Alpine Explore Nepal
Himalayan of Nepal

Annapurna Base Camp Trek:

jomsom muktinathFor a short trek with few altitude problems, the Annapurna region provides you with unparalleled access to spectacular horizons of snowy peaks, so high that you'll find yourself looking twice before you believe that they are not clouds. As well as providing the views for which the trek is famous, the trail takes you through an ever-changing landscape of rice fields, misty forests and tiny local villages.

Itinerary

Day 01: Welcome to Kathmandu
Arrive Kathmandu airport; you will be met by the staff from our agency in Kathmandu. Transfer to the Hotel.

Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing
The following morning you will be taken on a ½ day Sightseeing tour of the many holy temples and interesting Surrounding sights of Kathmandu including the Sacred Pashupatinath Temple and Nepal's oldest city, Bhaktapur. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the many shops and bazaars and eating houses of Kathmandu.

Day 03: Kathmandu – Pokhara
Transferred by air or private transport for your 6 -hour drive to Pokhara, a beautiful town set on the banks of the Phewa Lake. It is smaller and much less hectic than Kathmandu and is the perfect starting point for our trek. Your first day in Pokhara can be spent just relaxing or you may enjoy a visit to the Tibetan Refugee Camp and Devi Falls. The remainder of the time is yours to enjoy either doing last minute shopping for the trek or packing your kitty bag for the following day's departure. The following morning you will begin your trek north of the Himalayas. You will climb gradually along the ridges that are the foothills of the Annapurna. Remember, however, that you are in the Himalayas and that 95 percent of the country is hilly and criss-crossed by numerous trails. There is very little flat land. If you take it slowly and walk at an even pace you should not experience any problems. You will pass through many villages where you will have ample time to take photographs and chat with the local people. Language is not a big problem as many of the local people speak English, your Guide will be happy to translate for you. There are many different ethnic groups along the trail, but the major people in this area are the Gurungs. Together with the Magar and Chhetri people, the Gurungs are famous as soldiers in the British Army, better known as Gurkhas. Along the trail the views of Machhapuchhre and the Annapurnas are magnificent. The various trails from which we can choose lead us towards such Himalayan giants as Dhaulagiri (8167m), Lamjung, Annapurna II, and Machhapuchhre (6993m). Climbing higher, the winding trail passes through magnificent forests of oak and rhododendron that line the southern foothills of the Himalaya. The terrain varies from sub-tropical valleys with banana trees and rice paddies to high ridges clad in thick rhododendron forest. In January and February these may well be covered in snow, while during March and April they will be a blaze of red rhododendron flowers.

You will visit the famous Poon Hill where you will hopefully be blessed with a fantastic sunrise and 360 deg view of all the Annapurna Range including Annapurna South (7272m) Annapurna I (8091m) with imposing views of the Mt. Dhaulagiri(8157m) and the Dhaulagiri Range to the West. The views here are breath taking as you sit and sip on a hot chocolate before heading down the main trail to Pokhara. Here you will be able to see how things have changed over the years since western man started visiting the Himalayas. One of the added advantages of lodge trekking is being able to sit and chat to the Sougi (Inn Keeper), whilst he spins you yarns about life in Nepal.

After Dovang, you will be walking through alpine meadow and breath taking views of mountains. The can be some avalanches problem in spring near Machhapuchhre Base Camp. Once you arrived at Annapurna Base Camp, you will be surrounded by snowcapped mountain sanctuary. The altitudes of this trek vary between about 915m at Pokhara to approx.4200m at Annapurna, going up and down will test the best pair of knees. The secret is, take it slowly

Day 04 Pokhara - Birethanti – Ulleri
Drive to Birethanti (1140m) from Pokhara. Walk through the lush, green Modi river valley, past waterfalls with plunge pools that invite you to swim. Ascend steep staircase to Magar village of Ulleri (2070m,) where you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the valley below and the peaks of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli.

Day 05 Ulleri – Ghorepani
A gentle climb through pasture and cultivated fields. As the trail climbs higher, you walk up beside the cascading river through refreshingly cool oak and rhododendron forest to Ghorepani (2840m.)

Day 06 Ghorepani – Tadapani
A short early-morning climb to the Deurali passes for a spectacular panorama over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas, and all the way south to the plains of India. Trail descends steeply through dense moss-covered forest rich with birdlife to Tadapani (2540m) for beautiful sunset views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre.

Day 07 Tadapani – Chhomrung
The trail drops down from Tadapani, through dense rhododendron forest. From Ghandrung there are good views of the upper Modi valley. The route starts the long ascent high above the west bank of the Modi Khola, and continues up to the village of Chhomrung (2040m.) Towering above the village is the mighty peak of Annapurna South, with the Fishtail facing it across the valley.

