Annapurna Sanctuary Trek
Trek Summary
The Annapurna Sanctuary trek, also known as Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trek, is a powerhouse—it’s one of the shortest major treks in Nepal and gets up close and personal with some of the biggest mountains. The trek begins with lowland bamboo forests and rhododendrons before making it up through the Modi Khola Gorge into the mountain amphitheater that is the Annapurna Sanctuary. This high glacial basin is wild Himalayan country ringed by ten of the most impressive peaks in Nepal, including Annapurna I, Annapurna II, and Machapuchare. If you visit the Annapurna Sanctuary during the good weather months in the fall and spring, you can expect clear mornings and evenings and a glowing panorama of snow-capped peaks and starry skies.
So what are the downsides of the Annapurna Sanctuary trek? First, the section from Chhomrong to Annapurna Base Camp, more than half the trek, is an up-and-back, meaning that you will be hiking down the same trail you hiked up. This is the reality of the geography—the Modi Khola Gorge is the only way into the Sanctuary for trekkers. Second, the gains in elevation are quicker than preferred, rising from Pokhara at 940 meters (3,085 feet) to Annapurna Base Camp at 4,130 meters (13,550 feet) in 5–6 days. This elevation change isn’t optimal, but the highest point on the trek is considerably lower than other major treks in Nepal, many of which reach 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) or more. Trekkers should be particularly aware of the issue and follow closely the rules of acclimatization.
The journey to the Annapurna Sanctuary kicks off from Pokhara with a one-hour taxi or bus to Phedi, where the trekking begins. The bottom portion of the trek near Phedi is a small network of trails and Gurung villages from which it takes two days to get to the village of Chhomrong. From Chhomrong, the trail passes up the Modi Khola Gorge into the heart of the sanctuary and some of the most dramatic mountain scenery on the planet.
20,000-meter Peaks of the Annapurna Sanctuary
Hiunchuli: 6,441 m; 21,132 ft
Annapurna South: 7,273 m; 23,862 ft
Annapurna I: 8,091 m; 26,545 ft
Khangsha Kang: 7,485 m; 24,557 ft
Tarke Kang: 7,193 m; 23,599 ft
Gangapurna: 7,454 m; 24,455 ft
Annapurna III: 7,555 m; 24,787 ft
Annapurna IV: 7,524 m; 24,685 ft
Annapurna II: 7,937 m; 26,040 ft
Machapuchare: 6,997 m; 22,956 ft
Annapurna Sanctuary Trek
Trip Itinerary
-
1Drive to Pokhara (820m / 2,690ft) (200 km / 124 miles ) west of the Kathmandu Valley, then drive to Dhampus (1650m / 5,413ft ) (25 km /15.5miles)
After a leisurely breakfast, you will go on a beautiful drive over the magnificent Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers, leaving the Kathmandu Valley. During the trip, you may take in the scenery of towns, magnificently flowing rivers, terraced farms, and snow-capped peaks like Ganesh and Manaslu.
We'll make a stop in Pokhara, Nepal's tourism hub, before traveling the two hours to Dhampus. The Fishtail, Dhaulagiri, Hiunchuli, and other peaks can be seen from Dhampus, a charming Gurung settlement. This day, we'll stay in Dhampus and take in the sunset vistas of the Himalayas.
Meals B,L,DHighlights Drive to Pokhara (820m / 2,690ft) (200 km / 124 miles ) west of the Kathmandu Valley, then drive to Dhampus (1650m / 5,413ft ) (25 km /15.5miles)Accommodation LODGE -
2Trek from Dhampus (1650m / 5,413ft ) to Landruk (1565m / 5,134ft )
After breakfast, we set off our day's hike, and the trail will first take us to Pothana through rhododendron (the national flower of Nepal) and orchid-hung forests. The route is stone-paved on the steeper sections. You can catch the best views of Machhapuchhare from Pothana. As we continue forward, we reach a clearing on a pass- called Deurali, from where you can get fantastic views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. At this point, we are high up on the east side of the Modi Khola, and a descent follows through the forest alive with birds, ferns, and orchids taking us to a grand Modi Khola canyon. Little ahead lies Landruk - our destination for this day. Landruk offers outstanding views of Machhapuchhare (6920m), Annapurna South (7219m), and Hiunchuli (6441m).
Meals B,L,DHighlights Trek from Dhampus (1650m / 5,413ft ) to Landruk (1565m / 5,134ft )Accommodation LODGE -
3Trek from Landruk (1565m / 5,134ft) to Chhomrong (2165m) / Sinuwa (2340m)
We descend to the river from Landruk and cross it. After that, our path ascends pretty steeply, passing through bamboo trees and remote farms while being high above the river. Jhinu Danda will be our lunch stop. If you want to have a soak in the hot springs in Jhinu Danda, you may walk there for 20 minutes. The route ascends to Chomrong Village from Jhino Danda. Chomrong is constructed on a high slope and includes a few stores, tea houses, and wooden cabins. The entire hamlet faces Macchappuchare (Fish-Tail Peak). If we get to Chomrong too early, we'll hike the rest of the way to Sinuwa to spend the night.
Meals B,L,DHighlights Trek from Landruk (1565m / 5,134ft) to Chhomrong (2165m) / Sinuwa (2340m)Accommodation LODGE -
4Trek from Chomrong (2,170m) / Sinuwa (2,340m) to Himalaya (2,890m) / Deurali (3,174m)
If Chomrong is the destination, we descend through the expansively lovely Chomrong Village to a river crossing before ascending once more and moving north of the Modi River Valley. After walking across a suspension bridge, we arrive to Sinuwa Danda. We will begin the walk from Sinuwa if we stayed at Sinuwa Danda the night before. The route from Sinuwa Danda widens a little as it travels through dense, gloomy rhododendron trees until it reaches Khuldighar. To get to Bamboo from Khuldighar, we take a long, steep stone staircase down into a dense forest of bamboo and rhododendrons. From Bamboo, we gradually ascend till we reach Himalaya. We will hike to Deurali if we spent the previous night in Sinuwa; else, we will spend the night at Himalaya.
