Overview And Highlights
This short Trek offers a comprehensive exploration of the most striking region in the 50 km Annapurna Range. It is
designed to assist acclimatisation with reasonable daily altitude increases.
After an exploration day in Kathmandu, fly along the Himalayan Range to the lake city of Pokhara beneath the
Annapurnas. Spend an afternoon exploring the city and walking along the lake shore.
A short drive leads to the start of the trek at Nayapul. The trail, through oak, rhododendron and bamboo forests,
gradually ascends the glacial Modi Khola Valley which carries melt water from the ring of peaks above. Friendly villages on terraced slopes high above the river will welcome you.
The climax is reached in the spectacular Annapurna Sanctuary amphitheatre where the Machhapuchhare (Fish Tail) BC, is followed by the Annapurna BC (4 130m/13 550ft). Here you are surrounded by an immense wall of rock and ice rising 4 000m/13 100ft above the hotels on the glacial moraine. The scene at sunrise is breathtaking.
The downward journey requires only 3 nights. Then a short trek to Dhampus Phedi for the drive back to your hotel: and a relaxing afternoon in Pokhara. The drive back to Kathmandu introduces you to the scenic Middle Hill agricultural and forestry lands south of the Himalayan range.
Days
12 days
Distance
110 km
Difficulty
Medium
Highest Point
4130 mt
Best Season For The Trek
A short drive leads to the start of the trek at Nayapul. The trail, through oak, rhododendron and bamboo forests, gradually ascends the glacial Modi Khola Valley which carries melt water from the ring of peaks above. Friendly villages on terraced slopes high above the river will welcome you.
Trek Difficulty
The climax is reached in the spectacular Annapurna Sanctuary amphitheatre where the Machhapuchhare (Fish Tail) BC, is followed by the Annapurna BC (4 130m/13 550ft). Here you are surrounded by an immense wall of rock and ice rising 4 000m/13 100ft above the hotels on the glacial moraine. The scene at sunrise is breathtaking.
Day To Day Itinerary
Day 1
1300 mtArrival: Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (1 300m/4 260ft)
After completing passport, immigration and visa requirements, collect your luggage and exit the building where we
will meet you. (Look for our Travel Nepal Himalayas name board and your name). We will then transfer you to your
hotel: afternoon free.Â
Evening: a welcome dinner, trek description and a check on essential gear. Overnight in hotel.
Transfer: car
Food: welcome dinner
Accomodation: Hotel
Day 2
1300 mtA Day in the City: Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing OR A Day at Leisure
Take a day tour that includes six heritage sites including Swayambhunath, the “Monkey Temple”; the historical
Durbar Square with ancient temples, unique art, and the chance to see the Kumari (living goddess); Patan’s Durbar
Square; the Hindu temple Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath, the world’s largest stupa.
A guide, car and driver will take you to each site-entrance. The car will wait for you. (Entry tickets and lunch are not
included.)
OR: A day at leisure to follow your own interests. Overnight in hotel.
Transfer: car
Food: breakfast
Accomodation: Hotel
Day 3
880 mtKathmandu – Pokhara (880m/2 900ft)
After an early breakfast we will transport you to Kathmandu’s new domestic airport, for your flight. Pokhara is built
along a lake with numerous hotels, restaurants, and many 2 nd hand book stores with a wide variety of books for your
pleasure. There are superb Himalayan views from Dhaulagiri in the west to Manaslu in the east. There is also a
Mountain Museum that is worth a visit.
Transfer: 25 min flight
Food: breakfast
Accomodation: Hotel
Day 4
1940 mtPokhara – Nayapul (1 070m/3 510ft) – Ghandruk (1 940m/6 370ft),
From your hotel, we drive north through farmland and forest to the trail head at Nayapul. Trek to the prosperous
riverside village of Birethanti (1Â 000m) at the confluence of the Bhurungdi and Modi Kholas. Then follow the Modi
Khola Valley (carrying the melt waters from the Annapurna Sanctuary glaciers to the Ganges).
Walk through terraced rice paddies to Sauli Bazaar (1Â 140m) before crossing the river and ascending; with great
views of Machhapuchhare (Fish Tail), Hiunchuli and Annapurna South ahead. Staircases then bypass a landslide and
continue up to the Gurung village of Ghandruk. It is worth exploring this prosperous village and visiting its museums.
Overnight in Ghandruk
Transfer: 1 hr drive
Trek: 3-4 hrs
Food: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 5
2210 mtGhandruk – Bamboo (2 210m/7 250ft)
The trail heads north of the village on an exposed trail past pastures to a ridge, before descending into a green valley
and a suspension bridge over the Kimrong Khola (1Â 600m). After lunch, the trail climbs out of the valley through
stands of rhododendron and oak forest, winding around the hillsides to wealthy Chhomrong: and closer peak views.
