Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m

Driving Time: Approx. 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic

Upon arrival at Tribhuwan International airport, our representative will be awaiting you to cordially welcome you with great hospitality. The representative will be displaying the “Nepal Sanctuary Treks” placard outside the airport terminal.

You will be then escorted and transferred to the hotel in our private vehicle. Our staff will accompany you and help you with the check-in at your accommodation. Further, you will be given a brief description of the activities that will take place during the upcoming trip and a preliminary briefing on hygiene and safety by our representative.

Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m

Tour Duration:  8 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Hotel Manaslu or similar

Meal: Breakfast

9:00 AM: After breakfast, you start a guided cultural tour around Kathmandu Valley. Experience the numerous colors, sounds, and tastes of authentic Kathmandu and its surroundings. Our experienced tour guides will tell you all you need to know and answer all your curiosities regarding those sites.

Local Market Tour

Take a short drive to Ason. Then, start wandering Ason and Indrachowk marketplaces to get a glimpse of traditional Nepalese life. Witness the bustle of the market, see how locals purchase the products, and haggle for a bargain. Whilst walking around, enjoy the lively and vibrant atmosphere this local market has to offer. Observe firsthand the local produce people from Nepal actually purchase. You will also take in the sights and smells of the market. Your friendly tour guide will explain in full detail all the products and procedures you will see. There are lots of photo opportunities to capture with your camera.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Next, head towards Kathmandu Durbar Square, also called Hanuman Dhoka Durbar. This ancient site used to be the residence of the Nepali royal family and administrators. It incorporates an architecturally extraordinary complex of ancient palaces, temples, courtyards, and shrines dating from the 15th to the 18th century.

The prominent sites of Kathmandu Durbar Square are Kumari Ghar or the house of the living goddess.  Kasthamandap is a huge rest house that is said to have been built with wood from a single tree and is the source of which Kathmandu valley got its name. Other sites around Kathmandu Square are the ferocious Kal Bhairab – the red monkey God- Hanuman, hundreds of erotic carvings, temples, and statues dedicated to different deities.

Swayambhunath

Swayambhunath (monkey temple), is the magnificent ancient religious architecture and center of faith of Hinduism and Buddhism. Its lofty white dome and dazzling golden spire are visible from far and wide. Swayambhunath is the ideal place to observe the religious harmony in Nepal. In the shadows of the imposing structure and besides the integrated architecture can be found the daily surge of devotees faithfully offering their prayers to the gods. Upon arriving at the top, you can hear the Buddhist song “Om Mani Padme Hum” resounds everywhere. The candles and the aromatic fragrance of incense that burns constantly create a serene vibe and enormous prayer wheels which encircle the stupa.

PM: Boudhanath

Thereafter, take a short drive towards Boudhanath.  From the moment you step into the sanctuary, you’ll immediately feel the spiritual energy that comes from the place. Boudhanath is one of the biggest stupa in Nepal, built in the 5^th century and listed on the world heritage list by UNESCO in 1979. The surrounding area is a central spiritual hub of Tibetan life and culture in Nepal. Observe a beautiful dome-shaped structure stupa surrounded by brilliant colorful prayer flags. It is believed that prayer flags convey mantras and prayers into the universe while fluttering in the wind. The Stupa is said to entomb the remains of Kassapa Buddha.

Witness monks draped in maroon robes rolling the prayer wheels, burning incense, and flickering butter candles. Moreover, it’s fascinating to see the people feeding grains and maize to hundreds of pigeons around stupa areas. The devotees turn the prayer wheels & chant, which is humbling to see such dedication to their beliefs.

Delight in the serenity as you hear the Buddhist mantra ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’ being chanted by devotees, alongside the echo of music streaming out from the nearby shops.

Pashupatinath

Moving on, visit Pashupatinath temple, a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva located on the bank of Bagmati River. The word Pashupati means “the king of animals” and the temple is famous for its monkeys. You will be visiting the Pashupatinath area to indulge in a spiritual journey.

Pashupatinath is more than just a religious destination. It is a combination of religion, art, and culture. The temple, spread across 246 hectares of land, abounds in temples and monuments. Hundreds of rituals are performed here every day. Witness people performing the religious ritual and funeral pyres burning at open-air cremation. Also, see elaborately dressed holy men meditating outside the temple and pilgrims placing offerings at the shrines. After touring around prominent sites, you will be transferred safely back to your hotel.

Altitude above sea level: (895 m) Pokhara, (1,074 m) Nayapul  (2,080 m) Ulleri

Flight Duration: Approx. 25 minutes

Driving time: 1.5 hours approx.

