Annapurna Sanctuary trek is an outstanding trek to admire the beauty and adventure in Annapurna region. The moderate trek reaches an elevation of 4310 m. to its destination Annapurna base camp and Jomsom.
We witness spectacular mountain vistas, traditional settlements, and lush forests and sub-tropical valleys. The comfortable trail passes through Ghorepani, Tadapani, Jhinu Danda and other tourist spots. The mesmerizing mountain vistas of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and surrounding sceneries make Poonhill the best vantage point in Nepal.
The trek with its easy trails explores gorgeous lowlands to wonderful high mountains. The trail traverses terraced fields, Dhampus ridge, Gurung villages, dense forests, and Hinko cave.
Poonhill is famous for the gorgeous sunrise from the mountains and the surrounding vistas. Marpha village in the trail is known for its beautiful apple orchards and their Apple brandy. The excursion to the sacred Hindu and Buddhist temple, Muktinath, is a religious experience.
Highlights of the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek
- Views of Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Fishtail, Himchuli, Lamjung Himal and Tukuche peak.
- Forests adorned with rhododendrons, roses, apricots, and other flowers.
- Gurung and Magar settlements.
You might want to consider Annapurna Circuit Trek and Annapurna Base Camp Trek which are very similar trek in Annapurna region.
<p>Once we complete the arrangements for the trek, we start the day with a drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. It takes around 6 – 7 hours. It is a scenic route with the green fields, rivers, traditional villages along the way. We reach Pokhara in the evening and enjoy in the restaurants and pubs in the lakeside area.</p>
<p>Early morning we drive to Nayapul after breakfast which is the starting point of our trek. We take a short walk along the banks of Modi Khola. We finally reach Birethanti, a large village with shops and teahouses. Then, we walk along the north bank of Bhurungdi Khola and then climb up a valley to Hile at 1495 m. A short climb takes us to Tikhedhunga at 1525 m. We spend the night here.</p>
<p>The trek from Tikhedhunga begins with a steep climb to Ulleri at 2070 m. Ulleri is a large Magar village with unique cultures. We make a gentle climb, through forests of oaks and rhododendrons, to reach Banthanti at 2250 m. Then the trail reaches Nange thanti (2460m) and then after an hour to Ghorepani.</p><p></p><p>Ghorepani is a traditional village with wonderful panoramic views of Annapurna South and Nilgiri. The people welcome us with warm hospitality and unique cultures. We can buy souvenirs in the shops here. We stay here overnight.</p>
<p>The main highlight of the day is the top of Poon Hill, one of the best vantage points in Nepal. The views of the mountains turning golden with the first rays of the sun are exquisite. We start the hike early and reach Poon hill in about 45 minutes. Then we enjoy the views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Pokhara valley as well as Mustang.</p><p></p><p>Then, we trek back to Ghorepani. After breakfast, we move east and climb a ridge. Then we descend through forests and waterfalls to finally reach Tadapani. We spend the night here.</p>
<p>The trail descends through a rhododendron forest and then opens to beautiful terraced fields. We make an uphill climb and pass through waterfalls and a suspension bridge. A few more uphill and downhill treks and we reach our destination, Chhomrong.</p>
<p>We trek down to Chhomrong khola and then continue our climb to Khudighar. We cross stone steps and a suspension bridge to reach Sinuwa Danda where we have lunch. We pass through rhododendron and bamboo forests and sloppy cliffs and finally reach Dovan.</p>
<p>From Dovan, we pass through dense forests with many waterfalls. Slowly, the beautiful mountain vistas come into view as we visit the Hinko cave and Barahi temple. We reach Deurali after a while and get to see Mt. Fishtail ridge and interesting wildlife if the weather is clear. We stay here overnight.</p>
<p>The leveled trail past old avalanche debris finally enters Annapurna sanctuary. After a while, we reach Machchhapuchhre Base camp. We see Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna III, Himchuli, Gandharvachuli, and Gangapurna mountains from here.</p><p></p><p>From the base camp, we turn left and ascend gently to Annapurna Base camp. After a steady walk to acclimatize, we cross a gorge to finally reach the Annapurna Base camp. We can see Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Fishtail and Himchuli mountains from here.</p>
