A HIDDEN CORNER OF THE ANNAPURNA HIMALAYA
- The remote north side of Annapurna I
- Picturesque Nepalese farming villages
- Diverse Hindu and Buddhist culture
- Optional extension to the Khopra Ridge
- Supported, full service camping trek
- Hiking into Nepal’s most beautiful mountains
- The little-traveled Maurice Herzog Trail
On June 3, 1950, an expedition led by French climber Maurice Herzog became the first team to reach the summit of Mount Annapurna I. It was also the first time that climbers had reached the top of an 8000-meter peak. In 2020, Nepal opened a new trail which follows the expedition’s route to the little-known and seldom-visited north base camp of Annapurna, the world’s 10th highest mountain.
Barely 25 miles north of Pokhara sits the most beautiful mountain range in Nepal – the Annapurnas. It was not until the mid-1950s that these majestic mountains were first explored by the outside world. Today the Annapurna Range is one of the most popular trekking destinations in the world, and with good reason – it is easily accessible from Pokhara and offers tremendous potential for scenic walks and alpine exploration in a splendid high Himalayan setting. The mountains forming the great Annapurna Range boast no fewer than eight peaks over 7000 meters, including Macchapuchare (Fish Tail), which is surely the most famous mountain in this range.
The Annapurna North Base Camp is located in the Annapurna Conservation Area, north of the popular Annapurna Sanctuary and south of the famed Thorong La Pass, the high point of the Annapurna Circuit. The recently opened Maurice Herzog Trail is 29 miles (47K) of beautiful trail. This area is rarely traveled by trekking groups, as there are no lodges except for very basic shelters. We will operate this trek in tented camping expedition style and employing the services of a full cook and kitchen crew.
Our new Annapurna North Base Camp Trek is part of our Himalayan Classic Trek Series. We are able to arrange this unique and seldom-offered trip in Nepal as a private departure for you and your travel companions beginning on any date during the months of late March through May and mid-September to late November for a group of 1 to 10 people
Trip Outline
- Day 1: Welcome to Nepal & the Himalayas! Met on arrival and transfer to hotel.
- Day 2: Free day in Kathmandu for sightseeing and preparing for the trek. Hotel.
- Day 3: Fly to Pokhara and drive 4 hours to Tatopani (3,575ft) via Beni. Lodge.
- Day 4: Drive to Hum Khola (8,890ft) and trek to Jharna. 4 hour hike. Camping.
- Day 5: Trek to Busket Mela (11,197ft). 5 to 6 hour hike. Camping.
- Day 6: To Kagbhusindi Lake / Lower Annapurna North Base Camp (12,990ft). 5 hour hike. Camping.
- Day 7: Day hike to High Annapurna North Base Camp (13,747 feet) & return to camp.
- Day 8: Trek to Sandhi Kharka Camp (10,380ft). 5 hour hike. Camping.
- Day 9: Hike to Hum Khola & drive to Tatopani (7,495ft). 10 hour day. Lodge.
- Day 10: Hike to Ghorepani (9,430ft / 2,875m). 7 hour hike. Lodge.
- Day 11: Sunrise on Poon Hill (10,530ft), hike to Ulleri (6,790ft) & drive to Pokhara. 6 to 7 hour day. Hotel.
- Day 12: Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to our hotel.
- Day 13: Transfer to Kathmandu Airport for our return flights.
EXTENSION TO KHOPRA RIDGE
Day 9: Trek to Hum Khola and drive to Chitre (8,660 feet). 9 to 10 hour day. Lodge.
Day 10: Trek to Chistibung at 10,000 feet. 5 hour hike. Lodge.
Day 11: Trek to Khopra Ridge (12,695 feet). 3 hours of hiking. Lodge.
Day 12: Enjoy the sunrise and hike via Chistibung to Dobato (11,220ft). 6 hour hike. Lodge.
Day 13: Trek to Tadapani at 8,630 feet. 5 to 6 hour hike. Lodge.
Day 14: Trek to Ghandruk Village (6,400 feet) and drive to Pokhara. 5 to 6 hour day. Hotel.
Day 15: Transfer to Pokhara Airport for flight to Kathmandu. Hotel.
Day 16: Transfer to Kathmandu Airport for our return flights.
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