The Annapurna Sanctuary trek also known as the Annapurna Base Camp trek is famous for trekkers. The major peaks of the western portion of the great Annapurna Himal, including Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Fang, Annapurna, Ganagapurna, Annapurna 3 and Machhapuchhare, are arranged almost precisely in a circle about 10 miles in diameter with a deep glacier-covered amphitheatre at the centre. From this glacier basin, known as the Annapurna Sanctuary, the Modi Khola knifes its way south in a narrow gorge fully 3660m deep. Further south, the gorge opens up into a wide and fertile valley, the domain of the Gurungs. The middle and upper portions of Modi Khola offer some of the best short trekking routes in Nepal, and the valley is located so that these treks can be easily combined with treks into the Kali Gandaki region to the west.
Day 01 - Arrival in Kathmandu
Today is your arrival. We welcome you upon your arrival at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport. Transfer to Hotel Manaslu in Kathmandu.Arrival city briefing follows after Hotel check in concerning the necessary formalities on your tour and trek program. Depending upon your arrival time you may spend free time visiting nearby historic/Countryside areas or resting.In the evening sample a delicious traditional Nepali dinner in authentic Nepali Restaurant with the cultural dances that represents different customs and music instrument of Nepal.Overnight Hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 02 - Half Day Cultural sight seeing in Kathmandu Valley
Half day Cultural sightseeing in Kathmandu World Heritage sites where your guide will accompany you on a tour of UNESCO enlisted Hindu temples and the unique fusion shrines of Newari architectural Hinduism and Buddhism reflecting ancient golden era in local traditions for the glories. There is time to explore the city’s many places of interest with your guide or take a rest while trekking permits are finalized .Overnight in Kathmandu
Day 03 - Kathmandu to Pokhara Flight / Start Trekking to Ulleri(2080m)
Our tour officer pick you up in the Hotel to drive to Domestic airport after breakfast.We take 30 minutes scenic flight to Pokhara, a naturally beautiful city located about 200 km west of Kathmandu where your trek commences and ends with fun and ever memorable time in close to Himalayan Mountains.Our Local trekking guide cum Leader will meet you at the Airport to pick you up for 1 hour drive by car to the trekking put in point at Nayapool. We will be ready to hit the trail within few minutes having optional tea break while in last minute preparation to Birethanti via the large village besides the river Modi Khola for about 25 minutes, a large and prosperous town. The trail follows the main street of Birethanti, going through mixed forests, terraces, ethnic people along up the river Bhurjung Khola (river). Beyond a pasture used by pony caravans, the trail reaches green terraced Grurung area called Hille where you have lunch. After lunch, climb gradually up side of the valley, reaching Tirkhedhunga. It is an exciting about an hour steep up hills to Ulleri from thirsty stone at 1695m.We stop the first night of our trek in this spectacular view point ridge for next day’s easy trek to Ghorepani (4:30 hrs).
Day 04 - Ulleri to Ghorepani (2850m)
Having had breakfast in the morning. Our Trek leader/guide arranges to start trek around 8 am. From Ulleri the trek starts gradually up to Nagethani viewpoint through this historic trader’s route with Tibetan stonelayed Gurung cottages, streams, mixed forests, chirping birds and butterflies encountering caravans of the ages old transportation way in mules back. Having stopped over for optional tea breaks the trail goes through the deep rhododendron forest to Banthanti and to Ghorepani (Horse drinking stop).The views in between this trek are the highlight of this superb trek that makes all of us excited for the coming major mountain views. The lunch can be taken on the way or in the scenic balcony at Ghorepani. In the winter this place gets lots of snow adding extra fun on top of this trek. This place always welcomes with the butterfly looking spectacular Mountain panorama of Dhaulagiri I (8167m), Tukuche Nilgiri (6940m), Annapurna South, Annapurna I (8091m), Hiunchuli (6441m) and Nilgiri (7193m). Our day trek to Ghorepani provides plenty of time to rest, reading, walking around to meet local people or to retire to bed early for next exploration.(4 hrs)
Day 05 - Ghorepani to Poon Hill to Tadapani (2520m)
We start an early morning hike to Poonhill (3150m) for the majestic Butterfly mountain views of Annapurna ranges, Dhaulagiri, Fishtail, Nilgiri in the spectacular dawn. The viewpoint also provides you to see the Mustang valley behind the highest mountains, very close to Tibet border. After an hour photography in the various pose on the top with hot drinks, descend to Ghorepani for breakfast before we head to Tadapani. The trail to Tadapani is the best for exploring unique and the colorful orchids. The trailhead leads along another scenic ridge through mixed rhododendron forests to Deurali (2960m). Then we start the descend and ascend through another tranquil rhododendron mixed forest through the gorges to Banthanti, gradual ascending through another rhododendron forest to -Tadapani. The Fishtail and the Annapurna south is best viewed here (7:30 hrs).
Day 06 - Tadapani to Chhomrong (2210m)
Dropping down from Tadapani to Gurjung the route offers good views of the upper Kimrong Khola valley passing through the spectacular terraces of millet, buckwheat, ever bird singing and the thatched roof cottages of Gurung ethnic tribe. The path then starts the long ascent high above the North bank of the Kimrong Khola parallel to the Kimrong Danda. We then arrive in the village of Chhomrong (2210m) where you find HimChuli, Fishtail and Annapurna South soaring up the another series of green, grey hills. Chomrong is the last permanent settlement and the headquarter to the multi spectacular Annapurna and Machhapuchhre Base Camp.There is a Mother’s group to entertain you with the pure Village cultural program in the evening on request and in depending upon the number of foreigners available in the lodge. (5:30 hrs).
Day 07 - Chhomrong to Doban (2540m)
Today we descend in stone step down until Chhomrong Khola, then the trail begins a slow climb crossing the the iron bridge as we head up to nicely located lodges for Lunch stopover – Sinuwa passing through small villages to Kuldi Ghar (2470m) about 2 1/2 to 3 hrs walking. The trek now enter through mixed forests of Bamboo,rhododendron in the upper Modi Khola valley encountering Himalayan balck faced Langoor. We can expect snow from here on in the post winter months (Feb-April.) We continue our trek going down to ACAP permitted lodges at Bamboo through an uninhabited forest area, scattered with big rocks,waterfalls besides the river Modi. From Bamboo the road will take us through deep bamboo and rhododendron forests stepping on the slippery roots of Rdododendron trees to Doban.The trail to Dobhan is proper rough, moderate humid forest trail (2540m). (6hrs).
Day 08 - Doban to Deurali (3170 m)
After climbing various temporary branches of the rivers nearly 400 meters up we will first get at the Himalayan Hotel at 2840 meters. This trail prepares you appropriately for the great mountain views through the Annapurna Mountain Gorges. We then continue on to Hinko Cave (3100m) after paying homage to a Barahi (Goddess of Forest) offering branches of leaves, ringing the bell for the best of Luck then walk onto Deurali crossing numerous old avalanches. During this day if we are lucky we can see interesting wildlife and the difficult pastures. Here we will also have great views of Machhapuchhare mountain ridges (6997m) and you will understand why the English name is fishtail mountain. We stay overnight at Deurali (5 hrs).
Day 09 - Deurali to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3745m)
The trail now becomes less steep and after crossing further old avalanche debris we reach an open meadow that leads to the gateway of the Annapurna Sanctuary. In less than three hours we reach the lodges at Machhapuchhare Base Camp, arriving in time for lunch. The afternoon is free to enjoy the truly spectacular scenery of the surrounding peaks. To fully appreciate this magical location and aid acclimatization we spend an extra day at this base camp and explore around its surrounding area. (2:30 hrs)
Day 10 - Machhapuchhre BC to Annapurna Base Camp (4190 m)
Today as soon as we head up for few minutes start viewing the dramatic majestic Machhapuchhare along up the Annapurna Glacier. Machhapuchhre or Fishtail Mountain is Holy Mountain in this area after George Bonnignton’s difficult attempt to scale her. Walking up here is affected by the altitude so slow and steady pace offer great fun walking in this early sunrising mountain gorges upto Annapurna Base Camp via MBC. As long as you get near Fishtail Base Camp you find it awe-inspiring finding the giant Annapurna Mountains soaring and surrounding ahead up. This is the Annapurna Sanctuary since explored by Col. Jimmy Roberts in 1960 where you will be enjoying the Annapurna Ranges of Mountains in 360 angle.Annapurna I, II, III, IV and Annapurna fang and south along numerous peaks feels you around the Mountain Paradise (2:00 hrs)
Day 11 - Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo (2620m)
Today After adding the ecstatic sunrise views of the Mountains in the Base Camp we follow our way back to Bamboo besides the bank of Modi River. It’s easier as we descend the most part of our route enjoying the changing shape and sizes of the Mountains. We need to descend keeping eyes on the occasional loose rough trails. (6hrs).
