Annapurna Base camp Trek

Drive Pokhara to Nayapul (1 ½ hour drive). Upon arrival, trek down to the river for 10 minutes and cross the new suspension bridge, thus the name Naya Pul (New bridge). Then climb up to the main village located on the ridge. Walk through on cobbled stones and then follow the trail along the Modi river for about 20 minutes to arrive at the settlement of Birethanti. After crossing the bridge, there is a check post where the National Park entry permit must be purchased prior to starting the trek.

After completing the formalities, take the right hand trail and a gradual ascent leads us through field (of paddy in summer and mustard in winter) to arrive at upper Birthanti village after about one hour. Walk further through more terraced fields and bamboo groves on a gentle ascent along hillside and arrive at a river bed. Take the trail leading into the forest. The forest provides a welcome shade and an ideal place for the porters to prepare lunch as water is readily available from a stream.

Trek through the forest and follow the trail along the hillside and after about  20 minutes arrive at the settlement of Shauli Bazaar, which is located along the banks of the Modi river. The trail from here continues to climb steadily for about 2 hours until we arrive at a gate with a signboard saying “Welcome to Ghandrung”. However, there is a steep climb for another 20 minutes to arrive at the main village of Ghandrung.

Ghandrung is the largest Gurung village in Nepal where the sons and male member of the local community have sacrificed their lives to serve for the Gurkha Armies and security Forces around the world. The brave and chivalrous Gurkhas have earned themselves the reputation as the most loyal and indomitable soldiers in the world! The afternoon is free for rest or optional activities such as a visit to the Annapurna Conservation Museum and a tea break at the home of a renowned Gurkha soldier who may show you his Victoria Cross won during the first or second world war. In the evening the local Gurung womenfolk will join the campers for a village get together to show their talents in singing and dancing. Guests are welcome to join in. A  contribution to the dancing group may be necessary.

Dinner and overnight at the lodge in Ghandrung.

After a wake up to a marvelous sunrise (weather permitting) and a hearty breakfast, descend for about 20 minutes from the village to valley bottom, cross a small bridge and trek on a winding trail on a hillside cleared for making terraced fields. There are a few settlements enroute and after about 3 hours arrive at a teahouse and after crossing the bridge, it is a steep ascent for 30 minutes to the settlement of Jhinu danda. Here are a few tea houses and many Tibetans selling trinkets to passing tourists.

This place is fast becoming a popular resting place because of the close proximity to the Hot Springs. There is a belief that sickness is cured if one takes a dip in the hot spring. The hot spring is located about 20 minutes walk from the settlement to the river bank and is a man made pool where the hot sulfur water  is tapped through pipes. While the lunch gets prepared the guests are at liberty to visit this pool and take a much desired hot bath.

After lunch, the trek to Chomrong – the gateway to the Annapurna Sanctuary take about 2 hours. It is a very steep ascent to the top of the ridge with a tea house. The roof of the Tea house can be seen from the bottom but getting there is a  tough two hours of huffing and puffing up the mountain hillside. Upon arrival at the ridge, a 10 minute walk on a gentle undulating trail through a forests brings us to Chomrong which is also located on a ridge with a wide expansive view of the Annapurna Range of mountains and valleys towards the Annapurna Sanctuary area. The views of the Annapurna Range is closest from here than anywhere on this trail.

Dinner and Overnight at the Lodge in Chomrong.

Go down until the suspension bridge which crosses the Chomorong Khola and then climb up the opposite side for about 30 minutes till you reach the hamlet of Banuwa. Carry on for another thirty minutes until you reach Sunawa (about 2400m) where you will find at least two lodge-restaurants. Here the path leaves cultivated fields to enter the beautiful tropical forest. You can follow the ridge of the hill, about 2500 meters high, but unfortunately the mountain is drained by several small streams and the trekkers are forced to take several ascents and descents. It takes about an hour to reach Khuldi ghar (2,477m) where a second check post is encountered.

(ACAP tickets are checked here as the head quarters of ACAP and its environment center are also located at Khuldi Ghar.) After the check post the path suddenly descends until it reaches the hamlet of Bamboo (2300m) with four or five lodges and is a good place to make a lunch break.

As the name suggest, Bamboo marks the beginning of the huge bamboo forest which leads, after about an hour of walking, to Tiptop (2571m). There are two lodges here competing with the lodges established at Doban(2606m). Soon after Doban you will enter the sacred forest of Jode Yehm, where near the waterfall on the east bank of Modi khola, you will see an alter surrounded by thousands of white banners suspended from the trees. A sign indicates the name of the place and reminds the travelers not to lean over. One assumes it is better not to disturb the Gods. From Doban, it will take an hour to reach Himalayan Hotel (2873m).

We follow a route through the narrow gorge Modi Khola glacier valley past the base of Machhapuchhre which ultimately takes us to Annapurna base camp. We will be walking close by the Annapurna glaciers. Machhapuchhre Base Camp offers us a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. From Annapurna base camp we get a 360-degree view from Hiunchuli, past Annapurna South to Annapurna I (8,097m/26,566ft), and Khangsar Kang, Gangapurna, Annapurna III, and Machhapuchhare. Overnight at Macchapuchure Base Camp or ABC.

We enjoy breakfast with the beautiful sunrise over the Himalayas as our backdrop. Then we will continue our trek out of the“Annapurna Sanctuary “ and retrace our steps out of the Modi River valley. We eventually make it to our serene stopover point name Bamboo. Overnight at Bamboo.

We continue our way down to Kimrong Khola and start ascending passing through the serene forests of rhododendron, bamboo, and oak We then ascend to Chomrong village before dropping by the small peaceful settlement of Jhinu danda. This village has a nearby riverside hot springs where we can soak our tired muscle. Overnight at Jhinu danda.

After leaving Jhinu Danda hot spring We follow the plain dust road along the right of Mardi Khola walking for 3 to 4 hrs to reach Siwa/Ghandruk Phedi. Which is regarded as one of the best and most relaxing walks of the entire trek .we drive to Birethanti, Nayapul and a 2/3hrs drive take us to the tourist hub Pokhara. Our trek package completes at Pokhara. We wish you have a memorable journey trekking to Annapurna Base Camp!