Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Namaste! Welcome to Nepal. Your adventure begins in Kathmandu with a welcome meeting at 2 pm. If you arrive early, maybe get out and do some exploring. Maybe take a wander through the markets and bazaars that are central to Nepali life, where stalls and hole-in-the-wall shops sell everything from Buddhas to beetroot. Or, check out Durbar Square, home to the palace of the Kumari Devi – considered to be a living goddess. After your meeting, you might like to join your fellow travellers for a group dinner.

Leave Kathmandu early this morning and drive to Pokhara. With its lakeside setting beneath the snow-capped Annapurna range, the city is a jumping-off point for the trek ahead. Once part of an important trade route between India and Tibet, the region is home to the Magars, Gurungs and Thakali communities. This afternoon, you’ll have your trek briefing and preparation, and depending on when you arrive, there may be time to hire a small boat for a paddle on the lake. There are also plenty of cafes, shops and stalls. If you need to hire some extra trekking gear, you can find that here, too.

At 8091 m (26,545 ft), Annapurna 1 is one of the highest mountains in the world and its surrounding sister mountains are equally imposing. Drive to Nayapul, gear up and start your trek. Follow the Bhurungi Khola to Thikhedhunga, then trek through farmland before a steep ascent to Ulleri, where if the sky is clear, you’ll get views of Annapurna South for the first time.

Continue to ascend to Ulleri Village through a pleasant rhododendron forest, then stay overnight at Ghorepani. Tonight, relax at camp, rest your legs and maybe play a few card games with your trekking buddies.

Early birds might like to watch the sunrise over Annapurna and the snowcapped Dhaulagiri range from nearby Poon Hill. What better way to start the day! After breakfast, continue your trekto Tadapani. Hike through some of the densest rhododendron forests in the Annapurna region, and maybe glimpse a Himalayan monal, Nepal’s rainbow-coloured national bird.

Keep your sunrise streak going with dawn views of the Annapurna range from Tadapani, including Machhapuchhare – also called ‘the fishtail’ for its characteristic double peak. Then descend to Kimrung Khola before climbing again to Chhomrong village, at the base of Hiunchuli (6441 m/21,132 ft). Take in the views, then tuck into some delicious pizza for dinner.

Today, your journey is going to be (literally) full of highs and lows. The trail drops down to the Chorong Khola, where you’ll cross a suspension bridge. Then, climb some stone stairs as you make your way to Lower Sinuwa, followed by Upper Sinuwa. Continue to Khuldighar until you come across a mix of trails and stairs going through forests of bamboo and rhododendron, as well as a temple. When you get to the waterfall, you’re done for the day! Head to the teahouse that will be your abode for the night.

Leaving your teahouse behind, continue up the narrow valley to Deurali. Sticking to the west bank of the Modi River, come out of the gorge and enter a sweeping glacial valley near Machhapuchhre Base Camp, your home for the night. Camp sits beneath the sacred mountain of the same name, famously known as ‘Fishtail.’ Settle in for the evening, fuel up and hydrate for tomorrow’s ascent to your highest point so far!

Today’s a special one. Ascend farther from Machhapuchhre Base Camp to Annapurna Base Camp – the highest point of your trek. As you take in the views of Annapurna 1, Annapurna South, Machhapuchre and Hiunchuli, it's hard not to feel like you’re on top of the world. Depending on how your legs and lungs are holding up, you may decide to remain at Machhapuchhre Base Camp or stay at Annapurna Base Camp for the night. The views from both base camps are fantastic – all the hard work to get here was worth it!

Wake up early for one more sunrise view over Base Camp! You're close enough now to (almost) reach out and touch the peaks of Annapurna 1 (the 10th highest mountain in the world), Macchapucchhre, Annapurna South, Tent Peak, Gangapurna, Himchuli and Annapurna 3. After sunrise, head back down the valley the same way to Bamboo (or farther if the knees can handle it).

Passing back through the up-and-down staircases of Chhomrong, continue the decent to Jhinu Danda. If you’d like to give your legs a well-deserved rest, it’s a short walk down to a nearby natural hot spring by the Modi Khola.

You’re getting close to the home stretch now! Descend steeply to the Modi Khola river canyon, where you’ll cross the water on a suspension bridge, then start the steady climb through terraced rice fields and along cliffside paths to the traditional Gurung village of Landruk. Continue along rolling mountain trails to the hamlet of Tolkha, then head up to the rhododendron forests of Deurali Pass. Wind your way down to Pothana, where’ll you stop for one more teahouse evening.

This is the final day of the trek! It’s a short downhill stretch all the way from Pothana to Phedi via Dhampus village – and then, you’ve made it! After lunch, drive to Pokhara and check into your hotel for a blissful shower and an end-of-trek dinner celebration to enjoy the good things in life – like a cold beer or cocktail.

Enjoy a free day in Pokhara to unwind, relax and give those muscles a rest after all that trekking. Your leader can advise you of some fun things to do. It’s worth taking a boat out on the lake, especially if the weather's nice. Or, maybe hit the lakeside area for great shopping or cafe-hopping. Pokhara has an interesting historic area as well as an elaborate Hindu temple and a Buddhist monastery. Perhaps visit the Peace Pagoda, where spectacular views of the mountains await. You get views from here of the Annapurnas, Machhapuchhare and back across to Pokhara. You might also like to visit the International Mountain Museum to learn of some amazing tales of past climbing expeditions.

With no activities planned for today, you are free to depart at any time. Pokhara is a peaceful lakeside haven, so if you would like to spend more time here, just speak with your booking agent about additional accommodation.