Annapurna Base Camp Trek via Poonhill - 9 days

Start your journey from drive to Birethathi from Pokhara, you will be driven through 1.5 hours of winding roads, through scenic countryside and valleys of rivers to arrive at the place where your trek begins, Birethanti. At Birethanti, the expedition is commenced. You will be walking down a path and by the river Modi Khola passing through small villages, terraces and subtropical forests. The first part of the hike is pretty easy. This gives you time to relax into the hike. As you walk further along the Modi Khola the path becomes tougher. The hike gets even tougher as you get closer, to the river Modi Khola and the village of Ulleri. The village of Ulleri is a village of the Magars.. The last part is walking up a series of longitudinal stone steps (more than 3,000 steps!), which may be physically challenging yet so rewarding. Once you arrive to Ulleri, you will be greeted with breathtaking scenes of the nearby hills and mountain ranges, as well as, the warm hospitality of the locals in a teahouse where you will spend the night.then trek to Birethanti and Ulleri. This trek comprises of:

Altitude: 820m- 2,050m

Distance: 9 to 10km trek & 1.5 hr drive by road

Duration: 5-6 hrs

The second day is for going to Ghorepani. The trek to Ghorepani goes further into the Annapurna region. We have a breakfast at Ulleri. Then we walk on a path that goes through a lot of rhododendron and oak trees. The trek to Ghorepani is really nice and calm.

When we walk uphill to Ghorepani we see villages like Banthanti and Nangethanti. We stop for a while at these villages like Banthanti and Nangethanti. We have some tea. Rest at these villages like Banthanti and Nangethanti. The natural environment of the trek, to Ghorepani is very nice.This part is particularly enchanted in spring when the woodlands are in full blossom with colors of rhododendron, the national flower of Nepal. The path is largely up graded though gradual and is not very difficult to ascend. As you go up slowly it gets cooler. The views start to get better. You will get to Ghorepani, a mountain village with forests and Himalayan mountains. This village is a spot, on the hike and is where you will start early in the morning to hike to Poon hill the next day. At night you can rest at a teahouse have a dinner and prepare for the famous sunrise hike that comes next.

Altitude: 2,050m – 2,860m

Distance: 12km

Duration: 6-7hrs

Then the trek from Poon Hill starts to Tadapani. You start early before sunrise with a hike to Poon Hill, which is 3,210 meters high. As you climb to the top you see the Himalayas in the morning air using your headlamps. You arrive in time to see a beautiful sunrise over the mountains. When the sunlight hits the peaks of Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri and Machapuchare they turn gold and orange making the view really special. After taking in the landscape and clicking some photos you head back, to Ghorepani for breakfast.. The walk then proceeds to Tadapani, where you pass by the fertile forests, ridges and the silent paths. It consists of a combination of ascents and descents, with some openings that will give a view of the mountains around. Anon you will find yourself at Tadapani, a quiet camp in the midst of dens.

Altitude: 3,210m – 2,630m

Distance: 10km

Duration: 6-7hrs

On this day we go deeper into the Annapurna region as we trek to Chhomrong. We start with breakfast at Tadapani. Walk through beautiful forests of rhododendron and oak trees.It is a morning surrounded by nature. The path then slowly takes us down to Kimrong Khola, a stream.We rest for a bit. Then continue with the next climb to Chhomrong. The Annapurna region is full of beauty and trekking here is a great experience. We enjoy the scenery as we make our way, to Chhomrong.. At this point, the journey gets tougher as you get up the mountain in a gradual ascending stream towards Chhomrong, one of the largest and most beautiful villages in the Annapurna region. The scenery starts to expand as you become higher in altitude and this is where you will have your first clear and close shots of the Annapurna range with the beautiful Machapuchare being the most prominent. As you go deeper into the Annapurna Sanctuary things start to look different. The Annapurna Sanctuary is really beautiful now. You will reach the village of Chhomrong. The village of Chhomrong is very nice. You will see fields with steps, old houses and big mountains behind them. The village of Chhomrong is a place to stop visit and get ready, for the higher parts of the Annapurna Sanctuary that are coming next.

Altitude: 2,630m – 2,170m

Distance: 10km

Duration: 5- 6hrs

Fifth day is Trek to Dovan, Himalaya. The day starts with a steep dropdown stone steps to the Chhomrong Khola after breakfast at Chhomrong. You cross a suspension bridge. Then you start walking uphill to Sinuwa. This is where the walk gets quieter and you are surrounded by trees. The Sinuwa part of the walk is the start of a quiet and wooded part of the walk.When you walk beyond Sinuwa the walk is quieter and more peaceful. You walk through thick bamboo and rhododendron trees. The sound of the river and the colors of the forest make this part of the walk to Sinuwa really peaceful and nice. The walk, to Sinuwa is great. Crossing minor rest places such as Bamboo, the trail goes on with a slow rise and fall along the valley of the Modi Khola. The higher you head the colder and thinner the air is and you will begin to feel the rising altitude. Towards latter afternoon you will come to either Dovan or Himalaya--little settlements between towering cliffs and woody hills. These stops are really places to take a break and rest. You can. Then you can go into the Annapurna Sanctuary. The Annapurna Sanctuary is what you are heading to. These halts are perfect, for that.

Altitude: 2,170m – 2,920m

Distance: 12km

Duration: 6-7hrs

The sixth day is a trek to Annapurna Base Camp. You start your day early in the morning and head, towards the parts of the Annapurna Sanctuary to get to the Annapurna Base Camp. The path slowly climbs up a small valley, and you are surrounded by great cliffs and terrific scenery. As you hike the dense forest starts to clear out. The landscape becomes more mountainous and rougher. I pass through areas that might have avalanches depending on the time of year. I have to be careful. I make my way, to Machapuchare Base Camp, which's around 3,700 meters high. From Machapuchare Base Camp I get close-up views of Machapuchare and other nearby mountains. The place is really beautiful. I take lots of pictures of Machapuchare and the surrounding mountains. Then, having rested a little, the last part of the way to the Annapurna Base Camp starts. The final part of the journey is really amazing. You enter a natural valley surrounded by snow-capped mountains with huge peaks like Annapurna I. The scenery suddenly opens up. Getting into Annapurna Base Camp is an unforgettable experience. By afternoon you will be, at Annapurna Base Camp, which's 4,130 meters high where you can take a rest enjoy the stunning view and prepare for a great sunrise the next morning.

Altitude: 2,920m – 4,130m

Distance: 10km

Duration: 6-7hrs

On this day we head down. Then trek back to Bamboo. Get up early at Annapurna Base Camp to experience a memorable sunrise that will remain with you forever over the Himalayas. With the initial rays of light hitting the mountains around, the whole Annapurna Sanctuary is bathed in the hues of gold and the experience is so serene and surreal at 4,130m. On leaving breakfast, you start down, re-tracking your path back through Machapuchare Base Camp. As you descend the hill, you will find the experience to be quite different to the one you had on the climb up- what was initially difficult has been made a lot easier and pleasant. Beyond Himalaya and Dovan the trail turns you back into some green woods and river valleys, and back into warmth and abundant growth as you lose elevation. In the afternoon you will get to Bamboo. It is an silent station. This place is like a rest room in the woods. You will be here after a day of going down. This day is really fun even though it is long. You will be at Bamboo, after all that.

Altitude: 4,130m – 2,310m

Distance: 14km

Duration: 6-7hrs

Now trek to Jhinu Danda which is also known as the hot springs. Your day, after breakfast at Bamboo, starts with a descent through the green forests and quiet tracks, with a retrace of your footsteps to the lower part of the Annapurna region. The walk is largely downhill, and is rather less strenuous than on the earlier days. You will go through known checkpoints such as Sinuwa, crossing suspension bridges across the Modi Khola, slowly coming back to warmer and greener climate.  When you are going to Chhomrong you have to climb up one time and then you will be going downhill to get to Chhomrong. The road goes down fast and when you get to Chhomrong the path moves to the other side of the river to get to Jhinu Danda. Jhinu Danda is a village and it has natural hot springs. The village of Jhinu Danda is really nice. You will like the hot springs, at Jhinu Danda.

A short walk down to the river after checking into your teahouse will allow you to enjoy a relaxing trip in the hot springs- ideal in soothing tired muscles after days of trekking.

Altitude: 2,310m – 1,780m

Distance: 9km

Duration: 5- 6hrs

On the day you will drive by road from Jhinu Danda to Pokhara. You will spend the night at Jhinu Danda and the morning you will start the last day of your trek to Pokhara by having a really relaxing walk along the river which is the Modi Khola. The Modi Khola is really beautiful. You will get to see it up close, on the last day of your trek to Pokhara.The path is not that difficult and is pleasant, traversing small villages, terraced lands, and rich vegetation. Onward you will come to Birethanti, the official end of the trek. This place is the starting point of your trekking and a short walk or drive leads you to the end of the trek, Nayapul. You will then have a picturesque ride back to Pokhara whereby you can now relax and get a hot shower and congratulate on having successfully completed your trek. When you think about having a meal, by a lake or just unwinding with memories of the mountains Pokhara is the best place to end your adventure. Pokhara really is the spot to finish off your trip and just relax with great memories of the mountains

Altitude: 1,780m – 820m

Distance: 3hrs drive

Duration: 3hrs depending on the road condition and the group you are traveling with.