Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

We greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in the centre of Kathmandu, where our Encounters Travel rep welcomes you, helps you settle in, and explains the agenda for the rest of your tour.

The first part of the morning will be dedicated to a pre-trek briefing and introduction to your trekking guide. After this you'll take a relaxed walking tour through the tourist district of Thamel, and on through tiny markets, past local temples and on to the central Durbar Square with its splendid array of Hindu temples, stupas and palaces. The rest of the day is then free to explore yourself and to make any final purchases from one of the many trekking shops.

In the evening you have an opportunity to try out the numerous, restaurants and bars, and soak up the feel of the place that makes Kathmandu a magnet for travellers from all over the world.

Today you set off early heading west for Pokhara. You will travel by private car or minivan with a driver and your trekking guide, and once clear of the city's surrounding hills, there is a wonderful vista of snow-capped peaks as you wind your way down into the Trisuli River valley. You may well see white water rafters on the Trisuli river below you. The drive continues through the junction town of Mugling, and on to Pokhara (approx. 7 hours). The journey will also give you your first glimpses of Himalchuli and Manaslu, away to the north.

On arrival in Pokhara, after checking into the hotel, you are free to explore the busy Lakeside area.

Your trek starts today after a drive of around 1 1/2 hours via the large village of Lumle to Naya Pul. The route starts by passing Birethanti (1025m), a large and prosperous village. Your path follows the main trail to Sudami where you climb steadily up the side of the valley, reaching Hille (1,495m) before pushing on to Tirkhe Dhunga (1540m).
Trekking time: Approx. 2½ hours

From Tirkhedhunga the trail crosses a stream and then ascends a steep stone staircase to the large Magar village at Ulleri (2,070m). You trek through rhododendron and oak forests and across streams before making a short, final climb to Nangethanti. From Nangethanti you finally trek up to Ghorepani (2,850m). The distance covered isn't too huge today, but you are gaining over 1300m in altitude so be prepared for tired legs by the end of the day. The views of the Annapurna foothills improve with every metre gained and provide a fitting reward for the hard work.
Trekking time: Approx. 5 hours

It is no surprise that many people come to Poon Hill to see the sunrise and an early start allows you to watch it from the summit. At 3,210m it is considered one of the best viewpoints in the Himalayas. Most of the way up, there are good views of the Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri, while on top you are surrounded by a whole panorama of mountains. There is an observation platform at the summit with picnic tables around the edge of the hilltop and usually a local selling welcome hot drinks. The snow-capped peaks are the first to be set alight and while you watch, the mists gently dissipate and lines of hills poke their ridges through to welcome the sun. When the sun breasts the hills to the east its warmth suddenly takes the chill out of the air. (Take an extra layer of clothing with you because it can be quite chilly before this).

You next descend to Ghorepani and from here you follow a gently forested ridge for a while. There are views to both sides and the air is often busy with the sound of chattering monkeys. The peak of Machhapuchhare is visible, before you descend steep, muddy slopes and a heavily forested narrow gorge. As the gorge widens, you arrive at Banthanti. Continuing on, you descend steeply before climbing through dense, dark forest up to Tadapani (2,630m). Sunrise and sunset offer particularly good photographs of Annapurna South, which towers above the town and Machhapuchhare, which is visible across the valley.
Trekking time: Approx. 4½ hours (plus another 4½ hours for Poon Hill)

Today you descend through a jungle-like forest (notorious for leeches in the monsoon season) where the tree branches are draped with hanging mosses and the air is mixed with the scent of decay and flowering trees. Eventually you emerge past a woodcutter's sawstation and onto terraced fields on the side of a deep valley. From here, you follow the valley down past cowsheds and small houses, stopping to watch local farmers working on the terraces. At the river you cross a sturdy bridge, before climbing up to the other side of the valley. Here you round the shoulder of the hill and join the much larger Modi Khola Valley. It’s only a short distance along the valley, which leads you directly up to the Annapurna Sanctuary before we get to Chhomrong (2,170m). The village of Chhomrong is relatively large, and spread out along a steep stone staircase down the side of the valley. Water burbles down cleverly built channels following the hundreds of steps down to the bottom. There is a hydroelectric project at the base of the hill, which now provides most of the village with electricity. It is the last major inhabited village you'll encounter before you return from Base Camp.
Trekking time: Approx. 3 hours

Following a well-worn trail, you rejoin the Modi Khola valley, walking through rhododendron forests, gently climbing uphill and passing through high bamboo forests populated with monkeys, and with occasional meadows above. You eventually reach a divide in the trail and bear right down to the lodges of Bamboo near the river, and a welcome break. If you don't have walking poles with you, this stretch of walk provides a good opportunity to pickup a stout bamboo walking stick for the coming climbs to Base Camp (ask your guide what you can take). You leave the river, walking again though wet rhododendron forest and start to climb up to the lodges at Doban before pushing on through some quite steep sections to the grandly named Himalaya Hotel (2,920m).
Trekking time: Approx. 6 hours

