Hi everyone, looking for some tips on the next leg of my travels. Any thoughts are welcome:

1. How are things in terms of safety in Kathmandu, Pokara, and Anna perna circuit

2. What are trekking conditions like in Anna P?

3. Is there a non-travel agency website that provides a good breakdown of true permit costs for hiking the circuit?

4. Any recommedations for the best routes for someone with 10-14 days of time?

5. Is 2 days good enough to adjust to altitute in Kathmandu? Can I include my travel to Pokara as a part of this?

6. Best budget hostel for Kathmandu and Pokara?

7. I get to Kathmandu tomorrow so if anyone is one the same time line and interested in a similar hike, let me know.

8. Any other recommedations for day trips?

Maybe, Chitwan National Park or hot springs up north near tibet?

9. Any other costs out the door that I should be expecting?

Hi! I went to Nepal last December/January and can answer some of your questions.

1. I cant say I ever felt unsafe. I always keep my valuables on me and locked up, but I never felt threatened or anything in either of those 3 places. Id say they're very safe!

2. When I went trekking the place was meant to be covered in snow but the only place with snow was ABC. There are clear paths to follow everywhere with lots of steps in places. The ABC walk is very up and down and LOTS of steps-beware your knees! But insanely beautiful. The Jomsom walk is lots of gravel paths and not that difficult a walk.

4. The walk to ABC was by far and away the most beautiful and spectacular part of my trek, and much much better than the Jomsom walk. Id recommend doing that above all else, and then perhaps part of the Jomsom walk with whatever leftover time you have. More tourists seem to do the Jomsom walk, which I really dont get. The views arent remotely as spectaculr as the ABC walk. Its interesting to see the change in scenery the further north you go, but if you want mountain views, ABC is the best.

5. I am really sensitive to altitude and had no probs in Kathmandu. 2 days will be fine.

6. I stayed in Hotel Lili in Thamel and it was like 250rupees a night for a huge room and bathroom. There were very tourists around and could bargain a price right down. Definitely try bargaining-they'll drop the price a lot!

Have a great trip!

3. I hired a local guide and so didnt look into it much, but this website looks like it could help: http://www.visitnepal.com/trekking/area_permits.php

3.

The permit for the Annapurna Circuit cost 2000 NPR. After that expect to pay between 50-250 NPR for a room to sleep in while trekking. The food gets more expensive as you go. Dal Bhat can be had for 100 NPR at the low levels while it more like 300 NPR at the top. Snickers range from 45 NPR at low elevation to about 80 NPR at the top. That was prety much my died (Dal Bhat, Snickers, and tea). The Dal Bhat is all you can eat. It is the only thing on the menu this way so if you are really hungry go for it. All these prices are October 2007.

I ran into the Maoist a few times on my trek but they were friendly as Communist rebels go. I belive this isn't a problem anymore.

On the circuit, lodge owners won't negotiate on food prices at all which are listed in a menu. Your only bargaining power comes from room prices. It helps if you can get a group together before going to a lodge and doing collective bargaining. If they agree to a lower rate, the proper etiquette is to eat all your meals at that lodge (all the other places in town will charge the exact same food prices anyway). Many lodges won't feed you if you don't stay there. I managed to stay most nights for 50 NPR. My cheapest was 16 NPR.