Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

Annapurna Sanctuary Trek up the Modi Khola to Annapurna Base Camp on the front of the dramatic Annapurna Range in central Nepal is longer than our Annapurna Base Camp  trek as the daily increases in altitude have been kept to 300 – 400m per day so as to minimise your chances of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness. You will walk around 10 – 12 km each day with a leisurely break for lunch.

Machhapuchhare (Fish Tail 6993m) in front of the 80km Annapurna range is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists. It forms the eastern buttress at the entrance of the magnificent Sanctuary basin at the head of a valley gouged out by the Annapurna South Glacier. It is ringed in by the stupendous ice walls of the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhare and offers the most spectacular and complete views of these giant peaks. There are two base camps: the Machhapuchhare Base Camp at 3700m and, two hours further on, Annapurna Base Ccamp at 4130m close to the glacier moraine. 

This Annapurna Sanctuary Trekking passes numerous villages along the route offering cosy accommodation and meals: so distances and altitude traversed each day can be altered to meet your needs. From Nayapul, at 1090m, the route follows the Modi River and climbs through dense forests of oak, rhododendron pine and bamboo to terraced village farmlands on the ridges, as it ascends towards its glacial source. The teahouses cater to the “foreign palate” with a variety of dishes on offer. The opportunities of mingling with local communities, from different cultural groups will add to the richness of your experience. On the quicker return journey, a night may be spent at Jhinu Danda where there is a natural hot spring at the river.

Spring (March l, May) and autumn (September - November) are the most popular seasons, but we offer this  Annapurna Base Camp Lodge  trek throughout the year. 

All you need is a good pair of boots, a day pack, warm clothing, sleeping bag and camera. Our trek includes transport, porters, accommodation, meals, drinking water and hot showers. 

Outline Itineraries:

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)

Day 02: Kathmandu valley sightseeing and trek preparation (1,300m/4,264 ft)

Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu - Pokhara (9,10m/2,986ft), 5-6 hrs (25min flight)

Day 04: Drive to Nayapul and trek to Tikhedhunga (1,495m/4,905 ft), 1hr drive, 3-4 hrs

Day 05: Trek Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani (2,850m/9,350ft). 5-6 hrs.

Day 06: Hike up Poon hill (3210m/10528ft), and trek to Tadapani (2,520m/8268ft), 6-7 hrs.

Day 07: Trek Tadapani to Chhomrong (2,210m/7,249 ft), 5-6 hrs.

Day 08: Trek Chomorong – Himalaya Hotel (2,840m/9,315 ft): 6-7 hrs.

Day 09: Trek Himalaya Hotel to Machhapuchre Base Camp (MBC- 3,700m/12,139ft) – Annapurna base Camp (4130m /13547ft) 5-6 hrs.

Day 11: Annapurna Base Camp -  Bamboo (2,300m/7,544 ft): 5- hrs

Day 12: Trek Bamboo -  Jhinu Danda (1,780m/5,859 ft): 5-6 hrs.

Day 13: Trek Jhinudanda -  Pathana (1,910m /6,266ft): 5-6 hrs.

Day 14: Short trek - Phedi (910m/ 2986ft): 3-4 hrs. & 30 minutes drive to Pokhara

Day 15: Scenic drive Pokhara-Kathmandu (1,300 m/4,264ft): 5-6 hrs. drive & transfer to Hotel

All flights Kathmandu/Pokhara/Kathmandu are offered

Day 16: Final departure

Transfer to international airport and fly to onward destination

              "OR"

Extend your holiday with a visit to Chitwan National Park – on an elephant, or a tour of Tibet or Bhutan.    

Cost Inclusive:

• All airport/Hotel transfers
• 2 star Hotel in Kathmandu for 3 nights on BB Plan
• City tour by private transport
• Welcome and farewell dinner
• Full meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) during the trek
• Hot drinks (Tea & Coffee)
• Safe Drinking water
• 2 star Hotel in Pokhara for 2 nights on BB plan
• All mountain accommodation
• Domestic flight (Kathmandu/ Pokhara / Kathmandu) or tourist bus on choice
• An experienced English-speaking trek leader (Govt. registered trekking guide), assistant trek leader (4 trekkers: 1 assistant guide) and Sherpa porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers: 1 porter)
• Guide & porter salary, insurance, equipment, transport, food and lodging
• All necessary paper work and permits (Annapurna Conservation  permit, TIMS )
• A comprehensive medical ki
• All government and local taxes
• Trekking equipment such as four season down jacket, sleeping bag, trekking boots, rain coat, walking stick and many more as per necessity

Cost Exclusive:

• Bottle drinks
• City monument fees
• Personal expenses
• Lunch & Dinner in Kathmandu & Pokhara
• Travel insurance & evacuation

Annapurna Sanctuary trekking details itineray

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)

Our MMT(Mountain Mart Treks) Airport Representative will be there to greet you outside the Terminal Hall (after you have completed passport, immigration and visa requirements). He will be displaying our Treks & Expeditions logo with your name on it. You will then be transferred to your hotel. Afternoon free.  Evening: a welcome dinner, hosted by our management team, to introduce you to your guide, brief you on the trek and check on necessities.

