Heaven on Earth: Annapurna Base camp Trek
Heaven on Earth: Annapurna Base camp Trek
Annapurna Base camp Trek though one of the most scenic routes in the world, a visit to the Annapurna Base camp will have you traverse through dense forests and beautiful landscapes, with the pristine Himalayas never out of sight. The highlight of the trek to ABC trek (Annapurna Region ) poon hill viewpoint is the best sport to see mountain views. where you can, on a clear day, view all peaks of the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Manaslu Range on a clear day. Surrounded by verdant forests on all sides, Poon Hill is a popular destination for local and foreign tourists alike. Especially famous as a short trek destination, Ghorepani-Poon Hill pulls in a crowd of up to 1000 tourists every day during the peak seasons.
This season though, Poon Hill hardly welcomed 400-500 visitors each day. The recent devastating earthquakes, the Indian blockade and the unrest in the Terai have affected this world-renowned destination of tourists. The mountains still exude the same serenity and are still calming and imposing. “The natural beauty has not changed, and the hotels are ready to serve the guests,” a local entrepreneur said on a recent visit, “But there are hardly any tourists.” Ghandruk, Ghorepani Poon Hill await visitors. Annapurna Circuit Trek joined place Ghorepani.
The Annapurna Base Camp trek lying at the foot of the Annapurna massif is reached after traversing through a rapidly changing landscape as you climb higher and higher from the rich green valley shrouded in seasonal vegetation to the arid landscape of the high mountains. The Annapurna Sanctuary is a gigantic amphitheater facing giant peaks at close proximity. 4,130 m above sea level, the sanctuary enjoys a spectacular 360 view of 13 peaks that make up the Annapurna massif. This obviously is the highlight of the trek. But even from Day One of the treks, the great peaks, Machapuchare (6,993m), the Annapurna III (7,555m), the Annapurna II (7,937m) and the Annapurna IV (7,525m) keep coming into view, building up excitement as the trek progresses.
Along the way are the hot springs at Jhinu Danda, delightful little Gurung villages embraced by terraced hillsides, hidden trails in the heart of a gigantic bamboo plantation, and a forest of rhododendrons. This trek offers all the pleasures one can derive from a walk in the Nepalese Himalaya. If you want an adventure trekking trail Manaslu Trek package here.
Why Annapurna Base Camp is among the most popular treks in the world
The Annapurna base camp trek is one of the most popular treks in the world. It literally brings you face to face with an eight-thousand – for a moderate-difficult trek, this is incredible! The fascinating Annapurna massif includes the world’s tenth highest peak. Annapurna I (8,091 m) holds an almost fatal attraction for mountaineers. It has the highest fatality ratio among the eight-thousanders. This formidable aura apart, the ABC trek holds several treasures for the mountain lover.
How difficult is the Annapurna Base Camp trek?
We rate the Annapurna Base Camp trek as “Moderate-Difficult.” There are two major reasons the ABC trek is considered Moderate-Difficult. First, the distance. The trekker covers a total distance of 90 km over 14 days of the trek. This includes three days where you cover more than 10 km, with the longest being 15.5 km from ABC to Bamboo.
Is Annapurna Base Camp trek safe?
The Annapurna Base Camp trek has a buffer day included in the itinerary. This ensures that we have a day more to complete the trek in case of unfavorable weather. Besides this, the Well plan Trekking trek team for a full strength batch comprises a Trek Leader, Guide. The team is equipped with an oximeter, blood pressure monitor, and a high-altitude medical (HAM) kit. The Trek Leader maintains a health card with a record of every trekker’s vitals (Blood pressure and oximeter readings) taken twice a day. Training properly for the trek for at least a month, hydrating yourself during the trek will also ensure you complete the trek safely and in a good condition.
Trekking inside the forests of the Annapurna Conservation Area
The trek is nestled in the 7,629 sq km Annapurna Conservation Area. This is home to 1,226 species of flowering plants, 102 mammals, 474 birds, 33 reptiles and 22 amphibians. If you’re lucky you might spot an exotic bird or even a marmot. While trekking from Ghandruk to Chomrung you are surrounded by rhododendron, fern and bamboo. Once you cross Sinuwa to enter the Annapurna sanctuary, the forest becomes dense. Tall oak trees become prominent here. As you move higher up towards Deurali, the thick forests give way to tall grass. Around this area, you will find trees with thick bark called Daphne. This is used by locals to make paper. These trees are commonly found around Sandakphu as well. Closer to Machapuchare base camp, the terrain turns Alpine. You see patches of grass amidst boulders. There are also flowering plants lining the trail in this section. The trail has 3 sections through the forest that is so dense that sunlight barely seeps through. The first one starts right after the villages around Chomrung and extends till New Bridge. On the trail from Sinuwa, you hear the Modi Khola roaring past right next to you. But the trees around are so dense that you can’t really see the river. The third stretch is after Bamboo and goes all the way to Dovan. The beauty of this trek is that you walk through these forests not once, but twice!
DETAILS ITINERARY
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu 1,345 m and then transfer to respective Hotels
On reaching Kathmandu via respective airlines well received by company guides and staff for a short drive in the hub of Kathmandu city where your hotels located. After checking into your lovely rooms getting refreshed join in at the hotel lobby for a group briefing regarding treks and other useful information to make your stay in Nepal enjoyable and pleasant.
Day 02: Drive to Pokhara 860 m – 06 hrs journeys (via flights 30 mins on air).
