4 Nov 2026 8 min to read
Travelling to Nepal and exploring the Himalayas had been one of our biggest travel dreams. When nine friends and I finally made the journey from Australia, we wanted to experience something special: beautiful mountain scenery, traditional villages, local culture and the challenge of crossing one of the world’s highest trekking passes.
We chose the Annapurna Circuit Trek, an incredible Himalayan adventure that took us through changing landscapes, peaceful mountain settlements and spectacular high-altitude scenery.
Our 11-day journey began in Kathmandu and continued towards Dharapani by jeep. From there, we walked through the Annapurna region, crossed the famous Thorong La Pass at 5,416 metres and descended to Muktinath before travelling to Pokhara.
Looking back, it was an unforgettable experience. The mountains were spectacular, the people were welcoming and the local trekking team made our journey even more enjoyable.
Before travelling to Nepal, we spent considerable time researching different trekking companies online. Since we were a group of 10 people, finding a reliable local trekking operator was important to us.
We wanted a company that could organise transportation, an experienced guide, porters and the necessary trekking arrangements while providing helpful information before our arrival.
After comparing several companies, we decided to contact Safe Holiday Adventure Pvt. Ltd.
We communicated directly with its managing director, Mr Santosh Gauli. One thing that impressed us was his quick response and willingness to answer all our questions. Whether we asked about the itinerary, transportation, accommodation or trekking arrangements, he provided clear and useful information.
He organised one experienced trekking guide, Mr Dharma, and five porters from local mountain communities to support our group.
Having everything arranged before our arrival gave us confidence, and we were excited to begin our Himalayan adventure.
Our journey started in Kathmandu, where we completed our final preparations before departing for Dharapani by private jeep.
It was a long drive, but we enjoyed the changing scenery along the way. We followed beautiful rivers, passed through small settlements and watched the green hills and countryside landscapes gradually unfold.
Some sections of the road were rough, but the journey itself was an interesting introduction to rural Nepal. We enjoyed seeing local communities, traditional houses and everyday life outside the busy capital.
After several hours on the road, we finally arrived in Dharapani. It felt exciting to reach the starting point of our trekking adventure.
We were ready to leave the roads behind and explore the mountains on foot.
Once we started trekking, we quickly understood why the Annapurna Circuit is considered one of Nepal’s most rewarding trekking routes.
Every day brought something different. We walked along mountain trails, crossed suspension bridges, followed beautiful rivers and passed through traditional villages surrounded by impressive Himalayan landscapes.
The scenery gradually changed as we gained altitude. We enjoyed green forests, waterfalls, rocky trails, mountain valleys and increasingly dramatic views of the surrounding peaks.
One of our favourite parts was experiencing the local mountain lifestyle. The villages, teahouses and friendly people made the journey feel much more meaningful than simply walking from one destination to another.
Our guide, Dharma, was always helpful. He explained the surroundings, guided us along the trail and made sure everyone in our group had enough time to rest and enjoy the journey.
Travelling as a group of 10 people can sometimes be challenging, especially when everyone has a different walking pace and level of fitness.
Fortunately, we had a supportive trekking team throughout the journey.
Our guide, Mr Dharma, was experienced, friendly and familiar with the mountain trails. He helped us understand the daily walking routes, suggested suitable places for breaks and supported the group during the more challenging sections.
The five porters also played an important role in making our trek comfortable. They carried our main luggage and worked hard throughout the journey.
We appreciated their dedication and friendly attitude. Their contribution helped us focus on walking, enjoying the scenery and experiencing the mountains without carrying all our heavy belongings.
Looking back, having a good guide and a reliable porter team was one of the most valuable parts of our experience.
Crossing Thorong La Pass was the moment we had been looking forward to throughout our Annapurna Circuit adventure.
Standing at approximately 5,416 metres (17,769 feet), Thorong La Pass is one of the highest trekking passes in the world. Reaching its summit was a major achievement for everyone in our group.
The crossing was physically demanding. The high altitude, cold temperatures and long walking hours required patience, preparation and determination.
We started the day with excitement but also understood that we needed to walk slowly and carefully.
As we climbed higher, the mountain scenery became increasingly impressive. The feeling of reaching the top was difficult to describe. We were surrounded by magnificent Himalayan landscapes, and all 10 of us felt proud of what we had accomplished.
We spent some time taking photographs, enjoying the moment and celebrating together before beginning our descent.
For me, crossing Thorong La Pass was the highlight of the entire 11-day journey. It was challenging, rewarding and an experience I will never forget.
After successfully crossing Thorong La Pass, we continued towards Muktinath.
The landscape changed noticeably as we descended. The greener mountain valleys gradually gave way to dry, open terrain and the distinctive landscapes of the Mustang region.
Muktinath was another memorable destination on our journey. It is an important pilgrimage site for both Hindu and Buddhist communities, and visiting this sacred place gave us an opportunity to experience Nepal’s cultural and spiritual traditions.
After several days of walking through the mountains, reaching Muktinath felt like another wonderful achievement for our group.
We enjoyed exploring the area, taking photographs and appreciating the peaceful atmosphere.
After completing our trekking journey, we travelled from Muktinath towards Pokhara by road.
The drive offered another opportunity to enjoy the changing landscapes of the Mustang and Annapurna regions. We passed through mountain settlements and enjoyed the views along the way.
Arriving in Pokhara marked the end of our 11-day Annapurna Circuit adventure.
Everyone was tired after many days of walking, but we were also extremely happy. We had travelled together from Kathmandu, explored beautiful Himalayan villages, crossed Thorong La Pass and experienced the cultural atmosphere of Muktinath.
It was a wonderful feeling to complete the journey together.
Looking back, we were very pleased with the arrangements and support provided by Safe Holiday Adventure Pvt. Ltd.
A few things particularly stood out during our experience:
We appreciated the effort made by the entire team, from the initial planning stages to the completion of our journey in Pokhara.
Absolutely! Our Annapurna Circuit Trek was one of the most rewarding travel experiences we have shared as a group.
From the scenic drive between Kathmandu and Dharapani to the traditional mountain villages, beautiful Himalayan landscapes, challenging Thorong La Pass and cultural experience in Muktinath, every part of the journey gave us something special.
What made it even more memorable was sharing the adventure with nine friends and having a wonderful local trekking team supporting us along the way.
A special thank you to Santosh, our guide Dharma and all five porters who helped make our journey possible.
Nepal has incredible mountains, welcoming people and some of the world’s most beautiful trekking routes. We would happily recommend the Annapurna region to anyone looking for a memorable Himalayan adventure.
We hope to return to Nepal one day for another trekking experience.
Thank you, Safe Holiday Adventure Pvt. Ltd., for helping make our 11-day Annapurna Circuit journey so memorable!
Jack William Thompson
Australia
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