The Annapurna Base Camp is located in the heart of the Annapurna massif and the beginning of ModiKholariver, just above the Machhapuchhare (The Fishtail) Base Camp in north-west of Kaski district in Nepal. These two base camps serve both the climbers attempting summits of the renown Himalayan peaks of Annapurna range and the trekkers visiting one the most recognised world climbing areas known also as Annapurna Sanctuary.MachhapuchhareHimal, extraordinarily spectacular peak is a restricted to summit climbs but itsbasecamp is famous for trekkers longing to experience the classic Himalayan adventure.
Annapurna basecamp (Annapurna Sanctuary), one can experience spectacular vistasof major peaks of western parts of the great Annapurna Himal (range), including Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Ganagapurna, Annapurna III and Machhapuchhare. These mountains form almost precisely a circle about ten miles in diameter with a deep glacier-covered amphitheatre at the centre. From this glacier basin, the ModiKholasneaks its way south through a narrow gorge. Further south, the gorge opens up into a wide and fertile valley, the domain of the Gurungs an indigenous community of Nepal.
This popular Annapurna Base Camp Trek ascends through picturesque villages inhibited by colorful living cultures to the center of the Annapurna range offering dramatic mountain scenery. Standing in the middle of the Sanctuary, surrounded by towering snowy peaks ranging between 6000-8000m, is a truly awe-inspiring experience of Annapurna Sanctuary. Sunrises and sunsets are magical as you watch the sun ‘dancing’ on the peaks. The maximum altitude reached on this trek is 4,400m at the Annapurna Base Camp. The Annapurna Sanctuary trail is steep in places and is perhaps one of the more challenging of the teahouse treks. If you allow the time to ascend at your own pace this trek is suitable to the moderately fit persons. A minimum of 10 days excluding Kathmandu and Pokhara valley should be allowed to complete this trek with extra days for exploring the Base Camps and for alternative routes down, for example via Ghorepani, Poonhill and the Hot Springs of Tatopani in Myagdi district.
Detailed Itinerary for Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Altitude: 1,300m/4,264 ft
On your date of arrival, will be there to welcome you at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu. We will pick you and shift you in a tourist standard hotel as per booking for an overnight accommodation.
Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing and trek preparation
Imperial Nepal Treks organizes a full day city tour around Kathmandu Valley. The aim behind is to let you have the know-how of the Kathmandu city, the city of monuments, temples and monasteries such as Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath, Swoyambhunath, and many others. We will provide you leisure time for rest and preparation for final departure that is scheduled for the next day.
On this day, we offer you a welcome dinner at a typical Nepali Restaurant where you will taste different varieties of Nepali food. Your overnight accommodation remains unchanged.
Day 03:Drive From Kathmandu to Pokhara By Tourist Bus
Altitude: 820m/2690ft. Time Travel: 5 to 6 hrs drive in Bus/Jeep
We start Trek to Annapurna Base Camp with a drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The drive to Pokhara is filled with outstanding panorama of river and countryside. If you have learned about Nepal, you must have gone across this beautiful source of treasures, the place called Pokhara in Nepal. Once we arrive here, you will be transferred to the hotel you've booked before. After taking some time for refreshment, we visit some exotic places lying in Pokhara such as Davi's fall, Gupteshwor cave, Shanti Stupa (World Peace Pagoda – astounding view of Pokhara from here) and later, you will encounter out of the world experience by boating over Phewa Lake. Your accommodation would be in a tourist standard hotel where breakfast will be provided within our budget and other meals will be counted on your own expense.
Day 04:Drive to Nayapul & trek to Tikhedhunga
Altitude: 1,540m/5,052ft. Time Travel: 1 hour drive, 3 to 4 hrs Walk
Heading for Annapurna Trekking, we take a short drive to Nayapul. Passing by the famous Bindhyabasini Temple, and wonderful view of Pokhara valley along with Himalayan range of Annapurna Region, we reach Milanchowk. Walking along the Ghobang Khola, we cross Phedi, Naudanda, and little higher from here lies places like Kande and Lumle. Crossing the bridge over Dhoti Khola, we arrive at Nayapul.
After sometime we head for Tikhedhunga from Nayapul. We ascend from Nayapul and cross the river over Modi Khola. Now walking along the Bhurungdi Khola, we step in Birethanti. At Birethanti, check in formalities takes place at the ACAP office. The countryside villages above Bhurungdi Khola are simply awesome and passing by these villages here, we arrive at Tikhedhunga. Your accommodation would be in a lodge/teahouse where meals are provided on full board basis (breakfast, tea/coffee, lunch and dinner).
Day 05:Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani
Altitude: 3,194m/10,479ft. Time Travel: 5 to 6 hrs Walk
The trail drops down for a while and then climbs up steadily to Ulleri. Ulleri is the view point for Annapurna south and Hiunchuli. The special point about Ulleri is that it consists of 3200 stone steps engraved with beautiful landscape in Magar village. Because of the fantastic scenery here, you will be getting the ultimate energy to climb up the steps and head further to the destination. Further from Ulleri, the pathway goes upwards through the Rhododendron forests along the Bhurungdi River. Ascending over the trail, we reach Ghorepani, the trekker's stop that was previously an important campsite. Ghorepani is the source of excellent views of entire Annapurna range and Dhaulagiri. Your accommodation would be in a lodge/teahouse where meals are provided on full board basis (breakfast, tea/coffee, lunch and dinner).