Meals B,L,DHighlights Trek from Chomrong (2,170m) / Sinuwa (2,340m) to Himalaya (2,890m) / Deurali (3,174m)Accommodation LODGE -
5Trek from Himalaya (2,890m) / Deurali ( 3174m) to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m / 13,550ft)
If Chomrong is the destination, we descend through the expansively lovely Chomrong Village to a river crossing before ascending once more and moving north of the Modi River Valley. After walking across a suspension bridge, we arrive to Sinuwa Danda. We will begin the walk from Sinuwa if we stayed at Sinuwa Danda the night before. The route from Sinuwa Danda widens a little as it travels through dense, gloomy rhododendron trees until it reaches Khuldighar. To get to Bamboo from Khuldighar, we take a long, steep stone staircase down into a dense forest of bamboo and rhododendrons. From Bamboo, we gradually ascend till we reach Himalaya. We will hike to Deurali if we spent the previous night in Sinuwa; else, we will spend the night at Himalaya.
Meals B,L,DHighlights Trek from Himalaya (2,890m) / Deurali ( 3174m) to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m / 13,550ft)Accommodation LODGE -
6Trek from Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m / 13,550ft) to Bamboo (2,350m / 7,700ft)
We'll eat breakfast after taking in another dawn over the Mountains from our surreal Annapurna Base Camp. Eventually it's time to head back out of the Modi River valley and Annapurna Sanctuary. The walk is pretty simple because we will be descending, and you can see various waterfalls along the route. We will ultimately reach Bamboo, where we will spend the day.
Meals B,L,DHighlights Trek from Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m / 13,550ft) to Bamboo (2,350m / 7,700ft)Accommodation LODGE -
7Trek from Bamboo (2,350m / 7,700ft) to Jhinu Danda (1,780m / 6,393ft) and nearby natural hot springs
We go on downhill, passing through the same tranquil rhododendron, bamboo, and oak woods that we had followed before. Next we make a little ascent to Chomrong hamlet before descending to the tiny, tranquil town of Jhinu Danda. You may bathe your aching muscles in the hot springs in this settlement, which are close to the river.
Meals B,L,DHighlights Trek from Bamboo (2,350m / 7,700ft) to Jhinu Danda (1,780m / 6,393ft) and nearby natural hot springsAccommodation LODGE -
8Trek from Jhinu Danda (1,780m / 6,393ft) to Siwa/Ghandruk Phedi (1,150m / 3,770ft) , drive to Pokhara (820m) via Nayapul (1,050m)
We have arrived at the last day of our trip. As we go through the stunning Modi River Valley today, you will have a delightful stroll along the Modi River. Until we reach Siwa/Ghandruk Phedi, the descent takes us through a rich area. After saying goodbye to the trails, we return to Pokhara through a scenic drive across the countryside.
Meals B,L,DHighlights Trek from Jhinu Danda (1,780m / 6,393ft) to Siwa/Ghandruk Phedi (1,150m / 3,770ft) , drive to Pokhara (820m) via Nayapul (1,050m)Accommodation LODGE
Include
- Both way transport - Kathmandu and Pokhara by tourist bus
- Transport from Pokhara to Dhampus (trek start) and Ghandruk Phedi (trek end) to Pokhara.
- A night of accommodation (room with attached bathroom) with breakfast at Hotel Silver Oaks in Pokhara
- Accommodation: Three nights room with attached bathroom at Dhampus, Landruk, and Jhinu Danda. Four nights standard accommodation at Himalaya, Annapurna Base Camp, and Bamboo (twin Sharing rooms). Total seven nights
- All standard meals: breakfast in Pokhara hotel, all standard meals (9 Lunches, 8 Dinners, and 9 Breakfasts) during the trek
- Nepal government licensed and experienced Discovery World Trekking trek leader (guide), an assistant trekking guide for a group of more than 11. A porter for every two trekkers. Per trekker luggage weight limit is 9 kg.
- Coverage of guides and porters meals, insurance, salary, lodging, transportation, and other necessary equipment
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) fee
- Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) card fee
- All government, local taxes, and official expenses
- Snacks (cookies) and seasonal fresh fruits every day
- Rescue operation arrangement in case of complicated health conditions (funded by travel insurance)
- Souvenir - a company's T-shirt & cap
- Discovery World Trekking trek appreciation certificate
- Farewell dinner in Kathmandu at the end of the trek
Excluded:
- International flight airfare
- Nepal entry visa fees at Tribhuvan International Airport
- Excess luggage charges (Limit is 9 kg per person)
- All accommodation and meals in Kathmandu, before and after the trek
- Lunch and dinner in Pokhara
- Extra night accommodations and meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara due to early arrival, late departure, or early return from the trek
- Personal expenses such as shopping, snacks, bar bills, bottle or boiled water, hot ( tea/coffee), cold and alcoholic drinks, shower, Wi-Fi, laundry, telephone call, battery re-charge fee, extra porters, etc
- Personal clothing and gear.
- Travel insurance which has to cover emergency high-altitude heli-rescue and evacuation (compulsory)
- Tips for guide and porters
- Additional costs due to delays caused by circumstances beyond our control such as bad weather conditions, illness, change of government policy, political instability, strike, etc
- All the costs and expenses not listed in "What's included in my Annapurna Sanctuary Tour Package?" will be counted as excludes
Reviews
This package has no review yet!Add Your Review
14 travellers are considering this tour right now!