Annapurna Base Camp Trek-14 Days

A daytime sightseeing tour is a good thing to have, before beginning an exciting journey in the mountainous terrain. There are plenty of places to go in this capital city full of heritage. Although it does not seem like it at first, mainly due to the chaotic traffic and the hullabaloo, there are gems of places hidden inside the valley. Take a vehicle of your choice and stay in the comfort of air-conditioning while you visit places of luxury and pampering. You can go to a premium spa to prepare the muscles and relax, have a sumptuous lunch at a five-star hotel, or simply indulge in shopping. You can customise a day-trip with us as you see fit. Kathmandu Valley has the biggest concentration of World Heritage Sites, and it’s only fitting not to miss them while you’re staying in the valley itself.

Starting right away after an early breakfast, you’ll depart from Kathmandu, headed towards Pokhara. The highway is called Prithvi Highway, where you can have a scenic journey that lasts around seven hours. To cover the approximate 200 kilometres, you will start from Nayabazar, reach the checkpoint at Nagdhunga, drive along Trishuli to reach Mugling, have lunch, enter Marshyangdi River Valley, arrive at Damauli, and finally reach Pokhara. As you approach Pokhara, you’ll enjoy views of the Manaslu and Annapurna mountain ranges. Upon arrival, you will check into the hotel and explore Lakeside before calling it a day.

Starting early after breakfast, you will drive to Nayapul, the starting point of this trek. From here you will leave the vehicle behind and begin the trek via Lumle to Birethanti. It’s a charming little village with shops and teahouses, and a pleasant climate. After a brief stopover here, your route continues through bamboo forests and incredible waterfalls. You will ascend further through the terrain, cross rivers, and rest in a hamlet. Here, you can enjoy spectacular mountain views and landscapes before heading on the stoned path to Tikhedhunga. Check into a lodge for the night, and While you reflect on today’s trek you’ll find that it was indeed a beautiful and easy trek with views of terraced fields, forests, and beautiful hamlets. Take plenty of rest as the difficult sections of the route are definitely coming ahead.

Leaving Tikhedhunga you will cross a suspension bridge and begin the steep ascent of Ulleri. Altogether there are about 3,300 stone steps which you need to climb in a challenging setting. Once you arrive at a Magar village at the top, you will have a brief rest. The hardship that people at this region go through in their daily lives is just extraordinary and heart-wrenching; the lack of proper road being the main reason for the distress. Having arrived at this conclusion, you will continue through dense forests of rhododendron and oak before arriving at Banthanti. A lunch-stoppage ensues surrounded in a serene environment. A few more hours of trekking from there will bring you to Ghodepani — your destination for the night. Located at 2,850 metres, you will have panoramic views of Dhaulagiri, Hiunchuli, Nilgiri, and Tukuche peaks among others. 

Wake up well before dawn and reach Poon Hill for a breathtaking sunrise over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. As the very first rays of the sun softly touch the white peaks, the landscape suddenly comes into colour. A cosmic wash of golden and pinkish hue create the. most surreal and magical sunrise. The distant mountains are dramatically illuminated in alpenglow, and cast long shadows, revealing their majestic aura. This experience is what draws people from all over the world to Poon Hill — the famed vantage point with unobstructed views of Himalayan peaks. Camera shutters click hastily around you as spectators marvel at the incomparable sight. Following this wonderful experience, you will descend to Ghodepani for breakfast. Later you will continue the trek through forests of pine and rhododendron, and several other landscapes before arriving at Tadapani for the night. 

You will have your breakfast today with the heart-melting spectacle of the mountains. Basking in the view of early sunshine reflecting off Mt. Machhapuchhre, you will leave Tadapani, headed for the terraced village of Sinuwa. First you will descend through rhododendron and oak forests, and then cross some more woodlands and terraced farmlands. Traversing along the steep uneven trail, you will see the beautiful villages of Gurjung. When you are having a brief stop here you will be greeted by stunning views of the Himalayas. Beautiful little rivers and streams are crossed several times before arriving at the village of Chhomrong, a true gateway to Annapurna Sanctuary.  The trail descends further, crosses more streams and bridges, finally stopping at Sinuwa. This is where you will stay for the night.

Starting from Sinuwa after breakfast, the trek leads you through dense forests of bamboo, oak, and rhododendron until you reach the hamlet of Kuldahar at 2,380 metres. From here, the trail descends remarkably and steeply to Dovan and then further on to Bamboo, aptly named for its thick forests of bamboo. Trekking on, once you arrive at the Modi River, you will go through more forests and the popular Hinku Cave. While you may not see the river at all, you will definitely hear it gushing on your side. And Hinku Cave, once a key resting spot on a popular route to the mountains, is today a name to remember as you tread along. Taking some steep and some not-so-steep gradual ascents, you will head on despite the challenging terrain. Beautiful views of Machhapuchchhre and Annapurna III, will make the day memorable, before arriving at the village of Deurali at 3,200m for the overnight stay in a comfortable lodge.