Annapurna Base Camp trekking begins with the overland drive to Nepal Mid West taking a comfortable coach or in Tourist Bus to reach scenic Pokhara, a beautiful and leading touristic place in all Himalaya range, with warm sub-tropical temperatures and close views of Annapurna Himalaya with Mt. Machhapuchare ‘Fish Tail’.On reaching Pokhara transfer to respective hotels by the Phewa Lake with views of Annapurna and Machhapuchare peak, afternoon at leisure for short walks around the lakeside. Meals included: Breakfast
Day 03: Drive beyond Nayapul and trek to Ulleri village 1,740 m – 06 hrs.
Morning departs from the hotel taking a short drive where the journey takes you beyond Pokhara, valley-facing views of Manaslu and Annapurna Himalaya. On reaching at Nayapul following Modi River to Bhirethati village from here drive leads further past farm villages and terraced fields to reach at Hille on the foothills of Annapurna, where our first-day walk begins heading for high hills on stone steps to reach at the nice and lovely village at Ulleri with views of Annapurna peaks. From this small farm village, our first-day walk starts heading north with the steep climb on the stone-paved steps to Jhinu village located on a high scenic ridge, from this village a short walk downhill leads you to natural hot-spring by the Modi River. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 04: Trek to Ghorepani village 2,845 m – 04 hrs.
The morning begins heading uphill to reach a ridge above Ulleri and Bhanthati villages, as the walk continues on the gradual winding path into the deep forest covered with tall rhododendron-magnolia-
pine-oak and fir trees. Slowly walk climbs higher side of the mid-hills to reach at charming Ghorepani village with blue painted houses serving as lodges for trekkers offering marvelous views of the Dhaulagiri range of peaks with Annapurna Mountain. Ghorepani situated on the old Trans-Himalayan Salt Trade Route of Nepal and Tibet where the route leads past towards Upper Mustang to Tibet Border called Karo-la. A wonderful spot in the midst of tall rhododendron trees, in spring the whole hills turn to magic when rhododendron flowers are in full blooms of different colors. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 05: Hike to Pun Hill and continue walking to Tadapani 2,680 m -06 hrs
Early morning hike for an hour or more uphill to Pun Hill on the highest spot of the adventure at above 3,210 m high offering striking sunrise views over a panorama of peaks that includes Dhaulagiri-Tukuche-Nilgiris-Annapurna and Manaslu range of mountains with majestic Machhapuchare Himal ‘Fish Tail peak’.Enjoying breathtaking super views of mountains with sunrise head back to Ghorepani for breakfast and continue trek heading uphill into rhododendron forest with fantastic views of peaks and then downhill with the last climb to reach Tadapani, located in the midst of a forest with superb views. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 06: Trek to Chhomrong 2,020 m -06 hrs
Leaving Tadapani, our trail descends to Kimrong river through the jungle of rhododendron. We then hike to Chhomrong going across the Gurung village. Chhomrong will bestow you close scenery of Mt. Annapurna south, Himchuli and Fishtail (Machhapuchhre). Tonight at Chhomrung. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 07: Trek to Dovan 2610 m -06 hrs
Today, we set off from Chhomrong and descend to Chhomrong stream and then make our way up to Dovan. On the way, we will be passing through amazing rhododendron woods. Overnight at the guest house in Dovan.Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 08: Trek to Deurali 3200 m -06 hrs
Today, we climb to Deurali through the rhododendron and bamboo forest. The place located on the ridge of Hinko Cave and it is the trail most stretch subject to avalanche. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 09: Trek to Annapurna base camp 4,131 m -06 hrs
We begin trekking up to Machhapuchhre base camp (3900m.) and then proceed to Annapurna base camp. The area is encircled by the peaks and is recognized as Annapurna Sanctuary. This set gives you an impressive view of huge peaks including Annapurna I, Barah Shikhar, Annapurna South, and many other giant peaks. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: From Annapurna Base Camp walk downhill to Bamboo 2,345 m – 06 hrs.
After a great fascinating time at Annapurna Base Camp and within a beautiful sanctuary, a long walk downhill to lower areas as the morning leads to a descend to Deurali past Machhapuchare Base Camp, then with few short ups and down following a gradual winding trail back into the green forested area to Bamboo for the overnight stay. A nice and pleasant spot a temporary settlement with lodges to cater to the needs of the trekkers located by the Modi River in a gorge within green bamboo and rhododendron forest. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Trek to Jhinu village 1,780m with Hot Spring – 06 hrs.
From Bamboo a short steep climb up to Khuldi Ghar, then on a winding downhill path into the dense forest to Sinuwa-Danda, and then our walk descends to Chomrong Khola. After crossing the bridge an uphill walk for less than an hour to reach at Chomrong village for short rest or lunch stop, after Chomrong a short up for half-hour reaching at the top of Chomrong ridge, from here our route descends to Jhinu-Danda for an overnight stay, this place offers refreshing hot springs just 20 minutes’ walk downhill near Modi river. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Trek to siwai and drive back to Pokhara
Eventually, it is our last day of trekking. We are walking sawai for 2 hours then return driving back to Pokhara. Meals included: Breakfast
Day 15: From Pokhara drive to Kathmandu 1,345 m – 06hrs.
After a wonderful time in the high mountains and hills, taking a morning driving journey back to Kathmandu, on reaching Kathmandu after 5-6 hours of nice interesting drive, transfer to respective hotels with the afternoon free at leisure or last day shopping souvenirs and handicrafts. Meals included: Breakfast
(Options by air 30 minutes flight back to Kathmandu with great views)
Day 16: International Departure for Homeward Bound.
Last day in Nepal in the country of high Himalayan mountains with fascinating culture, after a memorable time on Annapurna Base Camp Trekking with wonderful adventure and experience, as per your international flight time our staff transfers you to the airport for the flight homeward bound or to your next port of call and respective countries. Meals included: Breakfast