The Annapurna Sanctuary is an oval shaped plateau perched at an altitude of 4000m. The chain of the towering Annapurna massif encompasses this expanse from all sides. Owing to such unique topography, this region receives only seven hours of sunlight a day, yet it is blessed with an extra-ordinary variety of ecosystems. This sanctuary was once regarded as sacred for the people following Hindu and Buddhist religion, as they clung to the belief that their deities dwelled here. Derestricted only in 1956, the Annapurna Sanctuary is now one of the most favored trekking destinations in Nepal.
Annapurna Sanctuary Trek is a spectacular footy venture that takes you to the South face of Annapurna through the diversified picturesque villages, neatly terraced fields, dense forests, flashy rhododendron bushes and roaring rivers, along the challengingly pleasant trails embellished with the back drop of captivating mountainous vista. Our trek to this secret mountain fortress beings from Nayapul, located at about half an hour’s drive from the hullabaloo of Pokhara. A predawn ascent from Ghorepani to the vantage point of Poon Hill (3210 m) and the mountainous vista of the majestic Annapurna Range, Dhaulagiri and Fishtail you behold there, sipping your hot chocolate/coffee, would certainly be a “once in a lifetime” experience for you. Trudging up to the Machhapuchre Base Camp (3700 m) and then even higher to the Annapurna Base Camp (4130 m) would definitely gobble up your stored calorie and keep you panting, but the scenic rewards that you are offered once you get there, will compel you to smile with a loud “wow!!”, no matter how drained out you could be ! As you pass by the cluster of human settlements along the way, you can interact with the amiable local people and hear from them about their culture and traditions. They might not be so good at articulating things for you, but their efforts and gestures and some help from your guide, will help you understand things. Gurungs, Magars, Thakalis and of course, the Sherpas are some of the ethnic groups you get to mingle with. You don’t need to be a muscleman nor need to have the stamina of a super athlete to go for this trek. If you are not physically stunted and have a good fitness level, you are all set to penetrate the sanctuary!!
OUTLINE ITINERARY.jpg "Click to enlarge the map")
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)
Day 02: Kathmandu city sightseeing (1400m)
Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara (820m/25min)/ Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul (1070m/2hrs) and trek from Nayapul to Tikhedhunga (1480m / trekking hrs 4 – 5 hrs)
Day 04: Trek from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani (2874m / 5 - 6 hrs)
Day 05: Ghorepani to Poon Hill (3,210 m / 1 hr) / Hike back to Ghorepani and trek from Ghorepani to Tadapani (2630m / 6 -7 hrs)
Day 06: Trek from Tadapani to Chhomrong (2170m / 5 hrs)
Day 07: Trek from Chhomrong to Himalaya Hotel (2920m / 6 -7 hrs)
Day 08: Trek from Himalaya Hotel to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3700m / 5 – 6 hrs)
Day 09: Rest day in Machhapuchhre Base Camp for acclimatization
Day 10: Trek from Machhapuchhre Base Camp to Annapurna Base camp (4130m / 3- 4 hrs).
Day 11: Trek from Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo (2310m / 6 –7 hrs)
Day 12: Trek from Bamboo to Jhinu Danda (1780m / 5 – 6 hrs)
Day 13: Trek from Jhinu Danda to Pothana (1890m / 6 -7 hrs)
Day 14: Trek from Pothana to Phedi (1130 m / 2 -3 hrs) and drive from Phedi to Pokhara (820 m / 1hr)
Day 15: Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu (1400m/25 min)
Day 16: A free day in Kathmandu
Day 17: Final Departure to your homeland
Important Snippets
The itinerary prescribed above is the standard template of the trip plan offered by Marron Treks which can be readily customized to match the guests’ preferences. However, the guests are expected to understand that the execution of the trip plan might be circumvented by an array of uncontrollable factors like bad weather, political turmoil, strikes, blockades and other unforeseen contingencies. Besides, the domestic flights in Nepal could be subjected to delays or cancellations owing to adverse weather conditions or technical glitches. It is worth mentioning that the flights cannot be operated in the condition where the visibility is less than 1600 meters. Under such abnormal circumstances, the trip plans might undergo slight or sharp alterations, taking into consideration, the best interest of the clients. Wherever the changes are made, Marron Treks cannot be held responsible for the consequences. Nevertheless, we shall endeavor our level best to make sure that the trip is carried out with respect to the original trip specifics.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)
Upon your arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be received by a representative from Marron Treks and then transferred to your designated hotel. Once at the hotel, you are greeted with welcome drinks. We will then have a quick pre-trip meeting, where you are briefed on the trekking itineraries and some formalities that ought to be pursued. Depending on the time remaining, you can either rest or stroll around the vicinity of your hotel to get the feel of this busy, colorful and energetic capital of Nepal. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included.
