Annapurna
Steps
Anne and Valerie on the trail ph Steve Long
Fishtail
Approaching the Sanctuary
Annapurna Sanctuary
Flowers
Annapurna Sanctuary area trek

Annapurna Base Camp and Sanctuary Trek – Nepal – 13 days

from £1,395.00

When?  September—March

The ABC Trek follows valleys of rich, verdant forest and sparkling mountain rivers, trekking through traditional Gurung villages. We reach a natural amphitheatre surrounded by panoramic views of towering 7,000m and 8,000m peaks, including Annapurna 1 and the spectacular Machhapuchhare (Fish Tail Mountain).

If you are  longing to visit somewhere beautiful and intense with snow-capped peaks of the Himalaya as a back drop then this is the trek for you.

The sanctuary will lead you through meadows and rice terraces to a gorge of rhododendron forests with icy rivers and majestic peaks.

Contact anne@freedomtrailtreks.com for more information

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  • Vacation Style Holiday Type
      Base camp, Peak Challenge
    • Activity Level Challenging
      4/8
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    All about the Annapurna Base Camp and Sanctuary Trek – Nepal – 13 days.

    Annapurna Basecamp, Nepal

    Duration:  13 days – 8 days of trekking

    Accommodation: 12 nights accommodation – Hotels, Mountain Huts

    About:  This classic trek in the Annapurna’s is one of the best for acclimatisation in Nepal The ABC Trek follows valleys of rich, verdant forest and sparkling mountain rivers, trekking through traditional Gurung villages. We reach a natural amphitheatre surrounded by panoramic views of towering 7,000m and 8,000m peaks, including Annapurna 1 and the spectacular Machhapuchhare (Fish Tail Mountain).

    Highlights

    • The natural amphitheatre of Annapurna Sanctuary, lush rice paddy fields and 7000m peaks.
    • Great trail and landscape, the closer you get to Annapurna Base Camp.
    • Group normally 2 to 12, plus leader and local staff. Min. age 16 yrs
    • Altitude maximum 4130m
    • Travel by private bus
    • Between 5 and 8 hours walking per day

    Nepal is a geographical and cultural kaleidoscope with numerous ethnicities, languages, and traditions. 

    Most nationalities require a visa for Nepal, which can be obtained in advance or on entry. The current cost of a visa on arrival is US$25 for 15 days, US$40 for 30 days or if extending your stay $100 for 90 days. The visa on arrival fee can be paid for in cash in US Dollars, Pounds Sterling or Euros. Application forms are available in the immigration hall (or for electronic passports, there are visa registration machines which, after inserting your passport, automatically fill out a form for you). You must first join the queue to pay the visa fee and then go to the relevant immigration desk to obtain your 15, 30 or 90-day visa stamp.  If you use the paper form to obtain a visa on arrival then you will also need one passport photo (a photo is not required if you use the electronic registration machines but we recommend you bring one with you anyway in case, for any reason, the machines cannot read your passport).

    Things to do, things to see: Culture, adventure, trekking.

    • The richness of the Kathmandu Valley with hundreds temples and 7 sites including UNESCO World Heritage sites: Bodnath stupa and Kathmandu Durbar Square. Kathmandu valley sees the Buddhist culture meet and mingle with the traditions of Hinduism.
    •  From the jungles to the highest Himalayan peaks, the country offers unlimited possibilities of hikes and treks.
    • With the opening of the Great Himalayan Trail crossing he country from East to West; Nepal now offers a totally new set of destinations.
    • To discover regions far from main tourist paths, please enquire.

    The main trekking season in Nepal is from October to mid-May when daytime temperatures at most altitudes are generally comfortable for walking, the sky is clear much of the time and rain and snow are occasional occurrences. Daytime temperatures will vary from 15ºC to 30ºC in the Kathmandu Valley to around 10ºC at 3,600m and progressively lower the higher we go. Different seasons offer different advantages for trekking. There can be snow in Annapurna Base Camp at any time of year.

    The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
    What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.
    • Airport pickup and dropoff services in a private vehicle according to the itinerary
    • B&B accommodation in Kathmandu valley
    • Kathmandu – Pokhara – Kathmandu transport by tourist bus
    • Accommodation in Pokhara as per the itinerary
    • Pokhara – Phedi and Nayapul – Pokhara transport in a private vehicle
    • Full board, breakfast, lunch and Dinner during the trek
    • Accommodation in tea houses
    • English speaking International Mountain Leader with satellite phone and group medical kit
    • Neccessary paperwork, all government and local taxes, VAT, service charges
    • Complimentary welcome or farewell dinner in Kathmandu
    Whats not included in this tour.Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.
    • International airfare, Nepalese visa, travel and medical insurance
    • Emergency evacuation
    • Personal expenses (bars and beverage bills, hot showers, telephone, laundry)
    • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
    • Services not mentioned in ‘Services Included’ section
    • Flights
    1. Day1 Arrival in Kathmandu (1310M / 4,297FT)
      Welcome to the city of temples and the Himalayas! We will welcome you at Kathmandu International Airport and drive you to your designated hotel in the Thamel area. Crowded bazaars still throng with colourful ethnic people today as they have
      for the past hundreds of years while roads are crowded with rickshaws, cars, roaring motorbikes and buses. Ancient temples and crumbling shrines sit alongside modern offices. You can explore the city and local markets with us and there are many gear shops to top up on any kit or literature on the area. In the evening you will meet your trekking guide who will explain the next days. Overnight: Shangri La Hotel, Kathmandu.
    2. Day 2 Drive to Pokhara (820M)

