Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Highlights
- Enjoy excellent views of Annapurna Himalayas from Annapurna Base Camp
- Get rich cultural insights into Gurung Villages
- Excellent panoramic sunrise and sunset views on most of the days
Overview
Annapurna Base Camp Trek is also an opportunity to walk across naturally beautiful landscapes, huge glaciers, and rhododendron forests, explore the rice paddy fields, local Gurung culture and traditions.
We drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara on the first day of the trip. Your trekking journey starts from Naya pul. You reach Ghorepani on the third day of the trip and Poon Hill the day after that. If the weather is good, you will get to watch sunrise from Poon Hill before continuing your journey to Annapurna Base Camp via Dovan and Deurali. When reaching Annapurna Base Camp, you'll get a 360 degree panoramic close-up view of the surrounding towering mountain peaks, a view that you will treasure the rest of your life. On the way down you can relax in a hot spring at Jhinu before returning to Pokhara from where you will be driven to Kathmandu.
- Day 1 - Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara
We initiate our Annapurna Base Camp Trek after taking a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Following the trisuli river, we stop at few spot for lunch.
After crossing a bridge over Marshyangdi River we head further west to Pokhara. Upon arrival at the paradise city of Pokhara, check in at your hotel and you may relax at Shore of Phewa Lake, enjoy boating or simply enjoy evening time at Lakeside.
- Day 2 - Drive to Nayapul and Trek to Ulleri - 7 hrs trek
An hour and a half long drive takes you from Pokhara to Naya Pul. Follow the Modi River to Birethanti, a beautiful village with many guest houses. Take the route to Ulleri travelling along the banks of the Burungdi River.
Travel past Hile (1495m) and Tikhedhunga (1525m) to reach Ulleri (2073m), a beautiful Magar village. Although the route is generally uphill and steep at places, you will enjoy the experience of trekking on an undulating landscape, past picturesque Magar villages, before settling in Ulleri for the night.
- Day 3 - Trek to Ghorepani - 5 hrs trek
Today's trail winds up through oak and rhododendron forests and leads to Ghorepani, one of most popular destinations along the Annapurna route. A village in Myagdi District and located at an altitude of 2856m, Ghorepani is known for offering travellers breathtaking sceneries of the mountains.
- Day 4 - Hike to Poon Hill and Trek to Tadapani - 6 hrs trek
We start our day early today before sunrise and trek towards the beautiful viewpoint of Poonhill. It will be a magical experience to witness the beauty of snowcapped mountains from Poon Hill which is indescribable when the rising sun’s rays gradually strikes the Himalayan giants including Dhaulagiri range, Annapurna South, Tukuche, Manaslu, Fishtail and many others.
We have a great time at Poonhill and return to Ghorepani for breakfast. Further, we descend towards Tadapani walking through the beautiful rhododendron forest. After one hour of steep climbing, we come to a hill top, the place named Deurali. We see very nice view from Deurali. We climb down through bamboo forests from Deurali. We have our lunch at Banthanti and again continue through rhododendron forest.
- Day 5 - Trek to Chhomrong - 5 hrs trek
Today we continue our Annapurna Base camp trek descending down the trails. With plenty of forested walk through beautiful villages, we will then, cross the suspension bridge. A few more miles of uphill and downhill trek past waterfall and suspension bridge, we reach Chhomrong, which is our destination for today.
Chhomrong which is a beautiful village located on the lap of the Annapurna range. The Fish Tail Mountain seems gorgeous from the beautiful Chhomrong Village.
- Day 6 - Trek to Dovan - 6 hrs trek
We will follow the beautiful Modi river, along with nearby valleys, and leave for small Gurung settlement of Chhomrong river through a suspension bridge. Then we will follow the tiny settlement of Tilche through the bamboo forest through rhododendron and oak. We will head towards Sinuwa.
Watching faunas like Langur monkeys and other floras, we descend through the bamboo staircase. Following the steep trails we arrive at Dovan at the end of the day.
- Day 7 - Trek to Deaurali - 4 hrs trek
We start our day after ascending through beautiful forests and we walk today enjoying all the nature. We will reach Deurali at lunch time. If you are fit and fine without any signs of altitude sickness then, you might want to go up to the Macchapuchre Base Camp. But for proper acclimatization, overnight stay at Deurali is scheduled.
