The Annapurna region in Central Nepal is the most geographically and culturally diverse region for trekking with over 3,000 visitors. The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) working along with the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation have declared this region as area of conservation and sustainable development. Stretched over 2600 sq. km., the area boasts of a variety of diverse cultures, tribes and castes as the Brahmins, Chettris, Newars, Gurungs, Magars, Manangis and the Tibetans. This area has sub-tropical lowlands, valleys, bamboo, oak and rhododendron forests, alpine meadows, windswept desert plateaus and the towering Annapurna Mountains. This area has the world's deepest river gorge, Kali Gandaki, lying some 6900 metres/22,563 ft. below some of the world's largest and most beautiful mountains as the Annapurna I (world's 8th highest) & Fishtail (one of the most beautiful). Animals and birds are in abundance in this region. 440 species of birds and animals like the marten, deer, langur and the elusive snow leopard live in this area.
Day 01: Kathmanduy
Arrival in Kathmandu. Transfer to Hotel.
Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 02: Kathmandu
After breakfast, heritage tour of Kathmandu.
Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 03: Pokhara
Drive to: Kathmandu - Pokhara (6/ 7 hours bus drive).
Overnight at Hotel in Pokhara.
Day 04: Ghankdruk
Early morning drive from Pokhara to Nayapul (1 ½ hour drive). Upon arrival, trek down to the river for 10 minutes and cross the new suspension bridge, thus the name Naya Pul (New bridge). Then climb up to the main village located on the ridge. Walk through on cobbled stones and then follow the trail along the Modi river for about 20 minutes to arrive at the settlement of Birethanti. After crossing the bridge, there is a check post where the National Park entry permit must be purchased prior to starting the trek. After completing the formalities, take the right hand trail and a gradual ascent leads us through field (of paddy in summer and mustard in winter) to arrive at upper Birthanti village after about one hour. Walk further through more terraced fields and bamboo groves on a gentle ascent along hillside and arrive at a river bed. Take the trail leading into the forest. The forest provides a welcome shade and an ideal place for the porters to prepare lunch as water is readily available from a stream.
Trek through the forest and follow the trail along the hillside and after about 20 minutes arrive at the settlement of Shauli Bazaar, which is located along the banks of the Modi river. The trail from here continues to climb steadily for about 2 hours until we arrive at a gate with a signboard saying “Welcome to Ghandrung”. However, there is a steep climb for another 20 minutes to arrive at the main village of Ghandrung. Ghandrung is the largest Gurung village in Nepal where the sons and male member of the local community have sacrificed their lives to serve for the Gurkha Armies and security Forces around the world. The brave and chivalrous Gurkhas have earned themselves the reputation as the most loyal and indomitable soldiers in the world! The afternoon is free for rest or optional activities such as a visit to the Annapurna Conservation Museum and a tea break at the home of a renowned Gurkha soldier who may show you his Victoria Cross won during the first or second world war. In the evening the local Gurung womenfolk will join the campers for a village get together to show their talents in singing and dancing. Guests are welcome to join in. A contribution to the dancing group may be necessary.Dinner and overnight at the lodge in Ghandrung.
Day 05: Chhomrong (1950 m)
After a wake up to a marvelous sunrise (weather permitting) and a hearty breakfast,
descend for about 20 minutes from the village to valley bottom, cross a small bridge and trek on a winding trail on a hillside cleared for making terraced fields. There are a few settlements enroute and after about 3 hours arrive at a teahouse and after crossing the bridge, it is a steep ascent for 30 minutes to the settlement of Jhinu danda. Here are a few tea houses and many Tibetans selling trinkets to passing tourists. This place is fast becoming a popular resting place because of the close proximity to the Hot Springs. There is a belief that sickness is cured if one takes a dip in the hot spring. The hot spring is located about 20 minutes walk from the settlement to the river bank and is a man made pool where the hot sulfur water is tapped through pipes. While the lunch gets prepared the guests are at liberty to visit this pool and take a much desired hot bath.
