Annapurna Sanctuary Trek
Stunning and an excellent introduction to trekking in the Nepal Himalaya.
The Himalayas of Nepal, known for their exceptional views, is the true treasure of nature. Travel enthusiasts seek to explore nature’s raw beauty and keep Nepal their top priority. Distinct landscapes, hospitable people, huge bio-diversity, and magnificent mountain peaks combine to make beautiful trekking trails. Annapurna Sanctuary Trek is a true blessing among the different trek paths in this Himalayan nation.
Annapurna Sanctuary Trek is somehow tricky and yet an adventurous walk on the foothills of the Himalayas. The prodigious display of the sheer unique power of nature makes a remarkable journey. The Base Camp trail mingles with a gorgeous and diverse landscape. This classic path takes you to the foothill of the 10th-highest mountain in the world. Even during the late 19s, travelers wandered around this particular region. You shall encounter small chores and Gomba in this tranquil journey of exotic traditions. Gliding farmlands and thick Bamboo and pine forests make the adventure walk a relaxing escape.
The trek is not all about the mountains and the forest. The occasionally terraced farmlands, traditional villages, and the region’s cultural beauty make it even more enjoyable. Once you walk above the farmland and outside the forest, you witness a unique and captivating alpine vegetation- the mountain landscape is very distinct. The swift-flowing rivers, along with the cascading waterfalls, add to the beauty. One gets to cross the substantial perennial rivers in the mountain’s heart with suspension and wooden bridges. Further, the natural hot spring water over the Jhinu Danda revitalizes the trekkers with positive energy.
As you land at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, our representative will welcome you. You will see a person waiting with your name on the placard, then drive to Thamel overnight. During the 20 minutes drive, you can enjoy the beauty of Kathmandu Valley.
Once you reach the hotel, you can spend your time relaxing. After some rest, you can stroll around Thamel. In the evening, we shall have a group interaction to inform you about our journey and enjoy the welcome dinner together. Today is our first dinner together.
Overnight stay at Kathmandu.
Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, is a stunning city. Also, it is the cultural and historical heart of the country. Kathmandu is famous as a city of temples. You can visit the UNESCO-listed world heritage sites that are beautiful to visit. The city is an amalgamation of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Western cultures.
After breakfast, we start our sightseeing from Pashupatinath Temple. This is an important Hindu shrine where people seek blessings from Lord Shiva. The area of Pashupatinath Temple is enormous and has other different monuments. Then, we will drive to Boudhanath. Boudhanath is the largest and the most beautiful Stupa in Nepal. Here, you can learn about Buddhist culture.
After that, we shall drive to Kathmandu Durbar Square. Hanuman Dhoka area has one of the three Durbar Squares in the valley. The area has different cultural monuments, such as the temples and the home of Kumari, the living goddess.
Overnight stay at Kathmandu.
Meals: Breakfast
Early in the morning, drive to Pokhara on a luxurious bus, a prodigious city full of lakes and mesmerizing beauties. The journey with the Trishuli River and the lush green hills accompanying us will be mesmerizing. The 6-7 hours drive will bestow beautiful nature and good food. Traveling on the tourist bus shall be comfortable and luxurious.
As we get to Pokhara, we get our luggage and move to the hotel. The town is overlooked by the Machapuchare, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri ranges that greet us with a smile. After some time unwinding and relaxing, you might want to explore the city. Boating in Phewa can be fun if the weather is calm and it’s not so late. You can wander around the hotel or Lakeside and live the nightlife of Nepal. This is also an excellent way to spend time with guides and porters before heading for the trek. A peaceful view of Phewa Lake will make your evening calm.
Overnight in Pokhara
Meals: Breakfast
After a delicious breakfast in Pokhara, it’s time to head north. We begin a drive to Nayapul in a private vehicle. The drive is scenic, with views of high hills, rivers, and occasional mountain vistas.
Nayapul is the trek starting point for Annapurna Sanctuary Trek. From here, we descend to Birethati and trek to Hile. The hike is fun and adventurous. If you are traveling in spring, the colorful Rhododendrons and orchids will welcome you to the region. We can see different local settlements during the journey. Hile has a few beautifully decorated lodges. We are going to stop in one of them for the night.
