Trip Highlight:
“Fabulous cultural and scenic walks on high hills of Annapurna with delightful scenery Exciting journey with daily views of high snow-capped peaks of Annapurna Himalaya Explore local Gurung and Poon-Magar villages of great interesting culture and traditions nto lovely alpine green woodland of tall rhododendron-magnolia and pine trees Stunning sunrise views over world three highest Mt. Dhaulagiri-Manaslu and Annapurna range Walk from low warm areas to cooler mid hills and towards arctic zone of ice with glaciers Starting and ending this marvelous treks at picturesque Pokhara city by its serene Phewa Lake”.
Brief Trip Profile:
Mode of Trekking: On Hotels and Lodge on walks.
Trekking Grade : Moderate to Adventurous.
Highest Altitude : At Poon Hill 3,210 m and Annapurna Base Camp 4,130 m high.
Activities : Sightseeing tour, exciting drive and trekking.
People and Culture : Higher up dominated by Gurung and Poon-Magar the hill tribe of Annapurna region with Buddhism religion, lower area mixed tribe of Gurung-Magar-Thakali, Hindu Brahmins and Chettries varied culture and custom of Buddhist and Hindu traditional life.
Area of Trekking : Nepal Mid-West around southern Annapurna Himalaya range.
Trekking duration : 10 Nights and 11 Days (Pokhara to Pokhara).
Total Trip : 15 Nights and 16 Days (Kathmandu to Kathmandu).
Introduction:
Mountain Challenger presents a superb combination of an adventure with cultural and scenic walks on Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp trekking. A beautiful blend of the best scenic spot within southern range of Annapurna Himalaya range with marvelous views of Dhaulagiri and Manaslu Mountain with magnificent Machhapuchare Himal ‘Fish Tail’ the virgin and unclimbed peaks of Himalaya. A journey which leads you witnesses interesting hill villages of Gurung and Poon-Magar a tribe famous as Gorkha soldiers in British and Indian Army since last two centuries, original a farmers and cattle herders on high hills of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalaya. An interesting walk that leads you from low warm paddy fields and terraced farm to reach cooler alpine temperatures of mid hills covered with green dense rhododendron (national flower of Nepal). The area around Ghorepani regarded as world’s largest natural garden which you can find in this lovely trek especially around springtime of March to May when wildflower is in full bloom which makes the hills alive with riots of colors. At Ghorepani village inhabited by Poon Magar tribes where morning hike leads you at Poon Hill above 3,210 m high for a fantastic panorama of mountains from Dhaulagiri, Annapurna towards Manaslu range with towering Machhapuchare with stunning sunrise views. After a glorious and enjoyable time at Ghorepani and Poon Hill, our next adventure leads over high hills with striking scenery of the country landscapes with snow-clad peaks to reach at Chomrong the gateway to Annapurna base camp and sanctuary. As walk progress entering into deep gorge of Modi River where walk leads right up to its glacial source as gorge opens up into a wide scenic valley enclosed by a range of peaks of Annapurna Himalaya. Certainly, a mind-blowing panorama where walks lead towards Annapurna base camp the highest spot of the adventure at 4,130 m in the comfort of the nice cozy lodge with rooms facing excellent views of mountains. Enjoying lovely moments at base camp within picturesque Annapurna Sanctuary, where walk leads back on downhill within lush vegetation and tree lines on the way to Chomrong village, and then having exciting times at Jhinu natural hot spring. Our marvelous adventure Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp Trekking complete taking an alternative scenic route to a road head at Dhampus village where short drive brings you back at beautiful Pokhara by the serene Phewa Lake.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Reach Kathmandu 1,340 m via respective airlines and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: In Kathmandu with a sightseeing tour around world heritage sites.
Day 03: Drive or Fly to Pokhara 820m (220 k.m) - 06 hrs journey (30 mins by air).
Day 04: Drive to Bhirethati 1,100 m and trek to Ulleri village 1,640 m - 05 hrs.
Day 05: Trek to Ghorepani 2,854 m - 04 hrs.
Day 06: Hike to Poon Hill 3,210 m and trek to Tadapani 2,680 m - 05 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Chomrong village at 2,170m - 04 hrs.
Day 08: Trek to Dovan 2,600 m via Bamboo 2,310 - 06 hrs.
Day 09: Trek to Machhapuchare Base Camp 3,700 via Deurali 3,200 m - 05 hrs.
Day 10: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp 4,130 m - 03 hrs with a free afternoon.
Day 11: Trek to Bamboo 2,310 m - 06 hrs.
Day 12: Trek to Jhinu Danda (hot-spring) 1,780 m - 05 hrs.
Day 13: Trek to Potana 1,900 m via Landruk village 1,520 m - 06 hrs.
