Annapurna Base Camp Trek & Sanctuary Trekking

Annapurna Base Camp and Sanctuary Trekking is a magnificent destination amidst the amphitheater of giant snow-dusted mountains.

Annapurna Base Camp and Sanctuary Trekking is an adventure for all travelers and age groups. The walk reaches you to the heart of the staggering and towering Annapurna Himalayan range of peaks.

Stand beneath Mt. Annapurna-I, which soars high at 8,091 m/26,545 feet, the first 8,000-meter peak ever climbed in the history of mountaineering.

Summited by French Expeditions in 1950. An interesting walk following the Modi River upstream right up to its glacial source at Annapurna Base Camp. The highest point of the adventure is at 4,130 m, within an array of peaks of massif Annapurna Himalayas. It is the shortest and most scenic base camp trek in the Himalayan region, starting and ending at beautiful Pokhara.

The journey follows to the mid-hills and traditional Gurung villages of Ghandruk. Then heading up and down to Chomrong, the last permanent village and the gateway to Annapurna Base Camp.

From Chomrong onwards walking on the wilderness within pristine forest to reach Modi River gorge at Bamboo and Dovan. A temporary settlement with several simple lodges. As the walk progresses heading for a steep climb above the tree lines to reach Machhapuchare Base Camp.

Located bottom of staggering Mt. Machhapuchare Himal the famous Fish Tail peak. Then entering the picturesque Sanctuary, the name given by early pioneers and explorers, as the Sanctuary of Gods or Mountain spirits.

Annapurna Sanctuary is an overwhelming valley enclosed and well-hidden by towering snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna Himalayan range.

Finally, the walk leads beneath the gigantic Annapurna-I, Vara Shikar/ Annapurna Fang, and Annapurna South peaks.

Enjoy the glorious scenery of Snow Mountains in the comfort of a nice lodge, and rooms with a view. Enjoying a wonderful experience at Annapurna Base Camp and the Sanctuary, return journey downhill with few ups to Chomrong.

From Chomrong, on an alternative route down to Jhinu village, a place with natural hot springs to enjoy.

Enjoying a fabulous time and experience on the hills of Annapurna Himalayas. Then concluding the walks with an exciting drive back to beautiful Pokhara.

The best about this great adventure to Annapurna Base Camp & Sanctuary Trekking. A combination with all the highlights of the southern region of Annapurna Himalayas, with Ghorepani and scenic Poon Hill. Which makes this treks more exciting and worth the experience.

Highlights

• Enjoy the scenic and cultural walks to the picturesque Annapurna Sanctuary.
• An amazing journey from green mid-hills towards arctic zone of ice and glaciers.
• Walking amidst enchanting woods of tall rhododendrons, pines and oak trees.
• Constant views of stunning snow peaks of Annapurna Himalayas on daily walks.
• Stand beneath the world’s tenth highest Mt. Annapurna-I at scenic base camp.

Short Trek Summary

Mode of Trekking: In the best available Tea-House( Lodges)

Trekking Grade:  Moderate 

Highest point: At Annapurna Base Camp 4,130 meters or 13,550 feet.

Areas of Trekking: Nepal Mid-West, Gandaki Zone, Annapurna Himalayas.

Start and Ending Point: Thirkhedhunga-Ulleri villages and ends at Landrung  Village and to scenic renowned tourist destinations.

Total trekking mileage: Roughly 87 km / 54.5 miles. From Tikhedhunga to end at Landruk village. 

Trekking Duration: 09 Nights and 10 Days with drives from Pokhara to Pokhara.             

Total Trip in Nepal: 14 Nights and 15 Days from arrival to final departure.

Best Seasons For Annapurna Base Camp & Sanctuary Trekking

The best time and seasons for Annapurna base camp, and Sanctuary trekking, or other adventures in Nepal Himalayas. Spring and Autumn / Fall seasons. The spring begins in March and ends in May, a lively time for pleasant walks and scenic views. Most days are fine and clear with enough sunshine hours till late afternoon from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

It can get overcast in the afternoon sometimes, with chances of light rains and snowfalls. Days are much longer with sunlight hours, but cold morning and late afternoon till nighttime. Depending upon altitude and overnight stops en route to Annapurna Base Camp.

Spring is the best time for nature lovers, when wildflowers are in seasonal bloom, especially the rhododendrons of various species. The next best season is autumn/fall, where most days are bright, with sunny days for clear views. The autumn/fall starts from September to December, one of the high seasons in Nepal for trekking. Days are fine with crystal clear blue sky, The morning and late afternoon until the nighttime are cold, and chances of light snowfall above 2,500 m high. 

Interested trekkers can also enjoy Annapurna Base Camp treks in the winter time of Christmas and New Year Holidays. Most days are clear with blue sky, but shorter days are due to limited sunlight hours from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and colder.

The Routes And Trails To Annapurna Base Camp

Trekkers joining for Annapurna Base Camp or other adventures around Nepal Himalayas must be aware. Nepal is a country of high land of mid-hill to higher mountainous landscapes and terrains. The walk leads to an up and downhill path with few gradual sections to enjoy. 

The only flatland is the low sub-tropical Terai belt around southern Nepal. En routes to Annapurna Base Camp, start with steep ups for some hours with a few short downhill. From the Deurali 3,300 m onwards to Machhapuchare Base Camp at 3,720 m high, is a steep up for a few hours. 

But once entering the sanctuary from Machhapuchare Base Camp, the walk gets pleasant on a gradual winding path. To reach Annapurna Base Camp, the return route to Jhinu, the ending point of the trek is downhill. Then short climbs and back to long descent on stone paved steps around the villages.

Culture And Religion En Route To Annapurna Base Camp

Nepal is a country of great diversity of landscape and people with their age-old religions, cultures, and heritage. The mid-hill people around the Annapurna Himalayas and Mid-West Nepal are the Magar and Gurung the hill tribe. The Gurung are the inhabitants of the southern hills of the Annapurna Himalayas. 

On trek visit the major villages of Ghandruk and Chomrong with the Gurung people. Follow Buddhist religion and culture as well as the Bon sect of pre-Buddhism, worship of nature and mountain spirits. 

Every house is adorned with Buddhist prayer flags of white, blue, red, green, and brown. These are the main five elements on Earth, cloud or water, thunderbolt or fire, vegetation, and soil. The Gurung also practiced Shamanism, an ancient religion characterized by the belief in an unseen world of gods, demons, and ancestral spirits.

Gurung also celebrates Hindu festivals, but their main event is called Tamu Lhosar. New Year is based on animals and bird cycles. At present (2023) year of the Rabbit. Which falls in December or January is similar to Tibetan and Chinese New Year but with different months. At Ulleri and Ghorepani villages inhabited by the Poon-Magar Hill Tribe follows both Hindu and Buddhist religions.

Foods, Accommodation And Lodges Facilities

Food and accommodation are important, besides the best seasons for trekking to Annapurna Base Camp. After staying in a nice tourist standard hotel in Pokhara, the food and lodge accommodation around villages. 

En route to designated overnight stops in main villages like Ulleri, Ghorepani, Chomrong, and Jhinu. The lodge accommodation is nice and with a comprehensive food menu to enjoy the various items of food served upon request. In Nepal, the favorite and common meal is Nepali Dal Bhat, boiled or steamed rice.

Served with mild curry of seasonal vegetables, including Dal, a lentil bean soup with homemade pickles, and hot sauce as options. The food menu lists from breakfast, lunch, and dinner to snack items. Breakfast from oats porridge, and cereals to cornflakes with toast/ chapattis, and pancakes includes a choice of egg variation. 

Lunch and Dinner from Continental, Chinese, Indian, Nepali and Tibetan main course with a choice of soups but cook in nepali style. The lodge accommodation and food are best in Ghandruk, Chomrong, and Jhinu villages, from Chomrong to Annapurna Base Camp the lodge accommodation has basic facilities but with nice and cozy rooms.

For private, or single rooms supplements, are available depending on the flow of trekkers. After Chomrong, the places en route are temporary settlements with lodges for travelers. The rooms are on a shared basis with common bathrooms and toilets due to harsh terrain conditions. The plumbing systems for running cold waters freeze in the morning, evening, and nighttime. 

Due to freezing temperatures from Deurali onward, using hot showers is at an extra cost. All lodges have electricity to light the large dining room powered by local hydro or solar power. For charging electronic items, at an extra cost per hour and for each gadget. Internet and Wi-Fi are available, but it is slow and disturbing in some places due to weather conditions.   

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu

Day 02: Sightseeing tour inside valley or hiking aroun Kathmandu-shopping for the trek in thamel.

Day 03: Fly to Pokhara 822 m (30 mins)-drive to Tikhedhunga (1425 m) 2 hours of ride-trek uphill to Ulleri village (2,050 m)  1.5 hours of trek. 

Day 04: Trek to Ghorepani village (2,874 m)  5 hours trek.

Day 05: Ascend to Poon Hill (3210m) 30 minutes descend to Tadapani (2,640 m)-06 hrs trek

Day 06: Trek to Chhomrong village (1,940 m)-05 hrs trek.

Day 07:  Trek to Bamboo (2,050 m) - 06 hrs trek

Day 08:  Trek to Deurali 3200m-06 hrs trek

Day 09:  Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130 m) - 03 hrs trek

Day 10:  Trek to Bamboo (2,050 m) - 06 hrs trek

Day 11:  Trek to Jhinu Danda (1,700 m) - 06 hrs trek-enjoy the hotspring overnight at guest house

Day 12:  drive to Pokhara- 04 hrs. 

Day 13: flight to Kathmandu

Day 14: rest day in Kathmandu

Day 15: departure from Kathmandu

Please note: Woman Adventures (P) Ltd. encourages women as guides, porters, and staff in all our treks and tours to uplift women's empowerment. This itinerary allows for acclimatization and gradual altitude gain, which is crucial for avoiding altitude sickness. It also includes a side trip to Poon Hill, which offers stunning sunrise views over the Annapurna range. Also offers hotspring at jhinu dada to relax after the trek.