After lunch, the trek to Chomrong – the gateway to the Annapurna Sanctuary take about 2 hours. It is a very steep ascent to the top of the ridge with a tea house. The roof of the Tea house can be seen from the bottom but getting there is a tough two hours of huffing and puffing up the mountain hillside. Upon arrival at the ridge, a 10 minute walk on a gentle undulating trail through a forests brings us to Chomrong which is also located on a ridge with a wide expansive view of the Annapurna Range of mountains and valleys towards the Annapurna Sanctuary area. The views of the Annapurna Range is closest from here than anywhere on this trail. Dinner and Overnight at the Lodge in Chomrong.
Day 06: Himalaya Hotel (2100 m).
Go down until the suspension bridge which crosses the Chomorong Khola and then climb up the opposite side for about 30 minutes till you reach the hamlet of Banuwa. Carry on for another thirty minutes until you reach Sunawa (about 2400m) where you will find at least two lodge-restaurants. Here the path leaves cultivated fields to enter the beautiful tropical forest. You can follow the ridge of the hill, about 2500 meters high, but unfortunately the mountain is drained by several small streams and the trekkers are forced to take several ascents and descents. It takes about an hour to reach Khuldi ghar (2,477m) where a second check post is encountered.
ACAP tickets are checked here as the head quarters of ACAP and its environment center are also located at Khuldi Ghar.) After the check post the path suddenly descends until it reaches the hamlet of Bamboo (2300m) with four or five lodges and is a good place to make a lunch break.
As the name suggest, Bamboo marks the beginning of the huge bamboo forest which leads, after about an hour of walking, to Tiptop (2571m). There are two lodges here competing with the lodges established at Doban(2606m). Soon after Doban you will enter the sacred forest of Jode Yehm, where near the waterfall on the east bank of Modi khola, you will see an alter surrounded by thousands of white banners suspended from the trees. A sign indicates the name of the place and reminds the travelers not to lean over. One assumes it is better not to disturb the Gods. From Doban, it will take an hour to reach Himalayan Hotel (2873m).
DAY 07: Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3700 m)
The track continues through the middle of the forest, going up and down following the flow of the rivers, until the last stretch where a steep path leads to Hinku Cave (3139m) It will take another three hour to reach the actual site of the Hinkui Cave, noticeable by a huge rock half sheltering a bhatti. From here it will take about three hours to reach Deorali (three lodges, 3230m). On the way you probably would have to cross two neves, or slabs of old frozen ice, commonly found in glacial area.
Walking from Deorali to Bagar (3300m) takes about fifty minutes. Instead of lush vegetation, only bushes and high grasses survive. The path crosses the lodges twice on rather shaky bridges so as to avoid avalanches and landslide prone area. It is a good place to make a lunch break.
The next stop, the base camp of Mchhapuchhare, is about two hours walk away. Machhapuchhare or “fishtail’, has been thus named because its twin summits resembles a twitched fishtail. After having walked along the river for thirty minutes, the path rises up and goes through several neves. (If it has snowed recently, this part of the route will be quite difficult, though the use of crampons is not necessary, a stick should suffice.)
Day 08: Annapurna Base Camp (4200 m)
To enjoy the magnificent sunrise over the Sanctuary one has to go to the Annapurna Base Camp(ABC) which is only two hours away. Except for a few hills, the route is flat and therefore quite easy. Also, the spectacular views of Annapurna south in the forefront are so satisfying that one easily forgets the exhaustion. At the end of the route ( 4130 m), there are about five or six lodges. A little further, the path leads to a small hill which is the best point to admire the entire panorama of the Sanctuary.
Day 09: Bambu
Day 10: Jhinu Danda
Day 11: Lhandruk
Day 12: Dhampus
Day 13: Pokhara
Trek to Phedi. Drive back to Pokhara.
overnight at hotel.
Day 14: Kathamandu
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for flight back to Kathmandu. Rest of day is free.
Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 15: Departure
Trasnfer to Airport for onward jorney.
