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Annapurna Sanctuary Trek
Trip Profile: 14 Days
Hotel: 2+1 Nights in Kathmandu
Hotel: 1 Night in Pokhara
Trekking Days: 10 Days
Maximum Elevation: 4130 m (13,550 ft)

The Annapurna Sanctuary which surrounds Annapurna Base Camp is one of the most stunning trekking destinations in the Nepali Himalaya. At the base camp, one is surrounded by snow clad mountains on all sides. This is an ideal trek for those who would like to get up close to the Himalayan mountains but have a limited amount of time. En route to the sanctuary we will take in the famous Himalayan view of the Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri atop Poon Hill, while on our way back to Pokhara we will pass through the picturesque village of Dhampus.

Our highly trained, skilled and experienced trekking guide will lead you throughout the trekking period. An adequate amount of time will be spent acclimatizing to new altitude for both safety and comfortable. High Altitude Dreams is proud of our experienced guides.

The price includes guide, porters, all transportation in Nepal, Annapurna Conservation Permit, accommodation and breakfast in Kathmandu, as well as all meals and lodging in Pokhara, along the trail, and during transport to and from Kathmandu. Not included: International air fare, visa, lunch and dinner in Kathmandu, alcoholic beverages, mineral water, laundry, trip insurance, and tips guides and porters.

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu
When you arrive in Kathmandu, our airport representative will receive you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer you to the hotel. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 02: Kathmandu City Tour
After breakfast, we’ll visit Swayambhunath temple, and said to be 2000 years stupa on a hillock offers breath-taking view of Kathmandu City. We will then proceed to visit Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath Stupa. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 03: Kathmandu- Pokhara-Ulleri
Fly to Pokhara and overnight stay at Hotel. We will drive to Nayapool. This is a couple of hours drive from Pokhara. On the way you could have the opportunity to scenic photos of surrounding villages and their people. After you reach at Nayapool, your trek starts form this point. The trail crosses a stream and then ascends a steep stone staircase to the large Magar village at Ulleri (2070 m).

Day 04: Ulleri- Ghorepani
After breakfast, we start our trekking from Ulleri. 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 (2850 Mts.) Approximate time will be 5 hours and overnight stay.

Day 05: Ghorepani- Poon Hill – Tadapani
The sunrise from atop Poon Hill is a magical experence, but an early start is required to watch it from the summit. At 3210 meters 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. On top you are surrounded by the whole panorama of mountains. There is an observation platform at the summit with picnic tables around the edge of the hilltop and usually 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. After soaking up the view we descend back down to Ghorepani and have breakfast before departing to Tadapani. At Tadapani, sunrise and sunset offer particularly good views of Annapurna South, and Machhapuchhare, which is visible across the valley.

Day 06: Tadapani-Chhomorong
Today you descend through a jungle-like forest (notorious for leeches in the summer) 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 saw-station 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 before we get to Chhomrong (2,300m). 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 recently finished 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. Approximate 3 hours and overnight in lodge at Chhomrong.

Day 07: Chhomrong-Himalaya
Following a well-worn trail, you rejoin the Modi Khola Valley. You follow the valley through rhododendron forests, gently climbing uphill and pass through high bamboo forests populated with monkeys. You eventually reach a divide in the trail and bear right down to the lodges of Bamboo near the river, and a welcome break. 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 you finish, after some quite steep sections, at the grandly named Himalaya Hotel (2,890m). Overnight in lodge near Himalaya
Approximate 6 hours.

Day 08: Himalaya- Machhapuchhre BC
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. Machhapuchhre is now clearly visible, towering above you and just across the valley. Traveling across a barren rocky area you arrive at the Machhapuchhre Base Camp, which at 3,720m is perfectly positioned at the gateway to this inner Annapurna panorama. From here it’s less than two hours to the Annapurna Base Camp (4,095m), and perfect views of some of the world’s highest mountains. Approximate 3-4 hours. Overnight in lodge near Machhapuchhre BC.

Day 09 : Machhapuchhere BC- Annapurna BC
Much of this day is spent enjoying the spectacular scenery that surrounds you. Dependent upon where you stayed last night, you can explore various viewpoints from which to view the peaks. The huge south face of Annapurna I (8,090m) provides an impressive backdrop, while the closeness of 10 peaks over 6,000m, including Annapurna South, Annapurna 1, Annapurna 3, Homunculi and Machhapuchhre, 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. You may struggle to get this far in the winter months, if there is a lot of snow 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. Approximate 2-3 hours. Overnight in lodge near Annapurna BC

Day 10: Annapurna BC-Dovan
Leaving the towering peaks behind, you descend back down through the tree line and through the rhododendron and bamboo forests and reach again at Himalaya. After slight descent, you reach at Dovan where we have overnight stay. Approximate 5-6 hours.

Day 11: Dovan- Landruk
After breakfast, we continue 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 walk to Jhinnudanda (1,700 m), and slightly descending towards Landruk (1620 m) where we will stay overnight. Approximate 5-6 hours.

Day 12: Landruk-Phedi-Pokhara
Today you travel via Landruk (1,620 m) and begin a steady ascent through Tolka to Pothana (2,000 m). You leave Pothana, and descend first to Dhampus and then to Phedi, where we drive you back to Pokhara. Overnight in hotel in Pokhara. Approximate 5-6 hours.

Day 13: Pokhara- Kathmandu.
Fly back to Kathmandu. Optional tour in Kathmandu. Overnight stay.

Day 14: Final Departure
In this day, our representative will pick you up from hotel and transfer you to the Airport for your final departure. Please note that check in time is 3 hours before your flight time.