day Annapurna Circuit Trek in November 2024 alongside 9 others with Freedom Adventures.

It was the most unforgettable experience and we cannot recommend the company enough. This is down to the guidance, care and expertise shown by our team of guides (Tika, Sabin, Asman and Bier) and porters who were outstanding and exemplary throughout the trek. Each day was challenging but so enjoyable because of the consistent encouragement and support we had from the guides.

The guides were also incredibly attentive to each member of the group, always checking in to make sure we were comfortable and feeling well, especially when it came to the more challenging days of Tilicho Lake and Thorang Pass.

Every day was so memorable and we had the most enjoyable, fun time with everyone and it was fantastic to celebrate with the whole group in Jomsom. Thank you so much to Tika, Sabin, Asman and Bier - the best team of guides and our porters for their dedication and commitment to making this trip so special for us all.

Rachel

The whole experience was fantastic. From the pre departure information all the way to the travel logistics post trip. Tika and his team have been perfectly professional, friendly and caring. They are so knowledgable and care so much for our personal safety. The trip itself was once in a life time. We were very lucky with the weather which allowed for stunning views but it was the people that made the experience so unforgettable. Sabin, Asman and Bier were incredible assistant guides and Tika clearly utilised his years of experience to make sure this trip was a success.

Would highly recommend.

I don't think I have the words to describe this trip - it was such an incredible experience which I feel so fortunate and privileged to have been able to take part in.

Nepal is stunning. Every single day you wake up to views that feel so out of this world (particular if you're like me and haven't ever really travelled that far) and getting to walk in that landscape every day was amazing and something that will stay with me for a long time.

As lots of others of our amazing group have already said, when you're signing up for this trip, the beauty of the area you're walking in is somewhat of a given but the thing that made this trip so special for me was the people.

Krishna and his team were absolutely amazing from the get go - they absolutely prioritised our safety, made themselves available to us for anything we needed 24/7, were highly knowledgeable about the area and were so much fun to be around. Managing a group of 12 to keep us all walking at a pace comfortable to each of us is no easy feat but they managed it seamlessly and every single day felt like you were headed out on a family hike. This trek is quite a challenging route and Krishna made that clear in every evening briefing, yet the way the route is planned meant that you never felt unsafe on the way up to the highest points where altitude sickness could've been more of a problem. They took great care over making sure the group properly acclimatised every day and the additional trip out to Lake Tilicho was beautiful - I feel so lucky that it was included and it was great preparation for doing the pass a few days later! An added bonus for me was how kind and hospitable everywhere was that we stayed - the tea houses are just brilliant and I was constantly amazed at the sheer volume of food some of the tiniest of kitchens were producing for their guests. I ate Dhal Bhat every single day and each one was different - it was such a wonderful experience and our hosts at each place were so kind and generous. It was clear Krishna and his team had such a good rapport with each of them and that also helped make the trip as fantastic as it was.

Absolutely would recommend this trip to anyone who wants to take on a challenge and meet some really incredible people - you'll come away with no regrets!

An absolutely wonderful experience and trip to always remember. Every aspect was fantastic; perfect weather, amazing scenery, accommodation, food, leadership, organisation and group dynamic. I was very fortunate that our group were all so lovely; lots of laughter and camaraderie!

A big thank you to Tika, Guide Leader- always going above and beyond to ensure safety, comfort and fun for the whole group. The perfect balance of professional and friendly approach. Your laugh is so infectious! Tika, along with 3 amazing assistant guides and porters were so present and supportive throughout; ensuring everyone’s abilities and pace were met whilst trekking, and hospitality within the Tea Houses and meals. Really enjoyed all of your stories and knowledge of Annapurna region.

Our whole group completed and enjoyed Thorong La Pass (aswell ans everyday) and that’s down to leaders pacing, energy and support.

