Pokhara Trail Running Camp — 4 Days to Reconnect With Why You Run

When did running stop being fun?

When did the watch become more important than the view? When did Strava segments replace the simple joy of moving through mountains? When did "performance" become the only reason we lace up our shoes?

If you've ever asked yourself these questions — even quietly, even while pushing through your next interval session — then this camp was made for you.

The Pokhara Trail Running Camp isn't a race. It's not a training block. It's four days in the Himalayan foothills to remember why you started running in the first place.

Two Public Departures in 2026

We open two public camps this year, each limited to 12 runners maximum — small enough to feel personal, big enough to create real connection.

Prefer your own dates? Private camps are available year-round — more on that below.

The Route — 80 km Through the Annapurna Foothills

Starting from Hemja (1,164m) and finishing at the shores of Fewa Lake (822m), the route takes you through ancient Gurung villages, dense forests, terraced hillsides, and up to Panchase Top (2,500m) — where the entire Annapurna range opens up in front of you.

Around 80 km total, approximately 5,500m of cumulative elevation across 4 days. That's real mountain terrain — and it's deeply rewarding.

The camp closes with something unforgettable — a traditional wooden boat ride across Fewa Lake as the mountains reflect on the still water. There's no better way to mark the end of four days on the trail.

Is This Trail Running Camp For You?

Let's be honest: this camp requires preparation.

Covering around 20 km per day for four consecutive days, with 5,500m of total elevation change on mixed mountain terrain — this is not a casual walk. You'll need a solid training base before you arrive.

At the same time, you don't need to be an elite runner. You don't need race experience or altitude training. What you need is a genuine love for trail running and outdoor challenge, regular trail or road running in your training, the ability to run comfortably for several hours, and a spirit of adventure — a willingness to go slow when the mountains ask you to.

We welcome runners from beginner trail to moderate level — people who know what it means to work for something, who enjoy pushing their limits, and who are curious about what running in the Himalayas feels like.

If you've been running consistently and you're looking for your next meaningful challenge, this is it.

More Than Running — A Human Adventure

Every morning begins with a group briefing with your guide before you set off. Every evening ends with a debrief around the table — sharing the day's experience, reflecting on what the trail taught you, and preparing for what comes next.

This is intentional. Because the real work here isn't just physical.

Throughout the camp, you'll work on things that most training plans ignore. Running at altitude — understanding how your body responds, learning to manage effort when oxygen gets thin. Technical terrain — reading the trail, adapting your stride, finding your footing on roots, rocks, and uneven ground. Descending — one of the most demanding and most neglected skills in trail running, and one we focus on specifically. And effort management — learning to run by feel, to listen to your body across multiple days, to find a sustainable rhythm.

But beyond the technical, something else happens out here. The mountains have a way of stripping away everything that isn't essential. The watch stops mattering. The pace stops mattering. What matters is the step in front of you, the breath in your lungs, the person running beside you.

The Villages, the Tea, and the Soul of Nepal

Running in the Himalayas is not just about the trails. It's about everything that happens between the steps.

On Day 1, the trail takes you through Dhampus — a hillside village where stone houses cling to the mountainside and children wave from doorways as you pass. The pace of life here is a quiet lesson in itself. Nothing is rushed. Everything has its place.

Then comes Lwang — a village famous throughout the region for its tea cultivation. Running through tea plantations at altitude, surrounded by the smell of fresh leaves and the sound of birds, is one of those moments that stops you in your tracks. If you're lucky, you'll see the harvest in action — women moving through the rows with baskets on their backs, their hands moving with a rhythm passed down through generations. A simple cup of locally grown tea here tastes like nothing you've ever had before.

Landruk welcomes you on Day 2 with its terraced fields carved into the hillside over centuries and its warm, family-run guest houses where dinner is served around a shared table. These aren't tourist restaurants. They're homes. And the people who open them to you do so with a generosity that is deeply moving.

This is Nepal. A country where simplicity is not a lack of something — it's a choice. Where people live close to the earth, close to the mountains, close to each other. Where a smile costs nothing and means everything.

Running through these villages, you start to see things differently. The mountain doesn't care about your pace. The farmer in the field doesn't care about your finish time. The child offering you a marigold on the trail — all she sees is a human being passing through her world.

That humility is a gift. And it stays with you long after you've left.

Nepal has a way of reminding you that the most important things in life are also the simplest. A warm meal after a long day on the trail. A view that takes your breath away. A conversation with a stranger who becomes, in four days, a friend.

Run Without Your Watch If You Want

We mean that.

You can leave Strava behind for four days. You can run without a target, without a segment, without comparing yourself to anyone. Or you can use every tool you have — that's fine too.

The point is that you choose. And often, choosing to run free for a few days is exactly what makes you faster and stronger when you return to competition.

A clear mind is the foundation of great performance. Most of us know this — but few of us ever give ourselves the space to experience it. The Himalayas have a way of doing that for you.

Why Nepal Makes You a Better Runner

There's something that happens to runners who spend time in the mountains of Nepal. They come back different. Not just fitter — different.

The simplicity of life in the villages along the trail, the warmth of Nepali hospitality, the silence between ridgelines, the humility that comes from running beneath peaks that dwarf everything you know — all of it recalibrates something inside.

You remember why you started running. Not for the medals, not for the data, not for the social media post. For the feeling. For the freedom. For what it does to your mind and spirit.

Carry that back with you, and your next race will feel completely different.

Your Team on the Trail

Gregory, co-founder of Nepal Trail Running, is a French trail runner and the heart behind this project. Not a coach by title — but a passionate runner who built this adventure from love for the sport and love for Nepal. Gregory will be there to welcome you, walk you through everything before you set off, and be by your side after the camp — making sure the experience stays with you long after you're back home.

Mohan, co-founder of Nepal Trail Running and founder of North Nepal — a trekking and adventure company recognized worldwide for its expertise in the Himalayas — will welcome you at the agency in Pokhara and take care of every detail of your camp organization. With decades of experience running mountain expeditions across Nepal, Mohan brings a level of professionalism and local knowledge that is simply unmatched. In the mountains, he leads the way.

Running alongside you will be Jiban — a passionate and talented trail runner who knows these trails intimately. Every switchback, every shortcut, every hidden viewpoint. His energy on the trail is contagious.

The logistics are taken care of so you never have to think about them. Here's how it works: your bag is carried by a porter who departs ahead of the group each morning. You keep only what you need for the day's run — water, a snack, a light layer. Everything else travels without you. By the time you arrive at the tea house or guest house, tired and happy after a full day on the trail, your bag is already there waiting for you. Unpacked, ready, done. You run light. You run free. No heavy pack, no logistics stress — just the trail in front of you.

What's Included in Your $400

Everything you need is covered — professional mountain guide throughout the camp, porter logistics so your bag travels ahead while you run unencumbered, 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), tea and coffee twice daily, tea house and guest house accommodation for 3 nights, all trekking permits (ACAP and TIMS), a first aid kit with oximeter, fresh fruit along the trail, morning and evening briefings, an achievement certificate, and transport to the starting point.

Personal equipment, tips for your guide and porter, and personal extras are not included.

Private Trail Camps — Available Year-Round

The public camps are perfect for solo travelers or pairs who want to join a ready-made group. But if you want complete flexibility, private trail camps are available any time of year on the same route — or on a customized itinerary built around your goals.

Private camps are ideal for friends or couples who want their own pace and schedule, running clubs looking for a group adventure, runners who want a more personalized technical focus, or anyone who simply prefers a private experience in the mountains.

Pricing depends on group size and dates. Contact us directly and we'll build something around you

When to Come — Every Season Has Its Magic

The honest answer is that you can come any time of year — and each season offers something different. The Pokhara trail stays at moderate altitude, which means no extreme cold and no technical snow conditions, whatever the month.

Autumn — mid-September, October, November — is when Nepal truly shines. The monsoon has just washed everything clean, the air is crystal clear, and the views of Annapurna are at their most spectacular. The trails are in perfect condition, the temperatures are ideal for running, and the mountains feel alive. One of the three best seasons to come.

Winter — December through February — is highly recommended and often underestimated. Because the Pokhara trail stays at moderate altitude, it never gets brutally cold. What you get is something rare — empty trails, exceptional visibility, and a stillness in the mountains that's hard to find at any other time of year. The winter sky in Nepal is extraordinary, the light is sharp, and the Annapurna views are among the clearest of the year. Our December camp was designed exactly for this season.

Spring — March through May — the rhododendron forests burst into colour, the temperatures are warm and pleasant, and the days are long. Our April public camp falls right in the heart of spring season — a beautiful time to be on the trail. One of the three best seasons to come.

Summer and monsoon — June through August — the lush green season. The forest is thick and alive, the waterfalls are full, and the light through the trees is magical. Trails can be muddy and the mountain views are sometimes hidden by cloud — but the experience has a raw, unique beauty. Private camps are available in this season for those who don't mind the rain and want the trails to themselves.

Ready to Come?

Spots are limited to 12 runners per departure.

To reserve your place:

👉 Register here 📩 [email protected] 💬 WhatsApp Gregory: +33 7 44 74 73 94 💬 WhatsApp Nepal team: +977 9846816904

We'll send you a complete pre-camp guide — everything you need to know about preparation, gear, travel, and what to expect on the trail.

The mountains are patient. They've been here for millions of years. They'll be here when you arrive.

Come and run. Come and breathe. Come back to the reason you fell in love with this sport.

We'll see you on the trail. 🏔️

Namaste. 🙏

Nepal Trail Running organizes guided trail running camps, private adventures, and group events across the Annapurna, Everest, Manaslu, and West Nepal regions. All levels welcome — all we ask is that you come with an open heart.

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