Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Ripu Mardan

Here I would like to share my experience and how I felt while I was doing Annapurna Base Camp Trek.

I pickup the client from airport and took them to hotel in Thamel. Second day I myself also being tour guide took them around Kathmandu for sightseeing. We went to UNESCO world heritage sites.

We then drove to Pokhara by private vehicle. It took us 7-8 hours. The drive is scenic. We see Ganesh Himal, Mt. Manaslu and Lamjung Himal. First we follow Trishuli River and Marshyangdi River and later we meet Seti River. We spend overnight at Pokhara. Evening we walked around Lake side.

(Note: We can take tourist bus instead of private vehicle, It leaves from Sorakhutte at 7:00 am. It can cost down your travelling expenses. Or you can fly to Pokhara from Kathmandu which is 25 minute flight. The flight is scenic.)

After breakfast we headed to Nayapool. It took us about one and half hour. The drive was scenic. We started our trek. After walking for about one and half hour we have to cross the river and that is where Check point of permit is. It is called Birethati. It is small village with some tradition house. We had toilet break here and proceed to Tikhedhunga. Trekking trail is a bit disturbed by the road and vehicle on it. So, this section it is good to wear mask to be protected from dust. Yes, when we are nearby Tikhedunga we again followed trekking trail. Till Tikhedhung is more flat and a bit of ascending. It was an easy trail. At Tikhedhunga we had lunch. We rested for a while before heading to Ulleri. We crossed two suspension bridges and started walking uphill on the stair. Till Ulleri it took like 3 hours. Ulleri is small village. Mostly the Magar people live here. There are tea house around the village. Accommodation are net and clean. On clear weather day we see a bit of Himalayas. Since we climb the hill the view is nice at night.

Second trekking day is walking uphill. First section is a bit climbing and a bit flat. After that we come across greenery. Here we meet lots of trees. We also come across Rhododendron. At March and April we see lots Rhododendron flower blooming in the tree. The last part of the trek is uphill. But we had Lunch at Nangethati. Today is pretty much easy walk and more greenery. We haulted at Ghodepani which had lots of choice tea houses. We explored around the village who were mainly Pun Magar caste people.

Third day of our trek is going to Poon Hill early morning. As per the sunrise time we set our time to go to Poon Hill before sun rise. The trail to Poonhill from the place we stay at Ghorepani is walking staircase for about one hour and half. The view of Himalayas at Poon Hill is simply great. You will be able to see more than 15 snow capped peaks from here. As weather was clear we saw beautiful view and we back we had breakfast at Ghorepani and continued to Tadapani. After breakfast at Ghodepani we have to climb up hill for about an hour. We got amazing view from this hill as well. There are also a bit of flat and downhill. Today we went downhill a lot. We stopped for Lunch at river bank. After having Lunch we walked flat land, downhill and uphill where we reached Tadapani. Tadapani has limited teahouse. It is good to book hotel in advance. On the clear weather day from Tadapani as well you get fantastic view of mountain. We hault at Tadapani had dinner.

We had our breakfast at Tadopani and had beautiful view of snow capped peak and started our trip. Today first section of the trekking trail is going down hill. We cross the suspension bridge and a bit of climbing and walking on flat land and a bit of climbing and steady up to Chhromrung. We spend overnight at Chhromrung and We got the great view of Himalayas.

Seeing the mountain from near we walk downhill after breakfast at Chhromrung. We climbed uphill to Sinuwa. We will have our lunch and walk all the way Dovan. It is walking along the forest from Sinuwa to Dovan.

The walk from Dovan to Machhapucchare is interesting. First section of the walk is bit Greenary where as other part is barren and less greenery. In the peak season it is good to book the room in advance. If not we have to proceed to Annapurna base camp. At Annapurna base camp also there are less tea houses. Sometime if the hotel is over booked you will have to sleep in dinning hall which will be another new experience.

We walk early morning to get better view of Annapurna from Annapurna base camp. We had very nice view. The sun rays over the Himalayas in the early morning changed the colour of Himalayas into orange colour. We were surrounded by snow capped peaks from every corner. We could get 360 degree view of Himalays. We took lots of pictures of snowcapped peaks. It was awesome. We took breakfast at Annapurna Base camp and slowly moved back, saying good bye to the high Himalayas.

We trek back to Bamboo, it is same way going down. Following day we come all the way to Jhinu Danda crossing Chhomrong. Near by Chhomrong it is uphill otherwise it is all down hill. We stop at Jhinu. We then go for hot spring bath at hot spring taking spare dress.

We have option of ending our trek here and take a Jeep ride back to Kathmandu cross the bridge of Jhinu. Or we can walk back to Pothana. Pothana is nice place to stay. We have option of spending night at Australian camp. It provides panoramic view of snow capped peaks.

We then had easy walk to Kande. It is mostly down hill and we caught the vehicle and drove back to Pokhara did a tour around, including boat ride at fewa. We have all beautiful memories in mind and came back to Kathmandu following day. We had a spare day and went for sightseeing. Then I took the clients to international airport just before 3 hours of their flight time and made them fly home.

This trek is really amazing. Heaven in earth is Annapurna Base Camp.