DAY 1 - KATHMANDU: ARRIVAL DAY
Welcome to Nepal and the start of our adventure! One of our Airport Representatives will be on hand to greet you when your plane lands and transfer you to your hotel in Kathmandu. We'll have a final briefing in the evening and then turn in early in advance of a big day tomorrow.
DAY 2 - KATHMANDU TO POKHARA
Elevation: Pokhara 1000m/3280ft
It's time to kick off our journey! The first leg of this adventure starts with a short morning flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Spend the afternoon enjoying Pokhara, a scenic town at the base of the Annapurna Range. Pokhara is a good place to make any last minute purchases of trekking gear or snacks before heading to the mountains and if the weather is good you should have your first views of the mountains.
DAY 3 - POKHARA TO NAYAPUL, NAYAPUL TO TIKHE DHUNGA
Approximate Time: Drive 45 mins. Trek 3-4 hours. (7kms)
Elevation: Nayapul (1050m) to Tikhedhunga (1540m)
The day starts with a transfer to Nayapul which is about one hour drive from Pokhara, where we'll take the first steps of our trek. The walking is easy at this stage, as we stroll through the Modi Khola River Valley. We trek to the small village of Tikhe Dhunga to spend the night.
DAY 4 - TIKHE DHUNGA TO GHOREPANI
Approximate Time: Trek 5 to 6 hours. Ascent 1300m. 10km.
Elevation: Tikhedhunga (1540m) to Ghorepani (2750m)
From Tikhe Dhunga we'll cross a stream as the warm up to ascending the steep stone staircase to the scenic, quaint Magar Village at Ulleri. After lunch, our route wends through glorious blooms of rhododendron and imposing oak forests. We'll move slightly upwards in the direction of Nangethanti before scaling towards Ghorepani for dinner and sleep.
DAY 5 - GHOREPANI TO TADAPANI, WITH EXCURSION TO POON HILL
Approximate Time: Poon Hill 1.5km (1 Hour). Trek to Tadapani: 5 to 6 hours. 12km
Elevation: Ghorepani (2750m) to Poon Hill (3210m) to Tadapani (2590m)
We'll be up before dawn today, but with good reason: our day kicks off with an excursion to Poon Hill and an indescribably wonderful panorama of three Himalayan peaks (Dhaulagiri I, Annapurna I, and Manalsu) illuminated by the glowing rays of sunrise. From here, we'll also be treated to views of the 6,000m-deep Kali Gandaki Gorge and the visual border of Nepal and Tibet as divided by the trans-Himalayan ranges. It's back to our lodge for a late breakfast, and then we're back on the trekking path! Our legs get a bit of a rest on the downhill walk towards lunch at Bathanti, which takes us through beautiful, deep forests, and then to Tadapani.
DAY 6 - TADAPANI TO CHHOMRONG
Approximate Time: 5-6 hours. 8km
Elevation: Tadapani (2590m) to Chhomrong (2340m)
More downhill walking awaits us today as we again trek rhododendron and oak forests. We'll arrive at the lofty Gurung village of Chhomrong by lunchtime, giving you a bit of time to explore the fantastic views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre.
DAY 7 - CHHOMRONG TO HIMALAYA HOTEL OR DEURALI
Approximate Time: 5-6 hours. 10km
Elevation: Chhomrong (2340m) to Himalaya Hotel (2870m)
Another precipitous stone staircase guides our way today as we descend towards the Chhomrong Khola. We shift gears at that point and will climb in the direction of Modi Khola, traveling its west bank, and pass through leafy bamboo forests. More upward travel awaits us in the afternoon as we head towards Kuldi and then another staircase down to Dovan from where we will continue another hour to Himalaya Hotel, where we'll rest after a vigorous day.
DAY 8 - HIMALAYA HOTEL OR DEURALI TO ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP
Approximate Time: 7-8 hours. 13km
Elevation: Himalaya Hotel (2870m) to ABC (4130m)
You'll feel the bite of the thin air today as we climb high above our starting point of Himalaya Hotel, overlooking a river far below. We'll scale the lateral moraine of a shimmering glacier and then come down the other side to the glacier bed before reaching the Annapurna Base Camp. A breathtaking 4,237m above sea level, this is our stopping point for the night.
It's time to reap the rewards of your hard trekking work! Miles above earth, we have all day today to wander the base camp and drink in the beauty and majesty of Annapurna. The sunrise and sunset are spectacular displays of natural theatre, and not to be missed. Make sure your camera is charged!
DAY 9 - ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP TO BAMBOO
Approximate Time: 5-6 hours . 10km
Elevation: ABC (4130m) to Bamboo (2400m)
We'll savor one last fiery Annapurna sunrise before beginning our trek down the mountain. Our route today ends in the village of Bamboo, named for the dense forest of tall bamboo that surrounds it.
DAY 10 - BAMBOO TO CHHOMRONG
Approximate Time: 6-7 hours. 10km
Elevation: Bamboo (2400m) to Chhomrong (2340m)
The stone staircases and their steep, unforgiving steps await us once again! We'll trek the bamboo forest, passing vibrant blooms of rhododendron, on our way to Kuldi. After lunch, we pass through Sinuwa and Modi Khola before an invigorating uphill climb towards Chomrong.
DAY 11 - CHHOMRONG TO GHANDRUNG
Approximate Time: 5-6 hours. 10km
Elevation: Chhomrong (2340m) to Ghandrung (2000m)
From Chhomrong, we head back to Taglung, descending slowly through a forest to Kummu. It's back towards Ghandrung and one more hypnotically-lovely panorama of Annapurna South before our last night on the mountain.
DAY 12 - GHANDRUNG TO POKHARA
Approximate Time: 7-8 hours. 10km
Elevation: Ghandrung (2000m) to Nayapul (1050m)
The end of our trek is in sight. Villages and terraced fields dot the landscape at these lower altitudes, adding interest and variety to our last morning on the mountain. We'll pass through Syauli Bazaar and Nayapul before catching a ride back to Pokhara, where the comforts of a hotel ensconce you after a long and tiring journey.
The extraordinary natural beauty of Pokhara frames your penultimate adventure day, which is dedicated to exploring the town. Pokhara feels almost sublimely tranquil, with the sacred, fishtailed peak of Machhapuchhre rising behind it and the shining waters of Phewa Lake within its heart. Pokhara is at a lower elevation than Kathmandu, and, accordingly, has a balmier - almost tropical - climate, which has given rise to a riotous proliferation of flowers. Uncover Pokhara's secrets at length as you drink in glorious views of the Himalaya range.
DAY 13 - POKHARA TO KATHMANDU
Elevation: Kathmandu 1400m/4600ft
We will take an early morning flight to Kathmandu. Enjoy the rest of the day free in Kathmandu. It's our pleasure to take you out for a farewell dinner tonight with the team.
DAY 14 - KATHMANDU: DEPARTURE DAY
It's your last day in Nepal! Grab some breakfast, and then take in some last-minute shopping in Kathmandu. We'll make sure you arrive at Kathmandu International Airport with plenty time before your flight home. At this time, we'll say our goodbyes and bid you farewell, armed with warm memories and gorgeous photos to show your loved ones. END OF OUR SERVICES
