Big Sky Treks and Expeditions Nepal: Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Poonhill

View from Annapurna Base camp

Annapurna Base Camp Trekking Route is one of best moderate . This trek combines the breathtaking Himalayan vista with incredible cultural diversity at its best. Hiking through the
thatched roofed settlements and serene lush alpine rhododendron forest, the Annapurna Basecamp Trekking offer a great opportunity if you ever had a dream to get into the midst of snowy peaks without altitude problems in Himalayas. We stay at local teahouse, have enough time to take photograph and chat with local people to explore and know them at first hand. We encounter many ethnic groups while trekking mainly Gurung and Magar who are famous as soldiers in the British army, better known as brave Gurkhas.

The adventure to the Annapurna Base Camp Trek start from Pokhara Valley, scenic lake city, for many travelers Pokhara is a popular holiday destination in Nepal. We start our trip with ascend of Annapurna foothill to the Ghorepani from where we take morning exploration hike to the Poon hill for the tantalizing sunrise view. The fifth highest mountain Dhaulagiri dominates the skyline across the deepest Kali Gandaki gorge while the Annapurna south and Machhapuchhre loom high above in front of us and the view from Poon hill is simply the best not to miss while on Annapurna treks.

The hiking to Poon hill no doubt allow time for proper acclimation before we ascend the Annapurna base camp. Climbing higher along the narrow gorge of Modi Kola we reach the Annapurna Base Camp where you find yourself in midst of impressive snowy peaks including Annapurna I,Annapurna III, Annapurna south, Himchuli, tent peak, Gangapurna, fluted fishtail – this high and glaciated wilderness sanctuary is simply breathtaking and incomparable also known as Annapurna Sanctuary Trek.

Fact About The Annapurna Base camp Trekking

Starting from : Kathmandu/Pokhara

Ending at : Pokhara/Kathmandu

Grade : Moderate-Difficult

Highest access of the trek : 4130m (Annapurna Base Camp)

Culture encounter : mixed

Trekking type : Teahouse

Himalayan sights : Dhaulagiri himalaya range , Fishtail, Annapurna range, Manaslu, Nilgiri

Most Attraction of the trek : Close Mountain View, Villages

Best Season : February, March, April, May, September,October, November

Per day Walking : 5 to 7 hours

Annapurna Base camp trekking route map

Itinerary type : Fixed / Customized

Outline Itinerary of Annapurna Base camp Trekking Route with Poon hill

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)

Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing and trek Preparation

Day 03: Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara (800m) 6hrs

Day 04: Pokhara to Ulleri (1950m)

Day 05: Ulleri to Ghorepani (2850m)

Day 06: Ghorepani to Poon Hill ( 3210m ) and Trek to Tadapani (2540m)

Day 07: Tadapani to Chhomrong (2170m )

Day 08: Chhomrong to Bamboo (2310m / 5 hrs)

Day 09: Bamboo to Deurali (5 hrs / 3,2300 m)

Day 10: Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp (5 hrs / 4130m)

Day 11: Annapurna Base camp ( ABC ) to Bamboo (6 hrs)

Day 12: Bamboo to Jhinu Danda ( 1,600 m) Bath in natural hot spring

Day 13: to Jhinu Danda to Nayapul and drive back to Pokhara

Day 14: Pokhara Free day

Day 15: Drive Pokhara to Kathmandu

Day 16: Departure

Detail Itinerary of Annapurna Base camp trekking Route with Poon Hill

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)

Arrive in Kathmandu airport and we will meet and transferred to hotel. Evening time explore Thamel yourself and overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing and trek Preparation

After breakfast, start sightseeing covering the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kathmandu, which are Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhunath Stupa. Kathmandu Durbar Square area holds the palaces of the medieval Kings who ruled over the Kathmandu Kingdom. Swayambhu meaning the “the self-existent” is popular among the foreigners as Monkey Temple owing to the large number of monkey population residing in this area. It is said that Swayambhunath Stupa is more than 2,000 years old, and it symbolizes knowledge. The painted eyes on all four sides symbolize the all-seeing power of Buddha. It is an important Buddhist place where pilgrims from all over the world come. In the afternoon you will get short briefing and discussion regarding your trek.

Day 03: Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara (800m) 6hrs
Distance 200kms – Approximately 6 Hours Drive

Early morning after breakfast, drive to Pokhara from Kathmandu (200km) via Prithvi Highway, takes 6hrs approximately (option to fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara, takes extra cost). Along the way we will stop in scenic spots, for lunch and to get fresh as well, en-route we see more about countryside of Nepal that offers greenery, rivers, local villages, farm lands and beautiful mountain scenarios. In the evening, you have option to stroll around the Phewa Lake and local market in Pokhara..

