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Hotel, Tea House, Tent
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Car, Jeep, flights
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All meals during the trek
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2-15
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4,130 M
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Autumn & Spring
Overview
The Annapurna Sanctuary Trek is a classic Himalayan adventure that leads you into a massive glacial basin surrounded by a ring of some of the world’s highest peaks. Unlike treks that follow long valleys, this route “penetrates” the heart of the Annapurna massif, offering a unique sense of being completely enclosed by mountains.
This 14-day itinerary is a moderate-grade trek that balances physical challenge with immense scenic rewards. You will climb through a diverse range of ecosystems—from lush subtropical forests and terraced farmland to high-altitude alpine landscapes. The destination is the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) at 4,130m, where you stand at the foot of the 10th highest mountain in the world, surrounded by a 360-degree panorama of Annapurna I, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and Hiunchuli.
Highlights
- Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m): Reach the high-altitude basin and witness a sunrise over a wall of 7,000m and 8,000m peaks.
- Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700m): Spend time at the base of Nepal's most iconic "sacred" mountain, known for its distinct double-peak fish-tail shape.
- Rhododendron Forests: Walk through ancient forests that come alive with vibrant rhododendron blooms during the spring season.
- Jhinu Danda Hot Springs: Soothe your muscles in natural riverside hot springs toward the end of your journey.
- Cultural Immersion: Experience the legendary hospitality of the Gurung and Magar communities in villages like Ghandruk and Chhomrong.
Itinerary
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city. The rest of the day is yours to recover from your flight or take a gentle stroll through the bustling streets of Thamel. In the evening, you’ll join your trekking guide for a comprehensive pre-trip briefing followed by a welcome dinner featuring traditional Nepalese cuisine.
Meals: Welcome Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Max Elevation: 1,350m/4,430ft
Today is dedicated to exploring the rich cultural tapestry of Kathmandu with a guided tour of its UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You will visit the ancient Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple, and the sacred Hindu complex of Pashupatinath. The afternoon is free for any last-minute gear shopping in Thamel while our staff finalizes your trekking permits.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Max Elevation: 1,350m/4,430ft
Your adventure begins with a spectacular morning flight to Pokhara, offering front-row seats to the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs. After landing, a short drive takes you to the trailhead at Hile, where you begin your trek with a steady ascent. The day concludes with a challenging but rewarding climb up the famous 3,000 stone steps of Ulleri, a vibrant Magar village with stunning mountain views.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Teahouse / Lodge
Duration: 2-3 hrs trek / 1.5 hrs drive
Max Elevation: 2,050m/6,726ft
Leaving Ulleri, the trail winds through magnificent rhododendron and oak forests that come alive with color during the spring. The path follows a gradual incline alongside crystal-clear streams and small waterfalls, eventually leading you to the bustling mountain settlement of Ghorepani. As you reach the ridge, the massive peaks of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas begin to dominate the horizon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Teahouse / Lodge
Duration: 4-5 hrs
Max Elevation: 2,850m/9,350ft
A pre-dawn hike takes you to the summit of Poon Hill (3,210m) to witness one of the most iconic sunrises in the Himalayas. After watching the sunlight turn the 8,000m peaks into gold, you return to Ghorepani for breakfast before trekking through deep forests toward Tadapani. This section of the trail offers incredible vistas of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South at every turn.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Teahouse / Lodge
Duration: 6-7 hrs
Max Elevation: 3,210m/10,531ft
The journey continues with a steep descent through rhododendron forests to the Kimrong Khola, followed by a steady climb to the beautiful village of Chhomrong. Spread across a steep hillside, this Gurung settlement is the gateway to the Sanctuary and offers breathtaking "front-row" views of the towering peaks that you will be heading toward tomorrow.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Teahouse / Lodge
Duration: 6 hrs
Max Elevation: 2,170m/7,119ft
