SUMMARY OF ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY TREK ITINERARY
The Annapurna Sanctuary trek gives us 11 days of superb trekking, up into the heart of the Annapurna range. We pass below some of the highest mountains on earth as we follow the valley as it changes to a deep gorge and on to its glaciated beginnings at the foot of the towering Annapurna. We take enough time to acclimatise well and to make the most of the superb setting to our trek, this includes making time to visit the hot springs at Jinnu, a real luxury on the trail and of course Annapurna and Machhapuchare base camps.
Arrive Kathmandu : Arrive on your international flight into Tribhuvan airport. We will meet you at the airport and drive to your accommodation which is usually in the well known and vibrant Thamel area of central kathmandu. (hotel / meals not included: see cost tab for details / options)
Kathmandu, rest sightseeing, briefing : Today we will spend some time introducing the trek leaders, talking about the itinerary and plans and checking kit. There are many gear shops in Thamel where you can get any last minute kit. You will be tired after the long flights so we will have a lie in and take the day at a fairly relaxed pace. (hotel / meals not included)
Kathmandu-Pokhara-Naya Pul-Ulleri : It will probably be a very early start to get to the airport ready for the short flight over to the city of Pokhara. If it is clear it is a spectacular flight with great views of the Himalayan peaks and lakes. From Pokhara we drive for 1.5-2hrs around 40km up the Yamdi Khola valley into the mountains to Naya Pul. From here we start our trek, passing small mountain villages as we ascend along a wooded valley followed by a steeper climb out of the valley and up to the village of Ulleri perched higher up on a shoulder above the valley. [Total walking ~9km: 1000m-1960m] (L,D inc)
Ulleri-Ghorepani : We start today by continuing to follow the higher ground above Ulleri, again surrounded by the woodland as we contour around to meet a valley bringing us up to the village of Ghorepani netling in a high col. Though the distance is covered today is fairly small, the increase in altitude is quite large so we will be moving slowly, saving energy and enjoying our surroundings. We will relax in Ghorepani and proably have quite an early night so that we can be up early the next day. [7km: 1960m-2750m] (B,L,D inc)
Ghorepani-Poon Hill-Tadapani : If everyone is keen, we will get up before the sun this morning and make the 30-45minute climb up to Poon Hill to greet the sun as it rises over the famous view out to the Annapurna Himal, a truely memorable experience and a taste of the views to come. After enjoying the sunrise we drop back down to Ghorepani for breakfast. We set off through forests of giant Rhodedendron as we follow the high ground before dropping into the head of a valley and to the village of Tadapani. [3+6km: 2750m-3200m-2869m] (B,L,D inc)
Tadapani-Chomrong : From Tadapani we drop down into a deep wooded valley then steeply up over a ridge and into yet another valley before ascending once more to contour around a shoulder to the village of Chomrong. This is a undulating fairly strenuous day but our time at higher elevations the day and night before will help us with the altitude. [10km; 2869m-2100m] (B,L,D inc)
Chomrong-Himalaya Hotel : From Chomrong we now begin to follow the spectacular Modi Khola valley as it heads straight up into the heart of the Annapurnas. To begin with, the valley is around 1.5km deep between the surrounding ridges, but these soon rise up to join the peaks that stand more than 4km above the valley floor. If it is clear we will see up to the white wall of Annapurna peaks framed by the browns and greens of the valley ahead. After passing small hamlets and lodges we eventually reach our night's stop at Himalaya Hotel. [10km: 2100m-2920m] (B,L,D inc)
Himalaya Hotel-Machhapulchare BC : The tantalising view of the Annapurnas get progressively bigger today as we continue to follow the Modi Khola between the towering peaks, including the distinctive and sacred 7000m Machhapulchare (Fish Tail mountain) to our right. The view opens right out as we reach the sharp turn in the valley at Machhapulchare Base Camp. Though today is a fairly short day, the increase in altitude means that we will take it very slowly. Our previous days at high points such as Poon Hill will have helped to pre-acclimitise us and hence deal with the thinner air. We will have plenty of time in the afternoon to enjoy the spectacular surroundings, take photos and even take a short walk around the general area if anyone is keen. [6km: 2920m-3700m] (B,L,D inc)
Machhapulchare BC-Annapurna BC : Today is an even shorter day but the altitude and sublime surroundings will mean that we are happy to take it slow. Having turned to the west we get fresh views of more of the massive peaks of the Annapurna. We will be at Annapurna base camp with plenty of time to spend the rest of the day enjoying the surroundings. We can also take a short walk around the area to get new vantage points on the view and to really soak up our surroundings. [3km: 3700m-4130m] (B,L,D inc)
Annapurna BC- Bamboo : We now turn to retrace our steps back down past Machhapulchare BC and turning back to the south past Himalaya Hotel and on down to the comparatively green surroundings and thick air of Bamboo. Now that we are dropping in altitude we will really notice the extra oxygen and we will usually be in Bamboo with plenty of time to have a restful afternoon. [13km: 4130m-2310m] (B,L,D inc)
Bamboo- Jinnu Hot Springs : Dropping even further back into the Rhodedendron forests it will be noticably warmer and the air less dry. Close to Chomrong we leave the route we took on the way up and instead branch off to the left, steeply down to Jinnu Danda in the valley bottom. There are some natural hot springs here that have been chaneled into a couple of basic pools which can be a welcome soak after the days up high. [9km: 2310m-1780m] (B,L,D inc)
Jinnu Danda-Pothana/Dhampus : From Jinnu Danda we continue on down the wooded valleys of the Modi Khola past more frequent small villages. We split off the main valley ascending to our left up over higher ground to a collection of villages clustered around a broad bowl in the wooded hilsides. [17km: 1780m-1800m] (B,L,D inc)
Pothana/Dhampus Phedi-Pokhara : From Pothana it is a short down-hill walk to the road that passes through Phedi. Here we will be met by our vehicle that will drive us for an hour or so back down into Pokhara. We will check in to a guesthouse and have a chance to relax and see a bit of the city. [Walk ~4km 1800m-1400m] (B inc, L & D not included)
Fly Pokhara- Kathmandu : We will probably have an early start to get a morning flight back across to Kathmandu. If it is clear we will get to look out on the valleys and peaks that we have traversed and maybe even pick out some of our route. In Kathmandu we will check back into the accommodation of your choice and have free time to shower, relax and reflect on our trek. (hotel / meals not included)
Kathmandu : This morning we will check out of our guesthouse and organize transfers to the airport for the international flight home.