<p>From the exquisite Base camp, we trace our way back to Bamboo along Modi River Bank. We take an easy descend with the changing shapes of the mountains. There are few loose trails as we continue towards the tranquil viewpoints. We finally reach Sinuwa where we stay overnight.</p>
<p>We descend through forests to Chhomrong Khola and retrace our steps to Chhomrong. Then we make our way across Jhinu Danda with a hot spring along the bank of Modi River. We follow the river bank to reach Kyumi River Bridge where we can spot monkeys, deer, and butterflies. Finally, we reach the Gurung village of Ghandruk. The village is a heaven with beautiful terraced fields, unique cultures, and glistening mountains. It is a warm experience to spend the night in the cultural village of the Gurkhas.</p>
<p>On the last day of the trek, we walk along stone steps in the middle of terraced fields. We reach Syaulebazaar and enjoy the changing mountain sceneries along with the different flowers that bloom here.</p><p></p><p>Then, we trek down towards Birethanti and then to Nayapool. From Nayapool, we drive to Pokhara and enjoy the lakeside area in the evening.</p>
<p>We visit some famous tourist destinations like Sarangkot, White Gumba, and Bindhebasini temple. Then, we take a short flight back to Kathmandu to end our trek.</p>
Cost Includes
- 2 nights accommodation in Pokhara(Hotel Dharma Inn)
- All ground transportation by Bus and car
- All accommodations in teahouse and all 3 times meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) during the treks
- All cost for guide leader (First Aid and Eco trained English Speaking) All required major permit
- All necessary paper works and permits
- Travel & Rescue arrangements
- Exclusive Medical Kit Bag
- All government and local taxes if necessary
Cost Excludes
- Visa fees/ International airfare to & from home city/ international airport departure taxes
- Excess baggage charges & Monuments & Monastery fees
- All the drinks while you are on trek
- Hotels in Kathmandu
- Lunch And dinner while you are in Katmandu and Pokhara
- tips for guide
- Entry fees in Katmandu sleight seeing sites
Q1. How difficult is Annapurna Sanctuary Trekking?
Actually, Annapurna Sanctuary trek is not that hard. The difficulty level depends upon your physical fitness and previous trekking experience.
However, trek route includes steep climb uphill, downhill, and rocky path. This requires physical fitness and stamina and most importantly mental fitness. Thus, a good exercise and training program is essential.
Your training program should include physical strengthening, conditioning, balancing and so on.
We have a flexible itinerary with enough acclimatization and rest days before heading to higher elevations for your easy trekking.
Q2. How long does Annapurna Sanctuary Trek take?
Annapurna Sanctuary Trek takes 12 to 16 days, depending on your itinerary and length of walking days. Here’s a 15 days itinerary, starting from Nayapul and ascending up to Ghorepani and the famous viewpoint at Poon Hill.
You can also extend the itinerary from 20-22 days and opt Annapurna Circuit Trek, which is rewarding in itself.
Q3. How fit do I have to be for Annapurna Sanctuary Trek?
For Annapurna Sanctuary trek, you don’t have to be a marathon runner, but you do have to be fit and healthy. During the trek, you may have to trek for 7-8 hours per day. For this trek, no any mountaineering skills are needed.
Q4. Do I need to bring my own sleeping bag?
If you cannot bear cold, I would suggest bringing your own sleeping bag. You can hire sleeping bags at Pokhara or Kathmandu and return after the completion of the trek. Though the tea houses provide thick blankets, in the freezing temperatures it may not be enough for you. So, carrying a light sleeping bag is wise in high altitude treks. You might want to check: what to bring for Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
Q5. What type of accommodation can I expect during the trek?
Annapurna Region is the second popular trekking destinations in Nepal. There is a huge flow of the trekkers and mountaineers from 1970’s onward so the trail is well established.
There are numerous nice, cozy, and well-furnished tea houses. Most of the tea houses have western toilet facilities with hot showers.
If you’re planning to trek in the peak trekking season (Spring and Autumn) make sure to do advance booking.
Q6. What type of food is available during the trek?
In Kathmandu and Pokhara, you’ll get a wide range of food. From Chinese, Continental, Italian, Newari to typical Nepali dish- Dal Bhat.
On the trail, especially at the lower region, you’ll get a variety of food menu. But as you reach the higher elevation the choices will be limited to local food menu like Dal-Bhat-Tarkari.
Q7. Can I get safe drinking water?
On the trail, almost all the tea houses provide boiled and filtered water. Mineral water is also available throughout the trail. Since the plastic bottles do not dispose easily which cause an environmental problem, we discourage purchase of mineral water bottle.
Likewise, along the trail there are enough water taps, you can use purification tablets to purify the drinking water. It is the better, safe, and cheap option.
Q8. Do I need a travel insurance?
Yes, before trek you should get your travel insurance from your respective country.
Make sure, the travel insurance covers everything associated with trek including emergency evacuation packages. This is very essential for your safety, as the weather in the mountains is totally unpredictable.
Also, if you’re insured, it’ll save you from hassles that may arise during the trek like loss of baggage, flight cancellation or interruptions, and the like.
Q9. What is the best time for Annapurna Base Camp?
The best time for Annapurna Base Camp trek is during the month of September to Mid-December and March to May. During these months, the climate is pleasant, with clear skies. You’ll get the stunning view of Mt. Annapurna and the surrounding peaks.
Q10. Can I trek in monsoon season?
Although the best season for trekking in the Annapurna region is spring and autumn, some tourists prefer monsoon season too. As the trail is less crowded, there are abundant choices in terms of accommodation. And flight booking can be done very easily.
During Monsoon, for few days you’ll encounter heavy rainfalls. But as you ascend further the rainfall decreases.
If you plan to trek during this season, then you should be prepared for the slippery and muddy trails and road blockage due to landslides or floods. Also, make sure you carry rain gears like raincoats, umbrella, and rain poncho.
Further, monsoon means an invitation to mosquitoes and leeches. Do not forget to carry along insect repellent and salts to combat leeches and mosquitoes.
Q11. What to do if I caught with altitude sickness?
Altitude sickness is also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). It generally occurs when people ascend too quickly over 3,000 m altitudes.
The basic symptoms of altitude sickness are headache, loss of appetite, and sleeplessness. You shouldn’t ignore these early symptoms, as it may lead to more serious conditions and may even lead to death.
The best solution for altitude sickness is descending to the lower altitude. Also, to ensure a minimal risk, you can walk at a slow pace, take enough rest, and drink plenty of water.
Q12. Do I need to hire a guide/porter?
Annapurna Sanctuary Trek lies within one of the most popular and well-established trails of Nepal. Thus, it can be done with or without a guide.
However, it is recommended to hire a guide. A guide is a person who will help you in every aspect of the trek. S/he will share you information regarding the local culture, places, religion, and landscapes. They’re well familiar with the locals which will help you to communicate with them more comfortably.
Likewise, a porter is one who carries your backpack during the trekking period. With the help of them, you can enjoy your trek more comfortably.
Please kindly note you don’t have to overpack just because you aren’t carrying it.
Q13. Do I have to tip my guide/porter?
In Nepal, there is no hard and fast rule for tipping the guide or porter. However, at the end of the trek, if your guide or porter has done a good job and if you feel he deserves thank you, by all means, a tip is always appreciated.
Q14. Which permits are required for Annapurna Sanctuary Trek?
For Annapurna Sanctuary Trek, you need to obtain an entry permit from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) as well as TIMS card. You can get both these permits in Kathmandu or Pokhara. These permits are essential as there are different checkpoints where you may be asked to disclose these permits. If you don’t have it you have to pay fine and buy these permits in higher cost.
Q15. How do I book for Annapurna Sanctuary Trek?
If the given itinerary on the websites suits you, then you can book online or email us. Also, if you want to customize your trip, we can plan itinerary as per your requirements. We are always ready to help you in customizing the trip, decide the best time to travel and choose the best trekking package as well.
For detailed info, you can directly call, Viber and WhatsApp at +977 9851060902 or send us an email at himalayasonfoot@gmail.com
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The Himalayas on Foot group did an outstanding job of arranging a 10-day trek through the Annapurna Sanctuary. While we had a tight schedule to fit this excursion into, our guide - Yaka - was an outstanding leader along the way. He is extremely well versed in the trekking routes of Nepal, is an excellent communicator, and was a lot of fun to spend time with. Even though it is not wise to tightly schedule a trek due to the variability of weather, unexpected injuries, etc, Yaka did a great job of keeping us on schedule and making adjustments with transportation and lodging as necessary to ensure an on-time return to Kathmandu at the end of our adventure. Cannot recommend him enough as an excellent guide.
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