Annapurana Sanctury Trek is a spectacular venture into the south face of Annapurna through the diversified picturesque villages, neatly terraced fields, dense forests, flashy rhododendron bushes and roaring rivers, along the challengingly pleasant trails embellished with the back drop of captivating mountainous vista. Our trek to this secret mountain fortress begins from Nayapul, located at about half an hour’s drive from the hullabaloo of Pokhara. A predawn ascent from Ghorepani to the vantage point of Poon Hill (3210m) and the mountainous vista of the majestic Annapurna Range, Dhaulagiri and Fishtail brings a “once in a lifetime” experience for you. Trudging up to the Machhapuchre Base Camp (3700) and then even higher to the Annapurna Base camp (4130m) would definitely demand much of your stored calorie and keep you panting, but the scenic rewards that you are offered once you get there will compel you to smile with loud “wow!!!”, no matter how drained out you could be!
The Annapurna Sanctury is an oval shaped plateau perched at an altitude of 4000m. The chain of the towering Annapurna massif encompassed this expanse from all sides. Owing to such unique topography, this region receives only seven hours of sunlight a day, yet it is blessed with an extra-ordinary variety of ecosystems. This sanctuary was once regarded as sacred for the people following Hindu and Buddhist religion, as they clung to the belief that their deities dwelled here. Derestricted only in 1956, the Annpurna Sanctury is now one of the most favored trekking destinations in Nepal.
As you pass by the cluster of human settlements along the way, you will find it alluring to mingle up with them. They might not be so good at articulating thing for you, but their efforts and gestures and some help from your guide, will help you understand things. Gurung, Magars, Thankalis and of course, the Sherpas are some of the ethnic groups smiling at the visitors!
Today is your arrival day. we welcome you upon your arrival at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport. Transfer to Hotel in Kathmandu. Prior to the activities, arrange a meeting with your guide for briefing about the necessary formalities on your tour and trek program. Depending upon your arrival time you may spend free time visiting nearby historic/Countryside areas.
Meet your culture guide for Half day sightseeing in Kathmandu World Heritage sights. Explore UNESCO enlisted Hindu and Buddhist temples, observe age old Newari architectures, friendly people; their culture and lifestyle. Our Trek Leader/Guide meets you in the afternoon for the trek briefing and for the final trek preparation. In the evening sample a delicious traditional Nepali Welcome dinner in authentic Nepali Restaurant with the cultural dances that represents different customs and music instruments of Nepal. Private vehicle is there for you to pick up and drop in Hotel with our staff. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Our tour officer picks you up in the Hotel to drive to Domestic airport after breakfast. We take 25 minutes scenic flight to Pokhara, a naturally beautiful city located about 200 km west of Kathmandu where your trek commences and ends. Have fun and ever memorable time close by Himalayan Mountains. Our Local trekking guide cum Leader meets you at the Airport to pick you up for 1 hour drive by car to the trekking put in point at Nayapool. We are now ready to hit the trail within few minutes having optional tea break while in last minute preparation to Birethanti via the large village besides the River Modi Khola for about 25 minutes, a large and prosperous town. The trail follows the main street of Birethanti, going through mixed forests, terraces and ethnic people along up the River Bhurjung Khola (River). Beyond a pasture used by pony caravans, the trail reaches green terraced Grurung area called Hille where you have lunch. After lunch, we climb gradually up side of the valley reaching Tirkhedhunga. It is an exciting about an hour steep up hills to Ulleri from thirsty stone at 1695m.We stop the first night of our trek in this spectacular view point ridge for next day’s easy trek to Ghorepani (4:30 hrs).
After breakfast, our Trek leader/guide arranges to start trek around 8 am. From Ulleri the trek starts gradually up to Nagethani viewpoint through this historic trader’s route with Tibetan stonelayed Gurung cottages, streams, mixed forests, chirping birds and butterflies encountering caravans of the ages old transportation way in mules back. Having stopped over for optional tea breaks the trail goes through the deep rhododendron forest to Banthanti and to Ghorepani (Horse drinking stop).The views in between this trek are the highlight of this superb trek that makes all of us excited for the coming major mountain views. The lunch can be taken on the way or in the scenic balcony at Ghorepani. In the winter this place gets lots of snow adding extra fun on top of this trek. This place always welcomes with the butterfly looking spectacular Mountain panorama of Dhaulagiri I (8167m), Tukuche Nilgiri (6940m), Annapurna South, Annapurna I (8091m), Hiunchuli (6441m) and Nilgiri (7193m). Our day trek to Ghorepani provides plenty of time to rest, reading, walking around to meet local people or to retire to bed early for next exploration.(4 hrs)
We start an early morning hike to Poonhill (3150m) for the majestic Butterfly mountain views of Annapurna ranges, Dhaulagiri, Fishtail, Nilgiri in the spectacular dawn. The viewpoint also provides you to see the Mustang valley behind the highest mountains, very close to Tibet border. After an hour photography in the various pose on the top with hot drinks, descend to Ghorepani for breakfast before we head to Tadapani. The trail to Tadapani is the best for exploring unique and the colorful orchids. The trailhead leads along another scenic ridge through mixed rhododendron forests to Deurali (2960m). Then we start the descend and ascend through another tranquil rhododendron mixed forest through the gorges to Banthanti, gradual ascending through another rhododendron forest to -Tadapani. The Fishtail and the Annapurna south is best viewed here (7:30 hrs).