The organisation of the trip was very seamless; even with several last minute decisions to book return flights from Pokhara to Kathmandu at the end of the trip (highly recommend to save a long bus ride)

Thank you MBA and Freedom adventures, would definitely return for another trip

Given the scenery speaks for itself, with its awe-inspiring beauty and sheer magnificence, I think the real factors to consider here when choosing a tour provider are: (1) the route you are taking and (2) the skill and hospitality of the guides. It is safe to say Much Better Adventures (with their local affiliate Freedom Adventures) could not have provided a better experience - 10/10 in all areas. I would strongly recommend this trip but most of all this provider. Faultless.

The Guides: It is hard to put into words just how amazing the team of guides (and porters!) were on this trip. Led by Krishna, the tone was set in our first meeting - this is a serious trek with serious challenges to consider, there will be some rules to follow for safety - but with one of his trademark smiles he also signalled that we would have a lot of fun on the way too! Krihna's team of sub-guides - Dipendra, Diliram and Prabin - worked tirelessly (and I mean tirelessly!) to ensure we were all smiling throughout. I really have not experienced hospitality and kindness like it, never forced, just their natural predisposition to them all to help where ever possible. We formed very strong bonds - especially after a couple of spontaneous mountaintop meditation sessions led by Krishna - and I hope to keep in touch with them all long after the trip.

The Route: It is clear that a lot of thought has been put into planning the perfect route, as this does differ slightly from others I had looked at. The highlight being the slight detour to Lake Tilicho - the highest lake in the world - which saw the first of our 3. 30am wake up's to ensure we made the top for a spectacular sunrise. Only 30% of tours pass through this area so the paths are quieter and the landscape more striking and remote, plus it is a mighty challenging climb up! Krishna also gave us an option on the final day to walk the planned "road route" or to take a shorter "more special" route, one of his personal favourites. We chose the latter and it was an absolute final day treat - one of the highlights for me. The flight from Jonsom to Pokhara on the final day also saved losing a day to a long bus ride, so this should be seen as a huge positive too.

There are many things to feel grateful for on this trip, and I really do not think Much Better Adventures could have done any more, but aside from the breathtaking scenery I was just blown away by the local Nepalese people, in particular our guides and porters, and the kindness and hospitality they showed us throughout our trip, and the passion they have for their country. Khrisna, Dependra, Diliram and Prabin (and the porters led by Suri) you make this trip an unforgettable experience and I hope others get to experience the same in the future. When I return to Nepal in the future I will certainly be utilising these guys again!

It's a strange feeling leaving everything behind, setting off with only a few belongings, with a group of people you've never met before to spend 16 days with increasingly basic accommodation, and food, at progressively challenging altitudes.

But somehow, between the chaos of Kathmandu and the giddy heights of the Thorong La Pass you will fall in love with Nepal and the Himalayas.

The scenery of the Annapurna Circuit is truly epic, the Nepalese people are genuine and kind and, in particular, the team of MBA guides and porters are flawlessly attentive, and helpful.

Our lead-guide, Krishna, was an incredible host who made the overall trip run smoothly and, together with the three support guides, Deli, Dependra and Prabin, made sure that everyone was well looked-after on and off the trail, prompting and helping everyone to manage their water and the inevitable effects of altitude, advising on food and drink choices and providing understanding, company and support when the going got tough.

A further team of 6 porters performed the heroic task of carrying the 12 larger duffle bags, leaving trekkers free to carry only a lighter day bag.

With luck you'll have a great group of fellow trekkers adding an unexpected, but incredibly welcome, bonding experience on top of the spectacular vistas and sense of adventure.

The days typically involve several hours of trekking of various difficulty at the end of which the charming and cosy teahouses offer a very welcome respite. After a few restorative teas, a rest, a game of cards or two and simple but tasty dinner, Krishna would never fail to deliver an informative, entertaining and exciting briefing of the following days schedule.

The building sense of adventure and anticipation is palpable as you progress closer and closer to "big day" - the rounding of the Thorong La Pass at 5,400m - and there is a huge collective sense of achievement and celebration on the subsequent decent. The beautiful, relaxing city of Pokhara is a fitting prize at the end of the trek.

Make no mistake - this is not a relaxing holiday - if you want that then go to the beach.

