Nepal: The Call of the Himalayas
Annapurna Circuit hikers and Pisang Peak climbers on the road together.
NB! On the trip, you can choose between the hikers' package (ends 02.05.2027) or the climbers' package (ends 05.05.2027).
Places filled: 2/6 (hikers); 3/6 (climbers)
Imagine trails winding through ancient Himalayan villages, mountain rivers roaring under suspension bridges, and snow-capped peaks towering above you. The Annapurna Circuit is not just a hike – it’s a true adventure in the heart of one of the world’s most powerful mountain ranges.
During this mountain trek, we will travel along the legendary Annapurna Circuit, almost circling the 8091-meter Annapurna I and other high peaks of this massif, passing through tropical valleys, Buddhist mountain villages and alpine landscapes to the famous Thorong La mountain pass (5416 m). The days are filled with breathtaking views, local culture and the atmosphere of a true mountain trek.
In Upper Pisang, the group splits into two. The hikers continue the classic Annapurna Circuit trekking with a local guide, while the climbers continue their climb to Pisang Peak with an Estonian group leader and a local mountain guide. At 6091 meters, Pisang Peak offers a true high-altitude experience – snowy ridges, fixed ropes and views of the Annapurna, Manaslu and Tilicho peaks create an unforgettable experience.
This trip combines two worlds:
legendary Himalayan trekking (also suitable for beginner mountain hikers),
and a real high-altitude expedition (a prerequisite for registering for a climbing group is previous experience using technical equipment (pickaxe, crampons, ropes) and altitude experience above 4500 m).
If you are looking for more than just a hike - if you want to experience the Himalayas in all their power, silence and wildness, then the Annapurna Circuit and Pisang Peak is a journey you will remember for a lifetime.
In Nepal, hiking between mountains and at high altitudes is easier and more comfortable than in many other places in the world. We do it along mountainous hiking trails, the sun shines during the day, it is warm. There are mountain villages along the way, in whose tea houses we can eat three times a day at a table and sleep in a bed under a roof at the end of the hiking days. It is possible to hike both carrying your own things and using the help of porters (an additional service outside the package). In a group of hikers, standard hiking equipment and hiking clothing are sufficient, no specific climbing equipment is needed. The daily journey is on average half a day long and the hike is within the reach of any person with an active lifestyle and in good physical shape. However, we recommend that everyone interested add uphill sections to their daily home exercise routine.
Climbers also need to pack a pickaxe, crampons, helmet, some carabiners and slings, and a climbing belt. They also need slightly thicker mountaineering boots so that their toes don't freeze at the 6000-meter mark.
Overview - short & sweet
Purpose: a hike around the Annapurna massif (highest pass 5416 m), climbers have an additional goal to reach the top of Pisang Peak (6091 m)
Dates: for hikers 16.04.2027-02.05.2027; for climbers until 05.05.2027 (flight time added)
Activity: mountaineering/mountain climbing
Accommodation type: tea houses and hotels (climbers additionally need three nights in a tent)
Adventure guide: Kelli Saar (language skills: Estonian, English)
Hikers’ rating: 1/5 (technically an easy uphill trek, but at high altitude, and some hiking days can last up to 9 hours).
for climbers 3/5 (cats-pickaxe-ropes, a few hundred meters before the summit there may be a need to apply ascent-descent skills on a support rope).
for hikers 3/5 (medium difficulty hike, but challenging effort due to altitude and up and down movement);
4/5 for climbers (technically an easy mountain, but due to the altitude a long and physically difficult summit day).
Hiking group size: min 10, max 12; incl. climbing group size max 5
Trip cost:
Early bird discount (until 31.08.2026) — €2550 for hikers / €2995 for climbers
Medium speed rooster (01.09.2026-29.12.2026) - for hikers €2800 / for climbers €3295
Less dizzy bird (from 30.12.2026) — €3050 for hikers / €3595 for climbers
NB! Elamus+ community members get a 5–10% discount. Read more and check your discount eligibility. community members page.
👉 SEE EQUIPMENT LIST HERE 👈
Travel cost
Price includes:
All travel arrangements and elamus+ Estonian-speaking tour guide
Local guide and sirdar from a partner organization (sirdar is a local sherpa who helps us find our way on the summit)
Transfers from Kathmandu airport to hotel and back
Domestic flight Jomsom-Pokhara (including checked baggage 15 kg and hand luggage 5 kg)
Planned hotel stays (double rooms) and teahouse stays (double rooms)
Climbers will stay in tents at Pisang Peak base camp (tents are available on site)
Breakfast at Kathmandu hotel, breakfast, lunch and dinner at tea houses/Pisang Peak base camp
All national park permits and fees
Pisang Peak climbing permit for climbers
Technical group equipment for Pisang Peak climbers (ropes, etc.)