- Day 8 - Trek to MBC - 3 hrs trek
After few hours of gradual trekking, we go for a steep ascent and arrive at the Himalaya Hotel. We will get excellent views of Mt. Machhapuchre and other surrounding peaks from this site.
We go pass the Hinku Cave, cross plenty of suspension bridges and the vegetation is sparse offering great views of landscapes. We can also see wispy waterfalls cascading on sheer rock face cliffs. We cross the small bridge on the Modi Khola and continue climbing up the wide and boulder scattered glacial valley. The Machhapucchhre looks very different now as the vegetation is sparse of mainly upland rhododendron.
We cross Modi Khola once again and after following it for a while we start climbing up to the Machhapuchhre Base Camp. The trail leaves the river and ascends steadily towards the moraine ridge ahead on the left side of the valley behind which the lodges are situated.
We feel rewarded reaching Machhapuchhre Base Camp as we see majestic views of the magnificent Mt. Machhapuchhre along with Mt. Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna III, Gandharvachuli and Gangapurna.
- Day 9 - Trek to Annapurna Base Camp - 3 hrs trek
Today is the most important day of our trip. We will be arriving at the Annapurna Base Camp. The trail climbs steadily up the gorge between the moraine ridge of Annapurna Glacier and Hiunchuli Peak with an incredible view of Annapurna South and Baraha Shikhar ahead and Machhapucchhre looking back.
We get 360 panoramic views of snow capped mountains from Annapurna base camp including compelling views of the Machhapuchhre, Annapurna I, Annapurna south, Hiunchuli and so many other peaks.
Rest of the day, we enjoy great sunset views
- Day 10 - Trek down to Bamboo - 7 hrs trek
Today is the most important day of our trip. We will be arriving at the Annapurna Base Camp. The trail climbs steadily up the gorge between the moraine ridge of Annapurna Glacier and Hiunchuli Peak with an incredible view of Annapurna South and Baraha Shikhar ahead and Machhapucchhre looking back.
We get 360 panoramic views of snow capped mountains from Annapurna base camp including compelling views of the Machhapuchhre, Annapurna I, Annapurna south, Hiunchuli and so many other peaks.
Rest of the day, we enjoy great sunset views.
- Day 11 - Trek down to Jhinu Danda - 6 hrs trek
We further descend through the ABC trekking trails today. Today we leave behind Bamboo, Chhomrong and finally arrive at Jhinu Danda. It will be mostly descending today also with few incline walks. We cross the Chhomrong river and arrive at Jhinu. After walking about 20 minutes down the main trail, we can be at natural hot spring place. We take a dip in and enjoy the natural hot water spa. It relaxes our tired muscles and boosts our energy. Later at the end of the day, we take a good night sleep.
- Day 12 - Trek to Nayapul and drive to Pokhara
During the final day of our Annapurna Base Camp trek, we gradually descend towards the river stream and climb through the fields and arrive at Sauli Bazar from where the trail straightens towards Nayapul.
We will then enjoy the walk through terrace fields while walking towards Nayapul from where we catch a drive to the scenic lake city of Pokhara. Relax and enjoy free time at Pokhara.
- Day 13 - Drive back to Kathmandu
We drive back to Kathmandu today. Try to get left pane of your vehicle to enjoy the greeneries, mountains, river gorges, villages and terraces during the drive. In the evening, we will have a farewell dinner in a traditional Nepalese restaurant with cultural performances.
- Airport pick up and drop upon arrival and departure (complimentary service)
- 2 night's hotel accommodation in Pokhara with breakfast. Guesthouse accommodation during the trek
- Three times meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) each day during the trek
- 1 professional, licensed, English-speaking trekking guide. A well-experienced English-speaking assistant guide if the group size exceeds 10 people
- All applicable taxes, necessary trekking permits, Annapurna Conservation Area fees and Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) card
- Teahouse/lodge accommodation (twin sharing ) during the trek
- Duffle bag and sleeping bag for use during the trek. (If needed)
- Glorious Himalaya Company T – shirt and trip achievement certificate
- First aid medical kit
- All Surface Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara and Pokhara Kathmandu my tourist Bus
- Internatioal flights and Nepal travel visa fees.
- Porter availabe at an extra cost.
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu or Pokhara
- Personal equipments and clothing
- Personal expenses such as phone calls, bar bills, laundry, battery recharge, bottle or boiled water, hot shower, use of WIFI.
- Tips for guides and porters (Expected but not mandatory)