Annapurna Sanctuary, Poon Hill & Annapurna Base Camp

Annapurna Sanctuary, Poon Hill & Annapurna Base Camp

This is a spectacular trek that takes you deep into the Annapurna mountain range. Starting from Nayapul or Phedi, the trail meanders through terraced fields, charming villages, and lush rhododendron forests. Ascending higher, the reward is breathtaking views of towering peaks including Annapurna I (8091m) and Machapuchare, also known as Fishtail Peak (6993m).

Trekking through a diverse range of landscapes, from serene valleys to lush forests, is a truely immersive experience in the heart of the Annapurna Sanctuary, a place that's been referred to as the "Sanctuary of Gods". Encounter traditional Gurung and Magar settlements and learn about the rich cultural heritage and hospitality of the local people. Reaching Annapurna Base Camp, at an altitude of 4130m, is an awe-inspiring accomplishment. Surrounded by towering peaks and a vast glacier, the base camp offers a sense of tranquility and grandeur that's captivating.

This trek typically takes around 7 to 12 days, depending on the chosen route and pace. It requires a moderate level of fitness and preparation, as the trail involves some steep ascents and descents. The stunning beauty of the Annapurna region and the warm hospitality of local communities make this trek an unforgettable experience.

Itinerary

• Day 1

  Arrive Kathmandu (1300m) and transfer to hotel

  Welcome to Nepal. Once through immigration and baggage collection, head to the meeting area outside the airport where you'll be met by one of our local team for the transfer drive to your hotel. After time to rest and get refreshed, you'll have an informal briefing and overview about the local area and tomorrow's guided tour of Kathmandu plus a chance to ask any questions. This evening we invite you to enjoy a complimentary welcome dinner at one of the finest traditional Nepalese restaurants in Kathmandu. Overnight Kathmandu.

• Day 2

  Trek preparation day - optional guided sightseeing in Kathmandu and the Valley (1300m)

  Today is a trek preparation day - a chance to rest and relax, make any last minute purchases or preparations for your trek and explore the local area.

  If it's your first visit to Nepal and you'd like a guided introduction to the key sites, we're happy to arrange guided sightseeing today as an optional extra. Please let us know and we'll be happy to arrange this for you. Your guided tour would include a chance to explore some of the key cultural and heritage sites of Kathmandu including Kathmandu Durbar Square, an impressive World Heritage Site and hugely important place in Nepalese history and culture. You'll be able to visit the ancient palace complex and the temple of the Living Goddess of Nepal , the Kumari. You'll also visit Hanuman Dhoka and Kasthamandap Temple. From here, we'll drive to a key Buddhist site, Swoyambhunath Stupa, also known as the "Monkey Temple" on the hill overlooking Kathmandu city. After time here we'll continue to Pashupatinath Temple, the holiest shrine for Hindus, situated on the banks of the holy Bagmati River, a popular cremation site. Before returning to your hotel we'll visit Boudhnath Stupa, an important Tibetan Buddhist pilgrimage site, with the huge stupa surrounded by many small monasteries, shops and cafes.

  Today, your guide will also meet with you to provide a briefing on your trek and answer any questions you may have. The rest of your evening is at leisure to rest, relax or perhaps explore locally. Overnight Kathmandu.

• Day 3

  Drive to Pokhara (822m) 05 -06 hrs scenic drive.

  After breakfast this morning it's time for the scenic drive to the lakeside town of Pokhara. Pokhara is known as the gateway to treks into the Annapurna and neighbouring regions, as being the adventure capital of Nepal and for beautiful Lake Phewa and the wonderful peaks views. The driving route today takes us through the foothills of the Himalayas, past towns, villages and countryside. We'll stop a few times en route to rest and enjoy lunch. Reaching Pokhara, the rest of your afternoon and evening is at leisure to rest and relax and take a stroll around the lakeside of beautiful Phewa Lake, with its small cafes, bars and shops. Overnight at local hotel.  

• Day 4

  Drive to Nayapul 02 hrs, trek to Ulleri (2050m) 03 hrs trek.

  This morning it's another scenic drive of around 25km on a good road, from Pokhara to the trek start point. The local scenery is beautiful, as we pass through the villages of Naudanda, Kanre, and Lumle, all the way to Nayapul. and the start point for our trek. The trek route begins as the trail follows the Modi River upstream to the small town of Birethanti, with views of Machhapuchhre (FishTail Peak) in front of us. From here we follow the trail north west up the valley and along the bank of the Bhurungdi Khola river, with scenery of rushing waterfalls and tall, green forests. We stop for lunch at Ramghai. We'll pass a few small settlements today including Hille (1500m) as the trail climbs up steeply up the long, stone steps, through the surrounding scenery of rice terraces and the Annapurna Himalaya, for the last few hours of today's trek as we approach Ulleri, a large Magar village, where we'll rest overnight.

• Day 5

  Ulleri to Ghorepani (2855m) 05-06 hrs trek

  From Ulleri, the ascent is more gentle and leads through the cool shade of the forest. The trail continues with a few short ascents and descents, as we walk through the midst of the giant rhododendron forest, which makes any exertion feel easier. We'll reach Ghorepani after a good 5-6 hours of trekking. Ghorepani Deurali is a busy spot on a ridge in the midst of the beautiful rhododendron forest, offering grand views of the Dhaulagiri mountain range to the west and the Annapurna mountain range to the north.  Overnight at local teahouse lodge.

