7 Days Poon Hill ABC Trek

Move on towards the steep climb to Ulleri, a large Magar village at an altitude of 2070m. The trail ascends more gently from this point, through fine forests of oak and rhododendrons towards Banthanti at 2250m. Then we trek towards Nangethanti at 2460m. After an hour walk, we arrive at Ghorepani (2840m). Overnight at a guesthouse.

Today, very early in the morning, we start an hour hiking to Poon Hill at an elevation of 3210m, a brilliant mountain range spectacle; this vantage point provides an unobstructed view of the sunrise over the high Himalayas. There we spend about 1 hour, then returning to Ghorepani we take a hot breakfast at a hotel. Then we make a climb along ridges and through pine and rhododendron forests to Deurali (2960m). After that, we descend to the Banthanti, then turning off to Tadapani. Overnight at a guesthouse.

After breakfast, the trail drops to cross the Chhomrong Khola and then ascends to the pretty village of Sinuwa. Thereafter the trail enters the upper Modi Khola Valley through dense forests of cane, rhododendron, and oak. It rises then drops to the village of Bamboo (2,310m/7,580ft) on the banks of the river: a perfect lunch spot. After lunch, continue up through an uninhabited forest to Dobhan, later crossing several avalanche chutes before reaching the small village of Himalaya Hotel. Overnight at guesthouse.

As the altitude increases, the forest gives way to alpine scrub and grasses. The valley walls steepen with the river raging far below. Explore the cave at Hinku before crossing a ravine and major avalanche track prior to reaching Deorali (3,230m/10,598ft). Breathtaking views into the sacred Annapurna Sanctuary gradually appear as the trail heads over a ridge and climbs to the Machha purchase Base Camp (3,700m/12,136ft). Another two hours slow walk up grassy slopes leads to the Annapurna Base Camp hotels on the Annapurna South glacial moraine: some 3,900m/12,800ft beneath the peaks crowning the surrounding ice walls. Overnight at guesthouse.

Rise before dawn and climb onto the rim of the glacier for a photographic feast as the sun lights up the ring of peaks, the almost vertical ice walls around the valley, then the glacier in its U-shaped gorge: grinding relentlessly below your feet. Return to the hotel for breakfast and then retrace your steps on the easier down-trail as far as the quaint village of Sinuwa. Overnight guesthouse.

Today will be a long day, as you drop back down the valley to Taglung and then continue south, following the Modi Khola, to the prosperous village of Ghandruk. Northern views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhare are in view along the route. The trail then drops through several villages as it returns to Nayapul: and drive back to Pokhara.