Cultural day in Kathmandu for hikers, including visits to major cultural monuments, entrance fees, transport and lunch
Stylish elamus+ sports shirt for each participant
Group pharmacy (including high-altitude medications) and health assessment
Elamus+ mountaineering preparation package worth €350:
access to online mountaineering webinars;
a personal 30-minute online call with the tour guide, upon request;
A sample training plan and workbook for mountain hikers
summer mountaineering training day before the trip*;
winter mountaineering training day before the trip*.
*Held once a year in Estonia — participation depends on the time of registration.
EXTRA PRICES that should be taken into account:
Flight tickets to Kathmandu and back (from 800 EUR)
Nepal visa for 30 days 50 USD (can be organized together before the trip or applied for at the border)
Insurance (travel insurance and MANDATORY mountain hiking insurance) sports insurance).
Personal hiking equipment and special equipment for climbers (can also be rented if necessary) Elamus Pluss)
Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
Additional amenities, snacks, additional drinks on hiking days
Extracurricular activities and transportation
Unplanned overnight stays
Extra kilos on domestic flights (if the weight of the luggage exceeds 15 kg for checked luggage and 5 kg for hand luggage)
Personal hygiene products and medications
Internet and data packages
Porter available upon request, approx. 25 USD/day
Gratuities (porter, local guide)
Additional costs incurred when canceling a trip
Registration for the trip
Before registering, please read travel conditions. To secure your place on the trip, you must pay a deposit of 20% of the trip cost within 3 business days of receiving the confirmation and invoice by email. If there are less than 3 months left until the trip, the total cost (100%) must be paid. Read more: frequently asked questions ja package tour information sheet.
When registering, please indicate whether you would like to join the hiker or climber package. The number of places in both categories is limited.
Schedule and activities
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU (1400 m)
Arriving in Kathmandu on a cloudless day is an unforgettable experience in itself, with the opportunity to catch your first glimpse of the world's highest snow-capped peaks and the Himalayan mountain range. There is a transfer opposite the airport, so you don't have to worry about getting to the hotel. In the evening, we get to know each other, those who don't know each other from earlier, and learn the word "namaste", which we will hear and use repeatedly over the next few days.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2: Preparation day in the capital
The day is dedicated to preparing for the hike and ascent. We will check our equipment, obtain the necessary permits and documents, and meet with the local guides and team.
If you wish, you can visit the Thamel area (Thamel, the center of the capital and the pedestrian quarter, is within walking distance of the hotel), where Nepal's best hiking equipment shops, cafes, and small Buddhist temples are located.
In the evening, there will be a joint briefing about the entire mountain hike.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 3: Kathmandu → Bhulbhu (840m)
Early in the morning we start a long but exciting drive to Bhulbhule. The journey follows the Trisul and Marsyangdi rivers through small villages, rice terraces and mountainous landscapes.
The higher we climb, the more powerful the views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks become. The last few kilometers are on a gravel road right between the mountains.
By evening we reach Bhulbhule – a small tropical mountain village where the real trekking begins.
Overnight stay in a teahouse.
Day 4: Bhulbhule → Chamje (1410 m)
Today begins the first real day of hiking. The trail descends into the Marsyangdi River valley, crosses a suspension bridge, and then climbs steeply along rocky mountain paths.
On the way we pass the village of Syange, which is surrounded by high cliffs and roaring waterfalls. At the end of the day we reach Chamje, a mountain village hidden in a narrow valley.
Overnight stay in a teahouse.
DAY 5: Chamje → Dharapani (1960 m)
The trail leads through a deep river valley and traditional Nepali villages. We cross a suspension bridge, pass through Tal village and move into an area increasingly influenced by Buddhist culture.
At the entrance to Dharapan, stupas and prayer flags greet us – a sign that we have entered the world of high mountains.
Overnight stay in a teahouse.
Day 6: Dharapani → Chame (2675 m)
Today's trail runs through pine and cedar forests along the Dudh Khola River. The air becomes cooler and the atmosphere of the high mountains becomes more and more powerful.
During the day, the first truly impressive views of the Annapurna massif and Lamjung Himal open up.
By evening we will reach Chame – the center of the Manang region, surrounded by snowy mountain peaks.
Overnight stay in a teahouse.
Day 7: Chame → Upper Pisang (3300 m)
One of the most beautiful trekking days on the Annapurna Circuit. The trail runs through pine forests and along the Marsyangdi River, passing through the Bhratang region and the alpine landscape of Dhikur Pokhari.
At Lower Pisang, the architecture becomes more distinctly Tibetan – stone houses, terraced fields and colorful prayer flags create a unique atmosphere.
