At an altitude of 4,000 m, the Annapurna Sanctuary trek is an oval-shaped plateau and high glacial basin surrounded by a ring of the mountains of the Annapurna range. The sanctuary, not ventured until 1956, has its myth of sanctity—the Hindu and the Buddhist deities were believed to dwell here; especially the Machhapuchchhre peak was home to Lord Shiva.
The Sanctuary, now a part of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project, has quite an exceptional ecosystem with just a 7-hour of sunlight. The south slopes are densely covered in rhododendrons and bamboo, whereas the north slopes are dry and cold with rain shadow.
Therefore, it will be your fantastic trek to the South face of the Annapurna I in the Annapurna Region. Ultimately the trek will eventuate into the inner Annapurna Sanctuary which will give you a complete panoramic view of nearly ten sparkling silvery peaks over 6,000 m. It will be an ethereal experience. Arguably the Sanctuary appears to be, sort of, amphitheater.
The climate range from sub-tropical to Alpine has given the region with rich flora and fauna. It will be extra tranquil. The region, moreover, will enchant you with the views of Annapurna I—the 10th highest mountain in the world, Annapurna South, Fang, Gangapurna, Glacier Dome, Himchuli and Machhapuchchhre. A narrow pass between Himchuli and Machhapuchchhre, the only entrance, will take you to the Sanctuary.
Your trek will begin from Pokhara. Onwards, en route, you will lodge in family-owned tea houses. They are quite loving and welcoming. You will be provided with everything almost local and traditional. As a result, you will get a peek into typical cuisine and culture.
In fact, your wonderment kicks in right from your arrival in Kathmandu. It is popularly known as the city of the temples; moreover, it is tantamount to a live museum since it is embedded with temples, stupas, cultural monuments, and Durbar Squares. Later, upon reaching Pokhara—supposedly the tourism capital of Nepal—you will in awe with its beauty, both cultural and natural.
The Annapurna Sanctuary trek is relatively easier than other circuit treks in the region, fairly demanding though, but holds a plethora of surprises, so let us help you with this terrific trek.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 02: Visit Swoyambunath & Patan
Day 03: Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara
Day 04: Drive Pokhara to Nayapul & trek to Ulleri
Day 05: Trek Ulleri to Ghorepani
Day 06: Trek Ghorepani to Tadapani
Day 07: Trek Tadapani to Chhomrong
Day 08: Trek Chhomrong to Dovan
Day 09: Trek Dovan to Deurali
Day 10: Trek Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp
Day 11: Trek Annapurna Base camp (ABC) to Bamboo
Day 12: Trek Bamboo to Jhinu Danda
Day 13: Trek Jhinu Danda to Landruk
Day 14: Trek Landruk to Pothana
Day 15: Trek Pothana to Phedi & drive to Pokhara
Day 16: Flight Pokhara to Kathmandu
Day 17: Departure
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu airport and you will be transferred to the hotel by one of our representatives. Welcome dinner at one of the traditional Nepali restaurants in Kathmandu.
Overnight: Hotel
Elevation: 1334m
Day 02: Visit Swoyambunath and Patan: start our tour visiting Swoyambunath, a magnificent Buddhist stupa located on a high hill which is just 10 minutes drive from Thamel followed by a visit of Patan, a true open air museum with its pagodas, temples, and monasteries.
Overnight: Hotel
Elevation: 1334m.
Day 03: Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara (820m) by private vehicle: a scenic drive to Pokhara for about 6 hours. In the afternoon, we visit Fewa Lake (second largest lake in Nepal) which is one of the main tourist attractions in Pokhara.
Overnight: Hotel
Drive Time: 6 - 7 hours (200Km)
Difference in Elevation: - 514m.
Day 04: Drive Pokhara to Nayapul and trek to Ulleri (1960m): As we start our adventure, we drive for about an hour to Nayapul then begin our trek following a small stream to Tikhedunga which is fairly easy walk for about 4 hours. Then we cross over a suspension bridge and start climbing to Ulleri (STEEP CLIMB / ROCKY STEPS) which takes about 2 hours.
Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 6 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 1140m.
Day 05: Trek Ulleri to Ghorepani (2860m): Today we have about 6 hours of walking via Nangethati. From Ulleri, we begin our journey with rocky STEPS to upper Ulleri then goes through one of the biggest rhododendron forests in the world.
Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 6 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 900m
Day 06: Trek Ghorepani to Tadapani (2590m): Early morning hike to Poon Hill (3210m) to catch wonderful mountain scenery at sunrise, including Dhaulagiri( 8167m), Machhapuchhre (commonly called Fishtail(6993m), Annapurna I (8091m), Annapurna II( 7939m), Annapurna III(7555m), Annapurna IV(7525m), Himchuli(6441m), Annapurna South(7219m), Tukuche Peak(6920m), and Lamjung Himal(6986m). Then we retrace our steps to Ghorepani. After breakfast, we continue our trek climbing a small hill leaving behind the view of Poon Hill then trail descends through dense mossy forest rich with bird life to Tadapani.
Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 4 to 5 hours
Difference in Elevation: - 270m
Day 07: Trek Tadapani to Chhomrong (2170m): Our day starts with a steep descend from Tadapani through rhododendron forest. As we approach to Gurjung, trail ascends through paddy field. We then take an easy walk to Chhomrong, where we get very close view of Annapurna and Fishtail.
Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 5 hours
Difference in Elevation: - 420m
Day 08: Trek Chhomrong to Dovan (2510m): start our day descending to Chhomrong Khola and then continue by ascending to Sinwa. Then it is fairly easy walk to Dovan through bamboo forest.
Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 6 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 340m
Day 09: Trek Dovan to Deurali (3230m): begin the day by climbing through Himalaya, Hinku Cave and crossing rhododendron and other mixed forests to Deurali.
Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 4 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 720m
Day 10: Trek Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC-4130m): The trek through the narrow Modi Kola valley brings you to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC). Then another one and half hour walk takes you to ABC, one of the most popular places in the Annapurna region, where you would be surrounded by silvery mountains. These include tremendous view of the vertical south face of Annapurna, towering above the sanctuary to the north-west.
Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 4 hours
Difference in Elevation: + 900m
Day 11: Trek Annapurna Base camp (ABC) to Bamboo (2340m): The trek from ABC descends back along the same trail past MBC to Bamboo, taking about six hours. For many, it's much easier to descend.
Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 6 hours
Difference in Elevation: -1790m
Day 12: Trek Bamboo to Jhinu Danda (1780m): The trek to Jhinu Danda has a lot of ups and downs and takes approximately five hours. From Jhinu Danda, it takes about 20 minutes to descend to the hot spring on the bank of the Modi Khola where you can have a relaxing soak.
Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 5 hours
Difference in Elevation: - 560 m
Day 13:Trek Jhinu Danda to Landruk (1565m): a short trek to Landruk, a small Gurung village, where you can see some typical Gurung round houses. It is about 3 hours trek.
Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 3 hours
Difference in Elevation: -215 m
Day 14: Trek Landruk to Pothana (1890m): continue your trek towards Pothana enjoying the view of Annapurna, Pokhara valley. It is about 5 hours trek, goes through several small Gurung settlements.
Overnight: Lodge
Walking Time: 5 hours
Difference in Elevation: +325m
Day 15: Trek Pothana to Phedi and drive to Pokhara (820m): short and enjoyable hike down to Phedi for about 3 hours followed by a short drive to Pokhara. We will explore this Lake city in the afternoon.
Overnight: Hotel
Walking Time: 3 Hours
Driving Time: ½ hour
Difference in Elevation: -1070m
Day 16: Flight Pokhara to Kathmandu (1334): A scenic flight back to Kathmandu.
Overnight: Hotel
Flight Time: 30 minutes
Difference in Elevation: +514m
Day 17:Transfer to the airport and departure.
| Srl. |
Description |
Qty. |
Remarks |
|
| 01 | Day back-pack |
1 |
||
| 02 | Gore-Tex Jacket |
1 |
||
| 03 | Down Jacket |
1 |
||
| 04 | Fleece Jacket |
1 |
||
| 05 | Micro Fleece |
1 |
||
| 06 | Trekking pants(Trousers) |
2 - 3 |
||
| 07 | Hiking shoes (Boots) |
1 |
||
| 08 | Runners (sport shoes) |
1 |
||
| 09 | Trekking Socks |
3 |
||
| 10 | Rain poncho |
1 |
||
| 11 | Sun-glasses |
1 |
||
| 12 | Water bottles |
2 |
||
| 13 | Thermal underwear(long) |
1-2 |
||
| 14 | T- shirts |
2-3 |
||
| 15 | Sunscreen/lotion |
1 |
||
| 16 | Flip flop (sandal) |
1 |
||
| 17 | Towel |
1 |
||
| 18 | Hat(Baseball cap) |
1 |
||
| 19 | Pristine drops (Water purifier) |
1 |
||
| 20 | Head light/flash light |
1 |
||
| 21 | Sleeping Bag |
1 |
||
| 22 | Gloves |
1 |
||
| 23 | Wind Proof Trouser (s) |
1 |
||
| 24 | Personal medical kid |
1 |
||
| 25 | Toiletries |
1 |
||
Climate:
From the eternal snow of the high peaks to the extensive tropical lowlands, Nepal has a wide variety of climates.
Spring: March to late May: In this season, Kathmandu is in full bloom, lots of different types of flowers can be seen at this time of the year. Temperature is mild, end of the cold winter and approaching warm and hot summer. Temperatures vary between 10 ° C to 28 ° C but can rise up to 30 ° C. Between 2000 and 3000m, temperature rarely drop below 0 ° C. However, few frosts or snowfalls are possible in March above 4000 m.
The summer/monsoon period: It interrupts the majority of trekking from late June to late August. Some of the trekking regions "trans-Himalayan", Dolpo and Mustang, however, remain protected from monsoon prevailing rest of the country. They are the only channels available in Nepal in the summer.
Autumn: mid September – mid December - Perfect temperature and weather for trekking. Brings cooler days, but clear skies. Above 3000 m altitude, temperatures can drop to -10 ° C at night.
In winter: mid-December - mid-February - Nights are generally cold, dry climate, Above 3000m, temperature drop down to 0 ° C to - 15 ° C at night, the days are often sunny.
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