GUIDED TREKKING IN THE ANNAPURNA REGION:
COMMENCE YOUR TREK ON ANY DATE WITHIN THE INDICATED SEASONS
HEA/01"ANNAPURNA PANORAMA" (Ghorepani/Ghandruk Trek)
8 Days Trekking, Grade: 2 (Easy/moderate)
Lodge Accommodation for small groups or individual trekkers
Sept. to December; January to May
The route follows well tended trails in the foothills of the Annapurnas
through Gurung and Magar villages with spectacular views of the
Annapurna peaks and Machhapuchhare (the Fishtail Mountain). The
large Gurung village of Ghandrung, set beautifully against the
peaks of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli is headquarters of the
Annapurna Conservation Area Project with an attractive building
open to visitors. From Poon Hill near Ghorepani there are breathtaking
views of Dhaulagiri across the Kali Gandaki gorge. Accommodation
is provided by the comfortable lodges along the route. Transport
to and from start of trek by tourist bus
or optional flight.
Price in 2008 for 8 Day Trek: US$ 500 per person ex Kathmandu.
Includes 2 nights hotel accommodation in Pokhara
Discounts for groups of 4 or more persons.
HEA/02 ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY TREK
11 or 15 days Lodge accommodation Grade 3 (moderate)
Best times: April to June, September to November
The Annapurna Sanctuary trek is one of the most rewarding in the
Annapurna region. The trail follows the Modi Khola River upstream
and reaches Annapurna Base Camp (4250 m) which is situated in
a huge basin surrounded by giant mountains, ice walls and tumbling
glaciers.
At the north-western rim of the amphitheatre rises the incredibly
high and steep south face of Annapurna I, first climbed successfully
by Chris Bonington's expedition in 1970. The route reaches the
site of the original base camp, and during the climbing season
you will often see camps of mountaineering teams nearby. A day
is spent exploring the Sanctuary.
A trek to Annapurna Sanctuary can be done in 11 days, although
it is better to spend 14 days on trail and take in some of the
surrounding areas, for instance views of Dhaulagiri across the
Kali Gandaki gorge. Transport to and from start of trek by tourist
bus or optional flight.
Prices in 2008:
11 day trek: US$ 650 per person ex Kathmandu
15 day trek: US$ 780 per person ex Kathmandu
Discounts for groups of 4 or more persons.
HEA/03 ANNAPURNA/MUSTANG REGION TREK
(Also known as Jomsom/Muktinath Trek) January - May & September
- December
Lodge accommodation for small groups and individual trekkers
14 Days - Grade 3 (Moderate)
Much enjoyed by first-time trekkers and highly recommended, this
trek gives you much insight into the colourful cultural side of
Nepal, as well as stunning mountain and river scenery. The route
follows the Kali Gandaki River upstream through a valley flanked
by mountains of over 8000 m height on either side, namely Annapurna
I and Dhaulagiri.
There are breathtaking views of these mountain systems from the
lower sections of the valley. When you get to the upper reaches
of the Kali Gandaki, the landscape becomes arid and very much
resembles the Tibetan Plateau, which in fact is very close.
The destination of this trek is Muktinath (3800 m), a very important
pilgrimage centre for both Hindus and Buddhists, set in beautiful
gardens watered by mountain streams. What they come to see is
enclosed in a shrine: a natural spring which produces not only
water, but at the same time flames fed by naturally occurring
gas. The return trek includes a spectacular mountain flight to
Pokhara. Transport to and from start of trek by tourist bus or
optional flight.
Price in 2008 for 14 Day Trek: US$ 810 per person ex Kathmandu
- includes flight Jomsom/Pokhara. Includes 2 nights hotel accommodation
in Pokhara
Discounts for groups of 4 or more persons.
HEA/04 ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TREK
21 or 14 days - Camping or Lodge Accommodation Trek
Grade 3/4 (Moderate/Demanding)
April - June and Sept. - November
The trek around the giant Annapurna massif takes you through regions
of great diversity, geographical as well as cultural. The trail
leads from subtropical terraced valleys up to windswept alpine
meadows and takes you to the north of the Annapurna ranges through
country resembling the Tibetan Plateau, crosses the Thorung La
pass (5416 m), from where the great summits of the Annapurnas
and the Chulu Peaks can be seen to the south, the stunning panorama
of Dhaulagiri and neighbouring mountains to the west, and the
colourful, eroded landscape of Mustang to the north.
The trail then descends steeply and passes through the Kali Gandaki
Valley, the deepest valley on earth, as it is overshadowed by
mountains over 8000 m on either side, namely Annapurna I to the
east, and Dhaulagiri to the west.
A visit to the pilgrimage centre of Muktinath with its famous
shrine enclosing fire and water coming from an earth fissure,is
part of this trek. The return route follows the turbulent Kali
Gandaki River downstream as far as Tatopani, then heads east through
spectacular scenery and finishes in Pokhara. Transport to and
from start of trek by tourist bus or optional flight.
2008 Price for 21 day trek: US$ 1050 per person ex Kathmandu for
individual trekkers or groups. Discounts for groups of 4 or more persons.
HEA/04 ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT 14 Days The Annapurna Circuit trek can
be shortened to 14 days by following the Kali Gandaki valley as
far as Jomsom, from where a spectacular mountain flight takes
you to Pokhara.
2008 Price for 14 day trek: US$ 850 per person ex Kathmandu (includes
flight Jomsom/Pokhara) for individual trekkers or groups. Discounts for groups of 4 or more persons.
"OFF THE BEATEN PATH" ANNAPURNA REGION
