Etant a Pokhara, j'ai voulu faire un trek me permettant d'avoir de superbes vues du Machhapuchhre. Finalement j'ai decide de combiner 2 treks : sanctuaire de l'Annapurna et Mardi Himal.
Voici quelques informations sur ce sejour, en esperant qu'elles vous soient utiles.
Permis :
Vous aurez besoin d'un TIMS (2000 NPR), d'une entree pour le parc des Annapurnas (2000 NPR).
Le TIMS et permis peuvent etre achetes a Kathmandu (National Tourism Office Board) ou a Pokhara (bureau assez proche de la station de bus ou arrivent et partent les bus pour Kathmandu = tourist bus park, a cote de l'aeroport).
Cartes :
J'avais la carte "Annapurna Base Camp" echelle 1:50 000.
Rien a signaler sur la partie Camp de base de l'Annapurna (sud). En revanche quelques imprecisions et manques sur la partie "Mardi Himal" :
- l'altitude de Forest Camp est de 2550m et non 3050m,
- entre Low Camp et High Camp il y a 2 autres etapes avec des hebergements. Tout d'abord Rest Camp puis Middle Camp.
Se rendre au depart du trek en bus :
Bus Kathmandu - Pokhara : billets pouvant etre achetes aupres de la plupart des hotels ou agences de voyage de la ville. Pour les bus deluxe ou touristiques compter environ 1000 NPR mais les prix grimpent jusqu'a 2500 NPR... J'ai pris le 1er bus du matin (depart 6h30) et suis arrivee un peu avant 15h a Pokhara ; en chemin il y a en general 3 arrets (ou il est possible de se restaurer).
De Pokhara au debut du trek (j'ai choisi de commencer a Kande, situe entre Phedi et Nayapul) : bus du grand croisement Hallan Chowk de Lakeside jusqu'au grand croisement "zero kilometre" (20 NPR). De la, j'ai eu la chance d'avoir un bus allant apres Nayapul et n'ai donc pas eu d'autre changement ; cout 100 NPR. Sinon de l'intersection "zero kilometre" aller a "Baglung bus station" d'ou partent les bus vers Phedi / Nayapul etc. Il y a regulierement des bus tout au court de la journee ; prevoir 1h-1h30 de trajet.
Revenir en bus a Pokhara :
Il y a plusieurs villages qui ont des liaisons bus regulieres avec Pokhara. Vous pourrez adapter en fonction de votre itineraire. J'ai choisi de repartir de Kande ou il y a, toute la journee, regulierement, des bus vers Pokhara. Cf ci-dessus pour trajet / cout / temps de parcours.
Options pour le depart du trek
Il y en a plusieurs mais pour l'itineraire choisi les 2 points de depart couramment utilises sont Dhampus (accessible a pieds depuis Phedi mais je ne crois pas qu'il y ait de bus "publics" jusqu'a Dhampus) ou Kande.
Itineraire suivi sur 9 jours, en solo, hebergement tous les soirs en lodges :
J1 Kande - Landruk
J2 Landruk - Bamboo
J3 Bamboo - Camp de base Annapurna sud
J4 Camp de base - Chomrong
J5 Chomrong - Ghandruk
J6 Ghandruk - Middle Camp
J7 Middle Camp - High Camp
J8 High Camp - Point de vue ("viewpoint", 4200m) / retour a High Camp puis descente a Pothana
J9 Pothana - Kande
J1 a J5 = itineraire correspondant en grande partie au Sanctuaire de l'Annapurna
J6 a J9 = itineraire du camp de base Mardi Himal (etant entendu que le depart du trek Mardi Himal se fait plutot a Kande ou Dhampus).
Remarques sur l'itineraire :
- Plusieurs lieux de depart / arrivee possibles en fonction de votre itineraire. J'ai privilegie l'accessibilite en bus mais d'autres villages permettent de regagner Pokhara en taxi (ex apres Mardi Himal, Sidhing, Ghalel, Lumre, Lwang...).
