Annapurna Base Camp Trek: Moderate Challenge to Yourself in Nepal

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to Hotel

Flying into Kathmandu is a memorable experience with the view of Himalaya spreadings. The flight will land at (TIA) Tribhuwan International Airport at 1350m after you will receive Nepal entry visa which can be obtained in advance or on arrival and for the visa processing at TIA might take around 45min. depending on the number of people in a queue. For the Nepal entry visa information, kindly refer to Nepal government official site Department of Immigration Nepal. After you exit from the gate, you will see our company’s representative waiting for you holding placard written with the company name & logo. Company representative welcomes you by offering the holy Tibetan scarf and transfer to the hotel in a private vehicle. It takes around 30min to reach at Thamel from TIA via means of transportation. The scenes of Pashupatinath(sacred Hindu temple), city, full of various vehicles, peoples make our journey more enjoyable and amazing, then we reach the hotel and take rest. Thamel is full of restaurants, shopping centers, and good accommodation. Trip briefing and afterward invited to welcome dinner.

Day 2: guided sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley with professional English speaking tour guide. (UNESCO world heritage sites visit: Swoyambhunath, Patan Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudha)

The sightseeing program will start from:

Swoyambhunath Stupa, most ancient and enigmatic of all the holy shrines in Kathmandu valley. Swayambhu has been listed in the World Heritage Sites. The entire valley was an enormous lake, nagdah, out of which grew a lotus with five colored flame (self-arisen). Lotus was transformed into a hill and the flower became the stupa. It is still believed that the self-arisen flame is covered with dome of Stupa. The place is known as Swayambhu, meaning "Self-Created" over which a stupa was later built. Swayambhu is among the oldest religious sites in Nepal known as 'monkey temple' because of the large tribe of roaming monkeys. Located at one of the highest elevations in Kathmandu Valley gives panoramic views of the city. The place is praised by Buddha and meditated by several Buddha's as a pure holy site.

Patan

- City of fine arts-Three main courtyards

It is one of the three medieval cities in Kathmandu and a destination of fine arts has hundreds of fascinating Hindu and Buddhist monuments scattered in and around. Patan City is an enchanting mixture of palace buildings, artistic courtyards, and former palace complex. Most of the monuments are back to the medieval Malla period 15th to 17th century as the golden period of Nepalese art and architecture. Krishna Mandir- a stone temple of Lord Krishna with its 21 spires and bas-relief art depicting scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana epics and surrounding Hindu and Buddhist temples. The main highlights are the Golden Gate and the Golden Window of the old Palace, the beautiful piece of traditional metal crafts, the famed Krishna temple with 21 golden pinnacles, the Royal bath of Sundari Chowk, a perfect piece of the classic work in stone, Royal Taleju temple, Vishwanath Temple and Char Narayan temple are the finest examples of the unique craftsmanship in wood; the temple of Bhimsen with the magnificent golden balcony overlooking the square outside plus many other shrines and sculptures scattered in and around the square.

Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most sacred Hindu temples of Nepal located at the banks of holy Bagmati River. Every year this temple attracts hundreds of elderly followers of Hinduism. The place for different festival like Maha Shivaratri and Teej where thousands of devotees celebrate. The temple is the ultimate pilgrimage for Hindus throughout the world. The area is swarmed in by the Hindus from different part of the country. The two-storied pagoda temple of Pashupathinath houses the five-faced statue of Lord Shiva. Apart from the main shrine, there are numerous temples dedicated to different god and goddess in and around the Pashupatinath temple area. This temple is an important destination for art historians. It displays a variety of temple design some of which are Dome style, Pagoda style, Shikhara style and so on. Cremation site here draws attention of many who really thrive to explore cultural & spiritual aspects of death rituals of Hindus.

