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Day 01: DRIVE KATHMANDU – POKHARA (850 m): 210 KM/6-7 HRS
After breakfast, we catch a comfortable tourist bus or a private vehicle as per package to travel to Pokhara via Prithvi Highway. It takes almost 6-7 hours with a lunch break in the middle. The sporadic view of the lovely Himalaya en route makes the journey enjoyable and refreshing. On the way, the lovely view of the tourists enjoying water rafting on the Trishuli River keeps on motivating us off and on. When we reach Pokhara, we check in to a comfortable hotel as per package and get free for our independent activities like boating in the Phewa Lake next to our hotel, preparing for the trek starting next day. In fact, Pokhara is the gateway to the several famous trekking spots. Overnight at hotel in Pokhara.
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Day 02: DRIVE POKHARA – NAYAPOOL (1,050 m): 1.30 HRS & TREK NAYAPOOL – TIKHEDHUNGA (1,577 m): 4.30 HRS
After breakfast, scenic drive from Pokhara to Nayapool (1,050 m). At Nayapool, our luggage will be sorted out for the porters and we begin our trek and continue for about half an hour and reach Birethanti (1,065 m), where our trekking permits and TIMs are checked at the entry point of ACAP. The first part of our trek is comfortable as we continue our walk along the Bhurungdi Khola (river) passing through the beautiful settlements and hamlets with age-old terraced field. We also pass by beautiful waterfalls on the way and reach Hile, a small settlement. Then, a beautiful walk of about a four and half hour will take us to Tikhedhunga passing by the village of Hile en route. Over night at a teahouse in Tikhedhunga.
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Day 03: TREK TIKHEDHUNGA - GHOREPANI (2,675 m): 5-6 HRS
Today, our trek starts by crossing a beautiful suspension bridge over the Tikhedhunga Khola and we walk downhill and cross another bridge over the Bhurungdi Khola. Then, we follow a steep trail with a stone staircase which passes through the Magar villages of Ulleri (2,070 m), Banthanti (2,200 m) and Nangathanti (2,460 m). On the way, our encounter with the scenic view of Mt Fish Tail (6,997 m), Mt Hiunchuli (6,441 m) and Mt Annapurna South (7,219 m) will be fascinating for us. If we are trekking in the spring season of March/April, we can see eight different variety of rhododendron flower with changes in color as we gain altitude. After a walk of 5-6 hours, we arrive at Ghorepani which is the gateway to Poon Hill (Mountain view point at a height of 3,120 m). Overnight at a teahouse in Ghorepani.
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Day 04: TREK GHOREPANI - POON HILL (3,210 m) - TADAPANI (2,710 m): 5-6 HRS
Early morning, we get a wakeup call at our tea house and head uphill to Poon Hill for about an hour. If the weather is clear, it will be our lifetime achievement as we encounter a spectacular Himalayan panorama extending from the Dhaulagiri to Annapurna range stretching from Mt Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m), Mt Tukuche (6,920 m), Mt Nilgiri (6,940 m), Mt Annapurna South (7,219 m), Mt Machhapuchhare (Mt Fish Tail)(6,993 m), Annapurna I (8,091 m), Annapurna II (7,937 m), Annapurna IV (7525m), Lamjung Himal (6,931 m) and Mt Hiunchuli (6,441 m). The view gets more attractive when we see the first rays of the sunrise being sprinkled on the mountain peaks. If we are able to catch these momentary moments in our camera and mind, we can claim ourselves the luckiest people in the world. Actually, Poon Hill is the highlight of this trek.
After having a great time on the hill top of the Poon Hill, we get back to the teahouse the same way down. Enjoy a great breakfast cherishing an unforgettable moment we had on the hill top.
After breakfast, we continue our trek eastward passing via Deurali pass and Banthanti on to Thulo Odar Kharka through the beautiful rhododendron lush forest. From here, we follow a trail with a steep descent, and finally a short uphill walk takes us to Tadapani. Overnight at a lodge in Tadapani.
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Day 05: TREK TADAPANI - SINUWA (2,340 m): 6-7 HRS
Today, we follow a trail with a steep descent through the rhododendron forest leading to a suspension bridge passing through the age-old beautifully terraced field. The pleasant falling sound of some waterfalls keeps on relieving us from our tiredness. After crossing the suspension bridge over Kimrong River, we continue our walk a couple miles on an uphill and downhill trail passing by Taulung Village to reach Chhomrong. Chhomrong is a beautiful Gurung Village with the mighty Annapurna massif on its backdrop. From here, we take downhill walk on the trail with stone steps. And cross the bridge across Chhomrong River. Then, our final uphill walk will take us to Sinuwa. Ovrnight at a lodge in Sinuwa.
