Eight day Trek - Lower Annapurna Sanctuary Loop Trail

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Jan 25 Day 1 of trek, Pokhara to Tirkedunga: We start with a morning departure from our hotel in Pokhara, travel by bus with our porters to the trail head at Nayapul, and then commence our journey into the Annapurna region. Our first day will be our shortest and gentlest, and follows the Bhurungdi Khola river. In Tirkhedunga and throughout the trek, we will dine and sleep in local tea houses which are simple lodges set up for trekkers. Estimated hiking time: about 3-4 hours.

Jan 26 Day 2 of trek, Tirkedunga to Ghorepani: We leave early to begin what you will likely hold as the most challenging day of the trek. There is a steep ascent up 3318 stone steps. We'll take frequent rests to enjoy the view and have fun celebrating our perseverance at the top! Our efforts bring us to the slate roofed village of Ulleri where you'll have lunch with good views of the valley below and the valley beyond. From there, we proceed through a dense forest of rhododendron and giant conifers. We will continue until we reach Ghorepani, located on a ridge at approx. 9800 feet. Estimated hiking time: about 7 hours.

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Jan 27 Day 3 of trek, layover day in Ghorepani: We will rest up and enjoy some of the most incredible views on this planet. Optional morning hike for sunrise on top of Poon Hill, 1475 feet above the village of Ghorepani, for a 360° world class view. The views from this pilgrimage spot are literally breathtaking, a wide Himalayan panorama stretching from Dhaulagiri (the world's 7th highest peak) to Manaslu (8th highest peak) in the east, with the Annapurna range between them. A day full of relaxation and inspiration! Our tea house is run by our good friend Om Poon. The main room has a large pot belly stove where we enjoy sitting round and sharing stories of our experiences so far on the trip.

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Jan 28 Day 4 of trek, Ghorepani to Tadapani: After breakfasting in Ghorepani, we start our day's adventure toward the village of Tadapani. The trail follows a long and undulating ridge; a pleasant hike with excellent views on each side of the ridge. This ridge trail is our highest elevation reached on the trek at 10,500 feet. From Deurali the trail descends into an impressive river gorge (last time there was a blue frozen waterfall along this trail), crosses a couple of bridges and culminates with a climb up to Tadapani. At Tadapani we stay with Fehrunnisa’s long time friend Sita. Her tea house is a favorite because there is always plenty of hot water for showers. Estimated hiking time: about 5 hours.

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Jan 29 Day 5 of trek, Tadapani to Chomrong: Watching the morning light break upon the mountain peaks from Tadapani is an experience of magnificence and splendor. From Tadapani we descend through sweet smelling forests containing langur monkeys and then proceed downward through terraced farm fields to the suspension bridge crossing the Kimrong Khola. From here the trail climbs a little and contours the terraces and joins the main Ghandruk-Chomrong route. We will arrive in Chomrong mid afternoon with plenty of time to relax at one of the better tea houses. The views in Chomrong are tremendous. Estimated hiking time: about 5 hours.

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Jan 30 Day 6 of trek, layover day in Chomrong From Chomrong you can see why Machhupuchhre got its name "Fishtail". The mountain is held sacred by the Nepalese and no one is allowed to climb it. From here you can view the other peaks that surround the Annapurna Sanctuary. Chomrong is the last village before starting the trek into the Annapurna Sanctuary. I t is here that we are often fortunate enough to have a special concert of local folk song and dance by the villagers and sponsored by the Mother Cooperative (which funds development projects in the area).

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Jan 31 Day 7 of trek, Chomrong to Ghandruk: We leave Chomrong descending steeply to Jhinu Danda, then we'll have the option of sidetracking to a hot spring, or continuing on down the trail to New Bridge. From there the trail follows the Modi Khola until it climbs up to the hillside Gurung village of Ghandruk. Estimated hiking time: about 5 hours

Feb 1 Day 8 of trek, Ghandruk back to Pokhara: It’s down hill through several rural Nepalese villages and magically ends at the trail to the road where we will meet our bus taking us back to our lodging in Pokhara for an evening of showering, eating and sleeping. Estimated hiking time: about 4 hours.