Annapurna Dhaulagiri

This morning, we will escort you on a private, guided walking tour of the Old City of Kathmandu for a fascinating glimpse into the rich cultural and religious traditions of the local inhabitants. In the early afternoon, Back Track will conduct a pre-trek briefing in our hotel. This evening, we invite you to join us for a welcome dinner. (B-D)

(30mins flying)
This morning, at a time to be advised, we will depart Kathmandu for the flight to Pokhara. If the weather is fine and clear, the views of the mountains from the aircraft are spectacular. In the afternoon we will take a stroll through Pokhara Town and along the lakeside. Accommodation will be a hotel overlooking Phewa Lake. Close to our hotel, there are some excellent yet inexpensive places to dine (B)

(3hrs driving)
After breakfast, we board our 4WD jeeps for the drive to Landruk. Some sections of the road are unsealed and extremely rough. Upon reaching our hotel, we’ll have lunch and, in the afternoon, go for an exploratory stroll for an insight into life in a typical Nepali hill village. (B)

(6hrs trekking)
The day starts with a gentle descent through the charming stone village of Landruk. After passing the last house the trail reaches the floor of the Modi Khola (Khola = river) Valley. The trail passes by a spectacular waterfall, the first of many encountered on this trek. After crossing the Modi Khola on a suspension bridge, we join the trail leading to Annapurna Base Camp. After lunch in the village of Jhinu we cross an extremely long and high suspension bridge and commence a long ascent to Upper Chhomrong, our home for the next two nights.

(5hrs trekking)
Following an early breakfast, we commence a long and, at times, steep ascent. If the skies are clear, the alpine panorama will be outstanding. An important goal this morning is to reach Tribung Danda viewpoint at an altitude of 3425m and thus gain vital acclimatisation for the days ahead. We will return to our accommodation in time for lunch. This afternoon is free time to rest or to explore the surrounding area.

(6hrs trekking)
The day starts with a long descent before crossing a suspension bridge over the Chhomrong Khola. Today is notable for the steep ups and downs on a stone staircase and the beautiful, forested sections. The trail gradient eases in the afternoon as we approach Dobhan.

(5hrs trekking)
The walk today passes through a serene bamboo forest and descends to a magnificent viewpoint overlooking an enormous series of waterfalls cascading from the high ridge on the opposite side of the valley. This is a shorter day, and we expect to reach our destination by lunchtime. The afternoon is free for rest or exploration.

(6hrs trekking)
It will be slow going today as we ascend 900m. Brilliant mountain views emerge as we approach the entrance to the Annapurna Sanctuary, a high-altitude valley, surrounded by massive snow peaks. The forest thins out as we approach Machhapuchhare Base Camp (3700m) for lunch. The afternoon walk to Annapurna Base Camp brings brilliant mountain views. Weather permitting, the early evening views from here are unforgettable as the mountains are lit with vivid orange and yellow colours from the setting sun.

(6hrs trekking)
Before breakfast, rug up and take a short stroll to a nearby viewpoint. From here, as the first rays from the rising sun strike the high peaks, you’ll be rewarded with the breathtaking sight of the rock, snow and ice changing colour as the sun rises. Today’s leisurely walk retraces our steps down to Dobhan.

(5hrs trekking)
Today’s walk can be seen as a reward for the previous few days’ exertions. It starts with fine mountain views as we look back to where we have come from the previous day. The walk proceeds through a beautiful forest with lots of ups and downs on a stepped trail. After lunch, it’s a short descent to cross a bridge over the Chhomrong Khola, before commencing a long uphill walk to Upper Chhomrong and our comfortable hotel, perched on the crest of a ridge.

Before we set off this morning, there will be time to admire the glorious panorama of peaks seen from our hotel terrace. The trail descends gradually through farms and small villages before crossing the Khimrong Khola. The trail winds up for an hour to Chuile village where we stop for lunch. We then enter a forest, and the ascent continues to Tadapani village where we stay overnight in a recently built, comfortable hotel.

(5hrs trekking)
The walk today involves a long and, at times, steep 700m climb through a lush forest. Cooler temperatures will be noticeable when we reach today’s destination, the small collection of tea houses at Dobato. We arrive here for a late lunch and the afternoon is for rest in preparation for a big day tomorrow.

