Discover a world of breathtaking mountain peaks on this exciting expedition to the vast natural amphitheatre of the Annapurna Sanctuary. Leaving the foothills we pass under the great bulk of Macchapuchare and spend a night at base camp. After trekking the himilayas, enjoy some well earned rest beside the lake in Pokhara.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
Day 1:
Join tour Kathmandu
Transfer to hotel and check-in.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
Day 2:
In Kathmandu
After breakfast there will be a trek briefing by your tour leader to let you know the programme for the next few days, to make sure everyone is properly equipped for the trek and to give you an idea of what to expect on a day to day basis. We have then arranged a walking tour, visiting the bazaar and the Durbar Square area, the centre of old Kathmandu. Much of the day to day life of Kathmandu takes place in the bazaar: a fascinating mixture of people selling fruit, vegetables and spices; potters spinning their wheels to produce small household bowls and containers for temple offerings; devotees visiting their favourite gods at temples and small shrines dotted along the sides of alleyways; rickshaw wallahs honking their horns and the ever present sacred cow wandering amongst it all. In the afternoon there is the option to visit the Temple of Pashupatinath on the banks of the Bagmati River, the holiest Hindu shrine in Nepal, or alternatively visit Bodnath, the largest stupa in the country and a destination for Buddhist pilgrims from all over Nepal.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 3:
Fly to Pokhara, then drive to Dhampus Phedi
An early morning transfer to the domestic terminal sees us boarding the flight for the short 30 minute flight to Pokhara (819m), from where we travel by bus to Dhampus Phedi and the start of our trek. Ascending a steep section of stone steps we then negotiate our way through a forest up to the village of Dhampus located on the ridgeline at 1700m and our final destination for the day. Approximately 2 1/2 hours walking. Overnight altitude 1700m.
Overnight Teahouse (H)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4:
Trek to Landruk
This morning we continue our ascent, following the trail up to the village of Pothana, before climbing up through beautiful chestnut forests to a small pass that lies at 2150m. From here we begin a descent that takes us on through more lush forest to our lunch stop near Tolka (1790m). We’ll enjoy some fabulous views of Machhapuchhare, Annapurna South and Hiunchuli and, high up on the opposite side of the Modi Khola valley, we can also see Ghandruk village. In the spring the forest is full of orchids and colourful rhododendrons and it is not unusual to see lammergeiers soaring in the thermals above the valley. Our path down may be slippery and muddy as we descend steeply from the pass towards the paved streets of Landruk village (1620m), home to many retired Gurkhas and our overnight stop for the day. Approximately 5 hours walking. Overnight altitude 1620m.
Overnight Teahouse (H)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5:
To Chommrong
Descending from Landruk this morning, we then continue upstream, trekking above the Modi Khola to Himalpani (1340m). Crossing the river we then follow the contours around the valley and cross the Kimrong Khola by bridge, before making a short ascent to Jhin Danda. There will be an option here to pay a visit to the nearby hot springs (a short 20 minute return walk), before we begin the long steep ascent to join the main trail to Chommrong. The high point above the main valley is a favourite place for soaring vultures, griffons and lammergeiers, providing us with some awesome vistas as we begin the descent to Chommrong (2060m), the last major settlement before the Sanctuary and an attractive place for us to end the day amidst its alpine lodges and scenic views. Approximately 6 hours walking. Overnight altitude 2060m.
Overnight Teahouse (H)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6:
To Dovan
Descending to cross the Chommrong Khola River by suspension bridge, we enjoy some excellent views of Machhapuchare today (now exhibiting its distinctive ‘fishtail’ profile) and Annapurna South. We continue to climb steeply, negotiating a trail that leads us through oak and rhododendron forests until we reach a welcome teahouse on top of the ridge at Sinuwa (2350m). The ascent to Kuldigarth (2470m) is then more gradual, continuing through more lush forest to our lunch stop at the Bamboo Hotel (2340m). This afternoon we continue our ascent towards Dovan, beyond which lies the unofficial gateway into the Sanctuary, walking through wet bamboo forest to reach our accommodation later this afternoon. Approximately 6-7 hours walking. Overnight altitude 2630m.
Overnight Teahouse (H)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7:
To Machhapuchare Base Camp
The track continues up past the so-called ‘weeping wall’ and the shrine to the ‘God of the Jungle’, to the Himalaya Hotel (2840m). Passing several spectacular waterfalls which cascade down the opposite side of the Modi Khola, we climb through bamboo forest to reach Hinku Cave at 3100m. Crossing to Deorali (3140m) for lunch, we then climb further to pass between Machhapuchare and Huinchuli – the ‘Gates’ into the Sanctuary. Climbing over rocky moraine we arrive at Machhapuchare Base Camp (3720m) later this afternoon. Overshadowed by Annapurna South and the beautiful shape of Machhapuchare (machha, fish’ and puchare, ‘tail’), one of Nepal’s holy mountains, this is a quite awe-inspiring setting in which to end our day’s trekking, the mountain landscapes providing us with a sight to raise the spirits of even the most tired amongst us. Approximately 7 hours walking. Overnight altitude 3720m.