Overnight in Hile
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
After the delicious breakfast, we shall depart from Hile to reach the Ghorepani. The 6 hours hike to the Ghorepani is an exciting walk through the alpine forest of Oak, Pine, and Rhododendrons. Lucky people might spot wild animals wandering in the woods. The occasional glimpse of the Annapurna will not fail to mesmerize us. Crossing a suspension bridge of the Bhurungdi River, we continue our walk.
The village of Ghorepani is perfectly placed at an elevation of 2860m. The relatively peaceful stone-paved path will guide us to the town. The cultivated fields and the locals can be seen around. We can either stop in the Lower Ghorepani or walk up to the Upper Ghorepani. The following day’s walk to Poon Hill will get easier if we stay in Upper Ghorepani.
Overnight at Ghorepani
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Get ready for another prodigious day of the walk. We should wake up early in the morning and hike to Poon Hill. It is a renowned destination for the stunning sunrise view with the Panoramic Himalayas in the background. The rays of the sun that are perfectly falling over the panoramic vistas of the mountain will keep you amused.
You will meet hundreds of other tourists struggling to capture the perfect view. A glimpse of Dhaulagiri, Fishtail, Annapurna, Lamjung Himalayan ranges, etc., will greet you at Poon Hill. After some moments in Poon Hill, we journey down to Ghorepani.
Back to Ghorepani, first, enjoy the warm breakfast. After some rest, we get our bags ready and begin the ascent. Initially, we shall climb to the top of another hill for over an hour. The view from this hilltop is even more beautiful. Now, we walk down along the sub-tropical Rhododendron forest towards Tadapani. We cross some small settlements on the path before getting to Tadapani, a beautiful village with colorful lodges.
Overnight in Tadapani
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
From Tadapani, the path first descends for about an hour. The continuous descent of an hour through the beautiful terraced fields brings us to Kimrong Khola. We cross the river with a suspension bridge and continue our journey.
After the descending portion, we ascend uphill towards Sinuwa. On the trail, we hike through the beautiful village of Chuile. The different walk takes us to Sinuwa. Today’s hike is going to be equally adventurous and fun. Sinuwa is one of the most famous villages full of a calm, cheerful, and friendly Gurung community.
Above the village of Sinuwa, we can witness the mountain peaks such as Mt. Annapurna south, Virgin Peak, and Himchuli. The peaks feel to be close and accurate!
Overnight in Sinuwa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
We commence walking after a hot breakfast. From Sinuwa, the Annapurna Sanctuary trek trail gets even more interesting and exciting. The path now passes through the dense forest of Oak and Rhododendrons towards the forest of Bamboo. You will see the large fern species that are unique to Nepal only. Today, the long and steep stone staircase makes the entire journey. And obviously, the occasional glimpse of mountain vistas will keep you amused.
At this point, one feels that the mountain is appearing closer. The last section of the walk comprises a 2-hour continuous ascent leading to Dovan. This will be the adventurous part of the journey made yet. After some rest, we further walk to the Himalayas- this will be a short walk.
Today, you are suggested to get your bed early. We prepare our bodies for the ultimate climb the next day- Annapurna Base Camp waits for us.
Overnight in Himalayan Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Get ready for the most important day of your trek. We wake up in the morning and head towards the Machhapuchhre Base Camp and then to Annapurna Base Camp. We proceed to a place called Hinko Caveat 3100m. After some rest, we shall walk to Deurali.
First, our destination shall take us to Machhapuchhre Base Camp at 3700 meters. Machhapuchhre Himal, also called Fishtail, is about 6,993 m tall. This is a less popular base camp as the view is often blocked from this mountainside. While many trekkers choose to spend the night here, as per our Itinerary, we can walk to the Annapurna Base camp. You might want to capture some pictures before we walk further.
With full enthusiasm, we continue this walk to the Base Camp at Annapurna at 4130m. The mesmerizing views of the snow-capped mountains from the Annapurna base are more than stunning. You can witness ranges including Annapurna South, Lamjung Himal, Annapurna I, Hiunchuli Peak, Fishtail, and Barah Shikhar. We can capture the beauty of the Himalayas and spend some time savoring the taste of nature. This will be the most beautiful night as we sleep in the lap of massif Annapurna.
Overnight in Annapurna Base Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Now, we are all set to move back toward the Pokhara. But we will do that leisurely. You would love to spend the morning exploring more of this place. The calm morning wind and a warm cup of tea make the stay at Annapurna more fun.