Day 02: Kathmandu city sightseeing (1400m)
Half day sightseeing around Kathmandu where your guide will escort you on a tour to the most prominent religious sites, mainly comprising of the shrines reflecting ancient local traditions of the two main religions, viz. "Buddhism" and "Hinduism". You will be visiting the sites enlisted in the UNESCO world’s heritage list like- Pashupatinath Temple (the most revered Hindu Shrine), Kathmandu (Basantapur) Durbar Square and Boudhanath (the Maha Stupa). After this entertaining and informative tour, we drive back to the hotel. The remaining half of the day is on your own. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included.
Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara (820m/25min)/ Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul (1070m/2hrs) and trek from Nayapul to Tikhedhunga (1480m / trekking hrs 4 – 5 hrs)
Savor your last succulent city breakfast until you get back from the trek and then we are all set to hit the sky. The 25 minutes on board will cater you the splendid mountainous vista of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Manaslu, Mt. Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna range. Well, we have a pretty busy day today. Landing on the tourist hotspot, Pokhara, we don’t actually head on to explore the city but hop in to our transport vehicle and drive to Nayapul from where our trek commences. After a pleasant walk for about 15 – 20 minutes along the bank of Modi river, we arrive at Birethanti, a large settlement with a promising cluster of shops and teahouses. We move ahead, now following the Burungdi river to the north. We embark on the mail trail to Sudami and ascend up the side of the valley to Hille (1495 m). Continuing our ascent further for a short while, we get to Tikhedhunga. Overnight at teahouse in Tikhedhunga; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 04: Trek from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani (2874m / 5 - 6 hrs)
We kiss goodbye to Tikhedhunga and resume our trek with a steep climb to Ulleri (2050 m), a settlement dominated by the people of Magar community. Let’s move ahead with a subtle climb through the clusters of oak and rhododendron, until we reach Birethanti (1025 m). Sticking on to the same trail, we move ahead and arrive at Nangethanti (2460 m) and halt here for lunch. A walk for about an hour or so from here, will get us to Ghorepani This place has few shops and stalls that sell local products and crafts. This used to be a campsite for the traders before tea-houses and shops sprouted up, making it a genuine trekkers’ stop. Overnight at teahouse in Ghorepani; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 05: Ghorepani to Poon Hill (3,210 m / 1 hr) / Hike back to Ghorepani and trek from Ghorepani to Tadapani (2630m / 6 -7 hrs)
This could be a bit tedious day for us. We make an early start in the pre-dawn, probably at around 4:00 a.m., climbing along a steep trail to Poon Hill. The ascent is fairly difficult but the panorama you get to relish from the viewpoint is simply mesmerizing. The rationale behind reaching Poon Hill at the dawn is to behold the fascinating sight of the sunrise. Poon Hill happens to be the vantage point that caters sensational mountainous vista of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Fishtail etc. Getting indulged in the picturesque beauty for some time, simultaneously enjoying the sip of hot tea/coffee, we trek back to Ghorepani for breakfast. After breakfast, we head east and ascend a ridge. From there, we descend along the pine and rhododendron forests and arrive at Deurali (3200 m). Continuing our descent, we pass by few waterfalls and then walk past Banthanti (2210 m). The trails then winds up slightly until we arrive at Tadapani. Overnight at teahouse in Tadapani; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 06: Trek from Tadapani to Chhomrong (2170m / 5 hrs)
As we begin our trek from Tadapani, we make steep descent through the dense forest. Following the west bank of Modi river, we make yet another descent to the village of Chuile and approach the Kimrong river. From here we embark on a fairly steep climb upto Chhomrong, a beautiful village perched on the lap of Annapurna massif. Upon arrival at Chhomrong, the mountainous vista of Annapurna South and Fishtail greets your eyes. Overnight at teahouse in Chhomrong; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 07: Trek from Chhomrong to Himalaya Hotel (2920m / 6 -7 hrs)
We trail down to the Chhomrong River and cross the suspension bridge over it. A slight ascent from here, gets us to Sinuwa Danda. We continue our ascent, even flatter now, passing through dense rhododendron clusters and then arrive at Kulidghar. Heading downwards to the bottom of the gorge along the thickets of bamboo, we pass by the pastures of Tamo and Panchen Barah. An ascent from here finally gets us to Himalayan Hotel, where we stay overnight. Overnight at teahouse in Himalayan Hotel; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 08: Trek from Himalaya Hotel to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (3700m / 5 – 6
