Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

Upon arrival in the Kathmandu Airport (TIA), you will be welcomed and greeted by our representative and then transfer to the hotel. After check in, you can either take rest; hang around in the city as it all depends upon your interests. In the evening, we will organize a Welcome Dinner at an excellent traditional Nepalese restaurant where you will enjoy a Nepalese cultural program as well as a fine meal.
Hotel Encounter Nepal

Meals: Dinner
Max Altitude:1350m/4429 ft

After breakfast, break the day with guided tour to several of the most historical and spiritual attractions of Kathmandu. The first visit is made in Swayambhunath Stupa- oldest stupa situated on the hillock. Enjoy the bird eyes view of Kahtmandu Valley and mountains. After then visit Kahtmandu Durbar Square – Palace of Malla and then Shah King of Nepal. Visit Kumari Ghar (living goddes), Kasthamandap (made up of single tree), Hanuman Dhoka (Gate to enter the palace) and many more temples. Finally visit in Patan Durbar Square- city of fine art and architecture. Visit Krishna Temple, Palace square, Mahabauddha, Mahabihar and many more temples and master piece monuments. Late afternoon, there will be a pre-trip discussion where we can meet our trek leader and other team members. Black Diamond briefs us regarding the trip as well as provides us opportunity to ask any questions we may have regarding our upcoming adventure. Overnight in Kathmandu; Hotel Encounter Nepal.

Meals: Breakfast

Early morning at around 7 am, we set off for Pokhara on a tourist bus. En route we will see more of countryside of Nepal that offers greeneries, rivers, villages, farms and beautiful mountain sceneries. Afternoon, we reach Pokhara. Pokhara offers magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhare, five peaks of Annapurna and others. Pokhara is city of lakes and has numerous beautiful lakes. We can explore the most accessible and beautiful, Fewa Lake during the afternoon -enjoy boating too. Explore, relax and dine by tranquil Lake Fewa. We can even do some shopping during evening hours. Overnight in Pokhara.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max Altitude: 823m/2,700ft
  DriveDuration: 6 hrs 

Today we drive to Naya Pul to start our trek. From Naya Pul we follow the south bank of the river. After several hours we will pass through sub-tropical valley forests, sometimes on the carved trail on the side of the cliff. After lunch, we cross the Modi Khola river via a suspension bridge to the village of Tikhedhunga. We trek further along the trail quite steep at times. We reach Ulleri by late afternoon for overnight.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We make our ascent to the Ghorepani village. The name Ghorepani in Nepali means horse-water owing to its role as an important campsite for traders before it became a trekker’s stop. Ghorepani is an interesting place with small shops and stalls for selling local products and craft. The town has two parts: one in a saddle and the other a few hundred feet lower. Since Ghorepani lies quite higher than our previous stop, we begin to feel the chilly weather especially in the evenings. Overnight in Ghorepani.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is a special day because we conquer Poon Hill- an icon of Annapurna region. We climb the steep trail to the viewpoint of Poon Hill (3200mtrs). The efforts will be rewarded with spectacular views of Machhapuchre, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and the Annapurnas. After taking photos and having some coffee, tea or hot chocolate, we return back toGorepani. After breakfast, we head east and climb a nearby ridge. We descend through rhododendron forest, pass by spectacular waterfalls along the way and reach Tadapani for overnight.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From Tadapani, we make a steep descent through the dense and dark forest. The route passes through the west bank of the Modi Khola. Then we descent steeply down the village of Chuile coming over to the Kimrong Khola. Then a steep climb continuing up to Chhomrong. Towering above the village is the mighty peak of Annapurna South, with the Fishtail Mountain (Machhapuchhare) facing it across the valley. Chhomrong is a beautiful village located on the lap of giant Annapurna massive. Overnight in Chhomrong.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We head out of Chhomrong along the Modi Khola leaving behind inhabited foothills into the high step and wooded slopes of Himalayas. We cross the suspension bridge then trek up to Sinuwa Danda. The ascent from Sinuwa becomes somewhat flatter. The trail passes through thick & dark rhododendron forest up to Khuldighar. Then the track passes through deep bamboo and rhododendron forest to the village of Dovan.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The day starts with gentle gradual ascent following the trail above the river through a thick bamboo, oak and rhododendron forests up the side of the canyon. We cross two streams over small bridges. The trail passes through solitary places. The nature’s wilderness gives peace to our mind. There is also the possibility of seeing a variety of species of wildlife such as wild pig, deer, snow leopard, etc. Overnight in Deurali.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we start our trek to Machhapuchre Base Camp (MBC). The trail climbs gently through a river bed and then it rises steeply over the mountain side. There are also avalanche prone areas at some point on the trail. After about half an hour’s walk from Deurali, we will find ourselves in middle of river bed surrounded by giant snow-covered mountains. When the sun rises, the snow on mountains shine and river valley is filled with warm sun rays. The hike to MBC is somewhat strenuous but the unfolding views of the majestic Machhapuchre are certainly a rewarding experience. Overnight in MBC.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

