Kathmandu (1400 m/4593 ft) - Pokhara (827m/2713 ft) (5-7 hours of drive)

On this day need to be up and running by 6:00 a.m. in the morning. Once ready and bags packed, we will head towards tourist Bus Park at Thamel and board a tourist bus to Pokhara. The bus ride will take around 7 hours through curvy roads of hilly terrain with couple of breaks in between for snacks and lunch. The drive to Pokhara on one of the major highways is exhilarating with beautiful views of never leaving tributaries, lush green hills and roadside settlements.

Accommodation

• Hotel in Pokhara ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• Breakfast only

Pokhara - Kande (1770m/5807 ft) - Forest camp(2550m/6889 ft) (1-2 hours drive, 5:30 - 6:30 hours trek)

The drive from Pokhara to Kande usually takes around 45 minutes in private vehicle and 1 and half hours on a bus (public). Kande is a small hilltop town nearby Pokhara - Baglung highway. The drive through the scenic road, through the lush green hills and along the seti river is beautiful. The view of mountains and Pokhara valley from Nau danda, on the way to Kande is splendid. Once we reach forest camp we begin to ascent through the forest of rhododendron and red sandalwood. Another 45 minutes of gradual ascend and descent in slow pace we reach Australian base camp. The views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and the fishtail is highly acclaimed. From here we descent through the same sandalwood forest for 15 minutes to Pothana and further 45 minutes to Pitam Deurali. From Deurali it is fine 2-3 hours of walking inside the forest area. Overnight in Forest camp.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Forest Camp - High Camp (3000m/9843 ft) (6 - 7 hours trek)

Deurali onwards the Mardi Himal trek officially begins and it takes 6- 7 hours until Low camp. The views of Dhaulagiri and Manaslu is very beautiful in this final section of the trek, if the weather is on the brighter side.We begin out of forest camp by climbing gradually for around 45 minutes to rest camp. From rest camp it is a gradient ascent but however the trails are not demanding. Majority of today’s walk is through the dense forest of Rhododendron. Towards the end of the day’s trek and when close to low camp, the trail becomes flat and the forest opens to a meadow land. You will first come across low camp where awaits the magnificent views of Himalayas. You will walk furthermore to the beautiful High camp. Overnight in High Camp.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

High Camp - Mardi Himal Base camp (4500m/14,764 ft) - Badal Danda (3212m/10538 ft) (7-8 hours trek)

It takes around 3 to 4 hours on this day in order to reach the viewpoint and return back at High Camp. The high camp has no food and accommodation option, which is why we pack our food to the vantage point. Except for some sections where the trail shoots up the trail is not very demanding. In one section of the trail where the trail is exposed to a steep fall on the both end, it is recommended to be extremely careful. The views once we reach the top is world class. If we are blessed by the mother nature and the weather remains clear we would be able to spot Annapurna I 8091m, Annapurna south 7219m, Himchuli 6441m, Baraha Shikhar (Fang) 7647m, Tent peak 5695m, Singu Chuli 6501m, Gangapurna 7454m, Gandharba chuli 6248m, little summit of Annapurna III 7555m, Machhapuchre (Mt. fishtail) 6993m and Mardi Himal 5553m. Towards the south we can see as far as Pokhara including MBC (Machhapuchre Base Camp), Deurali, Dovan, Sinuwa, Chhomrong, Ghandruk. After spending some time on the top we return back to High Camp. We take the same route on our way back and all the way to low Camp. This section includes the view of Annapurna base camp trail. From low camp the trail is downhill all the way to Badal Danda. This place receives its name from the terrific cloud formation and views seen in the valley below. The walk is through dense subtropical forest and the chances of spotting wildlife is a high possibility. It takes tentatively 5-6 hours to reach Badal Danda. Overnight in Baadal Danda.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Badal Danda - Landruk (1620m/5315 ft) (4-5 hrs trek)

From Badal Danda you will trace your way back to Low camp and further to Forest camp. From forest camp the trail branches to Landruk. Initially you will walk inside the forest but quickly the forest opens to villages. It takes around an hour to reach Landruk from Forest camp. Overnight in Forest camp.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Landruk - Jhinu (1760m/5774 ft)- Chhomrong (2210m/7251 ft) (5-6 hrs trek)

We descend all the way down to the river, to cross at New Bridge. Our route now climbs quite steeply, high above the river, through bamboo forest and isolated farmsteads. Lunch is served at the tea-houses at Jhinu Danda. Those who are energetic can take the path 20 mins down to bath in the hot springs here next to the river after lunch. However, we will stop by in the hot spring on our way down. From Jhinu Danda it's a hot climb to reach the crest of the ridge and then around to Chhomrong, our overnight place for tonight. Chhomrong is built on the steep hillside and has a few shops and several tea-houses, wooden lodges and the whole village has stunning, prominent views towards Macchapucchre (Fish-Tail Peak) Overnight in Chhomrong.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Chhomrong - Himalaya (2480m/8136 ft) (5-6 hours trek)