Day 02: Kathmandu valley sightseeing & trek preparation (1,300m/4,264 ft)

After breakfast, the day will start with city trip to cultural World Heritage sites in the Kathmandu valley such as (including), pilgrimage sites of Hindus temples at Pashupatinath, the world’s biggest Stupa Bouddhanath, visit Swayambhunath Stupa also known as the Monkey Temple. After exploring the surrounding areas, visit the historical Patan Durbar Square & Kathmandu’s Durbar Square (Freak Street) with temples, unique ancient art, architectures, museum and Kumari (living goddess). Evening pre-trip counseling and ensure once again trekking gears, medical kid and trek legalization needs. (Evening per-trip discussion: a trekking gear and medical kit check, visa and legalization requirements.)

                      “OR”

Leisure and rest day for your own interests.

Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu - Pokhara (910m/2,986ft), 5-6 hrs drive

Early morning 07:00 AM drive by tourist bus to Pokhara through the beautiful countryside and following down steam of Trishuli River. ( famous river rafting for traveling with family & beginners) Arrive Pokhara about 02:00 PM and transfer to your Hotel in Lake Side. Free Afternoon.

Day 04: Drive to Nayapul and trek - Tikhedhunga (1,495m/4,905 ft), 3-4 hrs

Breakfast in Lakeside (Pokhara) and 1 ½ hour drive to Naya Pul (Trail foot) and commence our trek to Birethanti, a large and prosperous riverside village beside the Modi River & Broomdi Khola.( stream) We head up the main trail and follow upstream of Broomdi Khola (stream) to Sudame where we climb gradually up the side of the valley, reaching Hile (1495m) before pushing on to Tikhe Dhunga final destination of the day. Overnight at guest house run by the typical village family.

Day 05: Trek - Ghorepani (2,850m/9,350ft). 5-6 hrs

After breakfast we prepare for the long uphill and start with steeply ascends on the long stone staircases to Ulleri village with the amazing landscape and marvelous view of Annapurna South and Hiuchuli. We spend a pleasant day's trekking through rhododendron and oak forests. The scenery gives you inner power to climb up these steps and immerse you to walk more. After few hours of walking with several breaks in between reaching at Ghorepani, we can enjoy the fantastic views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himalayan range.

Day 06: Hike Poon hill (3210m/10528ft), and trek - Tadapani (2,520m/8268ft), 6-7 hrs walk

An early morning start for 45 minutes hike up to Poon hill (3210m/10530ft), the route offers the glimpse of the pleasant rhododendron forest. This brilliant viewpoint provides us an unobstructed sunrise over the high Himalayas and the wide range of panoramic scenery from the far western Himalaya of Dolpo, Mt. Dhaulagiri, and wised range of Annapurna Himalayas including Mt. Machhapuchre (Fish Tail) and all the way to Manasalu. After a great time in Poon Hill, trek back to Ghorepani, breakfast and continue trek to Tadapani through thick pine and rhododendron forest with occasionally flat, more ascends and descends along the ridge.

Day 07: Trek Tadapani -  Chhomrong (2,110m/7,249 ft):  5-6 hrs.

Dropping down from Tadapani to the Kimrong Khola offers good views of the upper Modi valley and close view of Annapurna South, Hiuchuli and Machapuchre (fishtail) After crossing the suspension bridge the trail follows up to the Gurjung village for your lunch stop. Further trek leads uphill and moderate flat for one and half hour, then arrive in the large village of Chhomrong (2210m) which lies tucked at the very base of Annapurna South & Himal Chuli. Chhomrong is the biggest Gurung settlement in this valley.

Day 08: Trek Chomorong – Himalaya Hotel (2,840m/9,315 ft): 6-7 hrs.