From Chhomrong, the trail drops down via 2,500 stone steps to cross the Chhomrong Khola on a suspension bridge before ascending sharply to Sinuwa. Beyond Sinuwa, the trail enters a thick, verdant forest of bamboo, oak, and rhododendrons, where the valley begins to narrow. You will spend the night in the quiet clearing of Bamboo, lulled to sleep by the sound of the nearby river.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Teahouse / Lodge
Duration: 4-5 hrs
Max Elevation: 2,310m/7,578ft
The trail continues its steady ascent through the damp, cool forests toward the Himalayan Hotel and the Hinku Cave. As you climb higher, the bamboo forests give way to more rugged alpine terrain and the trees become thinner. You will reach Deurali, a small settlement nestled between the soaring rocky cliffs of the gorge, serving as your final stop before entering the high-altitude basin.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Teahouse / Lodge
Duration: 3-4 hrs
Max Elevation: 3,230m/10,597ft
Today is the most anticipated day of the trek as you enter the Annapurna Sanctuary. The trail climbs past Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3,700m) and onto the lateral moraine of the South Annapurna glacier. Standing at Annapurna Base Camp, you will be completely surrounded by a 360-degree amphitheater of giant peaks, including the massive face of Annapurna I.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Teahouse / Lodge
Duration: 5-6 hrs
Max Elevation: 4,130m/13,549ft
After savoring a final sunrise over the glacial basin, you begin your descent back down the valley. Because you are heading downhill, the trek to Bamboo is much faster, allowing you to cover significant distance while enjoying the changing perspective of the mountains. The air becomes noticeably thicker and warmer as you descend back into the lush forest zone.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Teahouse / Lodge
Duration: 7-8 hrs
Max Elevation: 4,130m/13,549ft
Retracing your steps, you climb back up to Chhomrong before descending a steep trail to Jhinu Danda. In the afternoon, a 20-minute walk takes you to the natural hot springs located on the banks of the Modi Khola. Soaking in these warm waters is the ultimate reward for your tired muscles after days of high-altitude trekking.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Teahouse / Lodge
Duration: 5-6 hrs
Max Elevation: 2,310m/7,578ft
On your final day on the trail, you will enjoy a gentle walk along the Modi Khola, passing through terraced farmlands and local villages. You will reach Mathque, where your private vehicle will be waiting to drive you back to the comfort of Pokhara. Spend your evening relaxing by the lake or celebrating your journey at one of the lakeside restaurants.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Duration: 3 hrs trek / 2 hrs drive
Max Elevation: 1,760m/5,774ft
You will take a morning flight back to Kathmandu, giving you one last look at the Himalayas from above. The afternoon is free for some final souvenir shopping in Thamel or visiting any sights you missed. In the evening, the team will gather for a farewell dinner to share stories and celebrate the successful completion of the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek.
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Max Elevation: 1,350m/4,430ft
Your Himalayan journey comes to an end today. After breakfast at the hotel, our representative will transfer you to the international airport for your flight home. You depart with a heart full of memories and a deep connection to the majestic peaks of the Annapurna region.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
Duration: Transfer to Airport
Max Elevation: 1,350m/4,430ft
Cost
The Cost Includes
- Transfers: Private airport transfers and all ground transportation mentioned in the itinerary.
- Internal Flight: Scenic mountain flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
- Accommodations: Twin-sharing hotel stays in Kathmandu and Pokhara; standard teahouses during the trek.
- Expert Team: Professional, English-speaking trekking guide and experienced porters.
- All Meals: Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the trekking period.
- Permits: Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP) permit and Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) card.
The Cost Excludes
- International airfare and Nepal entry visa.
- Mandatory travel insurance (covering high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation).
- Personal expenses such as laundry, bottled water, and souvenirs.
- Tips for the trekking guide, porters, and driver.
Check List
The gear listed below is recommended for this kind of trips. We encourage you to get all equipment listed below for the trip and kindly ensure you check and try every equipment. You can also buy or hire the same in Kathmandu as they are available in the many trekking shops from branded to local manufacturers in Kathmandu.
