Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (914m.) which takes
about six hours.
You depart for the six hours drive to Pokhara (915m,), 200
kilometers west of Kathmandu. As you climb out of the Kathmandu
valley, only to quickly descend again to the Trishuli River,
you follow upstream to its junction with the Marshyangdi
River. You follow the Marshyandi gently up through heavily
terraced fields and small hill towns to the Seti River that
takes you directly into Pokhara. Having pleasant weather,
Pokhara is tourist's paradise with full of natural as well
as cultural heritage sites such as lakes, caves, temples
of Buddhist and Hindus along with mountains. You can observe
views to the north across the hills and Phewa Tal (lake)
to the white peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.
This drive will take most of the morning, leaving much of
the afternoon to fall in love with its beauty.
You can also fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara which takes about
25 minutes.
Day 02: Trek from Pokhara (915 m.) to Nayapul (1050m.)
by car, which takes approximately one and a half hours
drive. Now, you begin your trek from Nayapul (1050m.) to
Tirkhedhunga (1577 m.). via Birethanti (1065m.) which takes
about four and a half hours. After breakfast at hotel,
you could drive for 1 and a half hours to Nayapul. Then,
you start your trekking. The first part of your trek is
easy passing through numerous small villages
and settlements.
Afterwards you could ascend gently to the final destination
of the day. The majority people here are Gurung and their
religion is Buddhist. They are engaged in agricultural
activities, tourism business and some are employed in Gorkha
and Indian regiments.
Day 03: Trek from Tirkhedhunga to Ghorepani (2675 m.) which
takes about six hours. To begin your trek, you could ascend
steeply for the early 2 hours and then ascend gently passing
through Ulleri (2070m.) and Banthanti, Magar villages. On
the way, you could see good view of Machhapuchhare or Fish
Tail (6997m.), Hiunchuli (6441m.), and Annapurna (7219m.)
South. Now, your trail is quite easier passing through rhododendron
and shadowy trees and descends gently up to the final camp.
You could see some of the wild life such as monkey and various
species of birds.
Day 04: Trek from Ghorepani to Poon Hill (3180m.) to Tadapani
(2675m.) which takes about five and a half hours. Early
morning trip to Poon Hill (3232m.) to enjoy the sunrise
view over Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m.), Tukuche Peak (6920m.),
Nilgiri (6940m.), Varaha Shikhar (7847m.), Mt. Annapurna
I (8091m.), Annapurna South (7219m.), Annapurna III (7855m.),
Machhapuchhare (6993m.), Annapurna IV (7525m.), Annapurna
II (7937m.), Lamjung Himal (6931m.) and other numerous
snowcapped mountain peaks. After breakfast trek Ghorepani
to Tadapani (2650 m.). After walking for almost one and
a half hour you reach Gurung Hill which has the splendid
mountain views as Poon Hill. From here you follow small
forests with rhododendron, bamboos until you reach Deurali.
The trail goes steeply down through deep forests all the
way to Banthati. It takes one hour from here to reach Tadapanil
After breakfast trek from Ghorepani to Tadapani (2731m.)
through the deep forests of rhododendrons, bamboos and
oaks. En route, you frequently see waterfalls, rocks, wild
animals, local birds and green scenarios. Tadapani is a
small village surrounded by beautiful forests which grants
you a magnificent view of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Fishtail,
and Annapurna II and so on.
Day 05: Trek from Tadapani (2675m.) to Ghandruk (1950m.)
which takes about three hours. It is very easy trek by
descending gently all the way through rhododendron, oak
and other kinds of dense forests. You could hear different
kinds of birds chirping on the way. This is one of the
popular destinations for the birds' lovers. Ghandruk is
a big Gurung village. There is a handicraft centre and
Gurung museum. From this village you could see good views
of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna (7455m.), Annapurna
III (7755m.) and Fishtail.
Day 06: Trek from Ghandruk to Chhomrong (2040 m.) which
takes approximately four hours. At the beginning of the day,
you could ascend gently for an hour up to Ghandrukkot (2100m.)
and descend steeply to the Kimron Khola (1700m.). Immediately,
ascend steeply and walk at a level for an hour and still
ascend gently to the final camp. Chhumrung is a gateway to
Annapurna Sanctuary trek and inhabited by Gurung, one of
the major Ethnic group of Nepal.
Day
07: Trek from Chhomrong to Bamboo (2340m.) which takes
about five hours. Leaving Chhomrong, the trail descends
on a stone staircase and crosses the Chhomrong Khola on
a swaying suspension bridge, then climbs out of the side
valley. High above the Modi Khola on its west bank, the
trail passes through the tiny settlement of Tilicho in
forests of bamboo, rhododendron and oak. Climbing further
on a rocky trail (beware of the stinging nettles) you reach
three hotels at Sinuwa, at 2350m. Climb in rhododendron
forests to Kuldi, at 2520m. This was once a British sheep
breeding project; now the stone houses are an ACAP visitor
centre and check post. In winter, it's common to find snow
anywhere from this point on. Descend a long, steep stone
staircase into deep bamboo and rhododendron forests. It
is then a short distance on a muddy trail to Bamboo Lodge
(2340m.).
