Annapurna Base Camp Trek
The hidden stronghold of the Annapurna Sanctuary is one of the most popular trekking destinations in Nepal, surrounded by impressive mountains including Annapurna range and Fishtail, this high and glaciated wilderness is simply breathtaking for any trekker wanting the best of Himalayas in Nepal.
From the terraced farmland above Pokhara, through several days of pleasant ridge walking with abundant forest and scattered settlements, our route climbs gradually into the world of ice and snow to explore the Annapurna Sanctuary. Through out the trek, the combination of the picturesque rice fields and villages, with the panorama of high peaks beyond, makes for very special trekking. Admiring all the breathtaking views, we return out via an alternative route, following high ridge to Ghorepani and Poon Hill for the best panoramic view of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges to Pokhara to conclude our exhilarating trek.
Itinerary (Annapurna Base Camp Trek):
Grade: Moderate
Time: Spring, Autumn
Duration: 14 days
Average Walking time: 4-5 hours per day
Day 1 (Kathmandu, Nepal):
Arrive Kathmandu. Annapurna Base Camp Trek begins. Meet our representative. Transfer to Hotel. While in Kathmandu you will have time fascinating Buddhist and Hindi temples and shrines reflecting ancient local traditions are highlighted on our guided tour. There's time also to explore the city's many charms on your own. We will serve you a welcome delicious traditional Nepali dinner in the evening. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 2 (Kathmandu - Pokhara):
On second day of Annapurna Base Camp Trek, we drive to Pokhara (200 km), depart 7:00 AM in the morning, approximately 7hrs away by tourist bus. Lunch spot one the way to Pokhara. You will be arriving late afternoon at Pokhara approximately 2 o'clock. Pokhara lakeside villages sits, "front row center" to one of the most beautiful Himalayan panoramas in the world. The Annapurna and famous "Fishtail" mountain peak of Machhapuchhare tower over the tropical setting of Pokhara and you spend there will be the scenic highlight of your trip. You're free in Pokhara Valley also called "Magic Land" or Dreamland" of Nepal, to explore the various interesting place as your own like boating in Fewa Lake over looking the region of Annapurna range of Himalayas. In the evening you will prepare yourself for your trek to Poon Hill. Stay overnight in Pokhara.
Day 3 (Pokhara - Tirkhe Dhunga, 1491 M):
Annapurna Base Camp Trek continues. After breakfast, drive to Nayapul (42 km) 1.5 hr by Car via large village of Lumle and walk about 20 minutes to Birethanti, a large and prosperous town. The trail follows the main street of Birethanti, going through bamboo forests and past a large waterfall and swimming hole. Beyond a pasture used by pony caravans, the trail reaches Sudami where we serve you a lunch. After lunch, we climb steadily up the side of the valley, reach at 1495m near by Tirekhedhunga. Along the way, various hamlets offer ample camping possibilities but if Ghorepani is the objective for the next day it is better to push on to Tikhe Dhunga. Stay overnight in Tirkhe Dhunga.
Day 4 (Tirkhe Dhunga - Ghorepani, 2855 M):
On Day 4 of Annapurna Base Camp Trek, your breakfast will be served in morning 7:00 AM. From Tirkhe Dhunga, the trail crosses a stream on a suspension bridge near the camp site at Tirkhedhunga. The trail ascends a steep stone staircase to the large Magar village Ulleri at 2070m. Above the village, the trail climbs gently through pastures and cultivated fields. There are magnificent more pleasantly through rhododendron and oak forest. There is a hut with water and a small camp site about 1 hr. above Ulleri. The trail crosses two sparkling clear two streams before making a short, final climb to Nangethanti. Lunch is on spot in Nangethanti. Thanti is a Nepali words meaning "rest house" "Dharmasala". In the winter the trail can be covered with snow. From Nangethanti about one hours trek, climb to Ghorepani at 2850m. Arrive at the top of the Ghorepani pass and camp there. Stay overnight in Ghorepani.
Day 5 (Ghorepani - Poon hill - Tadapani):
Annapurna Base Camp Trek continues with climb to Poon Hill (3195m) around 1 hr. to provides better unobstructed views and sunrise over the high Himalayas. You can see a lots of White Mountain peaks from Poon Hill. After sunrise, you'll return to our camp and time for breakfast. Ghorepani means "horse water" and it is no doubt a welcome watering stop for the teams of horses, mules and ponies that carry loads between Pokhara and Jomsom.
From Ghorepani the trail climbs south on muddy path through the deep forests. It finally emerges on a grassy knoil which offers good mountain views, is including views of Machhapuchhare (not visible from Grohrepani pass), and a panorama all the way south to the plains of India. It is similar views from Poon Hill. Climbing along the ridge in pine and rhododendron forests to a top 3030 metres then descend to at a second pass also called Deurali, at 2960 metres.
The trails a ridge hides the mountains as makes a steep, sometimes treacherous, descent on a narrow path alongside the stream, as the descent continues. The stream has some clear pools alongside the trail and finally becomes a series waterfall over a jumble of boulders. The steep descent becomes more gentle way to reach Banthanti and stop for lunch approx.: 1 hour.
From Banthanti, the trail follows the stream down to a bridge where the trails start climbing, leaving the moist high mountain forests and entering a field of cane, making some ups and downs past to a vantage point "Tadapani (2540 metres) that offers a brief view of the mountains. Tadapani means "far water". The village water supply is a long distance; it takes porters more than half an hour to fetch a load of water. Stay overnight in Tadapani.
