Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

We welcome you to the airport and take you to your hotel in the centre of Kathmandu, where our Encounters Travel agent welcomes you, helps you settle in and explains the agenda for the rest of your tour.

You started off early today, going west for Pokhara. You will travel by private car or minivan with a driver and a trekking guide, and once clear of the surrounding hills of the city, there is a wonderful view of the snow-capped peaks as you wind down the valley of the Trisuli River. You can see white water rafts on the Trisuli River below you. The drive continues through the junction of the town of Mugling and to Pokhara (about 7 hours). The journey will also give you your first glimpse of Himalchuli and Manaslu from the north. Upon arrival in Pokhara, after checking in at the hotel, you are free to explore the busy Lakeside area.

Your trek begins today after a 1 1/2 hour drive through the major village of Lumle to Naya Pul. The route begins by passing Birethanti (1025 m), a large and prosperous village. Your path follows the main trail to Sudami, where you climb up the side of the valley until you reach Hille (1,495 m) before you reach Tirke Dhunga (1540 m).

From Tirkhedhunga, the trail crosses a stream and then goes up a steep stone stairway to the large village of Magar in Ulleri (2.070 m). You walk through the Rhododendron and oak forests and through the streams until you make a quick, final climb to Nangethanti. You eventually get to Ghorepani (2,850 m) from Nangethanti. The distance covered is not too wide today, but you are at an altitude of over 1300 m, so be prepared for sore legs by the end of the day. The views of the Annapurna foothills improve with every meter obtained and provide a fitting reward for hard work.

It's no surprise that a lot of people come to Poon Hill to see the sunrise, and an early start allows you to watch it from the top. It is one of the best viewpoints in the Himalayas at 3,210 m. Most of the way up there are good views of the Annapurnas and the Dhaulagiri, while at the top you are surrounded by a panoramic view of the mountains. There is an observation platform at the top, with picnic tables along the edge of the hilltop, and typically a local hot drink offering. The snow-capped peaks are the first to be lit, and while you watch, the mists gently dissipate, and the lines of the hills shake their ridges to welcome the sun. When the sun breasts the hills to the east, the warmth of the sun suddenly takes the chill out of the air. (Take an extra layer of clothes with you, because it can be pretty cold before that). Next you go down to Ghorepani, and from here you follow a gently forested ridge for a while. There are views from all sides, and the air is always busy with the sound of talking monkeys. The summit of Machhapuchhare is visible, before you descend steep, muddy slopes and a heavily forested narrow gorge. As the gorge widens, you are coming to Banthanti. Continuing on, you descend steeply before climbing through the thick, dark forest to Tadapani (2,630 m). Sunrise and sunset offer particularly good photographs of Annapurna South, the towers above the town and Machhapuchhare, which can be seen across the valley.

Today you descend through a jungle-like forest (notorious for leeches in the monsoon season) where the branches of the tree are lined with hanging mosses and the air is mixed with the fragrance of decay and flowering trees. Eventually, you emerge past the sawmill and onto the terraced fields on the side of the deep valley. From here, you walk down the valley past cowsheds and small houses, stopping to watch local farmers work on the terraces. You cross a strong bridge at the river, before climbing to the other side of the valley. Here you walk around the shoulder of the hill and enter the much larger Modi Khola Valley. It's only a short distance along the valley, which leads you directly to the Annapurna Sanctuary before we get to Chhomrong (2.170 m). The village of Chhomrong is relatively wide and spreads out along a steep stone stairway on the side of the valley. Water breaks down cleverly constructed channels, following hundreds of steps down to the bottom. There is a hydroelectric dam at the base of the hill, which now supplies power to much of the village. It's the last big populated village you'll meet before you get back from Base Camp.

