The Annapurna Sanctuary Lodge Trek
A spectacular trek into the heart of the Annapurna Sanctuary and to Annapurna Base Camp

The Annapurna Sanctuary is the name given to a tremendous glacial basin which lies to the north of Pokhara. The classic trek up the Modi Khola Valley and into the heart of this vast natural amphitheatre culminates at Annapurna Base Camp, below the awesome south face of Annapurna (8091m).

Rising some 10,000 feet above the glacier this is one of the world’s most famous mountaineering challenges, and without any question one of the most spectacular sights in the Himalaya. Our trek begins in Pokhara where we ascend through breathtaking forests of oak and magnolia, which occasionally part to give tantalising views of the mountains ahead. As we climb higher, we glimpse the fluted peak of Machhapuchhare (6991m), known as the Fishtail Peak because of its distinctive summit shape. As we trek deep into the gorge of the Modi Khola, the walls of the mountains rise so steeply above us that for a while all views are lost. But eventually we emerge into the heart of the sanctuary and little by little the vastness of this unique amphitheatre reveals itself to us. Above our campsite rears a tremendous wall of ice and rock containing eleven of Nepal’s major peaks, and at the centre of this magnificent scene is Annapurna’s massive South Face, climbed by Chris Bonington’s landmark 1970 expedition. Eventually we leave this rugged world of ice and rock and descend to the verdant fields of Ghorapani. Above this bustling village is one of the finest viewpoints in Nepal, and our dawn ascent of Poon Hill provides a breathtaking panorama from the peaks of the Sanctuary right across the Kali Gandaki Valley to Dhaulagiri.

Grade
Strenuous

Duration
17 days

DAY 1 Depart UK
We depart from London Heathrow Airport for the flight to Kathmandu.

DAY 2 Arrive Kathmandu
We arrive in Kathmandu in the afternoon and are met by some of our team of Sherpas. We transfer by private coach to the comfortable Hotel Marsyangdi situated in the very centre of the Thamel tourist district of the city. We are within close walking distance of the many restaurants, bars and shops which this part of the city is famous for. After checking into our rooms we can relax in the hotel’s pleasant garden before an early evening meal.

DAY 3 Sightseeing in Kathmandu
A free day to explore this lively and exotic city. Guidebooks will suggest many popular excursions including the Buddhist stupa at Bodnath and the Monkey Temple at Swayambunath. These are best visited using a taxi or by bicycles which are available for rental at every street corner. In truth there are so many places to see in the Kathmandu valley that you will not have time for all of them. Many people enjoy just wandering about the narrow alleyways of Asan market place, or down by the temples and pagodas of Durbar Square, near to the old hippy area of Freak Street. Others will need to scour the plethora of walking and climbing shops for that last essential piece of trekking equipment. And for those who just have to stay in touch with the outside world you can check your email in one of the many internet cafes which have sprung up around Thamel Chowk and the Kathmandu guest house. In the evening we will visit a traditional Newari restaurant for an authentic Nepali meal and live entertainment.

DAY 4 Fly to Pokhara
Early in the morning we depart our hotel for the airport and take the scenic mountain flight to Pokhara in Nepal’s western foothills. This popular tourist town is situated at a very low altitude and it will probably be quite hot and humid when we arrive. The Pokhara valley is one of the most beautiful areas in Nepal and above the town there is a superb panorama of Nepal’s central Himalaya including Annapurnas I & III, Manaslu, and the stunning Fishtail peak of Machapuchare. Our Sherpa team meet us at the airport with a private coach and we drive to the hamlet of Phedi at the foot trailhead. The Sherpas will need to spend a little time sorting out the porters loads before we begin our trek, hiking for three hours to the village of Dhampus. Annapurna South and Machapuchare form a delightful backdrop to the lush green fields which surround the village.

DAY 5 Trek to Landrung
Our first full day of trekking takes us through the village of Tanchok Potana before we cross a forested ridge and emerge onto an open hillside. We follow an easy trail which gradually descends to the village of Landrung, perched high above the Modi Khola in a sea of terraced fields.

DAY 6 Trek to Chomrong
From Landrung we descend down to the gloomy depths of the Modi Khola river gorge and cross this via a rickety old suspension bridge. We pass a small area of hot springs and then climb up steeply on the far bank and follow the course of the river to the prosperous village of Chomrong. This is a well populated Gurung area with many of the men folk having served in the Gurhka regiments either in Britain or India. There are a number of well appointed lodges here including the ever popular Captain’s Lodge, run by an old Gurhka officer. There are good views again of Annapurna South and to the east rises Machapuchare. This spectacular peak was first attempted in 1957 by an expedition led by the Himalayan veteran Jimmy Roberts. They stopped just 150 feet below the summit, and since then the mountain has been off limits for climbers – its summit regarded as Sacred to the local communities. Today a fierce debate rages in Nepal over whether the mountain should be opened up again for expeditions. It is effectively the ‘Ama Dablam’ of the region and opening it up would undoubtedly attract a huge number of climbers to the area and provide a large cash injection for the local economy.

