The perfect mesh of adventure, culture and natural splendor
Drive Pokhara to Nayapul (3,812 ft); Trek Nayapul - Ghandruk (6,571 ft)
Distance: 40 kms + 11.6 kms
Duration: 2 hours drive + 5 hours trek
Today is the first day of the Annapurna Base Camp trek and our destination is Ghandruk, a beautiful Gurung village. We start with a 2-hour road journey to Nayapul from Pokhara. On reaching Nayapul, the trail first drops down to Birethanti, crossing an old suspension bridge over the Bhurungdi River. Birethanti is a beautiful village, where trekkers will have to fulfill the necessary check-in formalities at the office of ACAP. Then, the ultimate upward walk begins towards Ghandruk. Initially, the trail climbs gently on a dirt road till Syauli Bazar. Leaving the dirt road and the river bank from Syauli Bazar, you will start climbing a series of stone steps till Kimche. You will cross the dirt road a couple of times as you climb the steps to Kimche. From Kimche, the gradient eases out a little, but you are only done with half the climb. It will take another 2 hours to reach your lodge at Ghandruk, which is one of the cosiest villages on the trail. Ghandruk also houses a museum of local Gurung culture. If the weather is clear, you will be able to see the Hiunchuli and Macchapucchre peaks from your teahouse in the evening.
Ghandruk to Lower Sinuwa (7,414 ft)
Distance: 11 kms
Duration: 5 hours
Sinuwa is the destination set for today. Today’s hike is a roller coaster on foot. Once you hike through the entire village of Ghandruk, the trail climbs up 200 m gradually to reach Kimrong Danda, a small village perched on top of a ridge. The village offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. From Kimrong Danda, you descend 400 m sharply through oak and rhododendron forests, crossing the Kimrong Khola at the valley floor. Once you cross the river, you will pass through the lower Kimrong village before climbing up again to Chhomrong. It is a 500 m climb to one of the biggest villages (with authentic Italian coffee) in the valley - you will have to stop at an ACAP Checkpost here. Chhomrong stretches from the top of the ridge down to valley floor, and you will descend 400 m through the entire village down to the stream. The day is not yet done, and you must climb another 200 m up steep stone steps to reach Lower Sinuwa, our halt for the night.
Lower Sinuwa to Deurali (10,400 ft)
Distance: 12 kms
Duration: 6 hours
You will start from Lower Sinuwa today and climb 250 m to the upper village. Upper Sinuwa offers brilliant views of the higher valley. The trail is level for the first few kilometres, passing through dense bamboo and rhododendron forests. If you are hiking here in April, the rhododendron trees are in full bloom and the forest is alive with red flowers and birdsong. This section is one of the best parts of the trail. Once you reach Kuldigar, you will descend to Bamboo on the valley floor. The bamboo forests get denser as you climb gradually towards Deurali, passing through the villages of Dovan (look out for a giant waterfall crashing onto the river just across the village) and Himalaya - yes, that’s what the village is named. Just before you reach Deurali, you will pass the Hinku caves next to the trail and traverse a fan of avalanched snow and debris. The climb from Bamboo to Deurali is a whopping 900 m and should take 4 hrs - if you’ve prepared well! Deurali is a small village just at the base of Macchapuchhre - one of the most perfectly shaped mountains in the world.
Deurali to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (12,070 ft)
Distance: 4 kms
Duration: 3 hours
Today is one of the shorter days of the trek. Although people generally used to hike up to Annapurna Base Camp on the fourth day of the trek, that is not possible anymore. Most of the teahouses and lodges at ABC were destroyed during the winter and spring in 2019, which makes it impossible to stay at ABC. We will hike up till Macchapuchhre Base Camp today. You will climb up 500 m , crossing the Modi Khola twice, and passing through sparsely vegetated slopes. As you climb higher up the valley, you will have to climb through accumulated snow from the winter. Macchapuchhre Base Camp offers excellent views of Macchapucchre, and even Annapurna South if you take a short walk from your lodge. Overnight at MBC.
Macchapuchhre Base Camp to Annapurna Base Camp (13,451 ft) to Bamboo (7,582 ft)
Distance: 17 kms
Duration: 7 hours
Wake up two hours before sunrise today, and hike the last few kilometres to ABC. You will gradually ascend over the right lateral moraine of the Annapurna glacier. The trail is an easy, pleasant climb. As you reach ABC and the sun starts coming up, you will realise you’re surrounded by massive 7000 m and 8000 m peaks. ABC is right at the foot of Hiunchuli and Annapurna South (7,219 m). To the right, you will see the main Annapurna (8.091 m) peak. To the east of Annapurna are Khangsar Kang, Tare Kang, Gangapurna and Annapurna III. A gigantic wall of steep rock and ice rises up from the glacier to the summit of Annapurna. It will be one of the best sunrises you will ever see. After enjoying the mighty Annapurna Sanctuary, we retrace the same trail that drops all the way down through Deurali, Himalaya and Dovan to Bamboo. After walking for about 6 hours, we finally reach the destination of the day, that is, Bamboo.
