Dhaulagiri Expedition

On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport well received by View Nepal Treks guide and staff for short drive to your hotel within Kathmandu city, after refreshment our guide / leader will inform regarding trekking and Annapurna I expeditions - hotels –lodge on route with evening welcome dinner.

In Kathmandu with full day guided sightseeing tour around places of places of interest, as Kathmandu valley steeped with historical monuments all listed as World Heritage Sites, an opportunity to gain knowledge of Nepali cultures and traditions.

Today you will be fully engrossed with preparation for Annapurna I Expeditions and other related activities, includes final briefing and orientation program on trek and climb and knowing each member of the team including guides and other staff. We have reserved this extra day to provide enough time for packing and buying extra gears or shopping for the expeditions. View Nepal office and field staff along with leader of the team will use this day to obtain permits and necessary documentation for the climb of Mt. Annapurna I.

Starting the adventure to Annapurna I Expedition trek and climb with an overland drive to Pokhara through Himalayan foothills, on reaching Pokhara transfer to respective hotels close to serene Lake Phewa with afternoon free for short strolls. (Options by Air 30 minutes flight to Pokhara).

After a wonderful overnight stop at Pokhara with grand views of Annapurna Himal and Machhapuchare peaks 'Fish Tail', completing breakfast then taking a drive beyond Pokhara valley to start our first days trek. Drive leads along with grand views of Annapurna past farm villages and towns and then by bank of Modi River to reach at Bhirethati a charming village around Annapurna region. From here a short drive to a small farm village at Siwai, where first day walks begins with slow uphill to New Bridge following Modi River and then climb on nice stone paved steps to reach a high ridge, where Jhinu village located with time here visit its natural hot-spring.

Today morning walk leads to short day of few hours with uphill to reach a high ridge above Jhinu and Chomrong village, and then downhill brings you at Chomrong village for overnight stop, Chomrong the last permanent Gurung village and gateway to Annapurna Sanctuary and Base Camp trekking.

From Chomrong morning leads to a short downhill over terraced farm fields to reach at Chomrong river, after crossing over a bridge with uphill to Sinuwa-Danda, a small place with few lodges offers grand views of surrounding rolling green hills, from here walk continues into dense forest till Bamboo is reached, a place with many good lodge located by the Modi River in the middle of bamboo, rhododendron and oaks forest. From here an hour walk on the gradual up trail to Dovan for overnight stop, situated in the middle of forest Modi River gorge.

After a pleasant overnight stop in Dovan, where morning walks leads higher up as vegetation and tree lines drops for high altitude alpine bushes and shrubs, our route leads to follow raging Modi river upstream right up to its source at base camp. Walk gets better on some sections of the route with last steep climb to reach at Machhapuchare Base Camp for overnight stop. A nice quiet place with few good lodges located beneath towering North Face of Mt. Machhapuchare. Here onward starts of the Annapurna Sanctuary, afternoon relax or short excursion around this tranquil wilderness with views of Annapurna South-Huinchuli, Singu Chuli / Fluted peak as well Annapurna I with Vara Shikar (Annapurna Fang) towards North West.

With pleasant and exciting morning facing views of Annapurna range of peaks, morning leads to a short walk up to reach our main destination at Annapurna base camp, starting our trek heading higher up on grassy hill slopes to reach a small plateau and a level ground. As walk advance towards Annapurna Base Camp, with breathtaking views of Annapurna peaks that surround you within the sanctuary with giant wall of Mt. Annapurna I. After a good scenic walk reaching at Annapurna Base Camp a magnificent spot with few large lodges, offers incredible views of giant snowcapped peaks that encircles this scenic spot at base camp, afternoon at leisure to enjoy mountain views. Annapurna area was first explored by the British Adventure Col. James O.M. 'Jimmy' Roberts in the year 1956 and exposed to the world as the 'Sanctuary of Gods'. The Sanctuary has been christened as "Annapurna Sanctuary" ever since.