      7 hours  2 Star Hotel at Pokhara (810m) Eco Resort or Similar

      Based on the itinerary you will either take the tourist bus, private vehicle or flight to Pokhara. The drive is scenic throughout the countryside of Nepal. The flight is even more scenic over the Himalayan peaks.
    3. Day 3 Drive to Nayapul and walk to Ghorepani (2750m)

      4 hours  Guest house

      From Pokhara we drive for 1.5-2hrs around 40km up the Yamdi Khola valley into the mountains to Naya Pul.  From here we start our trek, passing small mountain villages as we ascend along a wooded valley followed by a steeper climb out of the valley and up to the village of Ulleri.

       Ulleri-Ghorepani : We start today by continuing to follow the higher ground above Ulleri, again surrounded by the woodland as we contour around to meet a valley bringing us up to the village of Ghorepani.  We will relax in Ghorepani and probably have quite an early night so that we can be up early the next day. 7km: 1960m-2750m (B,L,D inc)
    4. Day 4 Trek to Tadapani

      Ghorepani-Poon Hill-Tadapani (2869m): 9KM 6 hours – Guest house After enjoying the sunrise over Poon Hill (3290m) (optional) we drop back down to Ghorepani for breakfast. We set off through forests of giant Rhododendron following high ground before dropping into the valley and the village of Tadapani. (B,L,D)

    5. Day 5 Trekking to Chhomrong (2,170M / 7,119FT)

      Tadapani-Chomrong  10km, 7 hours  Guest house

      Tadapani-Chomrong : From Tadapani we drop down into a deep wooded valley then steeply up over a ridge and into yet another valley before ascending once more to contour around a shoulder to the village of Chomrong. This is a undulating fairly strenuous day but our time at higher elevations the day and night before will help us with the altitude. [10km; 2869m-2100m] (B,L,D inc) Chhomrong is the gateway to Annapurna Base Camp and is known as a Gurkha village. Enjoy beautiful views of Annapurna South (8091M) and Hiunchuli (6441M) from here.
      (B,L,D)
    6. Day 6 Trek to Sinuwa
      From Jhinu Danda you ascend until you reach the main Ghandrung to Chomrong trail. The trail then climbs more gently to a corner before making a long descent on stone steps to Chomrong village, the gateway to the Sanctuary. Weather-permitting, you will be treated to a surfeit of fantastic mountain views, which include Annapurna South, 7,220m, Hiunchuli, 21,132ft/6,441m, Annapurna III, 7,555m and Machhapuchare, 6,993m. From Chomrong the trail continues down on steps through terraced fields to cross the river. It’s another day with lots of ups and downs throughout the trail. You will first descend to Chhomrong Khola (stream), cross it and start ascending towards Sinuwa. Sinuwa is situated on top of a hill.
    7. Day 7 Trek to Deurail (3,230M / 10,597FT)
      Trek to Deurali via Bamboo, 3,200m – 7 hours
      From Sinuwa, an hour’s walk through forest brings you to the small village of Khuldi-ghar, where your trekking permit and conservation ticket is checked and registered. From here you descend on slabs and then climb gently upwards to a small place called Bamboo, (2,340M), named after the dense vegetation in this area. Another hour’s walk through bamboo forest, following the River Modi upstream, will bring you to another
      small settlement of Dovan, or Dobang. You then continue more steeply uphill, high above the river until you reach Himalaya at 2,870m. A few short steep climbs on and you arrive at Deurali.  Once you start ascending the Himalayan peaks also comes nearer to you. No doubt it is a difficult day but the beauties of nature makes you forget the tiredness. The route between Dovan and Himalayan Hotel (2,870M) is steep. You will stop here for lunch before commencing second part of the trail to Deurali for overnight.

       

    8. Day 8 Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130M / 13,549FT)
      Trek to Machhapuchare Base Camp, 3,658m  3-4 hours.
      We pass through beautiful high alpine forests along with beautiful Himalayan views of snowy peaks. The walk through several spots known for avalanches is not less adventurous and challenging. If it is a trek in monsoon season we may need to find the alternative way to protect ourselves from avalanches coming from the top of the hills. Walking uphill for some hours we will reach Machhapuchhre Base Camp through a narrow valley – the ”gate” to the sanctuary.  Climbing further from Machhapuchhre Base Camp we may head towards Annapurna Base Camp where you will be surrounded by snow-capped white peaks from every side and the views are miraculous. There are few places on this planet that feel so magical.
    9. Day 9 Trek back to Bamboo (2,340M / 7,677FT)

