Pokhara is
the starting and ending point for the Annapurna Base Camp Trek and in order to
embark on this Trek one will have to have TIMS(Trekkers Informations
Moniterring System) card and ACAP. Both these permits are easily available at
the respective offices in Kathmandu and in Pokhara for a payment of US$20 per
person. There are check posts to monitor the trekkers at the entrance and the
exit points of Annapurna area and one is required to produce the same at these
points and get it stamped. Trekkers usually spend a day or two in Pokhara as
this helps in acclimitizing for the high altitude trek ahead.
Pokhara lies
west of Kathmandu and takes about five to six hours drive to reach Pokhara from
Kathmandu. Private Tourist buses to Pokhara from Kathmandu are available at
frequent intervals which starts leaving from 5AM to 9AM and costs about US$25
per person. Share taxis are also available at a cost of about US8 per person.
These Taxis have no timing and are available all day long. One also hire a
private taxi too and they can cost anywhere between US$200 to US$250 per Taxi
and can seat between four to eight people comfortably. This ofcourse depends on
what kind of vehicle that one hires.
Forty
Kilometres North of Pokhara lies the Annapurna Sanctuary, a Glacial Basin at
the foot of Mt.Annapurna at an altitude of 4130m also known as the AnnapurnaBase Camp. Sorrounded by a ring of more than 7000m snow capped mountains the
approach to Annapurna Sanctuary or the Annapurna Base Camp is just one narrow
path between Hiunchuli and Machapucharae running along the banks of a swift
flowing glacial river fed by glaciers emanating from the foot of Machapucharae
and the Annapurna Glacier. This narrow path that runs along the river and which
meanders through small villages in the Annapurna region of Nepal and which finally
leads to the Annapurna Sanctuary is called the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. The Annapurna Base Camp Trek is one of the popular Treks in Nepal Himalayas.
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| Annapurna Base Camp |
Since the Annapurna Sanctuary is surrounded on all sides
by high mountains and deep valleys the area has developed a unique eco-sytem
and also receives only seven hours of daylight in a day. The south face of the
Annapurna region which receives more rainfall is covered by dense Rhododendron
and Bamboo forest where as the Northern Face close to the border with Tibet
remains arid and dry.
The entire
Annapurna Region is inhabitated mostly by the Gurung Tribes of Nepal and for
them the Annapurna Sancturay is sacred and Machapucharae is revered as the
abode of Lord shiva, a hindu diety. Eggs and meat are not allowed to be served
in the Annapruna Base Camp and even today the Annapurna area conservation
committee has placed notices at Himalaya camp and beyond with regard to using
meat and poultry products. The entire Annapurna Region is maintained and is
under the supervision of Annapurna
Conservation Area Project in short called ACAP.
ITINERARY:
Day 01 : Drive Kathmandu to Pokhara(6Hrs) .
Day 02 : Drive to Phedi(1Hr). Trek Starts.
Trek to Pothana (1890m/3Hrs).
Trewk starts with a drive to Phedi about 45minutes drive from Pokhara. Phedi is a small stop with a Hotel. Trek starts immediately with an uphill path on stone steps till Dhampus. From Dhampus it is an easy trek till Pothana. There is a TIMS and ACAP office at Pothana and every trekker going to the Annapurna Sanctuary will have to produce their TIMS and ACAP Card here. There are a couple of lodges here to rest for the night.
Day 02 : Trek Pothana to Landruk(1640m). Lodge. Trekking Time:5Hrs.
Pothana(1890m)-
Bichok(2080)-Tolka(1700m)-Landruk .
Day 03 : Trek Landruk to Chomrong(2210m). Lodge. Trekking Time : 6 Hrs - 7 hrs.
Landruk-New Bridge(1340m)-Jhindu(1780m)-Chomrong(2170m).
Day 04 : Trek Chomrong to Dovan (2600m). Trekking Time : 5hrs - 6 hrs.
Chomrong –
Sinuwa(2360m)-Kuldighar(2540m)-Bamboo(2310m)-Doban(2600m).
Day 05 : Trek Dovan to Machapuchare Base Camp (3700m). Trekking Time : 6 hrs.
Himalayan (2850m)-Hinku
Cave(3170m)-Deorali(3200m)-Bagar(3300m)-Machapuchare Base Camp
Day 06 : Day of exploration to Annapurna Base Camp, Annapurna Glacier and surrounding areas(4130m). Trekking Time :2 – 3 Hours.
Day 07 : Trek ABC to Dovan(2600m). Lodge . Trekking Time 6 – 7 Hours.
Day 08 : Trek Dovan to Chomrong. Trekking Time : 4-5
Hours.
Day 09 : Trek Chomrong to Kymrung Dada(2260m). Trekking
Time : 3-4 Hours.
Day 10 : Trek Kymrong Dada to Ghandruk(1900m/1-2Hrs). Drive
to Pokhara (3Hrs).
Ghandruk - Syauli Bazaar-
Chimrong-Birethanti. Overnight Hotel (B/Bonly).
Day 11 : Drive Back to Kathmandu. End of Annapurna
Base Camp Trek.
