Annapurna Sanctuary trekking holiday
| country: | Nepal |
| location: | Annapurna, Annapurna Sanctuary |
| trip type: | High altitude, strenuous trekking holidays |
| departures: | 2010: 26 Mar, 9 Apr, 24 Sep, 8 Oct, 22 Oct, 17 Dec 2011: 4 Feb, 18 Mar, 25 Mar, 8 Apr, 15 Apr, 23 Sep, 7 Oct, 21 Oct, 16 Dec |
| price: | From £1249 - £1629 (17 days) including flights from the UK. From £579 - £849 excluding flights. Local payment 100 GBP. |
| late availability: | Late availability on 19th & 26th March departures |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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introduction to Annapurna Sanctuary trekking holiday
An inspiring Himalayan trek into the heart of the Annapurna range, for those who have a little less time (or energy!) than the Annapurna Circuit requires. Although leading you into the heart of the mighty Himalaya, the trekking presents no major difficulties and can be undertaken by enthusiastic hill walkers. The trip culminates with a night each at Machhapuchare and Annapurna Base Camps, surrounded by some of the most awe-inspiring mountain scenery on earth.
Kathmandu to Poon Hill
The bustling city of Kathmandu is the gateway to the Himalaya for all trekking in Nepal. You’ll have a day here to explore and visit some of the celebrated temples before driving west. After a night in the isolated village of Bandipur you’ll set off on your trekking adventure, gradually ascending to reach Ghorepani and the chance to take in the classic Himalaya sunrise view from Poon Hill.
The Sanctuary & Pokhara
Staying in teahouses en route, you continue trekking through small settlements and farmland to reach the landscapes of rock and ice beyond. You’ll spend a night each at Machhapuchare Base Camp (3700m) and Annapurna Base Camp (4130m), surrounded by some of the most awe-inspiring mountain scenery on earth, before descending to the lakeside town of Pokhara.
The real domestic goddess
Annapurna is the Hindu goddess of food and cooking. She is empowered with the ability to provide an unlimited supply of food. Let’s hope she is present on your trek!
Kathmandu to Poon Hill
The bustling city of Kathmandu is the gateway to the Himalaya for all trekking in Nepal. You’ll have a day here to explore and visit some of the celebrated temples before driving west. After a night in the isolated village of Bandipur you’ll set off on your trekking adventure, gradually ascending to reach Ghorepani and the chance to take in the classic Himalaya sunrise view from Poon Hill.
The Sanctuary & Pokhara
Staying in teahouses en route, you continue trekking through small settlements and farmland to reach the landscapes of rock and ice beyond. You’ll spend a night each at Machhapuchare Base Camp (3700m) and Annapurna Base Camp (4130m), surrounded by some of the most awe-inspiring mountain scenery on earth, before descending to the lakeside town of Pokhara.
The real domestic goddess
Annapurna is the Hindu goddess of food and cooking. She is empowered with the ability to provide an unlimited supply of food. Let’s hope she is present on your trek!
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Overnight flight to Kathmandu |
| Day 2: | Arrive Kathmandu After your flight, you transfer to your first night’s accommodation and check in. Today your Group Leader will brief you on relevant aspects of the trek. The evening is free to dine at one of Kathmandu’s many excellent restaurants. Hotel - 2 nights |
| Day 3: | Kathmandu After breakfast you take a half-day’s guided city tour of Kathmandu. The city is a labyrinth of streets and markets, crowded with exotic produce and a bewildering mix of people. You're likely to see Gurkhas from the area east of Pokhara, Tibetan women in their striped aprons, traders from India, and sadhus - Hindu holy men - perhaps on pilgrimage to one of the many temples and shrines of the valley. Amongst the sites you may visit this morning are: the iconic Buddhist temple of Swayambhunath, known also as the ‘monkey temple’ due to the many monkeys that permanently occupy the surrounding rooftops and trees; the Hindu Temple complex of Pashhupatinath, which stands on the banks of the holy Bagmati River – here you’re likely to come across the colourfully clothed and painted holy men, or Sadhus; Patan’s Durbar Square, a mass of people, temples and street vendors. (B) |
| Day 4: | Bandipur, A Forgotten Village Travelling west from Kathmandu following the course of the Trisuli River, you drive to Bandipur, where you spend the night. Bandipur’s main street has many three or four storey brick buildings with carved wooden windows. The small temples in the town add to the atmosphere in what is a traditional Nepali hill village, untouched by modern tourism; few foreigners find their way up here. You can sit and relax or stretch your legs with a walk through the village and out into the surrounding countryside for superb views up the Marsyangdi river valley, to the Himalaya beyond. Many of the range’s giants can be seen including Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Manaslu and your own goal, the distant Annapurnas. Guesthouse (shared facilities) - 1 night (BD) |
