Annapurna Sanctuary trek | Annapurna Base Camp | 12 days

Today you drive along the only highway in the country to Pokhara. A highway in Nepalese terms is a winding single-lane road with plenty to see along the way! You will also stop several times en route: you will have lunch at an idyllic spot by the river!
In the afternoon, you arrive in Pokhara, situated along the beautiful Lake Phewa. On a clear day, you can see the snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna range from here!
Take a beautiful walk along the riverbank and watch the locals fishing or repairing their boats. Or take a small boat to the little island and visit the Tal Barahi temple.

In the evening, on the banks of Phewa Lake, at the temple, you can observe an Aarti ceremony: Hindu priests perform a ritual in which light (flames) are offered to the deities.

You start your Annapurna Sanctuary trek in Nayapul, after a private car ride along winding roads.
The path leads down to the Modi Khola River, which you cross. You walk along the bank until you reach another bridge that takes you to the village of Birethanti (1000m).
Here you enter the Annapurna Conservation Area! After your documents have been checked, you continue following the path through bamboo forests, past a beautiful waterfall and a swimming pool. You walk along the bank of the Bhurungdi River. Afterwards, the path gradually climbs the side of the valley to Hile (1510m) and then passes Tirkedunga (1480m).
You cross the river via a suspension bridge and descend further to a large bridge that takes you over the Bhurungdi River. The path then climbs steeply up stone steps. Along the way, you have a magnificent view of the peaks of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. The stone path continues to ascend to the Magar village of Ulleri (2080m).
You climb further along fields and dense forests until the path takes you to Banthanti.

After Banthanti, you trek through a densely forested area full of oaks and rhododendrons and cross many small rivers with clear mountain water. After a strenuous climb, you arrive in Nangathanti (2460m).
Ghorepani is another hour’s drive. Via a path with many steps, you slowly ascend towards Ghorepani. Today, the landscape changes into a densely forested area, filled in spring with blooming rhododendrons in various shades of red.
In Ghorepani, weather permitting, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Dhaulagiri range, including Annapurna South and Annapurna I.

You depart while it is still dark and hike to Poon Hill (3195m). Here, weather permitting, you can enjoy a beautiful sunrise! The spectacular panoramic view of the Annapurna range and the Dhaulagiri peaks makes getting up early worthwhile. After sunrise, you return to Ghorepani for a well-deserved breakfast.
After breakfast, you continue hiking to Tadapani. The path first ascends through the forests, but then you will descend steeply to the village of Banthanti, where you will have lunch. This is a different village than the one you encountered earlier in your trek.
The path continues downhill along the vertical mountain walls until it reaches the headwaters of the Bhurungdi River. After crossing a wooden bridge, a short but steep climb to Tadapani follows. Large colonies of monkeys live in this forest area, and with a bit of luck, you will see them jumping around in the trees. It is approximately a two-hour hike from Banthanti to Tadapani.
Tadapani is an attractive village overlooking the Modi River valley. From here, in good weather, you have a beautiful view of the sacred Machapuchare mountain (Fishtail mountain).

Your trek starts today via a narrow path through the woods to a vast grassland. You pass Chiule and descend further via steep steps to Siprung. About ten minutes later, you arrive at a suspension bridge over the Khumna Khola River (1930m). In the past hour and a half, you have descended nearly 800 meters!
After the river, you ascend to the village of Ghurjung (2010m). The path leads you across various properties until you reach a wooden bridge. You cross the bridge and walk through a number of side valleys.
You climb steeply up to a mountain ridge, from where you have a magnificent view of Machhapuchhare (Fish Tail Mountain). You continue walking and pass the village of Taglu. A little further on lies the village of Chhomrong.

You first climb for about an hour to Kimrungdanda. Along the way, you enjoy beautiful views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Fishtail Mountain (Machhapuchhre), and Ganggapurna. A steep descent then brings us to the Kimrong River.
After a steep climb from the Kimrong River to Chere Danda, you descend for a while, and then it is a pleasant walk to Bamboo. You descend via stone steps until you cross a bridge. From here, it is a strenuous climb to Sinuwa. Next, we walk through a beautiful forest to Kuldihar, followed by a short descent to Bamboo.

You walk through a bamboo forest and slowly ascend a few steeper sections. Occasionally, the path descends briefly to cross a small river, but today you will mostly be climbing. Look into the treetops as well: this is the habitat of colonies of Langur monkeys!
After the village of Doban (2500m), you cross a river and then climb past the remains of an old landslide. You pass a small Shiva temple and then reach the Himalaya Hotel (2840m).
A rocky path through the forest transitions into a steep gorge through a dry forest until you reach the Hinku Cave.
From here, the path slowly descends to the river over the remains of a glacier. Afterwards, you climb again to Deurali (3140m). This is by far the most beautiful part of your trek today! The view of the valley is breathtaking: the cascading river below with the steep rock faces beside it.

Above Deurali, the valley becomes much less steep and more expansive. Here, you truly feel the presence of the Himalayas! The path continues along the eastern side of the valley and climbs through a bamboo and birch forest. After crossing a river, you arrive in the village of Bagar.
You trek further uphill along stone paths, remnants of avalanches. You walk through a sparse birch forest and subsequently descend to a river. You eventually climb to Machhapuchhare Base Camp (3700m).
Machhapuchhare is a sacred mountain in Nepal. Climbing it is not permitted. The view of the Himalayas is breathtaking: you see Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna III, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, and, of course, Machhapuchhare.

