The Annapurna Sanctuary, Nepal

[rikkiandmatt]

Hi guys,

My wife and I are going on this treck and would like a little info from anyone who might be able to offer it. We want to do it alone, maybe get a porter in Pokhara, here are the questions...

Are porters easy to find in Pokhara and are they reliable - any reccomendations?

Is the track as well worn as peoples reports suggest? We're not trekkers but it soulds like you cant get lost, it's that well worn.

About permits, does anyone know up to date info for this? What is needed and are you required to get a guide? We heard it's changed latley but are not sure in what way. We know you now need an entry permit that you need from an agency, but is there more?

Is there really no problem at all for accomodation on the trek, none whatsoever? Even in early/mid november?

Are good walking shoes good enough for this, it's not rock climbing or walking in snow so is there anything we might need to know that would urge us to get good boots?

Most importantly, do you think it's easy if we get a good map, a compas (?), warm clothes and just go for it? With all the prople doing it we should just be ablwe to follow the crowd, right?

Thanks in advance and please if you are thinking of doing the same thing and dont want to rush it (day rest here and there) please let us know. Were a 27yo aussie couple, easy going and looking forward to a nice walk.

thanks again,
Matthew

rikkiandmatt@gmail.com

[Spaceman347]

Porters would indeed be easy to find in Pokhara (Pls keep in mind the unknown quantity of the TRC as discussed here: http://www.trekinfo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3746) - The only limited recommendation that I have is the 3 Sister's Trekking Agency in Pokhara, I haven't actually employed them as such but I did trek with a small group of theirs (ended up walking with them as opposed to being part of the group as such) for several days last year and they seemed like great people.

I haven't been to the Sanctuary (and I'm sure that someone will correct me if I'm wrong) however I'm sure that it is a very well worn track, a guidebook would set you right (no need for a compass/map). There is really only one way into and out of the Sanctuary as it is surrounded by very large mountains. It will become pretty obvious that you can only go in certain directions.

Accommodation in that part of Nepal is another unknown to me except to say that you would never be stuck outside, you'll always get somewhere to sleep even if it's in the dining room although I don't believe that such problems are very common these days.

Shoes/boots - this is obviously a personal thing, although I would suggest that if you don't have any boots then going out and buying them specifically for this trek is probably a waste of time, particularly if you're not sure whether you'll trek again. If you're going to employ a porter (which it appears that you will be forced to under the TRC guidelines) and therefore not have a huge load to carry a "good" pair of trail shoes (something with a good stiff sole - Scarpa, Merrel, etc) would be fine and you'll most probably use them afterwards around town. A lot of Nepali people wear sandals and seem to get by fine. At the end of the day it's a dirt trail with general rocks and unevenness thrown in. If you have good ankles, trust in them, people have been walking for thousands of years without $500 Gortex lined boots. (Do take some nice warm socks though)

The whole TRC thing is really clouding things right now. The current situation is that you must register for a TRC with a licensed trekking company who will only supply the TRC if you employ at least a porter from them. This resolves the getting lost siuation for you, whether you wanted it to or not.