Machapuchare Base Camp trekking
is famous for trekkers. The principal peaks
of the western portion of the great Annapurna
Himal, including Hiunchuli, Annapurna South,
Fang, Annapurna, Ganagapurna, Annapurna 3 and
Machhapuchhare, are arranged almost precisely
in a circle about 10 miles in diameter with
a deep glacier-covered amphitheater at the center.
From this glacier basin, known as the Annapurna
Sanctuary, the Modi Khola knifes its way south
in a narrow gorge fully 12,000 ft. deep. Further
south, the gorge opens up into a wide and fertile
valley, the domain of the Gurungs. The middle
and upper portions of Modi Khola offer some
of the best short trekking routes in Nepal,
and the valley is located so that these treks
can be easily combined with treks into the Kali
Gandaki region to the west.
| 14
Days |
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Maximum
Altitude:4130 m |
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DAY 01
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Fly to Pokhara (885 metres), Trek to Tirkhedunga
(1525 metres) |
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| Fly to Pokhara
(35 mins), where our trekking crew will
be waiting for us. After sorting out our
gear we load the bus and drive to Nayapul,
which takes around 2 hours. The views
from the ridge at Naudanda of the entire
Annapurna range are spectacular and to
the south is Phewa Tal. From Nayapul we
walk for about 1 hour to our lunch spot,
next to the Bhurungdi Khola, which is
excellent for bathing. After lunch we
follow the Bhurungdi Khola, through bamboo
and rhododendron forests to Tirkhedunga,
a village perched on the side of a canyon
high above the river. (3 to 4 hours walking).
Overnight lodge. |
| DAY
02 : |
Tirkhedunga
– Ghorepani (2860 metres) |
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From Tirkhedunga, the trail climbs very
steeply to Ulleri, a large Magars village
at the elevation of 2073m. It continues
to ascend gradually through the fine forests
of Oaks, Rhododendron. After arriving Banthati
2250m. we can have tea and biscuits here,
then we head for Nayathati 2470m At last
we will reach the Magar village, Ghorepani
at the altitude of 2860m. |
| DAY
03 |
Ghorapani
– Tadapani (2833 metres) |
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Continuing through rhododendron forests
to cross the Bhurungdi Khola on a suspension
bridge we begin the steep ascent towards
Ghorapani. A series of stone steps brings
us to the attractive slate roofed village
of Ulleri, a large Magar village. As we
gain height the views of Annapurna South
and Hiunchuli are becoming more impressive.
From Ulleri the trail is less steep and
it is a gentle climb through rhododendron
forests to Banthanti. This marks the beginning
of the oak and rhododendron forest that
straddles the ridge. Continuing the ascent,
we arrive at Ghorapani which means, "horse-water"
and it is a welcome watering spot not only
for teams of ponies but also for weary trekkers.
From the pass we have a spectacular panorama
of mountain peaks, stretching from Dhaulagiri
in the west to Manaslu in the east. (6 to
7 hours walking). Overnight lodge. |
| DAY
04 |
Tadapani
– Chhomrong (2530 metres) |
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For impressive views of the mountains
at sunrise we walk to the top of Poon
Hill (3192m) before breakfast. Dhaulagiri,
the Kali Gandaki valley, Nilgiri, Annapurna
1, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machapuchare
can all be seen. After breakfast we begin
our descent to the Modi Khola, though
it's not all down hill. From Bahune Pati
it is a steep climb to the pass at Tadapani
where Annapurna South and Hiunchuli tower
impressively above. (5 to 6 hours walking).
Overnight lodge. |
| DAY
05 |
Chomrong
– Hotel Himalayan Hotel (dovan) (2050
metres) |
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The trail drops steeply from Tadapani, through
forests at first where colourful tree orchids
can be found, then through cultivated fields
to cross the Kymnu Khola. After lunch we
begin the ascent of the Modi Khola valley
climbing through forests and pastures to
Chomrong, the last village and the start
of the Annapurna National Park. Throughout
the day we have tremendous views of Annapurna
South, Hiunchuli and Machapuchare, snow-capped
peaks rising from green-forested hills.
