17 Days Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

Day 1: Drive from Kathmandu

Arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Kathmandu warm Welcome by Red Rose Company representative , Transfer to the hotel & briefing about program Overnight at the hotel

Day 2: Drive to Pokhara [Altitude 915 m] [5-6 hr driving]

Drive to Pokhara [210km-5-6hr] [Optional: 30 min flight] Evening: free time to self explore around Phewa Lake Overnight at the hotel

Day 3: Drive to Phedi & trek to Dhampus [ Altitude 1650 m] [1 hrs drive & 3-4 hrs trek]

After breakfast, we take a leisurely approx 1 hour drive to Phedi (1130m) along the graceful Modi Khola Valley. On reaching our destination, we begin our highly panoramic Annapurna trek. The route skirts through lush forest and countryside to the hill top village of Dhampus. The mountains we see from Dhampus include Annapurna South, the Fishtail, Hiunchuli and Lamjung. We spend our first night in Dhampus Overnight at the local lodge

Day 4: Trek to Landruk [ Altitude 1620 m] [6-7 hrs trek]

Trek from Dhampus to Landruk -About 5-6 hrs trek Beyond Dhampus we get our first clear views of the mountains ahead, as we ascend through forest on a trail which is often made up of stone steps on the steeper sections. Passing through Pothana, we reach a clearing on a pass, at a place called Deurali (pass). At this point we are high up on the east side of the Modi Khola, the river which flows out of the Annapurna Sanctuary. From Deurali we descend steeply down through forest then contour around through villages and terraced fields to camp in the picturesque Gurung settlement of Landruk, which affords spectacular views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. Overnight at the local lodge

Day 5: Trek to Chhomrong [ Altitude 2210 m] [ 6-7 hrs trek]

Trek from Landruk to Chhomrong-About 6 hrs trek) We descend all the way down to the river, to cross at New Bridge. Our route now climbs quite steeply, high above the river, through bamboo forest and isolated farmsteads. Lunch is served at the tea-houses at Jhinu Danda. Those who are energetic can take the path 20 mins down to bath in the hot springs here next to the river after lunch. From Jhinu Danda it’s a hot climb to reach the crest of the ridge and then around to Chhomrong, our overnight place for tonight. Chhomrong is built on the steep hillside and has a few shops and several tea-houses, wooden lodges and the whole village has stunning, prominent views towards Macchappuchare (Fish-Tail Peak) Overnight at the local lodge

Day 6: Trek to Bamboo [ Altitude 2310 m] [ 6-7 hrs trek]

Trek from Chhomrong to ‘Bamboo-About 5 hrs trek After dropping steeply down to the Chhomrong Khola on steep stone steps, the trail climbs again through terraced fields and then through forest of bamboo and rhododendron to the ridge at Sediwa for more views of the Annapurnas and Macchapuchare. Contouring around the forest (with chance of seeing a troop of monkeys) we reach the abandoned ACAP check post at Kuldi. Descending through more forest leads to the collection of lodges known as Bamboo, where we camp. Overnight at the local lodge

Day 7: Trek to Deurali [ Altitude 3170 m] [ 5-6 hrs trek]

Trek from Bamboo to Deurali -About 5 hrs trek From Bamboo we continue upwards through yet more attractive forest, past the lodges of Dobhan and Himalayan Lodge. Climbing steeply we reach a fire-blackened overhang of Hinko Cave. From here we can see the lodges of Deurali; where we overnight there. Overnight at the local lodge

Day 8: Trek to Machhapurchre Base Camp [Altitude 3700 m] [3-4 hrs trek]

Trek from Deurali to Macchappuchare Base Camp (MBC) -About 3 hrs treks Leaving Deurali the valley narrows even more as we enter the gateway to the Sanctuary. We cross the young Modi Khola to the east side for a while before returning to the west to climb up to the area which is called Macchappuchare Base camp, a level and grassy moraine platform with several lodges. In the afternoon we can go up to the ridge behind camp to look down onto the glacier and absorb the distant view of Annapurna 1, 11, Gangapurna and by straining your neck upwards…the now nearby Fishtail. Overnight at the local lodge

Day 9: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp [Altitude 4130m][ 3-4 hrs trek]

Trek to Annapurna Base Camp, Sanctuary [ABC]-About 3 hrs trek Another short day today, as it is a fairly gentle ascent from our camp to Annapurna South Base Camp, and a distance of only about 4 kilometers or 2½ miles. Increasingly impressive views reward us for our efforts as we climb the last steep section before reaching the base camp area. The afternoon is free to relax and admire one of the most stunning mountain amphitheatres in the Himalaya. Optionally, if conditions and route permit there’s a chance to walk out towards the Annapurna Base Camp. Overnight at the local lodge

