The classic trek to Annapurna Base Camp under the south face of Annapurna, the tenth highest mountain in the world, which was first climbed by Bonnington’s team in the 1970s.
This trek starts in the foothills close to Pokhara and climbs to 4130 metres covering brilliant views of the Annapurna group, Macchapuchare, Gangapurna and many other Himalayan giants.
The fourteen day day trek from Kathmandu has been carefully designed to provide proper acclimatization and includes the iconic viewpoint of Poon Hill.
• The trek passes through villages then climbs through forests into the Annapurna Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is an impressive valley surrounded by high Himalayan peaks around Annapurna Base Camp.
• There are superb views of the Annapurna massif, Machhapuchhare and Hiunchuli among others.
• A great opportunity to get into the mountains without the altitude problems associated with some of the other treks (highest altitude reached is 4,130m at Base Camp).
• During the Spring departures especially in March the rhododendrons around Poon Hill are spectacular
Suitability: a good choice for regular hill walkers, high level of fitness required.
1) Walking times: average 7 to 8 hours walking per day with some half days included.
2) Altitude: up to 4130m.
3) Terrain: for some of the time following well-travelled trails although also likely to encounter rough and rocky sections. There may be significant amount of ascent and descent on steps.
4) Remoteness: often in more remote areas and normally a longer distance from nearest road and facilities available in a city.
This trek will be led by an experienced Nepali South Col guide and a team of porters in support.
DAY 01 - KATHMANDU
Land in Kathmandu.
DAY 02 – KTM TO POKHARA BY FLIGHT TO KANDE BY ROAD AND THEN TREK TO TOLKA (1810m) 7 to 8 hours
The next morning we fly to Pokhara and then drive for an hour to Kande. We will start climbing to a ridge for around 90 minutes by traversing fields and forest and following a stone staircase and then a short climb which will take us to Australian Camp. After a short break, we trek through the rhododendron forest and reach Pothana village (2000 m) in thirty inutes. Lunch at Pothana. After lunch, the path slowly ascends until we reach Bhichowk Deorali (2149 m) from here we can see the view of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. We then take a steep descent to Modi Khola and gently climb to a ridge and then take short descent to the village of Tolka (1810 m), our night stop.
DAY 03 – TOLKA TO CHOMRONG (2170 metres) 6 to 7 hours
The trail drops from Tolka and reaches Land rung in about an hour. We now descend and take a north route to Chomrong traversing alongside rice terraces, then through forests and follow the river bed leads us to New Bridge. The trail crosses on a suspension bridge and a stiff climb to Jhinu Danda (1760 m). There is a hot natural spring which takes 15 minutes downhill. Again trail climbs a long and steeps atop treeless ridge and the trail rounds a bend and enters the famous market village of Chomrong. The village controls the entry to the sanctuary and offers the first clear view of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre (Fish Tail).
DAY 04 – CHOMRONG TO DOVAN (2505 metres) 6 to 7 hours
From Upper Chomrong we make a descent in about forty minutes along stone steps to the river. The trail from the river climbs uphill to Bhanuwa in an hour. From Bhanuwa it is about an hour to Upper Sinuwa. From Upper Sinuwa we proceed along the forest track to Khuldi. Thirty minutes on a steep downhill from Khuldi is our lunch stop at Bamboo. After a leisurely lunch at Bamboo we walk the last hour and a half to Doban for our night stop.
DAY 05 – DOBAN TO DEORALI (3140 metres) 4 hours
From Dovan walk through the forest for about an hour to Himalaya (2940 m). About fifty minutes from Himalaya is a huge cave, Hinko where in 1971 Don Whillans claims to have seen the yeti! Deorali is about forty minutes away and we reach in time for lunch.
DAY 06 – DEORALI TO MACHHAPUCHHRE BASE CAMP (3720 M) - 4-5 HRS
The trail remains on the west bank of the Modi, now flowing through a more open valley, and eventually emerges into the Sanctuary. Straight ahead is the high lateral moraine of the South Annapurna glacier and the Modi follows a deep cliff to the right. This is the site of Machhapuchhre base camp from which can be seen a spectacular panorama of Annapurna Mountains.