After spending a beautiful night at the Base Camp, we take our journey backward. Retracing the same route, we first move to MBC. Now, waving another goodbye to Machhapuchhre, we trek down to Dovan. Although Dovan is an excellent place to stay after seven hours of trek, we will not stop here. Another short walk from Dovan brings us to bamboo. Here, the views of the mountain will continuously accompany us on the trek.
In the last section, you must be extra careful walking on the rugged units. Descending to the lower altitude might sound easy, but you can easily hurt your knee. Walking slowly and carefully brings you to the beautiful settlement of Bamboo, safe and sound.
Overnight in Bamboo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
After all these trek days, our body deserves an abate day. Today’s walk is rather calming and fun from the very beginning. We follow the path to Chhomrong. In Pine, Oak, and Rhododendron thick forests, we might encounter some wild animals and identify exotic birds.
After some rest here, we continue towards Jhinu Danda. Freshen yourself before walking to the hot spring- only a 20-minute walk. Some relaxing bath in a natural hot spring soothes your body’s soreness and aches. Locals believe that one bath in this hot spring heals all of your illnesses- internal or external. Take your time to relax and feel relief. After the bath, we are all energized to enjoy dinner.
Overnight in Jhinu Danda
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
After a relaxing day, it’s high time to return to Pokhara. This is the last day of the Annapurna Sanctuary trek.
In the morning, we walk along the river of Modi Khola on the right back. The river will accompany us throughout the trek. We first walk through the multiple small villages where we shall stop for lunch. You can also talk with local people and learn about their lifestyles. First, we step beyond the bamboo forests that take us to Birethanti. Today’s trail is relatively flat and enjoyable for your journey.
Nayapul is only a 3-4 hour of walk from Jhinudada. As we reach Nayapul, the Jeep to Pokhara will be waiting for us. On a seldom bumpy highway, we will drive slowly and smoothly. The view of hills and streams will still accompany us. When we reach Pokhara, we spend some time exploring the area. For the evening, we enjoy a delicious meal at Lake Side.
Overnight at Pokhara
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
In the morning, the beautiful view of Annapurna and Fishtail is seen perfectly over Phewa Lake. You can wake up early to enjoy this view. After breakfast, we shall begin our drive to Kathmandu. The 6 to 7 hours of the journey will be fun and thrilling. The river of Trishuli is visible from the window. This river is very popular for white water rafting in Nepal. In the peak season, many raft boats enjoy the river’s rapids.
In the evening, we will have some time to enjoy ourselves. You can spend your time shopping in the market in Thamel. Thamel bestows classic souvenirs, such as handicrafts, that you can carry as a gift to your loved one. In the evening, we shall enjoy the farewell dinner- our last one. We toast the accomplishments we achieved together and shared our trip experience. Any suggestions for us are welcome. After that, you can enjoy the nightlife of Thamel or have a sound sleep.
Overnight in Kathmandu
Meals: Breakfast
Today, your journey to this beautiful country in the Himalayas ends. Please provide us with your flight schedule so we can drive you to the airport accordingly. We shall drive you to the airport three hours before the flight to complete your customs formalities. Waving a last goodbye to Nepal, you proceed to the next generation.
We wish you a safe journey back.
Meals: Breakfast
We have daily departures for private trips, so we recommend booking it according to your schedule. We do not need a minimum group size for the private trip and won’t charge additional charges for a solo traveler.
Please let us know if you need additional services like pre/post accommodation, domestic flight, Everest Mountain Flight, adventurous sports, sightseeing, etc. Please fill out this customized form for your convenience.
Customize this trip with help from our local travel specialist that matches your interests.
We accept major currencies such as the US Dollar, the Great Britain Pound, the Euro, the Australian Dollar, the Singapore Dollar, the Indian Rupee, the Swiss Franc, the Canadian Dollar, the Japanese Yen, the Chinese Yuan, the Saudi Arabian Riyal, the Qatari Riyal, the Thai Baht, the UAE Dirham, the Malaysian Ringgit, the South Korean Won, the Swedish Kroner, the Danish Kroner, the Hong Kong Dollar, the Kuwaiti Dinar, and the Bahrain Dinar.
Type C, D, and M power plugs and sockets are used. The standard voltage and frequency are 230 V and 50Hz, respectively.
Vaccinations You must be completely vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days before traveling to Nepal. Vaccination documentation is required.