If however you are looking for an incredible all-round experience that will deliver some of the most spectacular scenery on earth, introduce you to some incredible people and new friends and challenge yourself in ways you didn't expect then step this way …

This trip is a bucket list once in a lifetime trip. Krishna and his team were top notch- creating an experience that was astounding in every aspect, from keeping us on track timing wise while never feeling rushed to supporting all individual needs throughout the trip all while keeping us thoroughly entertained throughout the trip. They truly showed us what it means to have Nepalese hospitality and did an amazing job of guiding us through their gorgeous country in a way that i always felt incredibly safe. The scenery and views throughout the trip will never be done justice by the photos- it was phenomenal. Our group was also amazing- leaving me feeling grateful to have met every one of them. I truly could not recommend this experience more. The tea houses were rustic but continued to top expectations- offering clean and comfortable places to sleep every night.

This has been my (our) first organised trek with a group - I am a late starter! It surpassed all my expectations. Our group was so supportive, caring and good fun across a wide age range. I found the trek physically demanding but in a good way. Krishna and his expert team; Dipendra, Diliram and Prabin set a pace each day with a rallying cry of 'jam jam' which enabled a gradual exposure to altitude and increase in fitness level as the trek progressed. Their love for the mountains and respect for the environment and people who live there was apparent from day one. Our porters led by Suri were incredible. Meeting us at the start and end of each day with huge smiles and genuine words of encouragement whilst lugging all our bags - total respect to each and every one. Our safety, health and wellbeing was paramount - day and night, with a practical brief at the end of each day to get our minds into the zone for the following morning. 'A little up, a little down' disguised some serious altitude hiking with humour and encouragement! Dal Bhat power 24 hour! Krishna - you led an amazing team and we enjoyed good times with you all. We opted for the bus back from Pokhara to Katmandu at the end. It was a long journey and a salutary reminder of the forces of nature at work in Nepal. The roads affected by landslides, monsoon rains in a way I could not have imagined if I had not done this. It has been a priviledge to trek through this beautiful part of the world, seeing and feeling the majestic and awesome beauty of the mountains . I have come home humbled and want to express gratitude to the MBA and FA teams for delivering a first class service - from the point of pick up to return to the airport and everything inbetween. And lastly to our trekking friends - what a brilliant achievement well done to everyone.

I had a good feeling from the point of booking and it went uphill from there! What a glorious route through stunning Nepal. Our guide, Tika, and assistants Ujjwal and Prabin, took care of us like family, always concerned with our health (altitude and otherwise) and ensured we had the best accommodations available. Their confidence in us was motivating when we needed it for the hardest parts. Our group connected from the beginning dubbing ourselves “Team Tika”. We laughed, teased and encouraged each other along the way. We would love to do another trip with MBA in Nepal but must have Tika, Ujjwal and Prabin again! Joselyne & Jose

On a trek that was sure to test me, I couldn’t have asked for a better team that Tika, Ujjwal and Prabin. Tika was our lead guide and boy nothing escapes his eye.. how much you drank/ate, your pace, even a faltered step from 100 mts away. Our safety was clearly Tika’s utmost priority and it was comforting to know that with his guidance we couldn’t go wrong. Prabin and Ujjwal as our assistant guides ensured that our every need was anticipated and met, with deliberate thought and delightful charm. Last, but not the least, our porters, Bikal, Suman, Sujan, Ajeya and Suresh were simply rockstars. The load the carried for us allowed us to scale heights that otherwise might not have been possible. And they did it all with a smile on their face and warmth in their high fives every time we got through a day. This trek was a life changing experience and it wouldn’t have been possible without this incredible team!

The team supporting this trip did a phenomenal job. Our porters Purna, Suresh, Suman, Sujan, Ajaya, and Bikel were such good sports carrying our heavy luggage through the difficult terrains while always greeting us with a smile and a high-five at the end of each day. The assistant guides Ujjwal and Pravin were incredibly attentive to our every desire and need while being the most cross-functional members of the team. We felt so cared for in their company. Finally, our guide Tika was the pillar that made the trip what it was. His tireless dedication to the health and well-being of every trekker in the group was admirable. We fully trusted his expertise at every stage of the trek and he has never once led us astray. The depth of his knowledge on the trekking experience allowed us to complete the trip with minimal difficulties, culminating to the rewarding experience we now all share.

