Annapurna Base Camp trek via Poonhill 10 Days

The very first day of the ABC trek via Poon Hill-10 Days takes us to Nayapul, the starting point of our trek. Depending on the traffic, we will cover the 42 km distance from Pokhara to Nayapul in 1.5 hours. The road to Nayapul is in good condition, which is a rare luxury in Nepal; however, there are some bumpy sections along the way. As we step out of Pokhara, the scene changes from urban housing to rivers and hills. Driving by farmlands, you might see the locals tending to their crops or sowing seeds depending on the time of your visit. As we move towards Hemja, you will definitely notice that the warm city air is being replaced by the cool breeze of the valley. Nayapul is the major town of its region, many trekkers stop there to start their ABC trek via Poon Hill-10 Days and other Annapurna trekking destinations. The small town is full of shops to let trekkers stock up on supplies before they start their weeks-long trek to the Himalayas. We recommend you buy trekking gear and other trek necessities if you do not have them yet. The trek from Nayapul to Ulleri is a trip that takes you to farmlands, terraced farms, villages, and changing vegetation. For the first part, we will hike from Nayapul to Birethanti, a small village sitting on the meeting point of the Bhurungdi River and Modi River. You will encounter your first checkpoint here, where the officials will check your Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) before letting you continue the trek. This village is very charming, it has a few stone and mud houses, which are the traditional houses in the region. At present, these types of houses are not preferred by the locals following the disastrous 2015 earthquake in Nepal. Nowadays, cemented earthquake-proof houses are popular given their stability and security. From there, we follow the trail along the Bhurungdi River to get to Tikhedhunga, which translates to sharp stones in Nepalese. The trail to Tikhdhunga is slightly uphill, with hills covered by forests and some tiny settlements here and there. The ambient sound of the river accompanies us all the way to Tikhedhunga. We are now at the final leg of the day 1 ABC trek via Poon Hill-10 Days. From Tikhedhunga, we hike up a steep trail, which is the infamous stone steps that many trekkers do not seem to be happy about. It is a very long section of just stairs that leads you to Ulleri village. Every trekker feels out of breath and takes multiple breaks to complete this section. Now, imagine the locals carrying heavy loads full of goods produced in cities. They carry 20 to 30 kg of loads on their back at once, and they traverse the same terrain that you just did. It has been counted as 3000 steps of stairs. That explains the hike in cost as you go deeper into the Annapurna Valley. However, as you take a break to rest your legs, the scene you get to see is worth the exhausting stairs. Continuing the trek, we will reach the Magar village of Ulleri, sitting at an elevation of 2070 meters above sea level. This is a popular Magar village and offers basic accommodation with heart-warming traditional performances of dance and music. After a tiring and exhausting trekking day on your ABC trek via Poon Hill-10 Days, the welcoming aura of the locals and the traditional charm of the village lets you feel a comfort you will not forget. We will watch one of the traditional performances before heading to bed for a deep, restful sleep. Activity: Drive & Trek for 6-7 hours Max. Altitude: 2,050m/6,726ft. Ulleri Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Guest House

The 2nd day of the ABC trek via Poon Hill-10 Days is here and today we will be moving to Ghorepani, the “base camp” for the viewpoint of Poon Hill. The distance we need to cover today is 10.5 km and it should take us about 5 hours to reach our destination of the day. The trail is well-marked unlike some of the hilly trekking regions in Nepal. Our first segment of the trek takes us to Banthanti, a small settlement sitting at 2250 meters above sea level. The trail to Banthanti is full of wild vegetation and during the springtime, you can experience the blooming of Rhododendron flowers which fills the green hilly scene with vibrant red colors. Once we reach Banthanti, we will get to rest a little, take a drink, and enjoy a little snack, preferably energy bars. Shortly after, we will be moving to Nangethanti and start our second leg of today’s trek. The hill slopes are now covered with Magnolia and Oak trees that provide shade from the sun. There are a number of small streams, often generated from natural spring water sources, and a couple of waterfalls along the way. We will reach Nangethanti following 2 hours of trek and reach an altitude of 2460 meters above sea level. The small settlement of Nangethanti is not a night-stay place but a place with tea shops and eateries. Following a short break in Nangethanti, we will start the last section of day 3 of the ABC trek via Poon Hill-10 Days. Now that we are at quite an elevation, the treeline becomes thin as the environmental condition is a bit unfavorable for plants to grow in abundance. We will trek sparsely populated forests and get to Ghorepani village, which is yet another Magar village. The village of Ghorepani sits at an altitude of 2874 meters above sea level and the wide view of the valley welcomes us as we make our way to the village. Ghorepani was once an important spot for traders, back when Tibet was the main center for goods that were brought to Nepal. At present, it is a beautiful charming village that provides a great countryside experience. We will spend the night there and rest up for the next day. Activity: Trekking for 4-5 hours Max. Altitude: 2,874m/9,429ft. Ghorepani Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Guest House

