Annapurna Base Camp Trek


Machapuchare - literally Fish tail in Nepali (Photo: Claudine)

Annapurna Base Camp Trek (16 days, 15 nights)

The trek is through several Gurung villages to the Annapurna Sanctuary – a natural amphitheatre surrounded by some of the most spectacular Himalayan peaks. The Gurung people are one of sixty ethnic groups in Nepal and are the predominant race recruited in the famous Gurkha regiment of the British and Indian army. On this trek, you will slog up and down the infamous Gurung staircases along the Modi Khola, through terraced rice fields and bamboo forests to, first, the Machhapuchare base camp and, then, to the Annapurna base camp. Come join us on this spectacular trek and experience the culture and hospitality of the Gurung people!

The trek is rated mildly strenuous but is moderately paced. No technical climbing is involved and you do not have to be an experienced hiker to participate. But it is important that you come with an open mind and be very patient.

Trip format: Lodge trek – sleep and eat in local family-owned lodges. You must provide your own sleeping bag and personal clothing.

 

 

 

Itinerary

Day 01 - Kathmandu (4,400 ft/1,250m)

Arrive Kathmandu. Transfer to Hotel. Rest of day free. Welcome dinner at a Nepali Home. (Dinner)

Day 02 - Kathmandu (4,400 ft/1,250m)

Visit Pashupatinath, Nepal's most sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, with its two-tiered golden roof and silver door. Here, you'll probably witness a Hindu cremation along the banks of the Bagmati River.

Then drive to Bhaktapur, the City of Devotees, for lunch and a tour of the royal palace square. Bhaktapur is a medieval city in the Kathmandu valley and is least disturbed by modern life. Here, you can absorb the architectural splendor of the five-storied Nyatapola temple, or the sculptural delight of the Peacock Window. (Breakfast and Lunch)

Day 03 - Kathmandu to Syauli (4,000 ft/1,220m)

Transfer to the domestic terminal at Kathmandu airport. Fly to Pokhara (approx 30 minutes). After arriving at Pokhara (2,640ft/800m), transfer by road (private vehicle) to the starting point of the trek at Naya Pul. Trek through terraced rice fields to Syauli. Overnight Lodge. (All meals)

Day 04 - Syauli to Ghandrung (6,400 ft/1,950m)

Steadily ascend to Ghandrung. Trek to the large Gurung village of Ghandrung. Overnight Lodge. (All meals)

Anapurna
Never-ending Gurung staircases (Photo: Jenny)
Day 05 - Ghandrung to Chomrong (6,900 ft/2,090m)

Trek through terraced fields to Kimrong Danda (7,425ft/2250m). Descend steeply through forest, to the Kimrong Khola. After lunch ascend steeply to another Gurung village of Chomrong. Chomrong is the highest permanent settlement in the valley, although there are tea-houses beyond this point. Overnight Lodge. (All meals)

Day 06 - Chomrong to Bamboo (7,600 ft/2,310m)


Leaving behind permanent settlements, follow the Modi Khola valley towards the Annapurna Sanctuary.  Overnight Lodge. (All  meals)

Day 07 - Bamboo to Himalaya (9,375 ft/2,840m)

Enter rhododendron and oak forest and continue to ascend gradually. The trail continues through stands of bamboo, and beyond avalanche chutes and a few landslides to Himalaya Hotel. Overnight Lodge. (All meals)

Day 08 - Himalaya to Machhapuchhare Base Camp (12,200 ft/3,700m)

Today, you will find yourself above tree-line. The mountain views from here are marvelous: Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna I (8,091), Annapurna III (7,555m), Gangapurna (7,454m), and

Machhapuchare are all visible from here. Spend your afternoon enjoying the spectacular scenery of these peaks. Overnight Lodge. (All meals)

Day 09 - Machhapuchare Base Camp to Annapurna Base Camp (13,625 ft/4,130m)

It is approximately 2 hours hike to Annapurna Base Camp – a collection of four hotels on a hillock. The views of the south face of Annapurna is fabulous from ABC. Overnight Lodge. (All meals)

Day 10 - Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo (7,600 ft/2,310m)

Anapurna
Annapurna South from Base Camp (Photo: Jenny)

Today is all downhill. After lunch, you re-enter the bamboo forest. Overnight Lodge. (All meals)

Day 11 - Bamboo to Chomrong (6,900 ft/2,090m)

Continue down through the forest to Chomrong. Overnight Lodge. (All meals)

Day 12 - Chomrong to Jhinu

Today is a short day of about 2 hours to Jhinu. We start out late and arrive Jhinu for lunch in time to take a dip in the Jhinu hot-springs. Overnight Lodge. (All meals)

Day 13 - Jhinu to Pothana (9,100 ft/2,775m)

Descend to the river and begin ascent to the Pothana ridge. Overnight Lodge. (All meals)

Day 14 - Pothana to Pokhara (6,800 ft/1,250m)


Phewa lake and the Annapurnas (Photo: Sunil)

Descend to Phedi. Drive back to Pokhara. Overnight at Hotel Fairmount. (Breakfast and Lunch)

Day 15 - Pokhara to Kathmandu

Mid-afternoon flight back to Kathmandu. Day free in Kathmandu. Farewell dinner in the evening. (Breakfast and Dinner)

Day 16 - Final Departure

After breakfast, transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your final departure. (Breakfast)

 

 

Price includes:

Price does not include:

TO BOOK THIS TRIP:

A completed reservation form must be either faxed to us or scanned and emailed as an attachment.

Email: info@crystalmountaintreks.com
Fax: 977 – 1- 4412647

Download reservation form (Word)»

You must also send us a non-refundable deposit of US$500 per person. The deposit must be wired. We will refund up to US$30 to cover your wire expenses. Wire details will be provided. The balance of the amount must be paid on arrival, either in traveler’s checks or cash.

Prices are quoted in US$, Euro, GB Pound and Australian $. Despite a possibility of currency fluctuation, these prices are guaranteed! Payment is by nationality i.e., Americans pay in US$, Australians pay in Australian $ etc...

Trek Rating:

This trek is rated mildly strenuous and is moderately paced. The trek involves daily hiking of between 5-6 hours on average but the entire trek involves lots of up and down. Highest altitude reached is near 14,000 ft. While the trek requires good physical fitness and involves walking through rocky terrain and landslides, no technical climbing experience is required nor do you have to be a very experienced hiker.

References:

Crystal Mountain organizes treks and tours in Nepal, India, Bhutan and Tibet for hundreds of satisfied travelers each year. Feel free to ask us for a list of references who can tell you about their experience with us.

WHY BOOK WITH CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN?:

There are over 500 and counting trekking companies in Nepal. We are aware that you have lots of options. But, we believe there are reasons we stand out from our competitors. We've listed some reasons here...

 

Other Treks in the Annapurna region:

 

PRE AND POST TRIP EXTENSIONS:

Arriving early or leaving late? Nepal (and the region) has a lot to offer besides your main trip to Annapurna. Depending on the extra days you have and your budget, we would be glad to match you up with one of the following activities:

Contact us for more details: info@crystalmountaintreks.com

QUESTIONS:

Email: info@crystalmountaintreks.com

Phone
Land Line: + 977 1 4416813
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