Ours was rather a different trip to what we were expecting through the initial delay because of the floods, then a modified trip through illness. However we thoroughly enjoyed it and despite everything had the trip of a lifetime. Amazing scenery, really good group dynamic. Fantastic people to share the trip with. Tika, Pravin and Diliram had huge challenges initially but always found a solution with a smile. Very professional and a big 10/10. Very supportive and a personal special thank you to Diliram who helped us through our modified circuit. Time afterwards in Pokhara I would very much recommend. Definitely lived up to its billing as a "Much Better Adventure"

I can't recommend this trip enough! The whole experience was incredible - the views stunning, the trek was just the amount of challenge and I met some wonderful people to enjoy this experience with too!

The whole trip was organised so well and any questions or queries I had before I left were answered immediately. Tika, our head guide, did a fantastic job of looking after us, supporting us and making sure everything ran smoothly. Diliram and Pravin, the assistant guides were brilliant too - nothing was ever too much trouble. I loved staying in the tea houses and the food was great. An unforgettable trip!

This trek was truly the trip of a lifetime - hiking in beautiful valleys, through ancient villages and among incredible mountains. Highlights included breathtaking views of tilicho lake, the whole group reaching thorong la pass and waking up many mornings to sunrise over the Himalayas.

Our lead guide Tembi was excellent. He got every person through this trek safely and appropriately managed the other guides (Deepesh & Nima). Assistance was always available when we needed it. We were able to walk at our own pace and regroup at regular intervals. They worked all day ensuring everyone in the group was fed, hydrated and having a good time.

Tembi was organised, approachable, knowledgeable and so much fun. He was responsible for creating the best group dynamic between guests/guides/porters. 3 of the porters were working for the first time and Tembi was such a great support and role model to them. He encouraged us to get involved with the porters, celebrating their festival and got us dancing together many times - including at almost 4000m during an acclimatisation hike!! Thank you to Anish, Saroj, Uttam, Nabin and Sunil for always being so excited to be part of this trek.

I am so grateful for every member of the team who made this trip happen for us. I loved getting to know everyone and will leave Nepal with new lifelong friendships. I’d 100% encourage anyone to do this trip - the scenery, culture & people are unbeatable!

Some bits I would have wanted to know before: You can do laundry half way round the trek in Manang (acclimatisation day) It’s probably 50:50 squat and western toilets and you always need your own toilet paper but can buy more almost any day of the trek Tea houses generally exceeded expectations - simple twin/double rooms, occasionally with attached toilet. Dining area often with fire and majority of the time had a warm shower Rooms cold at night but was ok with sleeping bag + thermals and sometimes used blanket provided by tea house There was some debate in our group about having micro spikes - probably worth just bringing them if you already own them or you can buy in Kathmandu/on the trek (can discuss at meeting with lead guide) - weather is obviously unpredictable in the mountains It was really dusty on the trail so have clean clothes for evenings and buff for covering face in the day Was surprisingly hot in the day as the sun is so strong - would recommend long sleeve lightweight hiking tops to protect from the UV

The Annapurna Circuit trek exceeded anything I could have imagined. The people, culture, food and magic of the Himalayas made this trip so special and one that I will never forget.

Our three guides from Freedom Adventures, Tembi, Deepesh and Nima were unwavering in catering to all of our requests, needs and questions. They were up before dawn making sure our breakfast orders were underway and didn't stop until the entire group retired for bed in the evening. Every night after dinner, our lead guide, Tembi, gave a thorough briefing of what to expect for the day ahead which not only provided a great overview of the region through which we would be hiking but also allowed us to mentally prepare for the journey. Our group composition was a bit unique with 7/10 of us between the ages of 24 - 29 and 3/10 between 40 - 60. I thought the guides did an amazing job working together to manage the different paces and keep the group together. The guides also offered plenty of opportunities for additional 'side hikes' once we arrived at our destination for the day - these included a hike to a local village across the river from Dankyu, a monastery perched above Manang and a beautiful stupa above Shreekharka. These additional hike were always optional but were a great way to increase our fitness and make sure we were properly acclimatized. It was also SO much fun getting to know the young group of porters carrying our bags - they were energetic, enthusiastic and always had big smiles on their faces despite carrying heavy loads. These guys also know how to dance!!

