Annapurna Base Camp Trek 11 Days

Annapurna Base Camp Trek – 11 Days

Region:                           Annapurna                                         Maximum Altitude:                         4.130m/13776ft.

Starting Point:             Kathmandu                                        Trek Grade:                                        Moderate

Finishing Point:           Kathmandu                                        Type of Trek:                                      Lodge/Tea house

Duration:                      10Days                                                  Group Size:                                       Minimum 2-15

 

Nepal is a beautiful destination that offers travelers an awe-inspiring experience through the Himalayas. The Annapurna Base camp trek (also known as Annapurna Sanctuary or ABC) is one such experience that offers a memorable episode in one’s life. The base camp is a deep glacier, which gives the effect of an amphitheater surrounded by a ring of impressive high peaks including: Hiun Chuli, Annapurna South, Fang, Annapurna I, Ganggapurna, Annapurna III and Machhapuchhare.

 

The trail ascends the Annapurna foothills through forested hillsides where you will be given a taste of Nepal’s magical and majestic ambience. With spectacular sunrise over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri in combination with village settlements across terraced fields and abundant forests you will definitely believe you are in the “Sanctuary of the Gods”.

Skeleton Itinerary

Day1:     Drive to Nayapul then trek to Hile

Day2:     Trek to Ghorepani

Day3:     Sunrise at Poonhill then trek to Tadapani

Day4:     Trek to Chhomrung

Day5:     Trek to Dobhan

Day6:     Trek to Machhapuchhare Base Camp

Day7:     Trek to Annapurna Base Camp then to Dobhan

Day8:     Trek to Jhinu Danda

Day9:     Trek to Landruk

Day5: Trek to Kande then drive to Pokhara

Trip Highlights

• Ascending the Annapurna foothills through picturesque Gurung villages and the Modi Gorge into Annapurna Base Camp.
• Watching the sunrise over the unobstructed panorama of Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, Nilgiri, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Hiun Chuli and Tarke Kang.
• Following part of the route undertaken by British Mountaineer Chris Bonnington when he led the successful ascent of Annapurna’s South Face.
• Increditbel panorama within Base Camp; ridgeline of peaks is almost uninterrupted spectacular aerial views of the Annapurna Range.
• The artistic and architectural traditions of Durbar Square’s monuments and the UNESCO World.

Options

• Fly to Pokhara. Start trek on the same day / Return to Kathmandu by road than air.

Day 1    Arrive in Kathmandu (Alt: 1,350m) and arrange trekking permits after which fly down to Pokhara (Alt: 820m).

Overnight at Hotel

Included meals breakfast, lunch and dinner

 

1. Drive to Nayapul then trek to Hile (Alt: 1,430m). Trek 3hours

To reach the start point of our trek we have a short drive, west of Pokhara, to Nayapul. Our trek today is short and gentle as we follow the Bhurungdi Khola (River) upstream to Hile. We pass streams, waterfalls, tropical vegetation and thriving rice fields that give this area its lushness.

Overnight lodge/teahouse

Included meals breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day3      Ghorepani (Alt: 2,860m) Trek 6hours

As we leave Hile behind, you will find you will find wide trails with stone pathways along the way. Continuing northwards along the Bhurungdi River we will then come across a suspension Bridge, over an impressive waterfall on the other side. Here we will be facing a steep climb on stone stairs which is of about 40 minutes when then leads into a Rhododendron forest.  En route we pass a number of villages and encounter our first glimpse of Annapurna South (7,210m) and Machhapuchhare (Fishtail) (6,997m).

Beyond Ban Thanti the forest becomes denser as we continue upwards with more stop steps to climb before emerging at Nangge Thanti, from here Ghorepani is about an hour’s trek. Ghorepani is mostly inhabited by Magars and originally this village was a horse watering post, for traders along the salt trade route.

Overnight lodge/teahouse

Included meals breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day4      Sunrise at Poon Hill then Trek to Tadapani (Alt: 2,630m) Trek 5 ½ hours

We start this beautiful day with a spectacular sunrise from Poon Hill (3,210m). To capture this we will leave early in the morning for a 45minutes walk above Ghorepani which brings us to the panorama of peaks of Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Annapurna, Machhapuchhare (6,997m), Manaslu (8,163m) and many more.  After the awe inspiring sunrise and a hearty breakfast we join the trail that heads north following a ridge with stunning views of the Annapurna from East to West. Passing through open space the trail brings us very close to Annapurna Sought (7,219m). The trail then descends steeply as it enters a dense Rhododendron forest. The final climb of the day brings us to Tadapani. A small, charming village sitting on a hill top enclosed by a Rhododendron forest, and where we have a close up view of Annapurna South (7,210m), much closer than the one seen on the trail, and distant views of Machhapuchhare (6,997m) and Annapurna III (7,555m) and Annapurna IV (7,525m).

