Annapurna Circuit

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

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  Lesley Dunford

  ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT

  

  Written November 2010

  The Exodus leader was exceptional and all the guides were great. The walking was challenging but enjoyable. Although the accommodation was described as basic I wasn't prepared for how cold I got during the evenings in many of the tea-house dining rooms. Lack of heating and mainly cold showers was an issue.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Seeing Himalayan Griffons close overhead around Nawal, gliding overhead on the thermals. This first part of the trek from Lower Pisang to Manang was altogether spectacular.

  Sunset and surise at Ghorepani/Poon Hill was amazing.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Ugs was fantastic, full of energy and fun with a very positive attitude. He gave very good advice particularly about the best way to manage the altitude, walk slowly, slowly, drink plenty of water and eat lots! He encouraged us to use safe water or boiled water rather than mineral water in plastic bottles as rubbish is a big issue in Nepal.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  If you don't tolerate cold well you may want to consider not doing this trek. I found I was very uncomfortable at times in the evenings which detracted from the enjoyment of the holiday.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  This was trip an eye-opener for me. I had no idea Nepal had so big a population. There were many small villages all along the route, mainly subsistence farmers and tea-houses to accommodate the many trekkers. I was amazed at how much some of the local people could carry and the terrain they were carrying it over. Certainly an experience I'll never forget.

   
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  Alison Parry

  ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT

  

  Written October 2010

  A great but hard trek through amazing changing scenary, beautiful villages and massive mountains. This was a more challenging trip than I had anticipated . The road is changing the circuit on the western side- go before it is all changed forever. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Bodhnath Temple in Kathmandu

  Walking through Thorung La pass in the fresh snow as the sun rises.

  The acclimatization viewpoint walk in Manang, with 6/7000m mountains all around.

  Finishing the trek after 17days of walking!!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  All our team (leader, guides and porters) were fab.

  All very considerate, enthuisiatic and cheerful, especially when giving out the early morning tea!!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take antibacterial hand wash gel- there doesn't seem to be any taps/sinks next to toilets at all.

  Luckily, didn't have any stomach problems but be prepared with a good personal first aid kit. I seemed to go through quite a lot of anti-inflammatories! No blisters although others in the group did, I just had sore feet by the end of some days. 

  I found having a effervescent general multi vitamin tablet good- the diet was a little limited- very little fruit. The tablets also good for flavouring water!

  Be prepared for some poor hygiene- I found it quite difficult to deal with for the number of consecutive days. Wet wipes, wet wipes, wet wipes!

  A metal water bottle is a good idea as can be used as a hot water bottle (it gets very cold at night even in down sleeping bag!).

  A scarf/buff that can wear as a face mask- roads in Kathmandu and some parts of the circiut are very dusty.

  Be prepared- this is a long walk. Make sure it is within own capabilities, do some practice hikes. I would like to feel I was a "walker" walking regularly in Scottish hills but this trek is a big undertaking and was  harder than others I have done. After many days of walking, the last 2 days are tough (big ascent 1800m/descent- 3600 steps!!) after 15 days of walking- it was hard going.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Overall, a fabulous trip but hard trek (not a holiday!). Have seen some amazing scenary, encountered lovely people and seen an insight into Nepal.

  On reflection, really feel a sense of achievment in completing the circuit although at times it was tough mentally, physically and emotionally!

   
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  Christopher Mogg

  ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT

  

  Written October 2010

  A thoroughly enjoyable trip fantastic scenary, good company and an excellant leader and support staff. Would highly reommend Exodus and if wanting to do this trip I would suggest doing it sooner rather than later as I think the new road is going to spoil it. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Visiting the monastry above  high above Pisang listening to the the monks chanting as the clouds cleared for a few minutes which allowed us to see Annapurna II high above.

  Finally reaching the top of Throng La Pass

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Really supportive, good company and good advice most of the time.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  As stated previously do the trip soon. Purchase your own sleeping bag and jacket as they are much lighter and smaller when packed up than the gear you can hire from Exodus. Did not really feel the need for the jacket suggested as it was not that cold and felt ok with a few thin layers of clothing plus my normal jacket - may need the jacket later in the season.

  Muktinath to Kagbeni, as a group we all felt if we had been advised better we would have taken the shorter route on this particular day as walking on the roar was very dusty with vehicles continually passing us.

   
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  Philip Doyle

  ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT

  

  Written October 2010

  A great expeience with a real sense of achievement at making it over the Thorong La pass and finishing the trek. We witnessed a completely different culture with a sustainable and self sufficient way of life, it may not be around in a few more years. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Seeing village children at play with no technology, no traffic and enjoying life immensely, it reminded me of my childhood fifty years ago.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Everything happened just as it should with no hitches, it did not happen by accident and all credit must go to our leader who made it look easy.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Be prepared for hot and cold weather walking, we went in October and started in 30+deg C and went over the pass in 150mm of snow! Most of the walking is relatively easy, only three difficult days which were the ascent of the pass (obviously at nearly 18,000ft!!) and the last two days climbing back up to Ghorepani and the very long final day including the pre-breakfast walk up to Poon Hill and the nearly 4000 steps down between Ghorepani and Nayapul. As others have said a scarf or 'buff' is useful on the other side of the pass for the dry dusty trail and the strong afternoon winds. I was expecting an anti-climax have got over the pass but the beautiful villages on the other side and the seemingly ever present Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri peaks more than met my expectations

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Second holiday with Exodus and it will not be the last, the routes we took seemed better than other groups, bypassing the busier trails, and all our lodges were excellent, food was much better than i expected i never needed my emergency 'cup-a-soups'. Only the lodge in Thorong Phedi seemed to give better treatment to other groups but it was very full and a case of 'first come first served' i think.

