Trek the Annapurna Circuit

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!

My husband and I completed the Annapurna Circut in May 2024 and it was a truly incredible experience that exceeded our expectations. The whole team where brilliant but a special shout out to Pujan our leader who went above and beyond to teach us about the area and Nepal as a whole. Sebika was outstanding in every way and i hope she soon becomes a leader as I couldn't fault her, she was a real delight! Balaram and Uttam were wonderful, incredibly strong and their cheery faces at every tea house were a wonderful sight to see. We had a wonderful group of other walkers and the route is awesome! Highly recommend the trip to others

Epic trip. Kush and the team were excellent guides, knowledgeable and thoughtful. The whole trip was well planned and communicated. Love the evening story-times and can't wait to come back to this amazing country. A good starter trek that makes me want to do more.

It was an incredible trip from start to finish! The guides assisted us with every need and informed us the day before about the route, the altitude difference, the weather, and the effort that would await us the following day. They also assisted us if anyone in the group did not feel well, and checked daily if we had any AMS symptoms. The trek requires a lot of physical and especially mental effort, but it is always shared with beautiful people! The support from the guides Kush, Anil, and Asman was huge. I highly recommend MBA and Freedom Adventures!

The Annapurna trek was excellent and the views were spectacular. The amount of walking and pacing was well balanced and adapted by the leader Pujan, and his co-lead Sebika, to meet the capabilities of the whole group. The care and extra support shown by Pujan, Sebika, Balaram, Surya and Uttam made the more challenging days achievable. Overall this was a memorable trip with many highlights and fantastic experiences (and photos).

This was such an incredible and unforgettable trip.

There's (rightly so) a high barrier to entry to get deep into the Annapurna range (travel days and the early hike days) but you're rewarded for your effort. The views and grandeur of the range is astonishing. The pictures don't even do it justice - you just have to be there to soak it in.

The professionalism of the Freedom Adventures team was second to none - they knew everything there was to know about the Circuit. I really could tell the difference throughout the trek between groups that had ok guides and our group. Kush was not only extremely knowledgeable, approachable, charismatic, and experienced, he was also really well respected on the Circuit. For example, in some tea houses we would have tables or even whole rooms reserved just for us to use. Solo travellers can't reserve and book but Kush can. Kush, Anil, and Asman also gave us nightly talks about the history of Nepal which was so informative. The whole team of 5 porters were also extremely friendly and kind, and they would always cheer us on and welcome us at the tea houses.

The hike was extremely well paced, we gained 300-400m on average per day and Kush would add in acclimatisation mini walks to get us even higher up and back down. I took Diamox so felt fine but our whole group had very minor altitude sickness symptoms on the whole and I think it's due to the careful pace of the trek. The hike itself isn't that strenuous - if you're in good shape it is manageable - it's the addition of the shortness of breath higher up that makes it more of a challenge. But you gotta try it to find out!

The change of weather and the need to pack lightly was a bit tricky. You need shorts and a t-shirt early on and then full thermals and very warm clothes (in mid-April) later on while keeping under 12kg luggage - I would've packed a couple more warm layers but it was a good challenge to only bring essentials. It's also extremely dusty all along the route so a good buff/cover is essential.

Our group vibe was fab- all of us very likeminded and caring for each other and we all got on extremely well.

I absolutely made the right call going with MBA and Freedom Adventures and would absolutely look to them again next time I'm in Nepal. I can't recommend them (or this trip) enough.

Kush, Anil, and Asman were all absolutely amazing tour guides! They were friendly and fun, and went out of their way to make sure we all had an great and safe time. Their knowledge of the trek was incredible. Freedom Adventures helped make this one of my favorite treks I’ve done and I could not recommend them and the Annapurna Circut more to others!

This was such an amazing experience! I had travel issues initially and was delayed meeting up with the group. There was excellent communication with Freedom adventures and they were so helpful and reassuring. All of our guides were so much fun and very knowledgeable. Would not have been the same experience without them. I cannot recommend this trip enough!

