Annapurna Base Camp (A.B.C.) via Poon Hill, Ghorepani

Your flight into the Himalayas offers amazing views of famous peaks like Mt. Dorje Lakpa 6966m, Mt. Ganesh 7422m, Mt. Purbi Chhyachu 6637m, and Mt. Langtang 7227m (weather permitting), as you arrive in Kathmandu.

After completing immigration, you will be warmly welcomed at the airport by a representative from The Crampon for Nepal Travel and transferred to your hotel.

The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore on your own. You can walk around Thamel, the main tourist area, known for its lively streets, restaurants, ATMs, money exchange services, and shops selling Nepali handicrafts, jewelry, clothes, and trekking gear.

After breakfast, transfer to the domestic airport for a short 30-minute flight to Pokhara. During the flight, you can enjoy beautiful views of the Himalayas, including Mt. Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, and Dhaulagiri.

Pokhara is the second-largest city in Nepal, located about 200 km west of Kathmandu. It is known for its peaceful atmosphere and as a home of many Gurkha soldiers. The city lies close to the famous Annapurna mountain range, where some of the world’s highest peaks like Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I, and Manaslu are located.

Because of its location, Pokhara is the main starting point for popular treks such as the Annapurna Circuit, Mustang region, and Jomsom–Muktinath route.
After check-in the hotel, free time in Pokhara for your preparation for the trekking. Outside the hotel, lots of shops, restaurants at where you can enjoy your personal time.

After an early breakfast in Pokhara, you will drive by jeep to Tikhedhunga. The journey takes around 4–5 hours, depending on road conditions.
The drive follows scenic countryside with views of green hills, rivers, terraced farms, and small traditional villages. As you leave the main highway, the road becomes narrower and more rugged, giving you a real off-road adventure experience.

This jeep ride helps you skip the longer walking section from Nayapul, saving time and energy. Tikhedhunga is a small village by the river and serves as the starting point of your trek. From here, you begin your walk towards Ulleri and higher into the Annapurna region.

From Tikhedhunga (approx. 1,540 m), you begin your trek towards Ulleri (approx. 2,050 m).
The trail starts with a gentle walk along the river, crossing suspension bridges and passing small villages. Soon, you reach the famous steep stone staircase—over 3,000 steps—which is the main challenge of the day.
The climb is continuous and can be physically demanding, but it is well-paced with resting spots along the way. As you go higher, you will enjoy views of green hills, terraced fields, and traditional houses.
After about 2–3 hours of trekking, you arrive at Ulleri, a beautiful Magar village with great mountain views and a peaceful atmosphere.

After breakfast, begin your trek with a gradual ascent through beautiful rhododendron and oak forests. The trail is well-defined and passes through small settlements like Banthanti and Nangethanti, where you can take short breaks.

As you gain altitude, the air becomes cooler and the forest more dense and peaceful. During spring, the rhododendron flowers bloom, making the trail especially colorful.

The walk takes around 4–5 hours, with a steady uphill climb most of the way. Upon arrival in Ghorepani, you can enjoy stunning views of surrounding mountains and prepare for the early morning hike to Poon Hill for sunrise.

The hike takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour, following a steep uphill trail through forests and stone steps. It is usually done in the dark with a headlamp, but the path is clear and well-marked.

Once you reach Poon Hill, you are rewarded with a spectacular sunrise view over the Himalayas. As the sun rises, the peaks of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, and other mountains turn golden, creating a truly unforgettable scene.
After enjoying the views and taking photos, you return back to Ghorepani for breakfast.

After breakfast,preparation for the trek. The route first climbs gently out of Ghorepani through beautiful rhododendron and oak forests. Soon you pass Deurali (around 3,100 m), which is the highest point of the day. From here, the trail becomes mostly downhill.
You then descend through peaceful forest paths, crossing small streams and enjoying occasional views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges between the trees. The trail is quiet, natural, and rich in birds and greenery.

After a long descent and some short uphill sections, you finally reach Tadapani, a small hilltop village surrounded by forest, known for its calm atmosphere and stunning sunset views of Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South.

After breakfast, the trail begins with a downhill walk through dense rhododendron and oak forests. The path is peaceful and shaded, with birdsong and occasional mountain glimpses through the trees.

You descend to the Kimrong River valley, where you may stop for a short rest. From here, the route includes a steady uphill climb toward Chhomrong. This section can feel challenging as you regain elevation after a long descent.

Along the way, you pass small villages, stone staircases, and terraced farmlands. As you approach Chhomrong, the views open up, revealing beautiful sights of Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna range.

Chhomrong is a large Gurung village and an important stop on the trek, offering comfortable lodges, mountain views, and a peaceful atmosphere before heading deeper into the Annapurna region.

After breakfast, the trail first descends steeply down a long stone staircase to cross the Chhomrong Khola river. After crossing the suspension bridge, you begin a steady uphill climb to reach Sinuwa.

From Sinuwa, the path enters dense bamboo and rhododendron forests. The trail becomes quieter and more natural, with fewer villages and more wilderness surroundings. You continue walking through peaceful forest sections, passing small resting points like Bamboo.

The route involves a mix of gentle climbs and short descents, gradually gaining altitude as you move deeper into the valley.
After about 5–6 hours of trekking, you reach Dovan, a small settlement surrounded by forest. It is a calm and scenic stop, often covered in mist, and a common overnight point before continuing towards higher villages like Deurali and Machhapuchhre Base Camp.

