Annapurna Sanctuary

Famous mountains around as Hiunchuli (21,132 feet), Southern Annapurna (23,684 feet), Fang (25,089 feet), Annapurna I (26,545 feet), Annapurna III (24,787 feet), Machapuchare (22,943 feet), Tharpu Chuli (18,579 feet), Singu Chuli (21,322 feet); such is the panorama from the southern side of the Annapurna base camp! Without a doubt, the most fabulous high mountain landscapes, a view for every good hikers. A pleasant loop, navigable most of the year.

• Day 1/  Arrival in Kathmandu
• Day 2/  Visit Kathmandu valley
• Day 3/  Flight to Pokhara - trek to Dhampus (5,184 feet)
• Day 4/  Dhampus - Deorali Pass (2100 m) - Landrung (5,184 feet)
• Day 5/  Landrung - Chomrong (7,119 feet)
• Day 6/  Chomrong - Doban (8,235 feet) - Himalayan Hotel (9,514 feet)
• Day 7/  Himalayan Hotel - Base camp of Machapuchare (12,139 feet)
• Day 8/  Base camp of Machapuchare - Sanctuary of Annapurnas (13,550 feet)
• Day 9/  Sanctuary of Annapurnas - Doban
• Day 10/  Doban - Chomrong
• Day 11,12/  Chomrong - Gandrung - Birethanti (3,543 feet) - Pokhara
• Day 13/  Back to Kathmandu
• Day 14/  Potential spare day Kathmandu
• Day 15/  Depart from Kathmandu.

Famous mountains around as Hiunchuli (21,132 feet), Southern Annapurna (23,684 feet), Fang (25,089 feet), Annapurna I (26,545 feet), Annapurna III (24,787 feet), Machapuchare (22,943 feet), Tharpu Chuli (18,579 feet), Singu Chuli (21,322 feet);such is the panorama from the southern side of the Annapurna base camp! Without a doubt, the most fabulous high mountain landscapes, a view reserved only for very good hikers. A pleasant loop, navigable most of the year. Our stays at the many lodges (local inns) punctuate our course, offering comfortable and cordial shelter for the evening stopover. Beginning with our first stopover, while going up towards the Deorali pass from Dhampus, you will find yourself in the atmosphere already. The Annapurna chain and its many satellite summits shine in the morning sun. Some passages in the forest bring us a little freshness before the final explosion. Two days in Kathmandu complete this program.

Day 1/ Arrival Kathmandu
Arrival in Kathmandu. Settle in at the Yak and Yeti 5 star Hotel for two nights. Some time available for a short visit of the city.

Day 2 / Kathmandu Valley
Visit the most beautiful sites of the Kathmandu valley, accompanied by an Anglophone Nepalese guide who will assist you in discovering the Bouddhanath Buddhist temples (largest Stupa, religious monument, of the valley), the Hindu Holy City of Pashupati Nath (cremations), and Bhaktapur, a live museum of a medieval city.

Day 3/ Flight to Pokhara - Trek to Dhampus (5,184 feet)
In the morning, flight for Pokhara which provides for a superb view of the Himalayan mountain chain. Continuation by road (1 H approximately) to Hyanja, village of Tibetan refugees. Visit of a monastery and carpet factory (unfortunately we can not make purchases here) before continuing towards Phedi (3,609 feet), where the porter team is waiting. Beginning of a series of staircases crossing the fields which join Dhampus, located at the top of a peak. Night in lodge. 2 H walk

Day 4/ Dhampus - Deorali Pass (6,890 feet) - Landrung (4,921 feet)
Hiking up through a forest to Pothana and going over a small pass at 6,890 feet before going down again to Bichok. The descent continues to the bridge which spans the tributary of Modi Khola, impetuous torrent which arrives from the southern face of Annapurna. From there, light ascent that leads to Tolka, then to Landrung. Night in lodge. 6 H walk.

Day 5/ Landrung - Chomrong (7,119 feet)
We go down towards Modi Khola, which we cross on a suspension bridge (4,396 feet), before undertaking the ascent towards Chomrong. Night in lodge. 6 H walk.

Day 6/ Chomrong - Doban (8,235 feet) - Himalayan Hotel (9,514 feet)
Day in the Modi Khola canyons, in the middle of a bamboo forest. The quality of this path is not as good as the previous days. Night in lodge. 6 H walk.

Day 7/ Himalayan Hotel - Base Camp of Machapuchare (12,139 feet)
We continue our ascent, gradually leaving the forest zone.The view widens, and we see every high summit, one after the other. The view from the Machapuchare base camp seizes you. Night in lodge. 5 H 30 walk.

