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Licensed operator since 2004 4.9 Google (89) Tripadvisor Excellent (386+)

  • 4.9 Google · 89 reviews
  • Tripadvisor Excellent · 386+ reviews
  • Government-licensed since 2004
  • Tailor-made private & group trips
  • Local guides from the mountains
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Ram Sapkota “Kamal”
Ram Sapkota “Kamal”Founder · usually replies within a few hours
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Annapurna Culture Trek
Annapurna Culture Trek Annapurna Culture Trek – photo 2 Annapurna Culture Trek – photo 3 Annapurna Culture Trek – photo 4 Annapurna Culture Trek – photo 5

Annapurna Culture Trek

  • 9 days
  • 1,990 m max altitude
  • Moderate grade
  • 1-16 Pax group
  • Spring / Autumn best season

PriceTailor-made quotefor your dates & group

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Price Tailor-made quote Priced for your dates and group size, usually within a few hours
  • 20% deposit confirms your place; the balance is paid on arrival in Kathmandu
  • Cancel 60+ days before departure and you lose only the deposit
  • Licensed since 2004Government of Nepal
  • 5.0 on Google89 reviews
  • Fair porter loadsMax 25–30 kg, insured
  • Secure paymentCard or bank transfer
Destination Nepal
Group Size 1-16 Pax
Region Annapurna Region
Trip Duration 9 Days
Activities Flight/Drive/Trekking
Meals Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation Hotel/Lodge
Max Elevation 1990meters
Best Month Spring / Autumn
Trip Grade Moderate
Trek Starts / Ends Kathmandu, Nepal
Transportation Flight/ Private Vehicle

Annapurna Culture Trek Overview

A cultural trek into Annapurna is a short, colorful trek into the foothills of the Annapurna mountain region.  Annapurna culture trek trail runs through beautiful mountain valleys, jungles, streams, waterfalls, and, most importantly, diverse ethnic groups and their distinct cultures. 

From any corner during your trek, you can glimpse the tantalizing views of the Himalayan peaks. During this Annapurna culture trek, the major cultural groups you visit are Gurung, Magar, and Brahmin. Along with this, other minority groups are also living in the region to enhance your cultural trekking experiences. In a very short time span on the trek, you can experience the colorful culture of these people and meet Buddhists and Hindus living in harmony. The main occupations here are agriculture, animal husbandry, tourism business, and "Gurkha soldiers"— the world-famous brave soldiers working under the British, Indian, and Singaporean governments.

Annapurna Culture Trek Itinerary

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bed Hotel meals Welcome Dinner

Arrive Kathmandu. At the airport our friendly representative will be waiting to receive you and transfer to your pre-booked hotel. After you complete check-in formality at the Hotel and taking short rest, we introduce you to the market of Thamel, where you can eat your supper, change money, buy some stuffs from supermarket, or buy trekking gears. Later we take you to our office for the trip briefing. Overnight at your hotel. Delay of any kind will postpone the events for next day according to feasibility.

duration1 Hours durationNone bed Hotel meals Breakfast

You will be starting the day with delicious breakfast at your Hotel. The sightseeing tour involves tour of two important religious, and cultural sites of Pashupatinath temple and Boudhanath stupa. Pashupatinath Temple: It is one of the most famous Hindu temples in South-Asia. The temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. This place is a UNESCO world cultural heritage site. The Bagmati river flowing besides the temple is religiously and spiritually important for Hindus where cremation of dead body takes place. Pashupatinath temple holds the most of prominence during Shivaratri – Shiva’s birthday and thousands of pilgrims gather in the night to celebrate the day. Boudhanath Stupa: It is one of the biggest Stupas in terms of size and height in Nepal and located in east of Kathmandu. The site is peaceful and culturally full with intermixed influence of Tibetan and Sherpa roots. Stupa built in the trading route between Kathmandu and Tibet has four pairs of eyes directed towards all four directions. It is believed to be influenced by Mahayana Buddhist philosophy. After short tour of city we return to hotel and prepare for the trek. Overnight will be spent at hotel.

