Day 1
Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport we meet & greet and transfer you to your chosen hotel in Kathmandu. The rest of the day is free for you to settle into your hotel and relax, or start exploring the local area.
Day 2
After a morning pre-tour briefing we head out into Kathmandu for a tour of the city. We visit Dubar Square, with its numerous temples and the old royal palace, we take a walk up to the top of Swayambunath Stupa for a great view over the city, and of course there is plenty of time to enjoy the numerous shops and stalls along the way. The evening is free for you to try out one of the many local restaurants.
Day 3
This morning we travel by road to Pokhara. The drive offers a great chance to see rural Nepal as we cross the foothills of the Himalayas. The landscape can be breathtaking in places, with snow-capped peaks, roaring rivers and traditional hillside villages. Arriving in Pokhara we check in to our hotel and the rest of the day is free to relax and explore this picturesque lakeside town.
Day 4
Today we take the hour and a half drive out to Nayapul and start our trek. We head up the main trail to Birethanti then, crossing the river, we ascend sharply via Hille to Tirkhe Dhunga (1,540m), where we spend the night in a comfortable trekking lodge. We overnight at a lodge in Thirke Dhunga.
Day 5
Leaving Tirkhe Dhunga we ascend a steep stone staircase to the large Magara Village at Ulleri (2,070m). Trekking through rhododendron and oak forests and across numerous streams we climb to Nangethanti before the final ascent to Ghorepani (2,850m). We overnight at a lodge in Ghorepani.
Day 6
An early start today to climb to one of the best viewing points in the Himalayas at Poon Hill (3,210m) in order to catch the spectacular sunrise. We then descend and follow a lightly forested ridge with view to either side, Machhhapuchare is visble to our left. Descending down a forested gorge to Banthanti, we continue to Tadapani (2,700m) for views of Annapurna South and Machhhapuchare across the valley. We overnight at a lodge in Tadapani.
Day 7
Descending through a moss covered forest we arrive onto terraced fields on the side of a steep valley. We follow the valley down past cowsheds and small houses with people working on the terraces, before crossing a bridge and climbing up the other side of the valley. We then cross over into the Modi Khola Valley and the short trail to Chomrong (2,300m), a large spread out village situated on the side of a stone staircase that descends down the side of the valley. We overnight at a lodge in Chomrong.
Day 8
Departing Chomrong we follow the well worn trail and gently climb through rhododendron and bamboo forests with sightings of the monkeys that inhabit this area. At the branch in the trail we head right to the bamboo lodges and the river, before climbing again thorough rhododendron forests and the last steep section to the Himalaya Hotel at Doban (2,890m). We overnight at a lodge near the Himalaya Hotel.
Day 9
We leave the tree line behind and ascend into open ground, traversing past Hinku Cave, and cross two regular avalanche flows to Deurali. From here we ascend the narrow entranceway into the Annapurna Sanctuary and cross the barren rocky valley to the Machhhapuchare Base Camp (3,720m). From here it is less than 2 hours to Annapurna Base Camp (4,095m) and the spectacular views of some to the world’s highest mountains. We overnight at a lodge near the Machhapuchhare Base Camp.
Day 10
Most of the today is spent enjoying the amazing scenery that surrounds you. The huge south face of Annapurna (8,090m) provides an impressive backdrop, while the closeness of 10 peaks all over 6000 metres is simply awe inspiring. We overnight at a lodge near the Annapurna Base Camp.
Day 11 - 12
From Annapurna Base Camp we retrace our steps back down through the rhododendron and bamboo forests to village of Bamboo where we stop for the night. We then head on down the Modi Khola valley to Jhinnudanda and the chance of a reinvigorating soak in the nearby hot springs. We overnight at a lodge in Bamboo & Jhinnudanda.
Day 13 - 14
Today we continue on to Landruk and then start the steady ascent through Tolka to Pothana, where we spend the night. The following day we make the short trek to Phedi, and then transfer by road back to Pokhara where we can relax and recover from the trek. We overnight at a lodge in Pothana and a hotel in Pokhara.
Day 15
Today is free for you to enjoy Pokhara and its surroundings. Optional activities include day walks to Devi falls and Sarangkot, a boat ride on Lake Phewa, and a cycle ride into the hills. There is also plenty to keep you occupied in the evenings with many restaurants and bars on offer.
Day 16
From Pokhara we drive back to Kathmandu. Once back in Kathmandu the rest of the day and evening is free for you to relax after the days drive.
Day 17
Your last day is free for you to catch up on some last minute souvenir shopping before we transfer you to the airport for your flight home.