Today you leave the tree line behind you, as you progress steeply upwards into open areas. Traversing past Hinku Cave, a huge overhanging rock that can be used as a makeshift shelter in winter if the weather turns bad, you then cross two regular avalanche flows before you get to Deurali. Then you ascend to the narrow entranceway into the Annapurna Sanctuary. Machhapuchhare is now clearly visible, towering above you and just across the valley. Travelling across a barren rocky area you arrive at the Machhapuchhare Base Camp, which at 3,700m is perfectly positioned at the gateway to this inner Annapurna panorama. From here it’s less than two hours to the Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m), and perfect views of some of the worlds highest mountains. You may struggle to get this far in the winter months, if there is a lot of snow, recent avalanches, or the weather looks like it will turn for the worse. Your guide will have the final say, but walking through these peaceful valleys in the snow, with huge icicles hanging from Hinku Cave and the rocks above, makes up for not getting right to the top. The distance covered isn't too long today, but you will be feeling the altitude now and should not stay any higher than Macchapuchare BC.
Trekking time: Approx. 3 hours

Much of this day is spent enjoying the spectacular scenery that surrounds you. It's not a long walk up to South Annapurna Base Camp (4130m), though you are gaining over 400m in altitude. There are various routes and paths in the sanctuary allowing you to try different viewpoints from which to view the peaks. The huge south face of Annapurna I (8,091m) provides an impressive backdrop, while the closeness of 10 peaks over 6,000m, including Annapurna South, Annapurna 1, Annapurna 3, Homunculi and Machhapuchhare, is simply awe inspiring. Sunrise is particularly special as the rising sun slowly illuminates the snow-capped peaks. Walking through the Sanctuary, the views are spectacular, as you feel almost completely surrounded by nearby mountains. The silence is crushing and only occasionally broken by the distant roar of avalanches. If you're lucky, you may see some climbing expeditions preparing to head up the mountains.
Trekking time: Approx. 2-3 hours

Leaving the towering peaks behind, you retrace your steps past Hinku Cave and back down through the tree line and through the rhododendron and bamboo forests. You continue on past Himalaya Hotel to Bamboo Lodge (2,310m). You're losing a lot of altitude today so walking poles or a bamboo stick picked up earlier will really help your knees.
Trekking time: Approx. 6 hours

Continuing back along the Modi Khola Valley, you leave the bamboo behind you as you descend through rhododendron jungle towards Chhomrong. From here it’s a short but steep walk down to Jhinnudanda (1,780m), where you will stay overnight. Just below the town are hot springs, where you may have time for a welcome soak, revitalising hard worked muscles and joints.
Trekking time: Approx. 5½ hours

You could finish your trek today and walk straight out down the valley from Jhinudanda, picking up a shared jeep or local bus to Birethanti and on back to Pokhara. However, we prefer to add a couple more days and some more impressive views to this trek and to hike up from New Bridge (1340m) along the eastern side of the Modi Khola valley, passing through the village of Landruk (1,620m) before beginning a steady ascent through Tolka to Pothana (1890m).
Trekking time: Approx. 5 hours

Your trek finishes today as you leave the views from Pothana behind you and descend first to Deurali and Dhampus and then to Phedi, where you rejoin the main road and we drive you back to Pokhara. Set in a broad fertile valley, Pokhara is the gateway to most of Nepal's rafting and trekking destinations and has plenty to entertain you this afternoon and evening as you celebrate completing the trek.
Trekking time: Approx. 2 hours

You leave Pokhara behind today and make the drive to the Newari hilltop village of Bandipur (approx. 3 hours). The beautiful centre of Bandipur has been lovingly restored and much of the town is now a pedestrian only zone and surrounded by beautiful old buildings. After settling into your hotel you can spend the afternoon relaxing or exploring the town or take a hike to the nearby village of Ramkot. Ramkot is a village inhabited by the Magar community with good views, and gives you the opportunity to see another Nepalese community with their traditional round houses.

If you wish, you could skip Bandipur completely and return all the way to Kathmandu today, shortening the whole tour by a day.

There's more free time this morning to explore Bandipur before driving back to Kathmandu (approx. 4-5 hours, subject to the traffic on arrival in Kathmandu). You can start at a time of your choosing, depending on whether you'd like more time around Bandipur or in Kathmandu. One good option is to spend the morning walking down through the forests from Bandipur to Bimalnagar on the the main Kathmandu road at the bottom of the hill, stopping at the Siddha Gufa cave on the way. This cave is reputedly the largest in Nepal, at over 400m deep and 50m high, full of stalactites and stalagmites, as well as hundreds of bats. Compulsory guides are present if you'd like to enter (approx. NRs200). The cave is unlit, with torches available for hire. The stone steps down from Bandipur can be slippery.

Your tour ends after breakfast and, if required, we transfer you to the airport for your flight home.