Day 06:Poonhill Hike to Tadhapani
Altitude: 1,190m/3,904ftTime Travel: 7 to 8 hrs Walk
Poon Hill, the famous spot to eye on the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, is one popular destination among trekkers of Annapurna region as it would let you detain the view of sunrise over the mountains like Tukuche, Nilgiri, Varaha Shikhar, Dhaulagiri, Annapurana, Lamjung and others of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges. Taking in the snaps from here, we descend back to Ghorepani. From Ghorepani begins our trek to Tadapani after breakfast.
Heading towards Tadapani now, we descend through the trail crossing a bridge over Ghar Khola. Also, we pass by the Deurali pass and reach Ban Thanti. The pathway is descends steep from here for a while and then we need to climb to reach Tadapani. Once we cross the small ascent, we are at Tadapani. Tadapani is a place to watch the tower in the village, a great view of Tadapani village can be observed from here. We stay overnight here. Your accommodation would be in a lodge/teahouse where meals are provided on full board basis (breakfast, tea/coffee, lunch and dinner).
Day 07:Trek to Sinuwa
Altitude: 2360m/7742ft. Time Travel: 6 to 7 hrs Walk
From Tadapani, the Annapurna Trekking starts with a steady climb, the pathway is straight and almost perpendicular. Starting with this strenuous route, we reach Chiule and little further we cross a bridge over Tibuje Khola. Crossing the Kingtrongkholagaon, we reach Taulung from where again the same steep trail begins towards Chhomrong, a beautiful village inhabited by Gurung people residing beneath the Annapurna South. Passing by Chhomrong, we ascend for Sinuwa and stay overnight there. Your accommodation would be in a lodge/teahouse where meals are provided on full board basis (breakfast, tea/coffee, lunch and dinner).
Day 08:Trek to Deurali from Sinuwa
Altitude: 3200m/10498ft. Time Travel: 6 to 7 hrs Walk
From Sinuwa, our Annapurna Base Camp Trek Nepal leads to Deurali along the ascent trail. The pathway is steady and we need to climb around 840m from Sinuwa. On the way, we pass by Kuldhigar (an abandoned settlement), Bamboo (damp and cold deep forest), Dovan, and Hinki Cave from where the Avalanche Track starts. Walking along the Modi River, we finally reach at Deurali. We stay overnight here. Your accommodation would be in a lodge/teahouse where meals are provided on full board basis (breakfast, tea/coffee, lunch and dinner).
Day 09: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp from Deurali
Altitude: 4130m/13549ft. Time Travel: 4 to 5 hrs Walk
Ascending from Deurali, we are about to step into the highlight of our Annapurna Trekking, the Annapurna Base Camp. Following the Modi River, we climb upwards and find avalanche moraines near Bagar. A steep trail from here leads to Machhapurchhre Base Camp. From Machhapuchhre Base Camp, you will be able to grab some stunning views of the Fish Tail Mountain, Machhapuchhre, accompanied by other mountains like Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna III, Hiunchuli, Gandharvachuli and Gangapurna. You will also notice that the vegetation disappears once we are about to reach Annapurna Base Camp and the path will also widen as we enter into the Annapurna Sanctuary.
Heading west from here, we arrive at the final destination of our Annapurna Base Camp Trek Nepal which was once a site of British Expedition in the year 1970 AD. The final point of our destination is full of mind blowing views around as Annapurna South is so close and is dazzling right in front of us. The Annapurna Sanctuary would present you a complete 360-degree panorama of the Annapurna Ranges with Annapurna south, Annapurna I, Hiunchuli, Machhapuchhre and many others. We stay overnight here. Your accommodation would be in a lodge/teahouse where meals are provided on full board basis (breakfast, tea/coffee, lunch and dinner).
Day 10:Trek Back from Annapurna Base Camp to Dobhan
Altitude: 2600m/8530ft. Time Travel: 5 to 6 hrs Walk
After accomplishing the Annapurna trekking to our final destination, Annapurna Base Camp, we retrace the route back to Dobhan. Walking involves descending through the trail and we reach Dobhan. We stay overnight at Dobhan; your accommodation would be in a lodge/teahouse where meals are provided on full board basis (breakfast, tea/coffee, lunch and dinner).
Day 11:Trek to Jhinudanda from Dobhan
Altitude: 2170m/7119ft. Time Travel: 5 to 6 hrs Walk
We backtrack our journey to Chhomrong from Dobhan by descending along the Modi River. We stay overnight at Chhomrong; your accommodation would be in a lodge/teahouse where meals are provided on full board basis (breakfast, tea/coffee, lunch and dinner).
Day 12:Trek to Nayapul from Jhinudanda and Drive back to Pokhara
Altitude: 1070m/3510ft to 820m/2690ft. Time Travel: 4 to 5 hrs Walk and 1 hour Drive
We start our trek fresh morning with some breakfasts at Ghandruk and head down for Nayapul. As we reach Nayapul, we have our lunch and drive back to Pokhara in our private vehicle. We stay at Pokhara and stroll around the lake side. Your accommodation would be in a tourist standard hotel as before where breakfast is included within our budget and other meals will be counted on your own expenses.
Day 13:Tourist Bus Journey from Pokhara to Kathmandu
Altitude: 1070m/3510ft to 820m/2690ft. Time Travel: 5 to 6 hrs Drive in a tourist bus
From Pokhara, we catch in a tourist bus for Kathmandu early morning. Once we arrive at Kathmandu, you will be taken to the hotel you've stayed in before (unless changed). As this is the last day, we enjoy the farewell dinner in a typical Nepali restaurant with live music and rejoice the moments.
Day 14:Kathmandu to Your Port of Destination
Time Travel: 5 to 6 hrs Drive in a tourist bus
The representatives from Imperial Nepal Treks will drop you to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) and assist you in your final departure from Kathmandu. We bid our last goodbyes and you will head towards your destination.