Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu.
Today, upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, one of our company representatives will receive you and escort you to the tourist standard hotel booked for you. If time permits, we also schedule a meeting at our office for the briefing regarding the trek, followed by an introduction session with other members (especially Sherpas and guides) of your team.
Day 02: Spare Day. | Meal: B
(Highlights of the day: World Heritage sites like Kathmandu Durbar Square (a historical structure offering architectural wonders), the Pashupatinath temple (a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva- lord possessing the power of destruction), Swyambhunath and Boudhanath (a Buddhist shrine dedicated to Lord Buddha- Light of Asia.)
Optional site:Another World Heritage site ‘Patan Durbar Square’ along with other historical masterpieces like Mahabouddha Temple, Krishna Temple, Golden Temple and Kumbeshwor Temple.)
Day 03: Drive to Pokhara - Altitude: 850m | Drive: 6/7hrs | Meal: B
Today, in the morning our guides will come to pick you up at your hotel and escort you to the bus station to catch an early morning, comfortable tourist bus to Pokhara. The bus will head towards the west of Kathmandu Valley and continue the journey towards the western part of Nepal following the Prithvi Highway along the Trisuli River. The bus will stop twice – one for breakfast and one for lunch and then continue until we reach Pokhara. The evening can be utilized to explore the lake area. The night will be spent at a tourist standard hotel in Pokhara.
(Highlights of the day: Comfortable tourist bus, windy highway along the Trisuli River, breathtaking view of waterfalls, rivers, jungles, hamlets higher up on the hills, terraced fields with seasonal crop, different vegetations, curious faces of people running motels, restaurants and lodges, Lake area in Pokhara.)
Day 04: Pokhara to Phedi drive and Trek to Pothana - Altitude: 1970m | Drive: 40min | Trek: 5 hours | Meal: BLD
Pothana is the destination set for the day. After having breakfast, the trip continues with a 40 minute bus ride to Phedi. The upward hike begins from here. A climb through the jungle, passing several small villages takes us to the beautiful Gurung village -Dhampus. From Dhampus, a steep climb will first take us to the Australian Camp, passing Deurali. We further walk up to Pothana situated on the Annapurna Circuit trail. The evening can be spent exploring Pothana and enjoying the views of the mountains. The night will be spent in a tented camp at Pothana.
(Highlights of the day: Spectacular view of the Annapurna Mountain range and Machhapuchhre, a number of beautiful Gurung settlements; their lifestyle and traditional houses surrounded by the farmland.)
Day 05: Pothana to Forest Camp - Altitude: 2550m | Trek: 7 hours | Meal: BLD
The Forest Camp is the destination set for the day. From Pothana, the upward hike continues on the stone paved trail till Deurali. On reaching Deurali, we leave the circuit trail and catch an off-the-beaten-trail that heads east. The trail passes through the dense forest, presenting the glimpses of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna massif and some wildlife en route to the Forest Camp. We reach the forest Camp around the afternoon, where we set up the tent for the overnight stay. The night will be spent in a tented camp at the Forest Camp.
(Highlights of the day: Magnificent, closer view of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges, glimpses of leopard, deer, monkeys and various species of birds, dense forest and the experience of a tented camp along with the meals prepared by local cooks)
Day 06: Forest Camp to High Camp - Altitude: 3580 m | Trek: 6 hours | Meal: BLD
The High Camp is the destination of the day. Leaving the Forest Camp we proceed towards the High Camp. Though the distance is short the climb through the forest of Rhododendron and Juniper forest is quite steep. The settlement is almost nil around this area. We first pass Manjh Danda to reach the low camp, and then we pass the Nangge Danda to reach the high camp. The top greets you with the most spectacular view of Machhapuchhre, the Annapurna Range, the valley of Annapurna Base Camp and Mardi Himal. The night will be spent in a tented camp at the High Camp.
(Highlights of the day: Dense forest of Rhododendron and Juniper, splendid views of Machhapuchhre, the Annapurna Range, the valley of Annapurna Base Camp and Mardi Himal.)
Day 07: High Camp to Mardi Himal Base Camp and back to High Camp - Altitude:4500 m | Trek: 6/7hrs | Meal: BLD
Mardi Himal Base Camp is the destination set for the day. Today we wake up earlier than usual to enjoy the sunrise view from the High Camp. Today is a challenging day as the day requires walking on a narrow, rocky trail. Leaving the High Camp, we ascend for about 4 hours to reach the base camp of the Mardi Himal. After enjoying the views from the base camp, we walk back to the High Camp. The night will be spent in a tented camp at the High Camp.
(Highlights of the day: The spectacular sunrise view from the High Camp, view of the great ice fields and the blue glaciers of the Sanctuary wall, the stunning Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri, Ganesh Himal with a dozen of glistening snow-bound giants and also the hovering Lhophophorous above us.)
Day 08: High Camp to Siding Village - Altitude: 1850m | Trek: 7 hours | Meal: BLD
Siding Village is the destination set for the day. From the High Camp crossing the Nangge Danda, a steep descent brings us back to the Low Camp. From the Low Camp, we leave the trail used earlier and head towards the Mardi Khola River through the dense forest. The walk continues till Siding. The night will be spent in a tented camp at Siding.
(Highlights of the day: Dense forest, friendly little settlements, lovely fields and the experience of pristine Nepali countryside.)
Day 09: Siding Village to Pokhara - Altitude: 850m | Trek: 2.5 hours | Drive:1 hour | Meal: BL
Pokhara is the destination set for the day. Leaving Siding, we now hike down following the line of the river valley, passing various small settlements of Gurung and Tamang people until we reach Lumre. At Lumre, we catch a vehicle that will take us to Pokhara in one hour. The evening can be spent exploring the Lake area. The night will be spent at a tourist standard hotel in Pokhara.
(Highlights of the day: Beautiful view of mountains, and the cute little settlements of Tamang and Gurung people, attractions of Lakeside in Pokhara.)
Day 10: Sightseeing and relaxing Pokhara. | Meal: B
After a number of days of a tiring hike, we spend the day relaxing the tired muscles. Pokhara is a beautiful place that offers a number of attractions to both tourist and the local people. Today we spend our time exploring various attractions of Pokhara. The night will be spent at a tourist standard hotel in Pokhara.
(Highlights of the day: A number of attractions like Santi Stupa, Davis fall, Phewa Lake, Caves and other attractions of Pokhara with a comfortable night at a tourist standard hotel.)
Day 11: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu. | Meal: B
Kathmandu is the destination set for the day. Today we Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu, which leaves you enough time to spend your day in Kathmandu. The day can either be spent resting at the hotel or exploring the cities of Kathmandu.
(Highlights of the day: 25-30 minutes scenic flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu, and a comfortable tourist standard hotel and a farewell dinner in Kathmandu)
Day 12: Departure day | Meal: B
This day is the last day of your trip in Nepal with us (Treks Planner Nepal). If your flight is scheduled early morning, then one of our company representatives will escort you to the airport as per your flight departure time. But, if the flight is scheduled later in the evening, you can go shopping and collect a few souvenirs in Kathmandu. However, if you are planning to spend some extra days in Nepal, Treks Planner Nepal can also make arrangements for some other top adventurous activities that you can attend while you are in Nepal.