Today, you will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Check in and enjoy the remainder of the day free after your long flight.

City Tour, Swayambhunath & Patan

Today you will enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu City, Swayambhunath, Patan City and the Patan Museum.

Although the fertile Kathmandu Valley has been inhabited for thousands of years, its rich and varied cultural legacy essentially began during the 14th century under the Malla Dynasty. Patronized by the nobility, Newar artisans constructed temples, monasteries and elaborate courtyards that constitute a fascinating architectural history. Visit Durbar Square and Teleju Temple with its gilded roofs; the present temple was restored by King Mahendra Malla in 1562. The gate to the Hanuman Dhoka Durbar, the old Royal Palace, is guarded by a statue of Hanuman, the monkey - god, wrapped in a red cloak’ the deity’s face is covered by a thick layer of sindur, a red dust mixed with mustard oil. Stop at House of the Living Goddess where the virgin goddess known as Kumari may look sown from one of the upper floor windows. Kathmandu derives its name from the 12th century wood temple of Kasthamandap, said to have been built from a single tree. Walk through the bazaar and labyrinthine back streets of the old city.

Move on to Swayambhunath - the “Monkey Temple”, the oldest shrine in the world established more that 2500 years ago. Situated on top of a high hill where legendary Manjushri discovered the lotus growing in the ancient Kathmandu Valley lake, Swayambhunath commands an superb view of the valley below. The four side of this ancient structure are painted with the compassionate eyes of Buddha. Between the eyes is a mystical third eye symbolizing true wisdom. The nose, appearing as an incomplete question mark, is the Nepalese number of one, a symbol of unity.

Patan City, the City of arts and architecture founded in 250 A.D. and also known as Lalitpur. It is renowned for its fine works in bronze, silver and copper. Visit the Durbar Square, Royal Baths, Mahaboudha, Krishna Mandir and Hiranya Verna Mahabihar (the Golden Temple). A visit to the new Patan Museum is a must. The museum faces Durbar Square and is housed in a beautifully restored and renovated former Malla residential palace. The collection spans much of Nepal’s cultural history, primarily exhibiting metalwork sculptures from Hindu and Buddhist deities, typical of Patan’s tradition in craftsmanship. Written commentary explains their significance to Nepal’s art history, spiritualism, cultural heritage and contemporary life.

This morning you will be met by your driver and transferred to the airport for your short, 20 minute flight, to Pokhara. On arrival you will be met by your Sherpa crew and transfer to Phedi to begin your 12 day Annapurna Sanctuary Trek.

Trek to Pothana

It is a steep two hour uphill walk to the village of Dhampus for lunch, with Annapurna as the backdrop. The trail then climbs more gradually for a few hours to Pothana, a small village in the middle of the woods, with a grand view of the Annapurna range including the majestic Mt. Machhapuchare ('Fish Tail'), a beautiful spot for your first overnight stay in a tea house.

Bahundanda means “hill of the Brahmins” and the settlement of the mainly Hindu population sits on the crest of a ridge. There is a small temple in the village and in the centre of the village square is a large pipal tree, which has religious significance. If you still have some energy after your day's walk, you may like to see some hot springs which are just 30 minutes' walk away.

(Trek time 3-4 hours)

Trek to New Bridge or Jhinu Danda

The trail leads up through chestnut forest with occasional views of the snow capped peaks. The trail climbs gradually for about an hour, before reaching the ridge top at Deurali. Deurali is a fabulous spot with enchanting views of the surrounding landscape. After a brief stop here, a steep half hour descent brings you down to Bheri Kharka. The trail is then almost level with a few undulations until you reach Landrung village (about an hour from Bheri Kharka). From Landrung, the route diverts north-west towards Chomrong, and an hour's walk brings you to the bank of the River Modi. From here the trail winds uphill gradually, alongside the river, for an hour until New Bridge is reached. From New Bridge you traverse round to cross a river and then climb very steeply to the houses of Jhinu Danda.

(Trek time 6-7hours - 1,780m/5,839ft)

Trek to Sinwa

You begin ascending until you reach the main Ghandrung to Chomrong trail. The trail then climbs more gently to a corner before making a long descent on stone steps to Chomrong village, the gateway to the Sanctuary. Weather-permitting, you will be treated to a surfeit of fantastic mountain views, which include Annapurna South , Hiunchuli , Annapurna and Machapuchare . From Chomrong the trail continues down on steps through terraced fields to cross the river. After the bridge, it is steeply uphill through farmland and forest for an hour and a half to Sinuwa Danda, a small settlement on the ridge and offering great view of the surrounding landscape.

