Annapurna base camp trek
The other best classic trek in the Annapurna region is called Annapurna sanctuary, the site of the base camp used by expeditions attempting the massive south face of Annapurna I. a short trek, it can be completed in as little as nine days from Pokhara. The trek to Annapurna base camp combines some of the most spectacular mountain scenery with a fascinating insight into the life of middle hill Nepalis. The best time to visit the sanctuary is during the main trekking season of spring and autumn but since the route is not a circuit, the trial, and the teahouses, can become crowded at these times. Winter trek are possible but at any time trekkers must beware of snowfall and avalanches that can block the narrow entrance to the sanctuary.
This trek is usually started and ended in Pokhara but it can also be made a part of the Annapurna circuit or the Jomsom trek by trekking from Tatopani through Ghorepani and Tadapani and joining the main sanctuary trial at Chomrong. For maximum enjoyment, allow twelve or fourteen days for the trek, which allows time for exploration inside the sanctuary and also the chance to extend the route on to Ghorepani and Poon hill. Trekkers traveling this route must obtain an ACAP entry permit either from Kathmandu or Pokhara before commencing the trek.
To start the trek at Pokhara there are a number of choices of route. Perhaps the best is to take a taxi or bus to Naudanda Phedi where the trial up to Dhampus will be found. The route passes through a number of Gurung settlements including Dhampus, Pothana and Landrung. At Landrung the choice is to cross to Ghandrung, a descent and subsequent climb involving several hundred meters of elevation change, or to continue on up the Modi khola through Naya Pul. Both trials join at Chomrong at the foot of the gorge leading to the sanctuary. An additional attraction on the Naya Pul trial is a very welcome hot spring half way to Chomrong.
From Chomrong there is only one trial, which follows the ever-narrowing most khola to finally enter the sanctuary. Due to the altitude gain, two nights must be spent between Chomrong and the sanctuary in order to avoid the risk of AMS. There are a number of settlements in the valley, providing ample accommodation. However, during winter it is wide to check at Chomrong in case the teahouse up the valley has closed for the off season.
The trial up the Modi khola passes through dense stands of rhododendron and bamboo for the first day. By the time the large rock overhang, known as Hinku cave, is reached the vegetation has thinned and the gorge narrowed to be only a few hundred meters wide. Steep, snow-clad ridges falling from Himchuli on the left and Machhapuchhre on the right from the entrance to the sanctuary. as you pass through the "gate” and enter the sanctuary you will find yourself in a huge amphitheater enclosed by a solid wall of snow capped peaks which include Annapurna I, II, III and IV plus the fish tailed spire of the Machhapuchhre. Teahouses are available at Machhapuchhre base camp, just inside the sanctuary, or at Annapurna base camp, a further two hours beyond.
Spend at least one full day inside the sanctuary. Side trips across the south Annapurna glacier, north from Annapurna base camp allow for an even better appreciation of this unique place.
Return by the same route to Chomrong where you can choose to retrace your outward steps or deviate through either Ghandrung or Ghorepani.
TRIP ITINERARY:
Annapurna base camp trekking through Nayapul
Day 01 Arrival and transfer to hotel
Day 02 Sightseeing around Kathmandu valley
Day 03 Kathmandu Flight / Bus To Pokhara (850m)
Day 04 Pokhara Drive to nayapul trek to Tirkhedhunga (1577m)
Day 05 Tirkhedhunga Trek to Ghorepani (2855m)
Day 06 Ghorepani Trek to Poon Hill then to Tadapani (2595m)
Day 07 Tadapani Trek to Chumrung (1950m)
Day 08 Chomrung Trek to Dovan (2720m)
Day 09 Doban Trek to Machapuchre Babse Camp (3700m)
Day 10 M. B. C Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (4130m)
Day 11 A.B. C Trek to Dovan (2720m)
Day 12 Dovan Trek to Jhino (1780m)
Day 13 Jhino Trek to Tolka (1700m)
Day 14 Tolkha Trek to Surkhet Phedi drive to Pokhara (820m)
Day 15 Pokhara Drive or fly to Kathmandu
Day 16 Free day for shopping or relax
Day 17 Drive to Airport for flying your own destination
Or (Annapurna base camp trek end Nayapul)
Day 01 Arrival and transfer to hotel
Day 02 Sightseeing around Kathmandu valley
Day 03 Kathmandu Bus / Flight to Pokhara (820m)
Day 04 Pokhara drive to Dhampus trek to Pothana (1900m)
Day 05 Pothana trek to Landruk (1565m)
Day 06 Landruk trek to Chumrung (1950m)
Day 07 Chomrung Trek to Dovan (2720m)
Day 08 Doban Trek to Machapuchre Base Camp (3700m)
Day 09 M. B. C Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (4130m)
Day 10 A.B. C Trek to Dovan (2720m)
Day 11 Dovan Trek to Jhino (1780m)
Day 12 Jhino Trek Bitherthanti / Nayapul drive to Pokhara (820m)
Day 13 Pokhara Drive or fly to Kathmandu
Day 14 Free day for shopping or relax
Day 15 Drive to Airport for flying your own destination
Or (Annapurna Base camp Through Beni)
Day 01 Arrival and transfer to hotel
Day 02 Sightseeing around Kathmandu valley
Day 03 Kathmandu Bus to Beni or Trek to Galeswor (1170m)
Day 04 Galeswor trek to Tatopani (1190m)
Day 05 Totopani Trek to Shikha (1935m)
Day 06 Shikha Trek to Ghorepani (2855m)
Day 07 Ghorepani Trek to Poon Hill then to Tadapani (2595m)
Day 08 Tadapani Trek to Chumrung (1950m)
Day 09 Chomrung Trek to Dovan (2720m)
Day 10 Doban Trek to Machapuchre Babse Camp (3700m)
Day 11 M. B. C Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (4130m)
Day 12 A.B. C Trek to Dovan (2720m)
Day 13 Dovan Trek to Jhino (1780m)
Day 14 Jhino Trek to Tolka (1700m)
Day 15 Tolkha Trek to Surkhet Phedi drive to Pokhara (820m)
Day 16 Pokhara Drive or fly to Kathmandu
Day 17 Free day for shopping or relax
Day 18 Drive to Airport for flying your own destination
