Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Trip Overview

Annapurna I is the 10th highest peak in the world standing massif at 8091 meter. It was the first 8000 meter peak ever summited in June 1950 by a French expedition led by Maurice Herzog. Annapurna region is a paradise for people who enjoy the flora and fauna as varieties of animals and birds are in abundance. 440 species of birds and animals like the marten, deer, langur and the elusive snow leopard live in this area.
 
Annapurna Base Camp (Sanctuary) trek takes you to the lap of this beautiful, majestic and magnificent mountain, Annapurna I (8091 m). The journey to this awe-inspiring scene starts with a short drive from Pokhara to Nayapul to Ulleri. From here we start the ascent traversing the Annapurna foothills through forested hillsides, terraced farm lands passing Gurung and Thakali villages such as Ulleri and Ghorepani. Along the way we are met by Nepal’s magical and majestic vistas with a spectacular panoramic sunrise over the Annapurna ranges and Dhaulagiri from Poon Hill (3910 m). As we climb further into the alpine and more rugged glacial area the majestic mountains seem to be within arm’s length. Upon reaching the Machhapuchare (Fishtail) Base Camp (3700 m), the next day we hike uphill for a few hours to reach Annapurna Base Camp (4030 m). Early morning in the Basecamp, sunrays hit the top of Annapurna I gradually illuminating the white peak of the mountain stroking it with splashes of orange, a memory that will last you a life time.

We then head back to Chhomrong via Doban, and from Chhomrong take another route through Landrung village to reach Phedi, from where a vehicle brings us back to Pokhara.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Kathmandu (1340 M)
Overnight at the hotel
Arrive at TIA, Kathmandu, meet representatives and be transferred to the hotel. Guests welcomed with a welcome drink and rooms duly assigned. Free to visit local attractions the remainder of the day. 

Day 2

AM: Half Day Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu. PM: Briefing about trek
Overnight at the hotel.
In the morning, travel through time as you explore the various UNESCO World Heritage sites of Kathmandu. Visit the temples and palaces of the Durbar Square with beautiful architecture, Swayambhu Stupa (Monkey Temple) and watch the Kathmandu Valley atop a hill.  In the evening a short brief about the trek and allow time to purchase last minute essentials. 

Day 3

Fly to Pokhara
Overnight at the hotel.
After leisurely breakfast board the waiting vehicle and drive to domestic airport. Catch the 25 minutes’ flight to Pokhara. Upon arrival met by the waiting vehicle and drive to Hotel. Check in. Rest of the day is free to rest, relax and enjoy the lake side city on your own. 

Day 4

Drive to Ulleri to Ghorepani (2860 M)
Drive duration: 3- 3 ½ hours. Trek duration: 3 ½ -4  hours. Dinner and Overnight at the lodge 
After breakfast board the waiting vehicle and drive to Ulleri via Nayapul. The drive to Nayapul is on black top road and Nayapul to Ullleri via Tirkhedunga will be on newly constructed road that is not black toped.  Upon arrival meet the porters and start the trek by passing through the Ulleri village and ascend further till we arrive at the village of Banthanti. Continue to trek through the rhododendron forest to reach a clearing in the middle of the forest to arrive at the village of Nangathanti and continue to ascend to reach Ghorepani. Ghorepani is one of the largest Magar village (Ethnic people of Nepal) in the Annapurna region and one of the major trail junction for various trek in Annapurna Region.

Day 5

Excursion of Poon hill and trek to Tadapani (2630 M)
Trek duration: 5 ½  – 6 hours        Dinner and Overnight at the lodge 
Pre-dawn alert and it is time to do about an hour trek to Poon Hill (3,200 m) one of the vantage point to view a magnificent sunrise over the Annapurna Range and the amphitheater views of the surrounding mountains. Shortly afterwards we return back to Ghorepani for breakfast.  After breakfast we pass the village square and start to ascend through dense rhododendron forest till we reach Dewarli. Continue to trek as the trail now starts to decent to the village of Banthanti. The trail is now undulating till we reach a river and then ascend to Tadapani. Tadapani in Nepali literary means “Far Water”. 

Day 6

Trek from Tadapani to Chommorong (2170 M)
Trek duration: 5 – 5 ½ hours          Dinner and Overnight at the lodge 
After breakfast, the trek starts with a pleasant morning walk through the main village square and follow the gradual descend through the dense forest of rhododendron and Magnolia till Chhule. Continues to descend through the terraced field until we reach the bottom of the valley, cross the Kimrong River and ascend a flight of stone steps will lead us to the village of Gurjung. Continue to ascend passing through terraced farming, small villages to reach  Chommorong, located on a ridge is the window to the wide expansive view of the Annapurna Range of mountains and valleys towards the Annapurna Sanctuary area. 

