Quick Facts
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Itinerary
Day 01 - Arrival in Kathmandu [1,350m/4,430ft]
Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal. Upon completing the visa formalities and collecting your luggages in the airport, kindly proceed to the exit of the arrival hall. Your trip leader will await you just outside the arrival hall and will escort you to your hotel in Kathmandu. Please look out for a placard of Highland Expeditions at the exit of arrival hall. Welcome drinks will be served and after you’ve refreshed, your trek leader will brief you about your trip in the lobby of your hotel in the evening. Get familiar with your surroundings by taking a walk down the street
Day 02 - Exploration of Kathmandu and trek preparation [1,350m/4,430ft]
Today we explore Kathmandu on an organized sightseeing tour. This will include a visit to the Boudhanath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world. We also visit Pashupatinath, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River and home to the most famous Hindu temple in the country. Here we will see Hindu holy men (sadhus) and pilgrims performing ritual bathing, and occasionally, funeral pyres burning on the ghats. The cremation site here is used by the royal family and also for the simple man living next door. Your early afternoon will be free to relax in the hotel garden or visit Thamel for some curious shopping. You will be given your trek departure orientation in the evening by your trek leader at hotel lobby.
Day 03 - Fly to Pokhara & explore [827m/2,714ft]
We will catch the early morning flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. During the 20- minutes ride, one can get close-up views of Annapurna and other mountains. Upon arrival at the Pokhara airport, we will be transferred to a hotel near the Lakeside. After refreshment, we will set out to explore Pokhara. Places of interest are Davis Falls, KI Singh Bridge. Mountaineering Museum, Seti Gorge, Mahendra Cave and Gupteswor Cave. Overnight in Pokhara.
Day 04 - Drive to Nayapul and Trek to Ghandruk [1,940m/6,365ft]
After breakfast, we will drive to Nayapul which will take 2 and half hour. Upon reaching, our trek begins on the trails to the Annapurna Mountains. As you climb uphill leisurely, you will soak in the splendor of nature. Ghandruk, a bustling village of the ethnic Gurung community whom still speaks in their own dialect, are traditionally-dressed, practices and maintain their traditions and culture. Ghandruk is also home to the Gurkha soldiers. It is a popular and well known destination for trekkers for its beautiful mountain views.
Day 05 - Trek to Tadapani [2,590m/8,498ft]
After breakfast, our trek starts on trail which is lined by rich rhododendron forests, splendidly cascading sparkling mountain streams and other magical vistas of nature that never fails to amaze us. As we continue to ascend for 3 hours, we step into the territory of Tadapani at an altitude of 2590m. Tadapani has the most awesome mountain views of the overpowering peaks of Annapurna South.
Day 06 - Trek to Bayeli Kharka [3,420m/11,220ft]
After breakfast; we then make a beeline for a route that goes off-the-beaten trail, which is not used often. We then do a slow climb through lush rhododendron forest and water buffalo pastures before culminating above the tree line for grand views of the Annapurna range. This is where we break and rest for lunch. Our trek continues to an open area called Bayeli Kharka with an awesome view of Dhaulagiri Himal which is also our campsite for the night.
Day 07 - Trek to Upper Chistibung [3,540m/11,615ft]
After a hearty breakfast, we start our descent through the clear ground and fine-looking forest to reach the pastures of Chistbung. There, we will ascend gradually to Upper Chistibung, a temporary herder’s settlement. You might be able to catch sight of the colourful Lophophorus (Danphe), the national bird of Nepal, as well as the Himalayan Thar on the grassy ridge high above the trail.
Day 08 - Trek to Khopra [3,660m/12,008ft]
This morning, we set out on a steady climb above the tree line through alpine meadows and pastures to reach Khopra danda. On nearing the Khopra Ridge, we see the tip of Annapurna South. Upon reaching Khopra we go for a brief hike down Khopra Ridge to a viewpoint overlooking Kali Gandaki river far below in this deep valley. From Khopra we are rewarded with the stunning mountain panorama including Mt. Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri and Annapurna South.
