Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Route: Kathmandu – Pokhara – Annapurna Base Camp – Ghorepani – Pokhara - Kathmandu
The Annapurna Conservation Area is one of Nepal’s most well known trekking areas. This trek journeys through the best areas within the Annapurna mountain range with stunning views of the impressive Annapurnas and another lesser known Himalayan giant, Dhaulagiri, which at 8,167m is the 7th highest mountain in the world.
Our itinerary will follow old foot trails used by hardy Gurung and Magar hill tribes who live here in the temperate forests amongst rhododendron trees, farming on steep terraces growing staples of maize and millet.
Our trip into this region begins from Pokhara. We will begin by trekking towards Annapurna base camp in the heart of the Annapurna sanctuary to enjoy an arena view of the 4 giant Annapurnas. Annapurna 1 is the 10th highest mountain in the world at 8,091m and the remaining 3 are over 7,000m. We will then return to Chimrong before we head west through alpine forests to Kopra ridge. Our camp on Kopra hill offers exceptional panoramic views of the entire Annapurna range including a spectacular view of Dhaulagiri.
Then, a day trek north east of camp will bring us to Khayer lake (approx. 4,000m), a sacred lake worshipped by locals during the Badau Purnima festival each September. Our trail then winds its way down to Ghorepani for sunrise views of the Annapurna range from Pun hill, before we trek back towards Pokhara.
With the exhilaration of this trip, we can be easily tempted to stay in ‘them there hills’ and experience them for just that little bit longer. Aah, but, we can come back and see them again.
Trip Facts
| Trip Highlights
Inclusions Internal fixed wing flights, trekking permit fees, 3 nights in Kathmandu hotel equivalent to Hotel Tibet or Radisson (Lazimpat or similar), hotel accommodation in Pokhara, experienced trekking guides, team transport in Nepal, teahouse accommodation on trek, extensive high altitude wilderness first aid kit, all meals outside Kathmandu plus breakfast in Kathmandu, porters to carry personal/group equipment on trek, plus receive complimentary trekking duffel. (All accommodation is on a twin share basis - single share can be arranged on request at an additional cost). Exclusions International flights to and from Kathmandu, lunch and dinners in Kathmandu (allow USD $10- 15 per meal), aerated and alcoholic beverages, personal items (e.g. phone calls, internet, laundry), tips, travel insurance (incl. early departure, evacuation / rescue) and personal trekking gear. |
Trip Map | Short Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu Day 2: Fly to Pokhara, drive to Kande (1,776m) and trek to Pothana/Australian camp (1,900m) 1.5 hr Day 3: Trek Pothana (1,900m) to Landruk (1,640m) -5 hr Day 4: Trek Landruk (1,640m) to Chimrong (2,170m) -5 hr Day 5: Trek Chimrong (2,170m) to Bamboo (2,245m) -6.5 hr Day 6: Trek Bamboo (2,245m) to Dovan (2,600m) -5 hr Day 7: Trek Dovan (2,600m) to Machhapuchre base camp (3,700m)-5 hr Day 8: Trek Machhapuchre base camp (3,700m) to Annapurna base camp (4,130m) -2.5 hr Day 9: Trek Annapurna base camp (4,130m) to Himalaya Hotel (2,900m) -5 hr Day 10: Trek Himalaya Hotel (2,900m) to Chimrong (2,170m) -5 hr Day 11: Trek Chimrong (2,170m) to Tadapani (2,630m) -5.5 hr Day 12: Trek Tadapani (2,630m) and Bailey Kharka (3,300m) -6 hr Day 13: Trek Bailey Kharka (3,300m) to Kopra Danda (3,720m) -4 hr Day 14: Trek to Khayer Lake (4,000m) -8 hr Day 15: Trek Kopra Danda (3,720m) to Sontha (1,800m) -5 hr Day 16: Trek Sontha (1,800m) to Ghorepani (2,750m) -3.5 hr Day 17: Trek Ghorepani (2,750m) to Birethanti (1,025m) -7 hr, drive to Pokhara Day 18: Fly Pokhara to Kathmandu Day 19: In Kathmandu Day 20: Depart Kathmandu |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 | Arrive in KathmanduWelcome to Nepal. You will be met at Tribhuvan Airport by an Expedition Base representative and taken to your hotel. You can spend the remainder of your day recovering from your international flight, or you might want to take a walk around Thamel, in the heart of Kathmandu’s main tourist area. Later in the evening, there will be a group briefing and welcome group dinner. | |