DAY 07- MBC - ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP (4130 m) 2 hours
After early breakfast, easy walking excursions to Annapurna Base Camp (2-3 hrs) - our final destination of the trip. The day is easy and explores the incredible views of near vertical south face of Annapurna that towers above us to the north-west and several other big peaks and trekking peaks. After exploring the highest mountains view and surrounding panorama, afternoon return to Machhapuchhre base camp.
DAY 08 – ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP TO HIMALAYA 5 to 6 hours
Follow the same route downhill all the way to Himalaya
DAY 09 – HIMALAYA TO UPPER CHOMRONG 5 hours
As usual, after breakfast we will trek back to Chomrong village again for overnight stop
DAY 10 – UPPER CHOMRONG TO TADAPANI 5 -6 hours
We leave Chomrong and start on our route to Poon Hill heading towards Tadapani which has a dress circle view of Annapurna South and Macchapuchare.
DAY 11 TADAPANI TO GHOREPANI 6 to 7 hours
We pass through Banthanti and Deorali where we stop for lunch and then enjoy the ridge walk to Ghorepani from where we get our first view of Dhaulagiri.
DAY 12 GHOREPANI TO TIRKHEDHUNGA OR HILLAY 6 to 7 hours
We visit Poon Hill for sunrise and then after breakfast make the long way down to Tirkedhunga via Banthanti and Ulleri.
DAY 13 TIRKEDHUNGA/HILLAY TO POKHARA 3 to 4 hours
It is a level three hour walk down to Nayapul from where we get a transport which takes us back to Pokhara by lunch time.
DAY 14 POKHARA TO KATHMANDU AND ONWARDS TO HOME DESTINATIONS
We take a morning flight from Pokhara and reach Kathmandu airport. We can also connect to any afternoon flight out of Kathmandu and reach home.
March 27th 2016 (arrival in Kathmandu) to April 9th 2016 (departure from Kathmandu)
USD 995 (meals excluded ) – please budget an extra USD 350 for meals, hot water flasks, battery charging, wifi, solar showers etc for 14 days
The cost is per person for Kathmandu to Kathmandu (14 days ) as per the itinerary given. Service Tax @ 3.50% is included as per Govt rules.
Costs given above are at current rates and may change without notice. Changes if any will be notified 2 months before the trek.
Costs include:
Transfer from Kathmandu to Pokhara by flight and and return air fare from Pokhara to Kathmandu.
Annapurna Conservation Area permit and and TIMS permit for trekking in the Annapurna region.
All accommodation on the trek on twin sharing basis.
Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu one night on the way in and two nights accomodation in Pokhara is covered.
Cost of porters/guides for the trek. Please note that porters will carry one duffel bag or backpack not exceeding 12 kgs in weight for each trekker comprising of personal items, clothing, sleeping bag etc.
Costs not included
Meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Breakfast lunch and dinner on the trek is not included. Desserts, drinks, and exotic items listed in the lodge menus are not included. Alcohol, cold drinks (coca cola, sprite, beer), juices, ice cream etc on the trek. Bottled drinks; boiled, filtered or bottled water; alcohol; snacks etc
Client travel and medical insurance of any kind. Emergency evacuation costs if needed.
Hot showers (Rs 300 per shower); Battery charging, excess airline baggage charges. Other taxi fares like airport to hotel and back in Kathmandu, local taxis is Kathmandu and Pokhara etc.
Personal clothing and equipment; sleeping bag; down/ goretek jacket, medicines for personal use etc.
Air fare from residence country to Nepal and back
Tips to porters and guide at the end of trek estimated at USD 50 per trekker contribution to the common pool.
| ITEMS | REMARKS | |
| Duffle Bag | All the equipment listed below other than what you need for the day should be packed into a duffle bag, locked and handed over to the ponies in the morning. The duffle bag should not weight more than 12 kgs! | |
| 1 | Sleeping Bag | Warm sleeping bag is needed at least three season rated to 15F |
| 2 | Daypack or Hipbelt | To carry water, one jacket some nuts, chocolates, cap, camera to keep with you in the day, maybe gloves and cap as well, hiking poles etc. - 25 to 30 litre size should be sufficient |
| 3 | Boots or Trekking Shoes | one pair |
| 4 | Slippers or Sandals for camp | lightweight to wear in the evenings |
| 5 | warm Socks | 2 pairs to carry and one pair to wear |
| 6 | Gloves | one pair |
| 7 | Underwear | 1 to wear and 2 to carry |
| 8 | Warm Cap | one- Wool or fleece is usually good |
| 9 | Heavy jacket | the warmest you can get as nights and early mornings are cold - down is usually preferred otherwise a warm synthetic filled jacket. |
| 10 | Thermal Underwear ( top and bottom) - long johns | inner layer to wear at night and early morning ; |
| 11 | Mid Layer | Usually a jacket of fleece or wool which can be worn over a thermal layer or by itself while walking |
| 12 | T shirts for walking | one to wear and 2 to carry - if the sun is hot you can walk in a T shirt |
| 13 | Trousers /tights etc | one to wear and one to carry light weight preferred |
| 14 | One Rain Jacket /Wind Jacket/Soft Shell jacket / Rain Poncho | useful in case of wind ... you may need it in light rain though we would usually take shelter and wait for the rain to stop. Ladakh is in the rain shadow so we do not expect heavy rain. |
| 15 | Torch or headlamp | one small needed carry one set spare batteries Petzl is one of the best |
| 16 | Sun bloc | one small tube should be ok spf 50 |
| 17 | some essential medicines | vitamins, headache, fever, pain killers, diamox for altitude, your own specific medicines etc |
| 18 | Hiking poles | if you have bad knees then this is recommended especially on the down hills!! |
| 19 | Water bottle | one no 500 ml or 1 litre is ok you can use the 500 or 600 ml empty coke or pepis bottles |
| 20 | Sun glasses | the sun is strong in the day |
| 21 | Cap for the sun | ditto! |
| 22 | small towel | for baths and wash up in case you can use the hot shower |
| 23 | toothbrush, paste, soap, shampoo, vaseline, comb | and any other toilet items you may need! |
| 24 | wet tissues - wet ones for bathroom | called wet ones in India |
| 25 | some washing powder surf etc small | to wash clothes en route if needed |
| 26 | Nuts, raisins etc all mixed up | can be divided into small packets for daily use |
| 27 | Chocolates /Energy Bars/Amul cheese slices/tea bags | Carry some chocolates or energy bars to have on the way. Amul cheese slices are very useful and can be had as snacks when you are tired of sweets! |
| 28 | Sweets | for energy |
| 29 | Volini gel/ Bengay etc for aches and pains | or any other equivalent |
| 30 | Iodine or chlorine tablets for water purification | Potable Aqua is one of the available brands fr iodine |
| 31 | Electral or any other rehydating salts | Carry a few small packets of electrolyte - useful to have mixed with water if dehydrated |
| 32 | some spare plastic bags to pack wet stuff, dirty clothes etc | |
| 33 | Book in case you want to read on the way and IPOd for music optional! | |
| 34 | Two small locks one for your duffle bag and one as backup | |
| 35 | Clothes line with hooks on either side in case you want to hang up your wet clothes to dry outside!! | |
| 36 | Super Glue | To patch up boots that may give way! |
| 37 | Face mask | For dust, cold winds etc available in kathmandu |
| 38 | Extra shoe laces | one pair |
| 39 | Small mug for tea coffee hot chocolate | In case you want to use your own mug for this and not the trekking supply! |
| 40 | Binoculars optional | |
Sujoy Das
India: +919831054569; Nepal: +977 9818037020
Lok Silwal
Nepal: +977 9851022984
CANCELLATION CHARGES
All trek payments are subject to the following cancellation charges:
0-7 days before the start of the trek =75%
8 -15 days before the start of the trek = 50%
16-30 days before the start of the trek = 35%
31-45 days before the start of the trek = 25%
46 days and above = 15%