Annapurna Panorama Trekking

Annapurna Foothills to the viewpoint on Poon Hill offers all the best of trekking in Nepal including accommodation in comfortable family run trekkers’ lodges along the way. Spectacular mountain scenery through charming villages inhabited by the Gurungs, dense rhododendron forests full of birds and deep sub-tropical valleys, all set below the Annapurnas with the picturesque fluted peak of Machapuchare (Fish Tail Peak) dominating the skyline. At the climax of this trek you will climb Poon Hill at dawn to enjoy one of the most spectacular mountainscape on Earth.

As the sun touches the snowcapped summits the Himalayan Giants, Dhaulagiri 8,167m and Annapurna 8,091m along with a maze of other peaks slowly begin to appear, like magic, before our eyes. A rewarding trek that can be enjoy by every lover of nature and beautiful landscape. This trek is a wonderful opportunity to witness the beauty of the Annapurna region with a shorter trek. The trip starts just north of the city of Pokhara and winds through the Poon Hill area and then passes. This is one of the lower elevation treks that we offer rising to only 3200.

• DAY 1

  ARRIVE IN KATHMANDU

  When you arrive in Kathmandu, you'll be taken to your hotel. While in Kathmandu you will have time fascinating Buddhist and Hindu temples and shrines reflecting ancient local traditions are highlighted on our guided tour. There's time to explore the city's many charms on your own too. In the evening delicious traditional Nepali well come dinner await for you. O/N in Kathmandu. (Welcome-Dinner)

• DAY 2

  KATHMANDU CITY TOUR

  After breakfast, we'll visit Swoyambhunath temple, and said to be 2000 years stupa on a hillock offers breath-taking view of Kathmandu City. We will then processed to Visit Pasupatinath and Bouddhanath. After lunch we'll visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan (Lalitpur) - which is the oldest of the three major cities in Kathmandu Valley - famous for its Buddhist monuments and Hindu temples, and you can catch the traditional artisans working with wood, stones and metals. O/N in Kathmandu. (B/L/D)

• DAY 3

  KATHMANDU / POKHARA

  This morning you will be drive to Pokhara (200km), depart 7:00 AM in the morning, approximately 7hrs away by tourist bus. Lunch spot one the way to Pokhara. You will be arriving late afternoon at Pokhara approximately 2:00 o'clock. Pokhara lakeside villages sit, "front row center" to one of the most beautiful Himalayan panoramas in the world. The Annapurna and famous "Fishtail" mountain peak of Machapuchhare tower over the tropical setting of Pokhara and you spend there will be the scenic highlight of your trip. In the evening you will prepare yourself for your Poon Hill Trekkig. O/N in Pokhara. (B/L/D)

• DAY 4

  POKHARA/ TIKHEDHUNGA (1491m.)

  After breakfast approx: 7:30 AM drive to Nayapul (42km) 1.5 hr by Car via large village of Lumle and walk about 20 minutes to Birethanti, a large and prosperous town. The trail follows the main street of Birethanti, going through bamboo forests and past a large waterfall and swimming hole. Beyond a pasture used by pony caravans, the trail reaches Sudami where you have Lunch. After lunch climb steadily up the side of the valley, reaching Hile at 1495m near by Tirekhedhunga. Along the way, various hamlets offer ample camping possibilities but if Ghorepani is the objective for the next day it is better to push on to Tikhe Dhunga. O/N in Tirkhedhunga at Teahouse Lodge or Tented Camp. (B/L/D)

• DAY 5

  TIKHEDHUNGA / GHOREPANI (2855m)

  Breakfast served in morning 7:00 AM. From Tirkhedhunga the trail crosses a stream on a suspension bridge near the campsite at Tirkhedhunga. The trail ascends a steep stone staircase to the large Magar village Ulleri at 2070m. Above the village where the trail climbs gently through pastures and cultivated fields. There are magnificent more pleasantly through rhododendron and oak forest. There is a hut with water and a small camp site about 1 hr. above Ulleri. The trail crosses two sparkling clear two streams before making a short, final climb to Nangethanti. Your lunch spot in Nangethanti. Thanti is a Nepali words meaning "rest house" "Dharmasala". In the winter the trail can be covered with snow. From Nangethanti about one hour trek, climb to Ghorepani at 2850m. Arrive at the top of the Ghorepani pass and camp there. O/N in Ghorepani at Teahouse Lodge or Tented Camp. (B/L/D)

• DAY 6

  GHOREPANI / POON HILL / TADAPANI (2540m)

  Being of the early morning 5:30 AM wake up and start to you journey climb to Poon Hill (3195m) around 1 hr. to provides better unobstructed views and sunrise over the high Himalayas. You can see a lots of White Mountain peaks from Poon Hill. After sunrise, you'll return to our camp and time for breakfast. Ghorepani means "horse water" and it is no doubt a welcome watering stop for the teams of horses, mules and ponies that carry loads between Pokhara and Jomsom. From Ghorepani the trail climbs south on muddy path through the deep forests. It finally emerges on a grassy knoil that offers good mountain views, is including views of Machhapuchhare (not visible from Grohrepani pass), and a panorama all the way south to the plains of India. It is similar views from Poon Hill. Climbing along the ridge in pine and rhododendron forests to a top 3030 meters then descend to at a second pass also called Deurali, at 2960 meters. The trails a ridge hides the mountains as makes a steep, sometimes treacherous, descent on a narrow path alongside the stream, as the descent continues. The stream has some clear pools alongside the trail and finally becomes a series waterfall over a jumble of boulders. The steep descent becomes more gentle way to reaches Banthanti and stop for Lunch approx.: 1 hour. From Banthanti, the trail follow the stream down to a bridge where the trails start climbing, leaving the moist high mountain forests and entering a field of cane, making some ups and downs past to a vantage point "Tadapani (2540 meters) that offers a brief view of the mountains. Tadapani means, "Far water". The village water supply is a long distance, it takes porters more than half an hour to fetch a load of water. O/N in Tadapani at Teahouse Lodge or Tented Camp. (B/L/D)

