Trek the Annapurna Sanctuary Route
WHY IT'S MUCH BETTER
Experience views that will leave you speechless, including Hiunchuli, Gangapurna and the Annapurna Massif
Hike to Annapurna Base Camp (4130m) - summit of the entire trek and part of the reason this is one of the most famous treks on the planet
Witness the endless colours of a Himalayan sunset from the village of Ghorepani and watch dawn break from the top of Poon Hill
See the landscape change by the minute from rhododendron forest, to mountain valleys, lush pastures and thick jungle and enjoy a night sky chock full of stars
Climb the rough stone steps to Chomrong Khola and soak in the bubbling thermal springs at Jhinu Danda
Celebrate with a drink around the lake in Pokhara having completed the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek – you’ve earned it
WHAT'S INCLUDED
GUIDES
Local, expert, English-speaking guides
ACCOMMODATION
2 nights in Kathmandu, 2 nights in Pokhara and 9 nights on the trail
MEALS
Welcome and farewell dinner with your team in Kathmandu
TRANSFERS
To and from the airport and everything in between
PORTERAGE
Your overnight luggage will be carried for you
PERMITS
All entrance fees and permits are taken care of
HAPPINESS GUARANTEED
We're so confident that your holiday will be your best yet, we actually guarantee it
FEEL GOOD VIBES
We mitigate 4x the carbon emitted by all our travellers and support important conservation projects
ITINERARY
DAY 1
Kathmandu awaits
ACTIVITY
Easy day
MEALS
Dinner
ACCOMMODATION TYPE
Hotel
Check into your hotel in Thamel - heart of the sensory overload that is Kathmandu.
After meeting your guides and making any last minute plans for the trek, finish the day with a group dinner alongside the rest of your team.
DAY 2
The road to Pokhara
ACTIVITY
Easy day
ACCOMMODATION TYPE
Hotel
Drive to the lakeside city of Pokhara (approx.7 hours) – gateway to your trek.
After crossing some mind-bendingly beautiful Himalayan scenery and terraced farmland, settle into your hotel and soak in the tranquillity as you prepare for your first full day of hiking in the morning.
DAY 3
The trek begins
ON YOUR FEET
Approx. 4 hours of hiking
DISTANCE
9km
ELEVATION
800m up / 400m down
ACCOMMODATION TYPE
Teahouse
From the trailhead at Nayapul, take your first steps onto the trail as you gradually ascend through the dense forest, passing remote waterfalls along the way.
After lunch with an epic view of Mount Machpucchre (6993m) head on to Ulleri village and your first night in a Nepalese teahouse.
DAY 4
Ulleri to Ghorepani
ON YOUR FEET
Approx. 4 hours of trekking
DISTANCE
6km
ELEVATION
820m up / 80m down
ACCOMMODATION TYPE
Teahouse
Enjoy a morning coffee as you soak up the panoramic view from your teahouse and get ready to tackle one of the most challenging stretches of the trek.
Camera ready, head straight up the nearby mountain, catching glimpses of Hiunchuli (6441m) and Annapurna South (7219).
After another lunch with a view, continue on to Ghorepani, home to the Magar people, in time for sunset over Himalayas.
DAY 5
Ghorepani to Chuile
ON YOUR FEET
Approx. 6 hours of hiking
DISTANCE
12km
ELEVATION
923m up / 1453m down
ACCOMMODATION TYPE
Teahouse
Set off before dawn and trek to the top of Poon Hill, famous for its epic mountain views in time for the sunrise of a lifetime.
Head back to Ghorepani for breakfast and then trek through the rhododendron forest and up the short but steep ascent to Tadapani village.
From there it’s a slow descent to tonight’s destination, the village of Chuile.
DAY 6
Chuile to Sinuwa
ON YOUR FEET
Approx. 5 hours of hiking
DISTANCE
8km
ELEVATION
1387m up / 1330m down
ACCOMMODATION TYPE
Teahouse
See the landscape change by the second as the forest thickens to become untamed jungle.
After following the trail to Ghurjung, climb up to tonight’s destination, Sinwa, overlooking the beautiful Machapuchare Peak.
