Overview And Highlights
This circular Annapurna Panorama Trek offers a wonderful introduction to trekking in Nepal. It is ideal for families groups who want to gain a ‘taste and feel’ of the Himalayas at comfortable altitudes and pace; requiring only moderate fitness. Also known as Poon Hill trekking, the highlight of the trek is the heavenly view from the grassy ridge at Poonhill consisting of a panorama of Annapurna (8091m), Dhaulagiri (8167m), Manaslu (8157m) and Machhapuchhre (6993m) among other peaks. The trek also includes a delightful area not visited on the shorter treks.
Annapurna Panorama Trek commences from your hotel in the holiday playground of Pokhara (nestling between beautiful Phewa Lake and the Annapurna Range). After a short drive from Pokhara to Nayapul, the trek begins as you pass through Ulleri on your way towards Ghorepani. The paths of trekking take you through terraced farmlands and ancient rhododendron, oak and bamboo forests.
From ridges there are amazing views of the 6 000m/19 600ft snow clad peaks of the 50km Annapurna Himal.
Hindu Brahman and Chhetri, Buddhist farmers inhabit these regions, along with two Tibeto-Berman groups: the Magars (skilled craftsmen in stone and wood who farm the lower slopes) and the Gurungs (originally herders from Tibet who farm and tend sheep higher up). The distinctive architecture of these community and the opportunities for experiencing their friendly hospitality in the teahouses adds a special dimension to the trek.
A highlight is the early morning walk from Ghorepani to Nepal’s most visited physical landmark: the grassy summit of Poon Hill (3 210m/10 530ft). It offers magnificent sunrise views that include Dhaulagiri I, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, the fish-tailed peak of sacred Machhapuchhare and Manaslu. The three day return route includes close up views of Annapurna and Machhapuchhre (fishtail) along with a night at the modern Gurung village of Ghandruk. The Ghandruk Cultural Museum is a popular attraction nearby, which provides an insight into Gurung culture and history. Cross the Modi Khola
(carrying water from the Sanctuary above) and explore the eastern side for the valley. From Pothana an easy morning’s walk leads to the car and short drive back to Pokhara. The Annapurna Panorama Trek comes to an end with a scenic flight back to the capital.
If you are looking for a more challenging/lengthier and rewarding experience in the Annapurna
region, take a look at our popular Annapurna Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit Trek packages!
Days
16
Distance
100 km
Difficulty
Medium
Highest Point
3210 mt
Best Season For The Trek
The best times of the year to perform the Annapurna Panorama Trek are during spring (March to May) and autumn (last week in September to mid-December) seasons. During these periods, the weather remains stable and the mountain views are good leading to the best experience.
Rhododendrons in full bloom on the hills with clear skies and crystalline mountains in the back drop is classic sight. In monsoon, the weather can be unpredictable and the rain can make the trails slippery and perilous.
Trek Difficulty
This 11 Days Annapurna Panorama Trek is a moderate difficulty trek that takes you up to altitudes of 3210m (Poon Hill). You will be trekking for 5-6 hours on average everyday, over steep hilly terrain, for most of the trek. Prior trekking experience is not a necessity for this trek. While the trails require no more than minimal fitness and stamina, being fit will certainly make the trek easier.
Day To Day Itinerary
Day 1
1300 mtArrival Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (1 300m/4 260ft)
After completing passport, immigration and visa requirements, we will meet you outside the terminal building (look for your name board) and transfer you to your hotel: afternoon free. Evening: a welcome dinner, introduction to your guide and a briefing on the trek with a check on necessities. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2
1300 mtIn the City Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing OR A Day at Leisure
Take a day tour to five of the Kathmandu Valley’s cultural world heritage sites: Swayambhunath, the
famed “monkey temple;” the city’s historical Durbar Square with ancient temples, unique art,
architecture, 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 car and driver will take you to each site-entrance and wait for you. (Entry tickets and lunch are not
included.)
Food: Breakfast and wellcome dinner
Accomodation Hotel
Day 3
880 mtKathmandu – Pokhara (880m/2 900ft)
After breakfast, drive to Pokhara along the Prithvi Raimarg which offers 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).
Transfer to your hotel. An afternoon City Tour includes: Devi’s waterfall and Shiva’s Cave. Enjoy an
evening cruise on tranquil Lake Phewa before dinner. Overnight in Pokhara.
