Royal Trek
An easy village trek near Pokhara with Annapurna views — the route Prince Charles walked in 1980.
Trip at a glance
- Duration
- 9 Days
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Max altitude
- 1,730 m / 5,676 ft · Syaklung
- Start / End
- Kathmandu / Kathmandu
- Best season
- Oct–Apr
- Accommodation
- Hotels in Kathmandu & Pokhara, simple lodges and homestays on the trek
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner on the trek
- Transport
- Tourist bus and private car
Overview
Highlights
- The route walked by Prince Charles and his party in 1980
- Village life in Gurung, Chhetri and Brahmin hill communities
- Views of Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, Lamjung and Manaslu
- Low altitude — no altitude sickness concerns
- Finish beside the quiet shores of Begnas Lake
The Royal Trek is a 9-day trip from Kathmandu with a 4-day village walk in the hills east of Pokhara, following the route Prince Charles trekked in 1980. It never goes above 1,800 m, so it is ideal in winter and for families, while still giving fine views of Annapurna, Machhapuchhre and Lamjung Himal.
Few trekkers come here. Instead of lodges on a busy trail, you stay in simple village accommodation and walk past rice terraces, schools and temples, finishing at Begnas Lake.
Itinerary
Walking times are for an average pace with breaks. Your guide adjusts the day to the group and the weather.
Day-by-day at a glance
| Day 1 | Arrive in Kathmandu | 1,400 m |
|---|---|---|
| Day 2 | Kathmandu sightseeing | 1,400 m |
| Day 3 | Drive to Pokhara | 820 m |
| Day 4 | Drive to Bijaypur, trek to Kalikasthan | 1,370 m |
| Day 5 | Kalikasthan to Syaklung | 1,730 m |
| Day 6 | Syaklung to Chisapani | 1,550 m |
| Day 7 | Chisapani to Begnas Lake, drive to Pokhara | 820 m |
| Day 8 | Return to Kathmandu | 1,400 m |
| Day 9 | Departure |
-
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu 1,400 m Hotel
- Overnight altitude
- 1,400 m / 4,593 ft
- Overnight at
- Kathmandu
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Airport pick-up and transfer to your hotel. Trip briefing.
-
Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing 1,400 m Hotel
- Overnight altitude
- 1,400 m / 4,593 ft
- Overnight at
- Kathmandu
- Accommodation
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
Guided tour of Kathmandu’s World Heritage Sites.
-
Day 3: Drive to Pokhara 820 m 6–7 hrs Hotel
- Overnight altitude
- 820 m / 2,690 ft
- Overnight at
- Pokhara
- Walking / travel
- 6–7 hrs
- Accommodation
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
Tourist bus to Pokhara; evening by Phewa Lake.
-
Day 4: Drive to Bijaypur, trek to Kalikasthan 1,370 m 5 hrs Lodge / homestay
- Overnight altitude
- 1,370 m / 4,495 ft
- Overnight at
- Kalikasthan
- Walking / travel
- 5 hrs
- Accommodation
- Lodge / homestay
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A short drive east of Pokhara, then climb through villages and terraces to Kalikasthan.
-
Day 5: Kalikasthan to Syaklung 1,730 m 5 hrs Lodge / homestay
- Overnight altitude
- 1,730 m / 5,676 ft
- Overnight at
- Syaklung
- Walking / travel
- 5 hrs
- Accommodation
- Lodge / homestay
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Along the ridge with mountain views to the Gurung village of Syaklung.
-
Day 6: Syaklung to Chisapani 1,550 m 5–6 hrs Lodge / homestay
- Overnight altitude
- 1,550 m / 5,085 ft
- Overnight at
- Chisapani
- Walking / travel
- 5–6 hrs
- Accommodation
- Lodge / homestay
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Through forest and farmland, passing a small monastery, to Chisapani.
-
Day 7: Chisapani to Begnas Lake, drive to Pokhara 820 m 4 hrs walking, 1 hr drive Hotel
- Overnight altitude
- 820 m / 2,690 ft
- Overnight at
- Pokhara
- Walking / travel
- 4 hrs walking, 1 hr drive
- Accommodation
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Descend to Begnas Lake and drive back to Pokhara.
