Annapurna Sanctuary

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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  Jenny Hemming

  ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY

  

  Written November 2011

  The scenery was awesome and the trek challenging but within the range of anyone of normal fitness who's done a bit of hill walking.  The tour leader and guides were friendly and supportive.   

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  First sight of Himalaya; Feeling euphoria at the end of the first day when we realised we'd be able to do it!; Arriving at Annapurna Base Camp.  Being at Annapurna Base Camp.  Annapurna.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Group leader was excellent.  Very kind, very aware of how we all were managing, and gave us just the right amount of information at the right time.  I felt very confident in him.  He always managed to appear just when we might need extra help - in fact I always knew a dodgy bridge was coming up as Prem appeared out of nowhere!  Being supported by guides meant that everyone was able to do the pace they felt happy with.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Don't worry about the plumbing!  You'll get used to it quickly.  Personally, I'd say just don't eat meat at all - it's just not worth the risk of spoiling your trip with an upset tummy, and it's no hardship to go without - there is plenty of choice.  Once we got past the mineral water area we got boiled water from the lodges.  Taking no chances I always added a chlorine tablet, and a top tip from a friend before I left was to add a Berocca - flavour and additional vitamin C!  I experienced no illness whatsoever.  Another top idea - if you have a metal water bottle, get it filled with boiling water in the evening, clothe it in your walking socks and bingo: a lovely hot water bottle.  Then you drink the water the next day.  How's that for multipurpose?  If you have a tendency to weak knees, it might be worth packing some support bandages; there are a lot of steps!  They're very well graded though, and the group leader sets a very sensible pace and gives you plenty of time.  Trekking poles also help in this respect.  It's a lovely trip and I'd definitely do it again.

   
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  Timothy Salter

  ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY

  

  Written October 2011

  A very professionally organised & lead trip with a great group of participants.A great introduction to a country of wonderful people.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Waking at ABC to find the cloud clearing to reveal what must be one of the most stunning mountain panoramas in the world.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Dawa was an excellent leader - keeping the team together and progressing at a pace that meant we achieved our goals while still having bags of fun.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  If you can walk up & down Snowdon and not be exhausted, then you're probably fit enough to do this trip.

  If you need mobile phone reception, then Nepal Telecom (check your mobile company's roaming agreement) has decent coverage in the mountain villages.

  Mains power is available in most tea houses for camera/phone battery charging, though mains power is mostly limited to light fittings in the bedrooms.

  The variety of tea-house food was much greater than we expected. Not just Dahl Baht!

  9pm bed time is considered late in the hills.

  If you've time, get away from the main tourist trail in Kathmandu to see how the real city lives.

  Roads are being driven slowly towards the villages in the Annapurna area. In 10 year's time, when the mule trains have been displaced, the character of the place will be very different. Go soon!

   

   

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  We really appreciated the background work done by Exodus to ensure that the tea houses standards of kitchen food hygiene were up to scratch. 11 people over 15 days & not one case of Delhi belly! We met several independant travellers and people from other groups who'd succumbed after visting other tea houses. When time is limited, it is important to stay fit & healthy.

  We were all impressed how the team leaders got stuck in in the kitchens to help prepare some superb meals.

   
• 

  George Shanks

  ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY

  

  Written October 2011

  Great trip. Excellent local leaders and good group made it all the more enjoyable. What can I say about Nepal; it's beautiful. Stunning scenery and great trekking. Oh, and the rice is good too! Kathmandhu is busy, noisy and chaotic, but still a place to savour. Pokhara, where we stayed a night after completing the trek, is set in a beautiful location. Lovely lake, surrounded by mountains, felt Alpine in character. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Too many inspirational moments to list them all but I guess Reaching Annapurna Base Camp at 4100m and not feeling out of breath would be up there at the top of the list. Seeing the snow covered mountains at sunrise at ABC with no cloud to obscure the view, simply magnificent.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Dawa our group leader was excellent. He was patient, calm, approachable, cheery, positive, organised things efficiently and his English was well nigh perfect.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  You'll be able to get mineral water ie bottled water on the first few days and the last day of the trek. In between you'll need to drink local water that has been filtered and/or boiled. It tastes ok but I'd recommend you use water filtration tablets with it to be safe. As you progress up the trail towards ABC be aware that food, showers and drink (soft drink and beer) prices increase. Budget for the trek should be about 2500 to 3000 Nepalese Rupees per day.

  If you're looking for somewhere to chill after the trek then the Busy Bee Bar in Pokhara is recommended and in Kathmandhu check out The Tom and Jerry Bar in Thamel. 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Great trip, highly recommend. If you're reasonably fit you'll manage it no problem.

  Might be helpful to those who book this trip if you could add a PDF to the trip notes showing the typical menu choices and prices along the trail. Most tea houses offered very similar menus, although as mentioned above prices increased as you progress up the trail. 

