Annapurna sanctuary & Poonhill trek

Travel duration 14 Days
Trip Facts
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Destination
Nepal
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Activity
Trekking
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Duration
14 Days
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Difficulty
Moderate

Moderate level of trekking trips includes about 14 days duration covering elevation above 3000m to 4500m from sea level. Normally  these types of trips may have need of well physical fitness because of  6-7 hours of hiking capabilities. These type of trek route goes uphill and downhill, walking close to beautiful natural sceneries  and walking through the mind blowing mountainous forests.

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Max. Altitude
4130
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Trip Starts
Kathmandu
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Trip Ends
Kathmandu

Trekking in Annapurna is to enjoy the beauty of massive mountains, diverse landscapes, and pristine villages. The captivating view of a couple of 8,000 m mountains and numerous others would make a trekker feel truly rewarded. Annapurna Sanctuary is a high mountain basis surrounded by a ring of mountains above 7,000 meters. The trek includes the superlative mountain views from Poon Hill. It is a good mix of two memorable adventures into a classic ten-day trek.  

To walk the curving trails through thick rhododendron forest or the village rice field overlooking some of the majestic mountains is enjoyable added with adventure. Trek beyond 4,000 m to the alpine area or realize being surrounded 360° by mighty mountains or see the same river originating and roaring later, get amazed by the picturesque landscape and have a bath at a natural hot spring are some of the nicest moments of the trek. Pristine villages with the terraced landscape are lovely to see and wonderfully friendly ethnic groups of Gurung and Magar are nice to interact with.

Trip Highlights
  • Breakfast at Annapurna Base Camp and stay an overnight on the mountain
  • Trek a part of the great trekking experience - Annapurna Sanctuary trek
  • View spectacular sunrise over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains from Poon Hill
  • A trek that mixes mountains, nature, people, and flora & fauna into a delight
  • Cultural sightseeing tours in Kathmandu and Pokhara
Itinerary - Day by day

Day 1. Arrival in Kathmandu (1400 m)

Arrival in Kathmandu Airport and welcomed by a guide at the airport. Transfer to the hotel where the guide would brief the trekking program. You may have some time, depending upon your time of arrival, to explore areas near to the hotel.


Day 2. Flight to Pokhara (870 m)

Transfer after breakfast from the hotel to the airport and a 30-minute flight to Pokhara. The flight is almost a mountain flight to see a series of 500 km of mountains from the window of your aircraft. Transfer to hotel, possibility to explore Pokhara during the day including boating on the lake and hiking for an hour to hilltop Peace Stupa. Back to the hotel for a stay.


Day 3. Trek to Ulleri (2050 m)

After breakfast in Pokhara hotel and one hour drive to Nayapul, we begin our trek. Cross Modi Khola River to reach Birethanti and trek further to Ulleri after crossing the village of Hile. During the trek, we can see waterfalls, terraced rice fields, a few suspension bridges, and a small stream. Ulleri is a Magar village with brave and famous Gorkha soldiers.

Ascent 1,150 m and descent 160m

  Ascent 1,150 m and descent 160m


Day 4. Stay in Ghorpani (2860 m)

The day begins with an easy ascent to the village Banthati. We may see monkeys and birds as walk through the mixed forest. Trek through the colorful rhododendron, oak, and the magnolia forest is an unforgettable experience before reaching Ghorepani. Stay in a lodge in the hillock of Ghorepani overlooking the Kali Gandaki Valley and Dhaulagiri and Annapurna mountains.

Ascent 950 m and descent 140m.

  Trek : 5-6 hours


Day 5. Morning hike to Poonhill (3195 m), trek to Chuile (2309 m)

Very early even before the breakfast, a morning hike to viewpoint Poonhill is planned. It is the perfect balcony to experience mountain sightseeing. The sunrise from the point is extraordinarily impressive as the first ray of the sun illuminates the mighty peaks of Dhaulagiri, Annapurnas, and Tukuche, and the valley and villages below are covered with a blanket of cloud.

Back to hotel for breakfast, trek up east along the southern ridge of Annapurna Sanctuary to reach Deurali hilltop. It is a fantastic viewpoint. Descend trek beside the stream through pine, bamboo, and rhododendron forest to reach Tadapani. Descend through the forest. We may be lucky to see some wildlife during the forest trek to Chuile. A scenic day is full of impressive glimpses of mountains including Machhapuchhre or Fishtail mountain, Annapurna South and Hiunchuli very close.

Ascent 900 m and descent 1,500 m.

  Trek: 6-7 hours


Day 6. Chomrong (2170m) - Banuwa (2110 m) - Sinuwa (2630 m)

The day begins with a steep trek down to the river. It crosses a suspension bridge to reach Gurjung Village. A gentle ascend enjoying the landscape would lead us to Chhomrong. We begin to notice the grandeur of Fishtail, Hiunchuli, and Annapurna South. Chhomrong is a big Gurung village. Gurung is an important ethnic group in Nepal with its language and culture. Trek steep down to a stream after Chhomrong, cross a suspension bridge, and ascent again to Banuwa village before arriving at Sinuwa.