Day 7

Trek from Chommorong to Doban (2600 M)
Trek duration: 5 to 6 hrs.            Dinner and overnight at the Lodge  
Today the trek begins with descent and we cross the Chommorong Khola and then climb up on the opposite side of the valley for about 30 minutes till we arrive at the hamlet of Tilche and a little further up we reach Sinuwa. Continue to follow the ridge to reach the locality of Khuldi Ghar (2540 m) and descend to reach Bamboo (2,310m).  The trail from here ascend passing through bamboo groves, and small brooks to reach Doban (2600 M). 

Day 8

Trek from Himalayan Hotel to Machapucchre Base Camp (M.B.C) (3,700 m)
Trek duration: 5 ½ to 6 ½  hrs.           Dinner and overnight at the lodge in M.B.C.
After breakfast the trail enters the forest of rhododendron and continue to ascend till we arrive at Himalayan Hotel (2850 m). Continue on a rocky trail, following the flow of the rivers, until the last stretch where a steep path which leads to Hinku Cave (3170 m) and further up to Deorali (3210 m).  Continue on the trail that huddles up against the cliffs following the west side of the valley and cross few bridges to reach Bagar.  Ascend on a rocky trail to arrive at the cluster of lodges at 3700 meters to  Machapucchre Base Camp (MBC.)  Views from here includes Annapurna South (7219 meters), Hiunchuli (6441meters), and Annapurna I (8091meters), Annapurna III (7555 meters), Gangapurna (7454 meters), and Machapucchre (6997 meters).       

Day 9

Trek from Machapucchre Base Camp to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) (4,130 m)
Trek duration: 2 ½ – 3 hrs.          Dinner and overnight at the lodge in A.B.C 
Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) is only about two hours away. Except for a few hills, the route is gradual and therefore quite easy. A little further from ABC, the path leads to a small hill which is the best point to admire the entire panorama of the Sanctuary. 

Day 10

Trek from A.B.C. to Bamboo (2310 M)
Trek duration: 6 ½ to 7 ½ hrs.          Dinner and overnight at the lodge in Bamboo
Early morning wake up to view the mesmerizing sunrise over the Annapurna Himalayas and do some exploration. After breakfast we back track to Doban, roughly about 1590 meters descent through the same trail. It is much faster and easier going down hill. It’s an easy downhill passing through small settlements and forest, until we arrive at Doban. From Doban we retrace our steps further down to Bamboo. 

Day 11

Jhinu Danda (1760 M)
Trek duration: 6 hrs.          Dinner and overnight at the lodge 
From Bamboo, it is an uphill trek to Kuldighar followed by a downhill walk to Chhomrong Khola. Then we climb the stone steps to Chhomrong. The trail then descends to Jhinu Danda, where we will be resting for the night. Today we will have an opportunity to enjoy the hot springs which is just a 15-20 minute downhill walk from Jhinu Danda to relax.

Day 12

Trek to Shauli Bazaar and & Drive to Pokhara
Overnight in Pokhara.          Trek duration: 3 ½-4 hrs.          Drive Duration: 2 ½ – 3 hrs         Overnight in Pokhara.
After breakfast trek down the suspension bridge over Kyumrong Khola, from here it is a steep climb to New Bridge. Passing New Bridge at the end of the village trail junction, there are two paths, one goes right up in the direction of Shauli Bazaar. We take the right hand trail and reach Shauli Bazaar and board the waiting vehicle and drive to Pokhara 

Day 13

Fly Pokhara to Kathmandu. (1340 M)
Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu
After leisurely breakfast board the vehicle and drive to domestic airport and catch the 30 minutes flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival meet assist and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day is free to rest relax and do final minute shopping and packing.

Day 14

Final Departure
Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu
Free for final minute packing and shopping until departure to Airport for final Departure

Trip Facts

Best Period: Feb, Mar, April, May – Oct, Nov, Dec

Time Period: 13 Nights / 14 Days.

Trek Period: 08 Night / 09 Days

In Kathmandu: 03 Nights

In Pokhara: 02 Nights

Trek Type: Strenuous

Highest Altitude: 4130 m

Warning: Altitude Sickness.

Features

National Park: Annapurna National Park (1148 sq. kms)

Mountains: Annapurna I, Annapurna II, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhare, Fishtail, Dhaulagiri etc.

Rivers: Modi, Burgundi, Kimrong etc 

Tribes:  Brahmins, Chettris, Newars, Gurungs, Magars, Thakalis, Manangis and the Tibetans

Forest: Of Rhododendron and Pine. 

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