Day 2 | Fly to Pokhara, drive to Kande (1,776m) and trek to Pothana/Australian camp (1,900m) 1.5 hrIn the morning, we will take a short 35 min flight to Pokhara. Once there, we will load ourselves and our gear into jeeps to drive to our trailhead at Kande. We have a short day of trekking up the ridge on stone steps to Pothana. Here you will be rewarded with your first clear views of Machhapuchhre, which is a sacred mountain, aslo known as Fishtail because of it’s fish tail like shape. | |
Day 3 | Trek Pothana (1,900m) to Landruk (1,640m) -5 hrAt Pothana we wake up early and catch sunrise over these stunning mountains before we have a hearty breakfast to see us on our way. Today is a relatively easy day for those still recovering from any jet lag – though the fresh mountain air may also help you recover from that. Our journey has us follow a gentle forest trail to Deurali (2,100m), our highest point of the day. Expect to see views of Hiunchuli and Annapurna South, weather permitting. We will then trace our path over stone steps through Gurung villages near the valley floor by the Modi Khola river. We will sleep at Landruk overnight. | |
Day 4 | Trek Landruk (1,640m) to Chimrong (2,170m) -5 hrThe start off the day with a pleasant trek further down to the valley floor heading northwards by the Modi Khola river. We will cross a suspension bridge to bring us to the true right of the river, where we will remain as we continue north-east to Annapurna Sanctuary. Soon, it’s a steep trek on the ridge to the Gurung village of Chimrong. Before the climb to the village, there’s an option to enjoy natural hot springs, which are a short walk from Jhinu Danda. | |
Day 5 | Trek Chimrong (2,170m) to Bamboo (2,245m) -6.5 hrThe day begins dropping behind Chimrong, across a bridge, and then we trek up steps to Sinuwa. From here, the trek is easy continuing up the valley, traversing high above Modi Khola. We pass through dense rhododendron and oak forests to Kuldigar, and descend to the valley floor to sleep at the river settlement of Bamboo for the night. | |
Day 6 | Trek Bamboo (2,245m) to Dovan (2,600m) -5 hrToday, we trek north easterly closely following the Modi river up the valley. It’s a gradual ascent up stone steps passing through forests to Dovan. The air here begins to thin as we inch higher towards base camp. Relax, take your time to enjoy the scenery and soon we will reach our point to sleep for the night. | |
Day 7 | Trek Dovan (2,600m) to Machhapuchre base camp (3,700m)-5 hrToday, we trek upward. But, the good news is we all go nice and slowly and enjoy the views at the head of the valley and the trail that is surrounded by Hiun Chuli (6,434m), Mardi Himal (5,553m) and Machhapuchre (6,997m). Spectacular! We will pass through several settlements before reaching Machhapuchre base camp (our sleeping place for the night) that is situated at the terminal end of the South Annapurna glacier. In this clearing, you can enjoy close views of Tare Kang and Gangapurna in the north, and Machhapurche in the south east. | |
Day 8 | Trek Machhapuchre base camp (3,700m) to Annapurna base camp (4,130m) -2.5 hrToday, we have a gradual ascent to Annapurna base camp following a trail alongside the glacier heading west. You may be feeling the altitude on your body, but as always, we trek slowly, and relax and enjoy the views. Our efforts are rewarded as we reach our first objective of Annapurna base camp in the heart of the Annapurna Sanctuary. We have the afternoon free to explore this beautiful area. | |
