The Balcony of Annapurna

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1350 m)

Arrival in Kathmandu, depending on your flight times. Welcome by your local guide at the airport exit with a sign from the agency and transfer to your hotel.

Briefing and presentation of the course of the stay. In case of arrival in the morning, day of rest or possibility of visiting the tourist district of the Thamel, for those who wish, your hotel is in the heart of the tourist city.

Day 2: Kathmandu (1350 m) to Pokhara (820 m)

Early wake-up call then departure for Pokhara by the main road following the Trisuli River, or along which local life is lively. On the way stop for a lunch break then arrival at the end of the day in the second largest city in Nepal. Installation at the hotel, then visit around the pleasant and green Fewa Lake, and its shops.

Day 3: Pokhara (820 m) to Hille (1430 m) to Tikhedhunga (1540 m) to Ulleri (1960 m)

Short transfer to Hille (55km) during which you enjoy the view of the Annapurna range. The trek starts for the first day of easy walking in the middle of rice fields and the first Nepalese villages crossed.

Crossing a suspension bridge then gradually climbing stairs to the pretty village of Ulleri in 1960m, where we enjoy a superb view of the Mount Annapurna South and Mount Machhapuchre. We are in the heart of the Gurung and Magar villages who live in two-storey houses, covered with a layer of red clay and with a thatched roof. Overnight stay in Ulleri.

Day 4: Ulleri (1960 m) to Ghorepani (2860 m)

Gradual climb by stone stairs through a rhododendron forest to Ghorepani (2860m). Lunch break at Banthanti and then in the afternoon, walk towards Nayathanti and discover a magnificent rhododendron forest (in bloom in March-April) before arriving at Ghorepani, a tourist crossroads where we stop for a night.

Day 5: Ghorepani (2860 m) to Poon Hill (3210 m) to Tadapani (2630 m)

Get up at dawn and leave for the Poon Hill viewpoint at 3193m to admire the sunrise over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs as well as the Kali Gandaki, Mustang and Dolpo valleys. A perfect place to take a nice selfie and souvenir photos then return to the lodge for a good breakfast. Departure for a new day of trekking, gradual climb to Gurung Hill then to the Deurali Pass at 3090m. After the pass, long descent to Banthati for lunch break before arriving at the lodge in Tadapani.

Day 6: Tadapani (2630 m) to Ghandruk (1940 m) to Landruk (1565 m)

Walk again in the rhododendron forests to the small village of Kyumi then descend to Ghandruk at 1,940m altitude, one of the most beautiful Gurung villages in the region. In the afternoon long descent by stairs to the Modikhola river. After crossing the bridge, gradual climb to reach your lodge in Landruk, where you can enjoy visiting this pretty little village.

Day 7: Landruk (1565 m) to Dhampus (1650 m)

Easy walk to the village of Tolka 1700m, the path crosses the terraced fields, where corn, millet or potatoes are grown. Continue walking to Bedikharka then a gentle climb to reach Pitam Deurali at 2142m. After lunch break, departure for Pothana 1890m from where we enjoy a superb view of the summit of Mt. Machhapuchre (fishtail-shaped) at 6993m ​​altitude, a protected sacred mountain never climbed. Descent through a rhododendron forest to the large village of Dhampus.

Day 8: Dhampus (1650 m) to Phedi (1330 m) to Pokhara (820 m)

Last day of walking, we leave the mountain and its villages. Long descent to Phedi at 1330m altitude, end point of the trek. A short 30 min journey allows you to reach the city of Pokhara. Arrival and installation at the hotel, in the afternoon the possibility of free activities on Lake Fewa (walks, boat navigation on the lake, paragliding, visit of the temple on the lake and many more).

Day 9: Pokhara (820 m) to Kathmandu (1350 m)

After breakfast, departure by road to Kathmandu. The journey allows you to enjoy one last time the rice fields and fields of crops as well as the Trisuli River. Break for lunch, then continuation of the journey. Arrival around 3/4 p.m. and installation at the hotel. It is possible to take advantage of the Thamel district to make souvenir purchases.

Day 10: Departure for Home

As per schedule, return flight to your destination. Your guide will take you to Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu for your departure.

Additional information about the circuit: 

• Physical level: The moderate Annapurna balcony trek takes place in the middle mountains with + 1000 meters of positive elevation gain and - 800 meters of negative elevation gain, i.e. approximately 10 to 15 kilometers of walking per day. A trek accessible to all good walkers and good physical condition is necessary to undertake this trek of several consecutive days of walking with a maximum altitude Ghorepani which peaks at 2860m.   You start your trek at 950 m altitude with many climbs and descents in steps without suffering from the altitude.
• The walking time is given as an indication, it is an estimated average,
• Depending on the weather conditions and the physical condition of the group, the guide may have to modify the program, if necessary,
• If you wish to extend your stay in Kathmandu at the end of the trek or before the trek, we will be happy to help you plan the rest of your program.