   

   
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  Albert K Hewitt

  ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY

  

  Written October 2011

  For a mountain lover this trip is a must do. From day one there are views round every corner until you reach Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) and the mountains are there in front of you,behind you in fact all round you. Magical.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  We were unfortunate in that it was cloudy when we reached ABC but the following morning the sunrise was stunning and made it difficult leave the views and start the long trek home. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Prasant Subedi was a superb leader in that he quietly got on with his job of keeping everybody informed as to what we were seeing and what lay ahead which together with his knowledge and enthusiasm for the area made the trip. His support staff were again well organised and very attentive whilst we were on the trail looking after our safety and welfare. 

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  There are a few long days especially especially when the weather turns damp and windy as it did on our trip at the end of October. The good thing was that by then we were well aclimatised and arrived at our nightly destination tired and damp but contented. Follow the pre-trip instructions and you won't go far wrong. Whilst you can charge your batteries (Camera and mobile) at the lodges it is recommended that you carry spares as the cold can drain them quite quickly. 

   
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  Khusro Ali Khan

  ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY

  

  Written April 2011

  I absolutely loved my walking holiday. I am an avid hiker but have never done such an extended trek before. There really is something glorious about spending days with no more pressing thought than what hiking tight/tshirt combo to throw on and whether it will be daal bhaat with gurung bread or pizza for dinner? ... and to just enjoy being in the most dramatic mountain scenery amougnst cool people:Good times! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The most inspirational moment of my trip was waking up at first light in ABC (Annapurna Base Camp), looking out my window and being greeted by the most totally awesome mountain views I could have hoped for. I felt that THIS is what life is ALL about.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  DAWA:

  D:  Dashing and Charming

  A: Absolute man of the people: Story Teller, Joker, Group Bonder, Game Player, LEGEND!

  W: WHAT A GUY!!!!!!!!

  A: awesome character

  Thank-you SO much for really making the trip for me.. what super sweet!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Do this: it is wicked!

   
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  Patricia Donati

  ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY

  

  Written April 2011

  " Go while your hips are still working "   Advice given to aged self by a friend !!  I went, I saw and I conquered.  It was a wonderful two weeks,  with some unforgettable moments and memories.    

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  When we went "off the beaten path"  e.g. improvisation needed to avoid landslides and avalanches.   This  necessitated detours along untracked mountain sides  and over  fragile and rickety  bridges, or across slippery river bed rocks.   

  Arising in the dark, donning head torches, and climbing up before dawn in time to see the sunrise at Poon Hill and Base Camp.  

  Unexpected richness of flora and fauna.  (  monkeys, wild goats, birds etc. )   

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Pasang was first class.   He was very experienced and knowledgeable.  He    managed, cleverly and sympathetically , to cater for the differing needs  and varying levels of fitness of our group.  He was full of mountain lore, knew lots about the flora and fauna, the regional history, etc.  and was always helpful and cheerful.  

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  To make the most of this special time,  ensure you are fit before you go.  

  Poles were very helpful - and essential  if you have dodgy knees.  

  Pack as little as possible,  as the porters have to carry it for you !   

   

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  We were all "d'un certain age"  -  we all loved this tour and would go somewhere else next time .   

  Take your camera and GO NOW BEFORE THEY COMPLETE THE ROAD BUILDING PROGRAMME  when it will become too accessible and over run !!  

   
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  Janel Hannis

  ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY

  

  Written April 2011

  One word sums this trek up: AWESOME! This was my third visit to Nepal, yet it never fails to delight, excite, challenge, reward and de-stress me! Having been to about 50 countries - I would say that the scenery at Annurpurna Base Camp (ABC), surpassed my own expectations and was glorious... an amphitheatre of some of the world's most dramatic, highest and prestigious mountains, in beautiful sunshine, moonlight and storms.. A rewarding trek to get reach ABC through valleys and hillsides, forests, snowdrifts, stark mountainscape and in some awesome company. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The evening thunder and lightening storm at ABC was PINK! The mountains were lit by icredible pink lightening - I never knew existed! ...One of our trekkers was scared of the storm, so we sang songs from 'The Sound of Music' to comfort her.... 'raindrops on roses...'!! This was also a highlight as everyone a the Tea house joined in and we had a jolly good sing song! 

  I slept outside - took my mattress outside at ABC and viewed the mountains by moonlight from my sleeping bag... an awesome experience!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Dawa Lama was a brilliant leader, very knowledgeable, good leadership skills, good fun, and had a caring attitude, jollying people along and ensuring everyone was included and had a good time.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Yeah, please take everything on the kit list - including waterproofs! I made the mistake thinking that it wasn't monsoon yet so waterproofs would not be needed - given my previous treks to Everest Base Camp where they were not. Nepal has different climatic regions - prepare for all eventualities. In addition, take ear plugs and a head torch so that you are not so disturbed by snorers and can share rooms without waking people when you need to use the loo in the night.. It gets cramped at Base Camp and rooms are shared, but with so little space to put your kit.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I have done both Annurpurna Sanctuary and Everest BC treks, if you are trying to decide between the two - Everest offers more history and scenery on-route, whereas Annurpurna is probably a slightly easier trek, yet the scenery on route is not as profound, yet the rewards at Annurpurna Base Camp are phenomemal. Serious advice would be to do them both!

   

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