The Annapurna Base Camp trek is incredibly spectacular! Walk through a glacier basin, a sanctuary surrounded on all sides by some majestic mountains. Around the Annapurna Base Camp (4130m) are the snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna I (8091m), Annapurna South (7219m), Machapuchhre (6993m) and Hiunchuli (6441m). So the feeling you have there is indescribable!
During the Annapurna Base Camp trek you will enjoy a great diversity of landscapes. The southern slopes are covered with dense tropical jungles full of rhododendron bushes and bamboo. Those in the north, on the other hand, lie in the rain shadow, giving them a drier, colder climate.
In this region live mainly Gurungs, a native people who consider this whole area sacred. They also consider Mount Machhapuchhare a holy mountain, dedicated to Shiva. Did you know that Machhapuchhare is also known as Fishtail Mountain, because of its special shape, just like a fish tail.
The Annapurna Sanctuary is part of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project. Because this project ensures that the number of visitors from outside remains limited, the beautiful nature you are walking through during this trekking is protected!
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Overview
- Hiking in the glacier basin of the Annapurna Mountains at altitudes of over 4000 metres
- Breath taking sunrise from Poon Hill
- Surrounded by giant snowy peaks at the Annapurna Base Camp
- Visit the Base Camp of the holy Machhapuchhare mountain
- Walking through various landscapes: from tropical jungles with bamboo to dry sandy mountain plains.
Itinerary
Day 1 :
Scenic drive to Pokhara
Namaste and welcome to Nepal!
Today you will drive along the only highway in the country to Pokhara. A highway on his Nepali is a winding one lane road, where there is a lot to see along the road! Along the way, you'll also stop a few times: you'll have lunch at an idyllic spot along the river!
In the afternoon you'll arrive in Pokhara, situated along the beautiful Phewa Lake. When the weather is clear you will see the snowy peaks of the Annapurna chain!
Take a nice walk along the banks of the river and watch the locals fishing or repairing their boats. Or take a boat to the small island and visit the Tal Barahi temple.
In the evening you can observe an Aarti ceremony on the banks near the temple: Hindu priests perform a ritual offering light (flames) to the deities.
You will spend the night in a standard hotel in Pokhara.
Day 2 :
Drive to Nayapul (ca. 1,5 hr.) - Trek to Banthanti (2270m/7447ft) - ca. 6 hrs.
You start your Annaparna Sanctuary trekking in Nayapul, after a ride in a private car along winding roads.
The path leads down to the Modi Khola river, which you cross. You walk along the bank until you reach another bridge that brings you to the village of Birethanti (1000m).
Here you enter the Annapurna Conservation Area! After your documents have been checked, follow the path through bamboo forests, along a beautiful waterfall and a swimming well. You will walk on the banks of the Bhurungdi River. Afterwards the path gradually climbs on the side of the valley to Hile (1510m) and then passes Tirkedunga (1480m).
Via a suspension bridge you cross the river and descend to a large bridge that brings you over the Bhurungdi River. The path then climbs steeply on stone steps. Along the way you have a beautiful view on the peaks of the Annapurna South and the Hiunchuli. The stone path rises further to the Magar village Ulleri (2080m/6824ft).
You climb further along fields and dense forests until the path brings you to Banthanti.
You spend the night in a teahouse in Banthanti.
Day 3 :
Trek to Ghorepani (2850m/9350ft) - ca. 4 hrs.
After Banthanti you will pass through densely forested areas full of oaks and rhododendrons and cross many small rivers with clear mountain water. After a steep climb you arrive in Nangathanti (2460m).
Ghorepani is an hour away. Via a path with many steps it slowly goes up towards Ghorepani. Today the landscape changes into a densely forested area, in spring filled with flowering rhododendrons in different shades of red.
In Ghorepani, weather permitting, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Dhaulagiri chain, including Annapurna South and Annapurna I.
You will spend the night in a teahouse in Ghorepani.
