Mt. Annapurna (8091m) is the 10th highest mountain in the world and the journey to its base camp is one of the most popular treks on earth. Like any other trip in the Annapurna region, our trek also begins in Pokhara, widely known as the ‘Lake City’ and passes through cascading waterfalls, beautiful villages, terraced farmlands, lush rhododendron forests, and amazing mountain vistas before reaching the base of the mighty Annapurna.
The 20-day Annapurna Base Camp & Khopra ridge trek itinerary is designed for trekkers who would like to trek to the famous Base Camp and also be of the beaten track at the same time. This spectacular adventure treks through the Annapurna foothills to the wild and remote Khopra Ridge – one of the best vantage points in the Himalaya. We stay in tea houses while on the main trail but after we leave the main trail at Ghorepani we stay in the community lodges .The profits go directly to the local community thus helping them with village and school projects. we leave the popular main trail and for the next week head through remote alpine terrain to Dhankharka, before ascending to Khopra Ridge. Here we view the mighty peaks of Nilgiri, Annapurna South,Vara Shikhar and Tukuche. Dhaulagiri dominates the western skyline across one of the deepest gorge in the world, the Kali Ghandaki.
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met by our Himalayan Hikers representative and transferred you to the hotel. The drive from the airport to the hotel is around 20 minutes.After your checkin the group leader will set a time for your trek briefing to discuss in regards to the trek. The evening is free but your trek leader will organise a welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant.
Today, you will visit BodhnathStupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world and Pashupatinath ,the main temple for the hindus. Here you will see Hindu holy men (sadhus) meditating, pilgrims bathing, and occasionally funeral pyres burning on the ghats. The rest of your afternoon is free. In the late afternoon you will be issued with your trek.Departure information for the next morning will also be given.Meals included: B
Transfer to the domestic terminal and fly to Pokhara, with a flight time of about 30 minutes. There are spectacular views of the main Himalayan chain to the north, including the 8000 metre peaks of Manaslu and Annapurna during this short flight. After arriving in Pokhara you are transferred by private transport to NayaPul.Here You stop for a while to get the crew organized and start the trek .Youleave Nayapulfollowing theModiKhola River to Birethanti where you will have your trekking permits checked. From here you get great views of the ‘fish tail’ Machapuchhare (6993m) . After checking our trekking permits you follow the BhurungdiKhola River valley passing through small settlements of Matathanthi and Sudame.You may like to stop here for some refreshment before reaching Hille.From here it is only a short walk to the village of Tirkedunga and our overnight halt in the village.You can go for a walk to have a look at the waterfall,which is closeby from the tea house. Meals included : B, L, D
We pass through the village and cross a small suspension bridge before ascending 500 metres up a stone staircase to the village of Ulleri. From Ulleri we get great views overlooking the valley below.we ascend gradually through beautiful forest of rhododendron, oak and little creeks before reachingBanthanti.You enjoy a welcome break over a cup of tea or soft drink before continuing the gradual ascent through forest to Nangethanti where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon you continue to ascend before a final steep ascent leads to the village of Ghorepani. From the village there are views of theDhaulagiri,Annapurna south and Hiunchuli.Ghorepani is a popular overnight halt with trekkers as the views from nearby PoonHill,thevantge point offer one of the best mountain panoramas in Nepal. Meals included : B, L, D
In the morning we rise early to enjoy the sunrise over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges from Pun Hill (3210m). If conditions are clear,the views from here are breathtaking. one can see Dhaulagiri ,Nilgiri,Varashikar,Annapurna,Hiunchuli,Fishtail,Manaslu and other snow capped mountains.This is a major highlight of the trip and it is really worthwhile making the effort to make an early start. We return to our lodge for breakfast and then make a liesurely start for the walk to Swanta. where we overnight in the newly constructed lodge. Here is where our unique trek takes on an interesting dimension as we are now travelling in an area that has only recently opened up for tourismand still sees very few travellers.
For the next four days we stay in lodges run by the local communities. We have contributed to the construction of these lodges, which is all part of a series of local projects. Being off the beaten track, the villages have previously not enjoyed the benefits of tourism. Now with the network of our Community Lodges, profits are going to benefit local projects and schools. Meals included : B, L, D
As we leave to the village of Swanta, we enter a thick oak and rhododendron forest. We continue to walk through forest, ascending gradually and passing through several buffalo grazing pastures to reach a clearing and temporary herders’ settlement, known at Upper Chistibung, where we stay in the small community lodge. Meals included : B, L, D
From Chistibung we continue along the side of a hill and ascend for most of the way with a few downhills en route. To reach the ridge at Kopra we have a steady climb that takes us above the tree line. This area is noted for wildlife and we should keep our eyes open for Himalayan tahr and Danfe pheasant. The best way to tackle the climb is to ascend steadily, take our time and rest as often as we wish.
At Kopra Ridge we are greeted by fantastic views. This extraordinary panorama includes Annapurna South, towering directly above and only six kilometres away, and Fang and Nilgiri prominent to the north, whilst across the depths of the Kali Gandakhi Valley, the Dhaulagiri Himal dominates the entire western skyline.The Kopra Community Lodge is the highlight of our work in the region. Profits from this lodge have contributed to the secondary school at Nangi. Meals included : B, L, D
On our shortish trek today we remain high above the tree line, enjoying superb views of the Annapurna range. We take lunch by a small stream and, in the afternoon, continue to climb gradually though open countryside to reach a small pass, where our trail descends through rhododendron to an open clearing known as Bayeli Kharka and our lodge. From the lodge there are great views of Dhaulagiri Himal. Dhaulagiri I (8167m) towers high above the 6000-metre-deep Kali Gandaki Gorge. Meals included : B, L, D
Today we continue to descend and walking is sure to be easier now that we have found our trekking legs! We re- enter the oak and rhododendron forest. This is a particularly pretty part of the walk and the forest is often alive with the sounds of birds and small tumbling waterfalls, especially if you happen to visit in spring. Our lodge is located above the main village in a quiet location where we continue to enjoy fine mountain views, in particular Annapurna South (7237m), Machhapuchhare (6993m) and Gangapurna (7455m). Meals included : B, L, D
The trek from Tadapani leads downhill through the cool forest reaching to Kimrong Valley and its river and to the last teahouse just by the path towards another Phedi. From here the path meanders on the slow uphill for a while then reaching the top ridge, the path walk gets better on the paved stone path till The large settlement of Chomrong is reached for the overnight stop.Our tea house offers the stunning views of the Annapurna range. Meals included : B, L, D
We head out of Chhomrong along the ModiKhola leaving behind inhabited foothills into the high step and wooded slopes of the Himalayas. We cross the suspension bridge then trek up to SinuwaDanda. The ascent from Sinuwa becomes somewhat flatter. The trail passes through a thick and dark rhododendron forest up to Khuldighar. Then, we descend long and steep stone steps into deep bamboo and rhododendron forests through which we reach Doban shortly. Overnight in Dovan. Meals included : B, L, D
The day starts with a gentle gradual ascent following the trail above the river through thick bamboo, oak and rhododendron forests up the side of the canyon. We pass by Himalaya Hotel and cross two streams over small bridges. The trail passes through solitary places. We get a sense of peace from the beauty of Mother Nature that surrounds us. There is also the possibility of seeing a variety of wildlife species such as wild pigs, deer, and maybe even snow leopards. We climb again to Hinko Cave, an overhanging rock. Our further climb paves the way to Deurali. Overnight in Deurali. Meals included : B, L, D
Today, we start our trek to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC). We make a gentle climb through a river bed and then a steep climb over to the mountain side. There are avalanche prone areas at some point on the trail. We have to be alert to protect ourselves. The hike from Bagar to Machhapuchhre Base Camp is somewhat strenuous but the unfolding view of the majestic Machhapuchhre is certainly a rewarding experience. At this juncture, we enjoy the views of Mt. Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna III, Gangapurna and, of course, the Fishtail or Machhapuchhre itself.
