12-Day Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Gurung Villages and Hot Spring

On arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, you will be received by our guides and staff and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, join a group briefing regarding the trek and other useful information, followed by a welcome dinner.

An early morning departure from the hotel takes you on an overland drive to scenic Pokhara in Nepal's mid-west. During the six-hour drive, enjoy views of snow-capped peaks before arriving by the lakeside of Phewa in Pokhara, where many good hotels are located with grand views of the Annapurna peaks. There is also a flying option of a 30-minute panoramic flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara.

After an overnight stop in Pokhara with views of the Annapurna Himalaya range and Machhapuchare Himal "Fish Tail," have breakfast and then drive beyond Pokhara to begin your first day of walking. A short drive with views of Annapurna passes farm villages and towns, and then at Bhirethati village the drive continues further to the starting point of the trek. Walk from low, warm farm areas and then climb uphill on stone steps to reach the large Gurung village of Ghandruk, often also spelled Ghandrung.

From Ghandruk, begin the morning walk on a gradual path for a short while and then climb to reach Kimrong Danda (ridge). After a short break, descend through cool forested trails to reach the Kimrong River and a nice farm village. From here, the climb starts for an hour or more to reach a hilltop. Continue on a gradual path to Chomrong, with short descents before reaching your overnight stop. Chomrong is a large Gurung village similar to Ghandruk and is the last permanent human settlement on the route to Annapurna Base Camp and Sanctuary.

After Chomrong, descend to a bridge and then climb uphill to Sinuwa Danda (ridge). The walk then leads into deeply forested areas on winding ups and downs to reach a place called Bamboo within the Modi River gorge, a small settlement with many good lodges. From here, walk for another hour to reach Dovan for an overnight stop in a small isolated spot with a few lodges.

Your adventure leads closer to the main highlight as the trail passes through the forest beyond Himalaya Hotel, located next to the large Hinko Cave beneath Annapurna South and Huin-Chuli peaks. From Himalaya Hotel, descend near the Modi River and then make a short climb to Deurali, where the tall tree line ends and short alpine bushes begin. Continue uphill following the Modi River all the way to Machhapuchare Base Camp for an overnight stop, located beneath the north face of Machhapuchare Himal "Fish Tail."

This is an easy and short morning walk to Annapurna Base Camp. From Machhapuchare, the trail enters Annapurna Sanctuary and continues all the way to base camp, with short uphill sections leading to level ground within the sanctuary enclosed by peaks. Soon, you arrive at Annapurna Base Camp, your final destination and the highest point of the trek at 4,130 m. It is situated beneath towering Mt. Annapurna and a range of other peaks including Vara-Shikar, Gangapurna, and Annapurna South. Annapurna Base Camp is the one and only base camp in the whole Himalayas region with the facility of a nice and cozy lodge, including a good food menu and rooms facing amazing views of the Annapurna peaks.

After enjoying lovely and pleasant scenic times at Annapurna Base Camp, begin a long walk of nearly six hours downhill with short uphill sections to reach Bamboo. The trail returns into tall tree lines and lush vegetation after the arctic zone climate of Annapurna Base Camp and Sanctuary.

The return journey leads back to Chomrong along trails with both uphill and downhill sections. From the Chomrong hilltop, the route diverts onto another fresh new trail to reach the nice hill village of Jhinu, located on a ridge with grand scenery of rolling hills and mountains. Jhinu offers a refreshing natural hot spring for interested trekkers, just a half-hour downhill walk away, with two nice warm pools close to the raging Modi River.

On your last day of trekking, the morning begins with a nice and pleasant downhill walk through low and warm farm areas. From there, an interesting drive takes you to scenic and beautiful Pokhara for an overnight stay by the famous serene Phewa Lake.

In the morning, depart from Pokhara on an exciting overland journey back to Kathmandu. Along the route, observe farm villages and towns before reaching Kathmandu by afternoon. The rest of the day is free for individual activities and souvenir shopping.

On your last day in the land of Himalayan wonders, depart from the hotel to the airport according to your international flight time for your journey back home or onward to your next destination.