Highlights of Annapurna Base camp Trek
- The stepped pastures above Pokhara.
- Visit the inward sanctuary of Annapurna with panoramic views of 10 peaks over 6000m tall.
- Views of Annapurna ranges and Dhaulagiri, Kaligandaki from Poonhill.
- Enclosed by a ring of inspiring mountains, including Annapurna I 8091m (26540ft.).
- The amalgamation of beautiful villages and farmland at Ghandruk, against the vista of high peaks.
- Natural hot spring at Jhinudanda.
Annapurna Base camp Trekking Nepal
Annapurna, the tenth highest top in the world having an elevation of 8091 meters above the sea level calls you for a journey you’ll never forget. Annapurna Base Camp Trekking is one of the exciting and popular trekking routes not only of Nepal but the whole world. The trek to Annapurna begins from the beautiful city Pokhara (City of Lakes). We will go through picturesque villages, beautiful pouring waterfalls, green meadows, captivating Rhododendron forests, and of-course startling scenes of snowcapped peaks before reaching the Annapurna Base Camp.
The Annapurna Base Camp trek offers you outstanding 360-degree panoramic views of the Annapurna ranges. The trek is going to be more pleasing on spring season as Gurans (Rhododendron flower) will make the whole forest colorful with red, pink and white. Nevertheless, it is possible to do the Annapurna Base Camp trek all year round.
In Annapurna Base Camp there are tremendous views of the close-vertical south face of Annapurna I (world 10th highest mountain- 8,091m) standing above the sanctuary to the northwest. The ascent of this face in 1970 by an expedition led by Chris Bonington remains one of the most remarkable climbs of 8000 meters peak. Generally, the morning is the best time for the mountains views. Mountains seen from ABC are Tharpu Chuli (tent peak 5663m), Singu Chuli peak; 6501m, Hiunchuli; 6441m and South Annapurna; 7219m. On our way, we can observe the memorial Chorten (Buddhist stone monument) build in memory for well-known climber Anatoli Boukrev from Kazakh who died in 1997 by an avalanche. That is the main viewpoint where you will see prayer flags with different countries flags attached to them. On the left side of the way to Chorten, you will see shepherds' hut. Next, to that, you will see a flock of sheep in the evening. When you follow few minutes ahead of shepherds' hut you will see another stoned Chortens which are built for the memory of three Korean climbers; Park Young Seok, Shin Dong-Min and Kang Ki- Seok who lost their contact with the base camp team on 18th October 2011. Three minutes beyond the Korean memorial Chorten, you have a wonderful sight of Annapurna glacier view.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu transfer to Hotel.
Once you land at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA), our airport representatives will kindly receive you and take you to your hotel (we usually book rooms of Hotel Thamel Park), in a private car or a high-end tourist bus. Our representatives will brief you about the trek. After checking in, you can either explore this vibrant and exciting city on your own, or, take a cozy rest at your hotel.
Day 02: Drive to Pokhara 6 to 7 hrs.
Early morning after breakfast, we will travel to Pokhara via Prithvi Highway. The scenic bus ride will be around 6-7 hours long. We can see western Himalayas, on our way. Beautiful but tad tiring bus ride to the beautiful valley of Pokhara, it is our gateway to the mountains. We can explore around this beautiful lake city in the night or go for boating in the grand Phewa Lake. We will spend the night at the hotel in Pokhara.
Day 03: Drive to Nayapul and trek to Hile (1430m) 5 to 6 hrs.
After breakfast at our hotel in Pokhara. We take the drive to Nayapul to start the actual trek. Driving from Pokhara to Nayapul takes around 1.5 hour. We will hike to Hile (from there the view of beautiful villages, hills and mountains will be gratifying and refreshing. Hike to Hile will take around 3 hours. We will walk around the bank of the Modi Khola.On reaching there, Walk around the village. We will have dinner and spend the night at a local guesthouse.
Day 04: Trek to Ghorepani (2,840m) 6 to 7 hrs.
After breakfast, early morning we will hike to reach Ghorepani. We will hike through Tikhedhunga (1,577m) and Ulleri (2,070m). At Ulleri, you will be able to witness the exquisite culture of the Magar people. We will walk through the beautiful oak and rhododendron forests to reach the small village called Banthanti (2,250m). After walking for a few hours uphill from there, we reach picturesque Ghorepani (2,840m) where we will spend the night at a tea-house.
Day 05: Hike up to Poonhill for sunrise and trek to Tadapani (2,610m) 6 to 7 hrs.
Very early in the morning we will hike to reach the beautiful Poonhill (3,210m). Poonhill is famous as the best viewpoint of the grand Annapurna region. The sunrise from here is truly splendid. The view of sunlight pouring into the panoramic mountains such as Annapurna and Dhaulagiri truly is heaven on earth. After spending an hour or two at Poonhill, we will hike down to Ghorepani. After a nourishing breakfast there, we will continue our climb along the ridges through pine and rhododendron forests. It will bring us to Deurali (2,690m). A short incline from there will bring us to our destination for today, Tadapani (2,610m). We will stay overnight in a guesthouse after dinner.
Day 06: Trek to Sinuwa (2,340m) 5 to 6 hrs.
Trek from Tadapani to Sinuwa (2,340m) will take around 6-7 hours. Walking down the beautiful rhododendron forests, we will reach a traditional village of Gurungs. Here, you will be able to see the lifestyle and culture of the Gurungs. From here, the trail becomes relatively easy. From there, we will continue our trek to Chhomrung (2,140m). Then after having lunch we continue to hiking to Sinuwa for a night stop. We will stay the night at a local guesthouse.