Day 9 | Trek Annapurna base camp (4,130m) to Himalaya Hotel (2,900m) -5 hrToday, we trek back to Machhapuchre base camp and then descend down the valley to our rest stop at Himalaya Hotel. | |
Day 10 | Trek Himalaya Hotel (2,900m) to Chimrong (2,170m) -5 hrToday is an easy day as we gently descend and ascend back up to Chimrong. We are now back in low alpine forests and in richer air, so we can rest our bodies to prepare for our next objective, Kopra Ridge. | |
Day 11 | Trek Chimrong (2,170m) to Tadapani (2,630m) -5.5 hrFirst up, we head south west following the mountain contour passing a few small Gurung settlements and beautiful farm gardens. This is a quiet trail with few tourists. We will drop 300m to the river, cross it and trek up through a thick rhododendron canopy containing some of the tallest rhododendron trees in Nepal. After a brief break for lunch, it’s then a short walk to Tadapani on top of the ridge for the night. | |
Day 12 | Trek Tadapani (2,630m) and Bailey Kharka (3,300m) -6 hrThis part of the trek is more remote and follows villager trails towards Kopra Hill. We break from the main trail of trekkers heading to Ghorepani and ascend up a long ridge. | |
Day 13 | Trek Bailey Kharka (3,300m) to Kopra Danda (3,720m) -4 hrWe trek around the Kopra Ridge and up onto Kopra Danda. Parts of the section are steep. The view from Kopra Danda is one of the best in the region. You will have quiet and exceptional close panoramic view of the Himalayas. | |
Day 14 | Trek to Khayer Lake (4,000m) -8 hrFor those who wish, today you have the option of a day trek up to the spirtual Khayer Lake. The views of Dhaulagiri are ever closer here. We then trek back to our camp to enjoy sunset views across the valley. | |
Day 15 | Trek Kopra Danda (3,720m) to Sontha (1,800m) -5 hrToday, we have an easy down hill trek back down the ridge to a small settlement near the valley floor. Sontha is one of many Magar villages in the area; hardy hills people who live off the land and farm on steep terraces. | |
Day 16 | Trek Sontha (1,800m) to Ghorepani (2,750m) -3.5 hrFrom Sonetha we cross the river and trek up the hillside to the town of Ghorepani. This
is the main tourist centre in the Annapurna region so we are now back on well trodden foot trails. You can wander the bazaar or learn about the local Magar culture in the museum for the afternoon. | |
Day 17 | Trek Ghorepani (2,750m) to Birethanti (1,025m) -7 hr, drive to PokharaFrom Ghorepani, Pun Hill (3,185m) is a short
1 hr trek which we will do before sunrise so it will be an early start. The lookout offers a wonderful panorama of the entire Annapurna range, and a sunrise view of this setting is unforgettable. We then return to our teahouse for breakfast and prepare the long descent to Birethanti. The trek down includes a long stone staircase between Ulleri and Hile, so use walking poles to protect your knees. It’s a pleasant trek along the Bhurungdi river through Magar villages and bamboo forests to the trail end at Birethanti. Once there we will jump into jeeps, farewell our amazing porters, and drive back to Pokhara to hot showers, dinner and a well earned rest, or a walk around the local shops at lakeside at Pokhara. | |
Day 18 | Fly Pokhara to KathmanduWeather permitting for clear views, we will enjoy a fantastic mountain flight back to Kathmandu passing the Annapurna and Langtang ranges. | |
Day 19 | In KathmanduIt is your last day in Kathmandu for some sightseeing, shopping, relaxing and to prepare for departure. If you didn’t make it to Bhaktapur or the other durbar squares in Patan/Kathmandu, make sure you don’t miss these world heritage sites, if you can make time. | |
Day 20 | Depart KathmanduWe bid Kathmandu and Nepal farewell. We will be sad to see you go. |
Expedition Base Pvt. Ltd.Bansbari-3, Kathmandu, Nepal, Tel: +977 01 4371291 www.expeditionbase.com |  |