Transfer: 6-7 hrs drive
Food: breakfast
Accomodation: hotel
Day 4
2080 mtPokhara – Nayapul (1 070m) – Ulleri (2080m/6822ft)
From your hotel, we drive north through farmland and forest to the trail head at Nayapul. Trek to
the prosperous riverside village of Birethanti (1 000m) at the meeting point of the Modi and
Bhurungdi Kholas. Then follow the Bhurungdi Khola to Sudame (1 340m) before climbing regularly
up the side of the valley, to Tikhedhunga(1 510m), After that a long and step and steep climb on rock
staircases to the village of Ulleri (2 080m).where we spent overnight.
Trek: 5-6 hrs
Transfer: 1 hrs 15 min drive
Food: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 5
2870 mtUlleri- Ghorepani (2870m/9,420ft)
The day starts early in the morning with an amazing landscape and marvelous views of Annapurna
South (7 219m) and Hiunchuli (6 441m). The ascent continues through lush and ancient
rhododendron and oak forests for several hours, with rest breaks, to the large village of Ghorepani.
From here there are nice views of Dhaulagiri I 8 172m and the Annapurna Himal. Overnight in
Ghorepani.
Trek: 4-5 hrs
Food: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 6
2630 mtGhorepani – Poon hill (3 210m/10 530ft) – Tadapani (2 630m/8 630ft),
An early, ¾ hr, steep trek leads to Poon Hill’s grassy knoll. This landmark viewpoint offers
unobstructed vistas of the high Himalaya from Dhaulagiri I (8 172m) and Upper Dolpo in the west,
across the Annapurnas (Annapurna I, 8 019m), to Machhapuchhare (6 997m, Fish Tail) and east to
Manaslu (8 156m). Behind: an ocean of Sal forests stretch to lowland India.
After breakfast, the eastward trail to Tadapani crosses numerous ridges through thick pine and
rhododendron forest with uphill and downhill sections and magnificent views of the snow peaks to
the north from high ground. Overnight in Tadapani.
Trek: 6-7 hrs
Food: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 7
1940 mtTadapani - Ghandruk (1 940m/6 370ft)
Today’s trail is fairly short and largely downhill through forest and farmland. A fork then offers a
choice of routes to Ghandruk. This is a densely settled, clean and modern Gurung village. Explore the
surrounding area and visit the traditional Gurung museums. Overnight in Ghandruk.
Trek: 3-4 hrs
Food: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 8
1990 mtGhandruk – Pothana (1 990m/6 530ft)
The trail descends to go to the Modi Khola. This is the river that flows from the Annapurna South
Glacier in the glorious Annapurna Sanctuary (a ring of enormous ice peaks that surround the
Annapurna Base Camp, built on its moraine).
Then we cross the river on a suspension bridge and climb steep up to Landruk (1 620m): and good
views of Hiunchuli, Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare. The trail continues through scattered
trees and flowering shrub to Tolka (1 790m), after which it ascends gradually, for ~2 hrs, to the ridge
village Deorali (2 150m). Excellent views of Phewa Lake and Pokhara are possible from here and the
last beautiful views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South and the right side of the range. The trail then
downhill along a red-earth path (that is lethal when wet) to Pothana. Overnight in Pothana.
Trek: 5-6 hrs
Food: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 9
880 mtPothana – Dhampus Phedi (1 130/3 710ft) – Pokhara (880m/2 900ft)
The last day offers an easy walk down a point to the large farming rural village of Dhampus (1 700m).
It then steep descends through scattered villages and rice paddies to Dhampus Phedi on the Pokhara
– Baglung highway. A short drive will return you to your hotel in Pokhara. Afternoon free: consider a
visit the Mountain Museum. Overnight in Pokhara.
Trek: 2-3 hrs
Transfer: 25 min drive
Food: Breakfast, Lunch
Accomodation Hotel
Day 10
1330 mtPokhara – Kathmandu (1 300m/4 260ft)
Transfer: 25 min flight
Food: Breakfast and Farewell dinner
Accomodation: Hotel
Day 11
1330 mtFinal departure
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight to your next destination.
Transfer: car
Food: Breakfast
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Fotogallery
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