in the heart of the annapurna himalaya.

Trek Grade: Moderate to Adventurous
Trekking Duration: 10 nights / 11 Days.
Overall Trip: 16 / 17 Days Kathmandu-Kathmandu.
Highlights: from the lush green vegetation of low sub tropic to the artic terrain, a complete views of the snow capped peaks, traditional villages and warm locals and trekking right into the heart of the massif Annapurna range.

Introduction:

This trek passes through a more diverse range of climate, vegetation and cultures than most small countries can boast in their entire. From lush vegetation of rain and temperate forests to the terraced rice fields. The land and its people change daily, or even hourly, giving the trekkers a tantalising introduction to Nepal's cultural and natural beauty.

The trail is not overly difficult; you will be passing through plenty of villages along the way. The trek begins in Pokhara and the first portion passes through lush green hill country typical of the heartland of Nepal.

Tiny thatched roofed villages, set among the terraced fields, make an attractive picture with the backdrop of the magnificent snowy range of Annapurna, Manaslu and Dhaulagiri including the most majestic peaks of all the Himalayan range the Machapuchere (Fish Tail)

Annapurna area was first explored by the British Adventure Col. James O.M. 'Jimmy' Roberts in the year 1956 and exposed to the world as the 'Sanctuary of Gods'. The Sanctuary has been Christened as " Annapurna Sanctuary" ever since.

Our 14 days adventure trip to the Annapurna Sanctuary starts from Pokhara, a scenic spot. The trek combines spectacular mountain scenery with incredible and cultural diversity and traverses through rural farms and villages. The trail leads towards the deep gorge between the peaks-Hiunchuli and Machhapuchare and through the dense rain and bamboo forest of the narrow Modi Khola (river) valley then to the Sanctuary with immense walls of the mountain fortress. Once into the Sanctuary you will be in the midst of Amphitheater of snow peaks Annapurna (26,545ft-8,091m) Other major peaks overlooking the Sanctuary include the Annapurna south (23,693ft-7,219m), Gangapurna (24,457ft.-7,455m) and Annapurna III (24,787ft-7,555m) This area is also referred to as the Annapurna Base Camp and Machhapuchare (Fish-tail) Base Camp. Our return journey, descend through the lush terraced Modi Khola valley and finally concluding the adventure at Pokhara, a popular destination with its famed Phewa Lake, dominated by the towering mountain range of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu range including the majestic peak Machhapuchare (Fish-Tail).

Outline Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu meet our staff and transfer to Hotel.
Day 02: Half day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu.
Day 03: Drive to Pokhara 950m 5-6 hours journey 200 k.m.
Day 04: Drive to Dhampus Phedi and trek to Dhampus. 1,500m.
Day 05: Trek to Landrung (Landruk) 1,600m. 5-6 hrs walk.
Day 06: Trek to Chomrong 1,951m approx. 6 hours walk.
Day 07: Trek to Dovan 2,130m via Bamboo 2,050m approx. 6 hours walk.
Day 08: Trek to Deurali. 3,350m. 3-4 hrs.
Day 09: Trek to Machhapuchare Base Camp 3,720m. Approx 3-4 hrs.
Day 10: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp 4,095m 3-4 hours walk.
Day 11: Trek to Himalaya Hotel.2,900m. Approx. 6 hours walk.
Day 12: Trek to Chomrong. Approx 4-5 hrs.
Day 13: Trek to Ghandrung ( Ghandruk) 5-6 hrs.
Day 14: Trek and drive to Pokhara. approx 3 hrs walk and 1 1/2 hours drive.
Day 15: Transfer to Airport for the flight back to Kathmandu.
Day 16: Free day at leisure in Kathmandu. O/N Hotel.
Day 17: Transfer to Airport for International departure.

Trip dossier:

Day 01:Arrive Kathmandu meet our staff and transfer to Hotel.
On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport you will be received by our staff will escort you to the Hotel, our guide will give you a brief orientation of the Hotel, Kathmandu, Treks / Camping, do's and don't and other related information that you might require while in Nepal.

Day 02: Half day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu. O/N Hotel.
After your first night in Kathmandu, you will be well informed on arrival about the time for your half day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu at places of interest. Sometime, depending upon your flight arrival if it's late in the night we will do this tour in the afternoon instead of morning to give you a nice rest before you venture out of the Hotel on our interesting tour.

Day 03: Drive to Pokhara 950m 5-6 hours journey 200 k.m. O/N Hotel.
Early breakfasts, then travel by air or a Deluxe Coach to Pokhara on the busy scenic highway. This is an interesting drive through the foothills of the Himalaya. The road has been greatly improved in recent years. On arriving Pokhara by the lake Phewa for the overnight.

