Nepal's specialist annapurna trekking agency — TAAN-certified guides, private groups, and 10+ years of local Himalayan expertise. Annapurna Circuit, Everest, Mustang & beyond.
Our Kingdoms
Annapurna · Everest · Mustang
Home to 8 of the world's 14 eight-thousanders. From the gentle Poon Hill sunrise to the demanding Annapurna Circuit — Nepal has a trail for every ambition.
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The Last Himalayan Kingdom
Pristine valleys, ancient dzongs, and Tiger's Nest Monastery. Bhutan's high-value, low-impact philosophy ensures an experience that remains untouched by mass tourism.
Explore Nepal, Bhutan & Tibet
Potala Palace · Roof of the World
The Potala Palace, the sacred Jokhang Temple, and the Friendship Highway to the Everest North Face viewpoint. Tibet is the journey of a lifetime.
Explore the Nepal–Bhutan–Tibet Tour
#1 Most Popular Trek in Nepal
One of the Great Walks of the World
A complete cross-section of Nepal — subtropical lowlands, rhododendron forests, and the high Tibetan plateau. The centrepiece: Thorong La Pass at 5,416m, led by TAAN Class A guides who have crossed it over 50 times.
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Meet Your Guide
Founder & Lead Guide
10+
Years guiding
1,000+
Trekkers led
4.9★
Client rating
Born and raised in the Annapurna foothills, AJ has spent over 10 years guiding trekkers of every fitness level through Nepal's most demanding and rewarding terrain. He is also the founder of Swotah Travel & Adventure, Nepal's award-winning adventure travel family.
His philosophy is simple: small groups, no shortcuts on safety, and enough time to actually absorb what you're seeing. Every trek he designs is one he would be proud to walk himself.
Real Experiences
"The Annapurna Circuit with this team was the best two weeks of my life. Our guide Pemba had crossed Thorong La 80 times and you felt that experience every step of the way — he knew exactly when to push, when to rest, and which tea houses served the best dal bhat. The acclimatisation protocol was serious and professional. I never felt rushed."
James Whitfield
UK · October 2024
"ABC was my first Himalayan trek and the team made it feel completely manageable without ever dumbing it down. Standing inside the Sanctuary on a clear morning with Annapurna I above me was indescribable. The guide's knowledge of the mountain's climbing history made every campsite feel like hallowed ground."
Sarah Mitchell
Australia · April 2024
"The EBC trek was everything I hoped for and more. Kala Patthar at sunrise was a genuinely moving experience — I wasn't expecting to be emotional but standing there with Everest's full face above me in the first light, I absolutely was. The guides were exceptional: knowledgeable, caring, and funny."
Michael Chen
USA · May 2024
"Upper Mustang was completely unlike anything I'd experienced before. Lo Manthang is genuinely medieval — the same streets, the same buildings, the same way of life as centuries ago. The restricted area permit keeps the numbers low and you really feel like you've gone somewhere few people reach. Worth every penny of the permit fee."
Emma Richardson
UK · May 2024
"Third time trekking in Nepal, first time with this company. The difference in quality was immediately obvious — the guiding was expert level, the acclimatisation schedule was the most cautious and professional I've experienced, and the small group size meant we actually got to know each other. Will not trek with anyone else in Nepal."
David Park
USA · October 2024
"The Annapurna Circuit with this team was the best two weeks of my life. Our guide Pemba had crossed Thorong La 80 times and you felt that experience every step of the way — he knew exactly when to push, when to rest, and which tea houses served the best dal bhat. The acclimatisation protocol was serious and professional. I never felt rushed."
James Whitfield
UK · October 2024
"ABC was my first Himalayan trek and the team made it feel completely manageable without ever dumbing it down. Standing inside the Sanctuary on a clear morning with Annapurna I above me was indescribable. The guide's knowledge of the mountain's climbing history made every campsite feel like hallowed ground."
Sarah Mitchell
Australia · April 2024
"The EBC trek was everything I hoped for and more. Kala Patthar at sunrise was a genuinely moving experience — I wasn't expecting to be emotional but standing there with Everest's full face above me in the first light, I absolutely was. The guides were exceptional: knowledgeable, caring, and funny."
Michael Chen
USA · May 2024
"Upper Mustang was completely unlike anything I'd experienced before. Lo Manthang is genuinely medieval — the same streets, the same buildings, the same way of life as centuries ago. The restricted area permit keeps the numbers low and you really feel like you've gone somewhere few people reach. Worth every penny of the permit fee."
Emma Richardson
UK · May 2024
"Third time trekking in Nepal, first time with this company. The difference in quality was immediately obvious — the guiding was expert level, the acclimatisation schedule was the most cautious and professional I've experienced, and the small group size meant we actually got to know each other. Will not trek with anyone else in Nepal."
David Park
USA · October 2024
"The Manaslu Circuit is not easy but it is magnificent. Larkya La crossing at 5,106m in October conditions was serious and our guide never let us underestimate it — the early start, the rest breaks, the oxygen monitoring. We all made it and the views from the top were the greatest I've seen in a decade of mountain travel."