Day 4 :
Sunrise on Poon Hill (3195m/10482ft. )/ Trek to Tadapani (2721m/8927ft) - ca. 5 to 6 hrs.
When it is still dark you leave and walk to Poon Hill (3195m). Here you can (in clear weather) enjoy a beautiful sunrise! The spectacular panoramic view of the Annapurna Mountains and the Dhaulagiri peaks makes it worthwhile to get up early. After sunrise you return to Ghorepani for a well-deserved breakfast.
After breakfast you hike further to Tadapani. The path first goes up through the woods, but then you will descend steeply to the village of Banthanti, where you have lunch. This is a different village than the one you already encountered during your trekking.
The path continues down along the vertical mountainsides until it reaches the upper reaches of the Bhurungdi River. After crossing a wooden bridge there is a short but steep climb to Tadapani. In this forest area live large monkey colonies and with some luck you can see them jumping around in the trees. It is a two hour walk from Banthanti to Tadapani.
Tadapani is an attractive village overlooking the Modi river valley. From here you have a beautiful view of the holy Machapuchare mountain (Fishtail mountain) when the weather is nice.
You spend the night in a teahouse in Tadapani.
Day 5 :
Trek to Chhomrong (2210m/7250ft) - 5 to 6 hrs.
Your hike starts today via a narrow path through the woods to a wide grassy landscape. You will pass Chiule and descend steep stairs to Siprung. About ten minutes later you reach a suspension bridge over the Khumna Khola river (1930m). In the past one and a half hour you descended almost 800 meters!
After the river you ascend to the village of Ghurjung (2010m/6594ft). The path leads you over several properties until you reach a wooden bridge. You cross the bridge and walk through a number of side valleys.
You climb steeply up to a mountain ridge, from where you have a magnificent view on the Machhapuchhare (Fish Tail Mountain). You walk further and pass the village Taglu. A little further on you'll find the village of Chhomrong, .
You spend the night in a teahouse in Chhomrong.
Day 6 :
Trek to Bamboo (2310m/7578ft) - 7 to 8 hrs.
You first climb to Kimrungdanda for about an hour. On the way you will enjoy a beautiful view of the Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Fishtail Mountain (Machhapuchhre) and the Ganggapurna. A steep descent brings us to the Kimrong River.
After a steep climb from the Kimrong River to Chere Danda, you descend for a while and then it is a pleasant hike to Bamboo. You descend via stone steps until you cross a bridge. From here it is a tough climb to Sinuwa. Then we walk through a beautiful forest to Kuldihar, followed by a short descent to Bamboo.
You spend the night in a teahouse in Bamboo.
Day 7 :
Trek to Deurali (3140m/10301ft) - 5 to 6 hrs.
You walk through a bamboo forest, and slowly climb a few steeper stretches. Sometimes the path goes down to cross a small river, but today you climb most of the time. Also look into the treetops: this is the habitat of the colonies of Langur monkeys!
After the village of Doban (2500m/8202ft) you cross a river and climb along the remains of an old landslide. You pass a Shiva temple and then reach Himalaya Hotel (2840m/9317ft).
A rocky path through the forest turns into a steep gorge through a dry forest until you reach the Hinku Cave.
From here the path slowly descends to the river over the remains of a glacier. Afterwards you climb again to Deurali (3140m/10301ft). This is pre-eminently the most beautiful part of your trip today! The view of the valley is breathtaking: the clashing river below with the steep cliffs next to it.
You spend the night in a teahouse in Deurali.
Day 8 :
Trek to Machhapuchhare Base Camp (3700m/12139ft) - 4 to 5 hours
Above Deurali the valley becomes a lot less steep and wide. Here you can really feel the presence of the Himalayas! The path continues along the eastern side of the valley and climbs through a bamboo and birch forest. After crossing a river, you reach the village of Bagar.
You continue uphill along stone roads, which are remnants of avalanches. You walk through a thin birch forest and then descend to a river. Eventually you climb to Machhapuchhare Base Camp (3700m/12139ft).