Day 8/ Base Camp of Machapuchare - Sanctuary of Annapurnas (13,550 feet)
Splendid day which brings us to the sanctuary of the Annapurnas. Here you find yourself at the foot of the most famous giant in Himalayan history. Exceptional sunset and sunrise on the Annapurnas. Night in lodge. 3 H walk.

Day 9/ Annapurnas Sanctuary - Doban
With regret, it is time for our return back down towards the valley. Night in lodge. 6 H walk

Day 10/ Doban - Chomrong
Our way down, we backtrack on the same path as the one that we took on our outward journey. Night in lodge. 5 H walk.

Day 11,12/ Chomrong - Gandrung - Bierthanti (3,543 feet) - Pokhara
We now leave the pathway that we took on our outward journey to go back to the Gandrung ridges (6,365 feet), before going down towards Birethanti and then Pokhara. The course remains varied, with beautiful overall pictures of the mountains. Night in lodge Gandrung (Day 11) and hotel Pokhara (Day 12)

Day 13/ Pokhara - Katmandu
Last chance to gaze at the Annapurnas mountain range. The view from Pokhara is more than kind to our eyes... Transfer by bus to Katmandu. Passing through animated Nepalese.... Lunch on the way. Arrival in the afternoon. Settle in at a 5 star deluxe hotel. 5 to 7 H by bus.

Day 14/ Kathmandu
Free or potential spare day to spend in Kathmandu. Hotel.

Day 15/ Depart from Kathmandu.
Transfer to the airport for flight home.

- The walking time schedules are given only as an estimate.
- For different reasons involving trip organization, daily schedules and planned altitude gains (ascent or descent) may be modified without any prior notice.

• Participant walks with a light backpack, carrying only the personal items necessary for the half day (water bottle, camera, protective clothing, etc).
• The other part of the equipment is transported by the carriers to the lodge. We are asking that every one have only one bag (trekking bag); the maximum weight of this bag should not exceed 27 pounds. At your arrival, we will provide you a bag cover in order to protect your bag during the trek.
• Possibility of leaving your belongings at the Kathmandu hotel and retrieving them when we return to Pokara.

The guides
- an English-speaking professional Nepalese Mountain World Travel guide
- a guide specialized in the Kathmandu valley

Local team
- a Sirdar, head of the porter organization, generally English-speaking
- porter (Sherpas) staff
- a cook and, if necessary, their assistants
- one or more Sherpas according to the circuits, those aspiring Sirdars will insure your comfort by closing the circuit and double-checking that no one is left behind

What to know about carrying: in Nepal, carrying is part of everyday life. It begins its practice with the very young. Provisions to feed the villages, building materials, harvests, are carried on men's backs. For their personal needs, outside of trekking season, the Nepalese often carry between 130 and 170 pounds. The carriers often come from the lower valleys. Sherpas come from the Khumbu region, at the foot of Mount Everest. We ask the Sirdars to ensure that the weight load does not exceed 67 pounds per carrier (no including personal material). The wages that the porters earn during the trekking season benefit the entire family even throughout the long months of tourist inactivity.

• Most Domestic flights on Yeti Airlines
• Ground transportation is organized by private tourism bus vehicles

Top level Nepalese lodging in Kathmandu and Pokhara!
- Kathmandu: Yak and Yeti, 5 star deluxe Hotel, based on double occupancy.
- Pokhara: deluxe hotel/lodge
- Throughout the trek: accommodation in lodges. Often comfortable lodging meeting strict standards of construction, established by a charter: double rooms, separate beds, toilets outside. Some lodges are equipped with showers (water is often tepid) and with electricity, thanks to solar panels. However, the higher in altitude the lodges are, the more basic their comfort becomes.
To note: because of the lack of insulation and lack of fuel, the rooms of the lodges are generally not heated. For your comfort, it is essential to have a good, warm sleeping bag.

The names of accommodations (hotels, lodges, etc...) when they are indicated, are only indicative.
Depending on availability, accommodations (hotels/Lodges, etc...) may be replaced by another equivalent type.
It is possible that accommodations may change without prior notice due to a number of factors.

Meals
- Downtown and during the transfers: restaurant.
- During the trekking:
on the paths from one village to another, lunch in restaurant along the way,
a energy food complement is provided,
dinners are served in the lodges

Drinks
Mineral water, tea and coffee included.

To note
In Nepal, Hindus and Buddhists are mainly vegetarians. Little meat or fish is thus eaten there. The dishes are containing pastes, rice, potatoes, lentils, etc.

Although we are an experienced adventure travel company doing our best to respect the itinerary schedule as presented on this detailed itinerary, there is always the possibility that we may need to modify it for different reasons beyond our control. Please read the Registration Conditions: Terms and Booking conditions - Limitations of Liability

• International flights in/out Kathmandu
• All services mentioned in Services +/extensions / options
• Personal medical & Travel Insurance
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".