• DAY 7

  TADAPANI / LANDRUNG

  Served the breakfast in the morning and start your journey, 8:00 AM to Landrung, it takes approx.: 6 hours. From Tadapani, the trails descend through the forests then terraced fields, to the Khummu Khola. The Ghandrung trails descends steeply from Tadapani, through forests, a short steep descend among rocks lead to a stream crossing, then the descent continues gently past over streams, finally leading out on the ridge to Ghandrung. Our Lunch spot in Ghandrung. Ghandrung a huge Gurung village at 1940 meters is the second largest Gurung village in Nepal and is a confusing cluster of closely spaced, slate-roofed houses. There are neatly terraced fields situated both above and below the town. It is wonderfully easy to get lost in the network of narrow alleyways while trying to trek through the village. There is a larger handicraft factory at the top of Ghandrung. The views of Annapurna South from here are out standing. Machhapuchhare, seen from here in its fishtail aspect, peeps over a forested ridge. ACAP has visitor center and an office in Ghandrung and provides offers information about it activities. From Ghandrung, all the way down hill to Sauli Bazaar. The downhill trails leads to the river and then climb to Landrung, a Gurung village at 1550 metres. O/N in Landrung at Teahouse Lodge or Tented Camp. (B/L/D)

• DAY 8

  LANDRUNG / DHAMPUS

  From Landrung, It's an easy walk past fields, a school and some unusual oval shaped houses and descends to Tolka a small settlement at 1710 meters, with several lodges along the trails. The trail emerges into the main Modi Khola Valley. The trails climb through forests alive with birds, fern and orchids in to a huge side canyon of the Modi Khola. After crossing a stream on a suspension bridge at 1690 meters, the trails climb Bichok (also known as Bheri Kharka). The trails climbs through forests to a clearing on the top of the hill at 2010 meters where there are views of mountains can be see from Deurali and break 1 hour for lunch. From Deurali all way is downhill to Dhampus at 1580 meters. It takes approx. 2 and an hour. The trails down through Pothana pass a police cheek post. At Dhampus, you are rewards with great views of the mountains that continue to improve as you ascend along the ridge. O/N in Dhampus at Teahouse Lodge or Tented Camp. (B/L/D)

• DAY 9

  DHAMPUS / POKHARA

  From Dhampus, all the way downhill through the village to Phedi. Starting at an elevation of 1580 meters, in a village and then forests that is so overgrazed that is look like a manicured municipal park, the trail down steeply to the ridge at Phedi at 1080mtres. It takes approx: 2 hours treks catch our vehicles and drive to Pokhara. Our lunch spot in Pokhara Hotel. After Lunch you are free as your own in Pokhara. O/N in Pokhara. (B/L/D)

• DAY 10

  POKHARA CITY TOUR

  After breakfast we've sightseeing around Pokhara valley. You're free in Pokhara Valley also called "Magic Land" or Dreamland" of Nepal, to explore the various interesting place like a boating in Fewa lake over looking the region of Annapurna Areas, David Falls, Mahendra Cave and some Temples. After lunch you're free to shop for souviners or rest. O/N in Pokhara. (B/L/D)

• DAY 11

  POKHARA / ROYAL CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK

  After breakfast drive to Chitwan National Park upon arrival, rooms assigned and there will be a short briefing on the program and our facilities. 4:00 PM: Elephant-back safari: Guests will ride on an elephant to explore the jungle and wildlife you will be able to see the one-horned rhinoceros, several types of deer, monkeys, wild boar, bison, sloth bear, leopard and, if lucky, the Royal Bengal tiger. This exciting ride lasts for 2-3 hours. 7:00 PM: Dinner in the central dining hall. O/N in Chitwan. (B/L/D)

• DAY 12

  ROYAL CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK

  6:00 AM: Wake-up call followed by tea or coffee, and then proceeds on a Nature Walk. This encounter on foot with the environment will introduce the main features of eastern Chitwan. Sal forest, open grassland and reverie jungle. Our guides will help you identify some species of birds, plants and other wildlife that you may encounter. 8:30 AM: Breakfast 9:30 AM: Elephant briefing program: Learn more about these fascinating animals during a visit to our elephant stable. (For the brave ones there is even a crash course in riding and leading the elephants) 1.00 PM: LUNCH. After lunch, canoeing: A traditional dugout canoe takes you on a silent trip down the Rapti river to view aquatic birds and the animals of the riverbanks. Back to resort through the Jungle. 7:00 PM: Tharu Stick dance: Farmers of the nearby villages will show some of their traditional skills and dances. 8:00 PM: Dinner around the camp firing. O/N in Chitwan. (B/L/D)

• DAY 13

  ROYAL CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK / KATHMANDU

  6.00 AM: Bird Watching (or another elephant ride) after early morning tea/coffee. 8.00 AM: Breakfast 9.00 AM: Luggage down and departure at 9.39 AM. to Kathmandu. The actual program for your stay, will be given to you on arrival at Resort / camp. The activities are adjusted to the season and weather conditions. Naturally, it may not always be possible to follow this schedule to the minute and the circumstances may force us to alter the program at short notice. On safari in the jungle you will be accompanied by expert naturalists who will advise on safety procedures and we request you to respect their judgment at all times. If you wish to stroll in the forest alone, a guide will have to accompany you for your safety. O/N in Kathmandu. (B/L/D)

• DAY 14

  DEPARTURE

  After breakfast free for you until time to leave the international airport for your final departure. (B)