Day 6 (Tadapani - Chomrung):
On day 6 of Annapurna Base Camp Trek, we have breakfast at around 7:30 AM. Then start our journey from Tadapani, the trails drop down rhododendron, oak forests, one the way offers good views of White Mountains trails to Chomrung. It takes approx. 4 and ? an hours trek. Our lunch and dinner will be provided spot in Chomrung - is a Gurung Village, has evolved into two sprit- parts. This is highest permanent settlement in the valley. There is a tremendous view of Annapurna South, which seems to tower above the village, and there are good views of Machhapuchhare (Machha "fish" and Puchhare "tail") across the valley.
Day 7 (Chhomrung - Dovan):
Today, we start your journey to Dovan approximately 8:00 AM. From Chhomrung, the trail descends on a stone staircase and crosses the Chhomrung Khola. Climbing high above the Modi Khola on its west banks, the trails passes through forest of bamboo, rhododendron and oak. Climbing further on a rocky trail you reach at Sinuwa, 2250 metres. The trails continues rhododendrons forest, climb Kuldi. From Kuldi, the trails descends a long steep stone staircase into deep bamboo and rhododendron forests, then short distance on a muddy trail to Bamboo and time for Lunch. From Bamboo the trail climbs steeply through stands of bamboo, occasionally dropping slightly to cross the tributary streams.
Day 8 (Dovan - Annapurna Base Camp):
On day 8 of Annapurna Base Camp Trek, we get up early for the day and start from Dovan. The trail is muddy and high above the river, but is no problem, for those who suffer vertigo, because thick stands of bamboo block the view of the rushing river and waterfall, then crosses a landslide and another avalanche track, to the Himalaya Hotel at 2680 metres. Lunch will be provided at Himalayan Hotel. From Himalaya Hotel is about 1 hour walk first on a path referred to above for about 1 and ? an hour and then climb on to the lateral moraine and down the other side on to the glacier. Walking up the bed of the glacier is safe and quite easy and the British Expedition Base Camp is reached after another 1 and ? an hr. Base Camp is at 4,237 m. The trip is best done from the lower camp, carrying only lunch, and the best views are probably obtained from to the north. Stay overnight in Annapurna Base Camp.
Day 9 (Annapurna Base Camp - Bamboo):
Annapurna Base Camp Trek continues. We wake you up in the early morning and then we climb to view point spot where you can see sunrise over the mountains. You'll also visit nearby ABC. The track remains on the west bank of the Modi, now flowing through a more open valley and eventually emerges into the Sanctuary. Straight ahead is the high lateral moraine. After the sunrise trip, return to our camp and time for breakfast. After breakfast you'll return same way to Bamboo. Stay overnight in Bamboo
Day 10 (Bamboo- Chhomrung):
From Bamboo, a short distance trail is muddy, and then descends a long steep stone staircase in to uphill through the Bamboo, the bamboo and rhododendrons forest to Kuldi, 2300 metres. The trail continues in rhododendrons forests down to Sinuwa, 2250 metres. We serve you a lunch in Sinuwa. After lunch trek to Chhomrung. From Sinuwa the trail is down hill till Modi Khola. After passes the river, the trail climb steep way approx. ? an hour Chhomrung. Stay overnight in Chhomrung.
Day 11 (Chhomrung - Ghandrung):
Annapurna Base Camp Trek continues and we start our journey from Chhomrung. The trail follows the route back to Taglung, then descend gently through forests to Kummu, then cross the suspension bridge and stay on the main trail as it climbs out of the Kummu Valley. The trails descend through a small creek and gently into the maze of trails of Ghandrung. This is short approx: 4 hours trek and difficult day. Lunch will be served in Ghandrung. Ghandrung a huge Gurung village at 1940 metres is the second largest Gurung village in Nepal is a confusing cluster of closely-spaced, slate-roofed hoses. There are neatly terraced fields situated both above and below the town. It is wonderfully easy to get lost in the network of narrow alleyways while trying to trek through the village. There is a larger handicraft factory at the top of Ghandrung. Over here, the scenic southern Annapurna is outstanding. Machhapuchhare has been seen from here in its fishtail aspect, peeps over a forested ridge. ASAP has visitor centre and an office in Ghandrung.
Day 12 (Ghandrung- Pokhara):
Annapurna Base Camp Trek continues From Ghandrung, all the way down hill through village and terraced fields to Syauli Bazaar. It takes approx: 2 hours. Along the way you can see good views Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare too. From Syauli Bazaar, the trails follow the Modi River till Nayapul. Your lunch will serve in Birethati. After lunch you have very short treks about 20 minutes to Nayapul, catch our vehicle and drive to Pokhara. Stay overnight in Pokhara.
Day 13 (Pokhara - Kathmandu):
After breakfast, we drive to your rafting spot point (Trisuli River for White water Rafting, it takes approx 4 hrs drive from Pokhara. This River is very popular as access to the Prithivi Highway makes "breaking off" the journey easy. Trisuli is also an ideal beginner's River. Lunch we'll be served after 2 hrs rafting in river side. After lunch you'll continue the Rafting approx 3 hrs till our last destination. We travel overland to Kathmandu in the evening. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 14 (Kathmandu, Nepal):
Sightseeing Nepal depending on the flight schedule for onward journey. Depart Kathmandu. Transfer to airport for flight to onwards journey. Annapurna Base Camp Trek concludes.