DAY 7 Trek to Dovan
Leaving Chomrong the trail descend steeply down to the Chomrong Khola and crosses this via a suspension bridge. It then climbs up through thick forests of rhododendron and oak to a small clearing at Khuldi Ghar (2130m). These forests give way to dense bamboo thicket which at times overgrow the path. Local villagers cut this bamboo extensively to make floor matting, dokos (porters baskets) and even to construct small shepherds huts. We come to another small clearing at Dovan (2430m) with its tea houses, surrounded by the steep walls of the Modi Khola gorge.

DAY 8 Trek to Macchapuchare Base Camp
The gorge remains narrow as we follow the path deeper into the Sanctuary. Above us the rock walls rise almost sheer. We pass the tea houses at Himalaya Hotel and continue on to Hinko Cave. This huge overhanging rock has its own little tea house and amongst the porters of the region it is a popular place to spend the night. We press on, and gradually the walls of the valley which have felt almost oppressively close up to now, begin to widen out and we eventually emerge into open Himalayan pastures at Machapuchare base camp (3700m) with the Fishtail Peak towering over us.

DAY 9 Trek to Annapurna Base Camp
We trek for an hour or two and come to the region known as Annapurna Basecamp (4100m) where there is a small collection of lodges and tea houses. The views from here are absolutely outstanding and we are utterly dwarfed by this huge amphitheatre of snow, ice and rock. The towering ramparts of Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, Fang, Annapurna III and Macchapuchare completely encircle us, apart from the small, narrow gap where we entered this great cirque. Both sunset and sunrise from here produce an awesome display of colours and we will no doubt use plenty of film.

DAY 10 Annapurna Base Camp - afternoon descent to 'Bamboo'
The morning will be free at Annapurna Base Camp. After lunch we begin our descent of the Modi Khola, to the small clearingand settlement known as ‘Bamboo’.

DAY 11 Retun to Chomrong
We continue retracing our steps down the Modi Khola and back to the village of Chomrong.

DAY 12 Trek to Ghandrung
We branch off from the route we trekked in on, and make for the prosperous Gurung village of Ghandrung. This is one of the most photographed places in the Annapurna region, and understandably so since the views over the pretty village towards Annapurna South and Hiunchuli are pure picture postcard material. We can watch the local people thresh corn and weave their bamboo baskets and mats.

DAY 13 Trek to Ghorepani
Leaving Ghandrung behind we climb over a high and densely forested ridge with very few views of the mountains. But the temporary gloom of the forest is only short lived and when we emerge close to Ghorepani we are rewarded with a completely new vista stretching across towards Dhaulagiri (8167m).

DAY 14 Poon Hill - then trek out to Pokhara
Above Ghorepani is the famous Poon Hill, one of the finest mountain viewpoints in the whole of Nepal. We climb this easy hill just before dawn which allows us to witness the spectacular Himalayan sunrise. Dhaulagiri is most conspicuous, its huge eastern flank rising in a tremendous sweep above the Kali Gandaki, whilst in the other direction we look across the Annapurna range. After taking numerous photographs we return to Ghorepani for a mid-morning breakfast before continuing our trek down through magnificent forests of oak and rhododendron to Birethanti (1050m). A few minutes below this village our private vehicles will be waiting for us here and we drive to Pokhara and our hotel besides Phewa Tal lake.

DAY 15 Pokhara - afternoon flight to Kathmandu
A free morning in Pokhara. Many itineraries for the Annapurna Circuit don’t spend any time in Pokhara but the lakeside area of the town is very pleasant with a variety of good restaurants and cafes set amongst banana groves and bougainvillea. A relaxing day can be spent boating on the lake or you may wish to hire a taxi and drive for the classic and much photographed panorama of the entire Annapurna range. In the afternoon we transfer to the airport for the short flight back to Kathmandu. For those lucky enough to be sitting on the left hand side of the aircraft, there is a great view of the western end of the Nepal Himalaya.

DAY 16 Kathmandu - evening departure
The morning will be free in Kathmandu. In the afternoon we transfer to the airport for our homeward flight.

DAY 17 Arrive UK
We arrive at London Heathrow Airport in the early morning.