In the evening we ascend to Upper Pisang, which offers magnificent views of Pisang Peak and the Annapurna range.
Overnight stay in a teahouse.
Day 8: Acclimatization in Upper Pisang
A day off to acclimatize to the altitude. If desired, you can take short acclimatization hikes to the higher slopes of the surrounding area or visit local monasteries.
If the weather is clear, one of the most beautiful views of the expedition opens up from the village – the snow-white Pisang Peak rises right above us.
Overnight stay in a teahouse.
From the 9th day, the group will be divided into two!
Hikers will be accompanied by a local English-speaking guide, and climbers by an adventure train. The following is the schedule for hikers first, the schedule for climbers continues below.
TOURING GROUP
Day 9: Upper Pisang → Manang (3450 m)
We climb to a high ridge, from where incredible panoramas open up over the entire Manang Valley and Tilicho Peak (7145 m).
The trail passes through small mountain villages and dry high-altitude landscapes until we reach Manang – one of the most famous villages in the Annapurna region.
Overnight stay in a teahouse.
Day 10: Manang → Yak Kharka (4050 m)
The landscape becomes increasingly rugged and more typical of high altitudes. The vegetation gradually disappears and is replaced by rocky slopes and pastures. On the way we pass the village of Gunsang and enjoy views of Annapurna III and Gangapurna.
Overnight stay in a teahouse.
Day 11: Yak Kharka → Thorong Phedi (4420m)
A short but important day before the pass. The trail moves along narrow mountain paths towards the headwaters of the Marsyangdi River. Thorong Phedi is the last stop before the famous Thorong La pass. In the evening we prepare for an early wake-up call.
Overnight stay in a teahouse.
Day 12: Thorong La (5416m) → Muktinath (3850m)
One of the hardest and most emotional days of the hike has arrived.
We start the climb before sunrise. A steep and long climb takes us to the Thorong La pass – the highest point of the Annapurna Circuit.
Prayer flags flutter at the peak and breathtaking views of the Himalayas open up.
After crossing the pass, we descend to Muktinath – one of the holiest pilgrimage destinations in Nepal.
Overnight stay in a teahouse.
Day 13: Muktinath → Jomsom (2743 m)
A long descent takes us to the Kali Gandaki Valley – the bottom of one of the deepest river valleys in the world.
Jomsom is known as the gateway to Upper Mustang, and here you can already feel a completely different, drier Himalayan landscape.
Overnight stay in a teahouse.
Day 14: Jomsom → Pokhara
The early morning flight to Pokhara is an experience in itself - we fly directly between the snowy peaks of the Himalayas.
Pokhara's lakeside atmosphere offers a pleasant respite after the mountains.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 15: Pokhara → Kathmandu
We drive back to Kathmandu along a scenic mountain road. The road passes through small Nepalese villages, rivers and subtropical valleys.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 16: CULTURE day in Kathmandu
A local guide will introduce you to the charms and pains of the capital: we will visit world heritage sites such as Durbar Square, Boudhanath, Swoyambhunath and Pashupatinath. The tour will be conducted by private transport and guided by an English-speaking guide. We will return to the hotel in the late afternoon.
In the evening, a joint closing dinner with a cultural program.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 17: Fly!
Pack your things and head home!
CLIMBING GROUP
Day 9: Upper Pisang → Pisang Peak Base Camp (4380 m)
Today we leave the main Annapurna Circuit trail behind for a few days and head to Pisang Peak Base Camp.
The trail passes through traditional villages, stupas, and mountain paths decorated with prayer flags. The higher we climb, the wilder the landscape becomes, and every breath in the thin air becomes heavier.
By evening we reach base camp right below the snowy slopes of Pisang Peak.
Overnight stay in a tent camp.
Day 10: Base Camp → High Camp (5400 m)
We ascend to the high camp along steep rocky slopes and snowfields.
The altitude is already clearly felt and we move at a leisurely pace. The high camp is located in an incredibly beautiful environment, with views of Annapurna II, the Chulu peaks and the entire Marsyangdi Valley.
In the evening we check our climbing equipment and prepare for the summit assault.
Overnight stay in a tent camp.
Day 11: Pisang Peak (6091 m) → Base Camp
Arguably the most difficult, but most anticipated day of the expedition.
We begin the climb early in the morning by headlamps. The climb becomes steep and technical, and we climb higher and higher along fixed ropes.
Upon reaching the top of Pisang Peak, you will be greeted by magnificent panoramic views of the Annapurna Range, Manaslu, Tilicho Peak and Damodar Himal.
After taking photos at the summit, we descend back to base camp.
Overnight stay in a tent camp.
Day 12: Base Camp → Manang (3450m)
We descend back onto the Annapurna Circuit trail. During the day we move along riverbeds and rocky mountain paths back to Manang.