hrs)
We begin our trek through the bamboo and rhododendron forests and arrive at Dovan (2580 m). We take a gentle ascent from here and crossing two bridges over two different small streams, we reach Deurali (2600 m). On the way to Deurali, we also pass by the Hinko Cave (3170 m) and might just catch quick glimpses of some of the wild lives such as wild pigs, deer and even snow leopards. From Deurali, the trail climbs steeply over the side of the mountain, getting us to a riverbed fenced by the towering snow-covered peaks. When the sun-rays kiss the creamy peaks, the aura is reflected throughout the valley, making it look even more stunning. From here, we then embark on a strenuous trek to the Machhapuchre Base Camp. All the hard work is paid off when you get to behold the majestic beauty of the Fish Tail Mountain. Overnight at teahouse in Machhapuchre Base Camp; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 09: Rest day in Machhapuchhre Base Camp for acclimatization
We have one extra day here, not actually to lie flat resting all day, but to embark on short hikes and get acclimatized for the high altitude trek that we will be undertaking, next day. Strolling around the vicinity of the camp will get you accustomed to the thinning air. Of course, all of us would definitely want to get all set for the tomorrow’s climax venture. Overnight at teahouse in Machhapuchre Base Camp; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 10: Trek from Machhapuchhre Base Camp to Annapurna Base camp (4130m / 
3- 4 hrs)
As we begin our march to the highest elevation of this trek, we will distinctly notice the vegetation disappearing and the streams tumbling down from the melting snow boulders. As we trail ahead along the wide path, we enter the Annapurna Sanctuary, an oval shaped plateau surround by the chain of Annapurna massif. Blessed with an extraordinary variety of eco-system, the Annapurna Sanctuary was once regarded as a sacred place for the followers of Hinduism and Buddhism. We now exit from the sanctuary and climb alongside a moraine. As we approach the Annapurna Base Camp, we can relish the sensational views of Annapurna South , Annapurna I, Machhapuchhre and Himchuli. Overnight at teahouse in Annapurna Base Camp; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 11: Trek from Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo (2310m / 6 –7 hrs)
Dare we not miss out the magnificent sunrise over the Himalayas from the base camp. Today, we embark on the downhill route, retracing our steps and passing by Machhapuchhre Base Camp, Deurali, Dovan, Himalaya Hotel, until we arrive at Bamboo. The walk, being downhill, is easy and when you get to enjoy the views of splendid waterfalls and soothing sites of Mt. Fishtail and Mt. Himchuli, you wouldn’t mind how lengthy the walk is. Overnight at teahouse in Bamboo; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 12: Trek from Bamboo to Jhinu Danda (1780m / 5 – 6 hrs)
As we resume our trek this morning, we make consecutive descents through the rhododendron forests to Sinuwa and Lower Chhomrong. The trail now goes up the stony steps to Upper Chhomrong. This trail will take you to Ghandruk, which is not the destination we intend to reach. So we take a detour and descend along the Modi River to Jhinu Danda, where we stay overnight. Spare a 15 minutes easy walk from Jhinu Danda and you will be at the hot springs. Overnight at teahouse in Jhinu Danda; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 13: Trek from Jhinu Danda to Pothana (1890m / 6 -7 hrs)
Pothana is slightly on the higher ground, but we begin our trek with a descent and then a flat walk to Himal Pani. We then follow the trail across the streams and terraces until we reach the village of Landruk (1565 m). A gentle ascent from here gets us to Tolka (1700 m). Making our way ahead, we pass by Bherikharka and then make another ascent to Deurali (3200 m). From here, we descend through the oak forests to the small yet, charming settlement of Pothana, where we stay overnight. Overnight at teahouse in Pothana; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 14: Trek from Pothana to Phedi (1130 m / 2 -3 hrs) and drive from Phedi to 
Pokhara (820 m/ 1hr)
On the last day of our trek, we first take a gentle descent and then make our way to the steep downhill route to Phedi. Our transport vehicle will be waiting there. We hop in and then another 35 minutes drive will get us to the most happening tourist hotspot in Nepal, Pokhara. We will have time to explore this charismatic city and get indulged in a bit of shopping too. Overnight at hotel in Pokhara; breakfast included. arrival time is.
