Annapurna Sanctuary Trek
Annapurna, in the western part of Nepal is as popular as the Everest region for tourists. This trip provides the spectacular panoramic view of the Annapurna Himalaya mountain range, the greenery jungle, (full of uphill and down hill beautiful mountain,) beautiful little settlements in front of the mountains attracts every one.
This specially designed Annapurna Sanctuary 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 Sanctuary Trek):
Kathmandu - Pokhara - Tirkhe Dhunga - Ghorepani - Poon Hill - Tadapani - Chhomrung - Dovan - Annapurna Base Camp - Bamboo - Chomrung - Landrung - Dhampus - Pokhara - Kathmandu
Grade: Moderate
Time: Spring, Autumn
Duration: 13 days
Average Walking time: 4-5 hours per day
Day 1 (Kathmandu, Nepal):
Arrive Kathmandu. Annapurna Sanctuary 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 (Kathmandu - Pokhara):
On second day of Annapurna Sanctuary 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 - Ghorepani):
Annapurna Sanctuary Trek continues and we climb to Poon Hill (3195 m) 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. Stay overnight in Ghorepani.
Day 6 (Ghorepani - Tadapani):
On day 6 of Annapurna Sanctuary Trek, we climb 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 reaches Banthanti and stop for lunch (1 hour). From Banthanti, the trail follow 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 7 (Tadapani - Chhomrung):
Today, we start your journey to Chhomrung. the trails drops down rhododendron, oak forests, one the way offers good views of White Mountains trails to Chhomrung. It takes approx. 4 and ? an hours trek. Our lunch and dinner spot in Chhomrung. Chhomrung is a Gurung Village has evolved into two 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 8 (Chhomrung - Dovan):
Breakfast served in the morning and then we start your journey to Dovan. From Chhomrung the trail descends on a stone staircase and cross 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 9 (Dovan - Annapurna Base Camp):
On day 9 of Annapurna Sanctuary 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 10 (Annapurna Base Camp - Bamboo):
Annapurna Sanctuary 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 11 (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 12 (Chomrung - Landrung):
Annapurna Sanctuary Trek continues and we start our journey from Chhomrung. The trail follow the down hill to Hot Spring through the village, terraced fields. The trails are very easy after Hot Spring till Nayapul where we've lunch. After lunch, we cross over the New Bridge and climbs to Landrung. Stay overnight Landrung.
Day 13 (Landrung- Dhampus):
Annapurna Sanctuary Trek continues. From Landrung, it is 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. It takes approx. 2 hours. The trails down through Pothana pass a police cheek post. At Dhampus, you are rewards with great views of the mountains that continue to improve as you ascend along the ridge.
Day 14 (Dhampus- Pokhara):
From Dhampus, all the way head downhill through the village to Phedi. Starting 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 at Pokhara Hotel. After Lunch you are free as your own in Pokhara. Stay overnight in Pokhara.
Day 15 (Pokhra):
Sightseeing around Pokhara valley. You're 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.
Day 16 (Pokhara - Kathmandu):
After breakfast, drive to Kathmandu by tourist bus. Along the way you can enjoy with good scenery views. You'll be arriving at Kathmandu late afternoon. You're free in Kathmandu for shop and pick up some last minute souvenirs or rest etc.
Day 17 (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.