After a successful summit climb, the warm tea and the atmosphere of a mountain village feel especially pleasant.
Overnight stay in a teahouse.
Day 13-20: The route overlaps with the hikers' program until arrival in Kathmandu.
NB! The schedule and planned activities may be subject to minor changes depending on the traveler's wishes or the weather.
Nepal's specific features
Official data:
population 30 million inhabitants
monetary unit Nepalese Rupee (NPR or रु), 1 EUR = 163 NPR
mainly spoken Nepali language, in addition, nearly 120 different local languages and dialects are used
Kathmandu (the capital) is XNUMX hours and XNUMX minutes ahead of Estonian time.
Nepal covers an area of approximately 147 km², which makes it comparable in area to, for example, Portugal
Fun facts:
📆 Nepal has a different calendar system
§ Nepal uses the Bikram Sambat calendar, which is about 57 years ahead of our Gregorian calendar. For example: if we have 2026, then in Nepal it is 2083.
🚦The only country in the world where traffic management is done without traffic lights (in Kathmandu)
§ The capital Kathmandu does not use traffic lights - police officers control traffic with hand signals. A traffic light was once installed, but it was taken down just days later because confused people ignored it.
🇳🇵 Nepal has a unique flag
§ It is the only national flag in the world that is not a rectangle – it consists of two triangles. It symbolizes the Himalayan mountains and two important religions: Hinduism and Buddhism.
🚫 There are no McDonald's, Starbucks or KFC in Nepal
§ One of the few countries where these international fast food chains have not entered. Instead, local food is served, such as momo dumplings and dal bhat (lentil dish with rice).
🐾 Tihar – a holiday honoring dogs!
§ Tihar is a Hindu festival where one day is dedicated to dogs: they are garlanded with flowers, have tikas painted on their foreheads, and are given sweets. Dogs are considered messengers of God in Nepal.
☕ In Nepal, they drink tea... with salt!
§ In some Himalayan regions, especially those with Tibetan influences, tea is drunk with salt – often with butter. It keeps you warm!
Travel documents and footnotes
The participant is responsible for the validity and condition of their travel documents. For this trip you will need:
passport;
Nepal visa (50 USD, can be applied for either at the border or at the nearest embassy);
Sports insurance that is suitable for mountain hiking (read more on the FAQ page). A suitable sports insurance policy must be carried and is a prerequisite for participating in the mountain hike;
travel insurance (including travel disruption, baggage, medical assistance).
We recommend that you take out travel insurance immediately after receiving confirmation of your travel registration so that you are also covered for longer-term health problems!
Summits are not guaranteed. As you might expect, weather is king in the mountains. So it is entirely possible that weather or dangerous conditions will prevent us from even attempting the summit. Nevertheless, it will definitely be an awesome experience!
Although at the end of the day everyone is still responsible for their own actions and consequences, we do our best to mitigate the risks associated with mountaineering. As a result, the group leader has the right to make ongoing decisions about the competence of the participants, the suitability of their equipment, physical/mental capacity, etc. and, if necessary, for example, to prohibit participation on summit day if it endangers the health of the group or the participant themselves. Hopefully, of course, there will be no need for this.
Read more also travel conditions or feel free to ask the adventure locomotives.
FAQ
Is this mountain hike within my reach?
The Annapurna Circuit trek is technically easy and is suitable for beginners. However, we will be hiking higher than usual (including a lot of uphill), where there is less oxygen and every move is therefore a little more difficult. Previous hiking experience at 4000+ meters is beneficial, as altitude affects everyone very differently.
However, to summit Pisang Peak, you will need, in addition to the above, technical mountaineering experience, rope work, and the ability to brake with a pickaxe. If you are in doubt whether to register as a hiker or a climber, feel free to contact the adventure guide who will help you decide.
But I don't have any hiking gear, who can afford to buy it?!
You'll have to spend a little, but not much. For the Annapurna trek, you'll need regular hiking clothes and boots, rain gear, and a warmer layer. You should also bring a sleeping bag with a comfort temperature close to 0 degrees. Everything can be found locally in Kathmandu.
Hikers do not need climbing equipment, but climbers should still pack crampons, a pickaxe, climbing harness, helmet, grabber, descender, and carabiners in their bag - all of which can be rented.
Okay, I registered. Now what?
To make your mountain hike more enjoyable, we recommend that you participate in our preparatory events before the trip - it's also part of the fun. We organize preparatory hiking training, give advice on suitable insurance and equipment, where to rent cheap equipment, what to train for, etc. We will definitely check the collected equipment just before the start of the trip and send reminders about important things.
Read more about Elamus+ tours frequently asked questions.