Head gears:
- Sunhat X 1
- Warm hat (should cover head & ear comfortably) X 1
- Buffs X 2
- Sunglasses (High-quality, UV-blocking sunglasses with good all-around protection) X 1
- Headlamp with spare batteries (200-300 lumens output) X 1
Upper Body:
- Thermal or fleece base layer top X 2
- Trekking shirts/t-shirts (Breathable and quick-dry materials) – full sleeve x 2 and short sleeve x 2
- Mid-Layer Jacket X 2 (Lightweight downs are good as well)
- Soft-shell jacket X 1 (Water and Wind Resistant)
- Hardshell jacket with a hood X 1 (Fully waterproof shell jacket, must fit comfortably over mid layers)
- Insulated Down Jacket X 1 (provided by us at request)
Lower Body:
- Thermal or fleece base layer bottom X 2
- Trekking trousers/pants X 3
- Hardshell pants X 1 for climbing days (Non-insulated and waterproof)
- Insulated down pant (optional) X 1
Underwear:
- 4 pairs of synthetic or wool fabrics only
Hand Wear:
- Liner Gloves X 1
- Midweight gloves X 1
- Expedition Down Mittens (Leather Palm) X 1
Foot Wear:
- Waterproof Hiking Boots (Preferably full to protect/support your ankle) X 1
- Double Layer Mountaineering Boot X 1
- Hiking socks X 4 pairs medium to heavy (synthetic and wool)
- Summit socks X 2
- Liner socks X 2
- Gaiter X 1 Pair
- Flip flop or Sneaker (To wear at teahouses and in city)
- Down booties (Optional)
Climbing Gears:
- Helmet
- Ice Axe
- Crampons
- Harness
- Carabiners (2 X Screw Gate and 2 X Snap Gate )
- Belay Device X 1
- Ascender/Jumar (Large Handle)
- Prussik Cord
- Safety Cord (2 m length)
Gears / Personal equipment:
- Daypack 40-45 liters (For both trekking and climbing)
- Duffel bag (provided by us at request)
- Down Sleeping bag (-20 C rated) with compression sack (provided by us at request)
- One litre capacity water bottle X 2 (Nalgene)
- Insulated Cover for Water bottle X 1
- Trekking poles
- Camera with charger or spare batteries
- Personal snacks, comfort foods, energy bars and gels
- A laundry bag to keep the dirty clothes
- Padlock (Optional)
- Earplugs (Recommended for light sleeper)
- Large plastic bags to keep the clothes dry
- Extra clothes to wear in Kathmandu when you come back from trek.
Toiletries and hygiene
- Quick drying towel
- Small face towel
- Toothbrush &Toothpaste
- Face mask
- Water treatment tools
- Soap and Shampoo (Smaller bottle)
- Face and body moisturizer
- Sunscreen SPF50+ and Lip balm SPF 30+
- Hand sanitiser/Antiseptic wipes
- Hygiene products
- Basic first aid kit
Documents:
- Passport with validity of 6 months.
- Credit cards in case of emergencies
- Travel Insurance
- Flight tickets
FAQs
Yes, this is one of the most family-friendly treks in Nepal. The trails are relatively moderate, the maximum altitude is safe, and there are many comfortable teahouses along the way, making it a great choice for families with children.
Since the maximum altitude reached is 3,210m at Poon Hill, the risk of serious altitude sickness is very low. Most trekkers find this elevation quite manageable, though we still recommend staying hydrated and walking at a steady pace.
Accommodation is in local teahouses or lodges. These are generally simple but clean, typically featuring twin-sharing rooms and common bathrooms. Many teahouses also offer hot showers and Wi-Fi for an additional fee.
While this trek focuses on the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, you cannot see Mount Everest from Poon Hill. However, the views of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna massifs are equally spectacular and among the best in the Himalayas.
You will need the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and a TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card. Both are included in our package and will be arranged by our team prior to your departure.
