When we’ve asked seasoned travelers to Nepal what their favorite place in the country is, 80% of them will answer “the Annapurna region”. It is known for the most distinctive mountain escape in all the Himalayas. There are quaint villages and beautiful alpine lakes to behold.  From this trail, you can see three of the world’s highest mountains in all of their glory.

 

Mt. Machhapuchhre is the most distinctive of all the Himalayan Mountains. It crowns the skyline like no other Himalayan mountain. It is surrounded by numerous other snowcapped peaks that accent the natural beauty of the land.

 

Watch the most amazing sunrise from Poon Hill. Explore hidden waterfalls and fields filled with wildflowers.  Make your way through dense forests of bamboo, rhododendron and pine. Every day there is something new to behold. It’s all here, and it can be easily done in just 16 days. 

Arrival is always an exciting time because you know your adventure is about to begin. The plane descends into Kathmandu, landing at Tribhuvan International Airport. Disembark, travel through passport control and out into the beautiful Himalayan air! Here you’ll meet your personal representative of Himalayan Planet Adventures who will take you by private car to your hotel to freshen up. After a short rest, you’ll travel to the world headquarters of Himalayan Planet Adventures to meet your guide and go over any last minute details. In the evening, join with your new friends from Himalayan Planet Adventures for a welcome dinner, complete with a cultural program.

Elevation: (4,592 ft / 1,400 m)

It would be a major mistake to come to Nepal and not take a day to tour the mystical Kathmandu Valley. There is a special magic in this place with its narrow, flagstone streets, ancient temples and royal palaces. This city has been here for over 2000 years and is representative of the fabulous culture of the Himalayas. Explore three of the seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites within the Kathmandu Valley. Our usual route would be to visit Pashupatinath, the most sacred Hindu site in all of Nepal. Here along the banks of the sacred Bagmati River we find 490 temples with sandhus (Hindu priests} praying and teaching along with the faithful who have come to perform puja (worship). The next stop is Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Asia. It’s massive! The stupa is surrounded by the largest Tibetan refugee community in Nepal. While Pashupatinath reflects the traditional Hindu culture, a visit to Boudhanath will feel like a journey to Tibet as you walk through monasteries as while passing the Tibetan faithful practice their religion as they used to do in Tibet. The afternoon includes journey to the ancient kingdom of Bhaktapur with its amazing royal palace and many temples. The stone carvings are amazing to behold. In the evening, you will return to your hotel to prepare for tomorrow’s journey to Pokhara.

 

Distance: 20 km

Duration: Max. 7 hrs

Visiting places: 3 sites

DAY 3: Drive to Pokhara (elev. 895 m/2936 ft) 

 

Pokhara is the playground of the Himalayas. It is here that people go paragliding, zip lining, boating and much more. The city is built on the eastern shores of beautiful Lake Phewa here in the heart of the Himalayas. It takes about 6 – 7 hours by first class bus to reach Pokhara. The journey alone is well worth it as you leave the Kathmandu Valley to discover the rural scenery of Nepal. Follow the famed Trisuli River to the village of Mugling and then westward to Pokhara. You will see different Himalayan ranges along the way. We check into our hotel. You will have time to explore Lakeside area. There are many good places to eat along Lakeside.

 

Elevation: (2,713 ft / 827 m) 

Distance: 200.9 km 

Duration: Max. 7 hrs

 

 

After breakfast, you’ll journey by vehicle to the village of Nayapul where you will begin your trek. We’ll trek around 4 – 5 hours today to reach the village of Tikhenhunga. It always amazes people that the lower elevations here in the Himalayas are actually sub-tropical around Pokhara. We will see changing vegetation as well as pass through beautiful Himalayan forests of rhododendron, pine and bamboo. There will be numerous outcroppings with some great views of Machhapurchhre.  Since you are passing through the lower elevations you can see many more of the local residents who farm along these hills. You will spend the night at a tea house in Tikhenhunga.

 

Elevation: (4,856 ft / 1480 m) 

Distance: (40.8 km drive & 9.2 km walk) 

Duration: (2 hrs drive + 4 hrs trek)

DAY 5: Trek to Ghorepani (elev. 2874 m/9,429 ft.) 

 

Ghorepani is a significant village in the lower Annapurna's. In times gone by it was on the salt trail to Tibet. Because of the abundance of water, there was plenty of water to water the horses.  The name “Ghorepani” in the local language means ‘horse water”. You double in elevation today. You will definitely feel the difference as well as see the change in scenery. The forests change mostly to pine and become thinner the higher you trek. There are still plenty of wildflowers and farms. Watch for hidden waterfalls, fed by cold water straight from the melting snows of the mountains. We’ll trek 5 – 6 hours to reach Ghorepani and our teahouse. Be sure to turn in early, because tomorrow we rise before sunrise to see the most glorious sunrise in the Himalayas at Poon Hill!

Elevation: (9,429 ft / 2,874 m)

Distance: (12.9 km) 

Duration: (5 hrs)

 

This trip has many highlights and this morning, is one of them. You wake well before sunrise and make your way up to the top of Poon Hill. This spot is known for the most magnificent sunrises over the Himalayas. We won’t be disappointed. The first rays of the morning sun shoot reddish-orange rays up into the sky. Soon, the snowcapped peaks turn from grey to a reddish-orange. As the effulgent sun rises higher and higher in the sky, the peaks turn the most brilliant white. You stand in awe as you watch this daily occurrence here in the Himalayas. Following sunrise, grab breakfast back at Ghorepani. We’ll pick up our backpacks and make our way down the trail to Tadapani. It’s a pleasant village. The name means “far water”. Trekking time is 6 – 7 hours with Poon Hill visit.