duration25 Min Flight durationNone bed Hotel meals Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and drive to airport for a flight to Pokhara in the latter morning. You fly to Pokhara – small beautiful city situated in the lap of the Annapurna massif – parallel to the central Himalayas in which you can enjoy the view of the Langtang range, Gorkha Himal massif, Lamjung Himal, and Annapurna. Arrive Pokhara and enjoy the rest of the day exploring lakeside and surrounding.

duration4 Hours bed Lodge meals Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

You start the day with a short drive to Phedi after breakfast. From this starting point, leaving the highway, you start to walk steep uphill to Dhampus. The first section is in the forest comparatively steep, and the latter stretch is gradual mixed with shorter steep section through the village and farming terraced field. You reach to the beautiful village of Dhampus from where the view of Annapurna and Fishtail is stunning. Enjoy your lunch, and continue for another two hours to Pothana. This stretch is also beautiful in the jungle. Pothana, small hamlet in the jungle is peaceful place to relax, and enjoy the nature. Overnight at lodge.

duration7 Hours bed Lodge meals Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

After breakfast, walk in the tranquil trail in the jungle which is comparatively flat at first. There is a option to climb up to Deurali and descend to Kharka and continue to Landruk which was only trail decades back before the motorable road to Landruk was constructed. We stop in Landruk for lunch, and other places for tea or water with short break. After lunch, the trail descends steeply through terraced fields to the Modi Khola River. We cross the bridge, then start a steep climb of about 2 hours to reach to Ghandruk. You can see wild beehives hanging on the side of a cliff near the bridge. Ghandruk is the one of the big village of Gurung (popular ethnic group from the western region of Nepal who serves in Gurkha regiments in India, UK, Brunei, and Singapore) settlement with a close-up view of Annapurna and Machapuchare to the north. Overnight at lodge.

duration5 Hours bed Hotel meals Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

This is the end of the trekking. After breakfast and enjoying the view of the Annapurna South, Himchuli, and Fishtail close up, you descend to Ghandruk Bensi and then walk to Nayapul along the river Madi. And from Nayapul drive to Pokhara for about an and half hour and arrive buzzing Pokhara to enjoy your rest of the day.

duration7 Hours Drive bed Hotel meals Breakfast

You drive back to Kathmandu – some 206 kms and takes seven hours – or take a flight according to your interest. If you are driving, you drive through beautiful bending mountain highway which stretches along the river and passes through beautiful landscape. Once in Kathmandu we will transfer you to your respective hotel and you will be given free time to wander around. Overnight will be spent in hotel.

duration1 Hours bed Hotel meals Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast at your Hotel, we take you to the mysterious Kathmandu city tour. This historical, cultural and spiritual city unveils the social and historical mysteries to visitors. You will walk through the narrow lanes of the ancient Kathmandu – the center of power – that includes markets of Ason, Glass beads market at Indrachowk, oldest supermarket at New Road, Kilagal, and Hidden Stupas inside the family courtyard. Visit of Kathmandu Durbar Square – the administrative quarter of Malla Kings (fourteenth to eighteenth century), and Shah Kings who ruled Nepal from 1768 until 2008. The most unique experience in the square is the visit to the temple of the living goddess “Kumari”. After the tour, return back to your Hotel. If you are staying in Thamel, you can hang around this bustling tourist market and enjoy shopping. Overnight in Hotel.

meals Breakfast

As per your flight schedule, you will be transferred to the international airport of Kathmandu three hours prior to the flight time and your tour ends here.

Annapurna Culture Trek Route Map

route map

Annapurna Culture Trek Cost Include/Exclude

What are Included In My Package ?

  • Airport Pick Up and Drop Off (International & Domestic)
  • 3-star standard hotel with breakfast in Kathmandu (Nepal standard)
  • 3-star standard hotel with breakfast in Pokhara
  • Tea house (Lodge) accommodation during trek
  • All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and  Dinner) during the trek
  • Tea / Coffee (3 times a day) during trek
  • A professional trekking guide, porter (helper), and assistant guide provided for more than 5 trekkers.
  • Air ticket (Kathmandu-Pokhara)
  • All food, drinks, lodging, salary, insurance, medical equipment, and transportation for Trekking Staff
  • Private transfer (Pokhara to Nayapul; and Pokhara-Kathmandu)
  • Kathmandu Cultural and Historical sightseeing with a Tour Guide, private transportation, and entrance fee.
  • Certificate after the trek.
  • Trekking Permit (TIMS).
  • First aid box with oxymeter.
  • Annapurna Conservation Area  Permit (ACAP)
  • Down jacket, sleeping bag, fleece liner, and a duffel bag
  • All government taxes

What are excluded from the package ?

