Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

Annapurna Sanctuary Trek


From £1,750
Altitude 4,130m Grade: T3

Travel into Annapurna’s heart to see the majestic Machhapuchhare and enjoy the unbeatable mountain scenery.

The Annapurna Sanctuary trek is a journey that takes you right up to the mighty south face of Annapurna where you will be ringed by Himalayan giants and for a moment may wonder how you arrived here and how you might get out! This trek leads you gently up through the foothills of the Annapurna range, passing through traditional villages ringed by delightfully manicured rice fields, rhododendron and oak forests. From Poon Hill, perched on the edge of the imposing Kali Gandaki valley you can enjoy spectacular views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna South.

An approach path with dazzling views leads up the Modi Kola valley to provide a gateway through the local Gurung villages to the hidden amphitheatre of the Annapurna Sanctuary, passing under the towering ‘fishtail’ peak of Machhapuchhare. Only then can the true 8091m summit of Annapurna be seen at the top of the gigantic south face, first climbed in 1970 by Don Whillans and Dougal Haston – truly, a memorable finale!

Exclusive private departures, min 2 people. Please call our office for details.

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Dates & Prices

Show prices in
All prices in Euros are guide rates, not live rates
All prices in US Dollars are guide rates, not live rates

Availability

Dates
Flight Inclusive
AvailabilityDays
With Flight
Price
Land Only
Price
With Flight
Select
6th Apr 2024 - 21st Apr 2024 Closed16 £1,750£2,650
5th Oct 2024 - 20th Oct 2024 Spaces16 £1,750£2,650 Book Now
2nd Nov 2024 - 17th Nov 2024 Spaces16 £1,750£2,650 Book Now

* A deposit of £400 will be required at checkout.

Extras

Extras can be added per-person when you book onto a date

ItemPriceDays
Everest from the Air £295
Chitwan Safari at Tigerland Resort (+4 days) £550+4 days
Chitwan Safari at Parkland Resort (+4 days) £450+4 days

* A deposit of £200 (or the full extra price, whichever is lower) will be required at checkout for each extra added per-person on this trip

What's Included

  • Estimated International flights from London (flight inclusive package)
  • Accommodation - hotels, Tea Houses
  • Meals - 14 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 10 evening meals
  • Park fees as appropriate   
  • All road transfers in country (unless indicated in 'exclusions')   
  • Local guides   
  • Local trekking staff to assist (cook and porters)   
  • All camping equipment (excl. personal kit)   
  • Qualified UK group tour leader (subject to minimum numbers)   
  • Adventure Peaks kitbag. A logoed top will be provided for returning or non-UK clients   
  • 24hr back-up and support from our UK staff   
  • 15% discount off the RRP on equipment and clothing purchased from Adventure Peaks shop

What's Excluded

  • Personal equipment
  • Travel Insurance
  • Drinks and personal spending
  • Tips for local staff
  • Meals if not indicated in 'Inclusions'
  • Visas (if required)
  • Museum and monument entry fees
  • Costs associated with extending a trip due to bad weather delays or other circumstances, including the cost of extra nights accommodation

Itinerary

Days 1 and 2 Depart UK, and arrive Kathmandu usually early evening the next day. Transfer to hotel close to the famous, bustling Thamel district of Kathmandu and within easy walking distance of the Monkey Temple a place with lovely gardens where one can relax.

Day 3 Fly to Pokhara and spend the rest of the day exploring this delightful lakeside town.

Day 4 A 2-hour drive takes us to near Birethante (1050m), the real starting point for the trek. Time to relax and take lunch whilst final preparations are made with the porters. We start ascending the Bhurungdi Khola on good trails with lots of steps to Tirkedunga. 3 hours walking.

Day 5 A steep start to the day as we enter thick forest and climb to Ulleri in about one hour. The trail continues up and up, but passing several small villages and plenty of teahouses offering refreshments. The vegetation changes to bamboo and on the latter stages the trail opens up to give us glimpses of Annapurna South. Our destination is Ghorapani, a settlement perched on a col and a major crossroads of trekking routes. 6 hours walking.

Day 6 A pre-dawn start to make the one hour ascent to Poon Hill, probably Nepal's most famous sunrise watching location. And rightly so - as the soft morning light strikes Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre and across the mighty Kali Gandaki valley, Dhaulagiri - camera will be clicking to capture these magical moments. Back to Ghorepani for breakfast, then we follow the ridgeline eastwards which climbs a little before descending to Tatopani. 6 to 7 hours walking.

Day 7 Two possible routes today, both of which take us down through Rhododendron forests to the Modi Khola river which drains the sanctuary. A final ascent takes us to the village of Chomorung. 6 hours walking.

Day 8 After an initial descent to cross the Chomoro Khola, we climb high above the Modi Khola and follow this up into a narrowing gorge through Bamboo, Oak and Rhododendron forest. All the time majestic Machhapuchhre gets closer and closer and reveals the twin peaks of its iconic 'fishtail' summit. Finally after more climbing, we arrive at the bizarrely named Himalaya Hotel. 7 hours walking.

