Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu.
Transfer to the hotel and relax before a group dinner. Accommodation: city hotel B&B.
Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing.
Trip briefing by the leader and guided sightseeing tour to two of Kathmandu’s major sights. The first is the country’s most important Hindu temple - Pashupatinath. The cobbled streets are bustling with ladies selling incense and colourful Sadhus (holymen). Our second visit takes us to Boudha, a Buddhist monument and the largest of its kind. Accommodation: city hotel B&B.
Day 3: Kathmandu to Birethanti.
Scenic drive over a small pass from where there is amazing view. We reach the valley bottom and follow the rivers to Pokhara, viewing typical rural life amidst cultivated terraced fields and mountain vistas. We drive over a pass at Lumle then down to Naya Pul. A short 30 minute walk will bring us to Birethanti.
Day 4: Birethanti to Ulleri.
A pleasant walk following the Burundi, we climb to Tirkhedunga, a great place to stop for lunch. If you are a keen birdwatcher, there is a chance of spotting different kinds of redstarts, kingfishers, dippers, forktails, magpies and treepies. We cross the bridge and climb steadily through neatly terraced hillsides to Ulleri. There is nice view of Annapurna South and Hiu Chuli from here. Walking time: 4½-5 hrs. Final altitude: 2073m.
Day 5: Ulleri to Ghorapani.
We climb, the terraces gradually fading away to give way to rhododendron forests. After lunch we continue up to Ghorepani on the col. There is a tremendous view from here, of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Ranges. Ghorepani, was traditionally used as a resting place on the trade route between Pokhara and the prosperous Kali Gandaki Valley. There are souvenir stalls along the trail. Walking time: 5 hrs. Final altitude: 2855m.
Day 6: Ghorapani to Tadopani.
Optional very early walk up to Poon Hill for the amazing sunrise. After breakfast we climb out of Ghorepani, through rhododendron forest and up to Tadapani. From here we have great views of Annapurna South (7219m) and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail 6993m). Walking time: 5 hrs. Final altitude: 2700m.
Day 7: Tadopani to Chomrong.
The trail continues to Gurjung where we stop for lunch. The afternoon's trek undulates around to Chomrong, the last permanent settlement up this valley. Walking time: 4½-5hrs. Final altitude: 2170m.
Day 8: Chomrong to Dhoban.
Descend a stone staircase to the Chomrong Khola then climb steeply up through oak forest to follow the Modii Khola until the trail drops down to the river. We then steadily climb through dense forest to Dhoban. Walking time: 5hrs. Final altitude: 2540m.
Day 9: Dhoban to Machhapuchre Base Camp.
We continue through the forest passing the lodge of Himalaya Hotel and Hinko Cave, (used by the first expedition to Base Camp) then climb steadily after lunch until we arrive at Machhapuchre Base Camp (MBC). You could do a short climb up to the moraine behind the lodges later in the afternoon for fabulous views looking north. Today one starts to feel like being truly amongst the giants of the Himalayas at the gateway to this natural amphitheatre. Walking time: 5 hrs. Final altitude: 3788m.
Day 10: Machhapuchre Base Camp to Annapurna Base Camp.
We start early, climbing steadily to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) for the 360 degree stunning views of the mountains. There should be time in the morning to walk up to the ridge for photos of Annapurna I and the glacier. It is an amazing feeling being surrounded by a wall of rock and ice of up to 4000m high and 5km of radius. The panorama includes Annapurna South (7219m), Barrha Shikhar (7847m), Annapurna I (8091m), Gangapurna (7485m), Annapurna III (7855m) and Machhapuchhre (6993m). (If there is too much snow at ABC we would walk back down to MBC for the night.) Walking time: 2 hrs. Final altitude: 4095m.
Day 11: Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo.
Leaving the Sanctuary we retrace our steps past MBC, Hinko Cave, Dhoban and further down into the bamboo thickets to the aptly named Bamboo Hotel. Walking time: 6-6½ hrs. Final altitude: 2310m. Accommodation: mountain lodge.
Day 12: Bamboo to Jinnu Danda. We walk down to Chomrong for lunch then continue through terraced hillside to Jinnu Danda. There are hot springs 20 minutes down from the lodge where you could soak your muscles later in the afternoon. Walking time: 5 hrs. Final altitude: 1780m.
Day 13: Jinnu Danda to Pokhara.
We descend further down to cross the bridge over Kyumnu Khola and climb steeply to follow the Modi Khola once again. The trail undulates along the river to Nayapul where our transport will drive us back to Pokhara. Walking time: 6½ hrs.
Day 14: Flight to Kathmandu & sightseeing.
Internal flight to Kathmandu with, weather permitting; spectacular views of the Himalayas. Relaxing afternoon in the finest medieval town in Nepal – Bhaktapur. In the 14th – 16th centuries this was the country’s capital city and has the finzest examples of Newari architecture; Durbar Square is a highlight. Bhaktapur also has many shops. Evening of celebration for the last night of the trip. |