Day 04: Drive to Dhampus Phedi and trek to Dhampus. 1,500m.
A short 1/2-hour drive after breakfast takes you up the newly built Chinese Pokhara Baglung highway to Phedi which is on the outskirt of Pokhara Valley where we begin the approx 2-3 hours trek, in the beginning the trail meanders on the steep steps for 20-30 minutes in the cool shade of the thin woodlands, trek continues towards the top ridge passing through farm lands, small scattered villages and farm terraces on the gradual path for a while, then the path climbs to the ridge where Dhampus village is located.
On reaching Dhampus our staff will find a suitable camping site, over looking grand panorama of Annapurna range of mountains from AI-AII-AIII ( located just behind the Mt. Fishtail) A IV-Annapurna south-Huin chuli and as far to Mt.Dhaulagiri to the west,
Mt. Manaslu range of mountains to the East including the magnificent, majestic Mt.Machhapuchare (Fish-Tail).

Day 05: Trek to Landrung (Landruk) 1,600m. 5-6 hrs walk.
Morning after breakfast with the grand scenery of the snow capped mountain range, walk leads towards north west following the gradual path for a while passing through farm villages and forest, with gentle uphill to the village of Pothana at 1,950m. Pothana offers grand view of Mt. Machhapuchare and other Annapurna range including the view of Pokhara Valley and the Phewa lake in the far distance.

From here the track winds up to a steep climb for 1 hr on the unto Deuarali ridge.
Where the are 2-3 lodges, with a short break enjoying the superb scenery including Mt.Dhaulagiri towards west, walk continues on the downhill slope for 20-30 minutes through the cool shade of the forest till Bheda-Kharka is reached, from here the trek is pleasant on the winding gradual trail passing through the village of Tolka with fantastic views of Annapurna South and Huinchuli and of the surrounding landscapes.
Tolka will be an ideal spot for lunch as Landrung is just an hour away from here.

From Tolka the path descends with short ups and downs, the path is more or less gradual till Landrung village is reached for the overnight stop. At Landrung with enough time for a short walk around the villages or for a shower.

Day 06:Trek to Chomrong 1,951m approx. 6 hours walk.
The trek from Landrung leads to the last teahouse just by the path towards another Phedi of Landrung and Ghandrung, our route diverts away from this path following the back of the teahouse and on the farm terraces and finally reaching by the bank of Modi Khola, the route follows the Modi Khola up streams and reaching to Nayapul ( New Bridge) a small settlement with a good bridge over the raging Modi River. From here it is more uphill climb all the way Jinwa village, from Jinwa another 1-2 hrs walk leads to a steep uphill till the path joins coming from Kimche Khola. On reaching the good wide stone paved path. The walk from here is fairly gradual with downhill till chomrong village is reached for the overnight stop. Chomrong village situated in the small valley just near beneath the peaks of Annapurna south. This is the last permanent village.

Day 07:Trek to Dovan 2,130m via Bamboo 2,050m approx. 6 hours walk.
From Chomrong the trail leads to the terraced farm fields as you descent to the river, after the bridge it's uphill most of the way for 2-3 hours till a small place of Khuldi-ghar is reached here your Trekking permit and conservation ticket is checked and registered, after Khuldi the trail leads down hill for 1-2 hour through the bamboo bushes till you reach Bamboo, a place in the mid of the bamboo rhododendron and oaks forest with couple of teahouses. After a brief stop here an hour walk on the gradual uphill path brings you to our overnight halt at Dovan, an isolated spot with 2-3 teahouses, midst the forest near raging Modi River.

Day 08: Trek to Deurali. 3,350m. 3-4 hrs.
After Dovan, in the cool shade of the forest the walk is gradual up most of the way following the river Modi upstream, the trail continues with few ups and down as you reach Himalaya Hotel near Hinko cave, which lies straight at the bottom of Hiunchuli peak. Himalaya Hotel is a small place with 2-3 lodges just to cater the need of the trekkers. The trail from here is gradual up for another 1-2 hours to Deurali the last tea-house on route Machhapuchare Base Camp. As you reach Deurali the lush vegetation disappears leaving for high alpine flora and shrubs. Deurali has about 2-3 teahouses, rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Day 09: Trek to Machhapuchare Base Camp 3,720m. Approx 3-4 hrs.
From Deurali, the trail leads up to follow the raging Modi river upstream, the track is quite pleasant in some places with few strenuous climb for an hour in between and at the end as you reach the Maccahapuchare Base Camp. Machhapuchare base camp has about 4-5 Lodges located on the even ground beneath the mighty north face of Machhapuchare peak.