  • Any bar bills (alcoholic drinks, mineral water, and cold drinks), cigarettes, your personal insurance coverages that should include the emergency helicopter evacuation, and any kind of expenses created due to unforeseen circumstances
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
  • Tips for Guide Porter & Driver (Tips are not mandatory but expected and recommended)
  • Any other services that are not mentioned in the inclusion section.

Annapurna Culture Trek Altitude Profile

Traveller Useful Information

Equipment Checklist

This list outlines the required things to bring during the trekking tours. There are various selections and brands that you can choose as per your interest. All required trekking equipments can be bought or even hired easily at a reasonable price in Kathmandu.

General

1. Down sleeping bag (you can borrow with us if required).

2. Duffel or Rucksack bag (you can borrow with us if required).

3. Daypack

4. Down Jacket (you can borrow with us if required).

5. Fleece liner (you can borrow with us if required).

6. Walking poles (Walking poles are optional but recommended, and you can borrow with us if required).

7. Water bottle with purification tablets.

8. Hand wash liquids.

9. Lip guard.

10. Sun-block cream.

11. Toiletry kit. Be sure to include toilet paper stored in a plastic bag, hand wipes, and liquid hand sanitizer, towel, soap, etc.

Upper Body - Head / Ears / Eyes

1. Cap and ears covering hat. 

2. glasses

3. Head torch.

4. Ear-muffs and neck warmer is another piece of gear for extra warmth (optional)

Hand

1. Hand gloves (One light pair and One warmer pair)

Body

1. T-shirts – few.

2. Light and weight thermal tops and warm thermal top.

3. Light jacket and vest.

4. Wind and rain jacket.

5. Shirts and warm shirts.

Lower Body – Legs

1. Long and short hiking pants.

2. Lightweight and warm long underwear.

3. Rain and windproof trousers and warm trekking trousers.

Feet

1. Thin and thick socks.

2. Trekking boots, light shoes, and sandal.

3. Trekking Gaiters.       

4. Medicines and First Aid Kits

(Our guide will carry first aid kit bag during the trek.  We still recommend you to bring your personal first aid kit as you feel it necessary).

1. Headache and fever medicine.

2. Ibuprofen for general aches and pains.

3. Burnt cream.

4. Immodium or Pepto Bismol capsules for upset stomach and diarrhea.

5. Diamox (commonly prescribed as Acetazolamide). Please discuss this with us before starting to take this medicine.

6. Antibiotics.

7. Blister treatments such as moleskin, hand plants and-aids, some waterproof tape, anti-infection ointments, etc.

Miscellaneous

1. Passport and extra passport photos (2 copies).

2. Durable wallet or purse for travel documents, money, and passports.

3. Pocket knife.

4. Bandanas.

5. Favorite snack foods and energy bars

6. Paperback books, cards, and MP3 players. Avoid players with moving hardware, as it may not function. Remember, keep these items lightweight

7. Binoculars.

8. Camera.

All garments should be kept dry using waterproof stuff sacks or large puncture-resistant plastic bags.

What travellers say

Rated Excellent by 500+ travellers on

Excellent TrustScore 4.7 | 36 reviews
Kalle Edström2 reviews

Poon Hill and ABC trek

I can really recommend Mountain Delights. We did a 9-day trek to Poon Hill and ABC and the whole experience was great.

Right from the start, Ram was super helpful in the office, giving us clear info and a lot of time to help figure out what trek suited us best. Our guide, Geli Sherpa, was a great guy, very professional but also shared so much about his culture and even joined in on our card games in the evening. Our porter, Peam Sherpa, did an amazing job and we were so glad to have him with us.

The best part was Geli’s expertise. He noticed the weather was shifting and suggested we reach base camp a day early. That easy change gave us "crazy good" weather and an amazing sunrise and sunset. Even when our flight to Pokhara was 3 hours late due to weather, they handled everything so smoothly that we never felt stressed.

The whole trip felt very personal and safe. I’m already looking forward to my next adventure with them!

