Itinerary

Day 01: Kathmandu

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 to 7 hours bus ride).
Overnight at hotel in Pokhara

Day 04: Ghankdruk

Early morning drive from Pokhara to Nayapul (1 1/2 hour drive). Upon arrival, trek down to the river for 10 minutes and cross the new suspension bridge. Climb up to the main village located on the ridge. 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 is required. After completing the formalities, take the right hand trail and a gradual ascent will take you through a field of paddy in summer and mustard in winter to arrive at upper Birethanti village. Walk further through more terraced fields and bamboo groves on a gentle ascent along a hillside to arrive at a riverbed. 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 to 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 and 20 minutes until we arrive at Ghankdruk. Ghankdruk is the largest Gurung village in Nepal where many male members of the local community have served in the Gurkha Special Forces Army. 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. In the evening the local Gurung women will perform cultural songs and dances. Guests are welcome to join in and a small contribution to the dancing group may be expected. Overnight at the lodge in Ghankdruk.

Day 05: Chomrong (1950 m)

After waking up to a glorious 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 en-route and after about 3 hours and 30 minutes arrive at Jhinu Danda. Here are a few teahouses 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 enters the soothing waters. The hot spring is located about 20 minutes from Jhinu Danda. While the lunch gets prepared you are welcome to visit the spring and take a deserved hot bath.

After lunch, trek to 2 hours to Chomrong – the gateway to the Annapurna Sanctuary. It is a very steep ascent to the top of the ridge so be prepared. Upon arrival at the ridge, a 10-minute walk on a gentle undulating trail through a forest brings us to Chomrong. Chomrong has a glorious expansive view of the Annapurna Range of mountains and valleys towards the Annapurna Sanctuary area.
Overnight at the lodge in Chomrong

Day 06: Himalaya Hotel (2100 m)

After breakfast descend down until you reach a suspension bridge, which crosses the Chomorong Khola. 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), here the path changes into a beautiful tropical forest. Another hour of walking and you 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 centre are also located at Khuldi Ghar.) After the check post the path suddenly descends until reaching Bamboo (2300m) with four or five lodges and is a good place to make a lunch break.

As the name suggests, Bamboo marks the beginning of the huge bamboo forest, which surrounds the trail to 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. From here it will take an hour to reach Himalayan Hotel (2873m).

Day 07: Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3700 m)

After breakfast continue on the trail through the heart of the forest, going up and down following the flow of the river, until you reach the 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 Deurali (three lodges, 3230m). On the way you probably would have to cross two neves, or slabs of old frozen ice, commonly found in the glacial area.

Walking from Deorali to Bagar (3300m) takes about fifty minutes, and you’ll notice that only bushes and high grasses survive here. The next stop, the base camp of Machhapuchhre, is about two hours walk away. Machhapuchhre 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. Machhapuchhre Base Camp has a stunning 360-degree view of the Annapurna Himalayas.

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. 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: Bamboo

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: Kathmandu

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

Transfer to Airport for onward journey.

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