Trekker Annapurna Base Camp Trek ABC Sanctuary Trekking Hike Hiking Nepal

Day 9 – A Trekker Ascends Across the Snow Toward ABC

One of Nepal’s most engaging treks, a visit to the camp that serves as a base for climbers of Annapurna and the other surrounding peaks. The camp, tea-houses and all, sits in what is known as the Annapurna Sanctuary, an oval shaped plateau at over 4,000m surrounded by peaks and reached only by a narrow pass between Mts Hiunchuli and Machapuchare. The unique combination of heights and depths in the Annapurna Sanctuary give rise to a variety of ecosystems. The south-facing slopes are “covered in dense tropical jungles of rhododendron and bamboo, while the north-facing slopes have a drier colder climate similar to that of the nearby Tibetan Plateau”.

This trek is best done in October or November, but is perfectly viable in March or April, though the risk of avalanches at a couple of spots on Day 7 necessitates a very early start as the spring sun starts to melt the snow on the east facing slopes above us.

This trek is a moderately difficult tea-house trek. It also bears a particular resonance for me as it was the first trek that I ever did (ed).

Day 1 Kathmandu to Pokhara   We depart for the vibrant resort area of Lakeside, from where you can observe views to the north across the hills to the white peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, go boating on Fewa lake or just wander around. (6/8 hours drive or 30 min flight).
Day 2 Pokhara to Tikhe Dhungha (1,525m)   After breakfast your trekking guide will pick you up for the drive to Naya Pul from where we commence our trek. We first hike to Birethanti, a large and prosperous town beside the Modi Khola (river) and, from there we trek up the main trail to Sudami. Here we trek gradually up the side of the valley reaching Hile (1,495m), before hiking on to Tirkhe Dhunga. (1 hour drive, 4/5 hours trekking).
Day 3 Tikhe Dhunga to Ghorepani (2,750m)   Today we spend a pleasant day’s trekking through rhododendron and oak forests and across the Bhurungdi Khola (river) before making a short hike up to Nangethanti (2,460m). After lunch we trek up to Ghorepani. (5/6 hour trek).
Day 4 Ghorepani to Poon Hill to Tadapani (2,520m)   After an early start at around 4 am we trek up Poon Hill (3,210m), this is a steep 1 hour hike and leads to a brilliant viewpoint with an unobstructed sunrise over the high Himalayas. After spending about 40 minutes on the hillside, and enjoying a hot cup of coffee or tea, we hike back to Ghorepani for breakfast. From here the trek climbs along ridges and through pine and rhododendron forests to Deurali (2,960m). We then trek down to Banthanti before winding our way down to Tadapani (2,540m). (6 hour trek).
Day 5 Tadapani to Chhomrong (2,210m)   Dropping down from Tadapani the trek offers good views of the upper Modi Valley. The trek then starts the long ascent high above the west bank of the Modi Khola. We will arrive in the village of Chhomrong (2,210m) lying tucked at the very base of Himalchuli. This is the last permanent settlement in the valley. (5 hour trek).
Day 6 Chhomrong to Doban (2,540m)   From Chhomrong the trek descends to Chhomrong Khola, then begins a slow climb as we hike up to Sinuwa. We then proceed to Kuldi Ghar (2,470m) where the trek enters the upper Modi Khola Valley. We can expect snow from here on in the winter months (Dec to Feb). We continue our trek down to Bamboo through an uninhabited forest area filled with scattered big rocks. From Bamboo the trek will take us through bamboo and rhododendron forests to Doban (2,540m). (6 hour trek).
Day 7 Doban to Deurali (3,170)   After climbing 300m we hike past the Himalayan Hotel (2,840m) and then trek on to Hinko Cave (3,100m) and Deurali. We will have great views of Machapuchare (6,993m) and you will understand why it’s named Fish Tail Mountain. (4 hour trek).
Day 8 Deurali to Machapuchare Base Camp (3,700m)   We trek up to Machapuchare Base Camp (which isn’t really a base camp since climbing the mountain is not permitted) where we ought to rest due to the increasing altitude.  (2 hour trek).
Day 9 Machapuchare Base Camp to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m)   We make the spectacular uphill trek to Annapurna Base Camp with its awesome views.  (2 hour trek).
Day 10 Rest Day at Annapurna Base Camp   Today is a chance to explore this wonderful little plateau, just pray that the weather’s perfect. Don’t get sunburnt!!
Day 11 Annapurna Base Camp to Sinuwa (2,360)   We trek back, retracing our footsteps, to Sinuwa. (5 hour trek).
Day 12 Sinuwa to Ghandruk (1,940m)   From Sinuwa we hike to Chhomrong from where the trek descends through forests to Gurjung Khola before a slight ascent to Kimrong. From Deurali there is an easy trek to Ghandruk, a wonderful Gurung village with traditional houses made of stone slabs. The views you can enjoy from here are Annapurna South (7,229 m), Hiunchuli (6,441 m), Annapurna III (7,755 m), Glacier Dome (7,200 m) and Machapuchare. Our early arrival means we have the afternoon to explore the village. (4/5 hour trek).
Day 13 Ghandruk via Naya Pul to Pokhara   From Ghandruk it’s easy hiking, all down hill, to Naya Pul where our trek ends. We return to Pokhara by private transport. (4 hour trek and 1 hour drive).We hope you’ve had a great trek, had some adventures, tightened your belt a few notches and look forward to trekking with you again on your return to Nepal.
Day 14 We return to Kathmandu   We return to Kathmandu. Alternatively you might consider a paragliding flight, with or without an instructor. Tandem flights cost from US$ 95 to US$ 130.