Day 15: Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu (1400m/25 min)
Board on the short and scenic flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival at the domestic wing of the Tribhuwan Airport, you will be received by a representative from Marron Treks and transferred to your designated hotel. You have just gotten back from a long trip, so you would probably want to groom yourself and relax. Try out the herbal spa and do away the trekking fatigue. You have an extra day at Kathmandu tomorrow. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included.
Day 16: A free day in Kathmandu
A free day in Kathmandu to fulfill anything that you missed out spotting in this energetic capital of Nepal. You can indulge yourself in shopping or strolling around some of the cultural and historical landmarks of Kathmandu. Thamel is your hot spot for shopping where you can haul all the souvenirs representing Nepal and its culture. May be that in addition to your interesting trip anecdotes, you would also want to take back some stuff for your friends and relatives. In the evening, a farewell dinner with a range of traditional Nepali cuisines, will be hosted by Marron Treks. Enjoy the dinner, pack/prepare yourself for a flight back home and have a beauty sleep. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast and dinner included.
Day 17: Final Departure to your homeland
Unless you want to extend your trip and try out some of our other adventurous packages like, Bungy Jumping, Mountain Biking, Jungle Safari, White Water Rafting, Golfing & Paragliding etc., this will be your last day in Kathmandu. A representative from Marron Treks will escort you to the airport three hours prior to your flight schedule. Have a safe flight back home and we look forward to being your travel companion to Nepal once again! Please let us know about your desire for trip extension so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
The itinerary prescribed above is the standard template of the trip plan offered by Marron Treks which can be readily customized to match the guests’ preferences. However, the guests are expected to understand that the execution of the trip plan might be circumvented by an array of uncontrollable factors like bad weather, political turmoil, strikes, blockades and other unforeseen contingencies. Besides, the domestic flights in Nepal could be subjected to delays or cancellations owing to adverse weather conditions or technical glitches. It is worth mentioning that the flights cannot be operated in the condition where the visibility is less than 1600 meters. Under such abnormal circumstances, the trip plans might undergo slight or sharp alterations, taking into consideration, the best interest of the clients. Wherever the changes are made, Marron Treks cannot be held responsible for the consequences. Nevertheless, we shall endeavor our level best to make sure that the trip is carried out with respect to the original trip specifics.
Accommodation
During your stay in Kathmandu, we will accommodate you in 3 star or 5 star hotels like Hotel Royal Singhi (3 star), Hotel Manaslu (3 star), Radisson (5 star), Yak & Yeti (5 star) or similar in .While in Pokhara City, you will be accomodated in 3 star or 5 star hotels like Base Camp Resort (3 Star), Mt. Kailash (3 star) , Fishtail Lodge (5 star) , Shangrila Village (5 star) or similar.
Along the trekking route, there are many Tea House/ Lodges which provide good services. We will ensure that you get the best of the services available so that you enjoy every bit of your trek.
Meals
We arrange the best quality food during the trek as we are concerned about the health of the trekkers as well as the staff members. Generally, we opt for locally available food in the Annapurna Region so that you could get a real sense of the culture, living patterns, simultaneously promoting the locally available resources of organic food and beverages. Other than that, a wide range of Continental, Chinese, Italian and Indian cuisines like Pizza, Spaghetti, French Fries, Soups, Breads etc are also available for your retreat.
Porter and Staff Care
We ensure that all the porters and other staffs going to high altitude conditions are provided with adequate clothing and equipments. They are the backbones of a trek.
Best Months
January to December are considered to be the best for this trek.
Any Experience Required ?
No former experience required. Physical fitness is the only key to accomplish this trek.
Difficulties
Although this is a trek of a medium grade, anyone who is physically fit, can opt of it.
Our Guides
Guides play a very active role during the trek. Marron Treks has experienced and helpful treking guides who make your trip enjoyable as well as productive. Our guides are literate, multilingual speakers, environment conscious and well acquainted to culture, language, location and every single detail pertaining to the Annapurna Region . This would help our trekkers make the most of their trip.
Travel Insurance
It is advised that you arrange your travel insurance before leaving your homeland. The main thing is to make sure that your insurance covers you for both medical and evacuation costs. In some places it is not necessary but it would be better if you have the travel insurance with you all the time. That would make your trip safe and hassle free.
For more queries, visit our FAQ section or contact us directly at marketing@marrontreks.com
Starting Price: USD XXXX (On request) on twin sharing accommodation basis.
