There is much more to Nepal than just mountains. You start with a couple of days to explore the rich culture and history of Kathmandu and the Valley by visiting some of the city’s finest UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Spending a night with a family in Panauti, a beautiful little Newar town in the Kathmandu Valley you get a chance to see a little of the ‘real Nepal’.
Perhaps one of the most scenic treks in the world, the combination of not so difficult hiking and the majestic scenery makes this trek to Annapurna Base Camp (4200m) in the Annapurna Sanctuary one of the most popular in Nepal. Walking through thick bamboo and rhododendron forests, you are surrounded by incredibly beautiful mountain views of some of the highest mountains in the world. You pass small villages and meet locals with a mix of cultures unparalleled by any of the other treks as you venture deep into the Annapurna Himal.
Trek grade: This is a Grade 3 trek as some of the days are quite long (up to 7 hours) and you climb to over 4,200m. However, the walking is along good trails, going up gradually and is not technical in any way.
If this interests you, you might like to have a look at some of the other treks Royal Mountain Travel can offer in the area:
| Days | Activity |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Kathmandu |
| Day 2 | Kathmandu sightseeing |
| Day 3 | Bhaktapur and Panauti |
| Day 4 | Pokhara |
| Day 5 | Birethanti – Tirkedhunga (1540m, 5 hrs) |
| Day 6 | Tirkedhunga to Ghorepani (2987m, 7 hrs) |
| Day 7 | Trek to Poon Hill (3190m), Ghorepani to Tadapani (2590m, 7 hrs) |
| Day 8 | Tadapani to Chhomrong (2170m, 5 hrs) |
| Day 9 | Chhomrong to Himalaya Hotel (2920m, 7 hrs) |
| Day 10 | Annapurna Base Camp (4130m, 7 hrs) |
| Day 11 | Dobhan (2505m, 6 hrs) |
| Day 12 | Chhomrong (1951m, 5 hrs) |
| Day 13 | Dhampus (1650m, 7 hrs) |
| Day 14 | Pokhara (915m, 3 hrs) |
| Day 15 | Fly Pokhara to Kathmandu |
| Day 16 | Departure |
Trekking: Additional information
Please note that the published itinerary can only be a statement of intent and should be used as a guide only. Each day may vary due to the walking times of the group, camping and trail cond
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Arrival in Kathmandu
Arriving at Tribhuwan International Airport is an experience in itself. Don’t let it put you off, as our airport representative will be waiting to welcome you with your name written on a placard. Depending on traffic, the drive to your hotel takes about 20-30 minutes. (Traditional Comfort Hotel or equivalent)
Kathmandu sightseeing
The day is spent visiting some of the major World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu. Visiting three of the major UNESCO World Heritage Sites, you start in Kathmandu’s Durbar Square Built between the 12th and 18th centuries. You then are taken to Swayambunath, otherwise nicknamed the ‘Monkey Temple’. This is one of the oldest and most revered shrines in the country. Pashupatinath Temple, considered one of the sacred temples of Hindu faith sits on the banks of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu. The seat of the national deity, Lord Pashupatinath, the temple complex has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1979.
You will have plenty of time in the afternoon to prepare for your trek and check that you have everything you need. You might want to visit Thamel, the tourist hub of Nepal where you can easily find all you need for trekking. Or if you just want to relax, there are many cafes and bakeries serving excellent local tea and coffee. It is best to avoid the street food, however, unless you have a very strong stomach. It is recommended that you have an early night as you will have an early start in the morning.
Bhaktapur and Panauti
Following the Araniko Highway out of Kathmandu, you reach one of the most fascinating and important World Heritage Sites in Nepal. Bhaktapur is made up of three large squares filled with historic shrines and temples, Newar architecture and fine art. Famous for its clay pots and exquisite wood carvings, Bhaktapur is also legendary for its colourful festivals and its delicious and unique cuisine.
Continuing a little further into the Kathmandu Valley, you arrive at Panauti, another historic Newar town where you have lunch with your Homestay host. In the afternoon your host will take you around the old town center. Panauti is an old traditional Newari village where you can see a large number of Hindu and Buddhist religious monuments and temples. (Panauti Homestay)
Pokhara
After breakfast, returning via Kathmandu (35km) you continue your drive on one of the country’s oldest and busiest highways. The construction of the highway started in 1967 with the help of the Chinese government and completed in 1974, made it possible to travel to Pokhara by road (until then it took at least two weeks on foot). The highway is named after King Prithivi Narayan Shah. Weather permitting, you may catch glimpses of the Himalayas along the way. Driving first along the Trisuli River – the main tourist attraction for white water rafting, you then follow the massive Marshyangdi River. During the drive, you have the opportunity to stop for photos and lunch. Arriving in the afternoon, the rest of the day you have free in Pokhara.
Birethanti – Tirkedhunga (1540m, 5 hrs)
After breakfast, you are taken on the two-hour drive to the start of the trek at Birethanti. Birethanti is a large and prosperous town beside the Modi River. We head up the wide trail through bamboo forests and lush pastures to Sudami where you climb gradually up the side of the valley to reach Hile (1495m), and then Tirkedhunga where you stop for the night.
Tirkedhunga to Ghorepani (2987m, 7 hrs)
The next morning you descend to cross the Bhurungdi Khola before climbing the steep stone staircase to the Magar village of Ulleri. It is said that there are 3,767 steps (who’s counting?), but this is the toughest section of the trek. As you climb, the peaks of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli emerge from behind the foothills. Pasture and cultivated fields start to give way to deep forests of oak and rhododendron.
It should take about 3-4 hours to reach Banthanti (2824m) where you stop for lunch. Then after a break, you continue for another hour and a half to Ghorepani. One of the biggest villages in the area, the views of the Himalayas from here are amazing. You may see 360° views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayas on a clear day. Dhaulagiri I, II, III, IV, V, Tukuche, Dhampus, Nilgiri, Annapurna South, Barah Sikhar, Machhapuchhre (aka Fishtail) are some of the major peaks seen from here.
Trek to Poon Hill (3190m), Ghorepani to Tadapani (2590m, 7 hrs)
Poon Hill is the major attraction of this area. Visiting Poon Hill early in the morning for the sunrise is a memorable experience. You start early to hike the hour up to Poon Hill in the morning to admire the sun rising over the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges. After spending about half an hour or so on the top of this hill, you return to your lodge in Ghorepani for breakfast.
From Ghorepani, your trail winds upwards along ridges and through pine and rhododendron forests first to Deurali (2960m) and then down to Banthanti before reaching Tadapani (2540m) on a trail that descends steeply through dense moss-covered forest rich with bird life.
Tadapani to Chhomrong (2170m, 5 hrs)
The trail descends from Tadapani, through dense rhododendron forest. Towering above the villages you see the mighty peak of Annapurna South, with the Fishtail facing it across the valley. Chhomrong (2040m) is a Gurung village and the last permanent settlement on the way to the Sanctuary.
Chhomrong to Himalaya Hotel (2920m, 7 hrs)
The trail first drops down a set of stone steps to Chhomrong Khola and then goes upwards again through Sinuwa and on through a rhododendron forest to Kuldi (2470m). Entering the upper Modikhola valley alongside bamboo thickets, you walk through largely untouched forests of oak and rhododendron as you climb and then descend to Bamboo (2335m). This section of the trail can be a bit of a bottleneck as there are just a few lodges here that only open during the high season. You follow the track steeply upward through deep bamboo and rhododendron forest to the village called Himalaya Hotel (2920m).
Annapurna Base Camp (4130m, 7 hrs)
Starting with a hike up through bamboo and then rhododendron forests to Hinko cave, the track stays on the west bank of the Modi which is now flowing through a more open valley to eventually emerges into the Sanctuary. Straight in front, you can see the high lateral moraine of the South Annapurna glacier while the Modi follows a deep cliff to the right of this. This is Machhapuchhre base camp (3480m). It is then just another two hours trek through the Sanctuary to reach ABC or Annapurna Base Camp (4130m). This final stretch to Annapurna Base Camp follows an ablation valley, a corridor-like hollow between the glacier and the flank of the mountain. Here too you have unobstructed views of the most spectacular mountain scenery.
Dobhan (2505m, 6 hrs)
From Annapurna Base Camp you retrace your route down, an easy walk of about 6 hours down to Dobhan.
Chhomrong (1951m, 5 hrs)
Carrying on down the way you came, you continue on to Chomrong where you have more comfortable lodges and the chance to relax from your high altitude adventures.
Dhampus (1650m, 7 hrs)
Carrying on from Chhomrong, you now follow a different route along the east side of the valley via Landrung to Dhampus. Dhampus is nearly at the end of your trek. This village offers you an opportunity to and interact with local people and get a close up look at the daily lives of the villagers, seeing them working on their farms.
Pokhara (915m, 3 hrs)
On the way down you pass the Tibetan Refugee camp at Hyangja. It is an easy three hours to where you are picked up and driven back to Pokhara. There are lots of things to see and do in Pokhara. There are a few museums, the most notable being the International Mountain Museum (IMM). In addition, there is an ethnographical museum, Pokhara Regional Museum and Annapurna Natural History Museum with collections of flora and fauna, and butterflies. There is also the Gurkha Museum featuring the history of the Gurkha soldiers. Gurkha soldiers are still recruited here in Pokhara. You might like to go boating or take the opportunity to try out paragliding. For the fearless, you might want to have a go at Nepal’s second bungee jumping site: Water Touch Bungee Jumping. Or if you are interested in Tibetan culture, you can take a tour of the Tibetan settlements with a Tibetan guide.
Fly Pokhara to Kathmandu
Flying back to Kathmandu takes only about 35 minutes. You have the day free. You have the rest of the day free. You might like to try out one of the many cooking classes or workshops on offer, go for some more sightseeing or do some last minute shopping.
Departure
You transfer to Tribhuvan Airport to connect with your onward flight. Please note that you should check in three hours prior to your flight time.