  Dining in the Rum-Doodle restaurant is a 'must' for any trekker in Kathmandu.

   
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  Anne Gaskell

  ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT

  

  Written April 2010

  A hard trek because of distance and altitude but the best and hardest trek I've ever done with a great bunch of people. I know now why it's a classic and feel a huge sense of achievement. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  So many!

  Thorung La - obviously.

  Kali Gandaki river valley.

  Sitting eating veggie noodle soup at Titi village with Gangapurna on one side of us and Annapurna I on the other side.

   

   

  What did you think of your group leader?

  We have used Exodus for more than ten trips now and all our leaders have been good at their jobs but Ugs was outstanding. His anticipation of our needs, his willingness to find solutions to every problem and his ability to organise just about everything to perfection gave us a wonderful sense of well being and confidence. This is exactly what you need when you finish a day's trekking.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take a metal flask for water - you can use boiled water - hot at night to warm your sleeping bag then cooled next day to drink.Wet wipes for when you just can't face a tepid shower.Carabiner clips for camera, sunglasses etc.

  Because we wanted to avoid the road we did a lot of undulating paths on the other side of the river. Despite the extra effort involved, these alternatives were stunning in terms of scenery - don't wimp out and do the road if given the option!

   

   

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  This is a challenging trek because of the sheer number of days you are 'on the go'. There are no rest days so be prepared for that.

  Thank you to a great bunch of trekkers, the experience would not have been the same without you.

   

   
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  Fleur Jackson

  ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT

  

  Written April 2010

  Whole trek was fantastic - daily changing scenery as promised in brochure. Would go there quick though, as once new road completed, will not be the same. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Walking through a winter wonderland of snow around Pisang -so beautiful, though going over the Throng-La pass was a close second.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Funny and sensible. A good guide. Listened well to the group.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  See above - if you want to do the Annapurna Circuit, do it soon.

   
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  Robert Norman

  ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT

  

  Written January 2010

  Overall, a great and very enjoyable trip. My usual luck with fellow travellers held out and despite being a relatively large group (14) everyone got along very well. The scenery was magnificent (although there was quite a lot of litter, which was a bit disappointing and dispiriting). I was very ignorant about Kathmandu and the poverty there was a shock. I liked the Nepalese people a lot. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  I can't pick a specific place or time: there were so many mind-blowing views and places.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Lakpa was excellent. He ran a tight ship but with a sense of humour and without being overbearing. Knowledgeable, hard-working, attentive, and a man who is clearly proud of his country and enjoys showing it to visitors.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  1) I went on the trip over Xmas and New Year and, although it may seem too obvious to mention, if you are going to go on this trip at this sort of time of year DO expect to encounter some VERY cold temperatures and pretty extreme weather in general. Take a sensible amount of suitable, warm clothes as, if you are cold, you are not going to enjoy this holiday.

  2) The circuit takes in many suspension footbridges, These vary greatly in quality (some look very flimsy) and height from the ground/water. I am not too keen on heights and so, I was very anxious when crossing some of these bridges. I would imagine that people who have an extreme fear of heights would find crossing some of these bridges VERY difficult and maybe even impossible.

  3) Upset stomachs (either from bacteria or the effects of altitude) are  common. Be prepared with suitable medicines!

  4) A lot of the tracks are very dusty. It would be a good idea to bring some sort of "surgeon's mask" or something like that. A lot of the locals wear them so you don't need to worry about looking like a weirdo.

   5) Watch out for the donkeys! They don't care who or what is in front of them.  They will just barge you out of the way and don't stop!

  6) The circuit does involves some strenuous hiking. I would say, to be up to making this trip while enjoying (rather than enduring) the walking you would need to be averagely fit if you are in your 20's, a little above average if in your 30's. significantly above average if in your 40's, and so on.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I had always wanted to visit Nepal and I am very glad I did. This trip was an overwhelmingly positive experience for me. It did end on a very sour note for me,  though, in that I wasted my last half-day hanging around at the airport waiting for the sightseeing flight of the mountains (including Everest) that failed to materialise. The problem was the weather and, obviously, I don't blame them for that. I am annoyed by the fact that they kept saying 'ten more minutes', 'ten more minutes'. In the end I hung around from 7.30am to about 12.00pm. I could have spent that time exploring more of Kathmandu - a world-famous city. Instead, I spent it hanging around in the cold, dreary domestic airport!

   

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