Following the well-worn trail, you enter the Modi Khola valley, walking through the Rhododendron trees, climbing gently uphill and passing through the high bamboo forests with monkeys and occasional meadows above. Eventually, you can hit a gap in the trail and bear right down to the lodges of Bamboo by the river, and a welcome break. If you don't have walking poles with you, this stretch of walking is a good opportunity to pick up a stout bamboo walking stick for the coming climbs to Base Camp (ask your guide what you can do). You leave the river, walk again through the wet Rhododendron forest, and start climbing up to the lodges at Doban before you push through some steep sections to the grandly called Himalaya Hotel (2.920 m).

You leave the tree line behind you today as you step up steeply to open areas. Passing past Hinku Cave, a massive overhanging rock that can be used as a temporary shelter in winter when the weather is bad, you cross two daily avalanche streams before you get to Deurali. Then you go up to the narrow entrance to the Annapurna Sanctuary. Machhapuchhare is now clearly visible, rising above you and just across the valley. Traveling across a barren rocky area, you arrive at the Machhapuchhare Base Camp, which at 3,700 m is perfectly positioned at the gateway to this inner Annapurna panorama. It's less than two hours from here to the Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m) and the perfect view of some of the world's highest mountains. You may struggle to get this far in the winter months, whether there is a lot of snow, recent avalanches, or if the weather looks like it's going to get worse. Your guide will have the final say, but walking through these peaceful valleys in the snow, with the giant icicles hanging from the Hinku Cave and the rocks above, makes up for not getting straight to the top. The distance covered is not too long today, but you're going to notice the altitude now, and you shouldn't sit any higher than Macchapuchare BC.

A lot of this day is spent enjoying the spectacular scenery that surrounds you. It's not a long walk to the South Annapurna Base Camp (4130 m), although you're at an altitude of over 400 m. There are many routes and paths in the sanctuary that allow you to try out various points of view from which to view the peaks. The vast south face of Annapurna I (8,091 m) provides an impressive backdrop, while the proximity of 10 peaks over 6,000 m, including Annapurna South, Annapurna 1, Annapurna 3, Homunculi and Machhapuchhare, is simply awe-inspiring. Sunrise is unique as the rising sun steadily illuminates the snow-capped peaks. Walking through the Sanctuary, the view is stunning, as you feel almost absolutely surrounded by the surrounding mountains. Silence is crushing and only occasionally broken by a distant rug of avalanches. If you're fortunate, you may see some climbing expeditions planning to head up the mountains.

Leaving the towering peaks behind, you retrace your steps past the Hinku Cave and back down the tree line and through the Rhododendron and Bamboo forests. Continue past Himalaya Hotel to Bamboo Lodge (2.310 m). You're losing a lot of altitude today, so walking poles or the bamboo stick you picked up earlier would really support your knees.

Continuing back up the Modi Khola Valley, you leave the bamboo behind you as you descend through the Rhododendron jungle to Chhomrong. It's a short but steep walk down to Jhinnudanda (1,780 m), where you rest overnight. Just below the town there are hot springs, where you might have time for a welcome shower, revitalizing hard-working muscles and joints.

You could finish your trek today and walk straight down the valley from Jhinudanda, pick up a shared jeep or local bus to Birethanti and back to Pokhara. However, we prefer to add a few more days and some more spectacular views to this trek and hike up from New Bridge (1340 m) along the eastern side of the Modi Khola Valley, passing through the village of Landruk (1,620 m) before starting a steady ascent through Tolka to Pothana (1890 m).

Your trek ends today as you leave the view from Pothana behind you and descend first to Deurali and Dhampus and then to Phedi, where you enter the main road and we drive you back to Pokhara. Set in a large fertile valley, Pokhara is the gateway to most of Nepal's rafting and trekking destinations and has plenty to entertain you this afternoon and evening as you celebrate the completion of your trek.

We leave the Annapurna region behind this morning and take a tourist bus back to Kathmandu (approx. 7-8 hours). An upgrade to a domestic flight is available on request. The remainder of the day and evening is free to settle back into busy city life again!

Your tour will end after breakfast and, if possible, we will move you to the airport for your home flight.