Annapurna Base Camp Trek - 12 Days

Namaste!! After your arrival in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, we will meet you outside the terminal hall of the Tribhuvan International Airport. With the exchange of greetings, you’ll be transferred to your hotel and introduced to your trekking guide. You can have a conversation with him, discussing the necessities for a trekking expedition. Definitely, the surroundings will be new to you; therefore, an evening stroll around the lively Thamel market is recommended to get accustomed (to some degree) to the vivid Nepalese lifestyle.

On the second day of the Annapurna Base Camp trek, you will be given the chance to partake in a seven-hour sightseeing excursion of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kathmandu city. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you will travel in a private car. Throughout the tour, you will witness a seamless fusion of ancient customs and contemporary technologies, all while experiencing the religious unity that prevails among the city's inhabitants. Your initial destination will be the revered Hindu shrine of Pashupatinath, where you will immerse yourself in the sacred ambiance. Following that, you will proceed to the sacred Buddhist shrines of Boudhanath and Swayambhunath, both renowned for their magnificent architecture and religious significance. The tour will culminate with a visit to the splendid Kathmandu Durbar Square, where you will have the opportunity to witness the exquisite craftsmanship of early Nepalese artisans. Subsequently, you can make the necessary preparations for your upcoming trekking adventures and ensure that everything is in order before embarking on your journey.

Today in the morning, you’ll be picked up from your hotel for a drive to Pokhara on a private tourist bus. It's an approximately 200-kilometer journey that takes you westward on the Prithvi Highway, utilizing about 7-8 hours, depending on the traffic conditions. Along the highway, you can observe the deep gorges of the Trishuli River and the greenish water flowing through it. The river Trishuli is also renowned for whitewater rafting. Also, you can observe alluring landscapes, rural residential areas, and green agricultural lands with snow-capped peaks comprising Annapurna, Manaslu ranges, Ganesh Himal, and Lamjung Himal as the backdrop.

Or you can take a 30-minute domestic flight from Tribhuvan International Airport to Pokhara Airport (with an additional cost of $100 per person). The flight minutes are delightful, as the sights of Himalayan peaks are spell-binding from up above the endless blue sky. Once you arrive in Pokhara, aka “the city of lakes," you can enjoy the rest of the day by exploring the local markets, especially the lakeside region of the lake city. Also, you can take pleasure in watching the charming outlook of Annapurna Massif and Mt. Machhapuchhre.

It takes approximately 1.5 hours to reach Sayuli Bazar via Nayapul and Birethati (the permit checkpoint). So, after having some breakfast, we now head to Pokhara in a private vehicle. Located on the banks of Modi Khola, Sayuli Bazaar is the starting point of the trek to Annapurna Base Camp. From here, we will now walk for about 3 hours forward to Ghandruk village (1800m). We’ll then move across the bridge and trek through lovely green paddy fields, where we can smell the unique aroma in the cool breeze throughout this stretch of trail.  Finally, we arrive at frugal Ghandruk Village (1,800 m), where we can enjoy the panorama of the Annapurna ranges. Stay overnight at the guest house.

Leaving Ghandruk, we continue on the trail that proceeds with the downward climb to the Kumrung river Valley and ascends abruptly to the Durbin Danda, then heading to Chhomrung. We now mount to the village of Chhomrung (2,210 m), which is also the final permanent human outpost in the region. We continue to pursue the trail that descends to the set of stone steps that lead to the Chhomrung Khola and then ascend to Sinuwa (2340m). We stay overnight in Sinuwa.

After breakfast, we move through terraces and the forest, which comprises chiefly rhododendron vegetation, to Kuldi (2,470 m), and finally, we set foot in the Upper Modi Khola Valley. This belt of the trail is narrow and leads to the bamboo (2,310m). At this elevation, it is usual to spot snow during the winter. The Bamboo Village consists of a few lodges that are operational only during the soaring tourist season. We leave for Deurali after lunch from the Dovan Village. We ascend a gentle climb leading us to Dovan (2,600m). From here, we trek along the Modi Khola through the dense forest, embodying bamboo and rhododendron as the primary vegetation. Subsequently, we arrive at Hotel Himalaya (2,920m) and ascend abruptly to Hinko Cave (3,170m) from where the trail drops closer to Modi Khola before climbing again upward to Deurali (3,200m). Stay overnight at the Guest House in Deurali.

From Deurali, the trail becomes narrow and strenuous to trek on. After 2-3 hours of the tiring trek, we ultimately arrive at Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC) (3,700m). As climbing Mt. Machhapuchhre is not permitted due to religious reasons, MBC is not an actual base camp. Stop for hot tea or coffee here and then head onward to Annapurna Base Camp (4130m), the ultimate travel destination of our package. ABC is an adorable place that bestows an astonishing outlook of Mt. Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna III, Gangapurna, Gandharvachuli, and Hiunchuli. Enjoy the mesmerizing sunset views over Mt. Fishtail (6993m). Stay at the guest house.

As the clouds can disrupt the excellent view, early in the morning, we wake up at Annapurna Base Camp with an aspiration to feel the mighty Annapurna in close proximity. ABC is based in the middle of the exquisite snow-capped mountains. From this very spot, you can gaze at widespread terraced fields flaunting euphoric grasslands and splendid farming land. At ABC, you’ll be rewarded for your toil with the awesome vistas of the snow-capped mountain peaks and tempting landscapes. Along with it, you will also observe the southern slant of the Annapurna range established in the lap of the formidable Himalayas; the sight is worth its weight in gold and is unsurpassed by anything else in the world. After capturing these moments in our hearts and, of course, in our cameras, we will return to Bamboo (2,310m).

Today, we leave Bamboo village and trek to Kuldi (2,470m). Pursuing the trail first, down to Sinuwa, and then to Lower Sinuwa through the forest of rhododendron, we now climb down the stone steps to Chhomrong (2,210m). Withdrawing back from Modi Khola Valley, we eventually trek downwards to Taklung village. From now on, we continue on the trail that descends to Jhinu Danda (1,500m). Enjoy the rest of the day at a natural hot spring.

From Jhinu Danda, we set off back to Pokhara in a private vehicle. Once in Pokhara, you can visit various landmark sites of the Lake City such as Davis Falls, Phewa Tal, Begnas Tal, Rupa Tal, World Peace Pagoda and much more at your cost. Also, you can enjoy an evening walk or cycle around the alluring Lakeside region which is a tourist hotspot. A full Nepali cuisine as the dinner will be the perfect way to celebrate your successful completion of the expedition.

Today, you’ll travel back to Kathmandu via a private vehicle or tourist bus. The 200km journey via the Prithvi Highway will provide you with the opportunity to have a glimpse of mountains, green hills, towns and colourful markets that passes by its side. It will take about 7-8 hours to reach Kathmandu from Pokhara depending on traffic conditions. Or you can take 30 mins domestic flight to Kathmandu (with an additional cost$120). Once in the capital city, you can enjoy the rest of the moments in this Himalayan nation via visiting sites listed in the UNESCO world heritage list such as Pashupatinath, Swaymbhunath, Boudhanath and much more, buying souvenirs and collecting memories as pictures (which is not included in the cost). Farewell dinner by Himalayan Trekking path

Today marks the end of your journey and your wonderful stay in this country. We are happy to choose us to help and guide you through your entire adventure sharing and forging precious moments together. We hope that our services and expertise fully satisfied you. Our representative will escort you to the airport so that you will have no problems taking your flight back to your homeland.