| Day 5-13: | Annapurna Sanctuary Trek To Chhomrong: The following day you return to the road and take the bus to the settlement of Naya Pul, at 1340m. Your trek starts here and you’ll find your trek crew of porters and Sherpas waiting to unload the baggage from your bus and begin packing it into cartable loads. Your team of friendly porters carries your main pack to each night stop, leaving you with just your daypack. After dividing the bags up you set off on the first leg of your trek. Before joining the main trail to Annapurna Sanctuary at Chhomrong, you’ll walk for four days in the foothills of Ulleri, Ghorepani and Tadapani. As well as proving excellent acclimatisation these days allow you to discover the beautiful scenery and fascinating village life of this part of the Himalayas. Your first night stop will be the pretty village of Ulleri at 2070m, reached via a couple of typical Nepali suspension footbridges. (Walking time approx.6-7 hours). Alternatively you may trek to Tirkhedhunga (Walking time approx.5 hours). The following day it’s a gradual climb through rhododendron forest to reach Ghorepani at 2750m (walking time approx 5hrs). Although a long time settlement, Ghorepani is today best known as the base from which visitors make the short ascent of nearby Poon Hill for sunrise. At 3193m, Poon Hill gives a stunning, uninterrupted view of the high Himalaya, with the peaks of the Annapurnas, Machhapuchare and Dhaulagiri dominating the horizon. Retracing your steps you rejoin the main trail at Ghorepani and then trek along the crest of a long, broad ridge to reach Deurali, before descending steeply to cross a river and walk on, into the village of Tadapani at 2620m, your next overnight stop. (Walking time approx 6 hours including ascent of Poon Hill) The next day presents a choice of routes to Chhomrong and your Group Leader will choose which one to take, in light of prevailing weather conditions and the acclimatisation of the group as a whole. The village of Chhomrong (2040m) is predominantly populated by people of the Gurung ethnic group – often found in the British Army’s Ghurka regiment. It is traditionally considered to be the highest permanent settlement in the valley that leads onward to the Annapurna Sanctuary. Tonight you’ll doubtless encounter other trekkers heading both to and from the Sanctuary, as you’re now on the main trail. (Walking time approx. 6 hrs) To Annapurna Base Camp: Leaving Chhomrong after breakfast you first descend to cross the Chomro Khola River before regaining height, steeply at first. Once again you’ll be trekking through rhododendron forest, as you pass through seasonal settlements at Sinuwa and Khuldigar to reach Bamboo. You’ll spend the night in Bamboo on your descent from Base Camp but for now you’ll continue onwards and upwards for a further 2-3 hours to reach your lodge at Himalaya (2920m). (Walking time approx 7 hours) Rising another 780m of ascent you’ll pass Machhapuchare Base Camp (3700m). Along the way there’s the Hinku Cave, where an enterprising local has built a simple lodge beneath a large tilted rock. 40 minutes later you pass through Deorali and the valley begins to broaden out ahead of you as you approach the “gates” of the Sanctuary and you can enjoy magnificent views of Annapurna I and III, along with Hiunchuli and Machhapuchare itself. It is approximately six kilometres walk further on to Annapurna Basecamp. The higher elevation and even more dramatic views make a night at Annapurna Base Camp (4150m) one of this trip’s unquestionable highlights. (Of course anyone wishing to conserve energy, or who is particularly feeling the adverse affects of altitude, can overnight at Machhapuchare and rejoin the group 24 hours later on the descent). Despite the short distance and a modest further height gain of around 450m, walking at altitudes of 4000m is hard work. Your lodge for tonight is situated on the spot used by Sir Chris Bonnington’s groundbreaking expedition to climb the south face of Annapurna in 1970. This massive sheer wall of ice and rock looks completely impenetrable and even now, more than 30 years later, it remains one of mountaineering’s greatest challenges. (Walking time approx 6-8 hours) Descent to Ghandruk: After an early call to watch the sunrise over the Sanctuary, you begin your descent back to the Annapurna foothills. Today you’ll retrace your upward route as far as Bamboo at 2350m. As you might imagine, this settlement does indeed take its name from the Bamboo forests on the surrounding valley sides (walking time approx 7 hours). The following morning, you’ll once again be retracing your upward route as you on head to Chhomrong (walking time approx 5 hours). After overnighting here you’ll then take a more direct route towards Naya Pul. At first your descent is relatively gentle but becomes steeper as you lose more than 300m, as the trail “switchbacks” down to Khumnu Khola River. Once across the river it’s a steep climb up to some very welcome tea houses at Uri, before you descend once more to reach the village of Ghandruk (1950m). This is one of the largest of all Gurung villages, with a maze of narrow alleyways in all directions. You’ll find plenty of places serving refreshments here and some of the last of your close-up views of the Sanctuary Peaks. This has been your last full day of trekking - tomorrow you return to Pokhara. (Walking time approx 6 hours) Lodges/Tea Houses - 9 nights (Bx9) |