The 3rd day of the ABC trek via Poon Hill-10 Days is the ultimate day as we hike up to Poon Hill. We will get up early in the morning at about 4:30 AM, get ready by 4:45 AM and start the hike to Poon Hill. This hike takes about 45 minutes, covering just 1.5 km. while the scene of the Annapurna Himalayas is right in front of your face. As we reach the summit of the viewpoint, a wide open space welcomes us, offering a 360-degree view of the Annapurna valley, hills, rivers, and the Annapurna Himalayan range. As the sun rises over the distant hills, the sun’s rays light up the entire scene in a reddish-orange color, the white Himalayas in the distance shine, and the valley comes to life. This is the perfect chance for you to take an aesthetic photo for your socials. After an unforgettable Himalayan sunrise experience from the Poon Hill viewpoint, we will move back to Ghorepani for a much-needed breakfast. We will get there in about 30 30-minute of a downhill hike. Chowing down on some Himalayan goodies, we will finish our breakfast, get our bags, and start the trek to Tadapani. The porters will carry all your heavy stuff; you should just set your mind on the hike and eyes on the road. From Ghorepani, we will have to cover almost 11 km to get to Tadapani, our destination of the day. We will trek for a maximum of 7 hours, but it might get late if we are obstructed by some unforeseen circumstances. The first part of the trek takes us to Deurali via an ascending trail accompanied by a forest of rhododendrons and oaks. Reaching Deurali Pass, we will be welcomed with a panoramic viewpoint just like Ghorepani. This viewpoint is 3100 meters above sea level and offers the same scene of the Annapurna Himalayas and the entire valley. Moving on to the second part, we will trek from Duerali to Banthanti along the Magnolia forest, crossing multiple streams along the way. We will also see the waterfall we saw on the way up. We will rest a bit at Banthanti before making our way to Tadapani. Now, the final part of today’s trek is a combination of ascents and descents. As we go higher into the valley, the scene of peaks including Machhapuchhre, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and others shows up in the frame. We will reach Tadapani after a couple of hours, check in at our accommodation for the night, and move out to the natural hot springs for a sensational Himalayan hot water bath. Activity: Trekking for 5 hours Max. Altitude: 2,630m/8,629ft. Tadapani Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Guest House

It is only about 8 km from Tadapani Chhomrong, which will take about 6 hours to cover. Going over multiple ups and downs throughout the trail, we will walk along the Modi River’s path. But before reaching the Modi River, we will descend down to Kimrong Khola, walking along farmlands. Farming is the main occupation in the hilly region, and it is basically all the locals have; tourism comes second in occupation since not everyone can afford to build a guest house or restaurant. After the descent, we will reach a hanging suspension bridge that crosses the Kimrong River. The trail then ascends slightly, leading us to the village of Kimrong. This Gurung village is a charming place and a great resting spot. Moving out of Kimrong, the trail is a mix of hills and plains. We will follow along the curves of Modi Khola reaching Chule village and eventually Chhomrong. We will spend the night in Chhomrong, ending the 4th day of the ABC trek via Poon Hill-10 Days. Activity: Trekking for 5-6 hours Max. Altitude: 2,170m/7,119ft. Chhomrong Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Guest House

Today’s trail leads us to Dovan village which is 10 km far from the last night’s stay. Trekking about 6 hours including refreshment breaks and lunch time, we will reach this village comfortably. It might even take 7 hours if we decide to do a slow trek, enjoying the scenes rather than moving just to get to our destination of the day. Starting the trek, we will descend down a set of stairs that takes us to the Chhomrong River. This part of the trek is very motivating as the trail is simple and the views are simply incredible. The cascading sound of the river and the chirping of birds fill the air, setting the right mood for a great trekking experience. We will descend down for about 50 minutes till we reach another suspension bridge. Suspension bridges can be exciting for some, but they can be frightening for people with a fear of heights. Let us assure those people, these bridges are sturdy, and you will get through them in a minute or so. The bridge swings up and down a little, which is completely normal, and passing these bridges is a part of the experience of exploring the countryside of Nepal. These bridges can sometimes be packed with cattle passing by or porters carrying goods to the remote villages; you need to wait for them to pass first. After passing the bridge, the trail turns into an uphill climb leading us to Sinuwa village. The name “Sinuwa” stems from the Nepalese word “Sino,” which means a dead body. In the distant past, a group of sheep fell from one of the cliffs of the village, following one after another. It was a blood bath and an event to remember, which named the village. We will be climbing a lot of stone steps to reach the village. From Sinuwa, we will move towards the Bamboo; there’s a huge bamboo forest that sparked the name Bamboo Village. This part of the trek is comparatively easy since we just climbed a set of steps to reach Sinuwa. Bamboo will be our lunch spot, and following the Modi River basin, we will leave the village to get to Dovan. It’s a slight ascent to reach Dovan following the Modi River all along. We will end the 5th day of the ABC trek via Poon Hill-10 Days at 2505 meters above sea level. Activity: Trekking for 5-6 hours Max. Altitude: 2,600m/8,530ft. Dovan Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Guest House