Hiking duration: 6 hours approx.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for a short flight to Pokhara. From Pokhara you will be driven to Nayapul from where the trek begins. Today’s trail is rewarded with lush countryside, rice paddies, and a crystal-clear river. Along the way, you pass through picturesque villages – Birethathti, Sudame, Hile, and Tikhedhunga – getting a glimpse at the local rural way of life.

You start the first part of the trek to Hille via Birethanti. You cross a couple of steel bridges and reached Birethanti and your first TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) checkpoint.

Following the main trail of Birethanti, pass by a small waterfall and continue until you reach Sudami where you will stop and have lunch.

Further, you follow an easy slight uphill terrain to Hille following the Bhurungdi Khola River. Then ascend gradually along the side of the valley until you reach Tikhedhunga. Thereafter, continue a path with an interminable climb of 3,200 steps that will lead you to Ulleri.

Altitude above sea level: (2,750 m) Ghorepani

Hiking Duration: 5-6 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Tea house lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, you ascend steeply and then climb gradually until you reach Nangethathi.  This trail offers you a breathtaking view of Machhapuchhre or Fish Tail (6,997 m.), Hiunchuli (6,441 m.), and the Annapurna (7,219 m) South on the way.

Continue the climb until you start noticing more densely populated houses- Ghorepani. It is believed that the village was named Ghorepani as in the past it used to be a resting place for merchants where they found water for their horses, from where the name became ‘Ghora’ horse and ‘pani’ water.  This village is different from other towns with distinctive blue roofs and houses. It is also a gateway to the most important point of the trek – Poon Hill.

Altitude above sea level: Poonhill (3,210 m), Tadapani (2,721 m)

Hiking duration: Ghorepani-Poonhill 45 minutes, Poonhill-Ghorepani -40 minutes approx. Ghorepani-Tadapani- 5-6 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Tea house lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Start out with an early morning wake-up call and start your pre-dawn hike to Poon Hill. Once you are at the top, you will be greeted with clear panoramic views of several snow-capped mountains and peaks like Gangapurna, Annapurna South Mountain, Annapurna- I, Dhaulagiri,  and the Hiunchuli with a magnificent sunrise.

After soaking in mesmerizing views, you will return downhill to Ghorepani for breakfast. After breakfast, you hike further to Tadapani. Continue your trek that winds its way north along the ridgeline of magnificent views of the Annapurna’s stretching out from east to west. Then the trail descends steeply down to a small settlement and eventually the gorge, where the trail enters an open area.  Further, trek down again before the final uphill climb through dense forest to our destination at Tadapani.

Tadapani is a beautiful village overlooking the Modi river valley. From here you have a gorgeous view of the sacred Machhapuchre mountain (Fishtail mountain) when the weather is nice.

Altitude above sea level: (2,170 m) Chhomrong

Hiking duration: 6-7 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Tea house lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Your journey continues after a hot breakfast, in the morning. The trail leads down a steep hill and passes through a forest of rhododendron trees to the village of Chomrong. You can hear the melodious chirping of birds along the trail. If you are trekking during spring, the entire forest is decorated with vibrant rhododendron flowers.

Further, continue your trek, emerging out and into terraced fields to Kimrung Khola and cross the suspension bridge.  Then you ascend to the village of Ghurjung (2,010 m). The path takes you over numerous properties until you reach a wooden bridge. You traverse the bridge and walk through a number of side valleys.

Further, take a steep ascent up to a mountain ridge, from where you have a superb view of the Machhapuchhre. You hike further and pass the village Taglu. A little further on you’ll find the village of Chhomrong.

Altitude above sea level: (2,920 m) Himalayan

Hiking duration:  7 -8 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Tea house lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today, the trail descends to the Chomrong Khola on steep stone steps. The trail ascent again, firstly through terraced fields and then through bamboo and rhododendron forests. Along the trail, you will see rhododendron, oak, and hemlock line the gorge, and the area is a delight for bird lovers. Today’s hike involves a mixed trail of up or down on steep paths. You can see the intermittent views of the Annapurna and Machhapuchhre ahead, but often the forest is too dense to allow more than a tantalizing glimpse.

After reaching the village of Khuldigar, you descend a stone staircase to a section of very dense bamboo forest, which takes you to the settlement known as “Bamboo Lodge”. From here, ascent steeply through bamboo and rhododendron forest, following the trail high above the river to day’s end at Himalaya.