Lena Fischer
Germany · October 2024
"Poon Hill in March was perfect. The rhododendrons were in full bloom, the sunrise was extraordinary, and our guide made the whole experience feel personal rather than packaged. Even a 4-day trek can feel genuinely special when you're with the right people."
Tom Bradley
Canada · March 2024
"The Three Passes Trek is the hardest thing I've done and the most rewarding. Three days above 5,000m, three passes, EBC, Gokyo Ri — our guide managed the whole thing with such care and calm authority that it never felt out of control even on Cho La with ice. I cannot recommend this company highly enough."
Rachel Thompson
New Zealand · April 2024
"Mardi Himal surprised me completely. I expected a lesser route because it's less famous, but the views from High Camp were extraordinary — Machhapuchhre so close it feels like you could touch it. And so few other trekkers. This is the best value in the Annapurna region for people who don't want a crowd."
Sophie Laurent
France · November 2024
"I've been to Nepal four times. This was my first time with a small-group specialist and the difference is night and day. The guide's depth of knowledge — about the culture, the geology, the climbing history, the mountain ecology — turned a beautiful walk into an education. Already planning the Circuit next year."
Andrew Wilson
UK · April 2024
"The Manaslu Circuit is not easy but it is magnificent. Larkya La crossing at 5,106m in October conditions was serious and our guide never let us underestimate it — the early start, the rest breaks, the oxygen monitoring. We all made it and the views from the top were the greatest I've seen in a decade of mountain travel."
Lena Fischer
Germany · October 2024
"Poon Hill in March was perfect. The rhododendrons were in full bloom, the sunrise was extraordinary, and our guide made the whole experience feel personal rather than packaged. Even a 4-day trek can feel genuinely special when you're with the right people."
Tom Bradley
Canada · March 2024
"The Three Passes Trek is the hardest thing I've done and the most rewarding. Three days above 5,000m, three passes, EBC, Gokyo Ri — our guide managed the whole thing with such care and calm authority that it never felt out of control even on Cho La with ice. I cannot recommend this company highly enough."
Rachel Thompson
New Zealand · April 2024
"Mardi Himal surprised me completely. I expected a lesser route because it's less famous, but the views from High Camp were extraordinary — Machhapuchhre so close it feels like you could touch it. And so few other trekkers. This is the best value in the Annapurna region for people who don't want a crowd."
Sophie Laurent
France · November 2024
"I've been to Nepal four times. This was my first time with a small-group specialist and the difference is night and day. The guide's depth of knowledge — about the culture, the geology, the climbing history, the mountain ecology — turned a beautiful walk into an education. Already planning the Circuit next year."
Andrew Wilson
UK · April 2024
The Swotah Travel Family
Annapurna Trekking is the Annapurna-region specialist within the Swotah Travel & Adventure family — six Nepali-owned sister companies, each an expert in their own corner of the Himalayas.
Nepal's award-winning adventure travel company. TripAdvisor Hall of Fame · 2,400+ five-star reviews.
Everest Base Camp and Khumbu Valley expedition specialists.
Manaslu Circuit — Nepal's last great wilderness loop.
Village homestay trekking for authentic cultural immersion.
German-language Nepal tours and treks for the DACH market.
FAQ
Everything you need to know before booking your Himalayan trek. Still have questions? We reply to every message within a few hours.
Ask Us AnythingThe two main trekking seasons are spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November). Both offer clear skies and stable trail conditions. Spring brings rhododendron blooms; autumn brings post-monsoon visibility with the sharpest mountain views.
For most of our standard routes (Poon Hill, Annapurna Base Camp), no prior trekking experience is required — just a reasonable fitness level. For high-altitude routes like the Annapurna Circuit or Manaslu, some previous multi-day walking helps significantly.
Altitude sickness (AMS) can affect anyone above 2,500m regardless of fitness. We build mandatory acclimatisation days into every high-altitude itinerary, carry pulse oximeters and emergency oxygen, and our guides are trained to recognise and respond to AMS symptoms.
Every trek we operate is 100% private — your group, your pace, your itinerary. We do not amalgamate strangers into shared departure groups. This is fundamental to the quality of experience we promise.
All our trek prices include accommodation (tea houses or camping), meals on the trail, government permits (TIMS, ACAP/MCAP), a certified lead guide, and porters. International flights, travel insurance, and personal equipment are not included.
Contact us via WhatsApp, email, or the booking form. We require a 20% deposit to confirm your dates. You can cancel free of charge up to 60 days before departure. Between 60–30 days, the deposit is non-refundable. Under 30 days, 50% of the total is charged.
Trail Guides & Planning
PlanningIf you're trekking anywhere in the Annapurna region, you need an ACAP permit and a TIMS card. Here's exactly what they are, what they cost, where to get them, and what happens if you trek without them.
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AJ (Ajay Kumar Shrestha)
Founder & Lead Guide
Annapurna Team
Circuit & ABC Specialists
Our Guides
TAAN Class A Certified
Summit Crew
High Altitude Experts
Mustang Team
Upper Mustang Specialists