Kush, Anil, and Ashman were the best leaders I could have asked for on our trip. Every view along the circuit was breathtaking and I always felt in good hands with our leaders. We got to learn to much from a local perspective which was amazing. I would definitely recommend Freedom Adventures and MBA for any trip.

MBA & Freedom Adventures were incredible. Our guide, Kush, was an amazing guide. He brought laughter, kindness, and a fun energy to every day and helped us learn more about Nepal’s history, people, religion, and culture. Our assistant guides- Anil and Asmand were also incredible and so happy. I was so impressed by the organization and how Freedom operates in Nepal with MBA. Cannot recommend this trip enough and I feel so lucky to have done this experience!

Extremely well organized tour. Kush was a brilliant lead guide who made sure we were all well acclimatized and looked after. The group all got on well and we had a great trip. The assistant guides Anil and Asman were also great and the porters were very friendly and part of the team.

Embarking on a two-week trekking adventure in Himalayas was a dream that became reality, made even more remarkable by our exceptional local guides. The knowledge of the area they demonstrated made me always feel safe. Their familiarity with every twist and turn of the trail not only ensured our safety but also enhanced our experience by providing insightful commentary on the flora, fauna, and local culture. Their professionalism and the care that they demonstrated to each one of us, was remarkable. Whether it was ensuring we had enough water and snacks for the day's journey or adjusting the pace to accommodate everyone in the group, they went above and beyond to ensure our comfort and enjoyment. Also, their ability to adapt to unforeseen challenges, such as changes in weather or trail conditions (you are at the mountains!), instilled confidence in our group and allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the adventure without worry. But perhaps what truly set our guides apart was their warmth and friendliness. Tika, Tej and Pasang along with all the porters, you gave us an unforgettable experience, thank you! Annapurna circuit, one of the most popular treks around the world, cannot disappoint you! Witnessing breathtaking views and so different landscapes, trying delicious local dishes as well as coming close to the Nepalese people and culture. I cannot recommend this adventure highly enough, it's one in a lifetime!

Our 16-day trek through the Himalayas was nothing short of extraordinary with amazing scenery, fantastic people and lots of fun.

The main guide Tika was very knowledgeable on the area with great experience in the trek, he was always able to name all the massive peaks we were looking at and he would answer all of our questions for the Annapurna region and Nepal in general. We had some long discussions about Nepal which helped me to learn lots of things about the Nepalese culture ranging from the education system to the religious landscape.

I was amazed by the professionalism of both our main guide Tika but also the two assistant guides Tez and Pasang. They arranged everything for us, they would take all of our food orders and they were at our service 24/7. Tika always put our safety first and was checking on us regularly to ensure everything was going smoothly.

Now, let's talk about the views. Oh my goodness, where do I even begin? Every step we took revealed a new, jaw-dropping scene. From towering peaks to lush valleys, it was like being inside a painting that came to life. The 16-day trek was ideal to enjoy lots of different landscapes while having enough time to acclimatize for the pass.

Last but not least, the trip wouldn't be the same without the amazing group that we shared lots of memory, lots of laughs and an amazing party in Jomsom!

A great trip! Amazing views - exactly as I had pictured trekking in Himalayas would look like. Actually, no, that's not true. It looked even better! The team did a fantastic job keeping us safe, entertained, and well informed. We learned about the local customs, culture, and history. The local people were very friendly and welcoming. The accommodation and food far exceeded my expectations. The trek was well organised and the representative of the local trekking company was always available for any questions/help needed both pre and throughout the trip.

A once in a lifetime experience! It was a challenge on all levels (endurance as well as leaving home comforts behind). Make sure you give yourself time to train. You'll need hiking fitness, but also good cardio capacity, and the less extra weight you are carrying the better. Kush was a great guide, with a lot of experience and a good ability to assess people's capabilities and advise accordingly. He also taught us a lot about Nepal, and was able to answer questions on history, culture and nature, as we went along. Not to mention his perennial sense of humour! The teahouses varied in levels of facilities, but they all offered full menus of tasty food, as well as having a communal warm area, to escape the cold rooms!