Day 09 - In Khopra, Optional hike to Khayer Lake [4,600m/15,090ft]
We will start to explore this area after breakfast. We head out for a brief hike around the ridge. Khopra ridge was always a summer pasture for the local Shepards from Chitre, Ghorepani, and Ghara and they come from as far as Ghandrung and Kimche Khola villages. A of 8-10 hours (back & forth) with amazing scenery of the surrounding snowcapped peaks and splendid landscape to Bhara, also known as ‘Khayer Lake’ located at (4,600m/15,090ft) can be completed in a day.
Day 10 - Trek to Swanta [2,270m/7,448ft]
It’s a steep descent from our camp, sticking to the ridge line as we move to the Kali Gandaki and pass shrines used by pilgrims on their annual visit to the sacred lakes. There may be shepherds on the trail, as well as villagers going about their daily activities as we descend. There is more activity and signs of settlement, a marked contrast to the trekking we have enjoyed on the high ridges.
Day 11 - Trek to Ghorepani [2,750m/9,033ft]
From Swanta village, we hike leisurely along steep trails. Nature displays exotic sight of majestic snow-capped mountain peaks, lush vegetation and rich plant life before us. We climb through rhododendron forest to Deurali and reach a hamlet and cultivated fields. We then continue walking for 3 hours and finally we will find ourselves in Ghorepani.
Day 12 - Hike up to Poonhill [3,210m/10,532ft] and Trek to Hille [1,430m/4,692ft]
Early in the morning before dawn, we will leave our hotel and hike towards Poon hill for sunrise over Annapurna mountain range. Enjoy the panoramic views of Annapurna1, Annapurna South Machhapuchhare and Dhaulagiri from Poonhill. We will return to hotel for breakfast and lower down to Hille through colorful rhododendron forest.Today will be a leisure descend along the side of the valley to Hille a scenic hike we will enjoy.
Day 13 - Trek to Nayapul and drive back to Pokhara [827m/2714ft]
We trek from Hille to New bridge and then to Kyumi village. After lunch we head down to Birethanti from where, a half-an-hour trek takes us to Naya Pul where the trek ends. From Nayapul we take a drive to Pokhara for about an hour. We might enjoy the prospects of visiting some more places around Pokhara until evening or just chill out at some restaurant near the lake.
Day 14 - Drive back to Kathmandu [1,350m/4,430ft]
After breakfast, we will be transferred back to Kathmandu. The return journey will take about 6 hours. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, after check-in into hotel, the rest of the day is spent at our own leisure. You may want to do some last minute shopping for souvenirs, explore any sights seeing which you may have missed on the day of arrival or to chill and relax in one of the many cafes or eateries in Thamel.
Day 15 - In Kathmandu [1,350m/4,430ft]
Free and easy day to spend, perhaps doing shopping or rest at hotel’s beautiful court-yard. At eventide, we will relish a farewell dinner to celebrate your successful completion of the ‘Annapurna DhaulagiriTrek.’ While enjoying our supper, we will also be entertained to a scintillating cultural dance performed by the local belles Please do not hesitate to let us know if you would like to extend your stay. Kindly email us for more details on extensions.
Day 16 - International departure
Thank you for joining us on this trek and it has been a pleasure getting to know you during this time. We hope this venture has enriched your experience with happy memories. Keep in touch and hope to hear from you soon. Bon voyage for a safe and pleasant trip home.
Trip Includes
- All meals (B,L,D) on OPEN/CHOICE Menu whilst on trek with tea & coffee.
- Twin sharing accommodation at Kathmandu guest house or similar category for 4 nights with breakfast
- Twin sharing accommodation at Hotel Dandelion for 2 nights
- Accommodation at clean and cozy teahouses/lodges on trek
- All ground transportation as per mentioned in the itinerary on private vehicle
- All required permits for trek (TIMS Card & ACAP)
- Internal flight (KTM-Pokhara)
- Experienced local trek leader with 1:4 assistant guide to client ratio
- Full support crew with 1 porter for every 2 trekkers
- Kathmandu airport transfers and escorts
- Comprehensive first aid kit with high altitude medicines
- Duffel bag, Sleeping bag with liner and Down Jacket (Sleeping bag and down jacket must be returned after completion of trek)
- Staff equipment, insurance and allowances
- Trek completion certificate (Upon request)
Trip Excludes
- International airfare, Visa and travel insurance
- Meals at Kathmandu
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu or on trek for any reason (Early arrival or delay, Early arrival from trek due to any reason)
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities for staff