We hope you’ve had a great trek, had some adventures, tightened your belt a few notches and look forward to seeing you on your return to Nepal.

Ballpark price; US$ 1,200 plus transport between Pokhara and Kathmandu and accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara
price includes airport pick-ups and drop-offs. All inclusive trek costs; accommodation in twin shared rooms, breakfast, lunch, dinner, trekking and park permit fees, guide and necessary porters and all their costs such as transportation, accommodation, food, equipment, insurance etc.
Price excludes accommodation and food in Kathmandu and Pokhara, transport between Kathmandu and Pokhara, alcoholic beverages, tips, your insurance and personal expenses.
Log Bridge Annapurna Base Camp Trek ABC Sanctuary Trekking Hike Hiking Nepal

Day 3 – Log Bridge

Terracing Annapurna Base Camp Trek ABC Sanctuary Trekking Hike Hiking Nepal

Day 3 – Terraced Hill

Dutch Girls Poon Hill Annapurna Base Camp Trek ABC Sanctuary Trekking Hike Hiking Nepal

Day 4 – Dutch Girls Celebrate Dawn at Poon Hill

Tourist Hordes Ghorepani Poon Hill Trekking Annapurna Base Camp Trek ABC Sanctuary Hike Hiking Nepal Mountains Himalayas

Day 4 – The Masses Observe the Dawn from Poon Hill

Pine Trees Annapurna Base Camp Trek ABC Sanctuary Trekking Hike Hiking Nepal

Day 4 – Pine Trees

Old Man Annapurna Base Camp Trek ABC Sanctuary Trekking Hike Hiking Nepal

Day 4 – A Local Man

Terraced Valley Annapurna Base Camp Trek ABC Sanctuary Trekking Hike Hiking Nepal

Day 4 – Terraced Valley

Forest Annapurna Base Camp Trek ABC Sanctuary Trekking Hike Hiking Nepal

Day 6 – Forest

Icy Cliffs Annapurna Base Camp Trek ABC Sanctuary Trekking Hike Hiking Nepal

Day 6 – The Cliffs Above

Icy Cliffs Annapurna Base Camp Trek ABC Sanctuary Trekking Hike Hiking Nepal

Day 6 – More Ice Covered Cliffs

Icy Cliffs Annapurna Base Camp Trek ABC Sanctuary Trekking Hike Hiking Nepal

Day 7 – Icy Cliffs!

Trekker Tea-house Annapurna Base Camp Trek ABC Sanctuary Trekking Hike Hiking Nepal

Day 7 – Trekker at a Tea-House

Trekker Tea-house Annapurna Base Camp Trek ABC Sanctuary Trekking Hike Hiking Nepal

Day 10 – Anyone for Tea?

Annapurna Base Camp Trek ABC Sanctuary Trekking Hike Hiking Nepal

Day 11 – An Honourable Retreat

Forest Annapurna Base Camp Trek ABC Sanctuary Trekking Hike Hiking Nepal

Day 12 – In the Woods

Forest Annapurna Base Camp Trek ABC Sanctuary Trekking Hike Hiking Nepal

Day 12 – The Path Ahead

Farmland Annapurna Base Camp Trek ABC Sanctuary Trekking Hike Hiking Nepal

Day 13 – Farmland

Farm Annapurna Base Camp Trek ABC Sanctuary Trekking Hike Hiking Nepal

Day 13 – Old MacDonald…

1 reply
  1. Michael Fox
    Michael Fox says:

    REF: THE MOST INCREDIBLE HOLIDAY OF MY LIFE – NIGEL YOU’RE AMAZING!
    I just wanted to put finger to keyboard and express my sincere gratitude to Lama Karma and their ‘team’ on the ground in breathtaking Nepal. I came across this website through a mutual friend, a long time journalist who’s been based in South East Asia close to 20 years, namely Andrew Chant. Andy, had been on a ‘Himalayas Trek’ back in October 2012 and, since his return, has never stopped talking about it. This both intrigued and inspired me to go and also experience it, and by using the same Lama Karma agency.
    Look fellow adventurers my best suggestion is to view the material on this excellent website… it’s pointless me going over and over what’s already on it… bit it does give you the feeling of being there with some breathtaking pics!
    The crazy thing is that besides having most probably the BEST TOUR GUIDE (thanks to Raj for all your effort) the being there factor is not ONLY so surreal but also very, very inexpensive (I hope you like TEA….I love it!!) and as Nigel says… trekking is the best way to shed a few kgs….
    An expert whom knows 101% what he’s doing (fantastic tour Nigel “congrats”) the schedule was well ‘divided’ for my physical fitness capabilities, by the way, well appreciated again.
    So what are you waiting for?
    CONTACT Lama Karma and they’ll cater for your every needs…..wow what a holiday….
    Michael Fox
    Teacher Bangkok

    Reply

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