Day 9 A shorter day today as we continue the ascent up and through the 'Sanctuary Gates'. After all the steep ground we have crossed for the past few days it is quite a relief to arrive at the level grassy terminal moraine - the site of Machhapuchhre Base camp and our home for the night. 4 to 5 hours walking.

Day 10 A truly awesome day as we turn the corner and head westwards up into the Sanctuary itself. The walking is easy - nothing too steep - so minds can focus on the truly wonderful mountain scenery that greets you as you walk deeper into this hidden world, losing behind you the narrow gateway that gave access to this special place. After 3 hours we arrive at the cold Annapurna South Base Camp (4130m), and rest a while to absorb the 360o circle of peaks that surround us, with the South Annapurna glacier grinding away below us. The mighty south face of Annapurna 1 is smack in front of us, with Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Baraha Shikar (Fang), Singu Chuli (Fluted Peak) and Tharpu Chuli (Tent Peak) completing the circle. We then have to turn leave this magical place, and retrace our steps to the Himalayan hotel. 8 to 9 hours walking.

Day 11 We retrace our steps back to Doban, past the Bamboo Lodge back down to Chromrong. 4 to 5 hours walking.

Day 12 We start the day walking west on the trail leading to Ghorapani from which we descend to the village of Khumnu.  Crossing the Khumnu Khola we then begin a steep ascent to the small settlement of Uri.  From here it’s a gentle walk to Ghandruk. Here we can spend a pleasant afternoon with the chance to explore its narrow alleyways and handicraft trade. 4 to 5 hours walking.

Day 13 We descend to cross the Modi Khola and climb up to the large Gurung, Magar and Brahmin village of Landruk high above the east bank. The now well paved trail undulates along the ridge to Deurali (2100m) before descending to Pothana. 6 to 7 hours walking.

Day 14 An easy descent takes us down to Dhampus and on to the road at Phedi from where it is a 30 minute drive back to Pokhara. 3 hours walking.

Day 15 A short flight takes us back to the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu.

Days 16/17 Depart Kathmandu and arrive back in UK.

Insurance

It is essential for a trip of this type that you are adequately insured. When researching insurance options, please ensure the policy covers you for the following:

  • Cancellation or curtailment
  • Helicopter rescue (most insurance companies will no longer cover for ‘search and rescue’ but providing you stay with the group, they will assist with ‘rescue’)
  • Repatriation
  • The altitude that you are expected to attain
  • The location especially when travelling to Antarctica
  • Grade of trek/climb/expedition
  • Medical cover

Adventure Peaks partners with Global Rescue to offer the world’s leading travel protection services. Medical and security emergencies happen. When they do, we rely on Global Rescue to provide our clients with medical, security, travel risk and crisis response services. Without a membership, an emergency evacuation could cost over $100,000. More than one million members trust Global Rescue to get them home safely when the unexpected happens. We highly recommend our clients enroll with Global Rescue, in particular for peaks over 7000m:
https://partner.globalrescue.com/adventurepeaks/



We are aware the following provide insurance:

For UK based clients:

Expeditions and Treks under 7000m - Campbell Irvine Direct : https://microsite.campbellirvinedirect.com/adventurepeaks/

HCC Medical Insurance Services: LLC sales@hccmis.com Tel: 1-800-605-2282
Travelex Ins. Services: www.travelexinsurance.com Tel: 1-800 228 9792
True Traveller Ins: www.truetraveller.com Tel: 0333 999 3140 for treks including over 4500m
Austrian Alpine Club (UK) www.aacuk.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)1929 556870
Rothwell & Towler: www.world-first.co.uk Tel: 0345 908 0161 (under 6400m)
J S Insurance: www.jsinsurance.co.uk Tel: 0844 848 1500
Snowcard: www.snowcard.co.uk Tel: 01295 660836
The B.M.C.: www.thebmc.co.uk Tel: 0161 445 6111 (call and speak to Jim. Please note the BMC cannot cover Mt Damavand)
Dogtag: www.dogtag.co.uk Tel: 0800 036 4824 (Check excess etc)

For non-UK based clients:

HCC Medical Insurance Services: LLC sales@hccmis.com Tel: 1-800-605-2282
Travelex Ins. Services: www.travelexinsurance.com Tel: 1-800 228 9792
True Traveller Ins: www.truetraveller.com Tel: 0333 999 3140 for treks including over 4500m
Austrian Alpine Club (UK): www.aacuk.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)1929 556870
AXA Worldwide Travel Ins: www.axainsurance.com Tel: +44 (0)844 874 0360
Ingle International: www.ingleinternational.com Tel: (USA) 1.800.360.3234
Insure for Less: www.insure4less.com.au (Australian clients)

You do not have to use any of the above, but if you make your own insurance arrangements documentary evidence of your own policy is required.

Please forward the details of your Insurance as soon as you have it: we need the insurance company’s name, their 24 hour emergency telephone number and your insurance policy number – admin@adventurepeaks.com

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