Boudha stupa is the largest and most sacred Tibetan Buddhist site outside of Tibet forming a religion and culture hub for the Tibetan and people from the Himalayas of Nepal. The Stupa was on the ancient trade route from Tibet. The Stupa is claimed to have the relic of Kasyapa Buddha, the third Buddha of the Bhadrakalpa. Boudha Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site significant for its historic and architectural significance, with sprouting monasteries and craftsmanship. It is said that the stupa is built by the mother Jyajhima, a poultry woman. She was very poor despite her poverty she had an intense desire for building a stupa. The mother passed away after she completed up to the vase, the dome-like structure. She had four sons, and the construction of the rest of the Stupa was completed by four sons. After they finished it, they all stood up in front of it and made prayers. Everyone made their wishes. When they were praying, all the buddhas and bodhisattvas were absorbed into the stupa, which is why the name of the stupa is also “All-Encompassing.” The stupa is a semicircular white dome and the towering spire, with unblinking eyes painted on each side that stares into the four directions. The overall shape represents a Buddhist mandala (a cosmological map) and the path towards enlightenment, as well as the mythical center of the cosmos, Mount Meru. The four Dhyani Buddha signifies the crucial points, and the fifth, Vairocana is enshrined in the central white hemisphere of the stupa. The base of the stupa consists of three large platforms, decreasing in size. The square tower is topped by a pyramid with 13 steps, represents the stages that human beings must pass through to achieve nirvana. The triangular shape is the abstract for the elements of fire. Every portion has a symbolic significance: the base, dome, spire, and pinnacle represent the five elements.

Day 3: Drive to Nayapul (1070m) via Pokhara Valley (West of Kathmandu) 820m. 240km distance, 8-9 hours’ drive

You will have a breakfast at hotel and leave Kathmandu valley for Nayapul via Pokhara. A representative of our office or your guide will pick you up from Hotel and drop you at Tourist bus station. We will drive out of Valley through picturesque Trishuli River, beautiful hills, mountains, traditional villages, terraced farming as well as village side lifestyles. Nayapul is considered a starting point for trekkers, this is the starting point from where you will kick off your ABC trek. Overnight stay will be at Nayapul.

Day 4: Trek from Nayapul to Ulleri (1,540m / 5,050ft) 6-7 hours

With an early breakfast in the morning, our ABC conquering campaign will begin. The first day in the trekking will be little bit easier as we walk across the Modi River. Entire day we trek through numerous small settlements, bamboo forests and green covered landscapes. Gentle ascending up to Birethati and direct uphill through stone stepping from here will ultimately take us to Ulleri, the first resting place since we started our trekking. Overnight stay at Ulleri.

Day 5: Trek from Ulleri (1,540m / 5,050ft) to Ghorepani (2,860m / 9,385ft) 5 hours

Second day, after breakfast we will continue on our trail. Today’s destination is Ghorepani, a beautiful village town in terms of its comforts as well as in its natural beauty. Thick pastureland, stone stepping, flora around you and forest becoming denser and more humid as you climb higher with beautiful flowers everywhere. More & more rhododendron during the flowering season make entire area bright red making it quite magical as if you are somewhere in fairytale.

Day 6: Early morning hike to Poon Hill viewpoint (3,210m / 10,525ft), then trek to Tadapani (2,630m / 8,630ft) 6 hours.

Wake up fresh early this day because we are hiking up to Poonhill for a beautiful sunrise view. The place is traditionally Poonmagar settlement, a hill ethnic group and hence a hill of Poon called ‘Poonhill’. After experiencing the majestic sunrise view over world’s top ten highest Mountains Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manasalu as well as magical Machhapuchre for some time, we will hike downward to Ghorepani for breakfast. Then our trail continues for the day which is uphill and downhill through dense rhododendron forest and widespread small hills. To your comfort, you will find entire trek for today is quite easier. Overnight stay at Tadapani.  

Day 7: Trek from Tadapani (2,630m / 8,630ft) to Chomrong (2,165m / 7,105ft) 6/7 hours

After breakfast, we will continue this day also with initial descend for almost three hours and climbing uphill before getting to the village of Chhomrong, situated in the valley leading to Annapurna sanctuary. Chhomrong valley will be on our way where we will have our lunch, with a stunning views of Annapurna south and Machhapuchchhre. After lunch we will start uphill for some hours and short descending finally bring us to a beautiful Gurung village called ‘Chhomrong’. Chhomrong is specially loved by trekkers for its really nice bakery there. Overnight stay in Chhomrong

Day 8: Trek from Chomrong (2,165m / 7,105ft) to Himalaya (2,890m / 9,425ft) 7/8 hours

We will start another day with powered up breakfast in the morning. Initial trail will be very steep, prepare yourself for steady and balanced walk downhill, with thick jungle and rhododendron forest. Lush cliffs and river around us throughout. We will pass by Sinuwa and then the route will take us up a steep sided valley with Machhapuchchhre just towering above us on one side of the valley and Hiuchuli will be on another side. Waterfalls, over logged bridges, swinging bridges through bamboo forest and climbing & counting more stone steps until Doban. Continuing our hiking through the side of the River leads us to Hotel Himalaya. Overnight stay in Hotel Himalaya.

