Annapurna Base Camp Trek via Poon Hill in Nepal

Upon your arrival in Kathmandu on the first day of your trip, a representative from Glorious Himalaya will be waiting for you outside the terminal, holding a sign with your name on it. After being greeted, you will be transferred to your hotel in the center of Kathmandu. Upon checking in, you will have the opportunity to unwind at the hotel or explore the surrounding area to acquaint yourself with the neighborhood.

After having breakfast, prepare to depart from Kathmandu promptly. Our journey to Pokhara by the serene Fewa Lake will be via a tourist bus, which is approximately an 8-hour drive. We will make a stop for lunch in the town of Malekhu, renowned for its river fish.

Alternatively, you can opt for a scenic flight from Kathmandu's domestic airport to Pokhara. The drive will treat you to scenic views of farms, villages, terraced fields, rivers, lush valleys, and rural landscapes typical of Nepal. Upon arrival in Pokhara, a private car will be awaiting you to transfer you to your hotel. In the evening, our guide will provide an overview of the trip. Pokhara's lakeside area offers a vibrant nightlife with dance and music performances, as well as a variety of excellent restaurants offering diverse cuisines.

The ABC Poon Hill Trek begins on the first day, starting at Ulleri (1,960m) after a 3 to 4-hour drive from Pokhara via Nayapul (1,010m), Birethanti, Tikhedhunga (1160m), and Hille (1,495m) village. The initial part of the trek involves a gentle ascent through the village and farm terraces, passing through dense forests of oak and rhododendrons towards Banthanti (2,250m).

Along the way, you may spot the Longgur (long-tail black-mouth monkey) jumping in the trees. The trek then continues towards Nangethanti (2,460m), and after an hour's walk, you will reach Ghorepani (2840m) where you will stay overnight at a Teahouse.

After an early rise, we'll skip breakfast, and embark on a one-hour walk to the summit of Poon Hill. This vantage point offers some of the most stunning sunrises in Nepal and presents a breathtaking panoramic view. From Poon Hill, you can admire the impressive peaks of Dhaulagiri I and II, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Himchuli, Gangapurna, Mt. Fishtail, Mardi Himal, and Lamjung Himal. In the foreground, the hills are adorned with rhododendrons in the spring. The morning is perfect for sipping tea atop Poon Hill and capturing stunning photographs. Following this memorable experience, we return to Ghorepani for breakfast.

After breakfast, we continue our journey on the trail leading us to Tadapani, with the option to stop for a meal around noon at Banthanti. The trail is alive with monkeys today. Upon reaching Tadapani, we are rewarded with a fantastic view of Fishtail Mountain.

Today's journey takes us from Tadapani to Chhomrong, where we rejoin the main trail to Annapurna Base Camp. The trek starts with a steep descent into the valley, leading us to a suspension bridge at the bottom. Further along the path, we pass through Taglung village, offering a chance to take a rest. As Chhomrong is situated at a lower altitude, the descent continues for some time until we finally arrive at Chhomrong. Along the way, we traverse numerous farmlands and may encounter animals like mules, which transport food to higher elevations. After passing Upper Chhomrong, a further 20-minute walk brings us to our overnight stay in Chhomrong.

Early in the morning, we depart from Chhomrong and head towards Dovan. The journey begins with a descent down numerous stone steps that seem never-ending. After crossing a suspension bridge, we start the ascent to Sinuwa. Continuing past Bamboo, aptly named due to the abundance of bamboo trees, we steadily progress towards our destination.

In the vicinity of Bamboo, you may have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of red pandas and bears, while the route is adorned with several beautiful waterfalls. Upon crossing Sinuwa, the landscape transitions to predominantly vegetated surroundings. Following this, we gradually descend to reach Dovan, where we will spend the night.

Today's trek covers a relatively short distance of around 7-8 kilometers. The trail remains adorned with Bamboo and Rhododendron trees as we approach the Hinku Bridge. There is an option for a brief detour to visit the nearby Hinku Cave.

Continuing alongside the Modi River, we eventually arrive at Deurali for lunch. With only 3-4 hours of trekking today, there's ample time to freshen up, explore the surroundings, and relax in preparation for a longer trek tomorrow.

Today, you will reach the Annapurna Base Camp. The trail gradually ascends the mountain in the morning, followed by a steep descent for a period of time. After a short additional hike, you will arrive at the Machhapuchhre Base Camp, offering views of Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna III, and other nearby mountains.

As you continue your walk, the vegetation becomes sparse until, in just under two hours, you reach the Annapurna Base Camp at an elevation of 4,130 meters. Watching the sunrise over the steep south face of Annapurna is a remarkable experience, as you stand at the base of the world's tenth-tallest peak. Today, you will have the opportunity to explore the Annapurna Base Camp, take in the surroundings, and witness the stunning sunset.

The sunrise at the Annapurna Base Camp is breathtaking. After capturing numerous pictures and having breakfast, we commence our descent back from the high point of our journey. To reach Bamboo today, we will retrace the same path we took to get to the Annapurna Base Camp. Following the Modi Khola, we begin our trek after breakfast.

Upon reaching Bamboo, you will descend to an altitude of around 1700 meters. This leg of the journey spans approximately 18 kilometers, making it the longest section of the entire trip. At Bamboo, you can find pickled bamboo and bamboo vegetables. We will stay at a lodge here and retire for the night after dinner.

In Bamboo, we start our day with a meal before embarking on a one-hour walk through the forest to reach Sinuwa. We retrace our steps up the stone steps that we previously descended on our way to the Annapurna Base Camp from Sinuwa. Depending on our appetite, we can opt to have lunch at Sinuwa or proceed directly to Jhinu Danda.

Upon arriving at Jhinu Danda, we check in and head straight to the nearby hot spring for some well-deserved rest and relaxation. The hot spring is fed by a cold-water river originating from the glacier regions. After enjoying a rejuvenating bath, we will spend the night at the lodge. It will be a wonderful way to celebrate the completion of our long journey.

Following breakfast, we will begin our final day of hiking by departing from Jhinu Dada. The route will follow alongside the Modi River until we reach Siwai, which is located a few kilometers away. The walk from Jhinu Danda to Siwai typically takes around three hours. Siwai is accessible from Pokhara by road.

Upon reaching Siwai, a vehicle will be waiting to transport you back to Pokhara. Pokhara offers a range of tourist attractions, including the picturesque Fewa Lake. As the sun sets over Fewa Lake, we can savor a variety of cuisines and raise a toast to our successful trek at the Lakeside.

The scenic Prithvi Highway connects Kathmandu and Pokhara, offering lunch options at Muglin and Malekhu. Malekhu is renowned for its fresh fish, sourced from the nearby Trishuli River. However, travel time can be extended due to traffic and road conditions, particularly in Muglin and Kathmandu.

As an alternative, we can explore the Manakamana temple, situated near Kurintar, before accompanying you back to your accommodation. Finally, your journey concludes in Kathmandu.

On our last day in Kathmandu, our vehicle and guides will pick you up at the hotel three hours before our flight back, following breakfast. It was a pleasure to have met you at Glorious Himalaya. We will cherish the memories we've made together and wish you a safe journey home. In Nepal, we say "Feri Bhetumla," which roughly translates to "Until We Meet Again."