Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

Day 1 – Kathmandu Arrival
On your arrival at Kathmandu, Tribhuvan Airport, you will be met by a representative of Temples of Nirvana and taken to your hotel in the Thamel district of Kathmandu.

Day 2 – Swayambhunath Temple – Kathmandu Durbar Square
This will be the first of your sightseeing days in Kathmandu. In the morning we will head for Swayambhunath (Monkey) Temple. Swayambhunath is a UNESCO, World Heritage and one of the must see sights of the Valley. We will walk the 365 steps up to the Stupa. There is much to see, not least the three large Buddha statues of Shakyamuni Buddha, Chenrezig and Guru Rinpoche. in the park to the rear. In the afternoon we visit the Durbar square in Kathmandu

Day 03:  Kathmandu to Pokhara [823m/2,700ft]: 6 hrs drive
Early morning at 7 am, we set off for Pokhara on a tourist bus. On the way to pokhara we will see more of countryside of Nepal that offers greeneries, rivers, villages, farms and beautiful mountain sceneries. Afternoon, we reach Pokhara. Upon arrival in Pokhara, the lake city offers magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhare, five peaks of Annapurna and others. Pokhara is city of lakes and has numerous beautiful lakes. We can explore the most accessible and beautiful, Fewa Lake during the afternoon -enjoy boating too. Explore, relax and dine by tranquil Lake Fewa. We can even do some shopping during evening hours. Overnight in Pokhara.

Day 04:  Pokhara – Naya Pul – Ulleri [2050m/6725ft]: 1 hr drive and 6 hrs trek.
Today we drive to Naya Pul to start our trek. From Naya Pul, we follow the south bank of the river. After several hours of trek, we will pass through sub tropical valley forests, sometimes on the carved trail on the side of the cliff. After lunch, we cross the Modi Khola (river) via a suspension bridge to the village of Tikhedhunga. We further trek along the trail quite steep at times. We reach Ulleri by late afternoon for overnight.

Day 05:  Ulleri – Ghorepani (2750m/ 9020ft):  4 – 5 hrs trek
We make our ascent to the Ghorepani village. The name Ghorepani in Nepali means horse-water owing to its role as an important campsite for traders before it became a trekker’s stop. Ghorepani is an interesting place with small shops and stalls for selling local products and craft. The town has two parts: one in a saddle and the other a few hundred feet lower. Since Ghorepani lies quite higher than our previous stop, we begin to feel the chilly weather especially in the evenings. Overnight at Ghorepani.

Day 06:  Ghorepani – Poon Hill – Tadapani (2700m/8,860ft): 5 – 6 hrs trek
Today will be a special day because we conquer Poon Hill- an icon of Annapurna region. We climb the steep trail to the viewpoint of Poon Hill (3210mtrs). The efforts will be rewarded with spectacular views of Machhapuchre, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and the Annapurnas. After taking photos and having some coffee or tea or hot chocolate, we return back to Gorepani. Upon breakfast, we head east and climb a nearby ridge. We descend through rhododendron forest, pass by spectacular waterfalls along the way and reach Tadapani for overnight.

Day 07:  Tadapani to Chhomrong (2170m/7120ft):6 hrs trek
From Tadapani, we make a steep descent through the dense and dark forest. The route passes through the west bank of the Modi Khola. Then, we descent steeply down the village of Chuile coming over to the Kimrong Khola. Then, we continue a steep climb till to Chhomrong. Upon arrival at Chhomrong, we encounter with the mighty peak of Annapurna South, with the Fishtail Mountain (Machhapuchhare) facing it across the valley. Chhomrong is a beautiful village located on the lap of giant Annapurna massive. Overnight at Chhomrong.

Day 08:  Chhomrong to Dovan (2580m/8460ft): 6 hrs trek
Upon leaving behind Chhomrong along the Modi Khola, we will be at inhabited foothills into the high step and wooded slopes of Himalayas. We cross the suspension bridge then trek up to Sinuwa Danda. The ascent from Sinuwa becomes somewhat flatter. The trail passes through thick and dark arresting rhododendron forest up to Khuldighar. Then the trail passes through deep bamboo and rhododendron forest to the village of Dovan.

