Annapurna Base Camp Trekking is an amazing adventure around the southern rolling green hills of the massif Annapurna Himalayas.
Trekkers can experience all types of climates and cultures, along with a spectacular views of towering snow peaks.
An enjoyable and exciting journey, as well as the shortest trekking of a week duration than other base camp treks. The only treks that one can extend for more few days, enjoying walking on an alternative route. Before or after visiting the Annapurna Base Camp and the scenic Sanctuary, surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Annapurna.
The trek that we have designed is for a week-long walk, which involves exciting short drives. To start and at the end of trekking from one lovely village to another beautiful area. Annapurna Base Camp Trekking, where all can join without the problem of getting HAS (High Altitude Sickness). The elevation rises at a gradual pace, as you reach the highest point at Annapurna Base Camp.
The walk begins from the mid hills covered in a lovely forest of tall rhododendrons, pines and oaks tree lines. The trail follows through serval traditional farm villages of the native Gurung, the main hill tribes of Annapurna Himalayan region.
The walk continues into the dense forest and then follows the raging Modi River upstream, to enter Annapurna Sanctuary. The picturesque valley of high snow-capped mountains, as the walk reaches Annapurna Base Camp. Enjoy the glorious scenery of towering peaks of the Annapurna Himalayan range that encloses the Annapurna Base Camp. After a wonderful moments return journey downhill with steep ups back to Chomrong village. Then, short walk to end the trek at Jhinu Danda a village with a hot spring to enjoy.
From Jhinu on the drive to beautiful Pokhara, the perfect scenic city to complete the marvelous Annapurna Base Camp Trekking.
Best Seasons for Annapurna Base Camp Trekking
The best seasons are spring, autumn/ fall, the high seasons for trekking around the Himalayas. Most days are clear for views and pleasant walks. The spring season begins from March to May, days are perfect for walks with ever-present views of snow-capped mountain range.
Spring is also the best time for wildflowers, especially the rhododendrons of various species and colors. Makes the whole hills and valley lively and colorful, can get overcast with light rain sometimes. Cold morning and night time above 1,500 m onwards. The next good season is autumn/fall from September to November, most days are crystal clear for views. Facing superb scenery of snow-clad peaks, but days are short with limited sunlight hours. In autumn, cold morning and late afternoon till night time. Could get snowfall above 2,000 m onwards sometimes.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: In Kathmandu with optional sightseeing tour and trek preparations.
Day 03: Fly or drive to Pokhara 860 m (30 mins by air)-06 hours on road.
Day 04: Drive to Ghandruk village 1,951 m-04 hours.
Day 05: Trek to Chomrong village 1,940 m-06 hrs.
Day 06: Trek to Dovan 2, 130 m via Bamboo 2,050 m – 06 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Machhapuchare Base Camp 3,720 m -06 hrs.
Day 08: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp 4,130 m – 03 hrs.
Day 09: Trek to Bamboo 2,050 m – 07 hrs.
Day 10: Trek to Jhinu-Danda a place with hot spring 1, 700 m – 06 hrs.
Day 11: Short last day walk and drive to Pokhara 860 m- 04 hrs.
Day 12: Drive or fly to Kathmandu-06 hours.
Day 13: International departure for homeward bound.
Itinerary
Arriving in Kathmandu and Nepal International Airport, our guide and staff receives you for a short transfer to your hotels. Then check into your nice rooms at given time meet with other trekking members for trek briefing.
Regarding Annapurna Base Camp trekking, with dos and don’ts as well information on Responsible Tourism. Evening a group welcome dinner in a nice Nepali Restaurants, a great introduction to Nepali foods and cultures.
In Kathmandu free day to enjoy individual activities and preparation for the trek to Annapurna Base Camp. Interested people have the options for tour around Kathmandu and Nepal famous sites and landmarks.
Morning at given time having hearty breakfast transfer to a spacious vehicle, as
per the group size. Either in a car, coach or comfortable bus for larger groups of
more than 10 persons. The drive follows Trisuli River to the junction, where our
route diverts towards west. An interesting drive past nice villages and towns,
driving is the best way to observe the rural farm life of Nepal.
After an exciting drive of more than 5-6 hours reaching our overnight destination
at beautiful Pokhara. Transfer to a nice hotel, situated by the lovely serene Phewa
Lake, in the shadow of Annapurna Himalayas.
Kathmandu to Pokhara is approx.220 km/137 miles driving distance.
Options for flights from Kathmandu to Pokhara, about 30 minutes scenic flight.
Enjoy the morning glorious views of the Annapurna Himalayas with majestic Machhapuchare Himal, the Fish Tail Peak. From Pokhara after a leisure morning breakfast, a scenic drive takes you on the outskirts of Pokhara Valley.
The drive follows on the Pokhara and Baglung Highway, then drive diverts from
Nayapul Town. Then riding on a dirt tracks following the Modi River to Bhirethati a lovely village, the drive heads north. On leaving the low paddy farm areas, the ride follows on winding uphill past Kimche to reach Ghandruk village.
An exciting place for overnight in the comfort of a lovely mountain lodge with rooms facing views of snow peaks. Ghandruk is one of the main village around Annapurna Himalayas, as well the gateway to Annapurna base camp.
