Internationale groepsreis Annapurna Circuit

Robert

Deze reis wordt uitgevoerd door Exodus, echt een super organisatie. Goede gidsen die de reis veilig laten verlopen. Annapurna Circuit is echt heel mooi om te doen in Oktober/half November. Ontbijt is te karig voor deze trek, houd hier rekening mee!

Annapurna Circuit Oct-Nov 2016

Changing landscapes and a well paced but long trek through and over Nepal's great mountain ranges.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

I've done the Thorong La before when on the Exodus Chulu Far East trip, so it didn't hold quite the same significance for me this time, although I still enjoyed it, but I did also really enjoy getting close to Dhaulagiri and the changing views of that giant and Nilgiri on the opposite side of the valley.

What did you think of your group leader?

This is the third trek I've done with Exodus which has been led by Prem Gurung and he was excellent as usual. Really looked out for our wellbeing and worked really hard to make sure we were well fed and looked after the whole time.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

The rate of ascent to the pass is fine, well paced. Some in the group took Diamox as a precaution, but I didn't and didn't have a problem at all (although individual experiences can very from trip to trip). Almost all the lodges used had Wi-Fi (of varying speed), this is a good or bad thing depending on your point of view, but helps you keep in touch with family back home. Some sections of the trek have to follow the 'road' and these can be tortuous, so much dust from passing busses, but the trek avoids it as much as possible. Some days are long walking days, like the last two days, but the views are always great, and there is no hurry, you've paid a lot to be there, so slow down, look and listen. You'll get so much more from the trek if you take the time to really appreciate where you are.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Our departure coincided with a Mini Annapurna Circuit departure which meant the trekking was a bit crowded at times and when we shared the same lodge, having 30 people competing for 2 showers and 2 loos was challenging, so my advice would be to avoid departures that coincide like this, the Circuit is busy enough without the same company having 2 groups starting at the same time.

ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT

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.

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!

Gerard

Een prachtige reis in een heel fraaie wisselende bergachtige natuurschoon, waarbij je van de lager gelegen bosachtige omgeving naar steeds hoger en uiteindelijk licht besneeuwde pas loopt. Onze internationale groep, met name Engelsen en Canadezen, bestond uit 14 mensen varierend van 20-ers tot 60-ers en voor allen goed te doen. Sawadee had deze reis ondergebracht bij Exodus, een grote engelse organisatie. Informatie voorziening vooraf door Sawadee en de begeleiding ter plekke via Exodus verliepen prima en gladjes. De Nepalese begeleiding was uitermate kundig en ervaren. Een aanrader deze reis, nu het nog kan op de klassieke manier want een nieuwe weg is al een heel eind in aanbouw. Advies is wandelervaring op te doen vooraf om je eigen lichaam niet in de weg te zitten en des te meer te kunnen genieten van de omgeving.

Awesome Annapurna

Excellent tour, stunning scenery, lovely people, great country.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The Thorong-La is the exciting focus of the trip and it does not disappoint but every day had amazing scenery and the three weeks provided strikingly different terrain.

What did you think of your group leader?

The group leader Prem and all the other guides and porters were fantastic, felt in very safe hands. a knowledgeable friendly group with a great sense of humor.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

If this is your first trek in this region then be prepared for some very basic accommodation, (but also some very nice accommodation) some interesting food, cold showers and some truly frightening bathrooms. But that is all part of the trekking experience. Pack light as you can wash your clothes at regular intervals although unless you love cold showers then you'll be pretty stinky and happy as Larry. Food and drink is never more than an hour away at any time during the trek, loads of tea houses to have a rest and a brew. Wi-Fi was available nearly everywhere. Not any insects to be concerned about.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

An amazing country that has to be visited.

Annapurna Circuit

Overall an excellent trip. I've also done the Annapurna Sanctury and Everest Base Camp but this was the best by far. It was less focused on the mountains and gave more opportunities to get to know the people, culture and traditions of the country.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The time spent in Mustang walking down the Kali Kandaki valley, in particular the visit to Kagbeni. We had been accompanied to that point by a group walking the mini circuit and I feel they missed out on the best part of the trip? I'm now tempted to visit Upper Mustang to experience the Tibetan Buddist culture more closely.

