Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

Day 1: Drive to Pokhara, or you may choose to fly. USD98 one-way (35mins).

Days 2-3: Begin walking after the 2-hour drive to Birethanti. A wide trail leads through bamboo forests and pasture at Tikedungha. The next morning drop down to cross the Bhurungdi Khola before climbing the step stone staircase to the Magar village of Ulleri – reputedly there are 3767 steps, the toughest section of the trek. As you climb the peaks of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli emerge from behind the foothills. Pasture and cultivated fields soon give way to deep forests of oak and rhododendron.

Days 4-5: An early hour-long climb up to Poon Hill provides a fine, unobstructed view of the high Himalaya. The trail initially climbs through thick forest before emerging to further resplendent views on the route to Tadapani and on to the Gurung villages of Ghandruk and, further up the Modi Khola, Chhomrong – the highest permanent settlement in the valley.

Days 6-8: A long flight of stone steps descend to the swaying suspension bridge across the Chhomrong Khola before re-ascending through forests of Rhododendron, bamboo and oak, interspersed with small streams. The final stretch to Annapurna Base Camp (4200m) follows the ablation valley, the corridor-like hollow between the glacier and the mountain flank. The dynamic 360-degree view includes Annapurna I (8091) & III (7555), Machhapuchhare, Varhha Shikar (7647), Khansar Kang (7485) and numerous other peaks standing like a screen of snow and ice and whilst here you may see tahr, Himalayan weasles or pika (mouse-hare), though there are few birds.

Days 9-12: Retrace your route down the Modi Khola as far as Chhomrong before following a different route along the east side of the valley via Landrung, Dhampus and the Tibetan Refugee camp at Hyangja.

Day 13: Return to Kathmandu.