Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

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17 Days From

~~$1985~~

$1891

Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

17 Days Starting and ending in 27.708317,85.320582

Visiting: Nepal

Tour operator:

Encounters Travel

Tour code:

127

Recommended For:

Singles

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 20

Physical rating:

All Ages / Not applicable

Age range:

12-75

Special diets catered:

Request dietary needs

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Adventure Tours, Small Group, Walking Hiking and Trekking

From: $1985 $1891 Travel Club discount: -$94

NB: Prices correct on 19-Sep-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

The 'Annapurna Sanctuary trek' takes you to a secret bowl in the heart of the Annapurna range, surrounded by a stunning panoramic view of the towering peaks, ten of which are over 6,000 m. One of the most famous Annapurna treks, this trek takes you as far as the Annapurna Base Camp at 4,095 m. We enter the sanctuary after a magnificent and varied trek through the foothills of the Himalayas, passing through small villages, mixed forests, and terraced farmland. En-route, we enjoy great mountain views at sunrise from Poon Hill and end up relaxing in the lakeside town of Pokhara and exploring the Newari hilltop town of Bandipur. An excellent introduction to Nepal and hiking in Annapurnas.
You start your tour of Kathmandu with a guided tour of this bustling city, taking in tiny markets, corner temples and the famous Durbar Square. You have a scenic journey from Kathmandu to Pokhara, where your trek begins from nearby Naya Pul. Staying in lodges throughout the day, you will meet and talk to other trekkers and guides every night, discuss the places you've visited and the route ahead, and make a contribution to the local economy.
Starting in the foothills, immediately north of Pokhara, you start your trek to Ghorepani, where you can enjoy a beautiful sunrise view of the Annapurna range from Poon Hill. From Ghorepani, you cross many valleys and then go up the beautiful Modi Khola Valley. A dominant characteristic of this trek is the Deep Rhododendron forests, with sprinklings of a wide variety of orchids and bamboo forests full of pussy monkeys.
As you walk up to the middle of the Annapurna Himal, you can visit the Machhapuchhare Base Camp, followed by the Annapurna Base Camp itself. When you reach the Annapurna Sanctuary (a mountain ringed amphitheatre of enormous proportions), you will be rewarded with breath-taking views of 10 snow-capped peaks above 6,000 m. The summits include: Fang, Glacier Dome, Homunculi, Annapurna, Annapurna South, Annapurna 1, Annapurna 3 and Machhapuchhare. All of these, combined with the impressive background of the south face of Annapurna 1 (8,090 m), make this trek a truly unique and unforgettable experience. After some time exploring the Sanctuary, take a few days to walk back to Pokhara and stop along the way at the hot springs near Jhinnadunda.
You have a free day in Pokhara, which we leave to give you time to relax in this peaceful lakeside town, and to allow for any delay in the trek itself. From Pokhara you drive back to Kathmandu via Bandipur and have a little free time to do some last-minute shopping or a little more sightseeing around the city and the surrounding valley.
One of the great things about the Annapurna trekking region is the wide variety of routes and paths available. This means that the itinerary below can be both shortened and extended in all kinds of different ways if you have more or less time for your trek. Options are also available to explore the ancient areas of Patan & Bhaktapur outside Kathmandu, take a mountain flight to Everest, or extend the trip to try some white-water rafting or visit one of Nepal's wildlife sanctuaries.

Highlights

Kathmandu temples & bazaars, trekking in the Annapurnas, sunrise on Poon Hill, majestic mountain views in the Annapurna Sanctuary, Newari village of Bandipur, hike to Ramkot.

