Difficulty
Moderate
Duration
15 Days
Activity
Trekking
Destination
Nepal
Max Altitude
4,130 m
Accomodation
Hotel / Lodges
Trip Starts
Kathmandu
Trip Ends
Kathmandu
The Annapurna Sanctuary is a high glacial basin lying north of Pokhara. Situated below a ring of eleven of Nepal's major peaks, it has spectacular views of each of these giants. This magnificent amphitheatre is called a ‘sanctuary’ not because of laws that protect wildlife within its boundaries, but because of its natural serenity, beauty and the divine presence of the Hindu goddesses Annapurna and Gangapurna. One can sit in the Sanctuary meadows at 13, 200' / 4000m enjoying the views of these legendary mountains towering several kilometers above in all directions. This isolated cirque of peaks can only be approached by one route, a deep gorge that carves into the fortress of mountains between Machhapuchhre and Hiunchuli. This special trek combines our Ker & Downey Lodges with the best available Tea Houses. The trek will be guided by our own trained staff.
Depending on your arrival time, our representative will be at the airport to receive you and transfer you to your booked hotel.
Accommodation: Gokarna Resort
After an optional early morning flight to Mount Everest, we fly to Pokhara (3300 ft /1000 m). We’ll have a briefing at the Ker & Downey head office before we transfer by road with guides & porters to our trek start point {1-hour}. Our walk will follow a ridgeline in the lower foothills of the Annapurnas with surrounding views of the Pokhara Valley. This route then drops to the Modi River Valley, where Ker & Downey's Sanctuary Lodge is located. The lodge has magnificent views of the sacred and unclimbed Fishtail Mountain, or Machhapuchhre, as it is locally known. A picnic lunch is provided with a late afternoon arrival at the Lodge. (Trek time 3-4 hours).
Accommodation: Ker And Downey Lodge (Sanctuary Lodge)
Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast will be ready at the dining room. After breakfast, you will leave the lodge to start the trek through the scattered small farms. Following the Modi Khola and with constant view of Mt. Machhapuchhre ahead, you will soon climb the valley towards the mountains. Passing through the rice fields and forest, you will arrive at the Himalaya Lodge in Ghandruk early afternoon to a hot lunch that is served on arrival as you enjoy the spectacular views of Annapurna Massif.
Accommodation: Ker And Downey Lodge (Himalaya Lodge)
Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The trail climbs through a forest up to a clearing on top of a hill. Then it makes a steep descent through forests into a huge canyon before climbing again through forests with nice terraced fields. Then it switchbacks before climbing uphill till Taglung (2000m. The trail becomes wider from here before finally dropping down to Chomrong.
Accommodation: Local Lodge
Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast the trek starts with the trail descending on a stone staircase and crossing the Chomrong Khola then climbs through deep rhododendron and bamboo forests reaching Dovan, a small village with scattered lodges.
Accommodation: Local Lodge
Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The muddy trail goes up along the Modi Khola then on a rocky trail through forests to reach a cave at Hinko. A steep climb up through the forest brings us to Hinku Cave from where the trails goes down towards the river and finally brining us back to Deurali. Take a moment to enjoy the magical views of the valley along the sparse vegetation along with the majestic waterfalls dropping off the rock-face cliff.
Accommodation: Local Lodge
Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The route climbs alongside a moraine up to a knoll over the mountain side. There are tremendous views of the near-vertical south face of Annapurna I that towers above the sanctuary. As we head further towards the Annapurna Base Camp via Macchapuchre Base camp, the vegetation gets lesser and the mountains get closer. We spend an overnight here before heading back the next day.
Accommodation: Local Lodge
Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Retracing our step back after taking in all the majestic beauty of the panoramic view of the surrounding Himalayas, we head towards Dovan where we spend our night while coming up to ABC.
Accommodation: Local Lodge
Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We continue our trek further towards Chomrong.
Accommodation: Local Lodge
Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We continue downhill, then detour off our former trail and head steeply down to the "New Bridge" on the Modi Khola. From here, the route flattens out somewhat until reaching the small settlement of lodges, known as Jhinu Danda. It’s about a 1 ½ hour trek time to Jhinu. We’ll order lunch and while it’s cooking, have a chance to take a dip in the hot springs. To reach the hot springs, we trek down through the forest for about 25 minutes. Bring a bathing suit if you’d like to take a dip! There are changing rooms at the bottom. After lunch, we continue our trek to Lhandruk, which is a further 2 hours.
Accommodation: Ker And Downey Lodge (La Bee Lodge)
Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we leave the Bee Lodge & trek to Ker & Downey's Gurung Lodge. Todays trek contours the side of the hill, with small ups and downs, passing through villages and farmland. There are a choice of routes: the main jeep track which is easier. Or the “nature trail” through rice fields and villages. Although somewhat more challenging, please let your guide know you prefer this route as the rewards are worth it. Trek time to the Lodge is about 4 hours. You’ll reach the Gurung/Mala Lodge in time for lunch.
Accommodation: Ker And Downey Lodge (Gurung Lodge / Mala Lodge)
Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After early morning tea and coffee served on your verandah, you’ll have the opportunity to photograph the stunning scenery of the Annapurnas from several different locations around the Lodge. After breakfast we trek for about an hour to the village of Chandrakot through forests with surrounding views of the valley and mountains. Chandrakot is at an altitude of 1580 m/ 5200 ft. After a further 30 minute walk we arrive at the village of Lumle, which is situated at 1620 m / 5300ft. This is where we meet our vehicle. From Lumle we will return to Pokhara, a 1 hour journey. We then transfer by vehicle to the hotel in Pokhara (40 minutes).
Accommodation: Temple Tree Resort & Spa (Pokhara)
Meals - Breakfast
Fly back to Kathmandu.
Accommodation: Gokarna Resort
Meals - Breakfast
Your free day in Kathmandu. You can have a full day cultural tour in Kathmandu that we can arrange on request or just stay at the hotel and enjoy the heated swimming pool.
Accommodation: Gokarna Resort
Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Depending on your flight time, your airport check in is 3 hours prior to the departure time and the hotel checkout time is 12PM. In case your flight is late evening please let us know if you require half day use of the hotel. Our representative will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to the hotel.
Meals - Breakfast
Trekking
Trekking
Trekking
Trekking
Trekking
Duration
16 Days
Altitude
3,864m
Difficulty
Easy
Trekking
Duration
11 Days
Altitude
2,012m
Difficulty
Easy
Trekking
Duration
13 Days
Altitude
4,130m
Difficulty
Easy
Website by Curves n’ Colors