Day 09:  Dovan to Machhapuchhare Base Camp MBC (3700m/12135ft): 4 hrs trek
The day starts with gentle gradual ascend following the trail above the river through a thick bamboo, oak and rhododendron forests up the side of the canyon. We cross two streams over small bridges. The trail further passes through solitary places. The nature’s wilderness and solitariness give peace to our mind. There is also the possibility of seeing a variety of species of wildlife such as wild pig, deer, and snow leopard. Overnight at Machhapuchhare Base Camp

Day 10:  Machhapuchhare Base Camp – Annapurna Base Camp – Bamboo (4,130m/13,545ft): 2:30 hrs trek
On the way to Annapurna Base Camp from Machhapuchhare Base Camp, the vegetation disappears. We will encounter with the snow boulders melting and forming small streams. The path widens as we enter the Sanctuary, follows a stream, and then climbs to a few huts alongside a moraine. Upon arrival at this juncture, we will have sensational views of the near-vertical south face of Annapurna towering above the sanctuary. Annapurna Base Camp sanctuary boasts of a dynamic view without anything impeding panorama of the 360 degrees. The heart inspiring views of Machhapuchre, Annapurna south, Annapurna I, Hiuchuli and other peaks will be the boon of our hard efforts. Climax of our trip almost ends today! At dawn, we relish the magnificent sunrise over the Himalayas from Annapurna Base Camp. Upon our breakfast, we start descending from Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo back through Machhapuchre Base Camp, Deurali, Dovan and finally reach Bamboo.  Overnight at Bamboo.

Day 11:  Bamboo to Jhinu Dada (1760m/5770 ft): 6 hrs trek
Upon our retreat from Bamboo, we trek back to Sinuwa and then descend to Lower Chomrong. Then again we ascend on the thousand stony steps taking us to Upper Chomrong. From Chomrong, we take a different route and instead of going to Ghandruk. We further descend to Jhinu Danda. Upon arrival at Jhinu Danda, we get opportunity to enjoy hot springs lying just a 15-min walk from Jhinu Danda. Overnight at Jhinu Dada.

Day 12:  Jhinu Dada to Naya Pul to Pokhara: 6 hrs trek 1 hr drive
At the beginning, we trek from Jhinu danda to New bridge and then to Kyumi village. After having lunch, we trek to Syauli bazzar and then down to Birethanti. Further, about an hour’s trek from Birethanti we will be at Naya Pul. The trek ends at Naya Pul. From Naya Pul, we drive in a local available vehicle and reach in Pokhara within an hour. Upon arrival in Pokhara, we will have an opportunity to visit some more places around the lake city until evening. Overnight in Pokhara.

Day 13: Pokhara – Kathmandu
We will take the flight back to Kathmandu

Day 14 – Kopan Monastery – Bouddhanath Stupa – Pashupatinath Temple
Our second sightseeing day in Kathmandu starts at Kopan Monastery perched majestically overlooking the Kathmandu Valley. Kopan is a little haven of serenity amongst the chaos of the Valley. We will then head for Boudhanath, the Tibetan area of Kathmandu where the mightily impressive Bouddhanath Stupa is situated. The Stupa is the second largest Stupa in the world. In the afternoon we will make our way to Pashupatinath Hindu Temple. In the evening we will take you for a farewell Dinner, to an excellent traditional Nepalese restaurant where we will enjoy a Nepalese cultural program as well as a fine meal.

Day 15 – Depart Kathmandu
Depending on the time of your flight departure, you may have time for a lttle more sightseeing or shopping in Kathmandu. We will then take you to Tibhuvan airport 3 hours before the departure time of your flight home and see you to your departure terminal where we will say goodbye and hope very much, that you will have enjoyed your time with Temples of Nirvana.