Annapurna Base Camp

• Altitude: 2,000m/6,500ft
• Pick-up time: 7:00 am
• Drive to Sauli Bazar: 40km | Drive Duration: around 2 hrs
• Trek 5km, 4 - 5 hrs
• Gradual ascend throughout
• Water source: Villages and teahouses on the route
• Views: Machapuchhare and Annapurna (South), Hinchuli, Gangapurna, and Annapurna - 3
• Visit Old Gurung Museum in the evening
• Stay: at teahouses
• Lunch on the way

After breakfast, you will have a ride of approximately 2 hrs to Sauli Bazar. The actual trekking begins henceforth to Ghandruk crossing Lower Ghandruk. The path is well paved having stairs intermittently. The trek has a gradual ascent taking 5-6 hours to reach our camping site. Once you cross the bridge over the Bhurgundi River on your way to Ghandruk, you will arrive at Birethanti where you are required to sign documents as part of formalities with the local authorities for the Annapurna Base Camp Trekking. Post this the trek begins to ascend towards Ghandruk.

From here, you will have to climb some stone steps to Kimche. After the stairs, the gradient of the road eases out a bit. From here it will take about 2 hours to reach Ghandruk. Ghandruk is considered the biggest village on the trek route. It is inhabited by stone-built small houses. The village is loaded with tea houses that serve typical Nepalese cuisine. The village also has a local museum that showcases the Gurung culture. In the south, you can notice Machapuchhare and Annapurna views on a clear day. Relax in your bed for a wonderful night in the mountains.

• Altitude: 2,200m/7,200ft
• Trek 10km, 6-7 hours
• First 1-hour ascent then descent till lunch point followed by an uphill climb to Chhomorong.
• Water source: Teahouses on the way
• Views: Annapurna (South), Gangapurna, Fishtail, Hinchuli, and Annapurna 3, amazing sunset view on sunset on Annapurna Mountain Range
• Chhomorong market is the last market on this trek after this no market is available.
• Lunch on the way
• Stay at tea houses

The hike today is through a delightful muddy trail laid up with scenic villages on both sides. After a descent of 1 hour, you will reach Kimrong Khola. Kimrong is a small village located on the top of a ridge offering panoramic views of the Himalayan mountains all around. A beautiful array of snow-covered peaks, Annapurna South, Gangapurna, Fishtail, and Hinchuli, begin to appear. From Kimrong, you have to descend about 400 m sharply to Kimrong Khola, through dense covers of Oak and Rhododendron trees. The route henceforth goes uphill until Chhomrong (a 4-5 hours hike). Chhomrong is situated at the base of the Hiunchuli mountains and you will see picture-perfect hilly settlements surrounded by green banana fields, rhododendrons, ferns, etc. are seen throughout. Chhomrong lies on a hilltop having stone paved stairs. It is the gateway to Annapurna Sanctuary and permits are granted here. You can also see Sinuwa Village on the opposite side of the mountain. The sights of Annapurna South become prominent. Again there are numerous tea houses and shops selling batteries, memory cards, and other accessories. Watch the peaceful sunset on the Annapurna range and rest for the day.

• Altitude: 2,500m/8,200ft
• Trek 10 km, 5-6 hours
• Descend on stone steps to Chomrung Khola, then steeply ascend to Sinwa to Bamboo village.
• Water source: Teahouses on the way
• No mountain view in Bamboo
• Lunch on the way in teahouses
• Bamboo is full of Bamboo trees

Welcome another amazing morning in the lush green hilly setup. Start with a descent on 2500 stone-built stairs leading to a bridge. The hanging bridge then takes you to Chomrung Khola, which seems like entering into dense forests. The Sanctuary is flourished with rhododendrons, oak, and alpine trees. Therefore the trail looks lush and adorned with reddish-pink flowers.

Climb up the stairs to the other side of the mountain to Sinuwa Village. Below, you can see the Chomorng River gushing away with a torrential force. The trail is steep to Sinuwa village. Sinuwa is marked with a few teahouses and lodges. It is enclosed between thin forest cover. Past these points, the donkeys are not permitted on the trail and the goods are then carried by the porters from this point on. Annapurna III comes into clear visibility here. Another climb opens to Kulidhar then a downhill hike ends at Bamboo camp.

The bamboo campsite does not offer as many mountain views as other teahouse stops as it is at a lower altitude than the surrounding mountains. However, you may see a lot of Bamboo plants around the campsite. Rest well in Bamboo and tomorrow we will make our way to the stunning Machapuchhare Base Camp.

• Altitude: 3,700m/12,150ft
• Trek: 9 km | Duration: 5 to 6 hrs
• Moderate level of ascent crossing Modi Khola River.
• Water source: Teahouses on the way.
• Views: Machhapuchhre, Gangapurna, and Annapurna III
• Lunch is on the way.
• Stay in teahouses

Get all braced with enough energy as this is the strenuous day of the trek. Yet, the trail will show changing vegetation from sub-tropical to alpine and the sights will keep you revitalized. The height gain is close to 4000 feet, therefore take it slow and stay hydrated. In one hour the first village Dovan comes en route, identified by 5 lodges only. The tip of Machapuchhare mountain will be visible. Mix path of gradual ascends and descends with muddy trail lead to Himalaya. A wooden bridge and shrine will be the highlight of the trail. Himalaya has quaint tea houses. After Himalaya, the terrain sees a change from dense alpine forests to a bouldered region. You might see some vegetation like Bamboo, grass, and ferns.