Bamboo to Jhinu (5,659 ft)
Distance: 9 kms
Duration: 4 hours
Jhinu Danda is the destination set for today. From Bamboo, we first hike up to Kuldhigar, where the office of ACAP and the visitor center is located. We then hike down to the bridge across the Chhomrong River passing Sinuwa. We cross the bridge and enter a beautiful Gurung village of Chhomrong. From Chhomrong, a steep descent will take us to Jhinu Danda. The Jhinu hot springs is 15-20 minutes downhill from Jhinu Danda. A 15 minute descent from the village to the riverbed takes you to the hot springs - three pools brimming with naturally heated water - the perfect balm for your aching legs after 6 days of hard trekking!
Jhinu to Nayapul and Drive to Pokhara
Distance: 12 kms + 40 kms
Duration: 5 hours trek + 2 hours drive
Pokhara is the destination set for the day. Crossing the bridge over the Modi River, the trail initially passes through sporadic bamboo forest, which then crosses various small settlements up and downhill, decorated with terrace farms featuring seasonal crops till Siwai. The road intersects with the trail here, and you have the option of hiring a jeep to avoid hiking the last 8 km to Nayapul. If you choose to continue hiking, it will take another 2 hours to reach Birethanti where you will complete check out at the ACAP Checkpost. From Birethanti, it is a 10 minute climb to Nayapul, where you will board your vehicles for the drive to Pokhara. You can take a stroll along the Lakeside cafes and market, or actually go to Phewa Tal and sit by the lakeside bars or even take a boat out onto the lake. Overnight in Pokhara
Annapurna Base Camp Trek takes you to a height of 4,130M and is rated a moderate level trek for its long trekking distances. For its elevation and distances, it is recommended for trekkers with some prior experience in the high-altitudes.
This makes it mandatory for you to have high-altitude experience of preferably multiple treks marked at level 3 on the BRS. The altitude, the terrain, and the nature of the climb demand a certain level of endurance and a need for you to be aware of how your body reacts to the various features of the high-altitude environment.
we will send you a progression chart to help you comfortably get out of your comfort zone in order to level up and ultimately reach your highest potential in the big, bad world of outdoor adventure.
This is a list of essential items for individuals doing the trek with Bikat Adventures. This list contains only those items which the participants are required to bring with them. The list excludes those items which are provided by Bikat Adventures on the trek. We have divided the items into five categories. All the items in the list are essential except for those marked as optional.
Our batch sizes are capped at 15 for smaller treks with the trek leader and trekker ratio of 1:8. This ratio, in our years of experience, has proven to deliver the best trekking experience for individuals as well as groups. Capping the size of the group ensures individual attention to each trekker so that no signs of distress or need during the trek go unnoticed. It also helps to form a more cohesive cohort with better group energy which helps define the rhythm and pace of days on the trek. As you go higher up on the BRS scale, since the stakes are higher, expeditions have an even smaller group size with the ratio of expedition leader to climber set at 1:2.
We follow a rigorous regime of hiring and training our experts in the field. Each trek leader is a certified mountaineer with years of experience in the field. In addition to their qualification, they also go through practical and situational training to tackle any and all kinds of sudden conditions that may present themselves on the ground. Being unpredictable is the core nature of the mountains but being ready for any circumstance as best as possible is a controllable asset that we try to nurture. Our field experts are also trained in basic medicine and first-aid response. Watch: Forerunners - The Making of A Trek Leader At Bikat Adventures
Since Bikat Adventures is a learning-based organization, we help you climb up the ladder of difficulty within the sphere of outdoor adventure systematically. Our on-ground training modules are designed to handhold you through the upskilling process so that you are ready to take on bigger challenges.
All the gear used on our treks and expeditions is tried and tested, maintained for good quality, and is overall top-notch in quality and condition. We are continually looking to obtain the best of everything there is in the market so as to ensure optimum safety.
Along with the staff you see on-ground, we have a team of superheroes working in the background to give you the best experience possible. Our background team also comprises local staff from each area who know the region best. Having local support helps with studying the area, pre-planning, execution, and in receiving timely support in case of emergencies in these remote locations.
Our on-field staff is in constant contact with our teams based in primary locations so as to eliminate any avoidable delay in reaching additional help and support when required. We try to use the best tools for communication available, including satellite phones, in regions where they are not restricted.
Cash refund
Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date
Cancellations between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure date
Cancellations within 15 days prior to departure date
Voucher refund
Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date
Cancellations within 5 days prior to departure date
Nepal
10 Days
BRS 4
4767 m
Kashmir
7 Days
BRS 4
4024 m
Himachal
5 Days
BRS 4
4200 m