| Day 14: | Pokhara A shorter walk this morning of around four hours sees you contour at around 1500m south to Kimche, from where you descend to the Mardi Khola and cross to the east bank. Inevitably there is one last climb as you come up the other side before finally and somewhat sadly arriving at Naya Pul (1340m) where you say goodbye to your trek crew and meet the bus for the short drive to Pokhara. It is with a touch of regret that you return to the now unfamiliar hustle and bustle of urban life. However, with its beautiful setting on the shores of Phewa Lake, a short stay in Pokhara offers a gentle return to “civilisation”. You should arrive in the town with time to stroll down to the water’s edge to perhaps enjoy a cool lassi (yoghurt drink) or take a boat trip. This evening there’s time to relax and enjoy a post trek celebratory dinner. Hotel - 1 night (BD) |
| Day 15: | Return To Kathmandu Today you return to Kathmandu on a domestic flight from Pokhara airport. This flight not only saves a road journey of some 7-8 hours but also gives a chance to view the Himalaya from a different perspective. On arrival in Kathmandu you’ll be transferred to your hotel and then have the rest of the day free: either for some last minute souvenir shopping, or simply to relax. Tonight your leader will doubtless co-ordinate a traditional ‘last supper’ when you can reflect on what you’ve seen and achieved over the last two wonderful weeks. Hotel - 1 night (B) |
| Day 16: | Depart Kathmandu The trip ends for Land Only clients. Those with our onward flights to London have most of today free so you can explore further before you transfer to the airport and join your overnight flight to London. (B) |
| Day 17: | Arrive London |
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places. how this holiday makes a difference
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On this trip: We work hand in hand with a local Nepalese owned agency, who employs on our behalf, group leaders, sirdars, porters etc - and whom without our employment would be living a subsistence living as hill farmers. Money from our stay reaches a wide number of people - many of the teahouse owners now gain thier sole income from trekkers.
Together with our local agent in Nepal we are helping to build a community / sports facility that can be used by schools and villagers in surrounding areas. This will consist of a football pitch and centre, with the primary aim of creating a club around sports activities and teaching practical skills that will help communities operate as just that. The first stage of the project has already been completed – land has been levelled to create the sports pitch, an access road has been created and an area excavated, which will form the ground for the community centre / clubhouse. The next stage – which has already begun – is to irrigate the land as the soil is very dry (water also helps local farmers). There’s a long way to go but we hope the $5 pp contribution we make for every person travelling with us to Nepal will help to continue this most worthwhile of projects. Our Responsible Travel Code: Clients who travel with us will automatically receive a copy of our Responsible Travel leaflet. This contains details and advice on how you can make a positive difference when you travel. If you would like a copy in advance of travel please contact us. Charity Partnerships: We work in partnership with Plan International. Plan works with some of the world’s poorest communities where three out of four children die before the age of five. We also support Friends of Conservation – an international charity committed to working with local people to develop a balance between their needs and the wildlife with which they share the natural habitat and ecosystems. Carbon Balancing: Global warming is a real issue and is a direct result of your travel. We have teamed up with Climate Care to give you the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from your flight. You’ll be asked upon booking if you want to donate – with set amounts from £5. As a company we offset the carbon emissions from all staff travel in full. Our Foundation: We’ve highlighted a few of the ways in which we offer our support, financially or otherwise, and now you can, too. We have set up our own foundation, which will administer funds donated by you. A small donation of £1 per person will be taken when booking a holiday and that money will be put to good use by one of our carefully selected projects. If you don’t want to make the donation, just tell us when you book. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
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