Day 10: Trek to Bamboo [Altitude 2310 m][ 6-7 hrs trek]

Trek from ABC to Bamboo (About 6 hrs trek) Get up in the early morning and savor the magnificent sunrise over the Himalayas from ABC. After taking breakfast, we start descending from ABC to Bamboo back through MBC, Deurali, Dovan and finally reach Bamboo. Heading back down to the valley is much easier than climbing up. You will see the waterfalls that drop down from a high point to the rocks below. We pass through the forests with great views of Fishtail and Hiunchuli mountains. Overnight in Bamboo Overnight at the local lodge

Day 11: Trek to Chhomrong [Altitude 2210 m][ 5-6 hrs trek]

Trek from Bamboo to Chhomrong–About 5 hrs trek Today it’s back into the forests again until Sediwa, were we rejoin the stone steps down to the Chhomrong river and final steeply back up to Chhomrong for overnight. Overnight at the local lodge

Day 12: Trek to Tadapani [Altitude 2650m][6-7 hrs trek]

Trek from Chhomrong to Tadapani-About 6 hrs trek From Chhomrong we will take an alternative route back to Pokhara, via Ghorepani to the west. This provides us with an interesting and scenically spectacular circuit. We contour around pleasant terraced fields, villages and forest to finally descent to a bridge crossing of the Kymnu Khola. We now climb up though more fields to Chuile, where we lunch, after which we climb steadily through rhododendron forests to Tadapani where we spend our overnight. From Tadapani, it will be excellent views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Macchapuchare. Tadapani has a Tibetan market and feels very jolly and colorful coming from the Sanctuary. Overnight at the local lodge

Day 13: Trek to Ghorepani [Altitude 2900m][6-7 hrs trek]

Trek from Tadapani to Ghorepani-About 6 hrs trek Leaving Tadapani it’s down to the river, then up and along to Banthanti. From here we climb steadily up through a beautiful rhododendron forest alongside a river in a narrow rocky gorge to another Deurali (3100m.). Deurali has another big market with Tibetan stalls and wears. Leaving Deurali we reach the ridge which is clad in rhododendron and in the springtime forms a pinky sea of flowers down the hillside. With views of Poon Hill tomorrow we descend gradually to Ghorepani. At this point we are on the main Annapurna Circuit route and there are likely to be many travelers passing through this ridge-top village in both directions. Overnight at the local lodge

Day 14: Trek to Poon Hill and Hille [Altitude 1524 m] [ 6-7 hrs trek]

Early morning hike to Poon Hill and descend to Hille (about 6 hrs trek) Today is a special day because we conquer Poon Hill- an icon of Annapurna region. Early morning we make the walk up to the celebrated viewpoint of Poon Hill (3195m). It will take approx 1 hr walk climb up there. Dawn is the best time to go – so, your trek guide arranges a wakeup call around 5 a.m. The first light of dawn illuminates Dhaulagiri and Tukuche Peak with a surreal pink glow. You may be able to buy coffee and breakfast from some enterprising Nepali who has carried his wares up to Poon Hill to take advantage of the morning trade. Descending to Ghorepani, we make time for breakfast, which will set us up for a long day’s trekking. The route is always downhill today and mostly on stone steps. The first couple of hours to Ulleri are through dense forest, passing the occasional lodge in a clearing. Then, a steep section, with 3767 steps, leads down to Hille (1524m) for overnight. Overnight at the local lodge

Day 15: Trek to Naya Pul & drive to Pokhara [3-4 hrs trek & 1 hr drive]

Trek from Hille to Naya Pul (About 3 hrs trek) & drive to Pokhara (1 hr drive) in a private vehicle A more level stretch beside the river leads to Birethanti and Naya Pul. Forty minutes beyond this bustling town we arrive at the road, and meet up with our transport for the approx 1 ½ hr ride back to Pokhara. We check in to our hotel close to Phewa Tal and have the afternoon free to wander by the lake – or sit in the garden of one of the excellent lakeside restaurants and admire the view of the Annapurnas. Overnight at the hotel

Day 16: Pokhara to Kathmandu

Drive to Kathmandu [Optional: 35 min flight] , Evening Fare well Dinner at Nepalese Cultural Restaurant, Summarize of the Whole Trek. Overnight at the hotel

Day 17: Depart Kathmandu

Breakfast at the Hotel, Drive to the Airport as per your international flight time. Fare well !!!

End the Trip