Royal Annapurna
The Royal Annapurna Trek is a shorter and more accessible journey through the foothills north of Pokhara. Its relatively gentle profile makes it well suited to first-time trekkers, families and travelers looking for a less demanding introduction to trekking in Nepal.
The route passes through forest, farming villages and Gurung settlements, with views toward Annapurna and Machhapuchhre along the way. The trek finishes near Begnas Lake before returning to Pokhara.
The Route
The journey begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, followed by a drive to Bijayapur. From here, the trek moves into the foothills through farming communities and forest toward Patle and Syaglung.
The highest point of the trek is reached around Syaglung at 5,675 ft / 1,730 m, where the source itinerary describes wide views toward the Lamjung Himal.
The route then descends toward Begnas Lake, passing through rolling countryside and smaller settlements before returning by road to Pokhara.
What Makes This Trek Special
A Gentler Introduction
The lower elevations and shorter trekking days make Royal Annapurna a more approachable option for beginners and families.
Village Landscapes
The trail passes through farming communities, evergreen forest and Gurung settlements in the foothills north of Pokhara.
Begnas Lake
The trekking portion concludes near Begnas Lake before the return to Pokhara, giving the route a very different finish from Nepal’s higher mountain treks.
Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel before preparing for the journey to the Annapurna region.
Day 2: Fly to Pokhara & Drive to Bijayapur — 1,148 ft / 349 m
Take a short flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, followed by a drive through the surrounding countryside to Bijayapur.
Day 3: Trek to Patle — 4,025 ft / 1,227 m
The trek begins on relatively level ground before becoming more undulating through evergreen forest. The route passes several villages before reaching Patle.
Day 4: Trek to Syaglung — 5,675 ft / 1,730 m
Continue through forest and rolling terrain toward Ozangaun and Lipyani before climbing more steeply toward Syaglung. From the Gurung settlement, the itinerary highlights views across the Lamjung Himal.
Day 5: Trek to Begnas Lake & Drive to Pokhara — 3,280 ft / 1,000 m
Retrace part of the trail toward Lipyani before descending stone steps and crossing a bridge. Continue over Lapsi Danda and descend toward Begnas, where the trekking portion ends before returning to Pokhara.
Day 6: Fly to Kathmandu
Return to Kathmandu by air. Depending on the flight schedule, the remainder of the day can be spent exploring the city.
Day 7: Depart Kathmandu
Depart Kathmandu for your onward journey.
How Difficult Is the Royal Annapurna Trek?
Royal Annapurna is considerably lower and shorter than Nepal’s major high-altitude trekking routes and is suitable for beginners and family adventures.
There are still climbs, descents and uneven trail sections, including the ascent toward Syaglung, but the route does not reach the elevations encountered on the Annapurna Circuit or Sanctuary treks.
Altitude & Acclimatization
The Royal Annapurna route remains at comparatively modest elevations, reaching approximately 5,675 ft / 1,730 m at Syaglung.
Because the trek stays far below the elevations of routes such as Annapurna Circuit or Everest Base Camp, high-altitude acclimatization is not a defining feature of this itinerary.
When to Trek
Conditions on the Royal Annapurna route vary throughout the year, so timing should be considered alongside weather, visibility and trail conditions.
Learn more about trekking seasons in Nepal →
Related Treks
Annapurna Sanctuary
A higher-altitude journey into the dramatic mountain basin surrounding Annapurna Base Camp.
Annapurna Circuit
A longer and more demanding circuit crossing Thorung La and a wide range of Himalayan landscapes.
Compare All Treks
Compare Everest, Annapurna, Langtang and Manaslu trekking routes.