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A hike to the Annapurna Sanctuary, a shimmering mountain ringed glacier basin in the heart of the Annapurna Himal, is one of the most intensely scenic short treks in Nepal, offering great cultural and geographical diversity as well as outstanding mountain views. Part of the appeal of this 10 day trek is that such an incredible, huge glacial cirque is so quickly reached—it takes only five days to hike up to it! Along the way, you’ll pass lowland villages of Gurung (ancestral home of our Asia Program Director!) and Tamang clans, cut through thick forests of bamboo, rhododendron, and oak, trek up and down intricately terraced hills, and finally reach the glaciers and high mountains. Once at the sanctuary, you’ll be surrounded by the highest peaks of the western Annapurna Himal, Annapurna South (23,814'), Annapurna I (26,545') and III (24,787'), Gangapurna (24,458'), Fang (25,089'), and the “fishtail” peak of Machapuchare (22,958'). The 360-degree views are indescribably beautiful, especially at sunset, when the peaks glow with a molten radiance.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the Annapurna Sanctuary, with its majestic Himalayan mountain views
• Hike to Annapurna South Base Camp in the footsteps of mountaineering expeditions
• Enjoy meeting some of Nepal’s remarkable ethnic clans in hillside villages and along the trail

Day 1 – Arrive in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.

Day 2 – Morning visit to the key sights around the Kathmandu Valley, then fly to Pokhara, about 100 miles west of Kathmandu.

Days 3-4 - Trek to Ghorapani (9,400'), with spectacular views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli.

Day 5 - Early morning hike to Poon Hill (10,475') for sunrise views of Dhaulagiri, Hiunchuli, Annapurna I, and Annapurna South. Continue to Tadapani (8,900')

Days 6-8 Hike up and down through bamboo and rhododendron forests to Doban (8,628'), then continue to the Sanctuary and Machapuchare Base Camp (12,204').

Day 9 - A day to explore the Sanctuary and admire views of snowy summits and plummeting glaciers. Optional walk to Annapurna South Base Camp (13,435') below the towering, near-vertical south face of Annapurna. (This base camp was used by Chris Bonington’s famous 1970 Annapurna South Face Expedition, which made a spectacular ascent on this route.)

Days 10-11 - Return trek: the trail climbs up to a ridge with a spectacular view of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Machapuchare, and Annapurna III before making a gradual descent to the sprawling village of Ghandrung (6,000'), second largest Gurung village in Nepal.

Day 12 Hike down to the roadhead and meet vehicles; drive to Pokhara.

Day 13 Return to Kathmandu.

Day 14 Depart Kathmandu, or join one of our extensions in Nepal or to India, Vietnam, or Cambodia.

Photo Credits
© Jock Montgomery