Dropping down from Tadapani to Gurjung the route offers good views of the upper Kimrong Khola valley passing through the spectacular terraces of millet, buckwheat, ever bird singing and the thatched roof cottages of Gurung ethnic tribe. The path then starts the long ascend high above the North bank of the Kimrong Khola parallel to the Kimrong Danda. We then arrive in the village of Chhomrong (2210m) where you find HimChuli, Fishtail and Annapurna South soaring up the another series of green, grey hills. Chomrong is the last permanent settlement and the headquarter to the multi spectacular Annapurna and Machhapuchhre Base Camp.There is a Mother’s group to entertain you with the pure Village cultural program in the evening on request and in depending upon the number of foreigners available in the lodge. (5:30 hrs).
Today we descend in stone step down until Chhomrong Khola, then the trail begins a slow climb crossing the the iron bridge as we head up to nicely located lodges for Lunch stopover – Sinuwa passing through small villages to Kuldi Ghar (2470m) about 2 1/2 to 3 hrs walking. The trek now enter through mixed forests of Bamboo,rhododendron in the upper Modi Khola valley encountering Himalayan balck faced Langoor. We can expect snow from here on in the post winter months (Feb-April.) We continue our trek going down to ACAP permitted lodges at Bamboo through an uninhabited forest area, scattered with big rocks,waterfalls besides the River Modi. From Bamboo the road take us through deep bamboo and rhododendron forests stepping on the slippery roots of Rdododendron trees to Doban.The trail to Dobhan is proper rough, moderate humid forest trail (2540m). (6hrs).
After climbing various temporary branches of the Rivers nearly 400 meters up we first get at the Himalayan Hotel at 2840 meters. This trail prepares you appropriately for the great mountain views through the Annapurna Mountain Gorges. We then continue on to Hinko Cave (3100m) after paying homage to a Barahi (Goddess of Forest) offering branches of leaves, ringing the bell for the best of Luck then walk onto Deurali crossing numerous old avalanches. During this day if we are lucky we can see interesting wildlife and the difficult pastures. Here we also have great views of Machhapuchhare mountain ridges (6997m) and you understand why the English name is fishtail mountain. We stay overnight at Deurali (5 hrs).
The trail now becomes less steep and after crossing further old avalanche debris we reach an open meadow that leads to the gateway of the Annapurna Sanctuary. In less than three hours we reach the lodges at Machhapuchhare Base Camp, arriving in time for lunch. The afternoon is free to enjoy the truly spectacular scenery of the surrounding peaks. To fully appreciate this magical location and aid acclimatization we spend an extra day at this base camp and explore around its surrounding area. (2:30 hrs)
Today as soon as we head up for few minutes start viewing the dramatic majestic Machhapuchhare along up the Annapurna Glacier. Machhapuchhre or Fishtail Mountain is Holy Mountain in this area after George Bonnignton’s difficult attempt to scale her. Walking up here is affected by the altitude so slow and steady pace offer great fun walking in this early sunrising mountain gorges upto Annapurna Base Camp via MBC. As long as you get near Fishtail Base Camp you find it awe-inspiring finding the giant Annapurna Mountains soaring and surrounding ahead up. This is the Annapurna Sanctuary since explored by Col. Jimmy Roberts in 1960 where you be enjoying the Annapurna Ranges of Mountains in 360 angle.Annapurna I, II, III, IV and Annapurna fang and south along numerous peaks feels you around the Mountain Paradise (2:00 hrs)
Today After adding the ecstatic sunrise views of the Mountains in the Base Camp we follow our way back to Bamboo besides the bank of Modi River. It’s easier as we descend the most part of our route enjoying the changing shape and sizes of the Mountains. We need to descend keeping eyes on the occasional loose rough trails. (6hrs).
From Bamboo we continue to Sinuwa resting in the different sunny tranquil viewpoint. From Sinuwa the trail descends through forests to Chhomrong Khola and then the trail ascends in the numerous stone steps to Chhomrong.We stop for the Lunch at this Beautiful ridge with the soaring Himchuli, Fistal and Annapuran south. We then head down towards Peaceful Jhinudanda. Here you have great afternoon to dip into the Natural Hot Spring in the bank of rapiding Modi River.Overnight at Jhunudanda (5 hrs)
We start walking down to local Kimrong Villages along down the Modi River via Bamboo and mixed forest.The trail then head down to the Kyumi River bridge spotting wildlife like Monkeys, deer in the cliff and the colourful butterflies on the way.We have also the best chances to see the bee hives in the difficult River cliffs . The trails then winding up to Ghandruk villages passing through the terraces taking beautiful snaps of the Mountains and the village life.Ghandruk is the settlement of Ethnic Gurung tribe who are known as the Brave Gurkhas.You be amazed looking around the stone paved Gurung village,Muesuems, and chiiling out in this Panoramic ridge.(4:30 hrs)
This is the last day of our Great Annapurna Base Camp trek with Mountain-Culture- Ethnic experience. We walk down to motorable trail. We arrange a private car/jeep to Pokhara. You have plenty of time to explore around Lakeside Pokhara, book Paragliding in the morning or just relax in the lakeside Restaurant,Pubs.
After Breakfast, we are ready for the scenic drive to Kathmandu.It takes nearly 6 hours to get back to Kathmandu witnessing highway life and travel in Nepal from West.Overnight hotel in Kathmandu.
Our Tour officer meets you in Hotel for the Departure Transfer to Kathmandu’s International Airport. We always anticipate welcoming you back to Nepal for various other stunning Trekking with our best service in Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, India etc.
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