Itinerary

tourhub | Encounters Travel | Annapurna Sanctuary Trek | 127 | Route Map

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Day 1 : Day 1: Arrival In Kathmandu

Accommodation Name: We welcome you to the airport and take you to your hotel in the centre of Kathmandu, where our Encounters Travel agent welcomes you, helps you settle in and explains the agenda for the rest of your tour. OVERNIGHT: Kathmandu hotel

Day 2 : Day 2: Kathmandu

Accommodation Name: The first part of the morning will be a pre-trek briefing and introduction to your trekking guide. After that, you will take a relaxed walking tour through the tourist district of Thamel and through the tiny markets, past the local temples and down to cen

Day 3 : Day 3: Pokhara (Flying Option Available)

Accommodation Name: You started off early today, going west for Pokhara. You will travel by private car or minivan with a driver and a trekking guide, and once clear of the surrounding hills of the city, there is a wonderful view of the snow-capped peaks as you wind down the

Day 4 : Day 4: Drive To Naya Pul. Trek To Tirkhedunga (1540M)

Accommodation Name: Your trek begins today after a 1 1/2 hour drive through the major village of Lumle to Naya Pul. The route begins by passing Birethanti (1025 m), a large and prosperous village. Your path follows the main trail to Sudami, where you climb up the side of the

Day 5 : Day 5: Trek To Ghorepani (2860 M)

Accommodation Name: From Tirkhedhunga, the trail crosses a stream and then goes up a steep stone stairway to the large village of Magar in Ulleri (2.070 m). You walk through the Rhododendron and oak forests and through the streams until you make a quick, final climb to Nange

Day 6 : Day 6: Journey To Tadapani (2630 M)

Accommodation Name: It's no surprise that a lot of people come to Poon Hill to see the sunrise, and an early start allows you to watch it from the top. It is one of the best viewpoints in the Himalayas at 3,210 m. Most of the way up there are good views of the Annapurnas and

Day 7 : Day 7: Trek To Chomrong (2170 M)

Accommodation Name: Today you descend through a jungle-like forest (notorious for leeches in the monsoon season) where the branches of the tree are lined with hanging mosses and the air is mixed with the fragrance of decay and flowering trees. Eventually, you emerge past the

Day 8 : Day 8: Trek To The Himalaya Hotel (2920 M)

Accommodation Name: Following the well-worn trail, you enter the Modi Khola valley, walking through the Rhododendron trees, climbing gently uphill and passing through the high bamboo forests with monkeys and occasional meadows above. Eventually, you can hit a gap in the trai

Day 9 : Day 9: Trek To Machapuchare Base Camp (3700 M)

Accommodation Name: You leave the tree line behind you today as you step up steeply to open areas. Passing past Hinku Cave, a massive overhanging rock that can be used as a temporary shelter in winter when the weather is bad, you cross two daily avalanche streams before you

Day 10 : Day 10: Annapurna Base Camp (4130 M) And Sanctuary Day

Accommodation Name: A lot of this day is spent enjoying the spectacular scenery that surrounds you. It's not a long walk to the South Annapurna Base Camp (4130 m), although you're at an altitude of over 400 m. There are many routes and paths in the sanctuary that allow you t

Day 11 : Day 11: Trek To Bamboo Lodge (2310 M)

Accommodation Name: Leaving the towering peaks behind, you retrace your steps past the Hinku Cave and back down the tree line and through the Rhododendron and Bamboo forests. Continue past Himalaya Hotel to Bamboo Lodge (2.310 m).You're losing a lot of altitude today, so wal

Day 12 : Day 12: Trek To Jhinnudanda (1780 M)

Accommodation Name: Continuing back up the Modi Khola Valley, you leave the bamboo behind you as you descend through the Rhododendron jungle to Chhomrong. It's a short but steep walk down to Jhinnudanda (1,780 m), where you rest overnight.Just below the town there are hot sp

Day 13 : Day 13: Trek To Pothana (1890 M)

Accommodation Name: You could finish your trek today and walk straight down the valley from Jhinudanda, pick up a shared jeep or local bus to Birethanti and back to Pokhara. However, we prefer to add a few more days and some more spectacular views to this trek and hike up fr

Day 14 : Day 14: Trek To Phedi (1130 M) And Drive To Pokhara

Accommodation Name: Your trek ends today as you leave the view from Pothana behind you and descend first to Deurali and Dhampus and then to Phedi, where you enter the main road and we drive you back to Pokhara.Set in a large fertile valley, Pokhara is the gateway to most of