Day 07: Trek to Himalaya hotel (2,900m) 5 to 6 hrs.
In the morning, we will continue our trek to our next destination, beautiful village of Himalaya hotel. It will take us around 5-6 hours to reach there. Our trail first drops down the river Chhomrung Khola and then elevate through Khuldighar. Here, in the past used to be Annapurna Conservation Area Check Post. We will walk through the forests for a while and then follow the trail steeply downhill towards the bottom of the gorge, Dovan. Then another 1.5 walking to Himalayan hotel (2900m) through the lush green forest. We will be staying at a local guest house for the night.
Day 08: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m) 4 to 5 hrs.
After breakfast, we will start our final destination Annapurna Base Camp (4130m). After a short break and Lunch at MBC , we will again continue our trek to reach our destination Annapurna Base Camp (4,131m). It will take total of five to six hours to reach our destination. We will walk along the Machhapuchhre Base Camp to reach there. Also known as Annapurna Sanctuary, this place is guarded by mountains in all direction. Annapurna Base Camp is two hours walk from there. On reaching Annapurna Base Camp, you will be granted truly overwhelming view of the Himalayas, after witnessing superb sunset in the Himalayas, we will spend the night at a local guest house.
Day 09: Trek to Bamboo (2,345m) 5 to 6 hrs.
After spending some unforgettable hours with the mountains, we will hike down to beautiful Bamboo. It is around 6 hours walk. We will return following the same trail. Our trail drops by around 1,700m along the bank of Modi Khola to Bamboo at 2,345m. On reaching bamboo, we can go for a short exploration of the place. We will spend the night in a local guesthouse.
Day 10: Trek to Jhinu Danda (1,760m) 5 to 6 hrs.
In the morning we will hike to reach Jhinu Danda. We will make a steep ascent to Kuldi Ghar. From there to Sinuwa, and following the stone steps to Lower Chomrong. Then we will climb up thousand stone steps to reach Upper Chhomrong. Then, we will descend through the steep trail to Jhinu Danda. You can enjoy yourself in the natural hot springs 20 minutes away from Jhinu Danda. We will spend the night in a local guesthouse.
Day 11: Trek down to Siwai (1,100m) and back to Pokhara 5 to 6 hrs.
It’s around 2 hour hike down to siwai. siwai lies at altitude of around 1,100m on average. We will now leave the snow-capped mountains in the background as we hike down to Siwai. After reaching our destination, we will take a short refreshing break and drive to the lake city of Pokhara to spend the night.
Day 12: Drive back to Kathmandu 6 to 7 hrs.
After breakfast, we will travel to capital via Prithvi Highway. Once again the scenic bus ride will keep you refreshed throughout the journey. On reaching Kathmandu, you can once roam around this vibrant city and buy gifts and souvenirs to take back home.
Day 13: Final departure.
The day has come to leave this remarkable country. Our representatives will transfer you to the airport from where you’ll board a flight to your next destination. Bid farewell to this country of Himalayas with plans to visit next time. Because, once is never enough!
- Airport pickup and drop by private vehicle.
- Two night standards Hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast.
- Three meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) during the trek.
- Fresh fruits every nights after dinner.
- Trekking lodge accommodations during the trek.
- All necessary paper works (ACAP) entry permit& Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) permit.
- Tourist bus Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu.
- Private transport Pokhara-Nayapul and Phedi to Pokhara.
- English speaking well trained, Government license holder guide with all his salary, food, drinks, accommodation, transport and insurance.
- A Strong, helpful porter with proper equipment (one porter for two people).
- Medical supplies (first aid kit will be available).
- Arrangement of Emergency Helicopter service which will be paid by your Travel Insurance Company.
- Use of Sleeping bag, down Jackets and walking poles (if you do not have your own, to be return after trip completed).
- Sherpa Expedition and Trekking T-shirt and cap.
- Government tax, service charge and official expenses.
- Two nights standard hotel in Pokhara with Breakfast.
- Oxymeter to check your pulse and oxygen saturation and heart rate twice daily (Very useful to check Altitude Mountain Sickness(AMS) symptoms) Which will ensure you trek is in the safest hands possible for all levels of trekker.
- Assistant guide group size above 6+ person.
- Meals whilst you are in Kathmandu and Pokhara Lunch and Dinner.
- Nepal entry visa fee (you can easily issue the visa on arrival at International Airport – Kathmandu). $25 USD for 15 days visa.
- Your Travel and medical insurance.
- International airfare.
- Your personal expenses.
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic hot and cold drinks.
- All desserts sweet things like chocolate, cake, pie, pudding.
- Hot shower and battery charging on the tea houses.
- Kathmandu sightseeing entrance fee.
- Tips for the guide, porter and driver (Tipping is expected).
The trek was well organised, and both our guide and the porter were professional and great company under our Everest Base camp Trek. Ram, our guide was especially helpful and positive, always encouraging us, as well as pointing out and naming new mountains every day. We made trek in the schedule, but bad weather at Lukla made us stay there for an extra day - make sure you reserve enough time on your trek to accommodate some days of mountain weather! Ram helped us greatly with our flights, and eventually with the helicopter back to Kathmandu. Next time we'll come to Nepal for trekking, Sherpa Expedition and Trekking will be our first pick - stay positive, and drink enough water!
