Nepal: Annapurna Sanctuary Trek - Itinerary
Kathmandu - Pokhara - Annapurna Base Camp
Return to 'Annapurna Sanctuary Trip Page'
Day 1: Kathmandu
Transfer day, briefing and welcome dinner in Katmandu.
Will be staying near Thamel, the main tourist section of town, to allow you to shop without having to take a taxi.
Day 2: Kathmandu
Sightseeing for half day, visiting Swayanbhunath, Bouddhanath, and Pashupatinath.
These temples are in all the typical guide book photos of Nepal. They are a must.
Pashupatinath is amazing, as Hindus perform cremations along the banks of the sacred river.
In November, the skies are generally clear and the views from Monkey Temple are stunning.
Day 3: Kathmandu - Pokhara - Naya Pul Birethani
We will take the bus from Katmandu to Pokhara and then transfer to Naya Pul Birethani.
We get to see the authentic Nepal as we leave behind the pizza parlors and ATM machines of the capital.
We will stay in Birethani for the night, before the start of our trek the following day.
Day 4: Birethani - Ghandruk
We will be ascending roughly 900 meters or a little over 3000 feet the first day. The trek heads uphill towards several villages. We will follow the Modi Khola River for some time before heading northwest towards the villages of Kimche and Chane before reaching Ghandruk.
We will pass the huge landslide, which came down during the monsoon rains of the mid 90s.
Ghandruk is the headquarters of the ACAP or Annapurna Conservation Area Project.
Day 5: Ghandruk - Chomrong
Early start as we have a day of ups and downs and a few steeper sections. Today's walk cover a lot of ground as we will pass through many smaller hamlets and a few villages, even taking a very impressive Himalayan suspension bridge over the Kimrong Khola. Today we will have to ascend a bit only to drop down to the rivers in order to cross and then climb back up the other side. About 600 meters of elevation gain for today. Chomrong is located at about 2180m.
Day6: Chomrong - Dovan
We are getting one step closer to the 'Annapurna Sanctuary', the massive amphitheater ringed by many peaks over 7000 meters, following the Modi Khola once again and using a suspension bridge over the Chomro Khola before ascending steeply up to Sinuwa at 2340 meters. Heading along a contour line, we traverse and then reach the hamlet of Bamboo 2350 meters. We cross a dense bamboo forest and hence the name, Bamboo. From there, we have a steady ascent, crossing several streams before reaching the hamlet of Dovan or Doban at 2500 meters. Overnight in Dovan.
Day 7: Dovan - Machhapuchhare Base Camp
Today, the real fun begins as we truly enter the sanctuary and arrive at Machhapuchhare Base Camp at 3700 meters.
We will be passing through many abandoned hamlets, shrines and rock shelters on our 1200 metre climb to the base camp first used in 1957. This will be a long day and we may begin to feel the affects of the altitude on our bodies.
The pace will be steady and we will take all the time necessary to reach our lodge.
Day 8: Annapurna Base Camp
The walk today should take us about 3 hours up to Annapurna BC and then about 2.5 hours back down. We will bring a pack lunch or eat in one of the lodges. The views from here will be stunning as the huge rock and snow faces will tower above us.
Day 9: Machhapuchhare Base Camp - Dovan
In the morning, we will depart for the homeward journey and begin our hike back to Dovan retracing our steps back down the valley. Overnight in Dovan.
Day 10: Dovan - Chomrong
Leaving the Modi Khola to our left, we head back to Bamboo and then the long, steady descent to Chomrong.
Day 11: Chomrong - Landruk
Today's path takes us to New Bridge, and then on to Landruk and back to the heat of the lower elevations. We will be walking above the river and crossing small streams using suspension bridges. As usual, a few steep climbs will be required to get us over ridges and then back down to the river. Overnight in Landruk.
Day 12: Landruk - Phedi - Pokhara
Our last day on the trail. Hot showers and cold beers await us in Pokhara but there are still a few hills to be climbed and descended before reaching the road in Phedi and the drive back to Pokhara. Overnight near the lake and dinner with traditional dancing and music.
Day 13: Pokhara - Kathmandu
A late morning start and bus journey brings us back to the capital. Arrival in the late afternoon.
A well-deserved steak dinner or delicious vegetarian options, and beers at Tom and Jerry's!!
Day 14: Kathmandu
Sightseeing.
We can discuss what you would like to do. We can either have a free day to shop or we can organize transportation and guides for sightseeing in Bakthapur and Pathan, traditional artist's cities 30 minutes from Katmandu.
Farewell dinner and evening in Katmandu.
Day 15: Departure day
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport.