On Arrival Visas are available at Nepal's entrance points for travelers. Travelers from Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, and Syria, on the other hand, are required to obtain a visa through their nearest Nepalese diplomatic post (embassy/consulate).
To confirm the trek/tour package, we want a deposit of at least 20% of the total tour/trek fee. The remaining balance must be paid when you arrive in Nepal. We take Visa, Maestro, MasterCard, American Express, and other major credit cards. The total cost of a Bhutan and Tibet tour must be paid in full at the time of booking.
We strongly advise you to purchase a SIM card for reliable internet access throughout Nepal. Nepal Telecom (owned by the government) and NCELL (owned by the private sector) are the two main SIM card providers in Nepal. It is preferable to get a SIM card at an airport, where staff will assist with activation and data plan purchases. If you have a SIM card, it will be easier for you to contact us and locate our airport agent.
You can charge your electrical devices at hotels and lodges because there are no power outages. In the Himalayan region, however, hotel owners may levy a nominal fee.
The trek to Annapurna commences from Pokhara. After staying in this beautiful city, one moves toward Nayapul and Ghorepani. Ghorepani is a popular stop for the Gandruk -Poon Hill trek. After exploring Poon Hill, you will be walking up towards Tadapani.
Further walking the classic route, we move towards Sinuwa and the Himalayan Hotel. Crashing in the base camp of the Annapurna, we will be living the most exciting night of our life. After some beautiful clicks, we move towards Bamboo and Jhinu Dada. The hot water pond in Jhinu Dada will take off your tiredness before getting down to Phedi and finally reaching Pokhara.
The total walking distance for the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek is 80 km/50 mi. Here is the list of the distance you will be covering each day.
Nayapul – Ulleri, 12 km
Ulleri – Ghorepani, 8 km
Ghorepani – Poon Hill and then Ghorepani – Tadapani, 13 km
Tadapani – Sinuwa, 13 km
Sinuwa – Himalaya Hotel, 14 kms
Himalaya Hotel – ABC, 9 km
ABC – Bamboo, 15km/19 km
Bamboo to Jhinu Danda- 8.5 km
Jhinu Danda to Nayapul- 13.1 kms
First, our travel agency makes all the arrangements relative to the Permit for the tour- you have nothing to worry about. But knowing the Permit will keep you informed about the trek.
Two types of permits are mandatory for the Annapurna trek. The first one is the Trekkers Information Management System Card (also called TIMS. And then, we need an entry permit to enter the Annapurna Conservation Area. TIMS’s cost is about Rs 3000 for a national park entry permit, which is Rs 2000. These permits can be purchased from the Pokhara tourism office. Here, you can also extend the visa to stay in Nepal. The permits for the base camp are checked along the way.
Thankfully, Annapurna Base Camp is achievable at anytime time of the year. Yet, the monsoon (May, June, July) is not a good time. The evening mostly gets heavy rainfall, and the dark clouds are ever-present. And the summer also brings mosquitoes, leeches, and slippery roads. At the same time, it can be a good time for the keen biologist as the animals and plants are active.
Autumn (September to November) receives the maximum number of visitors. Autumn is relatively dry and warm with crystal clear blue sky and moderate temperature. Spring is also the best time, with the wildflowers blooming all around. The trail is filled with red and white Rhododendrons and exotic flowers in spring. These two seasons are the best time and yet the most crowded ones. So, it’s necessary to book the hotels in advance.
And for the rest of the year, mostly winter (December to January), the trail will be quieter. Dry air and clear sky make extraordinary visibility, but the cold and snow can make the path difficult. Trekking in December needs the appropriate packaging.
Three-star hotel accommodation is included in Pokhara and Kathmandu. While we are on a trekking path, we will mostly stay in a Local Hotel called tea houses. The tea houses have a private room with two single beds with a mattress, blanket, and pillow. The rooms are small and yet comfortable for the stay.
Regarding the food, locals expect travelers to eat where they stay. For breakfast, you can have eggs, pancakes, sandwiches, milk, and tea. You get packets of Noodles, Pudding, Macaroni, Chowmein, Dal Bhat Tarkari, Momo, and more for lunch and dinner. Nepalese cuisine, i.e., Dal Bhat is the cheapest and the most filling option.
When you travel above 2400m meters, you can develop a specific sickness called altitude sickness. AMS is the effect of lower oxygen levels that come with high elevation on our body.