Day 04: Pokhara to Ulleri (1950m)
Drive 42km Approximately 1:5 Hours and walk 11 km to Ulleri ,6 hours walk

After breakfast we drive to Nayapul on the way we pass some beautiful village and scenery, we will stop for while to take picture close to Nagdada and cross the beautiful village Lumle and reach in Nayapul (1100m) situated along the Modi River. After that we arrive in Birethanti where we check out TIMS and Permits and cross the modi khola bridge and passes and follow the Vuramdi Khola when we arrive in Tikhedhunga start to climb up to Ulleri top , from where we can see Annapurna south and Himchuli

Day 05: Ulleri to Ghorepani (2850m)
Trekking distance 8 kms – Approximately 5 Hours walk

Get up early morning and see the beautiful sunrise after breakfast start to trek Ghorepani, on the way we pass some beautiful tea houses which is managed by local people ( Called Magar ) and we start to walk through the beautiful Jungle we will passes some water fall . Before arrive to Ghorepani we will see welcome gate and reach in beautiful Village Ghorepani is one of the most popular village along the Annapurna Region . Almost all of village are Magars. From Ghorepani we can see 2 Himalayas range Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayas range, Guide consult with local people for tomorrow sunrise time , Suggest sleep early because tomorrow morning wake up early for Sunrise

Day 06: Ghorepani to Poon Hill ( 3210m ) and Trek to Tadapani (2600 m)
Trekking distance 15kms – Approximately 7 Hours walk

Wake up early morning prepare for the sunrise , suggest wear warm clothes and take headlight start to Hike up to Poon Hill (3210m) 45 minute climb. from Poon Hill we can see beautiful sunrise and beautiful mountain from poon hill we can see Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m.), Tukuche Peak (6920m.), Nilgiri (6940m.), Varaha Shikhar (7847m.), Mt. Annapurna I (8091m.), Annapurna South (7219m.), Annapurna III (7855m.), Machhapuchhre (6993m.), Annapurna IV (7525m.), Annapurna II (7937m.), Lamjung Himal (6931m.) and other numerous snowcapped mountains Descend back to Ghorepani and after having breakfast After that, the trail steeply ascending until Deurali-La on a grassy knoll that offers good Mountain views similar to those from Poon Hill . Then the trail descends through deep rhododendron forest until reaching Banthanti . on the way we cross the north side of stream and it will offer great views over the gorge to Ulleri. A rocky trail descends steeply to small stream and climbing again through deep forests to Tadapani, a village which is surrounded by beautiful forests. You can see more magnificent view of Machhapuchre, Annapurna South, Himchuli and Annapurna II

Day 07: Tadapani to Chhomrong (2170m )
Trekking distance 10 kms – Approximately 5 Hours walk

Tadapani has got the beautiful view of Annapurna south and Fishtail mountain. From here we will climb down steeply about 900 m to the valley basin at Ghurjung river. Climb gradually along the mountain side to Chhomrong perched high up on the mountain ridge. Chhomrong is a large Gurung village at the corridor of Annapurna Sanctuary. The village offer the up close view of Annapurna South (7,219 m), Fishtail (6,993 m).

Day 08: Chhomrong to Bamboo (2310m / 5 hrs)
Trekking distance 08 kms – Approximately 5 Hours walk

Trek down to Chhomrong khola (river) and then climb up to Sinwa . From here we enter into steep valley towards Annapurna sanctuary at the buttresses of Annapurna South and Fishtail. From Sinwa we we walk through the jungle when we arrive Kuldi Ghar will climb down to Modi River at the little hamlet of 'Bamboo' , This places is deep inside the Forest

Day 09: Bamboo to Deurali (5 hrs / 3,2300 m)
Trekking distance 09 kms – Approximately 6 Hours walk

We gently climb up to next village Dovan, After that we passes some cliffy river and water fall and we will Reach himalayas. After Himalaya (2,900m), we enter into sparsely vegetated rocky terrain and climb steeply to Hinku cave. after that we little climb down and climb up we reach in Deurali It is more wide places compare to Bamboo, Dovan and Himalayas

Day 10: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp (5 hrs / 4130m)
Trekking distance 06 kms – Approximately 5 Hours walk

The trail from Deurali to Machhapuchhre base camp is avalanche risk area. So guide will consult about the situation with local people and if necessary we will change the route to the other side of the Modi Khola . And slowly climb up to Machhapuchhre Base camp (3,700m). Machhapuchhre Base camp is a valley opens up wide and bright with beautiful snow peaks. The trail to Annapurna base camp climbs gradually in winter season full of snow and summer season we can see green grass. At Annapurna base camp we are at the base of world's highest mountains surrounding us in 360 degree.

Day 11: Annapurna Base camp ( ABC ) to Bamboo (6 hrs)
Trekking distance 15 kms – Approximately 7 Hours walk

After a beautiful sunrise view over the Annapurnas, same way we will head down slowly to Bamboo.

Day 12: Bamboo to Jhinu Danda ( 1,600 m) Bath in natural hot spring
Trekking distance 09 kms – Approximately 5 Hours walk

We follow the same trail that we took to climb up till Chhomrong.After Chhomrong Village we Climb down steely on the stone steps to the village of Jhinu. We settle into our lodge and then head down half and hour to natural hot spring pool in the shore of Modi river. Enjoy the natural hot spring and enjoy your last night in the mountain.

Day 13: to Jhinu Danda to Nayapul and drive back to Pokhara
Trekking distance 13 kms – Approximately 6 Hours walk

From Jhinu, we follow the Modi river coast we will basically traverse along the Modi river to Nayapul from where we started our trek We will be picked up by a vehicle for a drive to Pokhara.

Day 14: Pokhara Free day

After finish trekking pokhara is a really nice places for chill out , pokhara is very popular for paragliding so suggest for that and you can enjoy the boat ride in phewa lake which is beautiful lake in Nepal or if you like to do city tour we can do city tour and visit most popular places like Bindivashini Temple , Devi's Fall Gupteshwor cave , Tibetan refugee camp , Mountain museum old Bazaar Etc , in evening if you are interested for shopping it a best places for shopping

Day 15: Drive Pokhara to Kathmandu

After breakfast, drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu(200km/6-7hrs). we can enjoy the diverse landscape and scenery en-route. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel.