The Annapurna Sanctuary Trek, Nepal – 16 Days

Day 1: Arrival day in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)

Welcome to the Himalayan country of Nepal! Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, our representative welcomes you and assists to transfer in your hotel in Kathmandu. After time to get refreshed, you’ll meet and transfer for a welcome dinner in one of the typical Nepalese restaurants in the heart of Kathmandu where you’ll receive a briefing about your trip and overnight at Hotel.

Day 2: Sightseeing in UNESCO world heritage site of Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayebhunath Stupa

Today you’ll start with some sightseeing through the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu City: also known as Kantipur. Kathmandu Durbar Square with its variety of temples and the ancient palaces of the former Nepali Royals will give you an insight into this centuries-old civilisation. Then, in the afternoon we drive to the holiest place for Buddhists in Kathmandu, Swayambhunath Stupa, said to be around 2000 years old. The main stupa is composed of a solid hemisphere of brick and earth supporting a lofty conical spire, crowned by a pinnacle of copper. Painted on the four-sided base of the spire are the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. The hill of Swayambhu is a mosaic of small Chaityas and Pagoda temples. You’ll get a scenic view of Kathmandu city from here.

Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara valley (823m/2,700ft), 5-6 hrs drive

In the early morning, we will drive by tourist bus to Pokhara through the beautiful Nepalese countryside to reach the tranquil Pokhara lakeside. After the long journey, we’ll transfer to the hotel and you can spend the rest of the evening explore the surrounding lakeside area having a beer in any one of the bars overlooking the lake.

Day 4: Drive to Naya Pul and trek to Tikhe Dhunga (1,577m/5,173 ft), 1 hr drive and 4 hrs walk

Today after breakfast our trekking guide will take you for an hour drive to Naya Pul and we’ll commence our trek to Birethanti, a large and prosperous town beside the Modi River. We head up the main trail to Sudami where we climb gradually up the side of the valley, reaching Hile (1,495m) before pushing on to Tikhe Dhunga.

Day 5: Trek to Ghorepani (2,850m/9,350ft). 5-6 hrs walk

After breakfast, we prepare for the long uphill climb, which steeply ascends on the long stone steps to Ulleri village through the amazing landscape and the Himalayan scenery. We spend the rest of the day trekking through rhododendron and oak forests. The beautiful scenery will give you inner power to climb up the steps! After few hours of walking with several ‘chai’ breaks in-between you’ll reach Ghorepani. Here, we can enjoy the fantastic views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himalayan range.

Day 6: Poon hill hike and trek to Tadapani (2540m/8332ft), 6-7 hrs walk

An early morning start for the short 40 minutes hike up to Poon Hill (3210m/10530ft), the route offers the glimpse of the pleasant rhododendron forest. This brilliant viewpoint provides us with an unobstructed sunrise over the high Himalayas and the wide range of panoramic scenery from the far western Himalaya of Dolpo, Mt. Dhaulagiri, and Annapurna including Mt. Machhapuchre (Fish Tail) and all the way to Manasalu. After time to soak in the amazing views, we return back to Ghorepani for breakfast and continue trek to Tadapani for our overnight stay.

Day 7: Trek to Chhomrong (2,210m/7,249 ft), 5-6 hrs walk

Dropping down from Tadapani to the Kimrong Khola offers good views of the upper Modi valley. After crossing the suspension bridge, the trail follows up to the Gurjung village for your lunch stop (delicious dhal bhat/pasta/soup/noodles/curry). Further trekking will lead us uphill for half an hour before arriving in the village of Chhomrong (2210m) which lies tucked at the very base of Himal Chuli. Chhomrong is the biggest Gurung settlement in this valley.

Day 8: Trek to Dovan (2,600m/8,528 ft), 5-6 hrs walk

After breakfast, our trail descends to the Chhomrong Khola, and then leads us to the small place of Sinuwa hill. After that, the trek enters the upper Modi Khola valley. After lunch, we continue our trek going down through an uninhabited bamboo forested area to the village of Dovan for overnight stay.

