Annapurna Base Camp via Gorepani

Detail Itinerary

DAY 01: Kathmandu (1300m)

Upon your arrival in the Kathmandu airport look for your guide with Sherpa Backpackers’ display board at the arrival gate. You will be then transferred to the hotel. After you check in you have sometime to explore the city and then preparing for your next day adventure is must. Your guide will introduce you to  rest of the team member and brief you about the trip in the evening. Provided there is time after the meeting we may as well go out for a group dinner to a traditional Nepali Restaurant.

DAY 2: Kathmandu to Pokhara 6 Hours and to Ulleri 3.5 Hours Drive

Today we make an early start as we have a long journey of driving. After the breakfast, we leave Kathmandu at around 7am and nearly after 5-6 hours’ drive we reach Pokhara. Enroute we will see more of the countryside of Nepal that offers greeneries, rivers, villages, farms and beautiful mountain scenery. However, the condition of road is not equally fine in all portion of our drive today. The road to Pokhara is coal-tarred road, whereas after Pokhara the road is rough and uneven but we definitely have an outstanding scenery through the windowpane. The drive to Ulleri is about 3.5 hours.  Overnight in Ulleri (2000m)

DAY 03:Ulleri – Ghorepani (2850 m) 5 hours

Today we take a gradual ascent to the Ghorepani village. Ghorepani is an interesting place with small shops and stalls for selling local products and craft. The town has two parts: one in a saddle and the other a few hundred feet lower. We stop at the higher part of the Ghorepani village that offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains including Annapurna South and Nilgiri mountains. Since Ghorepani lies quite higher than our previous stop, we begin to feel the chilly weather especially in the evening.

DAY 04: Ghorepani – Poon Hill (3200m)- Tadapani (2700m) 6 hours

Today we make an early ascent to Poonhill to see the sunrise along with the magnificent view of Annapurna range and Dhaulagiri range. We will also be able to see 2 of the world’s highest mountains above 8000m. After spending some time enjoying the panoramic beauty we then descend down to our lodge for breakfast. After breakfast we make our journey to Tadapani which will take us about 6 hours and is mostly downhill today through the rhododendron forest.

DAY 05: Tadapani – Chhomrong (2175m) 6 hours

After breakfast we descend through a dense rhododendron forest. Then a narrow trail for sometimes opens up perfectly and once we get down to the river side we steadily start to climb through the forest and stop for lunch at Kimrong.After lunch we start to climb the steep section of the day for couple of hours and finally arrive to Chhomrong. It is a beautiful village located on the lap of the giant Annapurna massive.You can also enjoy the magnificent view of Fishtail,Annaprna iii,angapurna,Gandarvachuli from your tea house.Overnight in Chhomrong.

DAY 06: Chhomrong – Doban (2600m) 6 hours

The trail from Chomrong descends first on stone staircases to cross the chomrong khola and then we climb very steep all the way to Sinuwa. It can be very hot today as we will be walking mostly in the sun and it’s steep. After Sinuwa the trails enters into the forests and the walk is gradual all the way to Doban. There are very few lodges from now on every stop. It can be cold during the night & mornings as the sun hides behind the big hill nearby.

DAY 07: Doban – Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3700m) 7 hours

Today we pass through the bamboo forest which is damp and cold then ascend steadily with fewer steep sections until we get to Himalaya,then we stop there for some rest. After the rest, It’s a steep climb up through a much drier forest before reaching Hinku Cave. From here we can see the trail drop closer to the river before climbing again to Deurali, the most scenic stretch of the day. The vegetation is sparser, allowing magical views of the valley, the river below, and the sheer rock face cliffs above with bands of wispy waterfalls.And then we stop for lunch in Deurali. After lunch we start to climb gently by the river then over a steep trail over to the mountain side. Then the hike to Machhapuchhre Base Camp is somewhat strenuous. From Machhapuchhre base camp we get excellent views of the majestic Machhapuchhre along with Mt. Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna III, Gandharvachuli and Gangapurna which is certainly a rewarding experience. Overnight at Machhapuchre Base Camp.

DAY 08: Machhapuchhre Base Camp – Annapurna base Camp (4130m) 2 hours

After today we are above the treeline.The vegetation disappears on our way to ABC and the path widens. As we enter the Annapurna sanctuary. From here, we get sensational views of the near-vertical south face of Annapurna towering above us. The sanctuary boasts of a dynamic view without anything impeding the 360- degree panorama. From the base camp we again get to savor mesmerizing views of the Machhapuchhre, Annapurna south, Annapurna I, Hiunchuli and other peaks. Overnight at Annapurna Base Camp.

DAY 09: Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo: 7 – 8 hours

From the Annapurna base camp we retrace our steps to Bamboo. Today’s trek is downhill so it shouldn’t be very difficult. Besides, we will always have the company of the extraordinary landscape to cheer us up. Overnight in Bamboo.

DAY 10: Bamboo to Jhinu Danda ( Hot Spring, 1760m) 5 – 6 hours

From Bamboo, it is an uphill trek to Sinuwa followed by a downhill walk to Chhomrong Khola. Then climb the stone steps to Chhomrong. The trail then descends to Jhinu Danda, where we will be resting for the night. Today we will have an opportunity to enjoy hot springs after we get to our stop after settling down. It takes 15-20 minute downhill walk from Jhinu Danda to get a dip in the hot spring & soothe our aching body. Overnight in Jhinu Dada.

IDay 11: Trek for 2  hours then drive to Pokhara

After breakfast we ascent for couple of hours until the jeep stop where we will have our jeep waiting for us to take us to Pokhara which will take us another 2 and half hours maximum depending on the traffic and the road conditions. We can either have early lunch at Kyumi or late lunch at Pokhara. Better we leave early today so that we have more time in Pokhara which is another beautiful city with lakes and beautiful view of the mountains. Overnight in Pokhara.

DAY 12: Fly Back to Kathmandu

Today, we drive back to Kathmandu early for the long bus journey. Once you are in Kathmandu your guide will help you check in to your hotel. Once checked in you have all afternoon free to yourself to explore more of the cities / have rest / body massage enjoy spa etc. After all you deserve to have all of them. If you are still keen on exploring any other areas in Kathmandu,you can talk to your guide and he/she will organize it for you accordingly.

DAY 13: Final Departure

The journey within the mountains of Nepal comes to an end today. Depending on your flight schedules you can wander around Thamel and relax before your flight. Your guide will see you off to the airport for your flight back home. You should be leaving the hotel  3 hours prior to your flight time.