Elevation: (Poon hill: 10,531 ft / 3,210 m, Tadapani: (9,429 ft. / 2,874 m)

Distance: (Poon Hill: 2.3 km both ways, Tadapani: 6.4 km) 

Duration: (Poon hill: 40 Min one way, Tadapani 4 hrs)

 

Chhomrong is a famous stop along the Annapurna trails. It has incredible views of Mt. Hiunchuli, Machhapurchhre and Annapurna I.  It’s a day of dropping in elevation, so we arebentering denser forests. Don’t worry, there are still many good places to see snowcapped peaks. Lower elevations usually contain more traditional farm. This is the land of the Gurung people, who are known not only for hospitality, but also made up the Gurkha units of the British Army. You will trek around 5 -6 hours today.

Elevation: (7,146 ft / 2,178 m)

Distance: (10 km) 

Duration: (5 hrs)

 

This is a more challenging day as you will drop in elevation to cross the Chhomrong Khola (river) and then go back up to reach Dovan. It takes around 5 – 7 hours to reach Dovan. There is a wide variety of vegetation, changing at various levels. There is plenty of wildlife in this area as well. There are numerous breaks in the forest, allowing you plenty of great views of the Annapurnas. You will stop at a pleasant little teahouse for the night.

 

Elevation: (8,531 ft / 2,600 m)

Distance: (8.6 km) 

Duration: (6 hrs)

 

DAY 9: Trek to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (4130 m) 

 

Mt. Machhapuchhre is the most distinctive mountain in the Himalayas. It has a sharp peak that looks like a fish upended. Rising to an elevation of 6,999 m (22,963 ft) it is definitely not the tallest peak in the Himalayas. Recent geological work has brought about a new theory that it once may have actually been higher than Mt. Everest before part of the mountain collapsed. Today, it is beautiful to behold. In Hinduism, it is also considered a home to Lord Shiva, one of the chief Hindu deities. That fact is also disputed as Lord Shiva also resides at a sacred mountain in Tibet. Whatever the case, it is indeed a beautiful peak to behold. The journey takes you well above the tree line. There is a tea house near Machhapuchhre Base Camp where you will spend the night. Trekking time is 4 – 5 hours.

 

Elevation: (12,140 ft / 3,700 m)

Distance: (13 km) 

Duration: (4-5 hrs)

 

Today is an easier day trekking as you leave Machhapuchhre Base Camp and make your way to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC). We are now in the Annapurna Sanctuary which is a high glacial basin. The peaks that surround Annapurna Sanctuary limit the area to only seven hours of sunlight in the height of summer. This has created a unique eco-system with a variety of flora. The trail brings you close to Annapurna I, the 10th highest mountain in the world. You will stand in awe at the Annapurna Sanctuary as well at the incredible snowcapped peaks on all sides. Trekking time is around 2 hours; lodging at a nice tea house by ABC.

Elevation: (13,550 ft / 4,130 m)

Distance: (2.9 km) 

Duration: (2 hrs)

 

DAY 11: Trek to Bamboo 

 

You are working your way back toward Pokhara today. There is a drop in elevation and return to the forests. The journey takes you to the non-descript little village of Bamboo. This will take around 6 – 7 hours as you drop in elevation.

Elevation: (7,546 ft / 2,300 m)

Distance: (19.9 km) 

Duration: (6 hrs)

Today you get to relax at the Jhinu Hot Springs overlooking the Modi Khola. The Modi Khola (river) forms a canyon, and above it are several pools of hot water. The top one is the warmest and hangs over the Modi Khola. Come and soak those tired muscles. There’s a teahouse nearby where we will spend the night. Trekking time is around 5.3 hours, allowing plenty of time to enjoy Jhinu Danda hot springs.

Elevation: (5,906 ft / 1,800 m)

Distance: (8.5 km) 

Duration: (5.3 hrs)

It’s a day of trekking in the Himalayan forests. Enjoy the sounds of the birds twittering in the trees. There’s plenty of wildlife in these forests, now that we’re at lower elevations. You continue to drop in elevation to reach the little village of Tolkha where you will spend the night in a small guest house.

Elevation: (5,578 ft / 1,700 m)

Distance: (7.5 km) 

Duration: (4 hrs)

 

Today you’ll come to the pretty Gurung village of Dhampus. Located on the edge of the Annapurna Conservation Area, it is known for its wonderful views of the Annapurnas. The village has some great places to stop for tea as you sit and look at the snowcapped peaks. It takes us around 3 - 4 hours of trekking today. At Phedi village, we will take local transportation back to Pokhara and your hotel. Relax with a hot shower tonight and your choice of some really fine eateries there at Lakeside. 

Distance: (Phedi: 7.5 km, Pokhara drive: 17.6 km) 

Duration: (Phedi: 5 hrs, Pokhara drive 40 min)

Today enjoy some sightseeing (on your own) in Pokhara before catching the 35 minute flight to Kathmandu. Check back into your hotel in Kathmandu, and enjoy a farewell dinner with your guide, porters and friends at Himalayan Planet Adventures. 

Duration: (25 minutes)

It’s a bittersweet day. It is sweet because you’ve completed the Annapurna base camp trek with great pictures and awesome memories. You’ll have stories to share when you get home. It’s also sad because you’re leaving. You’ve made so many new friends. There’s something about Nepal that grows on you. It touches your soul like nothing else does. No doubt you want to come back. Most visitors do and will. Before you leave, why not talk about that return trip with Himalayan Planet Adventures. There’s so much more to see and do in this magical land called Nepal. A lifetime is never enough to see what the Himalayas have to offer. So plan now for that return trip!