ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY TREK - NEPAL

INTO THE HEART OF NEPAL'S BEAUTIFUL ANNAPURNA RANGE
14 days - Huge Himalayan Peaks - Traditional Culture - Picturesque Villages

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Barely 25 miles north of Pokhara, and concealed within the folds of two great southward projecting ridges of the Annapurna Massif, sits the secret mountain fortress of the Annapurna Sanctuary. So narrow is the gateway to this most spectacular high mountain amphitheater, at the head of the Modi Khola and squeezed between the peaks of Hiunchuli and Macchapuchare, that it was not until 1956 that any outsider penetrated its defenses. More recently, the Annapurna Sanctuary has become a popular trekking destination, and with good reason - It is easily accessible from Pokhara and offers tremendous potential for scenic walks and for alpine exploration, in a splendid high Himalayan setting. The ring of mountains which form the rim of the Annapurna Sanctuary includes no fewer than eight of over 7000 meters, including Annapurna South, Fang, Annapurna 1 (8091 meters), Gangapurna, Annapurna 3 and Annapurna 5. The ring is completed by the peerless Macchapuchare, only 23 feet / 7 meters below the magical 7000 meters.

The walk in to the Sanctuary provides a taste of the great variety of landscape types which serve to make Nepal such a special trekking destination. Starting out at Phedi, we encounter sub-tropical heat, pretty villages and neatly terraced rice fields. Gaining height gradually, we enjoy several days of pleasant ridge walking with a mix of abundant forest and scattered areas of farmed land. Finally, beyond the last of the bamboo and rhododendron woodland, the valley narrows at the entrance to the world of ice and snow that is the Annapurna Sanctuary. Throughout the approach, there are always outstanding panoramas of the high peaks to the north and the contrast of the rice-fields and villages with the snow peaks above, making for very picturesque trekking indeed. We have allowed a day for exploration above our base camp in the Sanctuary. To increase the appeal of this excellent trekking itinerary, we take an alternative route to the Sanctuary, turning westwards to follow a high ridge which leads to Ghorepani and a viewpoint overlooking the great rift of the Kali Gandaki Valley, the deepest gorge in the world. From Poon Hill above Ghorepani the dawn views of Dhaulagiri and nearby Tukuche Peak are legendary.

2013 GROUP TRIP DEPARTURE DATES:
March 17 to March 30, 2013
March 24 to April 6, 2013
April 7 to April 20, 2013
April 21 to May 4, 2013
May 12 to May 25, 2013
September 22 to October 5, 2013
October 13 to October 26, 2013
October 20 to November 2, 2013
November 3 to November 16, 2013
November 17 to November 30, 2013
December 8 to December 21, 2013

The Annapurna Sanctuary Lodge Trek is part of our Himalayan Classic Trek Series. Our Classic Treks are led by an experienced, English-speaking Sherpa Guide and full support crew. In addition to our fixed group dates, we are also able to arrange this trek starting on any day of the week during the months of March through May and September through December for groups of 1 to 12 people. Please contact us with any questions or to receive a detailed day to day Trip Itinerary.

2013 LAND ONLY PER PERSON TRIP PRICE:
1 Person: $3540.00
2 to 4 People: $2885.00
5 to 8 People: $2785.00
9 to 12 People: $2685.00
Single tent and hotel room supplement: $415.00 per person

TRIP SNIPPETS:
Hotels: 3 nights hotels
Lodge Trek: 10 nights in comfortable lodges
Trek Grade: 11 days MODERATE trekking
Max. altitude: 13,545 feet / 4130 meters at Annapurna Base Camp

Moderate Trekking = suitable for most regular hikers as the trip involves relatively short days (4-7 hours) on well-traveled trails. However, a reasonable level of fitness is required as these trips can involve a considerable amount of ascent and descent at altitude and the occasional longer hiking day.

TRIP OUTLINE:
Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu. Transfer to group hotel.
Day 2: Drive to Pokhara. Hotel.
Day 3: Drive to Nayapul. Trek to Tirkhedhunga. 4 hour trek.
Day 4: Trek to Gorepani. 9,430 feet. 5-6 hour trek.
Day 5: Trek to Tadapani. 8,930 feet. 5 hour trek.
Day 6: Trek to Chomrong. 6,400 feet. 5-6 hour trek.
Day 7: Trek to Dobhan. 6,990 feet. 6 hour trek.
Day 8: Machhapuchhre Base Camp. 12,135 feet. 6 hour trek.
Day 9: Annapurna Base Camp. 13,545 feet. 3-4 hour trek.
Day 10: Trek to Bamboo. 6,730 feet. 6 hour trek.
Day 11: Trek to Nayapul. 3,610 feet. 5-6 hour trek.
Day 12: Trek to Thulo Kharka. 6,730 feet. 5 hour trek.
Day 13: Trek to Kande. Fly to Kathmandu. Hotel.
Day 14: Transfer to airport for departure.

Country Information: About Nepal
The Annapurna Range: About the Annapurnas