Day 01 Flight to Pokhara & trek to Dhampus
From the hotel we head to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu Airport for the 30 minute flight to Pokhara. It is a sensational flight, with the peaks of the Himalaya clearly visible through the right-hand window as we travel westwards. Particularly prominent are Manaslu and the Annapurna range as we approach the landing field at Pokhara.
From Pokhara, we set off immediately by bus to Phedi and begin the trek with a couple of hours' walking, principally uphill, on a long flight of stone steps to the village of Dhampus. The mountain views from here are lovely, but are just a taste of what's still to come.[3 hours walking]
Day 02 Trek to Landrung [1550m]
Beyond Dhampus we get our first clear views of the mountains ahead, as we ascend through forest on a trail which is often made up of steep stone steps. Passing through Pothana, we climb to a small pass, at a place called Deurali [which means 'pass'!]. At this point we are high up on the east side of the Modi Khola, the river which flows out of the Annapurna Sanctuary. We descend all the way down to the river, passing through the picturesque Gurung settlement of Landrung, which offers spectacular views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. After crossing a suspension bridge, we camp on the west side of the river. [4 to 5 hrs walking]
Day 03 Trek to Chomrong [2040m]
Our route now climbs quite steeply, high above the river, through bamboo forest and isolated farmsteads. The teahouses at Jhinu provide a welcome opportunity to stop for a drink and a rest on this long, hot climb. Ascending further along a treeless ridge we come to Taglung and just a short distance beyond this is Chomrong. From this Gurung village, there is a tremendous view of Annapurna South, as well as impressive views of Machhapuchhare. [4 to 5 hours walking].
Day 04 Trek to Himalaya hotel [2680m]
After dropping down to the Chomrong Khola on steep stone steps, the trail climbs again, initially through terraced fields and then through a forest of bamboo and rhododendron. Today's walk is always either up or down on steep paths which are often paved. Sometimes there are views of the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhare ahead, but often the forest is too thick to allow more than a tantalizing glimpse. After reaching the village of Khuldigar, we descend a stone staircase to a section of exceptionally thick bamboo forest which leads to the settlement known as "Bamboo Lodge". From here, we climb steeply through bamboo and rhododendron forest, following the trail high above the river to day's end at Himalaya Hotel. [5 hours walking].
Day 05 Trek to Machhapuchhre base camp [3480m]
Climbing steeply, we soon reach a fire-blackened overhang which has been walled-in to make a small lodge. This place is known as Hinku Cave. The trail rises continually now, as we near the entry to the Sanctuary. Passing the lodges at Deurali and Bagar, we arrive at the level and grassy moraine platform known as Machhapuchhare Base Camp. [3 to 4 hours walking].
Day 06 Rest day
Today is a rest and acclimatisation day and there are superb views from the top of the moraine ridge which lies just beyond the lodges.
Day 07 Trek to Annapurna base camp [3900m]
Another short day today, and a fairly gentle ascent through tranquil meadows brings us to Annapurna Base Camp. Increasingly impressive views reward us for our efforts as we climb the last steep section before reaching the base camp area. From here there are fantastic views of the south face of Annapurna I. [2 hours walking].
Day 08 Trek to Tent peak high camp
This morning we make our way up to our high camp and prepare for the following day's assault on Tent Peak. For those who do not wish to do the climb there is enormous potential for day hikes from camp or, if you'd prefer, it's an inspiring place to simply sit around camp and admire the breathtaking scenery.
Day 09 Ascent of Tent peak [5600m]
Early in the morning we begin our ascent of the peak and after a hard climb, we are rewarded with breathtaking views of the Annapurna range. We then return to Annapurna Base Camp.
Day 10 Spare day
A Spare day in case weather gets bad.
Day 11 Trek to Himalaya hotel [2680m]
Today we retrace our steps as far as Himalaya Hotel. [4 hours walking].
Day 12 Trek to Tadapani [2650m]
We backtrack to Chomrong and from there take an alternative route back to Pokhara, via Ghorepani. We follow the trail above potato and wheat fields before descending to the village of Khumnu above the Khumnu Khola. After crossing the river, the trail leads steeply uphill to Melanche before continuing through rhododendron forests to Tadapani, where we camp. There are excellent views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhare from here. [4 to 5 hours walking].
Day 13 Trek to Ghorepani [2775m]
We trek gently up and down for an hour or so to Banthanti. The trail then steepens, as we climb through Rhododendrons forest to Deurali, a small pass, before dropping down to the lodges at Ghorepani. The impressive peak which can be seen across the broad valley of the Kali Gandaki to the northwest is Dhaulagiri. [4 hours walking].
Day 14 Trek to the road head & driv to Pokhara
Today we make the walk up to the celebrated view point of Poon Hill [3195m], which overlooks the village. Dawn is the best time to go so we arrange a wake up call for 5 am and head up the well marked track by torchlight. The first light of dawn illuminates Dhaulagiri and Tukuche Peak with a surreal pink glow. You may be able to buy coffee and breakfast from an enterprising Nepali who has carried his produce up to Poon Hill to take advantage of the morning trade. Otherwise, we return to Ghorepani for breakfast. At this point we are on the main Annapurna Circuit route and there are likely to be lots of travelers passing through this ridge-top settlement in both directions. Ghorepani literally means "horse water" and is a popular stopping place for the mule trains which ply the route from Pokhara to Jomsom and beyond.
After breakfast we walk downhill for the first couple of hours to Ulleri, through dense forest, passing the occasional lodge in a clearing. Then a steep section, [with 3767 steps!], leads down to Hille on the Bhurungdi Khola. A more level stretch, beside the river now, leads eventually to Birethanti.
Just half an hour's walk from Birethanti we arrive at the road, and meet up with our transport for the hour long drive back to Pokhara and check into hotel.
Day 15 Flight to Kathmandu
Today we take the short scenic flight or drive back to Kathmandu.
Contact us at
office@explore-himalaya.com
for more information about this tour.