The Macchapuchhare is a holy mountain in Nepal. It is not allowed to climb it. The view of the Himalayas is breathtaking: you will see the Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna III, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna and of course the Machhapuchhare.
You will spend the night in a teahouse in Machhapuchhare Base Camp.
Day 9 :
Trek via Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo (2310m/7578ft) - 7 to 8 hrs.
Today you leave for Annapurna Base Camp early in the morning before sunrise. This pleasant trip will take you to the Annapurna Base Camp (4130m/13,550ft) after less than 2 hours. It's cold and windy, but the view makes up for everything and is overwhelming! This is one of the highlights of your trekking! Besides an excellent view of the southern flank of the Annapurna, you also have a spectacular view of the glacier from the moraine!
Walking back down is a lot easier. You walk back to Machhapuchhare Base Camp, then descend to Himalayan hotel and finally go via Doban to Bamboo.
You will spend the night in a teahouse in Bamboo.
Day 10 :
Trek to Jhinu Danda (1780m/5838ft) - 6 to 7 hrs.
You're descending further today. This time you walk down the steep stairs. Again you walk through beautiful rhodendendron forests to Sinuwa. Afterwards the path keeps going down until you reach the river. On the other side you climb continuously until you reach Chhomrong (2210m/7250ft).
From Chhomrong you descend again, until after about an hour you arrive in Jhinu Danda.
After today's trip you can take a relaxing bath in one of the natural hot springs in Jhinu Danda (1780m/5839ft). This is a great way to end your last day in the mountains!
You will spend the night in a teahouse in Jhinu Danda.
Day 11 :
Trek to Syauli Bazaar - ca. 4 hrs. / Drive to Pokhara (ca. 2 hrs.)
After breakfast you start the last part of your trekking. The path takes you downhill on the western bank of the Modi Khola. You cross the river and follow the path up and down until you reach a new bridge (1500m/4921ft). Along the way you have a nice view on the valley of the Modi Khola.
You walk on to Syauli Bazaar, where your trekking ends! Here your driver will be waiting for you to take you back to Pokhara!
The rest of the day is free in Pokhara.
Overnight stay in a standard hotel in Pokhara.
Day 12 :
Drive to Kathmandu (205 km/1287,4 mi) - ca. 6 to 7 hours
The end of the journey has come. From there, your private chauffeur will take you back to Kathmandu! You will stop several times on the way to shortly stretch your legs. In Malekhu you have a longer break for lunch: here you can also taste the fish from the river!
After arrival in Kathmandu you will have some free time to go on a souvenir hunt. In Nepal incredibly beautiful handmade goods are sold in all kinds of materials!
What is included?
- Ride from Kathmandu to Pokhara by private car
- Briefing with your English speaking trekking guide
- 2 nights in a standard hotel in Pokhara, with breakfast
- Ride from Pokhara to Nayapul by private car
- 9 nights in teahouses during the trekking, 9x breakfast, 9x dinner and 10x lunch included (drinks excl.)
- An English speaking guide during the trekking (his/her salary, meals, insurance and accommodation)
- 1 porter for your luggage during the trekking (his/her wages, meals, insurance and accommodation) - 1 porter per 2 persons - carries max. 18 kg
- The necessary trekking documents
- Ride from Syauli Bazar to Pokhara by private car
- Ride from Pokhara to Kathmandu by private car
- 24/7 on-site support
What's not included?
- Visa fee of approx. 30 USD per person for 15 days: this is available upon arrival at the airport in Kathmandu or in advance through the Nepalese consulate or embassy.
- Entrance fees when visiting monasteries or places of interest during your free days
- International flight tickets Nepal: We deliberately do not include this in our price. It is easier and cheaper to book this yourself. Keep in mind about € 600 - € 800 per person.
- Tips for drivers, guide, porter etc.: In Nepal it is customary to give a tip. For this trip this is about € 70 per person.