- J'avais fait un autre trek precedemment et n'avais pas de soucis avec l'altitude. Si ce n'est pas votre cas, attention au possible mal des montagnes. Pour la partie Sanctuaire de l'Annapurna, j'ai rencontre des personnes qui choisissaient de dormir au Camp de base du Machhapuchhre (3700m) plutot qu'au camp de base de l'Annapurna (4130m) pour cette raison et aussi a cause du froid (je ne sais pas si la difference est flagrante).
- Voyageant seule j'etais tres libre du choix de mes etapes. Certains jours (J3, J6 et J8) presentent des deniveles assez importants donc ne pas hesiter a fractionner les etapes. Si c'etait a refaire, pour J6 je m'arreterais par exemple a Forest Camp. En redescendant de High Base Camp les trekkeurs s'arretent pour la plupart a Forest Camp ou a Pitham Deurali. J'ai choisi Pothana pour redescendre en altitude (et avoir plus chaud ou moins froid le soir), pour la belle vue sur le Machhapuchhre et parce que le choix de lodges a Pitham Deurali est tres limite.
- Je ne suis pas allee jusqu'au Camp de base Mardi Himal car, a priori, la vue depuis le point de vue a 4200m est a peu pres la meme.
- A noter qu'entre High Camp de Mardi Himal et le Point de vue, le chemin se divise en 2 a environ 15-20 minutes du depart : la plupart des gens continuent tout droit ce qui implique une 1ere ascension assez raide ; en prenant a droite le chemin contourne les 2-3 "collines". Les 2 chemins se rejoignent un peu avant la derniere ascension avant le point de vue. En arrivant au point de vue, il y a une cabane ou vous pouvez prendre un the ou acheter des snacks.
Lodges :
La plupart des lodges ont des couvertures ou edredons. Je recommande toutefois d'avoir le sien : la couverture ou l'edredon peuvent ne pas etre suffisants ; si les hebergements sont pleins, il peut ne pas y avoir assez de couvertures pour tout le monde.
Section Sanctuaire Annapurna :
- L'utilisation du bois pour chauffer est interdite sur la partie Camp de Base Annapurna ... les fins de journee sont froides voire tres froides (Camp de Base Annapurna).
- Apres Chomrong, beaucoup de lodges ont des chambres a 3 lits voire plus (6 au camp de base Annapurna), vous serez "invites" a partager votre chambre meme si vous etes a 2.
Section Mardi Himal :
- Il y a des poeles a bois dans les salles a manger, vous pourrez vous y rechauffer en fin de journee.
- Cf ci-dessus, des etapes possibles entre Low Camp et High Camp, hebergements ne figurant pas sur la carte que j'avais.
- Il y a plus de choix d'hebergements a Forest Camp qu'a Low Camp, Rest Camp ou Middle Camp et les lodges paraissaient plus "sympas" ; je conseillerais de privilegier cette etape avant de rejoindre High Camp.
Couts :
De 200 a 500 NPR en moyenne pour hebergement.
Pour les repas, comme ailleurs plus on monte plus les prix augmentent. Compter jusqu'a 650 NPR pour un dal bhat. Prevoir 1500 - 2000 NPR par jour pour les 3 repas quotidiens avec 1 plat par repas.
Un budget de 20 a 25 euros par jour devrait vous permettre de couvrir hebergement + repas.
Les douches chaudes, charges d'appareils electriques deviennent payantes en montant.
J'ai trouve que la partie Himal presentait les plus belles vues (par rapport au trek du Sanctuaire), notamment du Machhapuchhre. De plus le trek Mardi Himal est assez court (il peut etre fait en 4-5j). Il est aussi beaucoup moins frequente que le trek du Sanctuaire. Malgre tout le chemin est tres tres bien balise (traits de peinture blanc et bleu) notamment sur toute la partie en foret, que ce soit a l'aller ou au retour. Il est, a mon avis, tout a fait possible de le faire seul(e) sans risque de se perdre.
N'hesitez pas a completer les informations ou a me solliciter si besoin. Bons treks a tous,
J'ai fait le même enchaînement début décembre 2017, avec des étapes différentes car je venais du trek de Khopra Danda.