After breakfast our trail descent to the Chhomrong Khola and then the trail leads us to a small place of Sinuwa hill. There after the trek enters the upper Modi Khola valley through dense forest of cane and rhododendron and drop off again to Bamboo (2310m) on the bank of Chomorong Khola a prefect Lunch spot. After lunch we continue our trek through an uninhabited forest area to Dovan. Trail resumes crossing a stream and avalanche chute then climbs across the landslide. We pass a small temple in the forest where local people offer flowers, cloths and leaves. Climb and passe a cascade over a rock platform to a deep gorge Himalaya Hotel.

Day 09: Trek Himalaya Hotel to Machhapuchre Base Camp (MBC- 3,700m/12,139ft) – Annapurna base Camp(4130m /13547ft) 5-6 hrs.

Trail follows uphill of deep valley to explore the Hinku cave, where from the trail crosses a ravine and major avalanche track just further till Deurali (3,000m/9,840 ft). Continue ascending to Machhapuchre Base Camp leaving greeneries for perfect lunch spot with the closest view of the Machhapuchre (fishtail) along Annapurna I and Gangapurna. After Lunch,  trail leads you in the heart of the Sanctuary at the Annapurna Base Camp for overnight stay. The trail follows uphill passing a few roofless shepherds huts along the side of a moraine. Here is superb scenery of the Himalaya and can be seen amazing panoramic view of snow capped mountains surrounding you. Relax at the base camp as per your desire.

Day 11: Annapurna Base Camp -  Bamboo (2,300m/7,544 ft): 5- hrs.

Morning wake up with the glimpse of sunrise over Mt Annapurna I and after a great time retrace the journey back to Bamboo for the overnight. As you know that here is few guest houses settled for the purposes of Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. You can rest and relax at the evening with warmer climate, visit Chomorong River on the background and enjoy the dinner.

Day 12: Trek Bamboo -  Jhinu Danda (1,780m/5,859 ft): 5-6 hrs.

After breakfast our trail leads to the Khuldi Ghar and retract to Sinuwa hill continuous trek up to the Chhomrong. After lunch the trek steeply descend towards Jhinu for overnight stay. You may have chance to visit natural hot spring down to the stream and enjoy the hot bath.

Day 13: Trek Jhinudanda -  Pathana (1,910m /6,266ft): 5-6 hrs.

The trail descends following the stone staircases to Kimrong Khola and cross a suspension bridge above Modi River. Trek leads through shadow side down stream of upper Modi River and ascend immortally to Landrk village (1620m), Annapurna South, Hiuchuli and Machapuchhre (Fishtail) are clearly visible along the route. Walk continues through scattered trees, bushes and village to Tolkha. Hereafter start to ascend steady to Deurali, will takes approximately two hours. This place has breathtaking view of Pokhara valley including Fewa Lake and present with another spectacular Himalayan scenery of Annapurna south, right flank Annapurna range and Dhaulagiri mountain, the highest mountain in the westerner Nepal. (8167m) Then the trail descends gradually through forested slippery red mud trail (during monsoon only) to Pothana, overnight.

Day 14: Short trek - Phedi (910m/ 2986ft): 3-4 hrs. & 30 minutes drive to Pokhara

Last day of the trek. It’s an easy walk through the ridge about an hour with the fantastic view of right flank Annapurna range to another large village Dhampus. Trail descend down through scattered village and paddy field. Trail continually drop to Phedi (Pokhara, Baglung, Highway) Finish the trek before lunch an short drive to Pokhara (22KM, 40 minutes) and transfer toHotel in Lakeside.

Day 15: Scenic drive Pokhara - Kathmandu (1,300 m/4,264ft): 5-6 hrs. drive & transfer to Hotel

Morning after breakfast, transfer to Tourist Bus station and drive through the countryside villages, farming terraces following the upstream of Mountain running Trushili River. Bus is fully Air Conditioned, Lunch and Mineral water provided. Arrive Kathmandu about 14:30 and transfer to Hotel and afternoon free.

Day 16: Final departure

Transfer to International Airport and fly onward destination. 

            "OR"

Extend your holiday with a visit to Chitwan National Park – on an elephant, or a tour of Tibet or Bhutan.    

Departure Dates for Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

Body wear :

T-shirt, long sleeve, half pant, long trouser, warm Jacket, fleece Jacket, Gore-tax windproof Jacket & trouser, warm trouser, rain Jacket, sleeping bag, down jacket

Head wear :

Sun hat, woolen hat/fleece hat, sunglass & scat

Hand wear :

Gloves

Foot wear :

Warm woolen socks, trekking boots & sandal

Accessories :

Personal toiletries, personal first aid kit, sun block, lip guard, shampoo, soap, shavers, moisturizer, passport copies, pocket knives, flash light, camera & film, towel, water bottle, music & books.