(5 to 6 hours walking). Overnight lodge. |
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DAY 06 |
Machapuchare
Base Camp (3700 metres) |
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We continue through bamboo forest to Hinko
cave (3170m), not really a cave but a large
overhanging rock which was used to provide
shelter for members of Bonnington's Annapurna
South Face team on the approach march to
the Annapurna Sanctuary in 1970. Now the
valley narrows into a steep gorge until
we pass through the "gates" of
the Sanctuary, formed by Hiunchuli on the
left and Machapuchare on the right. Once
through the gates, the valley widens. Our
lodge in the Sanctuary, is near Machapuchare
Base Camp with Annapurna South, Hiunchuli
and Machapuchare towering above. (6 hours
walking). Overnight lodge. |
| DAY
07 |
Machapuchare
Base Camp - Annapurna Base Camp (4130 m.) |
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Two days to explore the Sanctuary. We stay
in a lodge near to Annapurna Base Camp (4130m),
1-2 hours away from Machapuchare Base Camp.
The panorama is magnificent. The enormous
south face of Annapurna towers above to
the northwest and we are surrounded on all
sides by snow capped peaks, fluted walls
of ice and enormous rock buttresses. Starting
from Hiunchuli (6451m) and turning clockwise
we have Annapurna South (7230m), Fang (7646m),
Annapurna 1 (8105m), Tent Peak (5673m),
Gangapurna (7467m), Annapurna 111 (7568
m) and Machapuchare (7005m). Our days in
the Sanctuary will allow time to explore
the different view points and to witness
the amazing sunrise and sunsets, when the
mountains glow pink and gold. Overnight
lodge. |
| DAY
08 |
Annapurna
base Camp - Daurali to Bamboo (2534 metres) |
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We retrace our steps, out of the Sanctuary
and down the Modi Khola Valley. (5 to 6
hours walking). Overnight lodge. |
| DAY
09 |
Bamboo
- Chomrong (2050 metres) |
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Still retracing our steps down the Modi
Khola valley, through bamboo and rhododendron
forests to Chomrong, the first village encountered
on the way out from the Sanctuary. (5 hours
walking). Overnight lodge. |
| DAY
10 |
Chhomrong
to Ghaundrung (1940m/6365ft) |
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This is an easy and short day trekking.
From Chhomrong the trail descends through
forests to Gurjung Khola and then the trail
ascends slightly until Kimche, we reach
Ghandrunk about noon. Ghandrunk is a village
of Gurung people, one of the ethnic groups
of Nepal; they have their own dialect, culture,
costume, and life style. Ghandrunk is one
of the famous destinations of trekkers for
its beautiful mountain views and easy reach
from Pokhara or Kathmandu. Our early arrival
means we have the afternoon to visit the
Annapurna conservation office, Museum and
explore the village. 4:30 hours. O/N at
Annapurna guest house or Hotel Milan. |
| DAY
11 |
Ghandrung
-Tolka (1700 metres) |
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| After
climbing steeply out of Chomrong on a series
of stone steps we follow the trail, descending
to Jhinu Danda. This is a good place to
stop for lunch, as 20 minutes walk from
here are welcome hot springs. From lunch
the trail descends through terraced fields
to the Modi Khola River before climbing
steeply to Lhandrung. Directly opposite
on the far side of the valley is Ghandrung,
the second largest Gurung village in Nepal.
The views of Annapurna South and Machapuchare
are outstanding. After 2 hours from Landrung
we reach at Tolka. |
| DAY
12 |
Tolka
– Dhampus (1650 meters) |
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The day starts with steps climb through
the forest until Deurali. Deurali gives
you a nice views of Pokhara valley on the
south and the Annapurna ranges on the north.
We then descends to Dhampus, a beautiful
village. |
| DAY
13 |
Dhampus
to Pokhara |
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Finally, we finished our trek after descending
to Phedi and drive back to Pokhara. 2 hours |
| DAY
14 |
Pokhara - Katmandu by bus. |
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