Avec l'originalité d'avoir rejoint Forest Camp directement depuis Chhomrong en montant directement depuis Himal Pani par un sentier non banalisé pas toujours aisé à suivre.
Si le trek du Sanctuaire des Annapurnas est fréquenté quasi exclusivement par des occidentaux (avec beaucoup d'asiatiques), le trek du Mardi Himal est fréquenté à 80% par des jeunes népalais venant de Pokhara. D'après ce que l'on m'a confié, c'est parce que le trek du Mardi Himal est court et relativement meilleur marché que les autres.
Rançon de ce succès, le sentier commence à être pollué par moult emballages de snacks et de bouteilles en plastique. Plus que les autres treks que j'ai pu réaliser à la même période.
Etant malheureusement arrivé en pleine purée de pois au Point-de-Vue (la teashop ferme en fin de matinée), j'ai renoncé à rejoindre le Camp de base du Mardi Himal, mais il présente l'avantage d'offrir une vue dégagée sur le Sanctuaire des Annapurnas, ce qui n'est que très partiellement le cas depuis le Point-de-Vue.
Fabrice
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The app is built in JavaScript and runs entirely in the web browser. It uses the Leaflet library and several OpenStreetMap-based services. Initially developed for my personal needs (I enjoy hiking and cycle touring), I’d be happy to share it with anyone who might find it useful. It’s free to use, doesn’t require an account, and the source code is available.
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I’m heading to Uzbekistan for three weeks from mid-September to mid-October 2026—a country I haven’t visited yet.
I’d love to do a few multi-day hikes in the mountains without going through a tour operator or hiring a guide. Has anyone here done this?
It doesn’t have to be all trekking; day hikes are great too.
I’m open to any tips!
Also, I see there are lots of train options if you book well in advance—does that only apply to the "fast" trains? Are there buses as well?
hi how can I get internet when I arrive at Haneda? I mean in areas without free wifi. Is it more interesting to buy a SIM card? If so, at the airport? thanks for your help
I’m planning to do the Mercantour crossing following the Randoxygène route in mid-July.
I’m used to hiking in the mountains, but I sometimes get vertigo, for example on ridges with drops on both sides. I wanted to check if there are any T4 or T3-T4 sections and find out if there are any very exposed passages—and if so, where—so I can plan an alternative route.
Can anyone give me some info on this?
Thanks!
We're planning to go at the end of November/beginning of December to visit (with a rental car) and hike on La Palma and El Hierro for 15 full days, including 1 day for inter-island ferry transfers. What’s the best split between the two islands—8 days on La Palma and 6 on El Hierro, or even more time for La Palma? Should we have one or two home bases on La Palma? Thanks for your tips!
Annie
Hello,
In mid-November, we’ll be in Mindelo and Santo Antão.
We’ve booked transportation with Kapverden Tours.
One trip is from Porto Novo to Ponta do Sol, including the hike from Corda to Coculi.
What’s the trail like?
Then we’ll be staying in Ponta do Sol,
Here’s what we’re planning:
A hike to Fontainhas—what’s the best direction, considering we’re not great with climbs? No problem with flat terrain or descents.
Take an aluguer to Ribeira Grande and continue along the coastal road.
With the agency:
An excursion to Cruzinha with a short walk.
Return to Porto Novo via the path from Cova to… I’m not sure where yet, to pick up the car for Porto Novo, since we’ll be taking the ferry that evening.
We’ll have a guide for this hike.
We’d love to spend a day in Tarrafal, but getting back requires a boat or taxi, and it’s really expensive!
We’re a couple, 78 and 76 years old.
What do you think of this itinerary?
Not very well known: Hokkaido Island has national parks that rival those in North America. Hiking there is free (even many mountain huts) and requires no formalities. These treks are described in the LP *Hiking in Japan* guide—you can just buy the Hokkaido PDF. It’s way better than Mount Fuji. Of course, everything depends on the weather, which is very unstable in the Japanese mountains (frequent strong winds). The trails are often obstacle courses.