Day 08 Chhomrung -Himalayan Hotel
We walk through the forest to Kuldi Ghar , before the route goes steeply down a bank of rock and then levels out, running through riverside bamboo thickets along the base of the gorge. Then the track winds steeply up through deep bamboo and rhododendron forest to the village of Doban. We camp above Himalaya Hotel (2680m.)

Day 09 Annapurna South Glacier Basin
The track remains on the west bank of the Modi, now flowing through a more open valley, and eventually emerges into the Sanctuary. Straight ahead is the high lateral moraine of the South Annapurna glacier and the Modi follows a deep cliff to the right. This is the site of Machhapuchhre base camp (3480m) from which can be seen a spectacular panorama of mountains. We either camp here or continue north west, staying above the glacial moraine.

Day 10 Annapurna South Base Camp Visit
The route begins on a broad grassy path, before climbing over lateral moraine and down to the beautiful ablation valley. We soon reach the British Expedition Annapurna South Face Base Camp (4234m.) The best views are probably obtained from the crest of the moraine, which we follow until it is cut through by the glacier flowing down from Himal Chuli to the north.

Day 11 Annapurna South Base Camp – Dovan
Descend and follow the same route to a pleasant camp spot at Dovan, which lies on the boundary of the Sanctuary.

Day 12 Dovan - Modi Khola
The trail passes the small village of Khuldi Bikas, before continuing through rhododendron and bamboo fields to the Alpine-style village of Chhomrung. Stony steps climb steeply to Kabre Chautara and soon after we turn off for Landrung, leaving the Ghandrung path dropping away towards the river.

Day 13 Modi Khola – Dhampus
After an easy descent to the Gurung village of Landrung, the trail crosses a pass before arriving at the tiny village of Dhampus, perched high on a ridge.

Day 14 Dhampus – Pokhara
It's a short climb down to Phedi, where we meet the road and drive back to Pokhara. Sadly this is the last day of your trek you return to Pokhara. Pokhara will seem like a teeming metropolis after the serenity of the hill trails. You're last night in Pokhara is a great opportunity to throw a party for the Sherpas and porters.

Day 15: Drive to Kathmandu

Day 16: Free on your own shopping in Kathmandu.

Day 17:  Namaste departure flight to your destination.

 The following information will allow you to better plan your budget for tours or treks. A range of costs is given. These costs are dependant on:
  • The mix of Touring and/or general Trekking,
  • The remoteness of the areas visited,
  • The number of guides or porters required,
  • The standard of accommodation required (if there is a choice), 
  • The type of ground transport used,
  • The length of your visit, and
  • The size of your group.

Depending on group size the costs of treks and tours range from:
1 to 3 pax     US$ 88 to 163  P/p per night.
4 to 8 pax     US$ 78 to 148  P/p per night
9 to 14 pax.  US$ 75 to 135 P/p per night.
15 to 20 and above US$ 60 to 110 P/p per night
Single supplement US$ 40 to 70 per night.

Note: The itinerary and cost for Peak climbing, Mountaineering, Tibet, Bhutan and India tours and trek are conditional apply.

Notwithstanding the costs shown above, we can tailor tours to suit almost any budget. Feel free to email us for more information.
 
Note: One tour leader will be free of cost for tours with 15 or more paying guests only. 

Children's bellow three years is free if sharing with their parents. And need to pay if they are participating on the trekking, and above three to nine year children half of the price.

Cost Includes: Accommodation in 3 to 4 star hotels in the cites as your choice, basic accommodation in a lodge or tea house or camping (depending on your itinerary and choice) during treks, guides and porters on treks, all land transfers by private vehicle, 3 meals a day on treks, all jungle safaris, all sightseeing tours as per itinerary and all necessary entry fees, permits and airport transfers.
 
Cost Excludes: Personal expenses, domestic air tickets, airport tax, drinks (soft drink, mineral water and alcoholic beverages and hot-shower on the trek), personal insurance, and extra cost due to natural calamities or accidents outside of our control.

Remarks: The cost of the trip determines with the services included during the trip so that it might be varies with the services, hotel and transfer of your wish.

Please note that our guides speak the following English languages and if required we will provide your language spiking guide on extra cost.

Note: Please contact exploretrek@wlink.com.np for more information and prices.

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Contact Information:

Alpine Explore Nepal
P.O. Box: 4546, Kathmandu, Nepal
+977 1 4700714 / 4700175 / 4701974
Fax: +977 -1 - 4700970
Email: info@traveltrek.asia
          sales@traveltrek.asia
Skype Address: explore.alpine
MSN Messanger: explorealpine
Yahoo Messanger:explorealpine

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Our Guest Says

SteveAnyon-Smith
18 April 2000

This was my third trek in Nepal, having visited the Annapurna Region in 1995 and with Bharat and Dave in the beautiful and wildlife-filled Langstang Valley in1998. Bharat's company "Explore Alpine Adventure"....
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