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Annapurna Sanctuary and Pun Hill

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Trip Overview

Level 9/20 12 days of trekking at a maximum altitude of 4130m. Stages of 5 to 6 hours.

Just try to picture this glacial cirque with all these giants jostling for position: Hiunchuli (6441m), Annapurna South (7219m), Fang (7647m), Annapurna I (8091m), Annapurna III (7555m), Machapuchare (6993m), Tharpu Chuli (5663m), and Singu Chuli (6499m). After just six days of trekking, at a relatively moderate altitude for Nepal, you won’t find anything like it anywhere else. This trek is accessible to all and, in addition to the mountains, offers the chance to pass through traditional villages. The landscapes range from rice paddies to bamboo groves, culminating in an alpine setting at the foot of glaciers. Leaving the Modi Khola valley, which flows down from the sanctuary, is not the end of the trek. We continue through the vast rhododendron forests of Tadhapani to the pass at Ghorepani. This detour allows us to climb to the summit of Pun Hill (named after the Magar people of the village) for an exceptional panoramic view of the Himalayas.

Highlights

  • 360° views of Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna III, and Machapuchare
  • Traditional Gurung villages in Landrung, Ghandrung, and Chomrong
  • A moderate-altitude trek in comfortable lodges
  • The immense south face of Annapurna I at base camp
    Return via Ghorepani and the Pun Hill viewpoint

