| DAY 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1300m/4264ft) Upon our arrival in Kathmandu, the Volunteer Society Nepal will arrange to pick us up from the airport. We will then be transferred to Hotel. We can either visit Volunteer Society Nepal’s office in Thamel or take a rest at our hotel room during the late afternoon. In the evening, a welcome dinner will be served to us in a traditional Nepali Restaurant where we will be able to enjoy authentic cuisine with a brief cultural program. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Note: B refers to Breakfast, L refers to Lunch and D refers to Dinner | | DAY 02 : Drive to Pokhara (823m/2,700ft): We take an early morning tourist bus to Pokhara and catch great views of the Himalayas from the right side of our airplane. After arriving in Pokhara, the beautiful lake city we are again greeted with great views of the Himalayas including Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhre, the five peaks of Annapurna and others. | | DAY 03 : Trek to Ghandruk (1940m/6360 ft): 6 hours After taking breakfast, we drive to Naya Pul and start the trek. From Birethanti, we trek uphill on the trail to Ghandruk. While on the trail, we again enjoy the panoramic views of the mountains, pass along various small villages like Chimrong, Syauli Bazar, and Chane. After crossing the suspension bridge over Khumnu Khola, we reach Ghandruk, a beautiful village mostly inhabited by the Gurung community. Along with enjoying the stunningly close-up towering views of Fishtail, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli. We also acquaint ourselves with the simple but rich cultural traditions of the Gurung people at the Gurung Museum in Ghandruk. Overnight in Ghandruk (B, L, D) | | DAY 04: Ghandruk to Chhomrong (2170m/7120ft): 5 hours At this juncture, we climb up for an hour up to Ghandrukkot and then a steep descent takes us to the Kimron Khola. After another steep ascent from Kimron Khola, we have an easy walk of about an hour. Then, we take a steep climb continuing up to Chhomrong. While climbing, we encounter the mighty peak of Annapurna South above the village and the view of Fishtail Mountain (Machhapuchhre) facing across the valley. Chhomrong is a beautiful village located on the lap of the giant Annapurna massive. Overnight in Chhomrong (B, L, D) | | DAY 05: Chhomrong to Dovan (2580m/8460ft): 6 hours We head out of Chhomrong along the Modi Khola leaving behind inhabited foothills into the high step and wooded slopes of the Himalayas. We cross the suspension bridge then trek up to Sinuwa Danda. The ascent from Sinuwa becomes somewhat flatter. The trail passes through a thick and dark rhododendron forest up to Khuldighar. Then, we descend long and steep stone steps into deep bamboo and rhododendron forests through which we reach Doban shortly. Overnight in Dovan (B, L, D) | | DAY 06 : Doban to Deurali (3230m/10,595ft): 4 hours The day starts with a gentle gradual ascent following the trail above the river through thick bamboo, oak and rhododendron forests up the side of the canyon. We pass by Himalaya Hotel and cross two streams over small bridges. The trail passes through solitary places. We get a sense of peace from the beauty of Mother Nature that surrounds us. There is also the possibility of seeing a variety of wildlife species such as wild pigs, deer, and maybe even snow leopards. We climb again to Hinko Cave, an overhanging rock. Our further climb paves the way to Deurali. Overnight in Deurali. (B, L, D) | | DAY 07 : Deurali to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3700m/12135ft): 3 – 4 hours Today, we start our trek to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC). We make a gentle climb through a river bed and then a steep climb over to the mountainside. There are avalanche prone areas at some point on the trail. We have to be on alert to protect ourselves. If there is any wind after about half an hour’s walk from Deurali, we will find ourselves in the middle of a river bed surrounded by giant snow-covered mountains. When the sun rises, the snow on the mountains shines and the river valley is filled with warm sun rays. The hike from Bagar to Machhapuchhre Base Camp is somewhat strenuous but the unfolding view of the majestic Machhapuchhre is certainly a rewarding experience. At this juncture, we enjoy the views of Mt. Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna III, Gangapurna, and of course, the Fishtail or Machhapuchhre itself. Overnight at Machhapuchhre Base Camp. (B, L, D) | | DAY 08: Machhapuchhre Base Camp to Annapurna Base Camp and Himalaya Hotel (4,130m/13,545ft): 5 – 6 hours On the way to Annapurna Base Camp from Machhapuchhre Base Camp, the vegetation disappears. We will see the snow boulders melting and forming small streams. The path widens as we enter the sanctuary. We follow a stream and then climb 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 the 360-degree panorama. After arrival at this view site, we savor the mesmerizing views of the Machhapuchhre, Annapurna south, Annapurna I, Hiunchuli and other peaks. Overnight at Annapurna Base Camp.(B, L, D) | | DAY 09: Himalaya Hotel to Jhinu Dada (1760m/5770 ft): 6 hours (2310m/7575ft): 6 hours At dawn, we relish the magnificent sunrise over the Himalayas from Annapurna Base Camp. After breakfast, we start descending from Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo back through Machhapuchhre Base Camp, Deurali, and Dovan until we finally reach Bamboo. Heading back down to the valley is much easier than climbing up. We will see the waterfalls that drop down from a high point to the rocks below. We further pass through the forests with great views of Fishtail and Hiunchuli mountains. We head for a steep ascent to the Kuldi Ghar and then to Sinuwa following the stone steps that lead to Lower Chhomrong. Then, we ascend on the thousand stone steps taking us to Upper Chhomrong. From Chhomrong, we descend to Jhinu Danda. Today we will have an opportunity to enjoy hot springs just 15-min walk from Jhinu Danda. Overnight in Jhinu Dada. (B, L, D)
| | DAY 10: Jhinu Dada to Naya Pul to Pokhara: 6 hours trek, 1 hour drive In the beginning, we trek from Jhinu Danda to New bridge and then to Kyumi village. After having lunch, we trek to Syauli Bazaar and then down to Birethanti. Further, after about an hour’s trek from Birethanti, we will be at Naya Pul. The trek ends at Naya Pul. From Naya Pul, we drive in a public transportation and reach Pokhara within an hour. | | DAY 11: Pokhara to Kathmandu: We drive to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we will be escorted to our hotel. . Overnight in Kathmandu. (B) | | DAY 12: Final Departure Our journey in Nepal comes to an end today! Volunteer Society Nepal will escort us to the airport approximately 3 hours before our scheduled flight. On our way to home, we have plenty of time to plan our next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal. (B) |
|
Annapurna Base Camp Trek starts with the riverbank of the Modi River and keeps changing the settings as you ascend uphill, it transforms its natural landscapes from the river bank to the thick forests and from lush green grazing lands to the paddy field. Annapurna Base Camp Trek begins to raise the adrenaline level when these natural settings bid farewell and the giants themselves get down on the floor to check on you. Within a few hours of trek, which is nothing less than fun and pleasure, you arrive at Birethanti. You can stop by at one of the restaurants and spend some time sipping at your cups of local tea and coffee before you move ahead. By the time you call it a day, you will already have been captivated by nature and the unprecedented moments you have earned yourself on the very first day of Annapurna Base Camp Trek. That is not even the best part. There is more to come and more than you have expected. On your way up, you can find the mountains like Annapurna watching you stepping 3000 stairs of Ulleri. Beautiful mountains all around and serene nature everywhere, it does not get any better than this. It can be almost unbelievable to get back home without a scratch and not even feeling fatigued after you have spent some days of your life at the most beautiful trail in the world. It feels unreal and you feel like there is nothing more you could bargain for when you see the colorful rhododendron blossoming along the trek, nine species of rhododendron, to be specific. If that is not enough, this region is sheltered to 100 species of mammals, 60 reptiles and amphibians, and more than 450 species of different birds.