The Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) Trek

 South Col Expeditions  is trekking to the Annapurna Base Camp this spring. This iconic trek covers the route to the south base camp of Annapurna I, the tenth highest mountain in the world. This route starts in the foothills close to Pokhara and climbs to 4030 metres and includes brilliant views of the Annapurna group, Macchapuchare, Gangapurna and many other Himalayan giants.

DATES
April 13th 2014 to April 24th 2014 Kathmandu to Kathmandu.

COSTS
For details of the cost and other information please do e-mail sujoyrdas@gmail.com for a trek pdf.

PHOTOGRAPHS
For photographs of the Annapurna region please do visit http://www.sujoydas.com/Nepal-Himalaya/Annapurna

TESTIMONIALS
For testimonials from past South Col clients please do visit http://www.southcol.com/testimonials

TREK SCHEDULE
DAY 01 – KATHMANDU TO POKHARA
We travel the six/seven hour journey from Kathmandu to Pokhara in a micro bus with scenic views along the river valley.

DAY 02 – POKHARA TO PHEDI BY ROAD AND THEN TREK TO TOLKA (1810m) 7 to 8 hours
The next morning we drive forty minutes to Phedi. We will start climbing to a ridge by traversing fields and forest and following a stone staircase, we reach to a small Hindu temple and then a short climb which will take us to Dhampus village. After a short break, we trek through the rhododendron forest and trails paved with stones and take a steep climb to Pothana village (2000 m). Lunch at Pothana. After lunch, the path slowly ascends until we reach Bhichowk Deorali (2149 m) from here we can see the view of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. We then take a steep descent to Modi Khola and gently climb to a ridge and then take short descent to the village of Tolka (1810 m), our night stop. 

DAY 03 – TOLKA TO CHOMRONG (2170 metres) 6 to 7 hours
The trail drops from Tolka and reaches Land rung in about an hour. We now descend and take a north route to Chomrong traversing alongside rice terraces, then through forests and follow the river bed leads us to New Bridge. The trail crosses on a suspension bridge and a stiff climb to Jhinu Danda (1760 m). There is a hot natural spring which takes 15 minutes downhill. Again trail climbs a long and steeps atop treeless ridge and the trail rounds a bend and enters the famous market village of Chomrong. The village controls the entry to the sanctuary and offers the first clear view of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchhre (Fish Tail).

DAY 04 – CHOMRONG TO DOVAN (2505 metres) 6 to 7 hours
From Upper Chomrong we make a descent in about forty minutes along stone steps to the river. The trail from the river climbs uphill to Bhanuwa in an hour. From Bhanuwa it is about an hour to Upper Sinuwa. From Upper Sinuwa we proceed along the forest track to Khuldi. Thirty minutes on a steep downhill from Khuldi is our lunch stop at Bamboo. After a leisurely lunch at Bamboo we walk the last hour and a half to Doban for our night stop.

DAY 05 – DOBAN TO DEORALI (3140 metres) 4 hours
From Dovan walk through the forest for about an hour to Himalaya (2940 m). About fifty minutes from Himalaya is a huge cave, Hinko where in 1971 Don Whillans claims to have seen the yeti! Deorali is about forty minutes away and we reach in time for lunch.

DAY 06 – DEORALI TO MACHHAPUCHHRE BASE CAMP (3720 M) - 4-5 HRS
The trail remains on the west bank of the Modi, now flowing through a more open valley, and eventually emerges into the Sanctuary. Straight ahead is the high lateral moraine of the South Annapurna glacier and the Modi follows a deep cliff to the right. This is the site of Machhapuchhre base camp from which can be seen a spectacular panorama of Annapurna Mountains.

DAY 07- MBC - ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP (4130 m) 2 hours
After early breakfast, easy walking excursions to Annapurna Base Camp (2-3 hrs) - our final destination of the trip. The day is easy and explores the incredible views of near vertical south face of Annapurna that towers above us to the north-west and several other big peaks and trekking peaks. After exploring the highest mountains view and surrounding panorama, afternoon return to Machhapuchhre base camp.

DAY 08 – ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP TO HIMALAYA 5 to 6 hours
Follow the same route downhill all the way to Himalaya

DAY 09 – HIMALAYA TO UPPER CHOMRONG 5 hours
As usual, after breakfast we will trek back to Chomrong village again for overnight stop.

DAY 10 CHOMRONG TOP TO POKHARA 5 to 6 hours walking and two hours by vehicle
From Upper Chomrong we follow the direct route down the Modi Khola all towards Birethanti. Descend the Chomrong steps to the hot springs of Jhinu Danda in about an hour. From Jhinu head down to the Himal Qu ( the New Bridge) but do not cross it. A small trail on the side of the Modi Khola heads downstream and reaches Beehive in about two hours. Stop for lunch at Beehive and then head down to Kliu from where share jeeps are available to Birethanti and onto Pokhara.

DAY 11 REST DAY OR BUFFER DAY
This is a rest or buffer day built into the schedule to be used in the case of bad weather or in case we reach Pokhara on Day 10 we can use it to rest and relax at Pokhara.

DAY 12 POKHARA TO KATHMANDU BY FLIGHT AND ON TO FINAL DESTINATION
We take the morning flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu and then we can connect to out final destination by any afternoon/evening flights from Kathmandu

For more  photographs of the Annapurna region please do http://sujoydas.smugmug.com/Nepal-Himalaya/Annapurna-Foothills-Poon-Hill 

For more details of Himalayan trek and workshops please do visit www.southcol.com