15 nights
Stunning views of the Annapurnas and Machapuchare
NEPAL TRIP GENERAL INFORMATION
OVERSEAS COURSES HOME
PLEASE EMAIL US IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, EITHER TO BOOK OR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
The 'Monkey Temple'.
Kathmandu.
Enjoying the architecture!
View from Poon Hill
Gangapurna
The lodge at Himalaya Hotel.
Breakfast at Chomrong, below Annapurna South and Hiunchuli.
View from Machhapuchre base camp.
The huge south face of Annapurna 1.
The climbers' memorial and Annapurna 1.
The Annapurna Sanctuary trek, also known as the Annapurna Base Camp trek, takes you into some of the highest and most spectacular mountains in the world. Many of the peaks are over 7000 metres, including the famous twin-peaked Machapuchare, also know as the Fish's tail, as well as Annapurna I and III, Annapurna South, Gangapurna and Glacier Dome amongst others.
Our trek begins in the terraced foothills close to Pokhara. The Ghorepani-Chumrung-Dhampus Ridge gives us good panoramic views of the mountains and, as we pass through local farming communities, the vista becomes more impressive. After two days of trekking we arrive at Ghorepani, where we spend a night in order to make an early morning ascent of Poon Hill, to see the spectacular sunrise over the Himalaya. During our trek we pass through the Gurung villages of Chomrong and Landrung, through rhododendron and bamboo forests, to Hinko Cave. Beyond Hinko, we soon see excellent views of Annapurna South and Machapuchare.
We are afforded incredible views of the mountains from Machupuchare Base Camp, 3700m, where we spend one night, and Annapurna Base Camp, 4130m, where we will spend a day. After this we begin our descent to Pokhara, via Dhampus.
THE ITINERARY
The following itinerary is for guidance only, as things are subject to change at the last minute. We will, however, endeavour to keep as close to this as possible.
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu. Meet our staff and transfer to your hotel. Welcome dinner and briefing about the trek/tour. "D"
Day 02: Kathmandu sightseeing. Optional (price included) sightseeing trip to Bouddhanath, the biggest Buddhist stupa in Nepal, and then to Pashupatinath, the biggest Hindu Temple and finally to Bhaktapur, a typical Newar village where the culture has remained unchanged for many years. "B"
Day 03: Kathmandu to Pokhara. After an early morning hotel pick-up and short walk to the tourist bus park, we drive to Pokhara by tourist AC deluxe bus. Upon arrival in Pokhara we drive by taxi to our hotel. "B"
Day 04: Pokhara-Tirkhedhunga 1540m. After breakfast, we drive to Lumle where our trekking crew will be waiting to meet us. Then we start the walk through meadows and terraced fields, and after a while the trail reaches the confluence of Bhurungdi Khola and the Modi Rivers where a large village bazaar lies named Birethanti is situated. After the Annapurna Conservation Project entry registration, we continue on the trail past a few lodges and eventually reach the village of Hille. From here, a short walk takes us to Tirkhedhunga for the night. "B,L,D"
Day 05: Tirkhedhunga-Ghorepani 2750m. After the last suspension bridge at Tirkhedhunga, the trail ascends to reveal breathtaking views from the village of Ulleri. This pretty slate roofed village is largely comprised of Magar People. They are Tibeto-Burman in origin & very skilled craftsmen in stone & wood. From here you have good views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli as well as the Bhurungdi Valley below. Now the trail climbs less steeply and after an hour reaches to Banthanti where a few tourist lodges are situated. After the last lodge the beautiful rhododendron forest begins. The trail ascends gradually to Ghorepani where we spend the night. "B,L,D"
Day 06: Excursion to Poon Hill, 3193m and trek to Tadapani,2595m. After being woken early for an optional excursion to Poon Hill, 3193m, those who choose to make the hour-long walk will be rewarded with superb views at sunrise of a wide Himalayan panorama, stretching from Dhaulagiri 8167m (the world's seventh highest peak) to Manaslu 8156m (the world's eighth highest peak) in the east, with the mighty Annapurna range in between them. Once you have returned to Ghorepani and had breakfast, you start your day walk to Tadapani, passing through a forest of rhododendron and many excellent views before finally reaching Tadapani for the night halt. "B,L,D"
Day 07: Tadapani-Chomrong 2170m. We leave Tadapani on a path that drops through the rhododendrons, eventually reaching Chisapani. The trail then drops further to Chiukle, where few lodges are located. A maze of small paths leads down through the terraced fields to a big suspension bridge over the Kimrong Khola. From the bridge, the trail climbs past the school and along terraces to the little village of Klisigo Chiukle. After a series of waterfalls, the trail climbs and contours along the terraces to join the main Ghandrung-Chomrong route,from where we make our way to Chomrong for the night. "B,L,D"
Day 08: Chomrong-Himalaya Hotel 2920m. We start the day by descending to the suspension bridge over the Chomrong Khola and then climb the path on the other side. After Sinuwa the trail changes from a wide path to a narrower one, enveloped by mixed rhododendron forest. After a while on this trail we reach Kuldigar. The path from here to Bamboo is steeply downhill and you soon enter the damp bamboo forest from which the collection of lodges takes its name. From Bamboo the trail climbs steadily, crossing first the Bamboo Khola and then several small streams, until eventually it reaches three lodges in a forest clearing at Dovan. The next stretch of forest from Dovan to Himalaya Hotel is the sacred home of a deity Panchhi Baraha. Passing the Modi Khola, the trail goes steeply up to Himalaya Hotel for our night's halt. "B,L,D"
Day 09: Himalaya Hotel-Machhapuchre Base Camp 3700m. About one hour distance from Himalaya hotel stands the huge rock that forms Hinku Cave. A favourite camping shelter and landmark for mountaineering expeditions, the teahouses here are now no more, due to avalanche and rockfall danger over the winter months. However, this is still a pleasant place to rest. About 30 minutes from Hinku Cave is Deurali. Shortly above here you enter the sanctuary itself and you cross a small stream on a wooden bridge to Machhupuchre Base Camp, where few lodges are located. "B,L,D"
Day 10: Excursion to Annapurna Base Camp 4130m, and trek back to Himalaya Hotel.