• Drinks (except mineral water and tea/coffee during trekking)
• Personal expenses
• Tips for guide and porters
• Cost of foreign country entrance visa
• Airport taxes and depart from Kathmandu (approximately $35)
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included"

• Upgrade your lodging during the trip by choosing an individual Room
• Lodging in individual rooms is possible (subject to availability at the time of your registration) only, in all of the Kathmandu and Pokhara hotels.
• It is not possible to reserve individual rooms in the lodges. However, according to the availability in each lodge, you can pay a moderate supplement right on the spot to have your own room.

As airfare is NOT included in our adventures, please check if your trip is "a guaranteed departure" before confirming your own airline travel arrangements. You can check your trip status at the Mountain World Travel website or contact the Mountain World Travel office at 1-970-544-WALK (1-970-544-9255) or at 1 888-MWT-TREK (698-8735).

Our preferred airlines to fly to Kathmandu:

• Star Alliance (United) in cooperation with Thaï Airlines operates daily flights to Kathmandu from anywhere in the States through Bangkok.
• Qatar Airways operates daily flights to Kathmandu from Washington DC through Doha (and 4 times a week from New York) - Qatar is a member of Star Alliance.
• Oneworld, in cooperation with Cathay Pacific, operates four flights a week to Kathmandu from anywhere in the States through Honk-Kong.

Formalities for US, Canada, Australia, NZ passports travelers: a passport valid at least 6 months after the supposed return date of your journey; a visa is required.
Please visit http://www.nepalembassyusa.org/visa.php?page=tourist_visa_requirement
The visa can be obtained directly upon your arrival at the airport in Nepal.

Please bring 2 photo ID's with you: one is for obtaining the entrance Visa to Nepal and the second is to enable us to obtain a Trekking Permit.

For US citizens, please check with US Government Travel Entry Exit Requirements.
For other nationalities, please contact the Nepalese embassy of your country.

Vaccines
Certain vaccines are highly recommended, but none are mandatory.
We advise you to be up-to-date with traditional vaccinations: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, typhoid fever, hepatitis A, B and a vaccination protecting you from rabies is highly recommended for all.
Note: yellow fever vaccine is not necessary (no yellow fever in Asia) but required for any person coming from Africa or tropical America.

Malaria
A preventative treatment against Malaria is not necessary for this trip.
For more information, visit http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationNepal.aspx

Dentist and doctor
A check-up before your departure is recommended

Acclimatization and preventive treatment against altitude sickness
We conceive our routes by first taking into consideration the best means for "altitude acclimatization". However, it is advisable to consider with your doctor a preventive treatment against altitude sickness(Diamox) and to check your capacity to evolve in altitude (specific tests may be considered).
Please visit: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh6-AltitudeIllness.aspx

LEVEL 3
2 months prior: Hike 9 to 10 miles every weekend or on two consecutive days OR if you are regularly committed, on an annual basis, to another sports activity for a cumulative duration of 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes per week, you should be up to speed.

 

Basic equipment
- A warm fleece hat
- A cap or a hat to protect from the sun
- Sun glasses (minimum index 3 or 4 for high mountain)
- Thermal top and bottom, (short and long) underwear (fast drying).
- Fleece turtle neck top
- A warm fleece jacket (light weight/well insulated).
- A waterproof/breathable shell jacket (Gore-Tex).
- A pair of gloves
- A rain poncho
- Hiking shorts
- Lightweight hiking long pants
- A Camelback or a water bottle.

Shoes and technical material
- Hiking socks
- Waterproof ankle hiking boots and a sole offering good traction.
- Head lamp
- Gaiters
- A pair of telescopic walking poles

Sleeping
- Sleeping bag (that will keep your warm from a temperature of 23° F to 32° F)

Luggage
- A backpack with broad straps, with an adjustable anatomical back reinforcement, and a capacity of 7 to 9 gallons, for your daily belongings
- A soft travel bag, which can hold between 18 to 23 gallons that will be transported by the porter team or by vehicle during the day.

Miscellaneous
- A change of clothes.
- A pair of replacement shoe laces
- A dop-kit and a bath towel.
- Toilet paper.
- A pocket knife (not in carry-on luggage).
- Some plastic bags to protect your belongings.
- Duct tape.
- A bathing suit.
- A small anti-theft pocket or belt, to always keep on yourself, along with your identity papers, money, certificate of insurance.

Some advice
During your flight, your backpack should contain fragile and useful items that you might need while on the plane (camera, memory cards, jacket, books, magazines, medication, dop-kit etc).