Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

5.0

Have you ever dreamed of following in the footsteps of legends? Now, imagine yourself as the next mountaineering hero, replicating the route of great mountaineers like Herzog, Lachenal, and Tenzing to the top of the world. They conquered Annapurna three years before Mount Everest. Here you are with the opportunity to find yourself on an unforgettable trek towards Annapurna mountain.

At a Glance
Location

Annapurna Sanctuary

Duration

11 Days

Activities

Trekking

Accommodation

Hotel/Lodge

Meals

All included except in Kathmandu and Pokhara

Group size

Min 2 Pax.

Best time

Spring and Autumn

Max. Altitude

4200m

Annapurna Sanctuary trek leads you on a trail that tells a story and makes you experience nature’s awe-inspiring beauty. Along the trek, we will pass through traditional Gurung villages of Landrung and Chomrung besides the Modi Khola River as it makes its way higher up to the mountains.

Green valleys transform into charming summer grazing grounds at Deurali and Bagar before we approach the foot of the celebrated Machapuchhare. Machapuchhare is one of the highest peaks, and its base is considered the abode of the fish’s tail.

You’ll be surrounded by the towering peaks of the Annapurna Massif, offering stunning 360-degree views. Experience an incredible view of the south-facing glaciers and challenging slopes exceeding 8,000 meters.

Annapurna Sanctuary trek trail is one of the most peaceful routes you have ever been on, with the advantage of approaching 7000m and 8000m peaks closely and having lodges at each stop.

Major Highlights of Annapurna Sanctuary

  • A gradual ascent to 4130m
  • Explore beautiful Grurung Villages and get to engage with local people
  • A night at the Annapurna Sanctuary with breakfast surrounded by the snowy peaks
  • Trek through a variety of landscapes, rhododendron forests, waterfalls, glacial valleys, and high alpine meadows.
  • Close-up views of the iconic Machhapuchhare peak.
  • Visit the charming settlements of Chomrong with traditional teahouses and mountain views.

 

Itinerary

On our first day, we will take a long bus ride of about 7 hours to reach Pokhara from Kathmandu. After that, we will be followed by a road trip to Beni until Phedi. From there, we’ll hike uphill on a stairway trail until we reach Dhampus. Alternatively, you can take a 1-hour flight to Pokhara. The trek will last 2 hours and will include an ascent of 480 meters.

After climbing up the Pothana, you can go along the ridge, until finally you reach a pass of 2149 meters. Then, you’ll ascend to Modi Khola Valley, crossing the terraced fields on a balcony path that ends in Gurung village at Landrung. 

As you walk through the Himalayas, the beautiful view of gorgeous Annapurna South will be with you. The hike is estimated to last approximately 5 hours which includes going uphill for 520m and descending 460m.

On the third day, we will begin to swiftly descend into the valley and cross over the Modi Khola. Finally take off for about 800m without any delay to reach Chomrong, the final permanent village across.

We will watch the magnificent views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhare which are the non-parallel parts of the world for the next few days. This must be done on foot in as much as six hours sometimes, whereby it is necessary to climb 1250m. and descend 1050m.

On the third day, we will begin to swiftly descend into the valley and cross over the Modi Khola. Finally take off for about 800m without any delay to reach Chomrong, the final permanent village across.

We will watch the magnificent views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhare which are the non-parallel parts of the world for the next few days. The trek will be physically demanding as we ascend and descend for around 6 hours covering two different paths of about 1450m and 1050m respectively.

After a 3-hour climb to Hinko, you will get down to the foot of Machhapuchhare where you can take lunch. The climb gets steeper and higher until Machapuchare Base Camp which is at a height of 3750m.

However, you must realize that there is an avalanche risk in this area. Yet, the view from the base camp is fantastic, with the mountain peaks forming an amphitheater all around you. Machhapuchhare, interesting, was also the summit camp of the only women expedition team to storm it in the year 1953. The journey is about 5 hours.

After the trek from MBC to Annapurna BC which stands at the elevation of 4200m, you’ll start descending on the route which is headed westward into a narrow gorge. It is on the moraine of the Annapurna South Glacier and Hinchuli. Trekkers can witness the breathtaking views of the Annapurna massif which include the towering Annapurna I (8,091m) and the famous Mt. Machhapuchhre (6,999m) which is distinctive because of its shape of a straight fish tail.

In the afternoon, you may take some rest on the lunch site or go around simply Tent Peak. This unique view from the fabulous Peak Circus is awesome scenery for sure. This base camp is mostly used by expeditions experimenting by climbing Annapurna through its gigantic south face. This trail is around three hours long and goes up to 500 meters altitude.

