THE ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY TREK
Grade: 3 +
Time Period: 12 days
Warning: Altitude Sickness
The Annapurna region in Central Nepal is the most geographically and culturally diverse region for trekking with over 3,000 visitors. The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) working along with the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation have declared this region as area of conservation and sustainable development. Stretched over 2600 sq. km., the area boasts of a variety of diverse cultures, tribes and castes as the Brahmins, Chettris, Newars, Gurungs, Magars, Manangis and the Tibetans. This area has sub-tropical lowlands, valleys, bamboo, oak and rhododendron forests, alpine meadows, windswept desert plateaus and the towering Annapurna Mountains. This area has the world's deepest river gorge, Kali Gandaki, lying some 6900 metres/22,563 ft. below some of the world's largest and most beautiful mountains as the Annapurna I (world's 8th highest) & Fishtail (one of the most beautiful). Animals and birds are in abundance in this region. 440 species of birds and animals like the marten, deer, langur and the elusive snow leopard live in this area.
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Our representative will receive you from International airport and transfer to the Hotel.
Evening: Briefing about the trip in the hotel.
Day 02: Drive to Pokhara or fly Option
The drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara is 7 hours on a tourist bus. Trekking staff will arrive at your Hotel at 6:30AM in the morning to pick you up then the bus will leave around 7:00AM to Pokhara. If you want to fly to Pokhara instead of taking the long journey by bus, this is also possible. There are several flights to Pokhara from 9 am in the morning to 3 pm in the afternoon which offers a splendid view of the Himalayas in the north. Pokhara is a picturesque lake town nestled in the shadow of the Himalayan Peaks and is the suitable startup point for trekking. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 03: Drive to Nayapul and trek to Ulleri
The drive to Nayapul is around two hours. After this short drive, we pack up the bags for porters and start our trip. We walk through the lush, green Modi river valley, past waterfalls with plunge pools that invite you to swim. The ascend of the steep staircase to Magar village of Ulleri (2,070m) a tough one for the first day but you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the valley below and the peaks of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. Overnight at Lodge.
Day 04: Trek to Ghorepani
The trek today is a gentle climb through pasture and cultivated fields. After Banthati the trail then continues to ascend more gently, through fine forests of oak and rhododendrons forest to Ghorepani (2,840m). Overnight at Lodge.
Day 05: Poon Hill Visit and Trek to Tadapani
Today, very early in the morning, we start an hour hiking to Poon Hill at elevation of 3200 meters. Poon Hill is a famous view point and provides an unobstructed view of sunrise over the high Himalayas. After spending an hour at the view point we return to Ghorepani where we take a hot breakfast and then we trek to Tadapani (2,610m). The trail ascends up to Deurali pass and descends steeply through dense moss-covered forest rich with birdlife to Tadapani. Overnight at Lodge.
Day 06: Trek to Chhomrong
The day starts with steep downhill through rhododendron forests. Leaving Tadapani, we descend steeply through forests and then the trail eases as we reach Gurjung which is the village of Gurung people, with an easy walk to Chommrong at elevation of 2,140m. Overnight at Lodge.
Towering above the village is the mighty peak of Annapurna South, with the Fishtail facing it across the valley.
Day 07: Trek to Himalaya Hotel
We walk through the forest to Kuldi Ghar, before the route goes steeply down a bank of rock and then levels out, running through riverside bamboo thickets along the base of the gorge. Because there are no villages in this valley, the forests are untouched and we have a very pleasant walk through oak, rhododendron forest as we climb and then descend to a place called Bamboo (2,335m).Then the track winds steeply up through deep bamboo and rhododendron forest to Himalaya Hotel (2,680m) Overnight at Lodge.
Day 08: Trek to Fishtail Base Camp (Machhapuchhere Base Camp)
Our day begins with the climb through bamboo, then rhododendron forests to Hinko cave.
The track remains on the west bank of the Modi, now flowing through a more open valley, and eventually emerges into the Sanctuary. Straight ahead is the high lateral moraine of the South Annapurna glacier and the Modi follows a deep cliff to the right. This is the site of Machhapuchhre base camp (3,480m). Overnight at Lodge.
Day 09: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp
Annapurna Base Camp is totally surrounded by mountains and this area is also known as the Annapurna Sanctuary. Two hours trek from Machhapuchhare Base Camp brings us to the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) at elevation of 4,130m. There, you will view unobstructed views of mountain scenery, which is very spectacular. Since we arrive at the base camp early, we spend our time visiting to the glaciers and taking the trip further to the base of the mountains. Overnight at Lodge.
Day 10: Trek back to Bamboo
From Annapurna Base Camp we follow the same trail down today. It is around 7 hours easy walk back to Bamboo. Overnight at Lodge.
Day 11: Trek to Jhinuwa Hot Spring
We follow the same trail until Chommrong. From Chomrong the trail descends very steeply to the Jhinuwa hot spring, where you can bathe in natural hot springs. Overnight at Lodge.
Day 12: Trek to Deurali
From Jhinuwa hot spring we start our trek to Deurali. Deurali is a good view point to look at the Annapurna range and the route you have trekked in the last days. Overnight at Lodge.
Day 13: Trek to Phedi and drive to Pokhara
We make a three hour trek downhill to Phedi where our vehicle awaits us to transfer us to Pokhara. Afternoon is free to explore the town. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 14: Drive back to Kathmandu
The drive back from Pokhara to Kathmandu takes around 7 hours. Afternoon is free in Kathmandu to do the last minute shopping. In the evening, a cultural dinner together with cultural dance is served.