I was not quite sure what to expect with the teahouses but the accommodations honestly exceeded my expectations. The rooms were clean and the beds typically came with large duvets that were more than enough to stay warm during the cold nights. I would not expect Michelin star meals but I also really enjoyed the food. The menus were similar throughout the trek but offered enough variety to mix things up. I can safely say that I am now a Dal Bhat connoisseur. One thing to be aware of is the bathrooms were at times a bit smelly and not always the cleanest with a couple of the teahouses only providing squat toilets but it's something that you get used to and all part of the experience of being in the Himalayas!

Another big takeaway of mine is the incredible bond formed between the people in our group. The lone American in a group of Brits, I ended up on the wrong end of a couple jokes :))) but I can confidently say that I have a new group of lifelong friends across the pond! Many of the hours walking were spent chatting about life, getting to know each other and lots of laughs of course.

If I had to give some critical feedback, I thought that while Freedom was generally super accommodative and flexible with travel plans after the trek - many of us chose to stay in Pokhara for a couple extra days and/or travel directly to Chitwan national park, in my opinion, the communication could be improved slightly, especially regarding the transfers on the ground to and from the airport and bus stops. Everything worked itself out in the end but there were a couple times when I was a little nervous if my driver was going to arrive on time.

All-in-all, I had such an amazing time on the trek and made some incredible memories. I would highly recommend to anyone who is considering - you won't regret it!!

Tika and his team were fantastic! Tika went above and beyond to make sure we were safe, happy, and enjoying every minute. He had a LOT to deal with on our trip with the the extreme weather conditions just before our departure but he pulled it all together flawlessly! We LOVED our experience and will remember it forever.

Pravin and Diliram (our two assistant guides) were fantastic as well! They taught us a lot and also made sure we had so much fun, while being safe always!

We are so lucky we had such a fantastic team lead by Tika and will cherish the memories forever!

I had a fantastic time on the Annapurna Circuit trek. The Tilicho Lake addition was a great way of demonstrating how the Thorung La Pass would indeed be possible, whilst providing additional acclimatisation and a great lake view as well. It was a 5 star experience and had been on my bucket list for the best part of 20 years.

That said, there were a couple of rough edges I should mention, in the hope that even better experiences can be achieved in the future. These in fact stemmed, I think, from the particular make up of our group of 10.

In preparation for the morning of the Thorung La Pass, I had asked how the 3 guides proposed to ensure we were all shepherded up the slope safely - mindful that it was very busy with other climbers, very steep at the beginning and pitch black. I was given an unconvincing response that we should all stick together and it would be alright. It wasn’t really alright. Everyone was dealing with the ascent in their own way. I pushed on until the High Camp, where there was a tea house of sorts (still pitch black). I could not find any of our team, or any of the guides. It was really very dispiriting, and I knew I faced another 75% of the effort to the Pass. The dynamics of our group were that 7 out of our 10 were very athletic 20 somethings. 2 were seasoned adventure sportsmen in their 40s. I am 60, reasonably fit and not the slowest , but given the field, I struggled on occasion. The youngsters, naturally and without malice, were very cohesive as a group. On that morning I was battling on my own. I think more should have been done to ‘check us through’ at High Camp, not least as this was a point at which anyone at all could have been in distress.

There was another incident at Jomsom where I became detached from the group having taken a 3 minute toilet break. When I got back none of the others were anywhere to be seen. The lead guide, who likewise didn’t know what was going on, went into auto blame mode, telling me it was my fault I was adrift from the group. An unacceptable response from him in the circumstances. No damage done though.