Day 9: Trek from Himalaya (2,890m / 9,425ft) to ABC (4,130m / 13,550ft) via Machhapuchhare Base Camp, 6 hours

Energizing mountain breakfast in the morning & continuing with our trail today we will walk on glacier and moraine in the old avalanche area. As mountains rise higher you will feel like valley becoming narrower and you are walking through a terrible gorge. Crossing a small suspension bridge leading us to Machhapuchchhre base camp (3700m) from where you will have a stunning and magical views of Annapurna range, Machhapuchchhre and Hiuchuli. After almost two hours of hiking uphill through shimmering glacier we will finally reach our destination, a place of Goddess Annapurna, ABC. High level of powerful experience in the place will make you feel like enlightened though you are not much spiritual. You can’t resist tears in your eyes out of complete ecstatic experience. Today you have conquered what you had strived for, a last destination of your trip. We will continue allow the same energy flow whole day and night in the ABC.

Day 10: Trek from ABC (4,130m / 13,550ft) to Bamboo (2,350m / 7,700ft) 7 hours

After exploring world’s 10^th highest mountain in the world ‘Annapurna’ and ‘Annapurna Base Camp’, this is the day we trek back to Bamboo. Today’s journey will be really very interesting. As we pass through the reserve forest we will encounter varieties of flora and fauna including alpine vegetation, further down cross through tall grass and then to a dense forest. This trail is perfect to observe the local’s lifestyle & habitation. As we are walking to the elevation downward you have to keep yourself fit enough to balance your body weight. Overnight stay will be in Bamboo.

Day 11: Trek from Bamboo (2,350m / 7,700ft) to Jhinu Danda (1,780m / 6,393ft) and nearby natural hot springs 6/7 hours

After breakfast, we will continue on our trail of almost 8.5km for today exploring on our way a picturesque Fishtail, Annapurna south and Hiuchuli as well as flora & fauna, detailed information of vegetation, lifestyles and culture of Gurung ethnic community. Most of the walking trail will be ups and downs which passes through the forest of bamboo, rhododendron, oak and hamlets. As you reach Jhinu Danda you might have already been exhausted but don’t worry the place will take all your tiredness away from you. Jhinu Danda is a popular for nearby situated natural hot springs ‘Tatopani’ where you can have a relaxed and pleasurable bath over there, destress yourself. People believe that bathing over here will heal all kinds of skin related diseases. Overnight stay in Jhinu Danda.

Day 12: Trek from Jhinu Danda (1,780m / 6,393ft) to Siwa/Ghandruk Phedi (1,150m / 3,770ft) and drive to Pokhara (820m) via Nayapul

Today is the last day of your entire trek and we will cover comparatively shorter distance by walk downward to Modi River valley as it is going to be pleasant hike along the Modi River. We will say good bye to our entire trails and carry with us a tremendous lifetime experience of those days. Then we drive to Pokhara via Nayapul. We will spend our night in beautiful city called ‘Pokhara’.

Day 13: Guided Pokhara City Tour

A leisure day? Or would like to explore Pokhara valley? Pokhara is the most beautiful tourist attraction in Nepal. Certainly you don’t want to miss this chance. If so your guide will take you through major tourist attractions in Pokhara valley. Enjoy the beautiful day with beautiful city and views.

Day 14: Drive from Pokhara (820m / 2,690ft) to Kathmandu (1,350m / 4,450ft) 205 km /127 miles) - 6-7hrs. Or you will have option to fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu/30 minutes (flight charge extra)

Upon reaching Kathmandu, you get refreshed in your Hotel and you will be invited to participate to the farewell dinner with live cultural performance in the evening.

Day 15: Final Departure

Our office representative will see you off at the airport on this day.