Day 15 : Day 15: Hike To Ramkot

Accommodation Name: You leave Pokhara behind today and travel to the Newari hilltop village of Bandipur (approx. 3 hours). The beautiful core of Bandipur has been lovingly restored, and most of the city is now a pedestrian area, surrounded by beautiful old buildings. After a

Day 16 : Day 16: Bandipur - Kathmandu

Accommodation Name: There is more free time this morning to explore Bandipur before driving back to Kathmandu (approx. 4-5 hours, subject to traffic on arrival in Kathmandu). You can start at a time of your choice, depending on whether you want to spend more time in Bandipur

Day 17 : Day 17: Tour Ends

Accommodation Name: Your tour will end after breakfast and, if possible, we will move you to the airport for your home flight. OVERNIGHT: MEALS: Breakfast

What's Included

What's Not Included

More Info

The 'Annapurna Sanctuary trek' takes you to a secret bowl in the heart of the Annapurna range, surrounded by a stunning panoramic view of the towering peaks, ten of which are over 6,000 m. One of the most famous Annapurna treks, this trek takes you as far as the Annapurna Base Camp at 4,095 m. We enter the sanctuary after a magnificent and varied trek through the foothills of the Himalayas, passing through small villages, mixed forests, and terraced farmland. En-route, we enjoy great mountain views at sunrise from Poon Hill and end up relaxing in the lakeside town of Pokhara and exploring the Newari hilltop town of Bandipur. An excellent introduction to Nepal and hiking in Annapurnas. You start your tour of Kathmandu with a guided tour of this bustling city, taking in tiny markets, corner temples and the famous Durbar Square. You have a scenic journey from Kathmandu to Pokhara, where your trek begins from nearby Naya Pul. Staying in lodges throughout the day, you will meet and talk to other trekkers and guides every night, discuss the places you've visited and the route ahead, and make a contribution to the local economy. Starting in the foothills, immediately north of Pokhara, you start your trek to Ghorepani, where you can enjoy a beautiful sunrise view of the Annapurna range from Poon Hill. From Ghorepani, you cross many valleys and then go up the beautiful Modi Khola Valley. A dominant characteristic of this trek is the Deep Rhododendron forests, with sprinklings of a wide variety of orchids and bamboo forests full of pussy monkeys. As you walk up to the middle of the Annapurna Himal, you can visit the Machhapuchhare Base Camp, followed by the Annapurna Base Camp itself. When you reach the Annapurna Sanctuary (a mountain ringed amphitheatre of enormous proportions), you will be rewarded with breath-taking views of 10 snow-capped peaks above 6,000 m. The summits include: Fang, Glacier Dome, Homunculi, Annapurna, Annapurna South, Annapurna 1, Annapurna 3 and Machhapuchhare. All of these, combined with the impressive background of the south face of Annapurna 1 (8,090 m), make this trek a truly unique and unforgettable experience. After some time exploring the Sanctuary, take a few days to walk back to Pokhara and stop along the way at the hot springs near Jhinnadunda. You have a free day in Pokhara, which we leave to give you time to relax in this peaceful lakeside town, and to allow for any delay in the trek itself. From Pokhara you drive back to Kathmandu via Bandipur and have a little free time to do some last-minute shopping or a little more sightseeing around the city and the surrounding valley. One of the great things about the Annapurna trekking region is the wide variety of routes and paths available. This means that the itinerary below can be both shortened and extended in all kinds of different ways if you have more or less time for your trek. Options are also available to explore the ancient areas of Patan & Bhaktapur outside Kathmandu, take a mountain flight to Everest, or extend the trip to try some white-water rafting or visit one of Nepal's wildlife sanctuaries.

Mode of Transport

A/C minibus

Accommodation

Boutique hotel

Trekking lodges

Check out our Q&As

Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

Guides
Fully trained English-speaking Nepalese trekking guides are provided on this tour and many of our travellers consider them a highlight of their tour. For parties of 1-6 travellers we provide one trekking guide plus porters, and for groups of 7 to 12, two guides are provided plus porters.
Are airport transfers included in this tour?