Today you depart early in the morning for the sunrise to Annapurna Base Camp. This pleasant trek takes you to Annapurna Base Camp (4130m) in less than 2 hours. It is cold and windy there, but the view makes up for it and is breathtaking! This is one of the highlights of your trekking! In addition to an excellent view of the south flank of Annapurna, you also have a spectacular view of the glacier from the moraine!
The return hike is much easier. You hike back to Machhapuchhare Base Camp, then descend further to the Himalayan Hotel and finally go via Doban to Bamboo.

Note on overnight stays in Annapurna Base Camp
In our program we have chosen not to stay overnight at Annapurna Base Camp, so that you do not sleep at the high altitude of over 4000 meters. This reduces the chance of symptoms of altitude sickness, which is especially important for families with children and older travelers. You will visit Annapurna Base Camp during the trek, so that you can enjoy the breathtaking views, but you will stay overnight in a lower area, where the conditions are more comfortable and the altitude does not pose an additional burden. If you prefer to stay overnight at Annapurna Base Camp, we can adjust this for you.

You continue your descent today. This time, you walk down the steep stairs. You hike through beautiful rhododendron forests again to Sinuwa. Afterwards, the path continues downhill until you reach the river. On the other side, you climb continuously until you reach Chhomrong (2210m).
From Chhomrong, you descend again until you arrive in Jhinu Danda after just under an hour.
After today’s trek, you can take a wonderfully relaxing bath in one of the natural hot springs in Jhinu Danda (1780m). This is a lovely way to end the last day in the mountains!

Idllically nestled along the banks of the Modi Khola River, Jhinu Danda Hot Springs are fed by natural geothermal activity.

Tip:
Pack a small towel and flip-flops in your daypack if you plan to visit the hot springs. The hike to the springs from Jhinu Danda is about 15-20 minutes downhill, and wet feet or soaking wet clothes can be uncomfortable on the way back. It’s best to go in the late afternoon for an extra relaxing end to your day of trekking.

After breakfast, you start the final part of your trek. The path takes you downhill along the western bank of the Modi Khola. You cross the river and continue following the path up and down until you reach a new bridge (1500m). Along the way, you have beautiful views of the Modi Khola valley.
You continue walking to Syauli Bazaar, where your trek ends! Here, you will be met by your driver who will take you back to Pokhara!
You can spend the rest of the day at your leisure in Pokhara.

The end of the journey has arrived! From there, your private driver will take you back to Kathmandu! You will stop a few times along the way to briefly stretch your legs. You will also stop for lunch: here you can also sample the local fish from the river!

The trek is moderately difficult and manageable for active travelers with a good basic level of fitness. The paths are clear and not technical, but there are several days with significant ascents and descents. Good preparation, such as hiking with a daypack in hilly terrain, is recommended.

The ideal seasons are spring (March-May) and autumn (October-November). The weather is usually clear then, the views are spectacular, and the rhododendrons bloom in the spring. Winter is quieter, but colder, especially at night.

Experience is a plus, but certainly not a requirement. Many of our participants are over 55 who enjoy hiking and are looking for a unique nature experience. A local guide provides guidance and ensures safety.

You will stay in simple but comfortable lodges (“tea houses”) with a hot meal and a bed with a mattress and blankets. Bathrooms may be shared. Some lodges have hot showers and Wi-Fi, although this is not always guaranteed.

In the lower-lying villages, there is often mobile coverage and sometimes Wi-Fi (for a fee). The higher you go, the more limited the connection becomes. Do not expect a constant connection – think of it as a digital detox.

We will provide you with a detailed packing list in advance. Essential items include: sturdy hiking boots, warm clothing, a raincoat, a daypack, sun protection, and a reusable water bottle. During the trek, your main luggage will be carried by a porter.

The Annapurna Sanctuary trek gradually builds up altitude, which limits the risk of altitude sickness. The maximum altitude is approximately 4,130 meters. We allow sufficient time to acclimatize, and our guides are trained to recognize symptoms early.

Absolutely! Teenagers in good physical condition and with a sense of adventure will find this an unforgettable experience. The variety of landscapes and the challenge make this trek particularly engaging for young people aged 12 and up.

By hiking with a local guide and using Nepalese lodges and porters, you contribute directly to the income of the local population. We pay fair wages to our employees and work sustainably.

Although Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) is the absolute highlight of the trek, we deliberately do not spend the night at this altitude (4,130 meters) on our trips. There are two important reasons for this:

1. Health and safety: Staying overnight at high altitude increases the risk of altitude sickness, especially since ABC is reached fairly quickly after Machapuchare Base Camp. By visiting Base Camp only as a day trip and then descending to a lower lodge, we significantly limit this risk.

2. Comfort and a good night’s sleep: The lodges in ABC are simple and often cold, especially during the seasons outside of summer. At lower altitudes (for example, in Machapuchare Base Camp or Deurali), staying overnight is more pleasant and you sleep more soundly.

This way, you can fully enjoy the spectacular views at Base Camp — with enough time to look around and take photos — without the downsides of a night at this altitude.