Date of experience: Feb 2026

SS Sharn stewart1 reviews

Mountain Delights - highly recommended

I have trekked with Mountain Delights multiple times over the last 20 years and would not use any other trekking company. Their guides are knowledgeable and have high regard for their trekkers’ safety and comfort. And together with the porters, they ensure that the trek is a fun experience for all. They are a reliable and trustworthy company who have received multiple industry accolades. My recent trek to Kopra Danda was incredible in every aspect. And the coordination of pre and post trekking activities in Nepal was seamless. I can’t recommend them highly enough!

Date of experience: Oct 2025

M Maria2 reviews

A five star memory for life

I can highly recommend Mountain Delights. We did the Mardi Himal Trek and had a wonderful experience.
Out guides, made the hike enjoyable and safe in all ways.
The guided citytours in Kathmandu and Pokhara were also fine.
We also enjoyed the stay at charming Kathmandu garden hotel.
All thanks to Ram and his ”crew”.

Date of experience: Nov 2025

F Frida5 reviews

My warmest recommendation!

Mountain delights made our Trekking to Mardi Himal and the city visits in Pokhara and Kathmandu so enjoyable and they made this into a trip we will never forget. Mountain delights made our trip well planned and with guides and porters that did their utter most to make our trip the best. What aldo feels great is that Mountain delight gives back to society by sponsoring rural villages and making it possible for children with no means to go to school. My warmest recommendation of Ram and Mountain Delights.

Date of experience: Nov 2025

Mark B1 reviews

Return to Trekking : I did a Annapurna Sanctuary Trek with Ram about 20 years ago

I did a Annapurna Sanctuary Trek with Ram about 20 years ago and that was unreal. A few weeks ago I returned with my wife and 5 friends to do the Kopra Danda Trek with his company. While it was taxing, (legs are 20 years older) it was incredible and extremely worthwhile. Our guides Purna and Binod great company and 4 porters friendly. Glad to see Binod still with the company after all these years. Ram and his company Mountain Delights made sure everything worked like clockwork which isn't easy in Nepal.

Date of experience: Oct 2025

ER Emilie Rhode2 reviews

Annapurna Basecamp

We had a wonderful trek to Annapurna Basecamp with Gelu Sherpa and Karma Sherpa. They provided extensive experience and support which allowed us to enjoy the trip to its fullest. We can strongly recommend this trek, Gelu, Karma, Ram and the rest of Mountain Delights Treks and Expeditions.

Date of experience: Sep 2025

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Annapurna Culture Trek FAQs

Expand All +

A short trek in the Annapurna foothills from Phedi near Pokhara via Pothana to the Gurung village of Ghandruk, focused on village life of Gurung, Magar and Brahmin communities and mountain views rather than high altitude.

Our itinerary takes 9 days including Kathmandu and Pokhara, with three days on the trail: Phedi to Pothana, Pothana to Ghandruk, and Ghandruk to Nayapul.

The best seasons are autumn (September-November) and spring (March-May), when the skies are clearest for mountain views.

It is a moderate trek. The highest point is only 1,990 m, so altitude is not a concern, but there are long stone staircases and the Pothana to Ghandruk day is about 7 hours of walking.

The highest overnight stop is Pothana at 1,990 m (6,528 ft).

Yes, you need an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and a TIMS card. We arrange both.

You stay in hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara and in local lodges (teahouses) at Pothana and Ghandruk.

No. Since 1 April 2023, foreign trekkers in Nepal's national parks and conservation areas, including the Annapurna Conservation Area, must trek with a licensed guide. We arrange one for every trek.

Comfortable walking shoes or light boots, layers for cool mornings, a rain jacket, sun protection, a water bottle and any personal medication.

It shows Gurung and Magar village life in Ghandruk and Pothana, with views of Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre and Hiunchuli, in only a few days of walking.

Annapurna Culture Trek 9 days 1,990 m Moderate
Price Tailor-made quote Priced for your dates & group size

Travellers

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Book this trip Send an enquiry
  • 20% deposit confirms your place; the balance is paid on arrival in Kathmandu
  • Cancel 60+ days before departure and you lose only the deposit
  • Secure card payment (Visa / Mastercard) or bank transfer

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Questions? Talk toRam Sapkota “Kamal”Founder Director
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