Annapurna Base Camp Trekking: Poon Hill & Annapurna Sanctuary

16 +

Age

Nepal

Country

Dec-Mar

Dates

14 Days

Duration

Trekking

Activities

Annapurna Base Camp Trekking, along Ghorepani and Poon Hill, through the Annapurna Sanctuary, is one of the best treks in the Annapurna region. Incredible mountain views, valleys, forests and villages await you! Additionally, the area dramatically reveals the cultural and geographic frontier running across Nepal. Though all the trekking routes in the region are amazing, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek brings you right into the heart of the Annapurna Sanctuary! Especially the short trip to Poon Hill from Ghorepani village offers you the best panoramic views of the region, including a breathtaking sunrise. Moreover, you get to enjoy an incredible diverse scenery with spectacular mountains and lowlands. On top of that, you get to experience the unique Gurung culture first hand.

You will enjoy the peaks of the western section of the great Annapurna Himal include Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Fang, Annapurna, Gangapurna, Annapurna 3 and Machhapuchhare. They are arranged almost precisely in a circle about 10 miles in diameter with a deep glacier at the center. In fact, you might also call the Annapurna Base Camp Trekking as “Annapurna Sanctuary Trekking” or ABC Trekking, and is known as one of the most picturesque routes in the Annapurna region. In comparison with other trekking areas in Nepal, you this route so far has been left untouched by modern civilization. Therefore, the Annapurna Base Camp trail is one of the only trekking routes that so far is not disturbed by road construction.

Ghorepani and Poon Hill

We like to include Ghorepani in our route, a trading village situated at an elevation of 2750 m. From here we visit one of the best vantage points of the Annapurna Conservation Area: Poon Hill – at 3210 m. From here you can enjoy the great view on both the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himalayan Ranges. Especially the sunrise from Poon Hill is simply amazing and shall not be missed. After arriving back in Ghorepani, you will head east to the hamlet of Tadapani and on towards Chhomrong, from where you commence your journey into the Annapurna Sanctuary and further to Annapurna Base Camp. However, coming back from the Base Camp we choose a different route to come back to Pokhara to make the journey more interesting.

Itinerary Outline:

01: Drive to Pokhara

02: Drive to Nayapul and trek to Ulleri (1960m) – 4-5 hrs walk

03: Ulleri to Ghorepani (2750m) – 5 -6 hrs

04: Sunrise at Poon hill (3193m) and trek to Tadapani (2590m) – 6-7 hrs

05: Tadapani to Chhomrong (2340m) – 5 hrs

06: Chhomrong to Doban (2505m) – 5 hrs

07: Doban to Deurali (3100m) – 3 hrs

08: Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp (4130m) – 4 hrs

09: Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo (2335m) – 5 hrs

10: Bamboo to Jhinu Danda (1610m)– 4 hrs

11: Jhinu Danda to Landruk (1565m) – 3 hrs

12: Landruk to Dhampus (1650m) – 5 hrs

13: Dhampus to Phedi (1 hour walk), drive to Pokhara

14: Back to Kathmandu

Additional information

Difficulty	All levels, Experienced Trekkers

Drive to Pokhara

Early morning, after breakfast, you are going to board on a bus to Pokhara. It’s a drive of about 8 hours through lush green forest, meandering road through the hills and gracefully flowing riversides. You will also come across lively markets and clusters of villages on the way. You’ll have lunch in one of the cute road side restaurants. Upon arrival in Pokhara, you will be received from your guide and driven to the hotel. Today you have time to get to know guide, discuss the last details of your trip and slender around beautiful Pokhara.

Drive to Nayapul and trek to Ulleri (1960m)

In the morning after breakfast, we drive a scenic route for around 2 hours to Nayapul, from where we start our trek to Ulleri. From here we’ll walk along lush vegetation and riversides, before we start the long steep climb to Ulleri. There we find a lodge to rest and spend the night.

Walking time: around 5 hours

Ulleri to Ghorepani (2750m)

Our goal today is to reach Ghorepani. Most of the way leads us through jungle, where you can observe birds and with some luck other tropical animals. Afterwards, we proceed to pass through rhododendron forest and eventually reach Ghorepani. It is a beautiful place from where you can enjoy the most panoramic views of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range.

Walking time: 5-6 hours

Sunrise at Poon Hill (3193m) and trek to Tadapani (2590 m.)

Good morning early bird, today we get up very early, but don’t worry, it’s gonna be worth it! We will climb for around one hour up to Poon Hill and will be rewarded with a spectacular view. Seeing the sunrise from here is a very special and unique experience. Poon Hill is situated at an elevation of 3210 meters from where you can see the tremendous views of giant Dhaulagiri and Annapurna range. After admiring the views and taking a rest, we come down to Ghorepani village, have breakfast and proceed to Tadapani.

From Ghorepani, the trail climbs south following a path through deep forests. It finally emerges on a grassy knoll which offers good mountain views, including sight of Machhapuchhare and a panorama all the way south to the plains of India. You keep climbing along the ridge through pine and rhododendron forests to a crest at 3030m, then descent to two inns, a second pass, also called Deurali, at 2960m. The trail then descends steeply to a stream before the climbing resumes, going through a forest to Tadapani.

