Itinerary Detail

Day 01 Arrival in Kathmandu
Flying to Kathmandu along the northern border of Nepal on a clear day is in itself an exciting and memorable experience as exotic panoramic view of snow-capped Annapurna mountain range peaks sprawls before you. The Nepali support team will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel.

Day 02 Sightseeing of Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu, being a historical and cultural heart of Nepal is a popular destination for tourists, trekkers and adventure seekers. The city presents a wonderful mixture of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence in the Valley. Patan and Bhaktapur are its two major neighboring cities which bear immense historical, cultural and religious significance. There will be a half day guided tour to the famous & biggest Hindu shrine Pashupatinath the largest Buddhist stupa in town Boudhanath, the 15th century palace of 55 windows and Swayambhunath. In the evening, a trip orientation meeting will be organized.

Day 03 Flight/Drive to Pokahara & drive to Phedi, trek to Dhampus [1700m]
From the hotel we head to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu Airport for the 45 minute flight to Pokhara. It is a sensational flight, with the peaks of the Greater Himalaya clearly visible through the right-hand window as we travel westwards. Particularly prominent are Manaslu and the Annapurna range as we approach the landing field at Pokhara.

From Pokhara, we set off immediately by bus for Phedi, which means 'bottom of the hill'. To get us into the swing of things, we'll walk for a couple of hours, principally uphill, on a long flight of stone steps, to the village of Dhampus, our first camp of the trip. [3 hours walking].

Day 04 Trek to Landrung [1550m]
Beyond Dhampus, we get our first clear views of the mountains ahead, as we ascend through a forest on a trail which is often made up of steep stone steps. Passing through Pothana, we reach a clearing on a pass, at a place called Deourali [which means 'pass'!]. At this point we are high up on the east side of the Modi Khola, the river that flows out of the Annapurna Sanctuary. From here, the trek continues to descend until we reach the picturesque Gurung settlement of Landrung, which offers spectacular views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. [4 hours walking].

Day 05 Trek to Chomrong [2100m]
We descend all the way to the river and cross over a new suspension bridge. Our route now climbs quite steeply, high above the river, through bamboo forest and isolated farmsteads. The teahouses at Jhinu provide a welcome opportunity to stop for a drink and rest on this long, hot climb. We reach the crest of this particular climb at Daaulu [2180m] and Chomrong, our camping place, lays a little below and to the north. There are many chalet-style, wooden lodges at Chomrong, which look out towards the prominent Machhapuchhare. [4 to 5 hrs walking].

Day 06 Trek to Himalaya hotel [2850m]
After dropping down to the Chomrong Khola on steep stone steps, the trail climbs again through terraced fields and forests of bamboo and rhododendron. Today's walk is always either up or down, on steep paths which are often paved. Sometimes there are views of the Annapurna and Machhapuchhare ahead, but often the forest is too thick to allow more than a tantalizing glimpse. We pass through Khuldigar, Bamboo and Dovan before climbing above the Modi Khola to Himalaya Hotel. [5 hours walking].

Day 07 Rest day
Rest day for acclimatization.

Day 08 Trek to Machhapuchhare base camp [3700m]
Climbing steeply; we soon reach a fire-blackened overhang which has been walled-in to make a small lodge. This place is known as Hinku Cave. The trail rises continually now, as we near the entry to the Sanctuary. Passing the lodges at Deurali and Bagar, we arrive at the area known as Machhapuchhare Base Camp, a level and grassy moraine platform with several lodges. [3 to 4 hrs walking].

Day 09 Trek to Annapurna south base camp [4130m]
From our camp it is a fairly gentle ascent, following the river through tranquil meadows to Annapurna South Base Camp. After exploring the Annapurna Base Camp, we head back down to Himalaya Hotel. [2 hrs walking]

Day 10 Trek to Chomrong [2100m]
Today we continue up the vast gravel riverbed of the Kali Gandaki, passing mule trains travelling down from Tibet. The medieval Today we back track the up and down stage to Chomrong. [5 hrs walking].

Day 11 Trek to Ghandrunk [1940m]
From Chomrong, we'll take an alternative route back to Pokhara, via Ghorepani. After a gentle ascent through forests, the trail drops steeply to Khumnu where we cross the suspension bridge over the Khumnu Khola. From here, we follow the trail up the valley to the beautiful village of Ghandruk, where we camp for the night. [3-4 hrs walking].

Day 12 Trek to Banthanti [2410m]
From Ghandruk, the trail ascends steeply through the dense rhododendron forest to Tadapani, from where there are excellent views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhare. We then follow the trail gently up and down for an hour or so to Banthanti. [3 hrs walking].

Day 13 Trek to Ghorepani [2880m]
From Banthanti, the trail steepens, as we climb through rhododendron forest to Deorali [3100m], before dropping down to the lodges at Ghorepani. Along the way there are fine views of the mountains, including Machhapuchhare. [3 hrs walking]

Day 14 Trek to Nayapul, drive to Pokhara
It is a must for those who stay at Ghorepani to make the climb up to the celebrated view point of Poon Hill [3195m], and dawn is the best time to go. We arrange a wakeup call for 5:00 am and head up the well marked track by the light of our head torches. The first light of dawn illuminates Dhaulagiri and Tukuche Peak with a surreal pink glow. You may be able to buy coffee and breakfast from some enterprising Nepali who has carried his produce up to Poon Hill to take advantage of the morning trade.

Leaving Ghorepani, the route is downhill and mostly on stone steps through dense forest. We pass the occasional lodge in a clearing before reaching the small village of Ulleri. From Ulleri, a very steep section, [with 3767 steps!], leads down to Hille on the Bhurungdi Khola.

A further descent on big steps takes it out of your legs, but is followed by a more level stretch beside the river, which leads eventually to Birethanti. Forty minutes beyond Birethanti we arrive at the road and meet up with our transport for the one hour ride back to Pokhara. We have evening free to wander by the lake. [6 hrs walking].

Day 15 Fly/Drive to Kathmandu
Today we take a flight or private car ride back to Kathmandu.

Day 16 Depart Kathmandu
Our Nepalese support team will take you to the airport for your flight home or stay longer for short tours such as game drive at National parks, rafting, Tibet.

Annapurna Base Camp Trekking Photographs