Day 14: Morning 2 hrs walk to Dhampus village 1,540 with an hour drive to Pokhara.
Day 15: Drive or fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to respective hotels.
Day 16: International departure for homeward bound.
Day 01: Reach Kathmandu 1,340 m via respective airlines and transfer to hotel.
On arrival at Kathmandu and Nepal International airport received by our Mountain Challenger staff and guides for short transfer and drive in the heart of Kathmandu city to your respective hotels. After checking into your rooms meet at the briefing hall where our guide or leader will brief you regarding Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp trekking. Include information of hotels, lodge and do’s and don’ts with group welcome dinner in a nice authentic Nepalese Restaurant with various Folk programs of Nepal as entertainment.
Day 02: In Kathmandu with a sightseeing tour around world heritage sites.
Morning after breakfast our city guide will take you for an interesting sightseeing tour in and around Kathmandu city, where Kathmandu valley steeped with ancient historical, religious monuments which is listed on world heritage sites. Tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square (old Malla and Shah Royal courtyard) with resident of virgin ‘Goddess Kumari’ and other places of great interest, from here heading to oldest landmark of Kathmandu and Nepal at Swayambhunath Stupa, believed to be more than 2,600 years old a Buddhist dome shaped with all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. From here head back to Hotel with free afternoon preparation for Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp Trekking.
Day 03: Drive or Fly to Pokhara 820m (220 k.m) - 06 hrs journey (30 mins by air).
Morning taking a tourist coach or smaller vehicle as per group size for an overland drive that leads you away and beyond Kathmandu valley heading low warmer areas with views of snowcapped mountains. As drive continues on busy main highway past farm villages and town then heading Nepal Mid-West to reach at scenic Pokhara city. At Pokhara transfer to nice hotels by the serene lake Phewa with views of Annapurna and Manaslu mountain range with towering peaks of Machhapuchare ‘Fish Tail’. (Options via air 30 minutes of scenic flight from Kathmandu to land at Pokhara airport).
Day 04: Drive to Bhirethati 1,100 m and trek to Ulleri village 1,640 m - 05 hrs.
After a wonderful stop at scenic and beautiful Pokhara facing views of Annapurna Himal and Machhapuchare peaks 'Fish Tail', after breakfast heading beyond Pokhara valley to start our first day walk Drive leads along with grand views of Annapurna past farm villages and towns and then by bank of Modi River to reach at Bhirethati a charming village around Annapurna region. From here our first day starts on the slow winding trail with an uphill to Tirkhedhunga overlooking beautiful waterfalls after a short rest. As walk continues with a climb on nice paved stone steps to reach at Ulleri a large and typical Hill village, inhabited mostly by Gurung and Magar tribes with thatched and slated roofs offering views of Machhapuchare Himal with Annapurna South and Huinchuli peaks.
Day 05: Trek to Ghorepani 2,854 m - 04 hrs.
From here on gradual winding up trail to reach at Ghorepani as walk leads into lovely alpine woodland of rhododendron and pine trees. After a great pleasant walk reaching at Ghorepani for next morning hike to Poon Hill, Ghorepani home of Poon people of Magar origin tribe, an ethnic hill tribes of Nepal famous as Gorkha soldiers in UK-India and other foreign countries. This village with many good lodges offers marvelous views of Dhaulagiri-Tukuche-Nilgiri’s and Annapurna Himalayan mountains.
Day 06: Hike to Poon Hill 3,210 m and trek to Tadapani 2,680 m - 05 hrs.
Early morning before breakfast, hike up for an hour on top scenic Poon Hill at above 3,210 m our highest spot of this wonderful trekking. From Poon Hill catch striking sunrise views of the panorama of mountains which includes Dhaulagiri-Tukuche-Nilgiri’s-Annapurna Fang (Vara Shikar) Annapurna range of peaks with majestic Machhapuchare Himal 'Fish Tail' the unclimbed and virgin peaks of Himalaya. View includes Mt. Manaslu with Lamjung extending towards Ganesh Himal due to the eastern horizon, after a marvelous photo session head back to Ghorepani for breakfast and carries on trekking uphill into beautiful woods of rhododendron trees with views of mountains. Finally, as walk leads to descend and then up at Tadapani within forested areas with grand views of Annapurna Himalaya.
Day 07: Trek to Chomrong village at 2,170m - 04 hrs.
Another beautiful morning view from Tadapani, from here walk leads to a long descend to Kimrong valley within the shade of a forest to reach Gurjong village, then climb for another hour all the way to the top of Chomrong village, a short downhill walk to the overnight stop at Chomrong village. Chomrong the last permanent Gurung village on route Annapurna base camp and sanctuary with time to explore the village to witness local culture and custom.
Day 08: Trek to Dovan 2,600 m via Bamboo 2,310 - 06 hrs.
