Annapurna Base Camp Trek - 16 Days

Before starting the day, you will be briefed shortly. Then, we start sightseeing of the incredible Kathmandu Valley in a private tour vehicle. Kathmandu is the ancient city with the modern touch accompanied with the religious tolerance among the residents. Crowded streets with local vendors, motorbikes, cars, cycles, buses are a common sighting with the colorful bazaars still horde with the lively ethnic people. The city boasts of many UNESCO world heritage sites within its parameter such as sacred Hindu shrine Pashupatinath Temple, sacred Buddhist shrine Boudhanath and Swayambhunath – located close to Thamel which you will visit before wrapping up the day with a short walkabout around Basantapur Durbar Square with the dazzling glimpse of the beautiful sunset.
Stay overnight at Kathmandu.
Accommodation: Hotel Meals: Breakfast.

Today you will be picked up from your hotel for the drive to Pokhara. Your journey takes you westward on the Prithvi Highway which passes through the deep gorges of Trishuli River. Then you will pass from the town which serves as the crossroads between Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan called Muglin where the two rivers: Trishuli and Marsyangdi meets. Now you will head north and pass through the spectacular suspension bridge. Moving on, you will be accompanied by the Marsyangdi River side by side. On this section of the road, you will be greeted by beautiful sights of the Annapurna, Manaslu ranges, Ganesh Himal and Lamjung Himal. The drive to Pokhara from Kathmandu will take about 6-7 hours depending on traffic conditions. Once you are Pokhara, you can enjoy what the city renders you. Either you can visit the landmark sites like Tal Barahi Temple, Bindhyabasini Temple, Davis Falls etc. or you can just wander or do cycling around the delightful lakeside area. You can also be refreshed via extreme sports that the city is famous for, among the visiting tourists.
Stay overnight at Pokhara.
Accommodation: Hotel meals: Breakfast: Lunch & Dinner.

After breakfast, we will head from Pokhara to Nayapul (approx. an hour). Nayapul is a small village situated at the banks of the Modi Khola and the beginning point of the trek to Tikhedhunga. The trek commences with the short 15 min decent following the Modi River. We will be passing through the rhododendron forest for more 15 minutes and finally arrive at Birethanti (1,015m), a small village having many shops and teahouses. After showing our TIMS and trekking permit at the ACAP check-post located there, we pursue the trail that follows the north bank of the Bhurungdi Khola and climbs firmly up the side of the valley to Hille (1,495m). After a brief and gentle climb, we set foot in Tikhedhunga (1,540m). Today’s trek will take us 5-6 hours to complete. A prelude to the trekking experience in the Annapurna region, today’s trek can be considered as a warm-up for upcoming adventures.

Starting the tough segment of our adventure, we start with the steep trek for 2 hours which will lead us to Ulleri (2,070m). From this point on the trail ascends gently through thriving forest of rhododendron and oak to the Magar village of Bhantanti (2,250m). Along the way, we can observe picturesque views of the Annapurna South Mountain (7,219m), Machhapuchhre Mountain (6,997m), and Hiunchuli Mountain (6,441m) . Then we cross a stream and trek to Nangethanti (2,460m). From there after an hour of trek, we arrive at Ghorepani (2,860m), where we can observe amazing and breathtaking views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri and other mountains.

Poonhill, with a brilliant mountain range panorama and the best sunrise view, is admired for by the tourist who had already been there. This standpoint provides an unclogged view of the sunrise  and its hues with golden orange line emerging from utter darkness forming a blend of pink and blue in the sky over Nilgiri Mountain (6,940m), Annapurna I Mountain (8,091m), Annapurna II Mountain (7,937m), Annapurna III Mountain (7,855m), Annapurna IV Mountain (7,525m), Annapurna South Mountain (7291m), Dhaulagiri Mountain (8,167m), Tukuche Mountain (6,920m), Lamjung Himal (6,931m), Varaha Shikhar (7,847m) etc. We start an hour of hiking to Poonhill, very early in the morning to capture this magnificent sight. Keeping those panoramic views in our hearts, we will be returning to Ghorepani. Afterward, we follow the descending trail of approximately 5-6 hours to reach Tadapani (2,630m) where we can watch stunning views of the mountains like Machhapuchhre, Annapurna and many more.

Leaving Tadapani, we jumpstart the day following the trekking trail with a precipitous downhill to Kimrung Khola through the rhododendron forest and Chuile village observing Machhapuchre, Annapurna IV, and Annapurna South mountains. We descend through the forest and then the trail eases as we reach Gurjung: a village inhabited by ethnic Gurung people. We will trek to the Chhomong, a village populated mostly by the Gurung people. From this point, the trek becomes less demanding till we reach next destination. It takes about 5-6 hours to reach Chhomong from Tadapani.

We start the day by following the Trekking trail which drops down to Chhomrong Khola and crosses suspension bridge ahead. We climb up to Sinuwa passing through dense rhododendron forest up to Khuldighar (2,380m). We then, move down a steep and long stone step through dark and deep rhododendron and bamboo forest to Bamboo village. There are only a few lodges in Bamboo village after the Sinuwa and no human settlement. After one hour gentle climb we reach Dovan (2,600m). Overall, the day utilizes about 5-6 trekking hours.

Today we will walk along the trekking trail which passes through dense bamboo and rhododendron forest along Modi Khola to Himalaya Hotel (2,920m) where are out in the sun again after the forest opens up unveiling the stunning view of the glacial river below. Continuing the trek we walk a steep climb through Hinko cave (3,170m) from where the trail drops closer to the river before climbing up again to Deurali (3,200m); the gateway to Annapurna Base Camp. It will be 3-4 hours of trekking from Dovan to Deurali. Stretch of the trail passes through several avalanche areas located close to the village which looks pretty rocky and quite dramatic with the flowers, pristine waterfalls, mountain, rocky slopes, mist, and clouds. Precautions must be taken especially in the winter and summer seasons.

Leaving Deurali we gently climb through the river bed over a steep trail then again over to the mountain side. A bit challenging hike of about 2-3 hours from Bagar where the trail becomes narrow will lead us to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC) (3,700m). MBC area is also known as Annapurna Sanctuary since it is totally surrounded by mountains. From here we can get an excellent view of Mt. Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna III, Gangapurna, Gandharvachuli, and Hiunchuli. Actually, MBC is not a real base camp since climbing Mt. Machhapuchhre is not permitted.

Waking up early in the morning, pumped with the desire to imprint the majestic view of the Mt. Annapurna in our hearts forever, we will start the trek.  The trail from “Annapurna Base Camp” from “Machhapuchhre Base Camp” is gradually up and smooth as the path widens up. On the way, we can observe many splendid flowers. It takes about 2-3 hours to reach Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) at an elevation of 4,130m from Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC). ABC is located in the center of beautiful mountains. There is a small ridge branching out from the mountain pass from where you’ll descend to mountainside with widespread terraced fields that showcases blissful grasslands and lavish fertile farming land. As you reach ABC we will get to observe formidable mountain scenery with the astounding view of snow-capped peaks, awe-inspiring landscapes. The vista presented by southern slopes of Annapurna range i.e. concealed beneath diverse Himalayan cultural backdrop is unparallel to anything that the world has to offer. Mammoth Annapurna Range will stun you and compel you to explore whole day around without rest or chill out.

Yesterday we enjoyed exploring the incredible base camp of Mt. Annapurna. Now waking up early in the morning we witness a phenomenal view of the Annapurna sunrise. Imprinting those majestic views as memories on our mind and souls, we trek from ABC back to Bamboo village which takes about 5-6 hours.

It’s the day thirteen and we are getting to the end of our trek as we have finished visiting both Annapurna Base Camp and Machhapuchhre Base Camp. Leaving Bamboo village we trek to Jhinu Danda which takes about 5-6 hours. Following the trekking trail from Bamboo village to Sinuwa, we descent to lower Sinuwa. The trail then ascent thousand steps climb up to Chhomrong. It will take us an hour climb down to Kimrong Khola and from there we start ascending through rhododendron forest and terraces to Jhinu Danda.

We are now near to the end of our adventures. Moving on with our trek, we now have to leave Jhinu Danda and head to Nayapual which takes around 3-4 hours. Then, we’ll ride a private vehicle to get to Pokhara. Once we reach Pokhara, we can celebrate our successful journey to Annapurna Base Camp and enjoy delicious Nepali meal. We will spend a beautiful night in Pokhara city. You can explore Lakeside and enjoy exciting night events like Nepali cultural dinner show and visit famous city streets.

A scheduled 6-7 hours drive from Pokhara in a tourist bus/private vehicle awaits us today which will take us back to Kathmandu city depending upon traffic conditions. Once in Kathmandu, you can have your last night in Nepal enjoying different ethnic live events, shop for some souvenirs or click some pictures as memories of the visit to Nepal.

Today is the last day of your stay in Nepal. We hope that you had enjoyed your stay here in the country. We are also honoured to accompany you all the way until the end of your expedition. You can either plan your next adventure and we are there to assist you or you can fly back home. Therefore, a representative of Holy Mountain Treks will escort you to the International Airport 3 hours before your departure time for your safe flight back home.