Annapurna Panorama Trek

One of the best sought after moments for trekker during their visit in Nepal is when they get to go on a very enriching and mind captivating sightseeing tour around the various UNESCO World Heritages located inside the Kathmandu valley. This means after finishing your breakfast, you and your friends will be escorted inside a tour vehicle and taken to scheduled tour destinations. Initially our first stop takes us to the ancient religious structure of The Monkey Temple or aka the Swayambhunath Stupa which offers clear panoramic views of the Kathmandu. Next on the list is the popular Buddhist site of Boudhanath Stupa which is generally famous for its eccentric antique markets and shops. Boudhanath is also the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal. In the recent years, Boudhanath has garnered a lot of attention in the public’s eye as it was previously destroyed in the rampaging earthquake of 2015. But since then with the help of local authorities and foreign donations, it has been restored completely and looks stunning as ever. Hence, a tour to this magnificent place can be an enriching experience for anyone who loves historical structures.

The heavenly blessed Hindu site of Pashupatinath Temple is next in order for our today’s visit. Many devotees of Lord Shiva can be seen flocking here and there while “Sadhus” usually populate the vicinity of the temple. To end our day, we shall have one last tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square which is also one of the oldest royal palace in Kathmandu. It holds a very great historical significance and is one of the best places to go for learning the traditional Nepalese architecture. Later, before returning back to your hotel, we shall have a short pre-trek meeting in order to discuss about the future trek schedules and have a last final look at our planned itinerary for the trek. Stay overnight at Kathmandu.

Accommodation: City Hotel - Included Meal: Breakfast

Following one of the most beautiful rivers of Nepal, we make our way towards the touristic Lake Side of Pokhara city which serves as a mecca for travelers and trekkers wanting to trek in the heartlands of Annapurna region. Statistically, Pokhara is 204.5 km away from Kathmandu in the northwest direction and can be reached by a 6-hour long drive via Prithvi Highway. Our drive today takes us through several lovely towns and villages while being surrounded mesmerizing lush green hills and valley floors. Upon reaching Pokhara, trekkers will be relatively transferred and checked in their hotel rooms so that you may take showers and sooth your aching muscles. Now you can go have a look around the iconic Lake Side area surrounded by the beautiful views of tranquil Phewa Lake and the soaring Himalayan mountains. Stay overnight at Pokhara.

Driving Time: 6-7 hrs – Accommodation: City Hotel – Included Meal: Breakfast

A refreshingly fascinating morning awaits you as you wake up in your hotel room. It’s your first morning in Pokhara city and also a day to begin your adventurous trek undoubtedly. With a scenic drive, away from the Pokhara city, you shall now make way towards a place called Nayapul which can take about 1 to 2 hours to reach by drive. Nayapul is about 42 km away from Pokhara which is marked as the initial point to begin our trek to the rich lands of Annapurna region. From Nayapul, the trekking experience of walking through several prosperous local ethnic villages begins effectively and takes trekkers towards Tikhedhunga village which is situated at 1,540 meters above sea level. Going past Lumle and Birethanti villages, we gradually hike up to arrive at Tikhedhunga village where we shall have our dinner and rest for the remaining time being. Stay overnight at Tikhedhunga.

Walking Time: 4-5 hrs - Accommodation: Local lodge - Included Meal: B, L, D

Trekkers need to wake up and enjoy their delightful tummy filling breakfast before marching ahead to Ghorepani village. Today, our trek is going to be a rather challenging one as it demands trekkers to hike up through 3,300 stone stairs. So, if you are a person, who hates walking up through stairs then this day can be a physically exhausting one. Nevertheless, you can be hundred percent certain to receive alluring natural and cultural sceneries as this serene region is fully chock-full of green lush hills and lovely scenic hill areas. Going past through the demanding terrains, we go past Ulleri village via a trail filled with blossoming rhododendron forests and cultivated farmlands. Several waterfalls and scenic rivers trails, make way towards a short climb to a place locally known as Nangethanti which is where we stay for a while to have our lunch. Later ahead, just after passing Nangethanti village, we now arrive at our final destination of Ghorepani village. This place is quite popular among tourists for providing clear views of the mountains covered in snow amongst a very welcoming village full of lively local communities to capture your hearts. Stay overnight at Ghorepani.