(8hrs trekking)
Today starts with an optional, pre-dawn trek to the viewpoint of Mulde Danda (3637m). The expansive panoramic view from here encompasses both the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Ranges and is a major highlight of this trek. There’s a small shop selling barista coffee at the viewpoint so you can enjoy the scenery and a warming latte at the same time. The round trip takes about 1.5hrs, including time at the viewpoint. We return to Dobato for breakfast before heading to our next destination. We follow a narrow trail that skirts a high ridge before a long descent through rhododendron forest to Dhan Kharka for lunch. Commence a long ascent to reach our accommodation, spectacularly perched on a small plateau on Khopra Ridge.

(10hrs trekking)
Optional trek to Khayer Barah Temple & Sacred Lake 4600m. This is the longest, most challenging day and goes to the highest altitude on the trek. Your efforts over the 1,100m ascent and descent will be amply rewarded. We have an early breakfast and set off before dawn. The trail is gradual at first and becomes increasingly steep. There are wonderful views all day; most notably of Dhaulagiri (8167m), Bharha Chuli (7647m), and Annapurna South (7219m). You’ll also peer down into the Kali Gandhaki; the deepest river valley on the planet and the oldest trade route between India and China. The apex of today is the Hindu Temple and Sacred Lake of Khayer Barah. During the full moon period of the summer monsoon, this is the destination of many Shiva-worshiping pilgrims. On our return descent, we’ll stop at a conveniently located tea house for a welcoming lunch. We expect to arrive late afternoon back in Khopra, weary but elated.

(5hrs trekking)
After our previous efforts, we have the easiest day of the trek. The morning section consists of a long, steady downhill before stopping for lunch at Aal Kharka. Shortly after crossing a wooden footbridge over a small stream below a waterfall. The trail levels out and traverses below a ridge line high above a canyon. A trail through a peaceful alpine moss forest emerges into terraced farmland and our guest house in the village of Swanta.

(7hrs trekking)
The day starts with a short descent past fields and farms to cross a suspension bridge over the Bayeli Khola. Follow a long steep trail through dense forest to cross a sealed road at Phalante village. We gain an insight into Nepali rural life as we pass through scattered farms to our lunch stop at Phulbari. From here it’s a 1.5hr uphill walk to today’s high point at Mohare Danda (3300m). Weather permitting, the mountain views from here are among the best on the trek. The trail descends gradually to Kothe Danda where we overnight in a comfortable guest house.

(6hrs trekking)
Our last opportunity for panoramic views of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Ranges is with another pre-dawn walk up to a viewpoint. Fortunately, in this case the walk from our guest house to the viewpoint is only about 10 minutes. After breakfast we start out on our last day on the trail; and this is a memorable day with a descent of 2000m. The first section is a descent along an open ridge line offering great mountain views. Then we plunge into a densely forested trail and continue descending for 2hrs. We emerge from the forest at Banthanti Village.
The trek from here to our destination at Hille descends a stone staircase, passing through a long, continuous series of villages. We stop for lunch at Ulleri and, after crossing our final suspension bridge, arrive at Hille, where our guest house hosts greet us with welcoming smiles.

(2hrs driving, 30mins flying)
After our final breakfast on the trek, it’s only a few minutes’ walk to the road and our waiting jeeps. The first hour of our drive is on an unsealed road. Progress is slow until we reach a sealed road for the drive to Pokhara Airport. Fingers crossed for clear weather and great views from the aircraft of the Himalaya, stretching from Pokhara to Kathmandu. We will be greeted on arrival in Kathmandu and driven to our accommodation at the International Guest House

This is a free day to explore Kathmandu. This exciting, vibrant city is a favourite destination of travellers from all over the world. Kathmandu is a giant, living museum of Hindu and Buddhist art with more shrines and temples than anywhere else in the world. Our hotel is located a short walk from the narrow, winding streets of the old city. Tonight, we will dine in a nearby restaurant for a farewell dinner. (B-D)

Tour concludes today after breakfast at the hotel. If you are leaving Kathmandu today, you will be transferred to Kathmandu Airport for your onward flight. (B)