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Hi,
Since I can't take on long treks, I'd love to know if there are any nice hikes around Pokhara—or maybe in another region of Nepal. Day hikes or two-day trips would be perfect.
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Hi everyone,
I’m leaving on Monday, August 3rd for my very first long-distance trek: the GR223 from Coutances to Mont Saint-Michel, over 6-7 days (~11-14 miles/day), solo.
I’m looking for tips from people who know this section well (Coutances → Regnéville-sur-Mer → Hauteville-sur-Mer → Bréhal → Granville → Genêts → bay crossing):
Budget-friendly accommodations: I’m struggling to find affordable stopover lodgings (a lot of what I find online are expensive vacation rentals, not really suited for a solo hiker). If you have any great spots (hostels, hiker-friendly B&Bs, nice campgrounds), I’d love to hear them!
Bay crossing: Any feedback on guides/providers leaving from Genêts for the final crossing?
General tips for a first long-distance trek: What you wish you’d known before your first time, pitfalls to avoid, etc.
Hi,
We’re planning to do the 4-day trek from Mestia to Ushguli without an agency. The descriptions mention that there are accommodations at each stop, but we can’t find any details about them. Has anyone got info or feedback on this route?
New to this forum, I’m planning a pretty big project for 2028.
I’m heading to Nepal to do a trek from Kathmandu all the way to Everest Base Camp (a cool 5,300 m 😄).
This trek is a bit special because even though I’ll be part of a group, I’m going solo (so far, no problem—I’m used to it). But it’s my first real trek, and it’s also a humanitarian one: once I reach base camp, I’ll stay an extra week to help clean up the waste left by tens of thousands of climbers! Since I’m originally from South America, from two countries that share the Andes, I have a deep respect for mountains—they fascinate me. So Everest… it’s kind of the trip of a lifetime!
So, a little question for those who’ve done treks to Everest before… any tips for good mental preparation (I’m already working on the physical side)?
We're planning to trek in Peru and Bolivia and would love to find some local agencies.
If you know any, could you share details on prices and, of course, the names of the agencies?
Which trek would you recommend?
Elocine
I'm heading out on a fully self-sufficient trek in Morocco (10 days) from Imilchil to Aghbalou.
Can I find screw-on gas canisters (Coleman, Primus) in Marrakech (any addresses?) or in villages between Imilchil and Aghbalou?
If not, are Butagaz canisters for camping gas (small 230g size) available?
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Hello, I’d like to embark on a little trip in my home country, Switzerland. I’ll start walking from La Cure, heading toward Le Noirmont first, then I’ll improvise my route—but it’ll probably follow the French border... at least as far as Lac de Joux.
I’ll decide day by day how much farther to go after that. My goal is to stay in nature as much as possible, wander around for as long as I can, and restock food in villages or towns along the way.
I’m thinking of mostly camping, but we’ll see if I end up in a hotel or another campsite depending on my route.
I’d love to reach La Chaux-de-Fonds on foot... maybe even Delémont.
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We’re really keen on ecosystems and want to hike in "natural" ancient forests—not planted woods or areas heavily degraded by human activity. Travel guides (like Lonely Planet) don’t provide much info on this. Could you point us to the most interesting spots?
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We wish you happy holidays and a fantastic 2026, full of discoveries!
Claire and Albert
Hi, this might not be the right section, but I’d like to know if it’s possible to start mountaineering with another person without necessarily hiring a guide. We’ve done quite a bit of hiking but not mountaineering—we’ll just do a half-day glacier course. After that, we were thinking of starting with La Grande Motte and the Pointe de la Traversière, which were recommended to us. Honestly, for things like roping up and knots, I’ll learn at home with lots of videos and a book.
I’d love to know if anyone has done treks in the Rwenzori Mountains and how much it costs on average, what the infrastructure is like, the landscapes, and safety in the area. Thanks so much! I’m really looking forward to your replies.
We’re leaving in 9 days for a two-week trip to Madeira, mainly to hike.