Walking time: 6-7 hours

Tadapani to Chhomrong (2340m)

Tadapani is a small village from where the trail divides either to Chhomrong or Ghandrung. The south trail goes to Ghandrung, so we take the eastern route to head Chhomrong. From here, the way goes down through dense forest to Gurajon village that lies just after the suspension bridge. Chomrong is a beautiful village located on the lap of giant Annapurna massive. It’s a typical Gurung village that now is a little more modernized.

Walking time: around 5 hours

Chhomrong to Doban (2505m)

After breakfast we start to walk down to the Chhomrong stream, cross the suspension bridge then trek up to Sinuwa Danda. Sinuwa is a beautiful village on the top of this ascending trail, from here the trek becomes more flat. The trail now runs through thick & dark rhododendron forest up to Khuldi Ghar then steep down to the ‘Bamboo Lodge’ through the rocky cliff. You continue the walk and reach Doban where you take shelter and celebrate that you’ve made it so far on your Annapurna Base Camp Trek!

Walking time: 6:30 hours

Doban to Deurali (3250m)

Good morning! You are getting closer to the Annapurna Sanctuary every day. The jungle walk from Doban to Deurali today is very special. Due to a temple in between the woods this part of the trail is walked mostly silently, as it is believed that noises disturb the temple. In spring you will pass by many waterfalls along the journey. From Himalaya you have to walk steep up to reach Hinku Lake, and after a short walk of only 3 hours today we reach Deurali to spare our energy for tomorrow.

Walking time: 3 hours

Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp (4130m)

The trail from here takes the right bank of the stream, through a rocky and rugged path. In winter, this part is the most dangerous part of the trek ue to the risk for avalanches. From here, the way is easy and flat for a while. At the bottom of the cliff lots of moraines can be seen. After a while, the path goes gently up until Machhapuchhre Base Camp. There are few tourist lodges, but we will keep on walking up through grassy land for two more hours until we finally reach our destination the Annapurna Base Camp!

Walking time: 4 hours

Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo (2335m)

After one night at the Annapurna Base Camp we start to make our way back. The route rapidly descends past the Machhapuchhre Base Camp, Deurali, Doban until we reach Bamboo, where we stay overnight. Although it sounds much, we will be much faster walking downhill!

Walking time: 5 hours

Bamboo to Jhinu Danda (1610m)

Today’s route passes through beautiful fields of rhododendron flowers, oaks and bamboo. We trek through Sinuwa, cross the Chhomrong Khola and continue on to Chhomrong Village. Downhill from here is Jhinu Danda, a small local village where we stay tonight. For those with enough energy there is a 20 min walk to a nearby hot water spring to relax all those achy muscles.

Walking time: 4 hours

Jhinu Danda to Landruk (1565m)

Today we will walk for about 3 hours, starting with a downhill section of about 20 minutes to the Kimrungkhola river where we will cross a suspension bridge before reaching a small village. We continue to the Modi Khola river and up to the Landruk village where we will stay for the night.

Walking time: 3 hours

Landruk to Dhampus (1650m)

Good morning, are you ready for civilization again? During our walk you will once again be stunned by spectacular views of Annapurna South. Once we reach Dhampus, the largest village on the trek, we will see cars again, even a local school and some more signs that we are almost back to civilization.

Walking time: 5 hours

Dhampus to Phedi, and drive to Pokhara

The last part of your trek is a quite steep downhill hike to Phedi for around an hour, from where we will catch a ride back into Pokhara. Use the rest of the day to enjoy Pokhara. There are plenty of options to relax at the lakeside or get a massage. If you still have a lot of energy and want to end your holiday with yet another memorable experience, Pokhara offers plenty of options for bungee jumping, paragliding, mountain flights, and many more special activities!

Back to Kathmandu

After a resting night at the hotel and a good breakfast, you will drive back to Kathmandu today, passing the beautiful mountains and rivers one more time along the way. In the evening we enjoy a farewell dinner together with Nature Trail staff, to hear all about your experience and reflect on your great adventure.

Why Annapurna Base Camp?

Annapurna Base Camp Trekking is considered one of the best trekking routes in the world, lying in the heart of the Annapurna Conservation Area of Nepal. The world ‘Annapurna’ is a sanskrit name that literally means “full of food”. However, it is normally referred to as Goddess of the Harvests. The Annapurna region is a majestic section of the Himalayas in Nepal. Most noteworthy are Ghorepani and the Poon Hill view point, who are among the best known short-hike destinations of the area.

Travelers love Annapurna, as it is the only such region for trekking that offers splendid varieties of natural and cultural diversity with spectacular Himalayan views of Mt. Annapurna, Annapurna South, Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Manaslu, Fishtail. In addition, we believe that trekking to the Annapurna Base Camp you take the best route to enjoy all mountains within a 10 to 14 days timeframe.

The government inscribed the Annapurna Region as a ‘Conservation Area’ in 1986. The protected region covers an area of 7600 sq. km. around two thirds of hikers visiting Nepal head to the Annapurna Region every year. Moreover, travelers easily find available guest houses and hotels while on trek. You will see the deep valleys and high mountains encircling the giant Annapurna Himal embrace a wide range of people and terrain, from subtropical jungle to a high, dry landscape resembling the Tibetan Plateau.