Table of Content:
- Introduction Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
- Information about Annapurna Region Trek
- 12 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary
- Necessary Trekking Gears
Annapurna Base Camp trek is one of the easiest and most liked Nepal trekking packages that every visitor craves for experiencing. This trek takes you up to the Annapurna Base Camp elevation (4,130m) serving you with the natural beauty and cultural variety. Also known as Annapurna Sanctuary trek, it drives you along some really beautiful ethnic villages conserving their ancient culture and tradition. One of the most popular touristic destinations in Nepal, Pokhara is the base station for starting Annapurna Base Camp trekking.
Trek to Annapurna Base Camp offers you with the best panoramic vistas of the snowy peaks of Annapurna Massif and Dhaulagiri range. Dense forests of rhododendron, pine and oak trees sheltering diverse species of wildlife and vegetation give you the soothing experience. En route you feel as if the silvery peaks like Annapurna Massif, Mt. Machhapuchhre, Singa Chuli Peak, Gandarva Chuli etc. are welcoming you. The natural beauty of Annapurna region attracts the visitors again and again if they have been there once in life.
Annapurna Sanctuary trek is popular among the tourists from around the world for its cultural point of view. You find some of the culturally rich villages like Ghandruk, Tadapani, Dhampus and Ghorepani offering you the best rustic settings in Annapurna region. People in these villages are really wonderful human beings who consider that their guests are gods and already ready for helping them. Most of the villages here have Gurung ethnic communities preserving their culture and tradition in its original forms.
You can experience home stay facilities during Annapurna Sanctuary trek where you can eat and enjoy the local cuisines and know their hospitality. Interacting with the local people, you can not only taste their dishes but also be familiar with their lifestyle and quality of food. Annapurna Ghandruk trek shows you Gurung Museum which helps you witness the history, lifestyle, culture, tradition, cultural dress and jewelry of them. The surrounding of these villages are really welcoming you again and again because they are really organized and clean.
In Pokhara, you can enjoy a lot by doing many things from strolling to boating; from paragliding to zip flying. Phewa Lake boating is a unique experience of the enchanting landscapes and peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Flying like a bird from Sarankot on a hot air balloon gives you the aerial view of the surrounding of Pokhara. You can try paragliding in Pokhara to get the pleasant scenery of Pokhara vicinity including a distant view of Manaslu region.
You can scale Annapurna Base Camp trek throughout the year as it is not much hard to do it. However, spring and autumn are the best time to trek Annapurna region for the 360-degree panoramic view of the snowcapped peaks and wonderful landscapes. Annapurna trek in autumn is the most blissful as the jungle forests are beautified further by the colorful rhododendron flowers.
You can find Annapurna Base Camp trek itinerary from 7 days to 18 days. But, for the complete enjoyment of Annapurna region, A1 Excursion Adventure has offered you Annapurna base Camp trek 12 days itinerary. Annapurna Base Camp trek can be customized by consulting A1 Excursion to best fit your vacation, budget and other circumstances. You can reach us either via phone calls, emails or web booking services to get the best budget Annapurna Base Camp trek.
12 Days Annapurna Base Camp Trek Itinerary:
Day 01: Drive to Dhampus Phedi (1,130m/3,707ft) and Trek to Pothan (1,900m/6,234ft) -4/5 Hours
Your trek to Annapurna Base Camp starts from Dhampus, Phedi where you are going to reach by a private bus or jeep. From the lake city Pokhara, Phedi lays far about one and half hours’ drive. From Phedi, Annapurna Base Camp trek starts from Pothana, one of the cultural villages in the Annapurna region. The trail goes past some cultural villages like Landruk and Tolka surrounded by beautiful oak forests. From Pothana, you can enjoy a magnificent sunset view of the glittering peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range. You can enjoy the local organic cuisines and get to know about hospitality as well.
Day 02: Trek to Jhinu Danda (1,700m/5,577ft) - 6 Hours
The trekking trail ascends towards Khuldi Ghar, a village where some local youths have started experimental sheep farming. By following the stone-paved path penetrating the rhododendron and bamboo forests, you reach Sinuwa village. Then walking uphill and downhill, you reach Jhinu Danda for the night stay. Jhinu Danda is famous for natural hot spring where you can take a bath to recover from the travel fatigue. The senior citizens believe that taking a bath in this hot spring; you can get rid of any kind of skin diseases. You can stroll around the village which offers you a lot of natural beauty and cultural diversity.
Day 03: Trek to Bamboo (2,310m/7,579ft) - 5/6 Hours
By walking along the banks of the Modi River, you will reach Bamboo village to spend the night in a local teahouse. The surrounding of the river is amazing mixture of green forests and wonderful landscapes which gives you a new thrilling experience. After walking about 6 hours, you are in Bamboo at an elevation of 2,345 meters showing you the typical lifestyle, culture and tradition.
Day 04: Trek to Deurali (3,200m/10,499ft) – 5 Hours
Bamboo Deurali trekking trail ascends across a dense bamboo forests towards Deurali. On the way, you come to see Hinku Cave, a night rest station and food supply depot in the past. The Annapurna Base Camp trekkers used to take shelter in this cave as the teahouses weren’t built in the past. You spend the night at Deurali, a traditional village keeping its socio-cultural aspects intact.
Day 05: Trek to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700m/12,139ft) – 4 Hours
Today is one of the most memorable days of the entire Annapurna Base Camp trekking package. You are climbing towards Machhapuchhre Base Camp at the elevation of 3,700m for the night station. Mt. Machhapuchhre is a virgin peak also known as Fishtail Mountain Peak that serves you with a classic view of the Pokhara valley. Machhapuchhre Base Camp trek rewards you with the beautiful snowy peaks and amazing terrain. The unique feature of the Machhapuchhre vicinity is that non-veg items are not allowed here as it is a sacred place of Hindus and Buddhists. Occasional sight of Himalayan Pheasant (Lophophorus), Nepal’s national bird is another beauty of Machhapuchhre Base Camp trek.
Day 06: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m/13,550ft) and Descend to Dovan (2,600m/8,530ft) – 7 Hours
You get the most remarkable moment of the popular Annapurna region trekking as you reach the highest elevation of Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m). You enter into the Annapurna Sanctuary along a sacred valley where the forests become less dense. The Annapurna valley offers you a wonderful sight of natural gorgeousness accompanied by majestic Himalayan view. The eye-catching sight of Annapurna Massif glittering in the sunshine can’t be expressed in any words. Annapurna Glacier is yet another attraction of Annapurna Base Camp trek, one of the most visited tourist destinations in Nepal.
After relishing the enchanting view of the Annapurna region from the base camp, you descend towards Dovan for the night rest at a teahouse. Enjoying the magnificent view of Mt. Machhapuchhre, Mt. Annapurna I, the trekking to Dovan is amazingly memorable.
Day 07: Trek to Chhomrong (2,170m/7,119ft) – 5 Hours
Dovan Chhomrong trekking trail descends through rhododendron and bamboo forests that shelter many species of birds and animals. You follow a comparatively easy trail, which gives you a better chance to learn about avalanche threat and weather conditions of Annapurna Sanctuary. Chhomrong village is famous for proactive Aama Samuha (Mother’s Group) which has helped to promote tourism in this region. Mothers are involved in cleaning and maintaining the trekking trail to and from Annapurna Base Camp trek. They perform cultural shows with traditional singing and dancing in their cultural dress and jewelry items to entertain you in the evening. You get a complete different taste of local cultural flavor while spending the night at Chhomrong village.
Day 08: Trek to Jhinu Danda (1,780m/5,840FT) – 3 Hours
By experiencing the fully unleashed view of the beautiful snowy peaks and lush green forests, you will reach Jhinu Danda for spending the night. To recharge your energy for further ascend you can take a hot bath at the hot spring situated in this village.
Day 09: Trek to Ghandruk (2,100m/6,890ft) – 4/5 Hours
Today’s Annapurna Base Camp trekking lasts at Ghandruk, a cultural village intact with its centuries-long culture and tradition. Ghandruk village is famous for Gurung Cultural Heritage trek as there is a Gurung Museum which has protected the ethnic identity of Gurung people. The stone-paved path, clean surrounding and hospitality are other reasons that attract the visitors to Ghandruk. Ghandruk trek comes first in the bucket list of the trekkers as there is no threat of altitude sickness. You can witness the mesmerizing observation of Annapurna I, Gangapurna, Mt. Machhapuchhre and Dhaulagiri range as if talking to you!
Day 10: Trek to Tadapani (2,630m/8,629ft) – 5/6 Hours
By walking across rhododendron and oak jungles, the trail moves further to Tadapani, one of the assets always inviting the visitors. The gurgling natural waterfalls and chirping of birds really encourage you to appreciate their beauty and welcoming mood. On the way, you can taste some dairy products like yogurt, buttermilk and ever milk as the local people rear buffalos. Tadapani is one of the vantage points for Annapurna II, III & IV and Lamjung Himal including other snowcapped peaks. You can have one of the best sunrise and sunset view from Tadapani for your lifelong memories.
Day 11: Trek to Ghorepani (2,874m/9,429ft) – 4 Hours
Today, you begin your Tadapani Ghorepani trek by walking the stone-paved path which are expansive and really neat. It is an important part of Ghorepani Poonhill trekking, which is famous for sunrise and sunset view in Annapurna region. The lively outlook of fields with different crops, small rustic villages and lush forests are the pulling factor to publicize tourism in this region.
The stone-paved trail is really amazing that is the main path to interconnect many remote villages of Annapurna region. You spend the night at a teahouse that has comparatively better amenities for the luxury of the trekkers to and from this village. You can celebrate your accomplishment of Annapurna Base Camp trek 12 days itinerary in Ghorepani station.
Day 12: Trek to Hile (1,430m/4,692ft) and Drive to Pokhara via Nayapul (1,070m/3,510ft) – 5/6 Hours + 1.5 Hours
This is the last trekking day of Annapurna Base Camp trek 12 days itinerary and you are going back to Pokhara for the night rest. You will go past some cultural villages like Ulleri and Tikhedhung, which are inhabited by Magar ethnic community en route Hile. Ulleri, situated at the bottom of a foothill, is famous for its stone staircases built in a perfect artistic style. By experiencing the beautiful oak and rhododendron woodlands, you will reach Hile. From Hile, you will catch a private bus or jeep to reach Pokhara via Nayapul enjoying the awesome natural and cultural sites.
Necessary Trekking Gears:
- Duffel or Rucksack bag (Provided)
- Down Sleeping bag (Provided)
- Down Jacket (Provided)
- Daypack
- Hiking pants
- Waterproof & Windproof jacket
- Rain coat or Umbrella
- Full-sleeves shirts
- Jumper or Fleece jacket
- Pair of T-shirts
- Trekking Boots (water proof is better)
- Sandal, Toilet paper
- Cotton thick socks (2 pair), Woolen socks to wear with boots
- Sun-hat & fleece hat
- Gloves
- Scarf
- Sun block for lips
- Sun lotion
- Goggles or Sunglasses
- Thermal long underwear sets
- Insulated pants
- Trekking poles
- Wind breaker pants
- Water bottle
- Flash light or Head light, Batteries
- Swiss army Knife
- Personal Dry Towel
- Personal toiletries and medication which should be labeled
- Crampons
- Snow leg Gaiters