Day 6 of the ABC trek via Poon Hill-10 Days is one of the most exciting days of the trek as we will be reaching the Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC) today. We will wake up early in the morning, preferably around 6 AM, grab a quick breakfast, and be on our way. Leaving the village of Dovan, we will hike up an ascending trail with a forest on the side. You may even see a couple of monkeys and deer on the way. After trekking for about 2 hours, we will reach the Himalaya Hotel, which is the go-to place for snacks and rest in the region. Located at 2910 meters above sea level, this hotel serves as a restaurant as well. It’s also a great viewpoint. From there, the trail continues leading us higher. We will encounter the Hinku Cave shortly after leaving the hotel. The cave was a lifesaver back when villages were not so prominent and travelers had to stay there to hide from rain and snow. The pioneer trekkers used this cave as a shield from the cold breeze and snow, as well as for their night stay. Moving forward, we will reach Deurali, the viewpoint we passed on the way to Tadapani. We will stop there for lunch and get some rest while we are at it. This is the point of transition, you will definitely notice the change in the environment and vegetation as we move up from Deurali. The Himalayan vegetation starts showing up as we are well above 3000 meters, and the treeline shrinks to thin forests and alpine bushes. From Deurali, the trail continues to ascend, leading us to Annapurna Sanctuary. This glacier is accompanied by the Annapurna Himalayas, and the locals deem it to be sacred, which is one of the reasons why it is so well protected. This region is different from the Annapurna Conservation Area since it has its own little ecosystem. Entering Annapurna Sanctuary, the real climb begins as we make our way to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC). The climb will be exhausting, but the trail is not that difficult to traverse; it’s just the stamina you run out of. Actually, the MBC is not a real base camp since the local laws do not allow anyone to climb the Machhapuchhre mountain, it is a sacred region where no human should step foot. It is one of the few popular peaks that has never been climbed. The “base camp” is a space filled with tea houses and tea shops. We will spend the night at one of those tea houses. Activity: Trekking for 4-5 hours Max. Altitude: 3,700m/12,139ft. Machhapuchhre Base Camp(MBC) Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Guest House

The Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC) and the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) are not that far apart from each other, it’s just a matter of 2.5 km, but given the environmental circumstances and the decreased oxygen in the air, it will take about 3 hours to get there. We will gain over 400 meters of altitude in the process, which is also another factor for making it a difficult section. However, it is completely doable with the help of our expert ABC trek via Poon Hill-10 Days guide. Making our way through icy rocky trails garnished with short alpine bushes, we will start the trek to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC). We will cross small glacial streams and hike over moraines to reach our destination. From the Annapurna Base Camp, we will enjoy views of the Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Machhapuchhre, and Hiunchuli. We will have plenty of hours to explore the base camp since we will be spending the night here. Activity: Trekking for 2-3 hours Max. Altitude: 4,130m/13,550ft. Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Guest House

The next morning, we will get up early, before the break of dawn, to experience a gorgeous Himalayan sunrise view. Breakfast will be served shortly after, and we will be on the road by 7 AM. Today, we will be covering a total of 13 km, one of the longest days of the ABC trek via Poon Hill-10 Days. This will take us about 6 hours. Descending is easier on your leg muscles and cardio, but it pressures your joints as you have to hold your weight going down. Although it sounds easier, descending is not that easy, and we will take breaks in between. For the first part of the descent, we will get back to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC). This section can be tricky since there are icy patches and snow-covered trails. We are now at 3700 meters above sea level, from 4100 meters at ABC. From there, the second part of the descent takes us to the viewpoint of Deurali. At this point, the sub-alpine vegetation shows up, leaving the sparse alpine vegetation behind. The last section of today’s descent takes us all the way down to Dovan. First, we will trek down to the Himalaya Hotel (2920 meters) and continue to Dovan following the Modi Khola basin. Lush green hills will make their return as we reach our destination. Activity: Trekking for 5-6 hours Max. Altitude: 2,600m/8,530ft. Dovan Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Guest House

It’s only 6 km from Dovan to Sinuwa and it takes 4 hours to get there, this is one of the shortest trekking days of the ABC trek via Poon Hill-10 Days. First off, the trail takes us to Bamboo Village (2335 meters), the Bamboo forest on the way is a great scenic addition to the experience. It’s a series of ascents and descents. From Bamboo, we will ascend to upper Sinuwa, traversing a set of stone stairs and a forested trail. As we progress forward, the Bamboo trees are dominated by Rhododendron and Oak trees. Once we get to Upper Sinuwa, we will stop for lunch before descending to Lower Sinuwa. Activity: Trekking for 4 hours Max. Altitude: 2,340m/7,677ft. Sinuwa Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Guest House

The last day of the ABC trek via Poon Hill-10 Days is a long simple walk down to Nayapul. Descending down to Chhomrong, Kimche, and Birethanti, we will finally reach Nayapul in about 7 hours. We will have our lunch at one of the stops along the trek. The drive from Nayapul to Pokhara is about 1.5 hours; we will reach Pokhara by late afternoon. Activity: Trek & Drive for 8-9 hours Max. Altitude: 822m/2,697ft. Pokhara Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel