Annapurna Panorama Trek
Few places in the world have such a splendid variety of natural beauty as the Annapurna region. It is a rare combination of long arrays of snow-capped peaks, crystal clear lakes, and turbulent rivers with deep gorges, Tibetan monasteries, hot-spring, and picturesque villages inhabited by simple and friendly ethnic people.
No one fail to be impressed by the diversity highlighted on this adventure. The snow-covered peaks of the Annapurna Himal, white water fun on the Trisuli River, and an elephant-back safari in jungle offer a taste of Nepal's remarkable pleasures.
This specially designed Annapurna Panorama hiking and trekking tour in Nepal Himalayas is a combined effort of a team of certified mountaineers and travel agents in India and Nepal aiming at making travel economical and affordably cheap for the budget trekker walking in Nepal as well as maintaining quality at par with the world-class standards. We feel our job as tour operators and trek guides, is to design treks giving our customers a memorable experience in trekking adventure.
Itinerary (Annapurna Panorama Trek):
Kathmandu - Pokhara - Tirkhe Dhunga - Ghorepani - Poon Hill - Tadapani - Landrung - Dhampus - Pokhara - Rafting - Royal Chitwan National Park - Kathmandu
Grade: Moderate
Time: Spring, Autumn
Duration: 14 days
Average Walking time: 4-5 hours per day
Day 1 (Kathmandu, Nepal):
Arrive Kathmandu. Annapurna Panorama Trek begins. Meet Gypsy Feet 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 (Kathamndu City Tour):
On second day of Annapurna Panorama Trek, we will visit Swayambhunath temple, and said to be 2000 years stupa on a hillock offers breath-taking view of Kathmandu City. We will then process to visit Pasupatinath and Bouddhanath. After lunch we will visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan (Lalitpur) - which is the oldest of the three major cities in Kathmandu Valley - famous for its Buddhist monuments and Hindu temples, and you can catch the traditional artisans working with wood, stones and metals. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 3 (Kathmandu - Pokhara):
Annapurna Panorama Trek continues. We will have breakfast early morning before 07:00 am. We drive to Pokhara (200 km). Depart in the early morning, approximately 6 hrs away by tourist bus. Absorb a scenic route through the country lanes. We will be arriving at Pokhara in late afternoon. Pokhara Lakeside villages sits, "front row centre" to one of the most beautiful Himalayan panoramas in the world. The Annapurna and famous "Fishtail" mountain peak of Machhaouchhare tower over the tropical setting of Pokhara and you spend there will be the scenic highlight of your trip. Enjoy yourself for the trek to Poon Hill in the evening. Stay overnight in Pokhara
Day 4 (Pokhara - Tirkhe Dhunga, 1491 M):
On Day 4 of Annapurna Panorama Trek, after breakfast we drive to Nayapul (42km), 1.5 hr by car via large village of Lumle and walk about 20 minutes to Birethani, a large and prosperous town. The trail follows the main street of Birethani, go through bamboo forests and pass a large waterfall and swimming hole. Beyond a pasture used by pony caravans, the trail reaches Sudami where you will be served lunch. After lunch we climb steadily up the side of the valley, reaching at 1495m near by Tirekhedhunga. Along the way, various hamlets offer ample camping possibilities but if Ghrepani is the objective for the nest day it is better to push on to Tikhe Dhuga. Stay overnight in Tirkhe Dhunga
Day 5 (Tirkhe Dhunga - Ghorepani, 2855 M):
Annapurna Panorama Trek continues and after breakfast we start our journey. From Tirkhe Dhunga the trail crosses a stream on a suspension bridge near 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 Nangethani. Your lunch will be provided in Nangethanti - Thani is a Nepali words meaning "rest house" "Dharmasala". In the winter the trail can be covered with snow. From Ghorepani pass and camp there. Stay overnight in Ghorepani.
Day 6 (Ghorepani - Poon Hill - Tadapani):
On day 6 of Annapurna Panorama Trek, we wake up early morning, and start our climb to Poon Hill (3195 m) around 1 hour to provide better unobstructed views and sunrise over the high Himalayas. You can see White Mountain peaks from Poon Hill. After sunrise, we will return to our camp 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 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, 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 ride in pine and rhododendron forests to a top 3030 meters then descend to at a second pass also called Deuri, at 2960 meters. The trails a ride 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 Banthani and stop for lunch (approx. 1 hour).
From Banthani, the trail follows the stream down to a bridge where the trails start climbing, leaving the moist high mountain forest and entering a field of cane, making some ups and downs past to a ventage point "Tadapani" (2540 metres) that offers a brief view of the mountains. Tadapani means "far water". The 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 7 (Tadani - Landrung):
We have breakfast in the morning and start our journey, 8:00 AM to Landrung, it takes approx. 6 hours. From Tadapani, the trails descend through the forests then terraced fields, to the Khummu Khola. The Ghandrung trails descends steeply from Tadapani, through forests, a short steep descend among rocks lead to a stream crossing, then the descent continues gently past over streams, finally leading out on the ridge to Ghandrung.
Lunch will be provided in Ghandrung. Ghandrung a huge Gurung village at 1940 m is the second largest Gurung village in Nepal and is a confusing cluster of closely-spaced, slate-roofed houses. 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. The views of Annapurna South from here are out standing. Machhapuchhare have been seen from here in its fish tail aspect, peeps over a forested ridge. ACAP has visitor centre and an office in Ghandrung and provides offers information about it activities. From Ghandrung, all the way down hill to Sauli Bazaar. The downhill trails lead to the river and then climb to Landrung, a Gurung village at 1550 m. Stay overnight in Landrung.
Day 8 (Landrung - Dhampus):
On day 8 of Annapurna Panorama Trek, we get up early for the day and start an easy walk past fields, a school and some unusual oval-shaped houses and descends to Tolka a small settlement at 1710 metres, with several lodges along the trails. The trail emerges into the main Modi Khola Valley. The trails climb through forests alive with birds, fern and orchids in to a huge side canyon of the Modi Khola. After crossing a stream on a suspension bridge at 1690 metres, the trails climbs Bichok (also known as Bheri Kharka). The trails climbs through forests to a clearing on the top of the hill at 2010 metres, where there are views of mountains can be see from Deurali and break 1 hour for lunch. From Deurali all way is downhill to Dhampus at 1580 metres. The trails down through Pothana pass a police check post. At Dhampus, you are rewarded with great views of the mountains that continue to improve as you ascend along the ridge.
Day 9 (Dhampus - Pokhara):
Annapurna Panorama Trek continues. We begin a trekking journey from Dhampus, all the way downhill through the village to Phedi. The trip starts at an elevation of 1580 metres, in a village and then forests that is so overgrazed that is look like a manicured municipal park, the trail down steeply to the ridge at Phedi at 1080mtres. It takes approx: 2 hours treks catch our vehicles and drive to Pokhara. Lunch will be provided in Pokhara Hotel. After Lunch you are free at your own in Pokhara. Stay overnight in Pokhara.
Day 10 (Pokhara City Tour):
Sightseeing around Pokhara valley. We are free in Pokhara Valley also called "Magic Land" or Dreamland" of Nepal, to explore the various interesting place like a boating in Fewa lake over looking the region of Annapurna Areas, David Falls, Mahendra Cave and some Temples. After lunch you're free to shop for souvenirs or rest. Stay overnight in Pokhara.
Day 11 (Pokhara - Rafting - Royal Chitwan National Park):
Annapurna Panorama Trek continues through a scenic drive to Chitwan, on the road that follows the Trisuli River for the most of the distance. Along the drive you see beautiful scenery; we'll continue our journey to till rafting spot point. We take a rafting-ride on the Trisuli River - 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. After few hours rafting drive to Chitwan National Park upon arrival, rooms assigned and there will be a short briefing on the program and our facilities.
4:00 PM: Elephant-back safari: Guests will ride on an elephant to explore the jungle and wildlife you will be able to see the one-horned rhinoceros, several types of deer, monkeys, wild boar, bison, sloth bear, leopard and, if lucky, the Royal Bengal tiger. This exciting ride lasts for 2-3 hours.
7:00 PM: Dinner in the central dining hall.
Day 12 (Royal Chitwan National Park):
Annapurna Panorama Trek continues with a wake-up call and are followed by tea or coffee, and then proceed on a Nature Walk. This encounter on foot with the environment will introduce the main features of eastern Chitwan. Sal forest, open grassland and reverie jungle. Our guides will help you identify some species of birds, plants and other wildlife that you may encounter.
8:30AM: Breakfast
9:30 AM: Elephant briefing program: Learn more about these fascinating animals during a visit to our elephant stable. (For the brave ones there is even a crash course in riding and leading the elephants).
1.00 PM: Lunch will be served, after lunch, Canoeing ride: A traditional dug-out canoe takes you on a silent trip down the Rapti River to view aquatic birds and the animals of the river banks. Back to resort through the Jungle.
7:00 PM: Tharu Stick dance: Farmers of the nearby villages will show some of their traditional skills and dances.
8:00 PM: Dinner around the campfire.
Day 13 (Royal Chitwan National Park - Kathmandu):
5.30 AM: Bird Watching (or another elephant ride) after early morning tea/coffee.
8.00 AM: Breakfast
9.00 AM: Luggage down
9.30 AM: Depart for Kathmandu.
*The actual program for your stay will be given to you on arrival at Resort / camp. The activities are adjusted to the season and weather conditions. Naturally, it may not always be possible to follow this schedule to the minute and the circumstances may force us to alter the program at short notice. On safari in the jungle you will be accompanied by expert naturalists who will advise on safety procedures and we request you to respect their judgment at all times. If you wish to stroll in the forest alone, a guide will have to accompany you for your safety. 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 Panorama Trek concludes.