(Trek time 6-7hours - 2,340m/7,677ft)

Trek to Deurali

From Sinuwa, an hour's walk through forest brings you to the small village of Khuldi-ghar, where your trekking permit and conservation ticket is checked and registered. From here you descend on slabs and then climb gently upwards to a small place called Bamboo, named after the dense vegetation in this area. Another hour's walk through bamboo forest, following the River Modi upstream; will bring you to another small settlement of Dovan, or Dobang. You then continue more steeply uphill, high above the river until you reach Himalaya. A few short steep climbs on and you arrive at Deurali.

(Trek time 6 hours - 3,200m/10,498ft)

Trek to Machapuchare Base Camp

You will now be feeling the altitude, as you get closer to the snowy peaks and the vegetation changes from forest to shrubs. From Deurali the trail narrows as you pass through the so called 'gates' of the Sanctuary, and then there are several steep climbs to reach the Machapuchare Base.

(Trek time 7 hours - 3,658m/12,000ft)

Trek to Annapurna Base Camp

From Machapuchare Base Camp the trail winds up steeply for 1 hour. As you reach the upper ridge in the open wide valley, you enter a hidden amphitheater with a complete view of an array of snowy peaks spread out before you. Another 1&2 hours of slow and steady walking will bring you to Annapurna Base Camp in the heart of the Annapurna.

(Trek time 6-7hours - 4,130m/13,550ft)

Trek to Dovan

Rise early to be rewarded with the most spectacular sight of the sun rising over Annapurna South and her awe-inspiring neighbors. You are now completely surrounded by soaring, snow-capped giants, including Annapurna 1, Tent Peak, Hiunchuli, Gandharba Chuli, and Machapuchare. After this unforgettable feast of glorious mountain scenery, you retrace your journey back down to Himalaya and on to Dovan.

(Trek time 6-7hours - 2,630m/8,628ft)

Trek to Chomrong

Today's walk begins with a downhill walk through dense forest of oak, rhododendron, pine and bamboo, all the way to Bamboo, a small settlement built to cater to the needs of the trekkers. From Bamboo, a 45-minute steep climb brings you back to Khuldi Ghar where you have to sign out before you leave. You walk through forest back to Sinuwa and then descend steeply to the river. After crossing the bridge, an hour steeply uphill on steps brings you back to Chomrong village.

(Trek time 6 hours - 2,170m/7,119ft)

Trek to Tadapani

From Chomrong you climb stone steps out of the village back to the corner where the trail forks, one way down to New Bridge and the other round into the valley of the Kimrong Khola. You stay on the high trail and continue round to where the trail divides again, one branch going downhill to Kimrong Village and on to Gandrung and the other branch, on the right, staying high and going to Tadapani. You take the right branch and follow an easy wide trail which meanders through the farm fields and then descends to the Kimrong river valley and down to the river. Your routes then leads west, very steeply uphill, through dense forest for three hours until Tadapani is reached for your nights stay. This is a magnificent spot in the midst of the magnolia and rhododendron forest, overlooking great views of Annapurna South, Machhapuchare and beyond towards the Manaslu ranges.

(Trek time 6-7hours - 2,590m/8,497ft)

Trek to Ghorapani

The path descends to cross a small stream and climbs to the village of Banthante. Then it is steeply uphill in a narrow forested gorge, often climbing on stone steps, to reach Deurali, four hours from Tadapani, from where there are good views down into the valley of the Kali Gandaki. From Deorali you climb again for a short while through fine forest before reaching an open ridge top from where there are fantastic views if the weather is still clear at this time of the day. There is another hour of easy descent through the rhododendron forest to Ghorepani, which is famous for its panoramic views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu and beyond, from the nearby Poon Hill.

(Trek time 6-7 hours - 2,750m /9,022ft)

Trek to Hile

You have the option of an energetic early morning hike to Poon Hill, to catch the sunrise over the Himalayan peaks. After this beautiful and memorable image of the mighty Himalaya, trek down on the busy trail of the old Trans-Himalaya trade route where you will often see laden mule trains, firstly through forest to Banthante, continuing to Ulleri, before the classic descent on a steep Gurung 'staircase' to Tirkedhunga then continue more gently down Hile.

(Trek time 6-7 hours - 1,520m/4,987ft)

Trek to Nayapul

After breakfast, you descend from Hille to Birenthanti and then continue for half an hour to the road head at Nayapul.

On arrival in Nayapul you will then transfer another hour to Pokhara for your flight back to Kathmandu. Once in Kathmandu you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Check in and enjoy this last evening of your trip at leisure, telling stories of your amazing adventure.

Today, you will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your departing flight. We hope you enjoyed your experience in Nepal and we wish you a pleasant flight home.