Overnight lodge/teahouse

Included meals breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day5      Chhomrung (Alt: 2,170m) Trek 5hours

Descending from Tadapani through dense forests the trail then leads you to neatly cut terrace farms of paddy, followed by a suspension bridge over Kimrong rive which is a tributary of the Modi River. Crossing the bridge we then make a steep climb joining the main trail to Chhomrung which leads us to the Modi Valley the entrance of the Annapurna Base Camp. Walking up Modi Valley we arrive at Chhomrung, a Gurung village that clings to the hillside, and is the last major settlement in the valley.

Overnight lodge/teahouse

Included meals breakfast, lunch and dinner

 

Day6      Dobhan (Alt: 2,600m) Trek 5 ½hours

The day begins with a descent to cross Chhomrung Khola; a stone stairway takes us there offering magnificent views of Machhapuchhare- its profile clearly showing why it is names Fishtail. From here the trail climbs steeply as we continue up the Modi Valley. Passing through oak and Rhododendron forests and farmland we continue to the top of the main ridge above the River where the small village Sinuwa lies at 2,340m. The ascent becomes more gradual as we enter a dense forest of bamboo and then Rhododendrons before finally emerging out of Dobhan (2,600m), which lies at the base of a snowless Mountain

Overnight lodge/teahouse

Included meals breakfast, lunch and dinner

 

Day 7     Machhapuchhare Base Camp (Alt: 3,700m) Trek 5hours

Beyond here the trail begins to follow the Modi Khola. As we continue onwards on the opposite side of the River we pass several spectacular waterfalls. At 3,100m we reach Hinku Cave, where the early expeditions to Annapurna Base Camp used to camp.  We will then pass a ravine and move towards the gates of Machhapuchhare Base Camp. The landscape here will bewilder you.  Situated at the foot of the Annapurna Glacier Machhapuchhare Base Camp presents a truly breathtaking panorama of Gandharwa Chuli (6, 248m), Annapurna I (7,091m), Annapurna III, Ganggapurna (7,454m) and the well-known peak of Machhapuchhare.

Overnight lodge/teahouse

Included meals breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day8      Annapurna Base Camp (4, 130M) – Trek back to Dobhan (Alt: 2,600m) Trek 6 1/2 hours

To ensure the best experience, avoiding the clouds that blow in and obscure the view, it is an early morning climb to Annapurna Base Camp, which has been our aim now for many days. The trail follows part of the route undertaken by British Mountaineer Chris Bonnington when he led the ascent of Annapurna’s South Face. On reaching Base Camp through a narrow entrance you will experience a truly awe-inspiring uninterrupted and up close view as you stand at the center of snowy mountains - Hiun Chuli (6,441m), the massive south face of Annapurna South (7,219M), Annapurna Fang (7, 647m), Annapurna I (8,091m), Ganggapurna (7,454m), Annapurna III (7,555m) and finally the magnificent north face pyramid of Machhapuchhare (6,997m). Here we will have time to enjoy this incredible panorama, explore around the Base Camp and hear the thunder of rock and ice as it detaches itself from the peaks before making our way back to Dobhan.

Overnight lodge/teahouse

Included meals breakfast, lunch and dinner

 

Day9      Jhinu Danda (Alt: 1,780m) Trek 5 ½ hours

Today we continue to descent along the Modi valley until we reach Chhomrung River. From here a long steep ascent returns us to Chhomrung. Continuing upwards for a short time we then descend very steeply through terraces to Jhinu Danda our destination, where you will be indulging in the relaxing hot springs of Jhinu Danda

Overnight lodge/teahouse

Included meals breakfast, lunch and dinner

 

Day 10  Landruk (Alt: 1,565m) Trek 4hours

Leaving Jhinu Danda the trail descends through the forest to Modi Khola. On crossing the River we reach Landruk via a series of ascents and descents on stone stairways and keeping to the contour of rice terraces. Landruk is a large scenic Gurung village with spectacular views of the valley as well as Annapurna South and Hiun Chuli.

Overnight lodge/teahouse

Included meals breakfast, lunch and dinner

 

Day11    Kande and drive to Pokhara (Alt: 820m) Trek 5hours

The final day of the trek, we will be descending into to Kande bringing the trail to its end. From here we drive back to Pokhara, arriving late afternoon. Trip ends upon reaching Pokhara

Overnight in Pokhara