Annapurna Base Camp Trek (via Poonhill) – 13 Days

Drive to Nayapul from Kathmandu for about 8.5 hrs approximately. After arriving Nayapul you will start your trek. Descend down along the roadway, cross the tributary Modhi Khola using the suspension bridge and which will bring you to Nayapul village. Following then the level path along the left bank of the Modi Khola, whose headwaters is the Annapurna Sanctuary. Moving on you will see Birethanti (1037m) in front and crossing the suspension bridge over the Modi Khola, you will reach Birethanti. It takes 30 minutes to reach Birethanti from Nayapul. Tourist Bus: Ktm to Pokhara.
Lodge - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast you move further along the tributary Bhurungdi Khola, passing a small waterfall bringing you to Natathanti. Descend to the riverbank and continue on for a while. Climb up then to the terraced fields and you will reach Ramgure. When you ascend the path with stone walls, you will arrive in Sudami. A further ascent will take you to Hille. You will see Tirkhedhunga village (1577m) in the valley in front. This will be your lunch point. From here, after crossing the suspension bridge over the Bhurungdi Khola you will have to start a steep ascend to Ulleri (2050m) using continuous stone steps. This is the hardest ascend in this course. Keep on climbing until you reach the ridge of Ulleri village, your campsite. 6.5 hrs walk. This place is mostly inhabited by Magars, Chettris and Gurung tribes of this region.
Lodge - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The ascent from Ulleri becomes gentle in comparison to the previous day. At the end of the ridge you will enter through the densely populated forest area. You will soon reach Banthanti. From here the forest becomes denser, move on the path with stone steps and you will reach the lower village of Ghorepani. After climbing for about 20 minutes you will come to a check-post, the gateway to the upper village (2850m). From here, you can see Dhaulagiri Himal in front and the Annapurna Himal above you to the right. The place is mostly inhabited by Magars. 6 hrs walk. Ghore means horse and pani means water. This is the place where the traders used to take a rest and let their horses drink water.
Lodge - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

If in the morning the weather is favorable then we do the excursion of Poonhill at about 4am. To reach Poonhill it takes one-hour climb. From here, you will have a wider view. From the east to the west, Machhapuchhare (69932m), Hiunchuli, Annapurna South Peak and Annapurna I (8091m) form the snow-covered main ridgeline. To the left, Nilgiri (7061m) looks like it is rising from the Kali Gandaki River. In front you can see the imposing Dhaulagiri I (8167m). It is accompanied by Tukuche Peak (6920m) on its right. On its left stand Dhaulagiri II to V and Putha Hiunchuli (7246m). Return back after excursion to Ghorepani for breakfast, then start your journey toward Tadapani. To reach Tadapani, you have to climb the forest area, which is on the opposite side of Poon Hill. In mid-April, this area is marvelously full of rhododendron flowers. From the forest, passing the ridge with a fine view, continue on the flank and go back to the lean ridge again. Repeating small ascends and descends several times, you will reach Deurali. Then descend from there along the stream and you will soon reach Banthanti, your lunch point. After lunch descends from the flank to the tributary Chorong Khola, cross it using the wooden bridge and climb back on the flank. You will come to a pass in the forest area that is Tadapani ( 2650m). This is also quite a good spot to take a nice view of Annapurna Himal. Tada is far in Nepali and Pani is water. 6 hrs walk.
Lodge - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today’s journey is to descend all the way down the bank of the Modi Khola for about 1 and half hours and then cross the wooden bridge. Crossing the bridge you have to climb up to the ridge and move straight for 40 minutes to reach Gurjung the lunch point. From here you can see Tadapani. And after finishing lunch you will repeat small ascends and descends for about 2 hours. Then you reach to your tonight’s campsite Chomrung. One can see nice views of mountains from here. Mostly Annapurna South 7219m, Himchuli 6441m, Annapurna III 7855m, Fishtail 6993m, Gangapurna 7485m, Gandhrava Chuli 6249m.
Lodge - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From the upper end of the village, descend the long stone steps and cross the suspension bridge over the Chomrong Khola. Climb the mountain flank, pass the hamlets and restaurants in Callbong, Tialche, Bhanuwa, and Sinuwa and you will reach the end of the ridge. Follow the rocky path through the forest area until you come to Durdi Ghar. Then after, descend the stone steps and pass the check post. Continue the descend through the forest, follow the path into bamboo forest and you will reach the Bamboo Hotel. This is the lunch point. After lunch, the descend will have been about 360 meters. You will now make a gentle ascend through the forest area and move on crossing about three streams that flows down from the flank to your left. You will soon reach Dovan. (6-7hrs walk)
Lodge - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today your walking trails will lead you to Machhapuchhare Base Camp a.k.a MBC. The first section is a forest area. Cross a stream and pass the spot where water is overflowing on the path. It requires careful walking. Now you will be about 50m from the Modi Khola. Trekking a little further will bring you to a flat clearing in the forest. Move on to a place called the Himalayan Hotel (2900m) with two lodges, ascend the rocky path and you will soon reach Hinko cave. This area is prone to avalanches during the time of snowfall and there have been disasters. If there is no snow on the upper part of the rock face, there is no problem. You will soon reach Deurali (3100m), which is the lunch point. From Deurali, go to the riverbank, follow the path on the flank until you come to Bagal (3300m). You are heading for Machhapuchhare B.C, which are about 400m higher. From here follow the path on the flank where big rhododendrons are growing and you will come to end of the ridge. On the hill beyond the stream flowing from the South Annapurna Glacier, you can see the lodge of Machhapuchhare B.C. behind which Gangapurna (7455m) soars. After crossing the stream, climb a little and you will reach Machhapuchhare Base Camp. (6-7 hrs walk)
Lodge - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, at about 4am, we will trek to Annapurna Base Camp to catch the sunrise. If the weather is favorable, the views are fantastic as you will be able to see some of the some of the highest mountains in the world, in close proximity. Enjoy an excursion at ABC for about 1 hour. Later, head down to MBC for lunch. After lunch, we shall head down to the village of Himalaya, for your night's stay. (8-9hrs walk)
Lodge - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The return walk is through the same trail down the valley to Chomrung. (7-8 hrs walk)
Lodge - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Your last day of trek today. Walk through the forest trails & stone steps and you will reach the lower village of Kimche (4-5 hours walk), a large Gurkha village nestled in the lap of the Himalayas. Here, you will be met by your vehicle and drive to Pokhara. (4hrs drive). Upon arrival in Pokhara, check into your hotel and bid goodbye to your trekking team.
Hotel - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Drive back to Kathmandu via tourist bus (7hr). Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for rest & shopping.
Hotel - Meals: Breakfast

Transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
Meals: Breakfast