This tour include a 24-hour airport arrival and departure transfer service at Kathmandu airport and all other transfers. There will be a collection of people waiting on the far side of an airport service road immediately in front of you as you exit Kathmandu airport. Please look out for an Encounters Travel signboard to find our representative. You may well be pestered for tips by porters who try to carry your luggage. We suggest you either be firm and insist on carrying your own luggage, or if you want assistance, wait until you have met our representative and then let him arrange the porter for you. You will need to have some money ready for a small tip (eg. up to NRs 50 or a single US Dollar bill).

Your airport transfers are only included on the first and last day of the time you have booked with us. If you make your own arrangements for additional accommodation at either the beginning or the end of the tour then you will need to arrange your own airport transfers on these days.
What should I know before traveling?

It is important when considering and preparing to travel anywhere in the world that you have a good understanding of the country you are visiting, its laws and customs, and the possible risks and situations that may occur. This includes specific risks related to your itinerary (eg. does it involve water & can you swim, are you fit enough for the activities included), as well as more general risks such as terrorism and natural disasters.

General details and links to more information about health risks, visa requirements, money, and travel insurance are given in these tour notes. We recommend that you re-read all these before your departure as well as the small print of your travel insurance policy so you know exactly what is covered and what is not.

You should take copies of your important travel documents with you and ideally also store them online securely as a backup. Make sure that you have given us your emergency contact details and told that person where and when you are travelling. Ensure you take enough money with you and that you have access to emergency funds.

Finally, you should read through and stay updated with the current official government travel advice for your destination. We are registered partners with the UK Foreign Office's 'Travel Aware' campaign which provides further useful and invaluable information.
Are vaccinations required for this tour?

You should ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including emergency evacuation and repatriation.

Recommended vaccinations and other health protection measures vary according to the country you are visiting and where you are travelling from. We recommend you contact your GP/medical practitioner or a travel clinic for current information on vaccinations needed for your destination. You should ensure that you are up to date with vaccines and boosters recommended for your normal life at home, including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions. In addition, additional courses or boosters normally recommended for the countries in this region are:

Nepal: Additional vaccinations: Diptheria, Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area.
Bhutan: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area.

Tibet: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area.

Malaria: Vaccinations are not available against Malaria, which is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes that can be very serious and sometimes fatal. You should avoid mosquito bites by covering up bare skin with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers and applying insect repellents to exposed skin. When necessary, sleep under a mosquito net. Mosquitoes are most active during and after sunset. You should consult with your GP/medical practitioner/travel clinic about the most appropriate malaria prophylactic medication to take for the regions you are visiting. In general the lowland regions Bhutan are considered malarial zones, while higher altitudes including central Bhutan including Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Bumthang are not. Nepal is considered mainly low risk with prophylactics not normally required.

Yellow Fever: This disease is spread by infected mosquitoes that bite during the day. A Yellow Fever Certificate of vacinnation may be required as a condition of entry depending on which country you are arriving from, or that you have travelled or transitted through recently (including connecting flights with stopovers of over 12 hours). You can view this US CDC information about where the virus is present and follow the links to further information detailing which countries need you to have a Yellow Fever vaccination as part of their entry requirements. Please ensure you have this certificate with you and to hand if necessary. Please inform us of any pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or asthma and any prescription medicine you may be taking. We also need to know about any food allergies or physical disabilities that you may have.
Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

Visa arrangements are the responsibility of the traveller, and requirements are subject to change by the local authorities.

Many nationals can obtain their Nepalese visa in Kathmandu airport upon arrival (including UK, EU, US, CA, AU, NZ, SA citizens). The costs for a single entry visa are currently:
- up to 15 days - US$ 25
- 16 to 30 days - US$ 40
- 31 to 90 days - US$ 100
An additional $20 fee is charged to convert these into a multiple entry visa which will be needed for any tours returning to Nepal after visiting Bhutan or Tibet.

The visa is obtained in the immigration area at the point where your passport is stamped. Forms to fill in are available in this immigration hall and may also be given out on your flight (if so, do fill them in before you land as it will reduce your queuing time). You will also need to fill in an arrivals card. Once your paperwork is completed, head to the immigration desk and hand over your forms, 2 passport photos, your visa fee and passport. The visa fees are set in US Dollars, but you can also pay in other currencies, but don't rely on getting given change.

Passport Photos: You will need two passport photos for your Nepal visa if you are obtaining it on arrival. If you are doing any trekking, rafting or visiting a National Park (i.e. on many of of our tours), you should bring extras, as some of the permits we may need to get require these. Please bring at least 4 passport photos with you - they will always come in useful later if you don't need them all.

Are all entrance fees included in the price?

All your entry fees and permits are included in the price of the tour to cover entry into the trekking conservation areas, and sites on any optional day tours added to the tour.

This trek passes through a restricted trekking area (Nar & Phu Valleys) for which advance permits are required. We will need to receive a scanned copy of your passport at least 2 weeks prior to arrival in order to ensure that permits are ready for you to start the trek.
What should I know before I travel?

It is important when considering and preparing to travel anywhere in the world that you have a good understanding of the country you are visiting, its laws and customs, and the possible risks and situations that may occur. This includes specific risks related to your itinerary (eg. does it involve water & can you swim, are you fit enough for the activities included), as well as more general risks such as terrorism and natural disasters.

General details and links to more information about health risks, visa requirements, money, and travel insurance are given in these tour notes. We recommend that you re-read all these before your departure as well as the small print of your travel insurance policy so you know exactly what is covered and what is not.

You should take copies of your important travel documents with you and ideally also store them online securely as a backup. Make sure that you have given us your emergency contact details and told that person where and when you are travelling. Ensure you take enough money with you and that you have access to emergency funds.

Finally, you should read through and stay updated with the current official government travel advice for your destination. We are registered partners with the UK Foreign Office's 'Travel Aware' campaign which provides further useful and invaluable information.
Is travel insurance compulsory?

Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.
When is my balance payment due?

60 days prior to departure
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s
Can I transfer my booking to someone else?

Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

yvonne12442

10 Day Nepal Exposed Tour an Epic Experience!

October 2017

My husband and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Encounters Travel for giving us the opportunity to experience the 10 Day Nepal Exposed Tour. Encounters Travel was great from even before the trip began in planning the trip, answering all our inquiries and providing us information in a timely matter. We would like to say this trip was phenomenal and left us both with memories and adventures that will last a lifetime.

C Mazur

Fabulous "Nepal Exposed" Tour!

October 2016

We just returned from a 10 day tour of Nepal with encounters travel. From start to finish the tour was amazing! Working with the Encounters Travel office prior to the tour was easy and smooth - all information was provided and everything was organized well. Upon arrival in Kathmandu we were met right away at the airport by our guides - we felt so comfortable right away! The trip was action packed and exciting, and our guide Ram was a joy to be with for 10 days and arranged everything for us. Although Nepal is a bit of a "culture shock" as compared to our regular experiences, we felt safe and comfortable the entire trip. Our driver, who drove for us the entire 10 days, was amazing too, which was so important given the road conditions in Nepal! We experienced city life, village life, an elephant safari, Himalayan mountain hikes, etc. all in 10 days. Trip of a lifetime! I would highly recommend Encounters Travel tours and will likely book with them for a future adventure!

Libbylaird

Nepal on a Shoestring - Truly fantastic

MAy 2018

I have just returned from the Nepal on a Shoestring Tour and I can highly recommend it. A fantastic, non-stop way to be introduced to Nepal; Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara in 8 days. I added on an additional day at the start which did mean I had some quiet time before the action began! Our guide, Dipesh, who escorted us for the trip entirety was brilliant and very patient with our relentless questions! The bus trips between locations were long but a fantastic way to see the Nepalese countryside, you do need to be patient with the Nepalese roadways! I loved every minute and would highly recommend Encounters Travel and this tour. Now looking at my next trip with Encounters Travel!

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