Day 08: Trek from Bamboo to Deurali (3230m.) which takes
about five hours. You trek gently ascend through bamboo forests
with varieties of rhododendron and oak trees. The first town
you reach is Dovan (2630m.) where there are few lodges and
camp sites. Now you pass through muddy trail which traverses
high above the river. There are debris of avalanches except
during winter season. After short trek, you reach at Himalayan
Hotel (2900m.), the town named after the Himalayan Hotel.
Beyond it, the trail is steeply ascent up to Hinko Cave (3160m.),
this named as a huge overhanging rock provides some protection
against rain and avalanches. It takes approximately twenty
minutes through normally ascent path to reach Deorali (3230m.)
Day 09: Trek from Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp (4170 m.)
via Machhapuchhare Base Camp (3820m.) which takes about four
hours.
From here, the valley widens and becomes less steep and you
can see the gates to the sanctuary. The trail is less steep.
As the trail continues into the sanctuary, it crosses two
avalanche tracks on a narrow trail that hurdles up against
the cliffs. After short trek you will be at Bagar (3310m.),
a meadow and some abandoned hotels. The normal trail follows
the left side of the valley. Now, the trail appears gently
ascent until you reach Machhapuchhare Base Camp (3820m.).
Here, you find almost 6 to 7 lodges. This is one of the places,
where you can enjoy the view of Mount Hiunchuli (6441m.),
Annapurna South (7229m.), Annapurna I (8091m.), Annapurna
III (7555m.), Gangapurna (7454m.) and Machhapuchhare or Fish
Tail (6997m.). The path follows through alpine meadow and
after some distance your trails go gently up. After a short
trek, you begin to approach Annapurna Base Camp (4170m.).
From here, you can see the views of several peaks at 360
degree.
Day 10: Trek from Annapurna Base Camp to Annapurna South
Base Camp which takes about five hours. This day you trek
along rocky glacier path. You can enjoy the majestic views
of Annapurna I, Fish tail, Singu Chuli, Tent peak and many
more.
Day 11: Trek from Annapurna South Base Camp to Hiunchuli
High Camp which takes about five hours. The rocky trail goes
straight up to High Camp. You can enjoy the same views of
earlier day.
Day 12: Climb Hiunchuli Camp I. At the summit you can have
closer panoramic views of Annapurna I, Fish tail, Singu Chuli,
Tent peak and many more.
Day 13: Climb Hiunchuli Camp II. This day you will enjoy
the same views of earlier days.
Day 14: Summit Hiunchuli peak and back to Hiunchuli Camp
II
Day 15: Climb down Annapurna South Base Camp
Day 16: Trek from Annapurna South Base Camp to Annapurna
Base Camp
Day 17: Trek from Annapurna Base Camp to Dovan (2630m.)
which takes about five hours. It's much easier going down.
You should have no problem reaching Sinuwa in a single day
from Annapurna Base Camp. Now, you trek through Himalayan
Hotel to Dovan.
Day 18: Trek from Dovan to Jhinudanda (1750m.) which takes
about six hours. The path is descent up to Bamboo passing
through forests with varieties of rhododendron, oaks and
bamboo plants. After Bamboo, the trail goes steeply up to
the Kuldi Ghar and now the trail is quite flat until you
reach Sinuwa. You trek gradually descend to the Chhumrong
Khola and you have to follow stone staircase for almost an
hour to reach Chhumrong. The last part of the trail is steeply
down to Jhinudanda. From the town you should walk down for
20 minutes to reach Hot Spring at the bank of the Modi Khola.
You can relax at Hot Spring.
Day 19: Trek from Jhinudanda to Pothana (1600m.) which takes
about five hours. The first part of the trek is descent and
then appears through flat land until you reach Himal Pani.
Here you find beautiful waterfall. Beyond this town, the
trail ascends gently crossing numerous streams and terraces.
After short trek, you will be at Landruk (1640m.), a pretty
big village inhabited by mixed community of Gurung, Magar
and Brahmin as well. Now, the trail gently ascends to Tolka
(1850m.) and then ascent and level path to Bherikharka. From
here, the trail goes steeply up to Deorali (2100m.) with
a view of different mountain peaks in panorama. Now, the
trail gradually descends to Pothana passing through different
oak forests. Pothana is a small town resided by Gurung, an
ethnic community of Nepal. From here too, you can enjoy the
splendid views of various mountain peaks.
Day 20: Trek from Pothana to Dhampus Phedi which takes approximately
three hours and drive from Dhampus Phedi to Pokhara by car.
The trail is gently descent up to Dhampus, a village mainly
inhabited by Gurung. Now, you trek through flat land for
some distance and steeply descend to Dhampus Phedi. Now you
take vehicle to drive from Dhampus Phedi to Pokhara.
Day 21: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu
by tourist mini bus that takes about seven hours. While driving
from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli,, Dumre,
Muglin and Kurintar where the Nepal's first Cable car is
operated to reach to Manakamana Temple. En route, you could
enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields,
vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily
life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the
gateway to capital city. You can also fly from Pokhara to
Kathmandu which takes about 25 minutes.