A few landslide and avalanche-prone areas will be seen on the path ahead. An overhanging cave called Hinku arrives after an hour of hiking up. The entrance to the cave is blocked. The trail begins to descend for about 10 to 15 minutes from here. From here the trail descends for another 15 minutes until you arrive at two big snow patches. Cross the snow patches and a stream crossing followed by a climb of about 20 minutes to reach Deurali. This is the camping spot for the night. Deurali is surrounded by lush greenery and offers panoramic mountain sceneries. You can see the Machapuchhre, Gangapurna, and Annapurna III from here.

Altitude: 4,130m/13,500ft

• Moderate ascent till Annapurna Base Camp
• Water source: Teahouses on the way
• Views: Entire Annapurna range, panoramic views of Gangapurna, Gandharvachuli, Machapuchare, Annapurna (South), and view of mighty Annapurna I, get fantastic 360-degree views and beautiful sunrise and sunset.
• Lunch at MBC
• Stay: in teahouses

The trail that climbs out of Deurali is a bouldered section. From here the trail opens up to a valley with Modi Khola thundering past you. Another section of the rocky terrain of 40 minutes directs you to Bagar. From here, you will walk past some abandoned lodges, and in about one hour you will come across a bridge over Modi Khola, after crossing this bridge the next halt, Machapuchre Base Camp is 30 minutes away. Keep your eyes on the left and you will see astounding views of the Annapurna Ranges while in your front you will get to see the majestic Machapuchhare Range.

MBC is a stunning place well-known for mesmerizing moon rise on Machapuchre mountain, do not miss this wonderful night sky. Along with it, other peaks seen are Mt. Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna III, Gandharvachuli, and Gangapurna. Since you will be climbing close to 4,000 ft today, so be aware of signs of AMS. The route takes a sharp 90-degree turn to the left for ABC. The initial trial has a steep ascend followed by a gradual ascend. You will be hiking above the tree line; hence no traces of trees will be seen.

Just as you get closer to the camp, the magnificent Annapurna I becomes bigger and bigger. The ABC is like being on an island encircled by giant peaks and huge never-ending ranges. 6000 and 8000 m peaks surround the base camp and it is an astounding sight to behold. 360-degree spectacles of the magnificent Annapurna range, Gangapurna, Gandharvachuli, and Machapuchare. Enjoy your lunch looking at the white clouds waving over these peaks. If you are lucky enough, you may even spot some Marmuts on your way to the campsite. Spend the rest of the day breathing with the mountains. Live every moment and sleep in their shelter.

• Altitude: 2,500 m/  8,200 ft
• Trek Distance: 13 km | Duration: 8 to 9 hrs
• Retracing the route with gradual ascend and descend
• Water source: Refill water bottles at teahouses
• Stay: in teahouses

This is the longest day of the trek retracing the steps back to Bamboo. The trail as you know is mostly a descent so is quite easy. Wake up to an amazing sunrise over the Annapurna Massif. This is one of the best sunrises, you will see so try not to miss it. After watching a sunrise and a delicious breakfast, we will begin to head down towards Bamboo. The MBC, Deurali, Himalaya, and Dovan habitats will pop up again as you move down. Relax in your bed at Bamboo lodge after a long day of walking.

• Altitude: 1,700m / 5,600ft
• Trek Distance: 8 km | Duration: 5 to 6 hrs
• A mixture of steep ascending and descending trail
• Water source: Refill water bottles at tea houses
• Stay: at teahouses

Again retrace your path to Sinuwa followed by a steep descent to Chomrung Khola. It should take around 45 minutes to reach Sinuwa. Cross the same hanging bridge towards Chomrung Khola. Another steep ascent will lead to Chomrung village. It will take about an hour to reach Chomrung Khola and 45 minutes more to Chomrung. Try to re-picture the sights you captured earlier and enjoy them.

From Chomrung take an ascending trail until you arrive at the fork where a signpost reads Jhinu. From here on, you have to take the steep descending steps, all the way, to Jhinu. It will take you around 1.5 hrs to reach Jhinu.

With downhill and then uphill hike Jhinu Danda settlement arrives. Jhinu is popular for its hot springs and you will see a lot of subtropical forests all around. Enjoy the refreshing hot springs of Jhinu 20 minutes away. Cherish your last night of the trek.

• Trek Distance: 2 km | Duration: 45 minutes
• Easy trail to road-head, from road-head drive to Pokhara
• Drive Distance: 60 km | Duration: 3 hrs
• Check-in at the hotel in Pokhara
• Debriefing and certificate distribution in the evening

From Jhinnu Hot Spring follow the descending trail to Kimrong Khola Bridge. It will take about 45 minutes. Keep walking on the trail along the houses and you will arrive at a road head. From here, you will board a vehicle to Pokhara. In about 3 hours you will reach your hotel in Pokhara. Spend the evening at your leisure in Pokhara. Your overnight accommodation is arranged in Pokhara as well.

Note:

Checkout time of the hotel is 10:30 am on day 10. As you will reach Pokhara in the evening, it is advisable to make any further travel plan on day 10 or after day 10.