Returning from the Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo is a final goodbye to the beautiful Himalayas. As you move along the trail, Machhapuchhare, the illustrious mountain located in the skyline, shines in the sky as a way to help you with the descent.

The trail winds through the rough terrain, offering a different perspective of the viewpoints that you could have bypassed while ascent. Bamboo is a location that is surrounded by many bamboo groves where people would stop to have lunch breaks, tea breaks, or toilet breaks. After trekking for 6 hours, we descended 1890 meters.

 

After practicing for several days, going down the long staircase to cross the Chomrong Khola and climbing back up to the top of the village doesn’t seem as difficult anymore. The trek took around 4 hours, with an ascent of 470 meters and a descent of 740 meters.

In 2 hours of walking on top of a slippery rocky path, you will reach the river called the Kimrung Khola. From there, you will continue your ascent for the next 0.45 hours to get to Kimrung Danda. During this climb, you will cross a pass of 2220m after that you will go on to Ghandrung which is at an altitude of 1900m.

At Ghandrung, the second largest village in Nepal, you will have an amazing experience of authentic Gurung culture! Certainly, it will be worth it. Among them, the small Gurung museum is a place to be. When you are walking on both sides of the village street you will appreciate the beauty of the houses. Altogether, this journey will last approximately 5 hours, with an ascent of 610 meters and a descent of 710 meters.

Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Modi Khola as you make your way down to Nayapul. Take a bus to Pokhara and enjoy a scenic ride. Don’t miss the chance to walk for 4 hours while descending 860 meters and take in the stunning views. You can spend the night in comfort at the Karuna Hotel or a similar accommodation.

 

As your exciting trek comes to an end, we offer you the option of a comfortable tourist bus ride or a private vehicle/flight to Kathmandu, available at an additional cost. Choose your preferred mode of transportation and make your journey back as smooth and hassle-free as possible. 

Customize your Adventure with GST

Glacier Safari Treks (GST) caters to trekkers with varying preferences by offering two trek categories: Comfort, and Deluxe.

The comfort category offers a practical choice between the price and support. Trekkers will immensely benefit from having a porter for every two people during the trek. The backpack and other equipment are carried by Porters, which gives you a chance to relish the background and experience.

If you are looking for extreme luxury, the Deluxe category offers the height of pampering. You’ll be given a personal porter from the very beginning. And besides that, we are happy to provide private vehicle transport to and from the trailhead and cut down on your time and energy. Finally, to relax after your exploring, in Kathmandu GST offers you a combination massage of your choice.

If you are interested in learning more information about these amazing treks, you may reach out to Glacier Safari Treks directly.

Cost Includes
  • English-speaking guide
  • Accommodation during the trek
  • Food during the trek
  • Entrance fees to National Parks and TIMS registration
  • Local transportation
  • Insurance for Nepali staff
  • 1 night in Pokhara with breakfast
Cost Excludes
  • Porter
  • Personal insurance with mountain rescue
  • Nepal visa
  • Personal expenses: beverages, hot showers
  • Entrance fees to cultural sites (monasteries, etc.)
Book your spot

Starting from

€637

Instant Booking

Secure Payments

No Hidden Costs

Trip Difficulty

Medium

5.0

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FAQs

The Annapurna Sanctuary Trek and Annapurna Base Camp Trek are just different names for the same trail, a trek that takes you to the bottom of the Annapurna range, at an altitude covered with glaciers. Typically, the name "Annapurna Sanctuary" is used to denote the site around the base camp, whereas the actual camp is referred to as "Annapurna Base Camp."

The Annapurna Sanctuary Trek is considered to belong to the moderate difficulty class. It is suitable for those people with good health, average fitness, and no previous high-altitude trekking experience. However, the road is not without challenges; there are sometimes rather steep climbs and long walking days that some trekkers might not be able to handle.

Trekking in Nepal provides a great way to explore cultural lifestyles since the paths go through different villages and groups of people who belong to different castes and ethnicities. During the journey, hikers interact with the culture of the Nepalese people including their hospitality, customs, and festivals which contribute to have enriching journey.

Most trekking areas in Nepal require two main permits: this has been supplemented by a TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card as well as a national park permit or conservation area. GST will help you to accomplish that easily.

Yes, you can customize or extend your itinerary for the Annapurna Sanctuary. Glacier Safari Treks(GST) is the perfect partner to help you customize your itinerary for Annapurna Sanctuary. Contact us for a personalized travel experience that meets your unique needs and preferences. We're here to make your trip unforgettable.