What you carry for the trek :

Please, bring the equipment listed above and pack your gear for the trek into a duffel bag or rucksacks, and small day bag for you. The larger bag with your kit will be carried by the porter to meet you each evening. You should bring a day pack to carry by yourself for water, rain jacket, hat gloves, camera money etc. The weather in mountain is changeable so you will need some warm cloths with you on your day pack.

What to do about the left over baggage :

One day before your departure for the trek you could leave the valuable things which you do not need on the trek such as passport, visa card, flight tickets, in our safety box, and the rest of the things you could store it in our store room. What is a tea house trek? Accommodation and food facilities! Tea house trek mean staying and eating in the local lodges. We stay in double room; rooms are basic but comfortable mattress, normally just a bed and pillow. Most of them have electric light and all have and all have specious dining room –lounge. Mostly in tea houses there are common bathroom. Hot shower also available on the tea- houses but the hot water depend on weather conditions and to pay to get the shower.  We eat at tea- house, though food is usually potential and delicious, menu is not extensive. They offer variety of potato rice and noodle dishes, as well as soup. You could choose food from the menu what you could choose the food from the menu what you would like to have. You would be able to eat the food as much as you like but you would not able to order more than enough and left the food.

Health :

It’s very important not to get sick while you are going on the trek and you need to be careful about what you eat and drink.  You need to stay healthy and avoid getting sick in order to have a successful trek.

Some tips for staying healthy:

Avoid drinking or brushing your teeth with tap water. Drink only sealed bottled or proper boiled water or use water purification tablets. During the trek avoid the temptation to test your fitness through fast walking at altitude.

Medical Kit

Your guide will bring normal medical kits with him while on the trek. It is recommended that you also bring a small personal medical kit including pain killers, sore throat, plasters, strapping tape for blisters, etc. If you are taking regular mediation you need to bring those medicine with you and do not forget to bring extra supply if somehow one pack is lost.

The trails :

The trekking trail of Nepal varies from wide, rode-like avenues to narrow, slippery paths built out over enormous drops. In many places, a fall from the trail would be final. One most pay attention at all the time to where you are placing your fact. Be especially careful not move while looking through the view finder of your camera.

The weather :

Nepal has the wildest altitude range of any country of the earth. Each altitude will have its’ own weather problem, from typical heat to arctic cold. In the main trekking season in the spring and fall, the weather is often stable and even the high passes may be free of snow and relatively easy to traverse at times. Those trekkers who encountered an easy at altitude nasty spread the word that boots and warm clothing are not required. This is a mistake. That sudden storm can occur at any time, dumping one or two meter of snow on the passes. At that point, any one with simple running shoes will not be able to process and may even be stranded for a number of days. Frostbite is a constant risk if one walks in snow at high altitude. If you trek in the winter, you most be prepared for cold and snow. If you trek in the monsoon you might be face with slippery trails and difficult rivers crossing. You are heading into the world highest mountain range. Be prepared for changes in temperature and weather.

Altitude and preventing altitude :

Being in a hurry in the mountain of Nepal can be deadly. Acclimatization is the word used to describe the adjustments your body makes as it ascends. Ascend slowly and drinking lots of water is one of the best ways not to get high altitude. You should not plan to go to high altitude if you have know heart disease, difficulty to breathing at sea level or are pregnant. For other chronic medical conditions its better to consult your doctor. Sleeping pills, alcohol, and smoking should not be used at altitude as they tend to decrease breathing and lead to Acute Mountain Sickness. It comes that during 3-4 liters of fluids (Water, Soup, etc) per day to avoid dehydration helps in the acclimatization process.

Tipping and cash requirement

On the trekking route do not forget to bring Nepalese rupees for drinks bottled water drinks/alcohol that might purchase on the way. The sum of amount to carry on the trekking route depends on the day and area you are going to trek in. Tipping is now common in Nepal but there is no certain rules how much should be tips and it’s not the must to tip.

Photographing people :

During a trek you will have many opportunities to photograph local people and amazing society. You could use tens of films taking amazing natural scenery but talking the picture of people it’s a good idea to ask before taking. Some people do not like you to take the picture of them. So always ask before taking the pictures.

Considering Environment :

While trekking you have to consider on the environment not to destroy the environment. There are so many ways you could help not to polluted the environment of the area such as pick up papers, film wrappers, burn all your toilet paper and bury your farce, do not make camp fire.

Insurance :

All tour participants should obtain their own personal insurance which covers accidents, health, emergency evacuation and loss or damage to personal effects.