On the way to Annapurna Base Camp from Machhapuchhre Base Camp, the vegetation disappears. We will see the snow boulders melting and forming small streams. The path widens as we enter the sanctuary. We follow a stream and then climb to a few huts alongside a moraine. There are sensational views of the near-vertical south face of Annapurna towering above the sanctuary. Annapurna Base Camp sanctuary boasts of a dynamic view without anything impeding the 360-degree panorama. After arrival at this view site, we savor the mesmerizing views of the Machhapuchhre, Annapurna south, Annapurna I, Hiunchuli and other peaks. Overnight at Annapurna Base Camp. Meals included : B, L, D
At dawn, we relish the magnificent sunrise over the Himalayas from Annapurna Base Camp. After breakfast, we start descending from Annapurna Base Camp to Bamboo back through Machhapuchhre Base Camp, Deurali, and Dovan until we finally reach Bamboo. Heading back down to the valley is much easier than climbing up. We will see the waterfalls that drop down from a high point to the rocks below. We further pass through the forests with great views of Fishtail and Hiunchuli mountains. Meals included : B, L, D
From Bamboo, we head for a steep ascent to the Kuldi Ghar and then to Sinuwa following the stone steps that lead to Lower Chhomrong. Then, we ascend on the thousand stone steps taking us to Upper Chhomrong. From Chhomrong, we descend to Jhinu Danda. Today we will have an opportunity to enjoy hot springs just 15-min walk from the tea house. Meals included : B, L, D
We trek from Jhinu Danda to new bridge and then to Kyumi village.After having lunch at Kyumi we follow the Modi Khola to Shyauli Bazaar for the last night in the Mountains.In the evening we celebrate the last night with the crew with a few celebratory drinks.
Meals included : B, L, D
Today we have a leisurely breakfast and start walking to bireythanti.The final part of the trek is on the motorable dirt road to Bireythanti.Here you stop for lunch and have your permits checked out.You then cross the bridgeand follow the river to Nayapul,your pick-up point. After saying farewell to your porters you are transferred by private coach back to your hotel in Pokhara where the rest of the afternoon is free to relax or do some exploring. In the evening there is the option to dine out at one of the many lakeside restaurants. Meals included : B
A free day in Pokhara to explore, shop or just take it easy. Your trek leader will be there to assist you for further sightseeing’s in Pokhara. Meals included : B
After breakfast we drive back to Kathmandu. On arrival in Kathmandu we are met and transferred back to our starting hotel. The rest of the day is free to do shopping or further sightseeing.Our final night in Kathmandu gives us a chance to go out on the town and enjoy a final dinner (optional) with our travelling companions and new-found friends.Meals included: B
Our trip ends today after breakfast. Your leader will be on hand to advise and assist with your onward travel arrangements.
| Trip Start | Trip End | Group Size | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/03/2023 | 23/03/2023 | 2 - 10 people | Guaranteed | Enquiry |
| 02/04/2023 | 21/07/2023 | 2 - 10 people | Guaranteed | Enquiry |
| 02/10/2024 | 21/10/2023 | 2 - 14 people | Available | Enquiry |
| 04/11/2023 | 23/11/2023 | 2 - 14 people | Guaranteed | Enquiry |
SUGGESTED CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT LIST
Head:
Lower Body:
Feet:
Upper Body:
Hands:
Accessories:
Toiletries:
Personal Hygiene:
Extras/Luxuries:
Swimming costume (for Kathmandu & Pokhara)
Please note:
The gears with an asterisk (*) sign are handed out by Himalayan Hikers as a part of service
You can use your personal gears if you prefer to do so i.e. sleeping bag, liner, down jacket.