For other special requirements or bigger group deals, kindly mail us directly at: marketing@marrontreks.com
Cost Includes
Cost Excludes
TREKKING GEARS & EQUIPMENTS
Needless to say that kitting and stuffing yourself out for a trek is almost a herculean task which keeps you mulling and often gets you overwhelmed. But at the mercy of the renting outlets sprouting in every visible corner in Kathmandu, preparing for trekking in Nepal these days is almost tantamount to equipping yourself for a weekend backpacking trip. Most of the heavy and expensive items are easily available on rent, so you don’t actually have to travel Nepal with a cartload of gears. We have endeavored to formulate a categorical checklist that gives you a tentative idea regarding the gears and accessories mandatory for you during the trek. The list could vary depending upon the kind of trek you pursue, the terrain, weather conditions and time of the year. For instance, you don’t need the camp-trek equipments when you are on a tea-house trek. This listing below simply serves as a guideline and you can always have your own checklist. It is always preferable to pack light and the key to this is to carry the gears and accessories that have multidimensional uses.
CLOTHING (Core & Lower body)
Water-proof (breathable fabric) jacket, Poncho or Umbrella
Hard shell pants (breathable fabric- 1 set), preferably that zips from top and bottom which can be worn over boots without getting undressed, in case of abrupt weather changes
Fleece jacket or Pullover
Fleece windcheater jacket
Down jacket or a Down vest
T-shirts (2 – 3) and Long-sleeved shirts with collars ( 2- 3 pairs)
Nylon (cotton ought to be strictly avoided) hiking shorts ( 2- 3 pairs)
Hiking trousers- one that is detachable from the knees so that the it can be folded up as shorts ( 2- 3 pairs)
Thermal underwear as well as synthetic underwear (3 -4 each – avoid cotton)
Synthetic sport brassieres for women (2 pairs- avoid cotton)
Head/Eyes & Hand Gears
Sun hat/cap
Woolen hat or Balaclava
Sunglasses/Goggles (preferably the one with 100% UV protection)
Liner, Synthetic or Thin wool gloves (1 -2 pair)
Warm gloves (designed to the shield the sub-zero temperatures)- 1 pair
Footwear
Trekking boots (1 pair) and spare laces
Running shoes, Sandals or Thongs (flip-flops)- 1 pair each
Hiking gaiters (1 pair) to do away the rocks, dusts and moist feet
Liner socks- preferably synthetic (3 – 4 pairs)
Heavy or wool blend socks (3 – 4 pairs)
Equipments
Backpack/Rucksack
Duffle bag (will be provided by Marron Treks as a complimentary gear and you needn't return it )
Pack cover (to protect your gears from getting wet)
Day sack/Nylon stuff sack
Sleeping Bag/ Silk liner (will be provided by Marron Treks but should be returned after the trip)
Water bottle
Good head torch along with spare batteries and bulbs
Maps, compass and a guide book
Trekking poles
Miscellaneous Bits
The items below could seem trivial, but if you don’t have them, you might just
find
yourself sticky and stinky, which isn’t actually good for you!
Toiletries
Quick-drying camp towel
Detergent powder/bar
Toilet paper
Sunscreen Lotion (SPF 20+) & Lip balm
Pocket knife
Sewing/Repair Kit (for tent & mattress)
Emergency kit including a whistle, waterproof match/lighter
Padlocks for bags and lodge rooms
Stuff sacks
Earplugs
Candlesticks
Medicaments
It is important that you can include the medicines prescribed by your doctor.
Below is just the generic list of medications. We advice you to always consult your travel doctor as you might be resistant or allergic to some medicines
Anesthetics (Ibuprofen/Aspirin)
Broad spectrum antibiotics tablets
Metronidazole and Antacids (for diarrohea /indigestion)
Broad spectrum ointments (Neosporin/ Clotrimazole/Gentamicin)
Antiseptic liquids (Dettol/Savlon)
Assorted band-aids
Small gauge pad
Roll of adhesive tape
Iodine tablets
Optional Carry
Nothing hard and fast about carrying the items in this list as they are not the basics. Yet, though not all, if you still manage to squeeze in some of these items on your carry, you will not regret as they might just come handy during the trek
Camera, memory card and battery charger
GPS unit Altimeters
Binoculars
Pee bottle for men (leak proof/wide mouth) & Pee funnel for women
Books and magazines
Marron Treks has calibrated fixed departure dates for all the trek packages. We operate group as well as individual/private treks. Please pick the most palpable date for you and book your trip now. If the dates below don’t fit your schedule, kindly contact us directly and let us know about your preference.