What did you think of your group leader?

I cannot speak too highly of him, Prem Gurung. He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the country, the trails, the flora and fauna and the history, culture and traditions of the places we visited. Also, he very quickly assessed the abilities of the group and identified those who needed additional support and encouragement, especially when preparing to cross the Thorong La. Several of the group went down with severe food poisoning in Manang and his advice/treatment was exceptional. Thanks to him, all recovered quickly and were strong enough to tackle the Thorong La just two days later.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Spend some time researching the area you are going to visit and be aware of the challenges you are likely to face. Also, make sure you read the trip notes and the recommended kit lists. I've done three trips with Exodus and have been amazed at how poorly prepared some people were. Eg not sure if they needed sleeping bags, down clothing etc and not prepared for the altitude and cold temperatures. Also, do some training and get FIT!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I think Exodus could do more to make sure their leaders and guides are properly clothed and equipped. Our leader had to buy superglue part way round the trip to glue the soles back onto his boots. Many other trekking companies are supplying their staff with high quality footwear and softshell\waterproof clothing, often carrying their company logos. Our leader\guides were still dependent on members of our group donating surplus kit at the end of the trip. I think this is unacceptable for an established company with a reputation like Exodus.

Annapurna Circuit

A great trek with fantastic mountain views and diverse and interesting scenery. The high altitude ascents were controlled really well and all of us got over the Thorong La pass without too much difficulty or suffering. Being a circular route everyday was different, I was struck by how quickly the vegetation and climate changed with the terrain, the villages were all very interesting and the people friendly and welcoming.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

I really enjoyed the climb from the Tandaki river valley up to lake Titi, the high snow covered mountains reflected really well off the water. The excitement level peaked when we were told that the coughing in the distance we heard was a tiger. However it turned out to be a cow!

What did you think of your group leader?

Tenzi Sherpa was a great leader, he was fun and enthusiastic but always had our safety and welfare at the forefront of every decision. He set a realistic pace that everyone in the group could keep up with, in particular over the Thorong La pass. He was very ably assisted by Maila and the 3 porters who worked tirelessly on our behalf.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

The weather for us was very benign and I took too much stuff and felt guilty every time I saw the porters puffing along the track lugging our gear. You can wash clothes at the T houses, you really don't need a lot.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Nepal is very much open for business and needs tourists to rebuild their economy. Come out ASAP you won't be disappointed!

Annapurna Circuit

A great trek with varied views and terrain, a good challenge and amazing people

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Cross the Thorong La high pass after getting up at 3:30am and starting in the dark. Views were amazing on the way up

What did you think of your group leader?

Kesher and the assistant guides/porters were all great and kept spirits up. Nothing was too much trouble and he kept us informed with local knowledge along the route, aswell as tales at nighttime in the teahouses

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

It can be very humid at the start of the trek so prepare a few spare sets of clothing. You dont walk as far as the trip notes suggest (one day we walked 12k yet the tripnotes said 20k) but its still a good challenge and you will need to prepare well. The food in the teahouses was very good and always something for everyone, although be prepared to wait an hour or 2 for them to cook it.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Worth every penny and will never forget the amazing time i had there

ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT

A well-paced trek which gives you an astounding variety of scenery , and a real sense of achievement once you`ve reached Pokhara.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Standing on the Thorung La Pass at several degrees below drinking hot chocolate in the snow!

What did you think of your group leader?

Very impressed with the way he ensured everything ran smoothly.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Make sure you take plenty of layers - the temperatures can vary quite dramatically during a single day. Essentials - duck tape , loo rolls , fleeces , down jacket , bedsocks. Don`t bother taking water purification tablets - use the safe water stations or bottled water.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

On the down side - on two of the acclimatisation walks in the afternoon , we came back to the tea house by a different route , which was quite frankly rather dangerous , even when using proper walking poles. Prior warning about how potentially dangerous the descent from Thorung La was would have been useful. I was extremely distressed at the tea house in Kagbeni to see the owner(?) and one of the Exodus assistant guides mistreating one of the resident cats - it would be nice to think that something could be done about this sort of behaviour , though I doubt it will.

ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT

An excellent trip. Well organized, great company, beautiful scenery, superb weather and a stupendous feeling of accomplishment at the end.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Getting to the top of the Trong La pass and dancing down from the top of Poon Hill at dawn with one of our guides.

What did you think of your group leader?

Our group leader was excellent. He was always calm and organized. The day unfolded as he had told us the night before. This is not always the case with other companies and I found it very reassuring. He set a good pace and was always encouraging making me feel i would have no problems completing the trek.  He was knowledgable about the local people who were mainly Buddhist so we had a good introduction to buddhism as practiced in Tibet and Nepal.  His acclimatization routine was excellent. No one had problems with the height.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

I am a 66 year old woman, pretty fit but not an athlete. The trek turned out to be quite doable for me. I even managed to dance in the evenings of the longest days. I rented a sleeping bag and jacket, I think it is very important for older people never to be cold and the equipment from Exodus was first class. My stonach was a bit queasy on the first two days, I think because of the change of diet. I switched to rice and vegetables for dinner and ate as little fried food as possible till I felt better.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT NOVEMBER 08

Nepal made a big impression on me. It was the first time I'd been to the country and also the Himalayas. This trip offered a great variation in cultures, religions, landscapes, and within a fairly short timescale. Every day brought new experiences, there was never a dull moment (apart from waiting for the plane back home).

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Walking the high level route from Pisang to Manang was spectacular, with views to the icy Annapurna peaks soaring 3 miles above our heads into a deep blue sky. The villages here had a real Tibetan atmosphere with thousands of prayer flags flapping in the clear mountain air, the 'stupas' on exposed ridges, the colourful Buddhist 'gompas'. Griffin vultures glided lazily in the thermals, yaks grazed the arid pastures, the local people went about their day to day tasks working the land, as they'd done for generations.

What did you think of your group leader?

Our leader Gum was very experienced and knowledgeable with regards the culture, geography, acclimatisation needs, accommodation, etc. A lot goes into organising such a trip for up 16 people, and it was good to feel confident that someone was taking care of things in the background. He was also a very amicable chap, always approachable.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Take a scarf or face mask to protect yourself against dust. After Jomosom there's a good chance you'll face some pretty nasty dust storms in one of the world's deepest valleys. Most of our group suffered sore throats and colds brought on by dust inhalation. Flip-flops are handy for the showers, many of which are shared with toilets which isn't too hygienic. Bring a camera, of course!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The food was better than imagined. Yes, you can eat curry every night, which is highly recommended. But there's always egg and chips, pizza, steak sizzlers and yak steak burgers if you really want to pig out after a tough day. Most popular dishes on our trek- porridge and black tea for breakfast; vegetable noodle soup and lemon tea for lunch; various for dinner (see above) and tea again or Everest beer; apple pie in various forms for dessert. Be warned the apple brandy in Kagbeni is potent stuff!

ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT

It was a great trip, all the travel logistics worked and the weather was superb. The fact that at present you can only see this part of the country on foot makes it special. First time with Exodus and I was impressed.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Sitting on the monastery steps at Upper Pisang watching the sun go down behind Annapurna 2. Sunrise at Poon Hill. Sunset on Annapurna 1 at Kalopani.  

What did you think of your group leader?

Superb. (Gum)

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Just go for it. The first week is more strenuous than you might think because although you don't gain a lot of height from morning to night there is a lot of several hundred metres up and down as you criss cross the valley (there is not much walking on the flat on this trip) and the temperatures were in the mid 30's in the middle of the day.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Expect very basic accomodation - and then occasionally you get a nice surprise!

ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT

A fantastic trek through stunning scenery, visiting remote villages and really seeing the Nepali way of life.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Several high spots. The view of Gangapurna, with the glacier leading into the lake from above Manang, crossing the Thorong La, the beautiful temples en route, and the sheer immensity of the Kali Gandaki valley. Plus, of course, the madness and chaos of Kathmandu.