Including other various adventure destinations, afternoon having time to explore
the village and its nice cultures. Visit the small Gurung museum to gather information of the local cultures and historical background of Gurung tribe.
From Ghandruk village, morning follows to a short steep climb and on winding
path with less than hour uphill. Reaching a high Kimrong ridge, a place with few
Tea Houses and small shops. After a brief rest downhill through cool dense forest
of rhododendron and pine trees, reaching at Kimrong valley. Possible lunch stop
in one of its lodge restaurants, afternoon a steep climb for an hour or more.
On reaching the top, a pleasant walk on stone paved path to Chomrong for
overnight halt. Chomrong the last permanent villages, en route to Annapurna
Base Camp. Further other overnight stops are temporary settlements to cater
the trekkers. Chomrong is almost large as Ghandruk village populated by the
Gurung hill people. The village provides many good lodges and foods for trekkers
Delights, with views of Annapurna peaks.
After a pleasant overnight in Chomrong, morning walk follows down to cross a
river, then climb leads to Sinuwa Danda. A small settlement on top of a ridge with
few nice lodges, possible lunch stop. From Sinuwa a nice walk through lovely
dense woods on winding ups with short descent to Bamboo. A place amidst
bamboo groves and pine forest, located above the Modi River with several good
lodges. From here walking into a Modi River gorge, through thick vegetation and
tree lines with few hour’s walks. To reach Dovan, an isolated small place with few
nice huts and cottages, serves as lodges and guest-houses. Overnight at Dovan
with the sound of raging Modi River.
From Dovan the adventure begins following the Modi River upstream, and
reaching higher elevation. The climb leads through dense vegetation and tall tree
lines to reach Himalaya Hotel, a place with few good lodges. After a refreshing
stop, walk continues over rocky debris of moraine from the old avalanches of
Huin-Chuli peak. The walk leads close to the river and short steep climb reaching
a flat field or small plateau at Deurali. Enjoy a lunch break in one of its lodges,
afternoon the walk follows the other side of Modi River. Climbing through
smaller bamboo thickets as tree lines drops for short bushes and shrubs.
After a good climb of few hours reaching on top of a ridge where MBC
(Machhapuchare Base Camp) is located. Stands beneath the towering North West
Face of staggering Machhapuchare Himal. Overnights in a nice cozy lodge facing
views of Fish Tail, Annapurna South and Huin-Chuli with gigantic Mt. Annapurna-I.
Today, is one of the shortest walks of the adventure enjoy the morning views
of the snow peaks. After breakfast a short climb on a grassy slope, to enter the
picturesque Sanctuary. Enclosed within tiers of jagged giant peaks, the walk
follows due west on gradual winding path. Then reaching a flat ground with a
welcome signboard to Annapurna Base Camp, a short climb to a grassy area.
Where all good lodges situated right beneath the towering East Face of
Mt. Annapurna-I with Vara Shikar or Annapurna Fang. Transfer into a nice lodge
for lunch and overnight on the highest spot of the journey.
Afternoon at leisure to marvel the spectacular views of snow peaks that
surrounds the sanctuary and Annapurna Base Camp. The views include from
main A-I, Vara Shikar, Gangapurna Himal towards north-west with A-South and
Huin-Chuli in the south. Includes Tent Peak / Tharpu Chuli, Fluted or Singu Chuli
with Machhapuchare Himal and arrays of lesser peaks.
After the shortest walks of previous day, today the longest trekking hours to
reach Bamboo from ABC. After a wonderful mesmerizing moment at Annapurna
Base Camp and Sanctuary, having good breakfast. Adventure begins downhill to
Deurali past MBC, and then with few short climb to Himalaya Hotel and Dovan.
Then the day completes on reaching Bamboo for overnight stop, after a long and
exciting day. Transfer to a nice lodge for afternoon tea and dinner around the
main route of Annapurna Base Camp.
Morning from Bamboo leaving the river gorge, a short steep climb to Khuldi
Ghar. At one time a check post, at present it does not exist, from here on winding
Trail to Sinuwa Danda. After a short refreshing break downhill on stone steps to
a river, crossing a bridge. A steep up for less than an hour to Chomrong for lunch
stop in one its nice lodge restaurants. Afternoon a short walk of few hours
downhill to Jhinu-Danda, and a small village for last overnight halt.
Jhinu village with a natural hot spring of 30 minutes down to Modi River where
the hot spring is situated. Enjoy the refreshing dip in its hot and warm pools, after
a great adventurous walks.
Enjoying a pleasant overnight in Jhinu village, morning after breakfast a short
walk across the bridge. Then reaching the road-head for an exciting drive back to
Pokhara on the same interesting highway. After Nayapul Town, arriving in
Pokhara by lunch time and for overnight stop in the comfort of lovely hotel.
Morning after breakfast, an exciting drive back to Kathmandu on the same interesting highway. On arrival in the heart of the city, check into your nice hotel
rooms, rest of the day at leisure.
(Options for scenic short flight of half hour to Kathmandu from Pokhara)
As time for your international flight, transfer to Kathmandu and Nepal International Airport. Then bidding farewell to Nepal and guide, after a memorable experience around Nepal and Annapurna Base Camp Trekking.