Ascent 900 m and descent 1,100 m.

  Trek: 6 hours


Day 7. Trek thround the Bamboo Village (2310 m)

Trek through the thick bamboo and mixed forest to Bamboo Village and follow a simple ascent to trek through the forest in the narrow Modi River Valley to arrive in Dovan. After lunch, ascend gently overseeing waterfalls and Modi Khola River. We will observe Himalayan flora and fauna on the way. Reach Himalaya to stay overnight.

Ascent 1,000 m and descent 250 m.

  Trek: 6 hours


Day 8. Reach Deurali (3170 m), stay in MBC (3700 m)

Steady ascending trek along with the trail up to Hinko Cave. We need to slow down our speed of walking to avoid altitude difficulties. We enter an area prone to avalanches. We trek carefully down on the way to Deurali. After crossing a wooden bridge over a stream and ascend to reach a small settlement in Deurali. We quickly realize the difference in vegetation as we approach the alpine climate. After Deurali, the narrow valley opens to a wide valley as we near to the sanctuary of Annapurna. The stunning view of Gangapurna and Fishtail mountains will inspire us. Stay in a lodge in Machhapuchhre Base Camp.

Ascent 900 m and descent 120 m.

  Trek: 4-5 hours


Day 9. Trek to ABC (4130 m)

A remarkable day of mountain highlights begins with a short and gradual trek to ABC (Annapurna Base Camp South). Depending upon the weather conditions, we are likely to see breathtaking sights of mountains very close at 360°. It is the fortunate reward of trekking continuously for days. Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Gangapurna, Singu Chuli, Tharpu Chuli, Gandarbha Chuli, and Fishtail are there to smile with us. Many trekkers never forget to mention the stunning mountain views from the base camp. A hot cup of tea is served there is memorable. We see the glacier of Annapurna a few meters in front.

Famous French mountaineer Maurice Herzog summited the Annapurna I in 1950. He was the first person to climb 8,000 m peaks in Nepal which introduced Nepal as a destination for mountain expeditions and significantly contributed to establishing Nepal as ‘the land of high mountains’.

It is impressive to visit a memorial ground on the background of white mountains dotted with colorful Buddhist prayer flags. We stay in a lodge there.

Ascent 550 m and descent 100 m.

  Trek: 2-3 hours


Day 10. Trek to Dovan (2540 m)

The morning is stunning as rays of the sun reach the top of the Annapurna Mountains. It is a rare opportunity to take the photographs of the mountains and the experience the ‘voyage into serenity’. The breakfast at such an amazing place is an unforgettable breakfast for many for a lifetime. Trek down the same route to Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) Base Camp, then Deurali and Himalaya. Descend along with Modi Khola River and continue trek to the warmth of the settlement of Dovan. A hot shower there is precious.

Ascent 400 m and descent 2,000 m.

  Trek: 6 hours


Day 11. Chhomrong (2177 m) - Jhinu Danda (1565 m)

Trek down the same route to reach the high ridge village of Sinuwa. As we descend, we may begin to see the plantation and village life. Descending to the village of Chhomrong and continue trek to Jhinu Danda for a night stay. After reaching the place, we will have an opportunity to take bath at a natural hot spring after hiking for half an hour.

Ascent 700 m and descent 1,200 m

  Trek: 6 hours


Day 12. Drive back to Pokhara

Trek downhill and cross local streams of Kinrong Khola and Modi Khola. Trek through farming villages to reach to Ghandruk Besi where we complete our trekking. Drive back to Pokhara.

A dinner is planned to celebrate the trekking success and to thanks to the trekking team. You may offer to leave trekking gears you don’t need to your trekking team. It may be a generous gesture to those who cannot afford to buy such.

Free time in Pokhara with possibilities of boat ride, sightseeing, or stroll around the lake city. The places to visit in Pokhara are: World Peace Pagoda, Devi’s Waterfall, Mountain Museum, Fewa Lake, Begnas Lake, and a few caves. You may choose, for a half day tour, visiting World Peace Pagoda and Fewa lake.

Ascent 150 m and descent 1,000 m.

  Trek: 2 hours

  Drive: 1 hour


Day 13. Back to Kathmandu

Transfer to the airport to fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel in Kathmandu. Options for sightseeing to World Heritage Sites/ayurvedic massage or rest in Kathmandu.

Kathmandu Valley has, perhaps, the densest concentration of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Seven UNESCO WHS of Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Boudhha, Pashupati, Patan Durbar Square, Swoyambhu, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Changu Narayan Temple are framed within 400 sq km. For a full day tour exploring three UNESCO WHS are comfortably possible. For example, you may choose Bhaktapur Durbar Square (a medieval city square), Pashupati (the holiest Hindu temple) and Bouddha (a Buddhist stupa) for a smart mix of culture and architecture with two major religious (Buddhism and Hinduism) sites of Nepal.

  Flight: 30 minutes


Day 14. Back home

Transfer to the airport in time to fly back home.

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