What did you think of your group leader?

Gum was excellent as was his team of Dawa, Lal and Dan. Always helpful, cheerful and willing to explain in depth any aspect of Nepali life and customs. A great team. the porters were a great bunch too-especially after a few apple brandies!

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Be prepared for a hard trek-17 days non stop-and for a range of temperatures, from around 25 in the lowlands to -10 or so when starting out for the Thorong La in the early morning. Do it, enjoy it, and take big memory cards for your camera.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The only downbeat side of the holiday for me was when we passed a traditional Gurung cremation by a river on the latter stages of the trek. One of the group had the cultural insensitivity to stop and take photos. Unfortunately the guides and leader did not see this. I challenged the individual concerned, and he said (and I quote) " I did not think it would cause offence"  Perhaps this sort of unacceptable and disrespectful behaviour should be covered by the leader in the pre-trek briefing.

ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT

Only one complaint - wish I had 360 degree vision to be able to see everything

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The night there was a power failure at Chame and we all came outside after dinner in total darkness at over 2700m altitude and were able to see everything, but everything in the night sky - the Milky Way, too many galaxies to list and , on top of it all, a shooting star. Wondrous!

What did you think of your group leader?

We were very impressed at all aspects of the trip: The manner and pace at which we gained altitude, going as far as possible to keep off roads, to visit interesting sights, to experience a respectful culture in the Himalayas and to be able to eat and drink well. The insight that he gave us into a wide range of aspects of Nepali life - religion , daily life for men and women, food and farming. The way he made every attempt to keep a group of people with widely varying walking abilities together. The flexibility he showed when arranging stops.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Prepare - make sure that you can walk for up to 15 or so miles/day by getting out regularly in the UK whenever you can. Although there is really only 1 hard day crossing Thorung La pass, you do need to be relatively fit to be able to do it. Prepare - you can never have too many warm layers of clothes, hats and gloves for the cold nights at altitude. Prepare - you can't bring too many memory cards for your camera. Make sure you have your charger. The power drains quickly in the cold. Enjoy - throw yourself into Nepal - Namaste to everyone! It's not like being on the Tube. Be tolerant of the food and lodging. Drink plenty of tea - masala chai is much recommended.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Get out there and enjoy the sights, climb, culture, views, food and atmosphere. Ask as many questions as you like of the leader, sirdar & assistants - they're there to help and are happier, I'm sure with someone else to talk to. Not sure if this is a trek we would recommend but it's still one worth doing. You have to be up for it.

ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT

This is a trek through a variety of different scenery from the low farm lands to the high mountain pass with views of the Annapurna Massif.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Crossing the Thorong La unaccompanied and in doing so beating the French group to the top and the assent to Ghorepani where a small group of us walked alone at our own pace with one of the assistant guides. Also seeing the Griffin Vultures and Lamagiers at close quarters.

What did you think of your group leader?

Keshar Khadka had an extensive knowledge of the local area which he shared with us giving an insight into the local life style / culture, along with many interesting facts about the scenery and nature. However Keshar lacked basic time management skills which led to on a number of occasions having excessive lunch breaks resulting in arriving at the over night accommodation after the sun had gone down, this could have easily been avoided by pre-ordering and sending the order ahead more often.   The group consisted of a wide range of walking abilities which required the group to be split to accommodate this but Keshar preferred to make the group walk in a constant convoy. Many of the group were new to this type of trekking holiday and were unaware of basic etiquette, lacked the basic skills for this type of trek and were out of their depth at many times but Keshar found it easier to ignore rather than sort to the detriment of many of the other group members.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

