Travel, experience, conserve with
Walks Worldwide Jump to main menu

Our favourite walking holiday in the Himalayas, taking us into the ‘Throne Room of Mountain Gods’. For majestic high mountain scenery and picturesque landscapes, this trek is hard to beat.

  • Magnificent mountain amphitheatre of ‘The Sanctuary’
  • Himalayan vistas & pretty villages
  • Annapurnas at sunrise from Poon Hill

This wonderful Himalayan trekking adventure to the wondrous Annapurna Sanctuary rightfully deserves its reputation as a classic and is widely regarded as one of the easier (but equally great!) Himalayan treks.

Passing through delightful villages with neatly terraced rice fields to forests of rhododendron and oak, awe-inspiring mountain panoramas unfold each day with the rising sun, and after sunset the night skies glow. Heading further up the Modi Khola into bamboo woodlands, you emerge through a previously secret portal to enter an amazing throne room of mountain gods, the Annapurna Sanctuary. Here at the base of snowcovered behemoths, the mountains of the Annapurna are revealed in close up detail and clarity.

Typical Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Depart UK

    Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Kathmandu.

  2. Day 2: Arrive Kathmandu

    Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to the group hotel. In the evening there will be a pre-trek briefing.

  3. Day 3: Fly to Pokhara; transfer to Nayapul, start trek

    A short but dramatic flight takes you to Pokhara, from where you’ll transfer to the trailhead at Nayapul and commence your trek to the Annapurna Sanctuary. Following the river’s course to Birethanti, ascend on a stepped trail to reach the village of Hille. Cross a suspension bridge and ascend through an area of dense forest to reach Ulleri.

    Walking distance: 12 km

  4. Day 4: Full day’s walking to reach Ghorepani

    Trek along an undulating trail over small hills to ascend another stepped trail, passing teahouses and small tribal homes. Enjoy glimpses of the Annapurna South and move higher into a wooded area with large bamboo trees before emerging at Nangathanti. Climb more steps and then reach Ghorepani.

    Walking distance: 8 km

  5. Day 5: Summit Poon Hill just before first light

    View the spectacle of the early morning light turning the snow-covered Himalaya pink as the sun rises and a magnificent mountain panorama unfolds. Enjoy close-up views of Annapurna South and the satellite peak of Hiunchuli, as well as the iconic Fishtail and, on clear days, Pokhara and its lake.

    Return to Ghorepani and follow a trail along a ridgeline offering magnificent views of the Annapurna massif. Descend to a small settlement and enter a forested gorge, where you’ll descend a little more before making the short upward climb to Tadapani.

    Walking distance: 13 km

  6. Day 6: Climb up to Chomrong via scenic forest routes

    Descend through rhododendron forest and see the hills that form one side of the scenic Modi Khola Valley. Cross the Kimrong Khola and a short ascent brings you into the Modi Khola Valley, which ultimately leads to the Annapurna Sanctuary. Pass through Daaulu and arrive at Chomrong.

    Walking distance: 10 km

  7. Day 7: Cross into the upper reaches of the Modi Khola

    The trail descends to cross the Chomrong Khola, and then climbs around into the Modi Khola Valley and up to the main ridge high up above the river. Reach the village of Sinuwa and enjoy views of Fishtail’s twin summits, and follow the valley steadily uphill to Dobhan and onwards to Himalayan Hotel.

    Walking distance: 15 km

  8. Day 8: Short trek up to Machhapuchhare Base Camp

    Gain altitude as you move ever deeper into the realms of the mountain gods. Pass the Hinko Cave and trek across the upper reaches of the Modi Khola to reach a grass-covered moraine with a number of lodges in an area referred to as Machhapuchhare Base Camp.

    Walking distance: 7 km

  9. Day 9: A dramatic walk into the Annapurna Sanctuary

    Walk to one of the most dramatic mountain environments on earth. Climb upwards to reach the ‘Throne Room of Mountain Gods’, for an unbelievable sight in this impressive amphitheatre of Himalayan mountains – see the peaks of Hiunchuli, Annapurna I and more. The rumble of rock and ice slides coming off the Annapurna South frequently breaks the silence of the Sanctuary. Afterwards trek back to Dovan.

    Walking distance: 17 km

  10. Day 10: Follow ascent route, detour & descend to Bamboo

    From Dovan trek to Jhinu Dhada. Afterwards relax in the hot springs.

    Walking distance: 16 km

  11. Day 11: Descend to Ghandruk

    Enter Kimrong Khola Valley where the trail evens out for easier walking and continue your journey in short, steep switchbacks and through open fields to the ’Gurung’ village of Ghandruk.

    Walking distance: 17 km

  12. Day 12: Descend towards Modi Khola valley; transfer to Pokhara

    Descend from Ghandruk on a wide paved trail into lush landscapes to reach the banks of the Modi Khola River. Continue to Birethanti and back to the road head to transfer to the laidback lakeside resort area on the outskirts of Pokhara. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to relax or explore the area, you could also take a boat out on the lake or go for a swim.

    Walking distance: 2 km

  13. Day 13: Fly to Kathmandu, explore the city

    Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu, with the rest of the day free for last minute shopping and exploring this beautiful old city.

  14. Day 14: Depart Kathmandu

    Depart Kathmandu on an overnight flight back to the UK.

  15. Day 15: Arrive UK

Price and Other Information

  • Duration and price excluding international flights: 13 days from £2,489 per person
  • Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 15 days from £3,259 per person
  • Single room supplement: From £140
  • Walking grade: Demanding to Strenuous
  • Guiding: Guided Group Private-Guided
  • Max alt: 4,130m
  • Group size: 2-12
  • When to go: View Dates & Prices
    • M
    • A
    • M
    • O
    • N
    • D
  • Route map:
    Route map for
  • What’s included
    • Hotel x 3 nights, trekking lodges x 9 nights
    • 3 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 9 dinners
    • Experienced English-speaking guide
    • Airport transfers
    • Luggage transfers

Next Steps

View All Nepal Trips

Dates & Prices

Choose your preferred departure date from the 2 options below, then make a no obligation booking request, or enquire if you would like to ask us a question.

Guided Group Dates and Prices
Year Starts Ends Price From (Exc. Flights) Holiday Status Options
All prices are per person. All our guided group trips have the option to be taken as a private guided itinerary. * Available: this holiday is available to book. ** Guaranteed: this holiday is available to book and is guaranteed to run. *** Fully Booked: if your preferred holiday is full we may be able to offer you a private departure or tailor a holiday to suit your requirements, please contact us for more details.
2024 2 Oct 14 Oct £2,489 Guaranteed** Book or Enquire
2024 27 Oct 8 Nov £2,489 Available* Book or Enquire

If you can’t see the holiday or departure date that you are looking for please contact us. We may be in the process of finalising further departures and are often able to arrange a holiday for you according to your own requirements.