“Annapurna area is globally recognized with various prestigious awards such as the Deutscher Rieseburo-Verband of Tourism and Environment; the Tourism for Tomorrow – Worldwide; the Tourism for Tomorrow – Asia Pacific; WWW’s J. Paul Getty Conservation Award; and UNESCO’s Global 500 Award.”
Annapurna Conservation Area is located in the northwest of Nepal. It is the largest protected conservation area; covers 7,629 square Kilometers. Beginning base from 790 meters, the area’s highest altitude Mt. Annapurna I reaches 8091m. first climbed by the French. Annapurna Region forms the watershed of the rivers like Kali Gandaki, Seti, Modi Khola and Marshangdi.
Annapurna region comprises mountain peaks, alpine pastures, trans-Himalayan valleys, forests, lakes, glaciers; rivers, waterfalls, caves and cultivated lands. The Inner Himalaya valleys (above 3600m.) such as Mustang and Manang Valley. Annapurna is very famous for trekking. It is the most visited trekking area in Nepal. More than 60,000 visitors/trekkers simply visit the Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna base camp, Ghorepani-Poon Hill and around every year.
The area has entire habitat gradient from sub-tropical sal forest to perennial snow harboring 28 ecosystems. So far, only 456 vascular plants including 38 orchid species and 9 rhododendron species have been recorded here. Annapurna area is the home to 101 species of mammals, 478 species of birds, 41 -species of reptiles and 23 type of amphibians. The symbolic mammal species are Snow leopard, Musk dear, Tibetan wolf, Wild ass, Tibetan antelope, Crane and Pheasants.
Walkers Expedition offers an excellent introduction to Nepal and Annapurna Base Camp trekking package to the Himalayas. Annapuna Base Camp trek is naturally, culturally and bio-diversitically most famous and interesting trek in Nepal. The Annapurna Base Camp 8 days trek begins from Pokhara / Nayapul: a 1½hr drive north of the city. The trail gradually ascends the glacial Modi Khola Valley, carrying melt water from the ring of peaks above. Forests of oak, rhododendron, and bamboo line the route. Friendly villages on terraced slopes high above the river will welcome you along the way to your trek.
The climax is reached in the spectacular Annapurna Sanctuary where the Machhapuchhare (Fish Tail) Base Camp, is followed by ABC (4,130m/13,550ft). Here you will be surrounded by an immense wall of rock and ice Himalaya’s heights in U-shaped valley. The scene early morning at sunrise is breathtaking.
The downward journey requires 2-3 nights; passing hot spring en-route. Then a short trek to Phedi One and half hour drive back to your hotel at Pokhra; and a relaxing afternoon. The drive back to Kathmandu is through scenic Middle Hill agricultural, River and terraced lands to the east.
Day 01: Pokhara – Nayapul – Ghandruk. (2,010m/ 6593 ft) 1½hr drive, ~10km, 5-6 hrs trek
Day 02: Ghandruk – Chhomrong (2,210m/7,249ft) - 10km, 4-5 hors trek
Day 03: Chomorong to Himalaya Hotel ~12km, 6-7 hrs
Day 04: Himalaya – Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m/13,546ft), 4-5 hrs
Day 05: Annapurna Base Camp – Sinuwa 18km, 8-9 hrs
Day 06: Sinuwa – Jhinu Danda (1,780m/5,859ft) – Landruk (1,565m/5,133ft), ~12km, 6-7 hrs,
Day 07: Landruk – Phedi – Pokhara (910m/2,986ft), 5-6 hrs, ~10km, 22km, 40 min drive
Day 01Pokhara – Nayapul – Ghandruk. (2,010m/ 6593 ft) 1½hr drive, ~10km, 5-6 hrs trekAfter breakfast, drive zigzag road to Nayapul and continue to rough road to Shauli and begin the trek to chomorong a last gurung village on the way Modi Khola (which carries the melt water from the Annapurna South Glacier). Walk upstream through terraced field, then cross the suspension bridge and ascend, with breathtaking views of Machhapuchhare (Fish tail), Hiunchuli and Annapurna South. climb to the beautiful village of Chomorong: with great views of the valley gorge.
Overnight at Lodge in Ghandruk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 02Ghandruk – Chhomrong (2,210m/7,249ft) - 10km, 4-5 hors trekOvernight at Lodge in Chomorong
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 03Chomorong to Himalaya Hotel ~12km, 6-7 hrsThe path heads north east of the village crosses suspension bridge over the Kimrong Khola. and exposed trail past pastures to a ridge, before descending into a green bamboo forest at Bamboo. After lunch, the trail climbs out of the valley through stands of bamboo forest Himalaya and finally reach to Deurali.
Overnight at Lodge in Himalaya
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 04Himalaya – Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m/13,546ft), 4-5 hrsAfter breakfast, the trail climbs and the altitude increases, forest gives way to alpine scrub and grasses. The valley walls steepen with the river raging far below. Explore the cave at Hinku before crossing a ravine and major avalanche track prior to reaching Deurali (3,230m/10,598ft). Breathtaking views into the sacred Annapurna Sanctuary gradually appear as the trail heads over a ridge and climbs to the Machhapuchhare Base Camp (3,700m/12,136ft). Another two hours slow walk up grassy slopes leads to the Annapurna Base Camp hotels on the Annapurna South glacial moraine: some 3,900m/12,800ft beneath the peaks crowning the surrounding ice walls. to MBC after crossing several avalanche chutes before reaching the ABC.
Overnight at Lodge in Annapurna Base Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 05Annapurna Base Camp – Sinuwa 18km, 8-9 hrsA pre-dawn wakeup call promises unforgettable views and photo opportunities from the rim of the glacier. A circle of peaks from Hiunchuli, past Annapurna South to the vast ice wall topped by Annapurna I (8,091m/26,46ft) and Khangsar Kang towering above you round, to Gangapurna, Annapurna III and Machhapuchhare. Below, in its U-shaped valley the glacier grinds relentlessly. After breakfast, retrace your steps slowly down to Sinuwa for a more comfortable night.
Overnight at Lodge in Sinuwa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 06Sinuwa – Jhinu Danda (1,780m/5,859ft) – Landruk (1,565m/5,133ft), ~12km, 6-7 hrs,Today’s route descends to the Chhomrong Khola before climbing the stairs back to Chhomrong. It then descends steeply to Jhinu Danda for lunch and a dip in the hot springs at the river below the village. Later, cross the Modi Khola at New Bridge and climb steeply to Landruk, with good views behind you.
Overnight at Lodge in Landruk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 07Landruk – Phedi – Pokhara (910m/2,986ft), 5-6 hrs, ~10km, 22km, 40 min driveThe trail continues through scattered trees and bushes to the village of Tolka before beginning a steep and attractive two hour ascent to Deorali. This bustling hilltop village looks back towards the high peaks with an extended view of the Annapurnas from Dhaulagiri (8,167m/26,796ft: the highest peak in western Nepal) across to its right flank. It also offers scintillating views over the Pokhara Valley and Phewa Lake to the south.
The trail then descends, over slippery red clays when wet, through forests and farmland to Pothana and on down to the large village of Dhampus. A further short downward walk leads to Phedi and the Pokhara-Baglung Highway. A car will return you to your hotel in Pokhara – and a free afternoon.
Trekking distances and times are approximate: times differ widely from group to group.