Walking Time: 5-6 hrs - Accommodation: Local Lodge - Included Meal: B, L, D

We get up early at dawn (one hour before sunrise) today as we have to reach Poon Hill before sunrise so that we do not miss the magical moment. It is a wonderful experience watching first ray of sun over the mountains. This is one of the best mountain vistas and is well worth the effort taken to climb to Poon Hill (45 minutes climb). Himalayan view from Poon Hill is indescribable when the rising sun’s rays gradually strikes the Himalayan giants including Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Mt. Annapurna I (8,091m), Mt. Nilgiri (7,040m), Annapurna south (7219m),Annapurna II (7937m), Annapurna III (7555m), Annapurna IV (7525m), Hunchuli (6441m), fishtail or Machhapuchhre (6,997m), Lamjung Himal (6,986m), Tukuche peak (6,920m), Dhampus peak (6,012m) among others. We spend some time picturing at Poonhill and return to Ghorepani, have a hot breakfast, and continue our trek to Tadapani through rhododendron forest. Specialty of this forest is that it hosts more than 15 species of rhododendron and if you are trekking in springtime the blooming colorful rhododendrons will fascinate you. We have our lunch at Banthanti and again continue through rhododendron forest. We have about thirty minutes climb before reaching Tadapani. From here we have great views of Annapurna South (7219m), Huinchuli and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail 6993m). Walking Time: 6-7 hrs. Accommodation: Local Lodge. Included Meal: B, L, D

The trail starts descending steeply off from Tadapani. The first part of the trek today will be through a thick forest of old rhododendron trees. When the rhododendron trees are in bloom, these forests actually turn into gardens of dazzlingly beautiful flowers, mostly red and pink. By afternoon, depending upon the season of travel, we will be pleasantly surprised by the sight of some cherry blossoms in bloom on the slopes on the other side of the gorge. After trekking some more time, we enter the village of Ghandruk, an undulated settlement with stone houses mostly inhabited by the Gurung people. Along with enjoying the stunningly close-up towering views of Fishtail, Annapurna South, and Hiunchuli mountains, we also walk through the village and also visit the Gurung Museum in Ghandruk to acquaint ourselves with the simple but rich cultural traditions of the Gurung people. Walking Time: 3-4 hrs. Accommodation: Local Lodge. Included Meal: B, L, D

Today, we trek from Ghandruk to Naya Pul then drive back to Pokhara. The trek will be downhill all the way to Birethanti. We step onto a staircase paved with stone slabs, curving in and out of the village and then terraced farms. It keeps on going down almost without breaks from Ghandruk until Modi Khola river valley. By the time, we arrive at Birethanti, some of us would feel like having made a downhill marathon. But our marathon is not over yet. From Birethanti, a half-an-hour’s walk takes us into Nayapul. The journey on foot comes to an end at Nayapul. Then, we drive from Nayapul to Pokhara. We can hang around Pokhara lakeside at the evening time. Overnight at hotel. Walking Time: 4-5 hrs, Driving Time: 1 hr. Accommodation: Local Lodge. Included Meal: B, L, D

We drive back to Kathmandu today. Try to get left pane of your vehicle to enjoy the river gorges, greeneries, mountains, villages and terraces during the drive. In the evening, we will have a farewell dinner in a traditional Nepalese restaurant with cultural performance. Driving Time: 6-7 hrs. Accommodation: City Hotel. Included Meal: B, D

Note: You have the option to extend your trip with an extra day at Pokhara (Pokhara is a beautiful city to relax after a trek), Chitwan jungle safari, paragliding, rafting adventure, Bunjee Jumping, Kayaking, Canoeing, Kathmandu valley shopping tour, Bhaktapur and Patan sightseeing, scenic Everest flight, mountain biking and other activities.

Your Annapurna Panorama Trek is complete today. If you have some time left before your departure flight home, you can shop around Thamel for souvenirs for your friends and relatives.  Our airport representative will drop you at the international airport in Kathmandu for your departure flight from Nepal. We hope beautiful Nepal, the awesome Himalayan sceneries, the cultural experience you got along your Annapurna Panorama Trek will stay in your memory lifelong and you will go back home with a sense of conquest. Included Meal: Breakfast