DAY 7
Sinuwa to Himalaya
ON YOUR FEET
Approx. 5 hours of hiking
DISTANCE
7km
ELEVATION
840m up / 280m down
ACCOMMODATION TYPE
Teahouse
Follow the banks of a wild river as it passes through some of the most challenging terrain on the entire trek on the way to the village of Bamboo where the mountaintop views make all the hard work worthwhile.
After resting up, continue on to tonight rest stop - the perfectly named village of Himalaya.
DAY 8
Machapuchre Base Camp
ON YOUR FEET
Approx. 4 hours of hiking
DISTANCE
5km
ELEVATION
875m up / 40m down
ACCOMMODATION TYPE
Teahouse
Return to the river and push on over the mountaintop to Machapuchre Base Camp.
Try not to lose the power of speech as you look out on some of the most spectacular views on the entire trail, including Hiunchuli, Gandharyachuil, Gangapurna and the Annapurna Massif.
Relax, recover and enjoy a Himalayan night sky filled with stars.
DAY 9
Annapurna Base Camp
ON YOUR FEET
Approx. 4 hours of hiking
DISTANCE
4km
ELEVATION
430m up / 20m down
ACCOMMODATION TYPE
Teahouse
Leave the greenery behind and head into the snow-capped and rocky landscape above.
Hike the final stretch to Annapurna Base Camp - summit of the entire trek and a major reason why this is one of the most famous treks in the world.
DAY 10
Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo
ON YOUR FEET
Approx. 6 hours of hiking
DISTANCE
8km
ELEVATION
40m up / 1860m down
ACCOMMODATION TYPE
Teahouse
Enjoy some final views from Annapurna Base Camp and then its back on the trail, this time downhill.
Drop back down to the forested slopes and return to the village of Bamboo for the night.
DAY 11
Last night sleeping in the mountains
ON YOUR FEET
Approx. 4 hours of hiking
DISTANCE
7km
ELEVATION
715m up / 1235m down
ACCOMMODATION TYPE
Teahouse
Climb up to Kulldighar and then follow the trail downhill to the stone steps that lead to Chomrong Khola.
From there it’s a short walk to the bubbling hot springs at Jhinu Danda and some much needed downtime.
DAY 12
Return to Pokhara
ON YOUR FEET
Approx. 7 hours of hiking
DISTANCE
10km
ELEVATION
820mup / 1570m down
ACCOMMODATION TYPE
Hotel
Begin your last day of trekking with some mesmerising views of the mid-hills of Nepal.
Breathe in that mountain air, take some final photos and then enjoy your final descent into Naya Pul where you’ll be driven back to Pokhara.
Spend your last night relaxing, partying beside the lake, eating, sleeping – whatever you want, you’ve earned it!
DAY 13
Back to Kathmandu
ACTIVITY
Easy day
MEALS
Dinner
ACCOMMODATION TYPE
Hotel
Take a bus through the Himalayas (approx. 7 hours) back to Kathmandu and return to your hotel in Thamel.
Enjoy some downtime in Nepal’s capital and a last dinner with your team.
DAY 14
Last chance to enjoy Nepal
ACTIVITY
Easy day
Enjoy a lay-in followed by breakfast at your hotel, then spend your last day exploring the city before returning to the airport and back to reality.
PLEASE NOTE
All our adventures take place in wild places. Things can go wrong in wild places. Your perfectly planned itinerary may change a bit (or a lot) if the weather turns, someone gets hurt, or a volcano erupts. Usually though, changes make it all the better.
ACCOMMODATION
KATHMANDU
ACCOMMODATION
Hotel
ROOMS
Twin or triple share
You’ll stay in a hotel in Thamel close to the main shopping area and heritage sites. Expect an en-suite room with air-con and wifi included.
PRIVATE ROOM UPGRADE
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for $26USD per person per night (subject to availability). This is only for the 2 x nights in Kathmandu and is subject to availability. Please request this at the time of booking.
ON THE TRAIL
ACCOMMODATION
Teahouse
ROOMS
Twin or triple share
You’ll be staying in teahouses - mountain lodges with a communal dining area and basic toilets that are usually sorted by gender. Wifi, phone charging and hot showers are often available for a small cost.
POKHARA
ACCOMMODATION
Hotel
ROOMS
Twin or triple share
You'll stay in a hotel near the lake, close to local bars and restaurants.