The path up to Annapurna Base Camp is not particularly steep, and you will find this stretch very pleasant, a gentle uphill stroll along the river, through the tranquil meadows with many boulders to rest upon and gaze in awe at the surrounding peaks. From just above Annapurna base camp, overloking the Annapurna South glacier, the panorama is breath taking. Annapurna I rears above rubble covered glacier while to the south Himchuli and Annapurna South loom behind. Machhapuchre is magnificent and Annapurna III can be seen. For a view of Gangapurna you can climb the moraine with a few rock cairns to the south. Once you have soaked up the stunning views of the Annapurna range, you trek back past Machhupuchre base camp to Himalaya Hotel. "B,L,D"
Day 11: Himalaya Hotel-Chomrong. We reverse this section of path that we took on the way up, with so much more to see on the way down. At the end of our day we find ourseves back at Chomrong. "B,L,D"
Day 12: Chomrong-Pothana 1900m. Leaving Chomrong, we follow the main trail of Upper Chomrong to Summit View at Daulu. Down a steeply descending path is Jhinu Danda, and after here a large suspension bridge over the Modi Khola takes us to Landrung. After Landrung, the trail climbs a little to Tolka. It now continues on the level until it reaches a suspension bridge at Bheri Kharka, after which there is a stiff climb through the trees to reach Bichowk Deurali. There are views through the rhododendrons in several directions, and Dhaulagiri is visible from here. The path, now partly paved, descends gently to Pothana, where we stop for the night. "B,L,D"
Day 13: Pothana to Pokhara. From Pothana we trek through beautiful landscape and reach Dhampus and the road, and then drive to Pokhara for an overnight stay in our hotel. "B,L"
Day 14: Fly to Kathmandu. You will have free time in Pokhara until the afternoon flight back to Kathmandu. "B"
Day 15: Kathmandu at leisure. Free day. In the evening we will have a farewell dinner. "B,D"
Day 16: Drive to airport for return journey back home. "B"
PRE-TRIP MEETING.
We wll be offering at least one informal pre-trip meeting, at a date and location to suit group members. This will be so that everyone can get together and meet prior to the trip, at a place where we can walk or climb, as well as having a meal and a beer or two in the evening.
FLIGHTS
This trip is priced excluding international flights. This is to allow a flexible approach for anyone wishing to travel out early, stay on later, or join from another country. We will, however, give you full help and guidance in booking an appropriate flight, and this often means that many of the team will travel together. Further details will be supplied with your booking confirmation, but as a guideline you should allow a cost of around £600 for a return flight from the UK.
COST
Tthe cost for the trip KTM-KTM is £975.
To book, enquire about availability or for further information, please email Pete or call 01340 871071.
START DATES:
2008: September 21st.
2009: March 8th, September 20th.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
International and domestic airport pick-up and drop-off.
Welcome and farewell dinners.
3-star hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Sightseeing with English speaking guide.
Sightseeing entry fee and transport.
Bus transport to trek starting and ending points.
Flight ticket from Pokhara to Kathmandu.
Tea House accommodation during the trek.
Highly experienced and first-aid trained English speaking trekking guide.
Meals as detailed above (B,L,D).
Conservation permit.
Trekking registration certificate.
Required numbers of porters including insurance and equipment.
Meals/accommodation/salary/insurance/equipment for guide/cook/porters.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
International flights.
Personal trekking equipment.
Meals other than mentioned above.
Drinks and bar bill.
Tipping.
Personal insurance, emergency evacuation insurance and visas.
Airport departure taxes.
Any other things that are not mentioned in 'included'.
For any further information please email Pete and we'll answer any questions that you may have. To book, email Pete in the first instance and we'll get further details to you.