Day 9: Trek to Machhapuchare Base Camp (MBC- 3,700m/12,139ft), 4-5 hrs walk

After our breakfast, we start our climb to the Himalaya Hotel (2840m). On the way we can explore the Hinku cave, where the trail crosses a ravine and major avalanche track just further till Deurali (3,000m/9,840 ft) for lunch. After lunch, the trail continues to the awe-i Machhapuchare Base Camp, for an overnight stay with the closest view of the Machhapuchare along Annapurna I and Gangapurna.

Day 10: Trek to Machhapuchre Base Camp (MBC- 3,700m/12,139ft), 4-5 hrs walk

After breakfast, we begin to trek into the heart of the Sanctuary at the Annapurna Base Camp for our overnight stay. The trail follows uphill for few hours passing a few roofless shepherds huts along the side of a moraine. This area is windy and often snowbound with an amazing panoramic view of snow capped mountains surrounding you. After the climb, you have the full day to explore and relax at the base camp as you like. Take lots of photos!

Day 11: Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo (2,300m/7,544 ft), 5- hrs walk

Today, you’ll wake up to glimpse of sunrise over Mt Annapurna I and then we’ll retrace the journey back to ‘Bamboo’ for the overnight stay. Now on your descent, you can rest and relax for the evening with the memories of those incredible snow-capped peaks in your heart, and enjoy the delicious dinner!

Day 12: Trek to Jhinu Danda (1,780m/5,859 ft), 5-6 hrs walk

After breakfast, our trail leads to the Khuldi Ghar and Sinuwa hill, back to Chhomrong. After lunch, the trek descends steeply towards Jhinu for an overnight stay. If there’s time and the weather is good, you may have the chance to visit a natural hot spring down to the stream and enjoy a hot bath amongst the beautiful countryside.

Day 13: Trek to Pokhara (823m/2,700ft), 6-7 hrs walk & 1 hr drive

This will be a long day’s walk following the River Modi most of the way down reaching Landruk village. From here, the route follows the downhill path leading back to Syauli Bazaar. The walk is easy-going most of the way following the Modi River until Birethanthi and an easy trek to Nayapul. Our trekking adventure ends here and we drive back to Pokhara for the overnight stay.

Day 14: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft), 5-6 hrs drive

In the early morning, we’ll drive by tourist bus to Pokhara back through the beautiful Nepalese countryside to reach Kathmandu city. On arrival at Kathmandu, our guide will transfer you to the hotel and you can relax after your trek, and go out to eat or drink at one of the many lively bars and restaurants in Kathmandu.

Day 15: Sightseeing in Kathmandu (Pashupatinath, Patan and Baudhanath)

On our penultimate day, there’s time for more sightseeing of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu. First of all, we visit the Hindu temple Pashupatinath, which is one of the oldest Hindu Temples in Nepal, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River, the temple was built in Pagoda Style with a gilded roof and richly carved silver doors. Pashupatinath is the centre of annual pilgrimage on the day of Shivaratri which falls in the month of February/March. You’ll also be able to see cremation grounds that lie on the bank of Bagmati behind the temple.

Then, we drive to the holiest place for the Buddhist religion, Boudhanath Stupa – one of the oldest and the biggest Buddhist monuments ever built in Nepa. Boudhanath is a very holy structure imposing a height of 37 meters with three massive level Mandala style platforms. It is surrounded by colourful buildings housing families who have opened cafes in the area, creating a friendly enclosure. The Stupa is visited every year by tens of thousands of pilgrims from all over the world.

Finally, in the afternoon, we visit Patan City, Located about 5km south of Kathmandu, Patan is one of three royal cities in the valley. A destination for connoisseurs of fine arts, Patan is filled with wood and stone carvings, metal statues, ornate architecture, including dozens of Buddhist and Hindu temples, and over 1200 monuments.

Day 16: Departure from Kathmandu

Today is free for last minute shopping for souvenirs or gift to your family, friends or relatives back home! If departing, you’ll be transferred to the International Airport by our guide for your departure flight to your onwards destination.

Read our article about the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek here.

We advise that you get travel insurance before embarking upon your trekking adventure. We always choose World Nomads, you can get a quote here.