Day 12 - Bamboo to Jhinudanda Hotspring (1840m)
From Bamboo we continue to Sinuwa resting in the different sunny tranquil viewpoint. From Sinuwa the trail descends through forests to Chhomrong Khola and then the trail ascends in the numerous stone steps to Chhomrong.We stop for the Lunch at this Beautiful ridge with the soaring Himchuli, Fistal and Annapuran south. We then head down towards Peaceful Jhinudanda. Here you have great afternoon to dip into the Natural Hot Spring in the bank of rapiding Modi River.Overnight at Jhunudanda (5 hrs)
Day 13 - Jhinudanda to Ghandruk (1945 m)
We start walking down to local Kimrong Villages along down the Modi River via Bamboo and mixed forest.The trail then head down to the Kyumi river bridge spotting wildlife like Monkeys,deer in the cliff and the colourful butterflies on the way.We have also the best chances to see the bee hives in the difficult river cliffs . The trails then winding up to Ghandruk villages passing through the terraces taking beautiful snaps of the Mountains and the village life.Ghandruk is the settlement of Ethnic Gurung tribe who are known as the Brave Gurkhas.You will be amazed looking around the stone paved Gurung village,Muesuems, and chiiling out in this Panoramic ridge.(4:30 hrs)
Day 14 - Ghandruk to Nayapool /End Trek
This is the last day of our Great Annapurna Base Camp trek with Mountain-Culture- Ethnic experience. We walk down in appropriately paved stone steps in the middle of the terraces down to Syaulebazar viewing the great dramatically Changing Mountain views.You have best chances to see the beautiful flowers down here and the Photography is just superb. Then we walk on the rough motorable trail down to Birethanti the rapiding Modi River, and end our trek in Nayapool. We arrange private car to Pokhara. You have plenty of time to explore around Lakeside Pokhara, book Paragliding in the morning or just relax in the lakeside Restaurant,Pubs.
Day 15 - Pokhara to Kathmandu Drive
After Breakfast, we are ready for the scenic drive to Kathmandu.It takes nearly 6 hours to get back to Kathmandu witnessing highway life and travel in Nepal from West.Overnight hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 16 - Leisure Time in Kathmandu
Leisure Time in Kathmandu. It’s indeed time for the souvenir hunting around Kathmandu’s noted places having optional trip to tranquil historic Heritages in your own or with us or with our versatile guide. We provide extra drive and drop services anywhere.
Day 17 - Departure Kathmandu
Our Tour officer meets you in Hotel for the Departure Transfer to Kathmandu’s International Airport. We will be always welcoming you back to Nepal for various other stunning Trekkings or looking forward to serving you in our other country travel arrangements.
The Trek Cost Includes:
-- All the International Arrival and Departure Transfers
-- Pre and Post Trek deluxe Star Hotel Accomodation in Kathmandu and in Pokhara
-- Domestic airport Transfers
-- Domestic Flight to Pokhara
-- Half Day Guided Cultural Sightseeing
-- Comprehensive Trekking Map
-- Authentic Nepali Welcome Dinner and Transfer Services
-- All the accommodation and full board meals and hot beverages on the trek
-- Transportation to /from Nayapool
-- Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit
-- Our Extensive Knowledgeable Licensed Guides and porter services with porter gears
-- Field staff Insurances
-- Domestic Airport Tax
-- Private Car to Kathmandu from Pokhara
-- Dawn Jackets, Sleeping bag, walking poles, duffel bag, facilitiies
-- Extensive First aid medical kit
-- Quick Rescue supporting services in case of Emergency
-- Extra snacks services
-- Satellite phone/Communication services in case of Emergency
-- Applicable government Taxes
-- Himalayan Eco Trek Team Management
The Trek Cost Eexcludes
-- All the personal expenses like Alcoholic beverages, Bottled drinks etc.
-- Medical and Travel Insurances
-- International Airfare and taxes
-- Visa Fees
-- Gratuities/ Tips
-- Emergency Helicopter Rescue charges
-- Main Meals in Kathmandu
