Duration
12Days
Activities
Trip Grade
Moderate
Group Size
-
Start
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End Point
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Max-Altitude
-
Accomodation
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The Annapurna Sanctuary Trek takes you into a magnificent high-altitude amphitheatre surrounded by some of the most dramatic peaks in the Himalaya. Over 12 days you move from lush lowlands, through cultural villages and bamboo forests, into the alpine zone where the landscape opens into the protected sanctuary. This trek is a classic Himalayan journey that combines accessible walking with grand views and cultural richness, making it an ideal choice for travellers seeking a powerful mountain experience without extreme altitude exposure.
The sanctuary itself is a sacred, bowl-shaped basin framed by towering walls of ice and rock. Standing inside the amphitheatre at ABC, you are encircled by peaks — Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre — that create a unique geological theatre. The route is renowned for its changing ecosystems, from riverside farmland and dense forest to alpine scrub and moraine fields. This environmental diversity is matched by human warmth; Gurung and Magar communities offer hospitality that makes every teahouse stay both comfortable and culturally memorable.
Our itinerary emphasizes steady acclimatisation, immersive cultural stops and time to appreciate the sanctuary’s quiet grandeur. The trek is structured to allow gentle progression, promoting safety and enjoyment while granting multiple chances to watch the sunrise and sunset on jagged summits. Whether you seek photography, cultural insight, or powerful mountain vistas, the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek delivers an intimate Himalayan encounter that stays with you long after the last step.
Explore one of the world’s most beautiful natural amphitheaters—the Annapurna Sanctuary.
Trek through rhododendron forests, rocky valleys, and glacier-fed streams.
Witness close-up views of Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre.
Enjoy the cultural hospitality of Gurung and Magar communities.
Experience dramatic shifts in terrain from subtropical forests to alpine landscapes.
Visit Machhapuchhre Base Camp on the way to Annapurna Base Camp.
Ideal moderate-grade trek suitable for trekkers with limited high-altitude experience.
A perfect balance of Himalayan scenery and cultural immersion.
Upon arrival you will be welcomed at Tribhuvan International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu. After rest, we hold a briefing to discuss the itinerary, required equipment and tips for acclimatisation and altitude awareness.
The evening is reserved for a welcome dinner and a short cultural introduction to Nepal’s history and mountain traditions, setting the tone for the days to come.
A scenic drive leads west to Pokhara, where sunlight and lakeside calm greet you after the city bustle of Kathmandu. Pokhara acts as the regional hub for the Annapurna treks, and its relaxed vibe is a perfect place to prepare for walking.
We use the afternoon to gather any last supplies and enjoy the lakeside promenade, which offers good views of the Annapurna massifs on clear days.
From Nayapul your stroll begins along easy riverside trails and climbs through terraced fields toward Ghandruk, one of the larger Gurung villages in the region. Ghandruk’s stone houses and village life provide a wonderful first impression of mountain culture.
The village is a hub for local cuisine and culture; a stroll through its lanes and the small local museum will deepen your appreciation of Gurung traditions and mountain livelihoods.
You trek through forested ridges, pass small settlements and eventually descend into the valley toward Chhomrong. The views open as you approach, with clear vistas of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhre.
Chhomrong’s location on a hillside makes it an excellent viewpoint for mountain photography while offering comfortable teahouse accommodation and friendly local hospitality.
This day mixes descent and steady climbs, leading into bamboo groves and shaded sections that feel cooler and refreshing. You pass waterfalls and lush vegetation, a marked contrast to the exposed sanctuary ahead.
Bamboo’s teahouses are basic but welcoming, offering a peaceful evening before the higher, more exposed segments of the trek.
The climb becomes more continuous as you rise into higher valleys; Deurali is a high, quiet stop with a clear view of rocky ridges and mountain slopes. Vegetation thins and the trail becomes more open, hinting at the alpine environment to come.
This stop is a good point to check equipment, hydrate well and mentally prepare for the sanctuary entrance the next day.
You walk into the sanctuary: the valley suddenly widens and the ring of peaks emerges in a dramatic panorama. Reaching Annapurna Base Camp is a deeply satisfying moment; you stand in a high bowl surrounded by monumental faces of ice and rock.
Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere and the incredible 360-degree mountain views, capturing sunrise and sunset hues and experiencing the rare stillness of high altitude.
Take this day to explore nearby viewpoints at the sanctuary, short hikes and glacier edges offer varied angles on the peaks and a chance to rest while still experiencing the high alpine landscape.
This flexible day allows for acclimatisation and extra photography time, or simply to sit quietly and absorb the scale of the mountains surrounding you.
You begin your descent, retracing the route back down the valley toward Bamboo. The walk down affords a different perspective on the terrain and lets you savour the sanctuary’s memory as you move into lower, greener zones.
Descending is pleasantly faster and gives time for reflection, conversation with companions, and relaxed evenings at familiar stops.
Following the valley path, you make your way to Jhinu Danda where warm natural springs await, a restorative treat for sore muscles. This stretch moves through forests and farmland, feeling softer after the sanctuary’s high exposure.
A soak in the hot springs is a favourite moment for many trekkers: a simple luxury that soothes and celebrates the progress you’ve made.
A final short day’s trek to Nayapul brings you to the roadhead where a drive returns you to Pokhara. Here you can relax, enjoy the lakefront and reflect on the trek’s highs. The evening is free for shopping, dinner by the lake and final moments of mountain atmosphere before returning to Kathmandu.
We drive back to Kathmandu giving you a final glimpse of lowland scenery and the chance to collect memories, photos and souvenirs. Depending on your schedule you will be assisted with onward travel or airport transfer. This final day marks the end of your Sanctuary journey, a compact, powerful Himalayan experience where nature and culture combined to deliver lifelong memories.