After breakfast your driver will pick you up for the two-hour drive to Birethanti village. On the way you will be able to see the high peaks of the Himalayas emerging in the distance as the road winds its way up to the starting point of this Annapurna trekking experience. Packed with your camera, warm sweater and some water you'll head off, accompanied by your guide and local porters. The villagers wave goodbye as you slowly begin your ascent.

The path leads through a thick bamboo forest to lush green fields where cows with red plumes on their heads graze. There's plenty of opportunity to stop off for some pictures of the villages and mighty Annapurna peaks or a drink or snack on the way. After about 4 hours you arrive in Tirkhedhunga, a small village with a couple of shops, a wobbly hanging bridge across the river and waving children that follow you with curiosity. You'll be sleeping in a basic lodge. There's running water but don't expect a hot shower... 

 

 After a hearty breakfast it's time to pack your things and continue on your Annapurna trekking adventure. The first stretch is fairly easy as you walk downhill into the valley. Crossing the river Burungdi Khola, make sure to stop and admire this spectacular mountain river. The freezing cold meltwater flows down from high up on the Annapurna peaks. Then it's the most strenuous part of the trek. Heading up some stony steps you slowly make your way to 2000m.

At the end of this strenuous climb you'll be rewarded with an amazing view of the snow-capped Annapurna Peaks rising up above the surrounding hills. The last part of the trek is pretty level and leads through a colourful and aromatic rhododendron forest. Rhododendrons are the national flower of Nepal and bloom in the spring. On arrival in Ghorepani put your feet up, have a drink and relax. As you look around you'll see colourful prayer flags blowing in the wind and of course the snowy Annapurna peaks in the background.

It's an early on Day Three of your Annapurna trekking experience, so as not to miss the sunrise at Poon Hill. After breakfast you'll start the one-hour climb to the top at 3190m. Once you reach the top, sit yourself down on a nice comfy rock and watch as the sun slowly colours the white peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri a deep orange.

When the sun's up the Annapurna trek continues to Ghandruk (also known as Ghandrung). You'll meet a lot of local villagers along the way. Everything is lugged up the mountain, from sacks of rice to live chickens in big baskets, even big pieces of furniture. The local men all wear simple flip-flops but they're still a lot faster than the tourists! On the way you'll pass through farmland and fields where you can see farmers working the land. At the end of the afternoon you reach a small Gurung village where you will spend the night in a basic lodge.

This section of your Annapurna trekking trip will be pretty relaxed compared to yesterday. The trek leads slowly downhill along level trails, there are no steep climbs and plenty of spots along the way to lie back in the grass. You will also come across several traditional tea houses where the cheerful local women invite you in to try their tea.

In the afternoon you arrive in Dhampus, which is also the main starting point for expeditions to the summit of this Himalayan giant. You will be staying in a basic lodge where you can exchange stories with other trekkers, or just enjoy the amazing view of those snow-capped Annapurna peaks. 

 

Best time to travel
The best time of year to go trekking in Nepal is spring (March - May) or autumn (October-November). Summer (June - September) is monsoon season and the rain can make travel difficult with landslides blocking the road. Trekking in the rainy season isn't much fun, especially above 1000m. Paths are muddy and slippery and treks are often cancelled due to poor weather conditions. The winter months (December - February) can be pretty cold and many of the higher mountain passes blocked because of the snow.

Accommodation
During Annapurna trekking you will be staying in trekking lodges. These are (very) basic Nepali lodges with just a couple of rooms with two separate beds. The lodges have running water but don't expect a hot shower. Blankets are available but we recommend bringing your own sheet bag. You can rent sleeping bags in Pokhara. 

Food & drink
The trekking lodges offer some good value meals & drinks and you can get a satisfying meal for less than £4. The menu consists of local dishes like Dahl Bhaat (rice with lentils), steamed momo's (a type of Nepali/Tibetan dumpling filled with vegetables or meat), and locally-made bread.  Often you can get some western dishes like tomato soup, pizza or pancakes. During the day the many tea houses or 'bhatti's' are a great place to stop off for a hot cup of tea or an ice-cold coke.

Luggage
Besides your guide your Annapurna trekking will be accompanied by one porter between two people. The porter can carry a maximum of 30kg (your combined essentials in one of your backpacks) so it's wise to take only the essentials and perhaps carry things that you need to hand yourself in a daypack ie: mineral water, suncream, lightweight umbrella to use as a sunshade. You can leave the rest of your luggage at the hotel where you were staying before the start of the trek.