A full rest day for acclimatization and short hike around in this magnificent surrounding with amphitheatre of snow-peaks and Annapurna I a large wall of a mountain as seen from the base camp and Annapurna sanctuary. Here with time for climbing preparation for next day climb to Advance Camp.

Trek and climb towards Advance Camp the faint trail leads on the moraine of ice and small glacial streams, the climb leads higher to camp near the elevation of 5,600m. A tough walk and climb avoiding thin glaciers and crevices on route to Advance Camp.

These two days everyone will be busy sorting and repacking of the necessary gear and equipments for the climb which needs at least 3 camps before the summit bid. Our leader and climbing Sherpa guide will brief with information regarding climbing routine and technique required for the climb. Here you can practice climb on ice and glaciers beneath the towering Annapurna I.

The mountain from the North West side first climbed by late legendry Maurice Herzog in the 1950’s, the first 8,000 meter peak ever to climbed even before Everest was summitted, since then there have been several Expeditions from this route some has acclaimed success many climbers found this peak as a killer mountain just like Nanga Parbat in Kharakorum range. For this reason and for safety measure we have reserved 20 days for the climb. The 1st camp will be set in about 2-3 days and the next camp II and III between weeks; remaining days will be used for proper preparation to summit this tough mountain. The weather also plays prime factor on the climb, some time unfavorable weather hinder the climbing routine days.

After the tough hard work and climb descend back to Base Camp safely, bringing all the gear, used oxygen bottles and camping equipment by this day every member and staff should reach base camp to assist with packing and cleaning the area.

After an adventurous and tough climb with success and at base camp preparation for return journey to Pokhara unto Kathmandu, here sorting out gear and cleaning the surrounding camp.

After grand time at Annapurna base camp within the Sanctuary, morning walk heads downhill all the way to Deurali. From here with few ups and downs and some gradual section back into tree lines to reach at Bamboo for overnight stop.

Morning a short steep climb to Khuldi Ghar, and then downhill through dense forest passing Sinuwa danda as the walk leads lead to Chomrong khola. After the bridge an uphill walk for an hour to Chomrong village for lunch. After Chomrong with half hour climb at Chomrong ridge and then descend to Jhinu danda for overnight stop. This village offers refreshing bathe in hot springs which is just 20 minutes walk downhill near Modi River.

After a pleasant stop at Jhinu, morning walks continues on downhill trail to another New Bridge (Nayapul) by Modi River, after the bridge a gradual walk and short climb to reach at Landruk village, and through terraced farm fields and villages reaching cool forested area, a short climb to Deurali ridge at 2,150 m. After Deurali a nice pleasant walk leads to Pothana with grand views of Mt. Annapurna, Mt. Manaslu including views of Fish Tail peak.

Morning starts with super views of mountains and heading up at Thulo Kharka also called Australian Camp a beautiful place with large meadows overlooking magnificent views of the Himalayan range of mountains, from here trek concludes with an hour downhill to Kande village on the road connecting Baglung-Pokhara highway, from here an hour drive back to Pokhara after a wonderful time up in the high mountains.

Morning a scenic overland drive to Kathmandu, after a remarkable and most challenging climb on Annapurna I expedition. On reaching Kathmandu transfer to respective hotels with afternoon free at leisure for individual activities and souvenir shopping. (Options by air with 30 mins scenic flight back to Kathmandu)

A spare day in Kathmandu in case delay on climbing due to weather or technical problem, if all runs well have a free day or sightseeing tour of Kathmandu-Patan and Bhaktapur. We have allowed two days after the expeditions as reserve day and as well to submit expeditions report to concern Nepal Government Department regarding the climb and activities of the expeditions.

Today, your last day in amazing Nepal with great experience and fond memories of Mt. Annapurna I Expeditions, as per your time for international flight, View Nepal staff transfer you to airport for your final departure homeward bound or to your next destinations.