Morning walk downhill to Chomrong river, and then cross a bridge with uphill to Sinuwa at 2,360 m high, a lonely spot with few shops and nice lodges walk from here leads into cool forested area of oaks-rhododendron and pines trees and then a short steep descend to Bamboo, a small settlement with number of lodges surrounded within bamboo groves situated into a Modi River gorge. After Bamboo, an hour or more of slow climb leads you at Dovan for overnight stop located within Modi River Gorge with a couple of lodge for overnight stay.
Day 09: Trek to Machhapuchare Base Camp 3,700 via Deurali 3,200 m - 05 hrs.
After a peaceful overnight at Dovan with the sound of raging Modi River, morning walk leads towards higher areas into a forested area to reach at Himalaya Hotel, located beneath Huichuli peak and large overhanging Cave at Hinko. From here downhill to cross an ablation of old avalanche covered with rocks and moraine, then a short climb to Deurali. From Deurali after lunch stop uphill climb on leaving tree lines behind following Modi River all the way to reach at Machhapuchare base camp above 3,700 m high for an overnight stop, located beneath towering North Face of Machhapuchare Himal ‘Fish Tail’.
Day 10: Trek to Annapurna Base Camp 4,130 m - 03 hrs with a free afternoon.
Morning walk leads to our final and main destination at scenic Annapurna Base Camp within picturesque Sanctuary. Machhapuchare Base Camp which is the starting point of the sanctuary, as walk leads higher for an hour and then entering into a beautiful sanctuary with an amphitheatre of peaks that surrounds. After a few hours of pleasant walk brings you to at Annapurna base camp above 4,130 m the highest point of the adventure. Afternoon enjoy views of Annapurna I (8,091m / 26,545ft) Annapurna South (7,219m-23,693ft), Gangapurna (7,455m-24,457ft) and Annapurna III (7,555m-24,787ft), including to Mt. Machhapuchare (Fish-tail) at 6,790 m stretches up towards Tent Peak / Tharpu Chuli and Fluted Peaks or Singu Chuli.
Day 11: Trek to Bamboo 2,310 m - 06 hrs.
After a memorable and fantastic time at Annapurna base camp facing grand views of peaks, then heading on downhill trails and back into tree lines, where walk leads with few short ups and down to reach at Bamboo for ocean right stop.
Day 12: Trek to Jhinu Danda (hot-spring) 1,780 m - 05 hrs.
From Bamboo leaving Modi River gorge as climb leads up at Khuldi-Ghar into a forested area, and then a short gradual walk to Sinuwa danda, from here descend to Chomrong River, and then climb on steps to Chomrong for lunch stop. After Chomrong a short climb to the top ridge and then changing our direction from here with an alternative route to reach Pokhara, a short downhill walk brings at scenic and lovely Jhinu village for an overnight stop, located on a ridge top with views of surrounding landscapes and rolling green hills. Here time to enjoy in natural hot spring taking a short walk downhill by the Modi River where two fresh hot water spring pools located.
Day 13: Trek to Potana 1,900 m via Landruk village 1,520 m - 06 hrs.
After an exciting and nice overnight stop at Jhinu village morning on the downhill to reach Nayapul (New Bridge), from here cross a suspension bridge, and then with a short climb to Landruk village. After a rest with views walk is pleasant on winding trails with few short and up and down to reach at Tolka village with grand views of Annapurna South and Huinchuli. From here walk on the gradual trail with few short ups and down, past Bheda Kharka, and then an hour or less climb into the cool forest to reach at Deurali offering grand views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Huinchuli, and Mt. Machhapuchare and of Ghandruk village. From Deurali downhill through forested areas to Potana village for last overnight stop in high hills of Annapurna with fabulous views of peaks.
Day 14: Morning 2 hrs walks to Dhampus village 1,540 with an hour drive to Pokhara.
Our last day walk of the adventure starts with downhill to reach a ridge where Dhampus village situated offering a superb panorama of Annapurna-Manaslu-Lamjung with Machhapuchare Himal. On reaching at Dhampus with fantastic views, and then a short drive of an hour takes you back to Pokhara after a great and wonderful time up in the high mountains.
Day 15: Drive or fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to respective hotels.
After pleasant and interesting time on high hills and valley of Annapurna with last overnight at Pokhara, morning taking a drive back to Kathmandu on the same exciting highway where the interesting journey ends on reaching hustle and bustle city life of Kathmandu, afternoon free at leisure for individual activities and shopping souvenirs. (Options via air 30 minutes of scenic flight to Kathmandu from Pokhara airport).
Day 16: International departure for home ward bound.
Last day in Nepal country of high mountains and varied colorful culture, as per your international flight time, our staff transfer you to the airport for final departure homeward bound with fabulous and unique memories and adventure on Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp Trekking.