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Day 06: TREK SINUWA - HIMALAYA HOTEL (2,900M): 5-6 HRS
Today, the early part of the trek is mild until we reach Khuldhigar. It goes via Bamboo (name of the place) and a little harder walk begins on a steep trail made of stone stairs. Then, we cross a suspension bridge and reach Dobhan. The trail is highly scenic with the bamboo, rhododendron and oak forest en route. On the last part of the day, we take a steep climb through the picturesque valley and ultimately we reach Himalaya Hotel. In the early days, there was only one hotel called Himalaya Hotel and later the whole area has been named after the hotel. Overnight at a lodge in Himalaya Hotel.
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Day 07: TREK HIMALAYA HOTEL - ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP (4,130 m): 5-6 HRS
Today, our excitement is a little higher as we are going to approach the Annapurna Base Camp, the final destination of our trek. Our walk begins with a mild climb by following the trail along the Modi Khola. First, we reach Bagar. From Bagar, the trail is a bit strenuous. So, we have to be prepared with proper trekking gear and continue our walk for about 1 hour and reach the base camp (3,700 m) of Mt Machhapuchhre (Mt Fishtail). It is also known as the Annapurna Sanctuary. After enjoying the incredible view of the Machhapuchhre B. C. with some rest, we continue our walk by following a wide trail that leads us to the Annapurna Base Camp of the Mt Annapurna South. This is here we get speechless with a 360 degree view of the mighty Himalaya all around us. It presents an unforgettable moment in our life. A strong feeling of achievement of a long cherished wish prevails in us for a long time in our life. Overnight in a lodge in the ABC.
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Day 08: TREK ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP - BAMBOO (2,345 m): 5-6 HRS
This morning, we spend some unforgettable time with the Himalaya. We actually fall in love with the Himalaya. With this strong love in our heart, we start to trek back down to Bamboo. It takes around 6 hours. We return following the same trail via Bagar, Deurali, Hinku, Himalaya Hotel and Dobhan. The return journey is faster as the trail is mostly descending along the bank of Modi Khola to Bamboo (2,345 m). Overnight at a lodge in Bamboo.
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Day 09: TREK BAMBOO - JHINU DANDA (1,760M): 5-6 HRS
After breakfast, we start our walk back by taking a steep ascent to Khuldigar. From here, we continue our way back journey to Chhomrong pasing by Sinuwa by following the stone steps down to the Lower Chomrong. From this point, we climb about a thousand stone steps to reach the Upper Chhomrong. Right from the Upper Chhomrong, we take a different way back route to avoid the repetition of the trail we used on our way from Pokhara to Chomrong. We take a left hand side route from Chhomrong by taking a descent through the steep trail to Jhinu Danda. After reaching Jhinu Danda, we keep our luggage in the lodge and could take a 20 minute walk down to a hot water spring where a bath could relieve us from all the fatigue we underwent during the trek. Overnight in a local guesthouse in Jhinu Danda.
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Day 10: TREK JHINU DANDA - POTHANA (1990M): 6 HRS
After breakfast, we follow a trail to Landruk (1,565 m). From Landruk, the whitewashed stone houses and temples present a different picture. We continue our walking on the stone stairs to the bottom of the hill till Bhaisekharka. Then, a vertical trail makes us to climb through the forest of rhododendron and oaks leading us to Pitam Deurali from where we can enjoy the last view of the Annapurna South and Hiun Chuli. Then, our further walk takes place on the stone paved trail and we reach Pothana where we could enjoy self exploration of the village or simply enjoy the beautiful sunset from the village. Overnight at a lodge in Pothana.
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Day 11: TREK POTHANA - PHEDI (1,500M) AND DRIVE BACK TO POKHARA.
After breakfast, we start our trek to Phedi. First, we reach Dhampus, a famous spot for the scenic view of the Annapurna range. It takes around 2 hours. From Dhampus, we take downhill trail to Phedi. Once we take the downhill trail from Dhampus, the snow-capped mountains disappear. It takes about an hour to reach Phedi. At Phedi, we meet the main highway to Jomsom and take a taxi or private vehicle as per our package back to Pokhara. It takes about an hour. Once we are in Pokhara, we check in to a tourist standard hotel and rest. The rest day is at our disposal to enjoy activities like boating in the nearby beautiful Phewa Lake or shopping or eating out in the good restaurant in the lakeside area. Overnight at a hotel in Pokhara.
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Day 12: DRIVE/FLY BACK POKHARA – KATHMANDU.
After breakfast, either we drive back to the capital via Prithvi Highway taking about 6-7 hours through the winding mountainous road of Nepal or transfer to Pokhara airport and fly back to Kathmandu (20 minutes) and transfer to your hotel as per your package. Check in to your hotel in Kathmandu and free for full rest or other activities. Evening, our guide will pick us up for the farewell dinner over which we could have a discussion for the invaluable feedback from all the members for our future improvement.
Note: The number days before our arrival at Kathmandu and after our return from the trek shall be decided while customizing the tour by ourselves.
98510 22507 (Mahendra)