-
Day 8: Return to Kathmandu 1,400 m 6–7 hrs Hotel
- Overnight altitude
- 1,400 m / 4,593 ft
- Overnight at
- Kathmandu
- Walking / travel
- 6–7 hrs
- Accommodation
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Drive back to Kathmandu. Farewell dinner.
-
Day 9: Departure
- Meals
- Breakfast
Transfer to the airport.
What’s included
One clear price for the trek itself. Anything that varies from person to person is listed as not included, so there are no surprises.
Included in the price
Transport
- Airport pick-up and drop-off in a private vehicle
- Tourist bus Kathmandu–Pokhara–Kathmandu
- Private car to and from the trailhead
Accommodation
- Hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara with breakfast
- Simple lodges and village homestays during the trek
Meals
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner with tea or coffee every day of the trek
- Farewell dinner in Kathmandu
Guide & porter
- Government-licensed, English-speaking trekking guide
- Porter to carry your main bag (one porter per two trekkers)
- Salary, meals, lodging, insurance and equipment for all staff
Permits & fees
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (where required)
- TIMS card
- All government taxes and service charges
Sightseeing
- Guided Kathmandu sightseeing with entry fees
Safety
- Group first-aid kit carried by your guide
- Pre-trek briefing and route check in Kathmandu
- Back-up from our Kathmandu office throughout the trek
Not included
Travel
- International flights to and from Nepal
- Nepal visa fee (issued on arrival at Kathmandu airport)
- Travel insurance — must cover trekking altitude and helicopter evacuation
Food & lodging
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu (and Pokhara where applicable)
- Bottled water, soft drinks, snacks and alcohol
- Hot showers, Wi-Fi and battery charging on the trail
Personal
- Personal trekking gear (can be hired in Kathmandu or Pokhara)
- Laundry, phone calls and souvenirs
- Tips for your guide and porter (customary, at your discretion)
Other
- Emergency evacuation and medical costs
- Extra nights or transport caused by weather, flight delays or early return
Dates & price
Group size discounts
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $710 |
| 2–3 people | $620 |
| 4–7 people | $600 |
| 8–12 people | $570 |
| 13+ people | $550 |
Dates don’t line up? Send a request for any date — we’ll make it work. Sending a request is free and doesn’t commit you to pay.
Packing list
41 items, grouped the way you dress on the trail. Your porter carries the main bag; you carry a 25–35 L daypack with water, layers, snacks and documents.
Head & face 4 items
- Sun hat or cap
- Buff or bandana for dust
- Category 3–4 sunglasses with UV protection
- Headlamp or small torch
Upper body 3 items
- 2–3 quick-dry trekking shirts (no cotton)
- Fleece or light insulated jacket
- Waterproof, breathable shell jacket
Hands 1 item
- Light gloves for cool mornings (Dec–Feb)
Lower body 4 items
- 2 pairs of trekking trousers
- Waterproof over-trousers
- Comfortable trousers or shorts for the evenings
- Underwear (quick-dry)
Feet 3 items
- Broken-in waterproof trekking boots with ankle support
- Camp shoes or sandals for the teahouse
- 3–4 pairs of trekking socks (wool or synthetic)
Bags & sleeping 5 items
- Daypack 25–35 L with rain cover
- Duffel bag for the porter (we can lend one)
- Trekking poles
- Reusable water bottles or bladder (2 L total)
- Dry bags or zip bags for electronics and documents
Electronics & documents 6 items
- Passport with 6 months’ validity and spare passport photos
- Copy of your travel insurance policy
- Phone and charging cable
- Power bank (charging costs extra higher up)
- Universal adaptor (Nepal uses type C, D and M sockets)
- Some cash in Nepali rupees for snacks, showers and tips
Toiletries 5 items
- Biodegradable soap and travel towel
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- SPF 50 sunscreen and SPF lip balm
- Hand sanitiser and wet wipes
- Toilet paper (not supplied in most lodges)
Medicines & first aid 5 items
- Your personal prescription medicines
- Rehydration salts
- Blister plasters and tape
- Painkillers and anti-diarrhoea tablets
- Water purification tablets or a filter bottle
Optional extras 5 items
- Snacks from home (energy bars, nuts)
- Camera and spare memory cards
- Book, cards or e-reader for evenings
- Lightweight binoculars
- Earplugs for thin teahouse walls
Rent instead of buying. Down jackets, sleeping bags and trekking poles are easy to hire in Kathmandu and Pokhara for a few dollars a day. Ask us at the trip briefing and we’ll point you to shops we trust.
Before you go
Permits
This route runs through community forest and farmland in the Pokhara hills rather than a national park. Any local entry or trekking fees the route requires are arranged by us and included in the price — you only need your passport and Nepal visa.
Difficulty and preparation
This is an easy trek: well-made trails, gentle climbs and short days of 3–5 hours. Anyone who walks regularly and can manage a few hours on stairs or hills will enjoy it. Children from about eight upwards and active older travellers do this route with us every season.
Best time to go
March–May brings rhododendron forests in flower and October–November the clearest views. December–February is good below 3,500 m but snow can close the higher sections. June–August is monsoon: wet trails and leeches in the forests, though the rain-shadow side beyond Manang stays drier.
Accommodation and food
On the trail you sleep in teahouses: family-run lodges with simple twin rooms, foam mattresses, blankets and a shared dining room warmed by a stove. Lower villages have attached bathrooms and hot showers; higher up, toilets are shared and hot water costs a few dollars.
You order breakfast and dinner from the lodge menu — dal bhat (rice, lentils and curry with free refills) is the best fuel and the safest choice. Vegetarian food is the norm; we recommend avoiding meat at higher altitudes, where it is carried up for days.
How to book
Send a free booking request with your preferred dates and group size — there is no payment online. A trip expert replies within 24 hours to confirm availability, finalise your itinerary and send a written quote. Once everything is agreed we explain how to pay the deposit. Questions first? Message us on WhatsApp or read how we run our treks.
Questions trekkers ask
Why is it called the Royal Trek?
Prince Charles walked this route with a large party in 1980, and the name stuck.
Is the Royal Trek good in winter?
Yes — it is one of the best winter treks, staying below 1,800 m with clear, cool days from November to February.
Do I need a guide?
Yes. Since April 2023 foreign trekkers must walk with a government-licensed guide in Nepal’s national parks and conservation areas, and restricted areas such as Manaslu and Mustang have always required one. Every trek we run includes a licensed guide.
What travel insurance do I need?
Your policy must cover trekking at the trek’s maximum altitude and emergency helicopter evacuation. Check the altitude limit in the small print — many standard policies stop at 3,000 m or 4,000 m. Send us a copy before the trek. Read our travel insurance guide.
Can I charge my phone and use Wi-Fi?
Most lodges have charging and Wi-Fi for a small fee (a few dollars), getting pricier and slower with altitude. A Nepali SIM card (Ncell or NTC) gives 4G in many villages. Bring a power bank.
Can I do this trek privately or join a group?
Both. A private trip starts on any date you choose with your own guide and porters. Fixed departures let you join other trekkers on set dates. If your dates don’t match a departure, send a request anyway — we’ll make it work.
Do I pay anything when I send a booking request?
No. The booking request is free and does not commit you. We reply within 24 hours to confirm details and send a written quote. A deposit is only requested after you have agreed the itinerary and price.
How much should I budget for tips?
Tips are customary but personal. Many trekkers give their guide and porter around 10–15% of the trip cost in total, handed over on the last evening. Your guide will never ask.
Didn’t find your answer? Ask the guide who leads this trek.
Plan your trek
Guides for the Royal Trek
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Free trip planning
Questions about the Royal Trek?
Ask about dates, fitness, permits or a custom itinerary. The guide who leads this trek will answer — free and without obligation.
Send us your questions
A guide replies within 24 hours, by the channel you prefer.