Overnight Teahouse (H)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8:
Excursion towards Annapurna Base Camp
We spend the day enjoying the views within the very heart of the sanctuary. Having made a 'crack of dawn' start to get the best of the day, we follow part of the route taken by British mountaineer Chris Bonnington on the 1970 Annapurna South Face Expedition. Following west along a moraine to the north of Hiunchuli, we reach several stone buildings at 4130m and then ascend to a spectacular viewpoint. Here we have amazing views of the peaks encircling us including close up views of the South face of Annapurna I which towers over the Sanctuary and also of Annapurna South glacier. We will have time to enjoy this special mountain panorama, to sit amongst the edelweiss and watch the ice carving its way from the glacier, before descending back to Machhapuchare Base Camp. Approximately 3.5 hours walking. Overnight altitude 3720m.
Overnight Teahouse (H)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9:
To Sinuwa
We begin our descent today as we head for Bamboo (2340m), passing through the bamboo forest and crossing a number of rocky avalanche chutes, before climbing up to Kuldigarth and following the contours of the valley around to Sinuwa once more. Approximately 6 1/2 hours walking. Overnight altitude 2360m.
Overnight Teahouse (H)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10:
To Komrong Danda
Descending through rhododendron forest full of noisy birds – mostly Black-capped Sibia, we then cross the Chommrong Khola and climb up to Chommrong village (2060m) where we take a rest break. We then begin a short climb back up through forest to the small village of Komrong Danda (2654m) where we spend the night. Approximately 5 1/2 hours walking. Overnight altitude 2654m.
Overnight Teahouse (H)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11:
To Pokhara
With excellent views back towards the mountains, our trail today descends through huge boulders to a small creek, before continuing into Ghandruk village(1970m). Ghandruk is a large, prosperous place inhabited by the Gurung people and from here the views of Machapuchare, Hiunchuli and Annapurna South are simply stunning. Much of the wealth of the village has come from pensions paid to Gurung soldiers who were formerly in the Ghurka regiments of the British Army. Leaving Ghandruk we initially follow a paved trail high above the river, crossing through small settlements and a pleasant pastoral landscape, before we begin to descend steeply to the Modi Khola at Syauli Bazaar (1140m). Continuing to walk beside the river we next reach the bustling stone-paved bazaar village of Birethante, with its many shops, souvenir sellers and passing mule trains. A further short walk then brings us to Nayaphul, the main Baglung-Pokhara highway, from where we conclude the journey back to Pokhara by road (a journey of around 1.5 hours). Approximately 6 1/2 hours walking.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 12:
In Pokhara
Today has been left free to enjoy something of Pokhara’s many attractions at your leisure. Set on the banks of Phewa Tal Lake, Pokhara is Nepal’s second largest town and presents a far more relaxed aspect than Kathmandu. Its beautiful lakeside setting, beneath the imposing shadow of the stunning Annapurna Range, makes it the perfect ending point for our trek. From here there are superb views of the snow-capped Annapurnas, with only foothills separating the town from the high mountain ranges beyond, including Machhapuchare’s famous fishtail. You could visit Tashiling, a thriving village of Tibetan refugees with its own schools and monastery, where you can watch Tibetan carpets being made. Alternatively hire a boat to visit the small temple of Barahi Mandir, on an island on Phewa Tal. Once part of the bustling trade routes between India and Tibet, Pokhara has always been a centre of trade and even today mule trains can be seen around the outskirts of the village, bringing in goods to the local Gurung and Magar farmers. A walk through the small Gurung and Chettri settlements to a ridge above Pokhara, presents some majestic views across the Annapurna range and the surrounding ridges and valleys towards the nearby villages and the serene tranquillity of Phewa Tal. Of course you may just wish simply to sit back and admire the breathtaking beauty all around, or spend part of the day doing some trading of your own, enjoying a walk along the lakeside bazaar in search of souvenirs.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 13:
Drive to Kathmandu
Leaving Pokhara we take the Prithvi Highway originally constructed by the Chinese in 1975. We drive initially through mostly Brahmin and Chhetri villages, distinguished by their ochre coloured houses. We soon leave the flat Seti Valley behind though and then cross the Madi Khola near Damauli, where there may be good views of the Annapurnas to the north up the valley. We’ll pass the Marsyangdi hydroelectric project and soon afterwards the town of Mugling, at the confluence of the Marsyangdi and Trisuli rivers. The road starts to climb once we reach Naubise, and reaches a pass on the Kathmandu Valley rim via a series of breathtaking zigzags, from where we complete the journey back to the Nepalese capital. Alternatively you may choose to take the half hour flight between Pokhara and Kathmandu (optional), however do be aware that in the unlikely event that the flight is cancelled you will be responsible for your own onward transportation costs.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 14:
In Kathmandu
In the morning there is the opportunity to take a flight towards the Himalaya (optional, weather permitting), with outstanding views of the Everest region. Local airlines operate this flight every morning. The flight lasts 45 mins and flies initially from west to east towards Everest before turning back to Kathmandu. So those on the left of the plane get good views on the outward leg and those on the right get them on the return. This afternoon there is then an opportunity to take an optional excursion to the almost perfectly preserved Newari town of Bhaktapur in the eastern corner of the Kathmandu Valley. Also know as Bhadgaun or the City of the Devotees, Bhaktapur evokes the feel of a medieval village, a snapshot of a time when the city lay along the prosperous trade routes between Tibet, China and India. The ancient centre of the town is a dazzling collection of temples, palaces and monasteries that has earned it a place on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. A wander around this cultural gem, taking in its beguiling charms and enjoying the sight of artisans going about their craft, much as they have for generations, makes for a captivating visit.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 15:
Tour ends Kathmandu
Included meals: Breakfast