A broad stone staircase drops through the village and down to cross the Chhomrong Khola (1Â 900m) before
ascending through forest to the charming village of Sinuwa (2Â 340m), for lunch. Continue up through rhododendron
forest into the upper Modi Khola Valley. Then descend stairs into a dense forest of bamboo: and the hamlet of
Bamboo (2Â 310m). Overnight at Bamboo.
Trek: 5-6 hrs
Food: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 6
3140 mtBamboo (2 210m/7 250ft) – Himalayan Hotel (2 840m/9 320ft)– Deorali (3140m/10 300ft)Â
Beyond, climb the side of the canyon, passing several avalanche chutes, through uninhabited forest to Dobhan. A
further 30 min climb leads to the hamlet of Himalaya Hotel, for lunch. Continue, slowly, up and explore the cave at
Hinku (3Â 100m) before crossing a ravine and avalanche tracks before Deorali (3 140m). Overnight in Deorali.
Trek: 5-6 hrs
Food: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 7
4130 mtAnnapurna Base Camp (4 130m/13 550ft)
As the altitude increases, forest gives way to alpine scrub and grasses. The valley walls steepen with the river raging
far below. The geology of the canyon’s side walls is fascinating. Views into the sacred Sanctuary gradually appear as
the trail heads over a ridge and rises to the Machhapuchhare Base Camp Hotel (3Â 700m), for lunch.
Another ~2 hours slow walk-up grassy slopes leads to the ABC hotels on the Annapurna South glacial moraine: some
4 000m/13 100ft beneath the peaks that crown the surrounding ice walls. Overnight in Base Camp.
Trek: 5-6 hrs
Food: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 8
2340 mtAnnapurna Base Camp – Sinuwa (2 340m/7 680ft)
Before dawn walk to the rim of the glacier for unforgettable views. The ring of peaks, clockwise from Hiunchuli
(behind), include Annapurna South, the vast ice wall topped by Annapurna I (8 097m/26 566ft) and Khangsar Kang,
to Gangapurna, Annapurna III and Machhapuchhare. Listen to the glacier grinding below you, in its U-shaped valley.
After breakfast, retrace your steps down to Sinuwa for a more comfortable night. Overnight in Sinuwa.
Trek: 6-7 hrs
Food: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 9
1620 mtSinuwa – Jhinu Danda (1 750m/5 740ft) – Landruk (1 620m/5 320ft)
Descend to the Chhomrong Khola before climbing the stairs back to Chhomrong. Continue to the hamlet of Taglung
then drop steeply on a side path to Jhinu Danda for lunch and a possible dip in the hot springs at the river below the
village. Descend to cross the Modi Khola at New Bridge and climb steeply to Landruk, with good views behind you.
Overnight in Landruk.
Trek: 6-7 hrs
Food: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 10
910 mtLandruk – Dhampus Phedi (1 130m/3 710ft) – Pokhara (910m/2 900ft)
The trail passes through scattered trees and bushes to the village of Tolka (1Â 790m). A steep and attractive two hour
ascent then leads to Deorali (2Â 100m). This bustling hilltop village looks back towards the high peaks with an
extended view of the Annapurnas from Dhaulagiri I (8 167m/26 796ft, highest peak in western Nepal) across to its
right flank. It also offers scintillating views over the Pokhara Valley and Phewa Lake to the south.
The trail then descends along a red-earth path (that is lethal when wet) to Pothana (1Â 990m) and on to the large
village of Dhampus (1Â 700m). A further short downward walk leads to Dhampus Phedi (1Â 130m) and the Pokhara-
Baglung Highway: for the drive to Pokhara and your hotel. Consider a visit to the Mountain Museum. Overnight in
Pokhara.
Transfer: 25 min drive
Trek: 5-6 hrs
Food: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Hotel
Day 11
1300 mtPokhara – Kathmandu (1 300m/4 260ft)
After breakfast, drive back to Kathmandu fascinating glimpses of rural Nepal as you pass through Middle Hill scenery
and along major rivers such as the Trisuli Nadi, which rises in Tibet north east of Kathmandu. The route passes
through the lower Gorkha region (beneath Manaslu), south of the epicentre of the first of the 2015
earthquakes. Overnight at your lodge in Kathmandu. Evening, farewell dinner.
Transfer: 25 min flight
Food: breakfast, lunch, farewell dinner
Accomodation: Hotel
Day 12
1300 mtFinal Departure
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight to your next destination.
Transfer: car
Food: breakfast
What Do You Need?
Fotogallery
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