The Annapurna Circuit was an amazing experience! Although it was sometimes tough, Pujan, Krishna, Santosh, and Kevin helped me and our group throughout the trek! Without our porters Dipendra, Diliram, Devon, Nabin, Mohan, and Surya we couldn’t have done it! They worked so hard and always had smiles on their faces, giving us extra energy with their encouragement. I have so many good memories from this trip, and I will never forget when our guides ran toward me in happiness as I cried with joy upon reaching Thorong La Pass. Freedom Adventures was a great help in planning the trip and ensuring everyone's safety even during significant rainfall and landslides - behind the scenes Himal was working to make sure our safe return from Jomsom!

This trip was so much fun and, whilst it was challenging, each day was so rewarding and unforgettable. Our guides (Pujan, Krishna, Kevin and Santos) were all great at keeping the energy up and looked after us 24/7. Our team of porters were also amazing and greeted us with smiles and applause each day when we arrived at the next tea house.

Top tip if I was to do this again - bring snacks! Especially for the 2 long days of trekking as you will need them.

Everything about this trek was excellent from start to finish. The organisation between Much Better Adventures and the local company (Freedom Adventures) was second to none from the moment of landing in Kathmandu to arriving at the airport for my international flight.

The trek itself is astounding. Our group was blessed with excellent weather for 90% of the trek, giving us outstanding views of the Annapurna range, Tilicho Lake and Thorongla Pass.

The itinerary is well paced, enabling the group to acclimatise effectively, meaning you can enjoy the views without having to worry about early symptoms of altitude sickness.

The entire support group (guides and porters) were magnificent. Our lead guide, Pujan, was full of energy and enthusiasm, whilst our assistant guides Krishna, Kevin and Santos each brought their own knowledge, enthusiasm and humour. Together they formed a great team that made this trek a breeze - there was never a moment where I needed to worry about the food, water, destination and so on.

A special shout out to Himal and the operations team behind the scenes. The end of our trek coincided with the worst flooding Nepal has seen in 50+ years. The entire Freedom Adventures team went well above and beyond the call of duty to ensure our safety and safe passage back to Kathmandu and beyond. Even after we had finished the trek in Pokhara, their customer service was excellent, and ensured I left Nepal with fond memories.

Finally, this trek was fantastic as a solo traveller. I had hoped to find a group of likeminded individuals, and I find that, exactly as advertised.

The whole team was amazing from the guides to the porters, they all made the trip very enjoyable and easy.

The Annapurna trek was excellent with some spectacular views - we travelled in May and, while the first few days were foggy and a bit worrying, the weather cleared up and we had some great days to follow (including a snowy pass which was a major highlight).

The walk was well paced and we never felt in any danger, so many thanks to our leader Pujan. Our assistant guide, Sebika, was outstanding and was great fun to be with during the entire circuit. Uttam, Balaram and Surya were excellent porters and were quick to help the group.

The accommodation (including showers and toilets), food, and availability of cheap/free wifi (don’t bother buying a SIM card) were all surprisingly good and there’s nothing to be worried about!

My only criticisms of the itinerary would be the walk through canyon which was unnecessary and unpleasant, and the drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu - I’d have much rather driven straight to Jomsom and flown to Kathmandu.

We had a fantastic time on our Annpurna Circuit Trek! The views are incredible.

Our lead guide Tika was fun and friendly but also incredibly professional and we always felt very safe in his care. Assistant guides Pasang and Tej were also wonderful. Always incredibly helpful and friendly.

Would definitely recommend Much Better Adventures and Freedom Adventures to anyone interested in doing the Annapurna Circuit!

Exceeding my expectations from start to finish, this was the trip of a lifetime that I can't stop talking about! From start to finish, this itinerary was expertly planned and managed by local operator Freedom Adventures. Kush, our lead guide, was on top of it all without ever letting us see him sweat - from smoothing over a mishap at an over-booked tea house to reorganizing departure transport due to flight cancellations - he runs a flawless show that takes 5-star care of his clients AND team. Anil and Asman were outstanding right-hand-men to Kush, bringing humor, ensuring client safety, and literally waiting on us all hand and foot day after day. And, you can expect more than just trekking through some of the most beautiful scenery on earth... we got a full education on every place we visited. Lastly, I couldn't have been happier with my trek-mates - it's evident the type of people who book through Much Better Adventures are like-minded adventurers: inspiring, independent and hilarious!