Altitude above sea level: (3,700 m) MBC

Hiking duration:  5 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Tea house lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

With an early start, you will trek to your next destination, Machhapuchhre Base Camp. Continue through the Bamboo forest to Hinko cave which leads us to a narrow entrance, into a steep gorge until you pass through the “gates” of the sanctuary, formed by Hiunchuli on the left and Machhapuchhre on the right.  

 Hinko Cave is an enormous boulder that has nestled on the side of the steep mountain that gives some shelter for the goat and sheep herders in the summer and the occasional ABC trekkers.

The panorama is magnificent and stunning peaks surround you. Above you on a ledge is Machhapuchhre Base Camp, where you will stop for the night.  The Macchapuchhre is a holy mountain in Nepal, and it is not allowed to climb. The view of the Himalayas is spectacular: you will see the Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna III, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, and of course the Machhapuchhre.

Altitude above sea level: (4,130 m) ABC

Hiking duration:  3 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Tea house lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today you leave for Annapurna Base Camp early in the morning before sunrise. This pleasant hike will take you to the Annapurna Base Camp. More importantly, the risk of avalanches is at its lowest level during the morning.

The Base Camp nestled at the foot of the Annapurna Glacier’s lateral moraine. The path widens as you enter the Annapurna Sanctuary, follows a stream, and then continues uphill. Reaching ABC provides any trekkers a weird blend of emotions: immense relief at finally arriving, as well as pleasure at being so high.  Admire a rewarding finish with unobstructed views of Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Hiuchuli, and several soaring peaks. Besides the tremendous view of the mountain, you also have an impressive view of the glacier from the moraine!

Altitude above sea level: (2,335 m) Bamboo

Hiking duration:  6 – 7 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Tea house lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After enjoying the splendid Mountain View and taking a decent breakfast, continue your trek to Bamboo. Follow the same trail to base camp, passing the Machhapuchhre Base Camp, Deurali, and Himalayan Hotel. You descend to Modi Khola to reach the rural village of Bamboo.

Altitude above sea level: (1,970 m) Ghandruk

Hiking duration: 6 – 7 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Tea house lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today’s trek is a long descending trek, so you start off early; retracing the trail back to Chomrong village. From here, the trail climbs to a spur ridge. Entering Kimrong Khola valley the trail evens out for a while and the walking is easy.

You reach the junction with the route from Ghorepani and just beyond the village of Kimrong.  The trail suddenly drops in short, steep switchbacks, then through open rock-strewn fields to the Ghandruk village.

Ghandruk is a major settlement of the Gurung, an ethnic group of Nepal. Exploring around this village gives you a glimpse of the local way of life in Nepal’s mountains, especially that of the Gurung people. From here, you have an incredible panorama of the surrounding Annapurna massif. Also, it is a famous Gurung village with terraces and offers splendid views of sunrise and sunset. After arriving, you can stroll around to explore the large old-style village, visiting a cultural museum and monastery.

Altitude above sea level: (895 m) Pokhara

Hiking duration:  4-5 hrs. Approx.

Driving time: 1.5 hr. approx.

Accommodation: Mount Kailash Resort or similar

Meals: Breakfast, & Lunch

Early morning starts with the superb view of the Annapurna range and adjacent snowy peaks smiling toward us. You will have a hearty breakfast in Ghandruk and admire the sunshine and mountain views.

Then you set off on today’s trek, passing small villages and scenic rice fields to reach Nayapul. Once you arrive, you’ll meet your private jeep transfer waiting to take you back to Pokhara.

Check-in at the hotel and spend some time at leisure exploring Pokhara. You can either visit caves and pagoda or hire a boat that takes you to Tal Barahi, a temple that sits on a small island in Phewa Lake.  It is worthwhile visiting International Mountain Museum if you are keen on Nepal’s indigenous history and mountain climbing.

Altitude above sea level: (1,302 m), Kathmandu

Flight duration: 25 minutes approx.

Accommodation: Hotel Manaslu or similar

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, you take a short flight back to Kathmandu. Check-in at the hotel and spend some time at leisure. You can spend your leisure time shopping for souvenirs for your beloved ones or simply relax after an exhausting but momentous adventure.

Driving Duration HTL-APT: Approx. 25-30 minutes depending on traffic

Meal: Breakfast

It is time to fly back home, keeping all the terrific experiences of Nepal in mind. Make sure you reach TIA airport on time, as you should check in 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight. If you wish to stay a few more days, there are still plenty more places to explore around Kathmandu valley.