Today is one of the difficult days in the Annapurna base camp trek and one of the longest, with multiple ascents. Starting the day early, it would take around 8 hours to reach himalaya. As soon as we embark on the trails from Chomrong we walk steep downhill until an old suspension bridge. After the bridge we walk on steep hills, on man crafted beautiful slate trails for over 2 hours until we reach bamboo. In this section of the trail we often walk through dense forest of bamboo, oak, rhododendron and dotted fern. Further down the trail, after lunch, we walk for just over 3 hours to reach Himalaya. Bamboo to Dovan and dovan to Himalaya as well is uphill walk. Overnight in Himalaya.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Himalaya - Machhapuchhre base camp (MBC) - Annapurna Base camp (4130m/13,550 ft) (6-7 hours trek)

We start the day by hiking a pleasant ascend, making our way through streams and falls until a steep ascend to Hinku and further small but steep hike to Deurali. Immediately after Deurali, the damp trees of lush green forest change into more dry and grassy land. The trail is more relaxed from here onwards but undergoes one of the most adventurous section being it prone to avalanche. The views of distant Machhapuchhre becomes more dominant and we get the first glimpse of majestic Annapurna. Since you have already reached to an elevation higher than this you may not feel the altitude kicking in. You will briefly enjoy your time at Machhapuchhre base camp (MBC) and embrace the surrounding. From here it is around 3-4 hours to reach your destination of the day, Annapurna base camp (ABC). Overnight in ABC

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Annapurna base camp (ABC) (4500m/14,764 ft) - Bamboo (2310m/7579 ft) (6-7 hours trek)

The walk is basically easier compared to days earlier and the decline is gradual at the beginning and could get steep at times. The views of Hiunchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Tent Peak, Annapurna II, Gangapurna, Barasinga, Machhapuchhre and few others is very impressive. Observing the views of these splendid mountains, you will begin heading downwards towards Bamboo. You would first reach MBC followed by Deurali, Himalaya, Dovan and finally Bamboo. You will descend for almost 7 hours until we reach Bamboo. Alike every day, you will enjoy frequent breaks in between the initial point and final destination. After a long day on trails we rest at a teahouse in Bamboo.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Bamboo - Sinuwa - Tadapani (2710m/ 8891 ft) (5-6 hrs)

Immediately out of Bamboo, you begin climbing on staircase to Sinuwa. The staircase is surrounded by dense forest of bamboo and rhododendron. The first climb through this beautiful settings take you to the ruins of ACAP visitor center at Kuldi. From here the stone staircase descends and the bamboos and Rhododendron gets accompanied by beautiful Orchids. Once in Sinuwa you can either decide to have lunch or just catch some breath and move forward. From here, the trail one more time descends down to Tilche and further to Chomrong Khola. You will cross Chomrong khola over a suspension bridge and start climbing to reach Chomrong. The trek comparatively is not difficult but is a roller coaster ride. The trek from Chomrong goes up and down crossing Jhinu Khola and Kimrong Khola before finally traversing through fairy tale like forest of rhododendron dotted with Lichens and mosses to Tadapani. Overnight in Tadapani.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Tadapani - Dobato ( 3-4 hrs)

From here on, you will embark on a dense forest of Rhododendron. Initially, the trail is gradual and then steep but mostly uphill walk. At a certain point in the trek, the trail gets broader but more steeper and the forest becomes more dense and even more beautiful. Further up, the forest of Rhododendron makes way to Bamboos as well. Towards the end of the day all you see is pine and the closing mountains. Overnight in Dobato.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Dobato - Khopra

The day’s walk is easier than the days earlier. You will not directly march towards your final destination of the day but you would take a small detour to Mulde Peak. A small peak at an elevation of 3637 m, is an excellent viewpoint. Once spending sometime watching stunning mountain panorama we walk towards Khopra. The trail gets much flatter and the walk gets much easier once the forest opens up to a ridge with beautiful views of the mountains. After crossing the first ridge we further climb uphill until another ridge and then we finally arrive Khopra. overnight in Khopra.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Khopra - Khayer Lake (4700m) - Khopra (8-10 hrs trek)

It will be one of the longest walks you would embark on. Reaching to the height of 4700 meters from the sea level from 3680 meters takes a lot of work. However, once you are on the foot of Annapurna south you would realize the trek was worth every slog. No doubt, most of the day's trail is uphill but the reward is much sweeter. You will mostly walk on the ridges or on the trail carved on the face of a cliff. Once you reach to the top, you will spend some times there and then descend down to Khopra. Overnight in Khopra.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Khopra - Tatopani (5-6 hrs)

This is the final day of Khopra ridge trek on foot and majority of today’s walk is gradual downhill. We walk through the lush green subtropical forest all the way to the banks of Kali Gandaki river until we reach Tatopani. We walk for almost 5 hours before we reach our destination of the day. The views of valleys and river is very beautiful but the views of the mountain is close to none on this day. We call it a day at Tatopani and enjoy the natural hot spring and revitalize our bones and muscles. Overnight at Tatopani.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)

Tatopani - Pokhara (5-6 hrs drive)

The bus journey starts as early as 7 and 8 am to the latest. The first couple of hours on the bus is bumpy. Once you arrive at Beni, you will have to transfer to another vehicle. You guide will arrange everything. The bus from Beni takes around 4-5 hours. The road is narrow but is black topped and much better than the first half. Once in Pokhara your guide will transfer you to your hotel. Overnight in Pokhara.

Accommodation

• Local Teahouse ( 1 Night)

Meals Included

• 3 times meals during the trek (staple meal of Daal Bhat for lunch and dinner or  any one item from the menu.)