The symptoms, such as headache, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, shortness of breath, etc., can be fatal. If such symptoms look severe in you, it gets harsh with time. So, you need to ascend downhill and get enough water. This issue can be solved by including enough acclimatization days in your itinerary. Also, there is medicine such as Diamox that helps in acclimatizing. But in extreme cases, you might need helicopter evacuation.
Travel Insurance is compulsory before you book our traveling package. We will collect the information about your insurance before you get to Nepal. To be safe, ensure that your insurance covers emergency medical evacuation. Also, it should cover Helicopter rescues at higher altitudes. So, be careful to pick your insurance.
Upon your arrival in Nepal, you must pass the customs formalities of your baggage. Electronics other than personal belongings, such as laptops, video recorders, and cameras, are allowed in Nepal. But if you purchase an antique piece as a souvenir, it needs certification from the Department of Archeology. It is illegal to export artifacts older than 100 years from Nepal.
We can arrange solo or group trekking (2 to 16 people) per your schedule. Every two people get a porter, and the larger group gets more assistance guides. Also, you can join the fixed departure trip, which is relatively cheaper.
Annapurna Sanctuary Trek has been listed as a Grade B trek. It means this trek is moderately complex. So, anyone with sound fitness can do this trek, even without previous experience. Before the expedition, a few weeks of training, such as walking, running, swimming, and cycling, make the walk feasible.
On average, you walk for 4 to 6 hours per day. We will be covering about 10km each day; it is relatively easy.
The highest altitude we reach is 4190m above sea level. Annapurna Base Camp is at the highest altitude.
Yes, you can charge the batteries in the tea houses. You can charge your gadget in the room or reception if you have a charger. Also, there is a hot shower facility on the trekking trail. But you may have to pay a certain amount for both ($1-$2). Hot water facilities and charging can be accessible at a lower elevation.
Yes, most places provide you with Internet access. You can get your device connected to the internet with some additional charge. But sometimes, there is a technical problem with the connection. So, you can get a local SIM; we will help you get the SIM.
No. The last ATM you will find is located in Pokhara. There are no ATMs on the Annapurna trek route. Make sure you have drawn enough cash from the ATM in Pokhara or Kathmandu. Also, it would help if you had the cash in Nepalese rupee. You can convert the dollars into Rupees before you head on the trek.
Although we provide a porter, you need to limit your packing. Make sure you pack only essential stuff and keep the weight below 10kg. And there is no need to carry any camping or cooking gear. You can also get your handbag for the critical stuff and gadget. After booking the trek, we provide you with the entire packing list for the tour. Also, your guide can help you buy/rent some of the trekking gear in Thamel.
Well, we will find a well-experienced guide and porter for you. You do not need to worry about hiring them personally. You come, enjoy the trek, and return. Simple!
Your guide and porter expect some tips for their hard work, but it is not compulsory. However, there is no particular amount set for tipping. They will happily receive what you give them.
If you are confused, the standard rule is to pay approximately US$ 8-10 per day. If it is 12 days trek, the minimum expected tips will be US$ 120. But you can trek something higher than this. Also, you can tip a taxi driver or the restaurant staff 10% of the bill.
And if we have missed anything, do let us know. If you have any inquiries, please comment below. We would love to guide you on the trek.
You need to click the Book Now button, fill out the trip booking form, and proceed with the payment. We need a minimum 20% payment to confirm the trek, and after the successful payment, we will send a confirmation voucher to you. You must settle the balance by day 1 of this Annapurna Sanctuary Trek. We need your passport copy, insurance copy, international flight details, copy of PP-sized photographs, and emergency contact details one week before the trip departure date.
We will provide 3-star hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara. If you want to upgrade hotel accommodation in Kathmandu, please let us know we will provide 4-star or 5-star hotel accommodation as requested. If you have a specific hotel requirement, please let us know we will provide that hotel too. During there are only teahouses with basic facilities. We will provide the best available lodges during the trek.
There is a hot water shower during the trek, but we don’t recommend you take a shower after Chhomrong because of the high altitude. You can clean your body with wet wipes.
The best experience we had with Peregrine was the whole tour of the Annapurna Base Camp Trek was tailor-made for our requirements; all our requests were reviewed, discussed, and accepted and, in some instances, with a better recommendation.
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