Today is the day you’ve been trekking all along for, for we’ll be reaching the famed destination of Annapurna Base Camp. After a quiet breakfast, you will make a gentle climb through a riverbed and as you set on a steep ascent to Machhapuchchhre Base Camp,  you’ll not miss the lush vegetation and stunning views of mountains. Some of the peaks you can see along the way are Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhare, among other majestic peaks. With rests along the way you will continue along the trail. Vegetation will begin to get sparse, terrains will turn rocky and at one point you will reach an avalanche-prone area. Fret not, as your guide will steer clear of danger and keep you on the right track. As you climb higher and keep travelling through moraines & ridges, you will suddenly arrive at  the base camp. This, you will notice while being surrounded by towering snow-capped mountains on all sides and you standing inside what seems to be a nature’s amphitheatre. As the cold strengthens, you will get inside a lodge for the night’s stay — far from civilization inside the unparalleled elegance of the giant peaks.

A memorable night at Annapurna Base Camp, followed by an early morning view of stunning sunrise over Annapurna Massif — this is what you will cherish before starting the descent to Bamboo. On what is probably this route’s longest day of trek, you will mostly tread downhill today through picturesque forests, beautiful streams, and serene waterfalls. The elevation drop today is approximately 1,700 metres through rocky terrain and steep descents. Sights will be familiar as you will be retracing your trail past. Once Bamboo is in sight, you will find that it is unusually isolated yet, a sense of serenity fills the village. Flanked by lodges and tea-houses, this village is where you will see views of greenery and majestic mountains. You will also notice that the challenging terrain of the morning has given way to a peaceful contrast made up of beautiful landscapes. At Bamboo you will spend the night in a guesthouse with warm food and comfort.

Start from Bamboo (or Sinuwa if you stayed here last night) after breakfast and begin your trek towards Jhinu Danda. Popular for its natural hot springs, you can relax in its hot waters later in the day. The trek today takes you through charming villages with views of green valleys and white mountains – an all-natural scenic backdrop. The trail today comprises steep ascents and also steep descents, thereby adding a challenge and excitement to the day’s trek. Crossing Chhomrong, you will descend sharply towards Jhinu Danda. The area, which is nestled by Modi Khola Valley, is known for its beautiful setting where tired and weary trekkers can unwind and relax. At the hotspring, please do not get your hopes too high because there are no private baths, and all you can indulge in is a dip with many people who have shared the trek with you. On a lucky day, you will find only one or two people sharing the pool with you. After the bath, you will have hot food, a warm bed, and a rejuvenating night to ease away your trek-induced fatigue.

Your trek from Jhinu Danda to Syaulibazaar is the last leg of this trek. A leisurely 4-hour walk along the gently descending trail near the banks of Modi Khola will bring you to the bazaar. Picturesque views of the beautiful countryside will begin to fade as you take one more glance at the peaks in the distance. The strenuous parts of the trek are over; and now the same strong legs of yours that carried you to the base camp, will suddenly feel tired at the first sight of your private vehicle. So take a break here, have a refreshment, and only then begin the drive to Pokhara. Once there, spend the evening enjoying a fine dinner in Lakeside. As you prepare to unwind for the night, you will reflect on the sheer grandeur and beauty of the Annapurna Region that you just visited. The remarkable adventure you undertook in the past two weeks will be in your memories, which you will cherish for years to come.

After breakfast, we will begin the scenic eight-hour drive back to Kathmandu. Right after embarking you will have final glimpses of the majestic Annapurna mountain range coming out of Pokhara. The route is scenic, with mesmerising views of the changing landscapes, but the ongoing construction and expansion on the highway means the trip will be a slow one. Leaving behind the serene beauty of Pokhara, you will have plenty of time to reflect on the remarkable adventure you had in the past weeks. Later, upon arriving in Kathmandu you will immediately notice the vibrant energy of the city — a stark contrast to the peaceful trails you just travelled. In the evening, you can explore around, visit shops for souvenirs, or simply relax in a session of massage. Later, as we gather for the dinner, we will share stories of our unforgettable trip in the Annapurna Region.

After breakfast or depending upon your flight schedule we will transfer you to the airport. As your plane takes off from the runway in Kathmandu, your journey to Nepal comes to an end for this time — until you decide to visit again for some memorable and soul-searching trip in the Himalayas.