      6 hours  Guest house

      Enjoy our last morning in the high Himalayas before we follow the same route to reach Bamboo. You can enjoy taking pictures and watching sunrise over the Himalayas before getting the breakfast. From here we will descend down via Machhapuchhre Base Camp, Deurali, Himalaya Hotel and Dovan to reach Bamboo for another night.
    10. Day 10 Trek to Jhinu (1,780M / 5,839FT)
      5 hours  Guest house
      The trail from Bamboo to Jhinu is same as we followed on earlier days. From Bamboo we will start the walk after short climbing before we reach Khudi Ghar. From Khudi Ghar the trail slowly drops down to Sinuwa. From Sinuwa the trail again goes down until we cross Chhomrong Khola from where another uphill walk to Chhomrong village starts. From Chhomrong village we will have to do a sharp descend down to Jhinu. Here if time permits then you can enjoy natural hot spring bath.
    11. Day 11 Trek to Nayapul (1,070M / 3,510FT), drive to Pokhara
       8 hours  2 Star Hotel at Pokhara Eco Resort or Similar
      Probably, this is the easiest day during the whole trek. The trail from Jhinu to Nayapul is mostly flat followed by Modi River.The trail passes through New Bridge, Kyuimi Village and Syauli Bazaar, Chimrong and Birenthati before we conclude our trek in Nayapul. It is a flat walk through rice paddies and green hills on the side. From Nayapul you will be transferred to Pokhara by a private vehicle. Enjoy another night in this beautiful city before we head to Kathmandu to end up this magical adventure.
    12. Day 12 Drive back to Kathmandu (1310M / 4,297FT)

      7 hours  2 Star Hotel

      We will follow the same highway through beautiful rivers, hills and small Nepalese settlements. The drive will take about 7 hours to drop us in Kathmandu. From the tourist bus park you will be transferred to your hotel. In the evening you can explore the town probably buying souvenirs.
      (Optional flight with extra charges)
    13. Day 13 Departure from Kathmandu

       30 minutes

      Enjoy your last morning meal in this beautiful Himalayan country before we conclude our memorable Himalayan experience. We will drop you to the airport prior to your flight.
      ”End of Our Services”
    Annapurna
    Accommodation
    • 12 nights accommodation hotels and tea houses
    • Almost all lodges have electricity but it is not wholly reliable and lighting may not be bright enough to read by – a torch is essential. Electrical charging facilities are generally available only in the dining room (charged at approx. Rs150-350 per hour per device). Many of the lodges use solar power so sometimes there is not enough electricity for charging. Many lodges have Wi-Fi these days – in some areas it works well but in others it is slow and temperamental.
    • The bedrooms are now almost all twin share.
    • Above Chhomrong the lodges are controlled by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project and for conservation, there is a limit to the number of lodges that can be built and the number of rooms per lodge. This means that the rooms have more than 2 beds and often have 3/4/5 beds per room.
    • Due to the limited accommodation available, the lodges will not allow us to book twin rooms on these nights, even if we pay a higher price. Your leader will try his best to sort the rooms out fairly but please be aware that you will be in multi-bedded rooms for some nights.
    • Beds with foam mattresses, bed sheets and a pillow are provided. Bedrooms are generally unheated and can get cold at night so you will need to bring or hire a sleeping bag.

    Point-to-point walking with day sack only

    Porterage provided for your additional items. More detailed information provided on booking.

    We believe in following the guidelines set by Porters Progress

    Perfect for: 
    Experienced hikers who want to immerse themselves in the stunning Himalayan mountains – as well as tick off the bucket list one of the most famous treks worldwide.

    This trip will run with a minimum of 2 people and a maximum of 12. If you are the only person booked onto this tour, it will come with a single supplement cost of £250.

    Your host recommends to pack the following:

    • 1 backpack or travel bag up to 15kg
    • 2 pair lightweight trousers
    • Sunglasses
    • 1 small daypack (20-30l)
    • Trainers
    • Money belt
    • Sunhat / warm hat
    • Mosquito repellent
    • 1 head torch
    • 1 Swiss army knife
    • 1 Swimming costume
    • 1 pair shorts/breathable
    • Underwear (including thermals)
    • Personal medication / first aid kit
    • 1 Washing kit
    • 1 pair of strong walked-in mountain boots
    • 1 four-season sleeping bag (comfortable to -15c)
    • 1 down jacket / All-weather anorak
    • 1 water bottles (1.5 ltrs.)
    • 1 pair waterproof over trousers and mini gaiters
    • 1 Inner sleeping bag (silk)
    • 1 Medium sized towel
    • 1 Fleece/warm sweater and down gillet
    • 2 Long sleeve light  breathable tops
    • Warm waterproof gloves
    • 2 pairs of trekking or running socks, 2 pairs light socks
    • Buff or similar
    • Waterproof pack cover
    • Sunblock / lotions
    • Water purifying tablets (if you don’t want to buy bottled water)
    • Personal snacks

    Getting there and away?
    Kathmandu is accessible via the Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). Book whichever flight suits you best. Your host will contact you before you leave to check your arrival and departure plans.

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