The food and accommodation on this trek are really good, don’t order Western Food as “This Might Not Be What You Would Expect” – remember at meal times what you ordered, unlike the majority of our group!! Although this was quite entertaining to the guides and other group members. Hey Squirrel Nuts!! My advise would be to either book on this trek soon before it is totally ruined by the road building or preferably to try one of the other Himalayan treks (Everest Base Camp / High Passes). This trek however this trek is graded as “C” but apart from one semi hard day should be only grade “A/B”, so make sure that this is within your ability as a horse lift over the Thorong La can prove costly.  The ongoing road construction has completely ruined the early and latter parts of this trek and contrary to the trip notes dusty road walking accounted for a large proportion of the total distance covered. Be courteous and respectful towards your fellow travellers: ·         When walking in a convoy don’t walk on the person in fronts heals.·         Give notice / space to the person behind when stopping suddenly to take photo’s.·         If you feel the need to talk loudly and incessantly while walking closely move away from the group as not all want to hear and some might like some peace and quite and to see some wild life without it being scared off.·         Generally treat others as you would like to be treated yourself.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Nepal is a fantastic country with lovely friendly people but I would not recommend this trek and if have time contact the Exodus office to find out what the group consistency / profile is before you book (I wish we had) as 3 weeks is a long time. We shall most definitely visit Nepal at some point in the future but will consider very carefully many factors before making the booking.  

ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT

An enjoyable but long trek through some amazing scenery.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Reaching Thorong La pass, and the sunrise from Poon Hill.

What did you think of your group leader?

Pasang was very helpful and he was very well organised throughout the 3 weeks, ensuring that both our health and the health of all the porters and assistants was looked after throughout. He was very easy to chat to, and his card tricks and games kept us amused through the cold evenings. I was impressed that he encouraged the assistant leaders to develop by letting them give some of the evening briefings. The second Pasang, Tenzing and Cussman were all extremely friendly and could not do enough to help. Going on ahead with lunch orders on a few days helped to limit the number of long lunch stops which was appreciated in the cold weather! However, I thought that the advice on how to acclimatise should have been emphasised more often, e.g. limit alcohol, drink lots of fluid, eat soup to help with fluid intake, etc. Some people did not seem to carry much water with them during the day. Also, the guides should have spread themselves out better instead of always having 2 at the back of the group.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

I would only class 3 days of the trek as challenging, plus the walking on several days ended in the early afternoon (although there were optional walks at many places), so this is not as difficult as the 'Challenging' rating suggests. If you can cope with the cold, can acclimatise to the altitude, are reasonably fit, and are confident on snow, ice (1 day only) and rocks, then you can probably cope with the walking too. As a group try to choose similar dishes at lunchtime so that lunch does not take ages to be cooked. Although the chips with eggs is tempting, save it for the evening meal! The safe drinking water stations are a great idea. We were concerned that the water might have been sitting stagnant for a while due to our trip running during the 'out of peak' season, so we added chlorine just in case, but not everyone did and no-one seemed to be any the worse for it. Don't let the road building put you off. It is far from finished and you are only near to it for a few days. Be prepared for a couple of quite basic teahouses - but then occasionally there's a lovely one where you can appreciate an en-suite with gas powered shower!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Prior to booking this trip I had asked about the age range on the trip and was told that there were people in their 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's. However on arrival in Kathmandu we were disappointed to see that this was not the case. The average age on the trip was at least 20 years older than us. The walking pace set by the leaders was far too slow. Most of the time we felt like we were walking on the back of the heels of others, which I did not like. When we stayed at the back of the group to leave ourselves some space, we easily caught the front group within minutes. Despite asking if we could go faster or go ahead with one of the leaders, this did not happen, even in the landslide area! For the last few days a small group of us took matters into our own hands and walked ahead, ensuring that we knew where to stop for breaks. I appreciate that not everyone was as fit or as healthy as we were (and I'm not that fit), and that some people struggled to acclimatise, but the pace was ridiculously slow at times and it impacted on our enjoyment of the trek. I felt that more could have been done to advise the group on the best choices to make at lunchtimes. On a previous trip (Everest base camp) we restricted our lunchtime choices to enable the meals to be cooked faster given the limited kitchens in some of the tea houses. However on this trip a large number of different dishes were always ordered therefore lunches often took 2 hours.

ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT

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.

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!

ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT

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.

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.  

ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT

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.

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.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT

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.

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.

Is there anything else you would like to add?