Day 10: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp 4,095m 3-4 hours walk.
Today's walk leads you in the heart of the Sanctuary at the ABC, ( Annapurna Base Camp) the trail follows uphill for few hours, on the snowy grassy path, depending upon the season, the trek is very pleasant as you reach the higher ground with magnificent view of an array of snow peaks all around you with Annapurna I, a great wall of a mountain from this north west face. Annapurna Base Camp has 2-3 teahouses, with the superb panorama.

Day 11:Trek to Himalaya Hotel.2,900m. Approx. 6 hours walk.
After a great time here retrace the journey back to Himalaya Hotel near Hinko Cave via Machhapuchare Base Camp for the overnight. A lovely day walk in the tranquility of the mountains and in its serene wilderness trek back to the lush green vegetation, the walk is more or less downhill with few ups to Himlaya Hotel.

Day 12: Trek to Chomrong. Approx 4-5 hrs.
From Himlaya Hotel retrace the journey back to Chomrong by the same path, the morning walk leads to a short climb to Khuldi where you check out in the register, The trail descends all the way to the bridge, from the bridge uphill will to Chomrong.

Day 13: Trek to Ghandrung ( Ghandruk) 5-6 hrs.
After Chomrong the walk leads to a short uphill, descend towards Kimche Khola valley the road splits here where the trail from Landrung and Kimche Valley joins (if you go straight down it leads you to the same path that you entered from Landrung) today's route leads to Kimrong khola valley, stick with your Sherpa Guide, the new trail branches off from last Tea-house of upper Chomrong, the trail is pleasant on the wide track till downhill path for an hour follows till you reach the Kimche valley and it's village after
Three hours of good walk. From Kimche Valley a short gradual path leads to the bottom of the Kimrong danda ridge, the climb takes for an hour towards the Kimrong danda where there are few teahouses / lodges where you can refresh with soft drinks and tea's.
From here a gentle downhill walk reaches you at Ghandrung village for the overnight stop.

Day 14: Trek and drive to Pokhara. approx 3 hrs walk and 1 1/2 hours drive.
From Ghandrung the walk descends on the wide stone paved path passing through farm villages of Kimche till Syali Bazaar is reached, from here the walk leads on the gentle winding trail following the River Modi all the way to Nayapul. The walk from Syali Bazaar / Bhatti the good walk leads to Bhirethati after an hour walk, Bhirethati one of the charming village on this route. From here cross the bridge over Modi Khola and follow the Modi Khola till Nayapul is reached. On reaching Nayapul board on the Bus for an hour and half drive to Pokhara for the overnight after a wonderful time in the tranquility and wilderness up in the mountains.

Day 15: Transfer to Airport for the flight back to Kathmandu.
As per the time schedule a scenic drive for 5-6 hrs reaches you back to Kathmandu.

Day 16: Free day at leisure in Kathmandu. O/N Hotel.
A free day in Kathmandu, please let our staff or tour officer know if you would like to go on another short tour in and around Kathmandu Valley or for scenic mountain flight or hot air ballooning.

Day 17: Transfer to Airport for International departure.
Today as per your international flight time, keep your confirmed air ticket, departure tax (in local currency) and your passport handy. Our Tour Officer will take you to the airport for your final departure from this amazing country, Nepal.

POKHARA VALLEY:

Pokhara is one of the most unique sub-tropical valley in the Himalaya and probably in the world, where one can marvel the beauty of the Himalayan landscape and reflection of the Annapurna massif including the towering majestic peak of Mt. Machhapuchare on its beautiful lakes.. Pokhara is situated in the mid western Nepal. It is linked by the main highway of 200 km driving distance from Kathmandu, and by air approximately 20 to 30 minutes flight with a sweeping panoramic views of the mid east to western Himalayan ranges.

Mother Nature has certainly blessed this fertile valley with outstanding scenery of the landscapes, snow capped mountains, moderate tropical climate, and beautiful pristine lakes of Begans, Rupa and Phewa.

The most stunning of Pokhara's sights is the magnificent panorama of the Annapurna range which forms its backdrop. Annpaurna massif includes Annapurna I to IV and Annapurna South. Among these high peaks it is the towering majestic Mt. Machhapuchahre (Fish Tail) which dominates all others in this range. Pokhara with its natural beauty is also a starting point of Nepal's most popular adventure destinations. Most of the trekking, mountaineering expeditions begins from this remarkable place and it's a also an ideal spot for all types of holiday makers.

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