After breakfast, the trail gradually ascends through dense bamboo and rhododendron forests. The path is peaceful but steadily uphill, with occasional stone steps and small resting areas along the way.
You pass through places like Himalaya and Deurali, where the vegetation becomes thinner and the valley opens up. As you gain altitude, you start to feel the air getting colder and thinner, and the landscape becomes more rocky and alpine.

Along the way, you may also notice waterfalls, river crossings, and dramatic mountain cliffs surrounding the trail.
After about 4–5 hours of trekking, you reach Machhapuchhre Base Camp, located at the base of the sacred Fishtail Mountain. From here, you get stunning close-up views of Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and other surrounding peaks, with a wide glacier valley creating a breathtaking Himalayan setting.

The trail is short but gradually uphill, taking around 1.5 to 2.5 hours. You walk through an open alpine valley with very few trees, surrounded by high snowy peaks on all sides. The scenery becomes more dramatic as you approach the base camp.

As you gain elevation, you enter the “amphitheater” of mountains, where Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre stand very close around you.

After reaching Annapurna Base Camp, you check into the lodge and spend the night there. The evening is calm and magical, with golden sunset light on the mountains and a peaceful Himalayan atmosphere. At night, you stay in simple mountain accommodation surrounded by the highest peaks in the Annapurna region.

After breakfast at base camp, you retrace the same trail down through the alpine valley to Machhapuchhre Base Camp. From here, the path continues downhill past Deurali and Himalaya.

The descent is much easier than the ascent, but you should still walk carefully on stone steps and rocky sections. As you go lower, the air becomes warmer and the vegetation gradually changes from rocky landscapes back to forests.

You pass through dense bamboo and rhododendron forests again, following the Modi Khola river valley. The trail is peaceful, with waterfalls, suspension bridges, and occasional small teahouses along the way.

After about 6–7 hours of trekking, you reach Dovan, a quiet forest settlement where you spend the night, surrounded by greenery and the sound of the river.

After breakfast, the trail mostly goes downhill through beautiful rhododendron and bamboo forests. You follow the Modi Khola river valley, walking on stone steps, forest paths, and occasional suspension bridges.
The route passes small villages like Bamboo and Sinuwa area (depending on the exact path taken). The trek is peaceful and green, with chances to see waterfalls, birds, and mountain scenery along the way.

As you get closer to Jhinu Danda, the descent becomes more gradual. Jhinu is famous for its natural hot springs, located near the river. After reaching the village (around 5–6 hours of trekking), you can relax in the hot springs, which is a perfect way to rest your tired legs after several days of trekking.

The trail is mostly downhill and takes about 30–45 minutes, passing through small villages, terraced fields, and stone steps. It is a short and easy walk compared to previous days.

At the jeep station, you take a scenic drive back to Pokhara. The drive usually takes around 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on road conditions.
The road passes through beautiful countryside, rivers, green hills, and rural settlements, giving you a last glimpse of the Annapurna region.

Upon arrival in Pokhara, your trek ends and you can relax by the lakeside or enjoy the city’s peaceful atmosphere.

From Pokhara, you take a short scenic flight back to Kathmandu. The flight usually takes about 25–30 minutes and offers beautiful views of hills, rivers, and, on clear days, distant Himalayan peaks. It is a quick and comfortable way to return to the capital after your trek.

After arriving in Kathmandu, you continue your sightseeing to Patan Durbar Square. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in the historic city of Patan, also known as Lalitpur.
Patan Durbar Square is famous for its ancient Newari architecture, old royal palace, and beautifully carved temples. You can explore courtyards, stone sculptures, and traditional shrines that reflect Nepal’s rich art and culture.

Key highlights include the old palace complex, Krishna Mandir, and many small temples built with detailed wood and stone carvings. The area is also filled with local life, small shops, and artisans working on traditional crafts.
It is a perfect place to end your journey by experiencing Nepal’s cultural heritage after the mountain adventure.

Today you will explore three important UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu.
First, visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, the historic royal palace area of the Malla kings. This place is full of ancient temples, courtyards, and traditional Newari architecture. You can see highlights like the old royal palace, beautifully carved wooden windows, and the sacred Kumari Ghar where the Living Goddess lives. The square is also rich in cultural life and local activities.

After that, Visit Swayambhunath Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a history of over 2,500 years. It sits on a hilltop and offers great views of the city. The area is also known for its many monkeys, so it is often called the Monkey Temple.
This sacred site is a mix of both Buddhist and Hindu traditions, with many shrines, chaityas, and monasteries around. Despite the 2015 earthquake, the stupa remains strong and is still one of Kathmandu’s most loved landmarks.
You can see beautiful carvings, smell incense and butter lamps, and experience a peaceful spiritual atmosphere. Visitors and devotees walk around the stupa (a ritual called circumambulation) while spinning prayer wheels set into its base. The area is also surrounded by traditional houses of priests and monks.

Then after, continue to Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world. It is a peaceful and spiritual place, especially important for Tibetan Buddhism. The huge white dome with the all-seeing eyes of Buddha creates a calm and powerful atmosphere.
Here, you can walk around the stupa with pilgrims, spin prayer wheels, and enjoy the surrounding monasteries, shops, and rooftop cafés. It is a perfect mix of culture, spirituality, and relaxation to complete your Kathmandu sightseeing.

Today is your final departure day from Kathmandu.
After breakfast or at the scheduled time, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight to your next destination. The journey marks the end of your Nepal trip.

We hope you had a wonderful experience exploring the Himalayas, trekking in the Annapurna region, and discovering Kathmandu’s cultural heritage. Wishing you a safe and comfortable flight, and we look forward to welcoming you again in the future.