ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP

For a short trek with altitude problems, the Annapurna Himalaya region provides you with unparalleled access to spectacular horizons of snowy peaks, so high that you’ll find yourself looking twice before you believe that they are not clouds. As well as providing the views for which the trek is famous, the trail takes you through an ever - changing landscape of rice fields, misty forests and tiny local villages.

Day 1 Kathmandu - Pokhara
Fly or drive to Pokhara (200km). Overnight camp at the lakeside.

Day 2 Pokhara - Birethanti - Ulleri
Drive to Birethanti (1140m) form Pokhara. Walk through the lush, green Modi river valley, past waterfalls with plunge pools that invite you to swim. Ascend steep staircase to Magar village of Ulleri (2070m,) where you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the valley below and the peaks of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli.

Day 3 Ulleri - tadapani
A short early - morning climb through pasture and cultivated fields. As the trail climbs higher, you walk up beside the cascading river through refreshingly cool oak and rhododendron forest to Ghorepani (2840m)

Day 4 Ghorepani - Tadapani
A short early - morning climb to the Deurali pass for a spectacular panorama over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas, and all the way south to the plains of India. Trail descends steeply through dense moss - covered forest rich with bird life to Tadapani (2540m) for beautiful sunset views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare.

Day 5 Acclimatization day
As you adjust to the altitude, you can either spend the day relaxing and enjoying the mountain views, or hike for a day towards the southern base camp of Annapurna South.

Day 6 Tadapani - Chhomrung
The trail drops down from Tadapani, through dense rhododendron forest. From Ghandrung there are good views of the upper Modi valley. The route starts the long ascent high above the west bank of the Modi Khola, and continues up to the village of Chhomrung (2040m) Towering above the village is the mighty peak of Annapurna South, with the Fishtail facing it across the valley.

Day 7 Chhomrung - Himalayan Hotel
We walk through the forest to Kuldi Ghar, before the route goes steeply down a bank of rock and then levels out, running through riverside bamboo thickets along the base of the gorge. Then the track winds steeply up through deep bamboo and rhododendron forest to the village of Doban. We camp above Himalaya Hotel (2680m)

Day 8 Annapurna South Glacier Basin
The track remains on the west bank of the Modi, now flowing through a more open valley, and eventually emerges into the Sanctuary. Straight ahead is the high lateral moraine of the South Annapurna glacier and the Modi follows a deep cliff to the right. This is the site of Machhapuchhre base camp (3480m) from which can be seen a spectacular panorama of mountains. We either camp here or continue northwest, staying above the glacier moraine.

Day 9 Annapurna South Base Camp Visit
The route begins on a broad grassy path, before cliombing over lateral moraine and down to the beautiful abation valley. We soon reach the British Expedition Annapurna South Face Base Camp (4234m). the best views are probably obtained form the crest of the morine, which we follow until it is cut through by the glacier flowing down from Himal Chuli to the north.

Day 10 Annapurna South Base Camp - Dovan
Descend and follow the same route to a pleasant camp spot at Dovan, which lies on the boundary of the Sanctuary.

Day 11 Dovan - Modi Khola
The trail passes the small village of Khuldi bikas, before continuing through rhododendron and bamboo fields to the Alpine - style village of Chhomrung. Stony steps climb steely to Kabre Chautara and soon after we turn off Landrung, leaving the Ghandrung path dropping away towards the river.

Day 12 Modi Khola - Dhampus
After an easy descent to the Gurung village of Landrung, the trail crosses a pass before arriving at the tiny village of Dhampus, perched high on a ridge.

Day 13 Dhampus - Pokhara
It’s a short climb down to Phedi, where we meet the road and drive back to Pokhara.

Day 14 Pokhara - Kathmandu (Fly or drive)