• Day 6

  Ghorepani (2855m) to Poon Hill (3210m) to Tadapani (2650m)

  This morning there's an optional and highly recommended, early morning start for the 45 to 60 minute hike up to Poon Hill. We ascend by flashlight and moonlight with glimpses of stars as we walk through the rhododendron forest. Named after the hill tribe Pun who inhabit the local area, Poon Hill is a wonderful vantage point with incredible panoramic mountain views. From here, enjoy peak views from the far western Himalaya of Dolpo, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Machhapuchare adn Manaslu, all the way to the Ganesh Himalayan range of peaks. A range of almost 600km of mountains can be viewed from this magnificent location. It's worth an early rise to watch the sun rise over the mid-western Himalaya range. After time enjoying the sunrise and peak views, we head back down to Ghorepani for breakfast. After breakfast, it's around 05 hours trek to Tadapani. Our trail passes through rhododendron, pine, fir, and bamboo forests, with a few short ascents and descents until we reach Tadapani. We'll stop for lunch at Banthanti. From Tadapani, we'll have great close up views of Annapurna and Macchapuchare, situated in the midst of rainforest and alpine mixed forest. Overnight at a local teahouse lodge.

• Day 7

  Tadapani to Chhomrong (1951m) 05 - 06 hrs trek

  The trek from Tadapani offers good views of the upper Modi Valley. The route begins with a long ascent, high above the west bank of the Modi Khola river. The trail from Tadapani runs gradually downhill most of the way, through a pristine forest of oak and rhododendron, with occasional views of the Annapurnas. The trail is very pleasant all the way to Kimrong Khola, where we will stop for lunch. The trail from here leads uphill for around 1-2 hours to reach the top of the ridge, From here, the walk is fairly easy all the way to the village of Chhomrong, which is situated at the base of Hiunchuli (6441m), and is the last village before and the gateway in to the stunning Annapurna Sanctuary. Overnight at a local teahouse lodge.

• Day 8

  Chhomrong to Himalaya (2873m) or Dovan (2540m) 06 -07 hrs trek.

  From Chhomrong, the trail leads through rice terraces as we descend to the river. After the bridge, its uphill most of the way for around 2 to 3 hours until we reach the small village of Khuldi-ghar. Here, our trekking permits and conservation tickets will be checked and registered, so it's important to keep them safe. After Khuldi, the trail leads downhill for approximately 1to 2 hours through bamboo bushes, until we reach Bamboo. This is a village set in the midst of a bamboo, rhododendron, and oak forest, with just a few teahouses. After a brief stop here, an hour's walk on the gentle uphill path brings us to Dovan, an isolated spot with 2 to 3 teahouses, amidst the forest and near the raging Modi River. From here the trail continues for another 2 hours, the route winding steeply up a bank of rock and then levelling out, running through thickets of bamboo at the bottom of the gorge. We follow along the west bank of the river until we reach a small shrine at Panchen Barah. From here, the trail climbs to the Himalaya Hotel, where we will rest tonight. Overnight at a local teahouse lodge.

• Day 9

  Himalaya to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC 4130m) XX hrs trek.

  From Himalaya it’s around an hour's trek to reach Hinko (2960m), beginning with a rocky trail through the forests then up a steep ravine. The trail then crosses a ravine and a major avalanche track just beyond Hinko, and then climbs over and winds through large boulders. About half an hour beyond Hinko is Deurali, (3000m).  As the trail continues into the Annapurna Sanctuary, it crosses two wide avalanche tracks on a narrow trail that closely hugs the cliffs, before descending to meet the Modi Khola river. Our route then follows the river to Bagar. From Bagar, we cross more avalanche paths and cross a moraine and a stream. The trail then climbs towards an area known as Machhapuchahre Base Camp (MBC), at the elevation of 3480m. Enjoy panoramic views of Hiunchuli, Annapurna I, Annapurna III, Gangapurna, and Machhapuchare (6,997m). Overnight at a local teahouse lodge.

• Day 10

  Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) to Dovan (2525m) XX hrs trek.

  After time to enjoy and explore Annapurna Base Camp (ABC), we retrace our journey back to Dovan via Machhapuchare Base Camp (MBC). The route passes a few roofless shepherds’ huts alongside a moraine. This area is cold and windy, and is often snowbound. When we reach Deurali, we'll stop for lunch before continuing back to Dovan. Overnight at a local teahouse lodge. 

• Day 11

  Dovan to Jhinu (1780m) xx hrs trek.

  From Dovan, the morning our trek begins with a short climb to Khuldi, from where the trail descends all the way to the bridge. From the bridge, the trail continues uphill to reach Chomrong. After a short break here, we continue to another short uphill section as the trail climbs towards Jhinu. Here we'll take the trail that branches off from last teahouse of upper Chomrong. The path is quite steep downhill for around an hour, until we reach the village on the ridge. Time permitting, we'll visit the hot springs down below by the river Modi near Jhinu village. Overnight at a local teahouse lodge.

• Day 12

  Jhinu Dana to Nayapul and transfer drive to Pokhara (822m) xx hrs trek.

  From Jhinu, the trail follows the Modi River most of the way to reach Landruk village. From here, we follow a downhill path leading back to the Modi River, with a short climb on a winding path. After reaching Syauli Bazaar, the walk is pleasant and fairly easy most of the way, again following the Modi River to Birethanthi and then back to Nayapul where our trek ends. We'll be met by our driver for the transfer drive back to Pokhara. The rest of this afternoon and evening is at leisure to rest and relax and explore the local lakeside area with its lively shops, cafes and bars. Overnight at local hotel. 

• Day 13

  Fly Pokhara to Kathmandu

  This morning it's time for the transfer to Pokhara airport and the short flight (approximately 25 minutes) back to Kathmandu. You'll be met on arrival for the transfer drive to your hotel with the rest of your day to rest, relax by the pool or explore the local area and do any last minute shopping. Overnight at local hotel.

• Day 14

  Depart Kathmandu.

  This morning is free until time to check out and your transfer to the International Airport for your departure flight home or, if you've added an extension trip, onward to your next destination.