Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) and make your way into the city. Settle into your hotel and, depending on your arrival time, head out for an initial orientation. The Thamel neighbourhood is a dense maze of shops, restaurants, and trekking agencies, and a short walk is the best way to get your bearings and acclimatize to the city's energy.

A full day in Kathmandu is for acclimatization and preparation. An optional early start involves a climb to Swayambhunath Temple for panoramic city views. Later, a walk through the old city's core leads to Durbar Square, the historical heart of Kathmandu, filled with temples and the palace of the Kumari Devi. The afternoon is a good opportunity to learn a local skill; a cooking demonstration on how to make momos (dumplings) ends with a well-earned lunch.

The day is an overland journey west from the Kathmandu Valley. The Prithivi Highway is the main artery connecting the capital to western Nepal, and the 200km drive takes the better part of the day, typically 8-9 hours depending on traffic and road conditions. As the road winds out of the hills, the first views of the Annapurna Range appear on the horizon. Arriving in Pokhara, a walk along the shore of Phewa Lake in the Lakeside district helps to stretch the legs and scout dinner options.

After a final two-hour drive from Pokhara to the trailhead at Birethanti (1025m), the trek begins. This first leg is a 6km warm-up walk to Tikhedhunga, taking 3-4 hours with a net elevation gain of 455m. The trail follows the Bhurungdi Khola upstream, climbing gradually through forested hillsides and past small villages and waterfalls. It's a relatively gentle introduction to the terrain before the serious climbing starts tomorrow. The night is spent in a mountain teahouse.

Today is a serious climb. The route from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani covers 13km but involves a strenuous 1380m of elevation gain over 6-7 hours. The main event is the Ulleri staircase, a relentless flight of approximately 3,000 stone steps that leads up the valley wall. After conquering the stairs, the trail levels out somewhat through rhododendron and oak forests before another steep section leads to the village of Ghorepani at 2860m. The hard work is rewarded with expansive views across the Annapurnas.

The day starts with a pre-dawn climb to Poon Hill (3210m). The 4km round trip involves another 350m of ascent, but the reward is a panoramic sunrise over the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna massifs. After returning to Ghorepani for breakfast, the day's main trek begins. The 9km trail to Tadapani takes 5-6 hours, descending 230m through a mix of uphill and downhill sections. The path winds through beautiful forests of rhododendron and oak, with clearings offering views of Machhapuchhare's iconic fishtail peak.

From Tadapani, the trail makes a long, steep descent through rhododendron forest to the valley floor before beginning an equally steep climb up the other side to the village of Chhomrong. This classic 'Nepali flat' terrain of down-and-up covers 10km and takes 5-6 hours, with a net elevation loss of 460m. The landscape shifts from dense forest to the impressive terraced fields of local farmland. Chhomrong (2170m) is a major Gurung village and the last significant settlement before entering the sanctuary.

The push into the upper Modi Khola valley is a long, sustained climb. The 12km trek from Chhomrong to Himalaya takes 7-8 hours and gains 750m in elevation. After dropping down to cross the Chhomrong Khola on a suspension bridge, the trail ascends steadily. The landscape becomes wilder, and the vegetation changes from rhododendron to dense bamboo forest. The path follows the river, crossing small streams and passing waterfalls, with the views of Machhapuchhare becoming more dominant as you approach the teahouse at Himalaya (2920m).

This is the final push to Annapurna Base Camp. The day is shorter in distance but significant in altitude gain: a 7km trek over 5-6 hours that climbs 1210m to the final elevation of 4130m. The trail becomes more rugged and rocky as it passes Machhapuchhare Base Camp and enters the glacial basin known as the Annapurna Sanctuary. The terrain is stark, surrounded by cliffs and the towering peaks of the Annapurna massif. Reaching the collection of lodges at ABC offers a 360-degree amphitheater of some of the world's highest mountains.

What goes up must come down. Today is a long day of retracing steps, descending all the way from Annapurna Base Camp back to the village of Bamboo. The route covers 16km and drops a substantial 1820m in elevation. While gravity is on your side, the 8-9 hours of continuous downhill on rocky, uneven steps is a significant challenge for the knees; trekking poles are essential. The trail passes back through Machhapuchhare Base Camp and Himalaya, returning to the thicker air and forested terrain of the lower valley.

The descent continues with a shorter 4-5 hour trek to Jhinudanda. This 8km leg drops another 530m in elevation, following the trail downhill as it crosses rivers and passes through farmland. The main objective for the day is reaching Jhinudanda (1780m) and its well-known natural hot springs. After days of strenuous trekking, the short walk down to the riverside pools to soak tired muscles is a welcome reward and a highlight for many trekkers on their way out of the mountains.

The last full day of trekking is a long one, covering 16-17km over 6-7 hours to reach Pothana. The trail is a mix of gentle ascents and descents, contouring along ridges with a small net elevation gain of 110m. The path winds through lush forests, across bridges over fast-flowing rivers, and past traditional villages. This section offers a final immersion in the rich greenery of the Annapurna foothills before the trek concludes tomorrow. The night is spent at a teahouse in Pothana (1890m).

The trek concludes with a short, final descent. The trail from Pothana drops 760m over 5km to the road at Ghattekhola, a walk of about two hours. It's the last chance to look back at the high peaks of the Annapurnas before the trail ends. From Ghattekhola, a 20km drive completes the journey back to Pokhara. The afternoon is for celebrating the completion of the trek, enjoying a hot shower, and finding a proper restaurant meal by the lake.

The journey back to the capital is another full travel day. The 200km drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu along the Prithivi Highway takes 8-9 hours, retracing the route from the start of the trip. After arriving back in Kathmandu and checking into the hotel, there is free time for any last-minute souvenir shopping in Thamel or a final visit to cultural sites like Durbar Square or the great stupa at Bodhinath.

The Annapurna Sanctuary trek concludes this morning. Pack out and arrange for transport to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) for your flight home. Depart at any time.