On the way to ABC from MBC, the vegetation disappears. We will see the snow boulders melting and forming small streams. The path widens as we enter the Sanctuary, follows a stream, and then climbs to a few huts alongside a moraine. There are sensational views of the near-vertical south face of Annapurna towering above the sanctuary. Annapurna Base Camp sanctuary boasts of a dynamic view without anything impeding panorama of the 360 degrees. The Machhapuchre, Annapurna south, Annapurna I, Hiuchuli and other peaks. Climax of our trip almost ends today. Overnight in Annapurna Base Camp (4130m/13550ft).

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We wake up at ABC and savor the magnificent sunrise over the Himalayas. Today, we start descending from ABC to MBC, Deurali, Dovan and finally to Bamboo. Heading back down to the valley is must easier than climbing up. Waterfalls cascading down the 500 foot granite faces on both sides to the forest below and great views of Fishtail and Hiuchuli are today’s attraction. Overnight in Bamboo.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Max Altitude: 2310m/7575ft
Trek Duration: 6 hrs 

From Bamboo we trek back to Sinuwa and then descend to Lower Chomrong. Then ascend on the thousand stony steps taking us to Upper Chomrong. From Chomrong we take a different route and instead of going to Ghandruk, we descend to Jhinu Danda. We get opportunity to enjoy hot springs lying just a 15-min walk from Jhinu Danda. Overnight in Jhinu Dada.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trek Duration: 6 hrs
Max Altitude: 1760m/5770 ft

We trek from Jhinu danda to New bridge and then to Kyumi village. After lunch we trek to Sayali bazar and then down to Birethanti. From Birethanti, a half-an-hour’s trek takes us to Naya Pul. The trek ends at Naya Pul. From Naya Pul we take a vehicle and reach Pokhara in about an hour. We might take opportunity to visit some more places around Pokhara until evening. Overnight in Pokhara.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trek Duration: 6 hrs
Drive Duration: 1 hrs

Morning hours of today can be used very efficiently to visit some important spots around Pokhara city. Some places in Pokhara are really worth visiting. We might do some last hours shopping too. Around afternoon, we fly to Kathmandu. We catch left side of the airplane for the best views of Himalayas. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we get transferred our hotel; and we spend the day leisurely, perhaps catch up on some last minute shopping or explore any sights you missed during your first day in Kathmandu and evening celebration dinner together. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Flight Duration: 30 mins

Your adventure in Nepal comes to an end today! There is nothing to do but trade emails with travel companions and organize the photos. If you have more time you can do some shopping or sightseeing. A representative from Black Diamond will take you to the airport approximately 3 hours before the scheduled flight. We say goodbye to you expecting you will again come to visit this wonderful country next time.

Meals: Breakfast