Sleep inside the Annapurna Sanctuary, a glacial bowl ringed by Annapurna I, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna and the fishtail summit of Machhapuchhre.
An early climb to about 3,200 m above Ghorepani gives a wide dawn panorama of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range.
Ghandruk-style stone villages, terraced fields, prayer flags and warm local hospitality along the lower trail.
The trail climbs through oak, rhododendron and bamboo, brilliant with blossom in spring and quiet in autumn.
Pass the high camp beneath the sacred fishtail peak, which is closed to climbers, on the way to the Sanctuary.
Soak tired legs in natural hot pools beside the river near the end of the walk.
No technical climbing and a top height just above 4,000 m, so it suits fit first-time Himalayan trekkers.
Finish with a night in Pokhara beside Phewa Lake before the return to Kathmandu.
This 13-day plan joins the Annapurna Base Camp trek with the classic Poon Hill approach. You climb the stone staircases of Ulleri, watch sunrise from Poon Hill, then cross to the Modi Khola valley and follow it up to the Sanctuary. The longer approach adds variety and gives your body more time to adjust than the shortest routes.
The lower villages are green and warm, while the final days are cold, with snow possible in the Sanctuary outside the main seasons. The walking is not technical, but many days involve hundreds of steps and big changes in height, so steady pacing and good boots matter more than speed.
Weather, landslides and transport delays can change timings, especially during and after the monsoon. We keep a short buffer in the plan and confirm the road and flight details with you before you book.
| Duration | 13 days, Kathmandu to Kathmandu |
|---|---|
| Start / End | Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul; walk out via Jhinu Danda and return by road |
| Highest point | Annapurna Base Camp, about 4,130 m |
| Distance | Roughly 90 to 110 km on foot, depending on the route taken |
| Walking per day | Mostly 5 to 7 hours; the day to Base Camp and the descent day are the longest |
| Difficulty | Moderate. Long days with many stone steps and steady climbs, but no technical sections |
| Best seasons | March to May and late September to November |
| Accommodation | Simple teahouse lodges on the trail, hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara |
| Group size | Private trips or small groups |
| Permits | The Annapurna Conservation Area permit and a trekker registration card are usually needed; we arrange them. This route is not a restricted area, so a guide is recommended rather than always required |
| Climate | Warm days in the foothills, freezing nights near Base Camp |
Meet our team at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Rest, then enjoy a welcome evening in the city.
Meals: DinnerMeet your guide, check gear, and collect or rent anything you are missing. Optional sightseeing in the old city in the morning while permits are prepared.
Meals: BreakfastTravel by tourist bus or private vehicle (about 6 to 7 hours) or take a short flight. Afternoon at leisure by the lake.
Meals: BreakfastA short drive to the trailhead, then a first climb through villages and the long staircase up to Ulleri.
Walking: 4 to 5 hoursWalk through oak and rhododendron forest to the busy ridge village of Ghorepani.
Walking: 5 to 6 hoursClimb for about an hour before dawn for a sunrise view, return for breakfast, then cross the forested ridge to Tadapani.
Walking: 6 to 7 hoursA long drop to the river and a climb to Chhomrong, the last large village, with Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre in front.
Walking: 5 to 6 hoursDescend a stepped trail, cross the Chhomrong and Modi Khola valley, and climb through bamboo forest. Overnight is at Dovan or Himalaya, depending on pace and lodge space.
Walking: 5 to 6 hoursPass Deurali and Machhapuchhre Base Camp, where the valley opens into the Sanctuary. Arrive at Base Camp for a late afternoon of close mountain views.
Walking: 6 to 7 hoursWatch dawn light hit the peaks, then retrace the valley down to Bamboo. A big drop in height that is hard on the knees.
Walking: 6 to 7 hoursClimb back to Chhomrong and then descend to Jhinu Danda. The natural hot springs are a short walk below the village.
Walking: 5 to 6 hoursA final morning walk along the river to the road, then a drive to Pokhara for a hot shower and a celebration dinner.
Walking: 2 to 3 hours, plus driveDrive or fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel. Your onward flight can be arranged for the next day.
Meals: BreakfastThe 13 days run from arrival in Kathmandu to the return to Kathmandu; a hotel night after Day 13 before your flight home is extra. Altitudes and times are approximate and vary between sources and lodges. The climb from Himalaya to Base Camp is a large single gain, so we may split it with a night at Deurali or Machhapuchhre Base Camp if the group needs it. Landslides or weather can change the plan.
It is moderate. You walk 5 to 7 hours a day on stone steps and uneven trail, but there is no technical climbing. Good fitness, a steady pace and sensible acclimatisation matter most.
Yes, because the final ascent into the Sanctuary is fairly quick. Walk slowly, drink plenty of water, tell your guide early about headaches or nausea, and be ready to stop or go down if symptoms get worse.
You usually need the Annapurna Conservation Area permit and a trekker registration card. We arrange both, so please send a passport copy and photos when you book. Fees change, so we confirm the current amounts with you.
March to May brings flowering rhododendrons and warmer days. Late September to November is typically clearest and most stable. Winter is cold and can be snowy near Base Camp, and the monsoon months are wet with leeches and slippery trails.
This is not a restricted-area trek, but a guide helps with navigation, pacing and safety, especially after snow or rain. A porter is included (one for every two trekkers), so you carry only a light daypack. Ask us about private or small-group options.
Simple rooms with twin beds, blankets and shared toilets. Meals are dal bhat, noodles, soups, eggs and pasta. Hot showers and phone charging are usually extra, and prices rise with height.
Nights at Deurali and the Sanctuary often fall below freezing. Bring a down jacket, warm layers, gloves, a hat and a sleeping bag rated for low temperatures, which you can rent in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Bring enough Nepali rupees for meals, drinks, showers, charging and tips, in small notes. There are no reliable ATMs above the first villages.
Yes. It should cover trekking to at least 4,500 m, medical treatment and helicopter evacuation. Send us the policy details before you arrive.
Yes. Shorter versions go straight up the Modi Khola valley from Nayapul or Phedi. We can also add a rest day, Pokhara sightseeing or a Chitwan extension. Ask us for a tailored itinerary.
Lower villages often have a signal, and many lodges sell Wi-Fi or a local SIM data pack for a fee. Higher up and in remote valleys the connection is slow or absent, so tell family to expect quiet days. Wi-Fi is not included in the price. A local SIM bought in Kathmandu is a cheap backup.
Lodges serve dal bhat, noodles, soup, eggs, pasta, momo and pancakes, and dal bhat comes with refills. Vegetarian and vegan meals are easy to arrange. If you need gluten-free food or have allergies, tell us when you book so your guide can brief the kitchen, though choices narrow as you climb. Meals on trail days are included. City meals are not, apart from breakfast and the two special dinners.
Tap and stream water is not safe to drink untreated. Lodges sell boiled or bottled water for a fee, which is not in the price. Many trekkers bring purification tablets or a filter bottle to save money and plastic. Your guide can show you where it is safe to refill.
Yes. Pick-up and drop-off at Kathmandu airport, hotel nights in Kathmandu with breakfast, a guided city tour, and a welcome and farewell dinner are included. See the Included tab on this page for the full list. Extra hotel nights outside the itinerary are not included, so ask us if you need them.
A 20% deposit secures your booking. Send an enquiry from this page or message us on WhatsApp, and we will confirm the dates and how to pay. The balance is paid in Kathmandu before the trek. For cancellation and refund terms, see wildpasstreks.com/booking-policy/
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