Description

Day 1
Arrive at Kathmandu airport and transfer to your hotel by private car.  Relax in hotel or take an OPTIONAL walk around Thamel and Garden of Dreams near the Royal Palace. Trek briefing and welcome dinner

Day 2
Sightseeing in Kathmandu with a local guide and transport including Monkey Temple, Bodhnath Stupa, Ghats at Pashupatinath and Kathmandu Dunbar Square

Day 3
Drive for about 2-3 hours to the village of Nuwakot for an overnight stay at the Famous Farm.  Enjoy the atmosphere of the village and have a guided walk to see the old palace and temple.  Have lunch and relax in the garden and enjoy the view and fresh air before dinner

Day 4
Continue the journey to Pokhara (3-4 hours) alongside the Trisuli River.  Check in to your hotel.  You can take an optional walk down to Phewa Tal Lake or relax for the remainder of the afternoon and evening.  You can also do any last minute shopping before the trek starts

Day 5
Meet up with your trekking guide before driving for about 1 – 1½ hours to Nayapul for the start of the walk.  Go down the hill from the road and follow a river to Birethanti (1,025m). You will walk gently uphill for a couple of hours to Hille (1,475m). The many streams, waterfalls, tropical vegetation, and green fields give this area a lush feeling.  Pass a suspension bridge in Tikedhunga and walk uphill for about 1.5hrs to your overnight stop at Ulleri (1,960m).  Total walking duration: 5-6hrs approx.

Day 6
Initially your hike is uneven; following a path that finds its way up and down hills, then a staircase leads upwards, passing many homes and tea-houses as it climbs. Part way up, you get your first view of Annapurna South. Higher up, enter a wooded area filled with trees often in bloom and large bamboo plants. Beyond Banthanti (2,300m) the vegetation thickens and trees are hung with moss. Then, onwards and up a narrow valley with more stairs to climb until you emerge from the jungle at Nangathanti (2,520m). From here on, another hour’s climb takes you to Ghorepani (2750m).  Total walking duration: 5.5hrs approx.

Day 7
Rising early, for an optional pre-dawn hike (45-60 mins) up to Poon Hill (3210m) in time for sunrise over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna Range.  Returning to your tea-house for breakfast, before joining the trail that winds its way north along the ridge line with magnificent views of the Annapurnas stretching out from east to west. Following a forested ridge for a while, with views to both sides, descend steeply down a muddy slope to a small settlement before entering a heavily forested gorge. Eventually, the gorge widens and the trail enters an open area.  Descend again before your final upward climb, through dense forest, to Tadapani (2590m).  Total walking duration: 4hrs approx.

Day 8
The trail continues down a steep hill, again through the jungle, to Chomrong. Emerging out and into terraced fields on the side of a deep valley, you continue keeping to the contours of the terraces. Climbing steeply up the opposite side of the valley, you soon enter the larger Modi Khola valley which leads up to the Annapurna Sanctuary. A short distance further on up the Modi Khola valley, you arrive at Chhomrong. Continuing on, the trail descends to cross the Chommro Khola suspension bridge and then climbs around into the Modi Khola valley and up on to the main ridge high above the river. Stands of rhododendron, oak and hemlock line the gorge, and the area is a delight for bird lovers. After another two hours of walking, mostly up steep hills, we reach the village of Sinuwa (2340m).  Total walking duration: 7hrs approx.

Day 9
We follow the valley climbing steadily uphill, through the bamboo plants and on to Doban (2580m). Approximately two hours later we reach Himalaya, a good place for a lunch stop. Slowly gaining altitude; the trail can start to become icier. We pass through a ‘sacred’ forest and encounter a big mossy cascade and a small temple. Soon, climbing onto an open area above the forest, we reach Deurali (3230m).  Total walking duration: 6.5hrs approx.

Day 10
Walking up alongside the river, to the next village up the valley is Hinko, from where you finally reach the narrow entrance-way into the Annapurna Sanctuary. Machhapuchare (Fish Tail Peak) is clearly visible just above the valley. Avalanches can occasionally occur on this section so extreme caution is advised.  Arrive and rest at Machhapuchare Base Camp (MBC) – 3700m.  Total walking duration: 4hrs approx.

Day 11
The climb to the Annapurna Base Camp (4130m) is best done early in the morning before clouds blow in and obscure the view and, more importantly, the risk of avalanches are at their lowest level. The Base Camp lies at the foot of the Annapurna Glacier’s lateral moraine, and from the top of the moraine we can see the grey, rock-strewn bulk of this glacier far below. The rumble of rock and ice slides coming off Annapurna South frequently breaks the silence of the Sanctuary. Enjoy the 360-degree views and hopefully a good sunset on Fish Tail Peak.  Total walking duration: 3hrs approx.

Day 12
Early morning wake-up call to watch the sunrise and the changing colours of light on all the surrounding mountain peaks.  After breakfast head back downhill along the trail to Doban – you retrace your route as far as Bamboo (2335m). Total walking duration: 7hrs approx.

Day 13
Two long ascents followed by two long descents bring us to Chomrong, from where the trail climbs to a spur ridge overlooking Jhinu Danda (1,780m). From here we have one last close-up glimpse of Machhapuchare, Hiunchuli, and Annapurna South.  Entering the Kimrong Khola valley the trail evens out for a while and the walking is easier!  We arrive at the junction with the route from Ghorepani and just beyond the village of Kimrong (1,780m), the trail suddenly drops in short, steep switchbacks, then through open rock-strewn fields to the ‘Gurung’ village of Ghandruk (1,940m), a village which has grown large and prosperous thanks to the pensions of retired Gurkha soldiers. Total walking duration: 7hrs approx.

Day 14
From Ghandruk, the trail descends gradually at first on a wide flagstone-paved trail. Keeping to the contour of the ridge we descend slowly, passing through Kimche (1,670m). The landscape suddenly becomes more lush and eventually the trail becomes steeper as we descend towards the valley floor. The trail finally reaches the river from where the route is once again quite level. After another 30 minutes or so, you reach Birethanti (1,109m), from where it’s just a 30 – 45 minutes’ walk down the river to Nayapul where your transport will be waiting for you to take you back to Pokhara. Total walking duration: 4hrs approx.  Check in to your hotel and relax before meeting up with your guide(s) and porter(s) for your final group meal together.

Day 15
Return to Kathmandu either by road or internal flight from the domestic airport in Pokhara.  Check in to your hotel and relax.  There will be some free time for any last minute souvenir shopping in Thamel

Day 16
Tour ends – transfer to airport – return home or onward travel