Annapurna Sanctuary & Poon Hill

DAY 1

Arrive Kathmandu

Arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you'll be met and receive a private transfer for the short distance into central Kathmandu and to the "KGH" Hotel in the heart of the Thamel district. You'll be given a briefing on your forthcoming adventure, and in the evening, you can take dinner at your leisure in one of the many choices of cafes and restaurants in Kathmandu, although the open-air courtyard cafe of the KGH Hotel is as good as anywhere.

Accommodation: KGH Hotel, Kathmandu
Included Meals: None

DAY 2

Fly to Pokhara & transfer to Ulleri

A private transfer to the airport for the 25-minute flight to Pokhara A private transfer then takes you to the start of the trek at Ulleri (2070m). Journey time is around 4-5 hours. So, you should arrive with some time for a wander around the area and get the legs stretched before tomorrow's ascent.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge,Ulleri
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Find out more about Trekking Lodges

DAY 3

Trek to Ghorepani

 Although the gradient eases in places, it's still a relentless uphill  start as you head to Banthanti. Here you are greeted by some fabulous Himalayan views of Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli, and Annapurna South. Crossing a mountain stream, the trail now climbs up the hillside to reach Nangethanti. The continuous uphill continues virtually all the way until you arrive at Ghorepani (2900m). Ghorepani is quite a bustling sort of place, as it has always been a stopping place between the Kali Gandaki Valley (from which it is a long steep climb up to Ghorepani) and Pokhara; hence, Ghorepani means 'horse watering place'. Walking time is approx. 4-5 hours with around 900m of challenging ascent.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Ghorepani
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 4

Poon Hill sun rise & trek down to Tadapani

A pre-dawn wake-up so that you can ascend to the top of nearby Poon Hill (3210m) in order to witness the sunrise at this classic Himalayan view point. Across the Kali Gandaki, the stupendous peak of Dhaulagiri begins to glow surreal colours as the first light of the sun hits it, while closer and above you is Annapurna South. This now-very-popular view point ensures that some enterprising locals will have a hot brew for sale. Back down to Ghorepani for breakfast, and then it's time to begin descending. It's now virtually downhill for the next two days, with some little climbs and hillside contouring, but  primarily down. Today you'll descend as far as Tadapani (2650m). Walking time is around 5 hours, plus an hour or two for the earlier excursion to Poon Hill. Total descent: 580m.

Accommodation: Trekking Lodge, Tadapani
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 5

Trek to Chhomrong

At first, the trail contours the steep hillside, with some minor sections of ascent and descent as you drop down to Chuile (2309m). The trail then begins to descend more steeply to cross a river by way of a suspension bridge, followed by a couple of hours of more contour walking to reach Chhomrong (2210m). Walking time: approx. 6hrs.

Accommodation: Trekkers Lodge, Chhomrong
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 6

Trek to 'Bamboo'

The day starts by descending down a stone-stepped trail, and then annoyingly, you have to ascend up through forests and emerge at Sinuwa Hill. Thankfully, there are some great views of the Annapurnas and Fishtail to make it worthwhile. The trail then mostly contours the hillside before dropping down to 'Bamboo' (2315m). Not really a village as such, but a collection of trekking lodges. The walking distance is about 8 km, with 850m of ascent and 785m of descent, and it takes around 5 hours to walk.

Accommodation: Trekkers Lodge, Bamboo
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 7

Trek to Deorali

You continue to trek up the Modi Khola Valley, and about 90 minutes beyond Dovan, the trail can sometimes vary as this bit is prone to avalanches, so the detours required are always uncertain. Passing the Hinko Cave, it's then a continual climb to walk to Deorali (3170m). The walking distance is almost 12.5 km, with a stiff 1000m of ascent and 190 m of descent, taking around 5–6 hours to walk.

Accommodation: Trekkers Lodge, Deorali
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 8

Trek to Machhapucchare Base Camp (MBC)

There's no hurry today, and after the past few days, a later start may be welcomed as, in comparison to previous days, the walk today is much shorter. You're also heading above 3000 m, and it is usually around this mark that the effects of altitude can be felt. So, go slowly as you ascend up and up and pass through the narrow 'gateway' into the Sanctuary. From here, things open up scenery-wise. It takes around 3 hours of walking and 3.5 km of distance to reach the collection of lodges that form MBC (3700m), and after a 620m ascent and minimal descent, you'll be glad that the rest of the day can be spent at rest.

Accommodation: Trekkers Lodge, MBC
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 9

Trek to the Annapurna Sanctuary (Annapurna Base Camp)

The 'prize' for your efforts as you now head up and up, sometimes quite steeply, There's always the possibility of having to walk through snow. One final steep section, and 'bingo!', the mountain amphitheatre of the Sanctuary is your reward for today's struggles. The distance is just 3.5km and involves about 550m of ascent and just over 100 m of descent. It takes around 3–4 hours to walk. Overnight at 4130 m

Accommodation: Trekkers Lodge, Annapurna Base Camp
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 10

Down to Dobhan

Virtually downhill all day today. Your legs will certainly know all about it as you descend steeply for much of the way to Dobhan (2540 m), and they'll likely also start to feel warm once more. The walking distance is 13.5 km, with a 1710m descent and just over 100m ascent. Around 5–6 hours of walking

Accommodation: Trekkers Lodge, Dobhan
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 11

To Chhomrong again

Into the forest once more, past Bamboo and Sinuwa Hill Top, and then a descent to the Chhomrong Khola. A sting in the tail as you then have to ascend to Chhomrong itself. The walking distance is almost 14.5 km, with 430 m of ascent and 710 m of descent over 5 hours.

Accommodation: Trekkers Lodge, Chhomrong
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

DAY 12

To the roadhead and transfer to Pokhara

“Down and Out”. It’s an initial short ascent from Chommrong before descending sharply to Jhinu. The walking then becomes mostly downhill with the odd short bit of uphill as you walk past villages and cultivated terraces to reach a 4WD track in the lower Modi Khola at Syauli Bhatti. Here you’ll transfer to Pokhara (approx. 2–3 hours) by private vehicle, perhaps arriving late in the afternoon. Walking time is around 5 hours, with around 300 m of ascent and 1260 m of descent.

Accommodation: Hotel Karuna, Pokhara
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 13

Fly to Kathmandu

A private transfer to Pokhara Airport for the short flight back to Kathmandu a private transfer will take you from the airport back to the KGH Hotel. However, you may wish to consider some additional contingencies for this trek, whether it be for any delays or cancellations that can and do occur for internal flights or any difficulties that may arise on the trek.

Accommodation: KGH Hotel, Kathmandu
Included Meals: Breakfast

DAY 14

Depart Nepal

A private transfer will take you to the airport for your return international flight.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Of course, there's no reason to depart today; your Nepal holiday can be readily tailor-made