Itinerary

1: Arrival in Kathmandu
After your visa and customs formalities, baggage claim and you will be met at the airport exit by a representative from the agency. Transfer to the hotel.
2: Kathmandu – Dhampus 1650m (7 to 8 hours by road) 2 hours walking
An early departure from the capital and a private bus heading due west from Kathmandu to Pokhara along a road heavily used by trucks traveling to and from India. Leaving the valley, we crossed a small pass before plunging down a winding descent to the lower section, which then runs alongside the Trishuli River, where it's not uncommon to see people rafting during the season. Following the river, we arrived at Mugling, a small town whose appeal lies in its location at a crossroads: the road to India on the left and the road to western Nepal on the right. The road continues to Pokhara, then 15km along the flat, irrigated valley floor before reaching our destination and the starting point of the trek at Phedi, meaning "foot of the hill." The trek begins with the ascent of this hill, partly via steps carved into the hillside and partly through wooded areas, before opening onto a plateau of rice paddies. One last climb to reach Dhampus opposite the Annapurnas. Breathtaking view!Nuit en lodge.
3: Dhampus – Landrung 1560m (4 to 5 hours of walking)
Facing the Annapurnas, the trail crosses the long village of Dhampus and continues through the forest to Pothana. A little further on, you reach Deurali, a small pass at 2100m from where Dhaulagiri is visible. The trail then descends steeply at first, then gently through rainforest before emerging from the canyon and reaching Tolka at 1710m. The trail continues its descent to Landrung, a large Gurung village. Overnight in a lodge.
4: Landrung –Chomrong 2170m (6 hours walk)
The trail descends towards the Modi River through rice paddies and then through woods before following the river upstream to a bridge at 1340m. From there, it climbs steeply to Samrung before crossing a stream and then ascending steeply to Jhinu Danda at 1600m. There's a hot spring nearby, but the hilltop is our next destination. It's a long and tiring climb up a treeless hillside to Taglung at 2050m. The path then joins the one from Gandrung to Chomrong and becomes wider and better. Chomrong is a large Gurung village with very good quality lodges, facing Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. Overnight in a lodge.
5:Chomrong – Dobhan 2600m (5h walk)
The trail descends a long stone staircase and crosses a stream on a suspension bridge before climbing through a forest to Sinuwa at 2250m. The trail continues through rhododendron forest and reaches Kuldi at 2350m. From there, the path descends a long stone staircase through a forest of bamboo and rhododendrons. The trail becomes wet and muddy until it reaches Bamboo Lodge and its few lodges at 2190m. The trail continues to climb through the forest and leads to Dobhan. Overnight in a lodge.
6: Dobhan–Machhapuchhare Base Camp, 3700m (5h walk)
The trail continues uphill, passing the Himalaya Hotel with its two lodges. Then, for an hour, we ascend a steep ravine to reach Hinko Rock and continue on to Deurali at 3000m. The trail finally opens up, and the surrounding cliffs are breathtaking. We arrive at Bagar and continue to the foot of Machapuchare. Stunning views of Hiunchuli, Annapurna I and III, Gangapurna, and Machapuchare. Overnight in a lodge.
7: Machhapuchhare Base Camp - Annapurna Base Camp 4130m (2 hours of walking)
A short hike, breathtaking views, and here we are in the heart of the glacial cirque, facing Annapurna I (8091m), the 10th highest peak on the planet. Plenty of time to explore this magnificent sanctuary. Overnight in a lodge.
8: Annapurna Base Camp – Dobhan 2600m (6 hours walk)
This morning we leave the Annapurna glacial cirque, descend due south, and re-enter the vegetation. We take the same route as on the way up and stay in the same lodge we booked on the way up. Overnight in a lodge.
9: Dobhan – Chomrong 1950m (6 hours of walking)
We retrace our steps through the bamboo forests and climb the long staircase before Kuldi. From Sinuwa, we can see Chomrong in the distance. It's so pleasant to be back among the cultivated fields and out of the narrow valley. After the suspension bridge, we climb the long staircase leading to the comfortable lodge at Chomrong. Overnight in the lodge.
10: Chomrong – Tadhapani 2630m (6h walk)
The trail leaves Chomrong and reaches Talung at the top of the ridge, then turns right through potato and wheat fields before descending gently through forests to a lodge at 2020m. From here, the trail plunges steeply and switchbacks down to Kimrong, a village above the Kimrung Khola. The trail crosses the river on a bridge and climbs for about 100 meters to the old bridge, then begins a challenging switchback ascent through wheat fields to the village of Melanche at 2050m. From this village, the trail becomes less steep but continues to climb through rhododendron forests to Tadhapani, a clearing where lodges have been built.
11: Tadhapani – Ghorepani 2860m (6h walk)
The trail begins in the forest and descends to cross a small stream. It then traverses an area of ​​bamboo and giant rhododendrons before reaching a pass at 3100m, offering a stunning panorama of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and Annapurna. The trail continues through the forest to the large village of Ghorepani, visible from afar with its blue roofs. The upper part of the village is situated at a pass, where strong winds prevail.
12. Ascent to Pun Hill, then trek to Hille (1490m) 5/6h
Early in the morning, with headlamps, trekkers climb to the hilltop to witness the spectacular sunrise over the Himalayas. As night fades into twilight, the enormous red orb emerges from the darkness. The sun illuminates the peaks one after another… It's time to descend for breakfast before beginning a long descent: first through the forest, passing through hamlets like Nangethanti and then Banthanti. We arrive at Ulleri at 2070m. From there, a staircase plunges down to Tikhedhunga, resulting in a 500-meter drop in elevation. Trekking poles are recommended to ease the strain on the knees… We cross two bridges and then continue to the next village, Hille.
13 Hille – Naya Pul then road transfer to Pokhara.
The path begins its descent down a staircase at the edge of the village and reaches the banks of the Burungdi Khola, which we follow along a track now open to traffic, though very few vehicles pass. The track winds through terraced fields, and the vegetation is now subtropical with the return of banana trees and bougainvillea. The walk is pleasant and easy until Birethanti, where we cross the river to reach the grimy bazaar of Naya Pul. A vehicle is waiting to take us to Pokhara on the shores of Phewa Lake, where we will spend the night.
14: Pokhara – Kathmandu 1,300m (½ hour flight)
Arrival in Kathmandu after a magnificent flight along the Himalayan range… The Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and Langtang Lirung massifs unfold before our awestruck eyes. Transfer to the hotel and the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
15: Kathmandu Valley
Today we set off to explore the Kathmandu Valley, starting with the charming city of Bhaktapur, "the city of devotees," the jewel of the valley with its countless temples and scenes of rural life. After lunch, we return to Kathmandu, visiting the Hindu shrine of Pashupatinath, where all Hindus are cremated. Then we continue to the enormous Buddhist stupa of Bodhnath, where Tibetan pilgrims tirelessly circle the stupa, spinning prayer wheels and reciting their rosaries. What an atmosphere! Overnight at the hotel
16: Departure from Kathmandu
Depending on flight times, it will be possible to do some last-minute shopping before heading to the airport for the return flight.

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