From my research, I’ve found that since last year, access to most trails—and systematically for the most popular ones—is now paid. You have to pay an access fee of 4.50 € per person per classified hike in 2026, and even 10.50 € for the most iconic hike: Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo. When paying, you also have to choose a day and a 30-minute time slot for your start time. Of course, this reservation is neither changeable nor refundable, even if the weather that day is terrible.
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However, what’s much less fair is that in reality, most of the available spots are reserved: 1/ for Madeira residents (which is normal); 2/ for "economic operators" (meaning local tour operators). For example, if you’re a non-resident (independent tourist), no booking is possible for the Pico Arieiro hike for an early morning start before September! So, unfortunately, we’ll have to skip this hike.
It’s the same issue for Ponta de São Lourenço, the 25 Fontes, Pico Ruivo... in short, all the most popular hikes. Oh well, we’ll skip those too!
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I’d love to get recent info, especially about whether it’s possible to park my car in Omalos, do the hike, and then catch a bus back to my vehicle.
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Hi there,
We’re flying from Montreal to Lyon this August to go hiking in the French Alps. We’ve rented a car and will be staying at campgrounds. We’re planning to do day hikes and want to stay a few days in one spot, do a few hikes, then move on to our next camping spot. Could you share your favorite spots or any recommendations for places to spend a few days with great hikes?
A few details:
We arrive in early August and leave in early September.
We’re looking for day hikes (or shorter), moderate difficulty, with a cumulative elevation gain of no more than 1000m, and of course, beautiful scenery!
We’d prefer not to drive too much—maybe it’s best not to head too far south and deal with unnecessary heat?
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Hi there,
I’m planning to go hiking on this island and would like to know the best time to do it. I visited for a few days in November 2018—not for hiking but just to explore—and the weather wasn’t great, especially in the mountains. So, is a star-shaped itinerary doable if I rent a car and maybe use two different accommodations?
I’m not planning to join an organized group—just traveling with one other person and organizing things ourselves—unless you’d recommend a local agency or guide. Finally, even though I’ll be getting maps, a topo guide, and a GPS, I’d really appreciate your top hiking recommendations.
Thanks so much for your tips!
I’m planning a trip around Cap Corse and the AGRIATES in 2026, from May 8th to 15th (there are still 2 spots left, by the way! Just DM me if you're interested).
I’d love to know which hikes are worth prioritizing in the AGRIATES. We’ll be staying in SALECCIA for two days as our base—what should we focus on from there?
A round trip to IGNHU beach? Any other suggestions?
For Ostricano, I think it’s too far for a round trip...
Thanks for your tips!
Have a great day,
Anie, Toulouse
I’d like to get some info about the GR10 Pyrenees traverse. I need help planning the daily stages and accommodations—my wife isn’t an experienced hiker but walks a lot, so I’d like to schedule shorter walking days and thus a longer overall trip in terms of number of days.
Could anyone give me some help and advice?
Best regards,
Hi there, I’m planning the Annapurna Circuit for March 2027 and I’m looking for a local agency with a local guide—preferably French-speaking—to arrange this trek for us. Any suggestions? Thanks
Hello!
We’re spending a few days in Toraja country at the end of May. We’d love to do a day trek—taking our time—on a route that’s stunning in terms of scenery, but not a level 5 in difficulty!
Any suggestions you can share, please?
Thanks in advance
I’d like to do the Mare a Mare Sud in May over 4 days. I’ve found quite a few places to stay along the route, but I’m stuck on the start and finish.
I’ll be arriving by plane on Sunday evening and would like to start pretty early on Monday morning. Ideally, accommodation right at the trailhead (Alzu di Gallina) would be amazing, but I can’t find anything. Any tips?
Also, for the transfer from Figari Airport to Porto Vecchio or Alzu di Gallina?
At the end, I’d like to pick up a rental car—any advice on that too?
I’m traveling solo by plane to Catania in May and plan to hike the northern side of Etna, starting from Linguaglossa where I’ll arrive by bus. After that, I’d love some info on how to get up to Piano Provenzana (shuttles or hitchhiking), since it seems there’s no public transport except in the summer. Can you sleep there in a free or cheap refuge, or camp? And how far up can you go without having to hire a guide? Thanks in advance. Bernard.
