The trek start from at Nayapul, and passes through many Gurung and Magar villages, such as Ghandruk, which is the largest Gurung village in Nepal, where the male members of the local community have sacrificed their lives to serve with the British Gurkhas and security forces around the world. In the first day or so of the trek, there is the challenge of a very steep hill climb of almost 4000 steps, before the trail moves along ridges where stunning panoramic views disclose spectacular mountain-scapes.
The third day sees a diversion from the trail, when there is a steep torch lit, early-morning climb, to the famous Pun Hill (3210m), for one of Nepal’s best panoramic, 360 degree, sunrise views, encompassing Daulaghiri I - V, Nilgiri (7061m) , Machhapuchhre (6993m) , South Annapurna(7219m) and Himchuli (6441m). The trek into the area below the massive south face of Annapurna - known as the Annapurna Sanctuary - is one of the most popular treks in Nepal.
The trek begins in Pokhara and leads up through the breathtaking Modi Khola gorge into the vast mountain ringed amphitheatre of the Sanctuary. As we trek through bamboo and rhododendron forests we have superb views of the Annapurna range. We eventually pass between the mountains of Machhapuchhre and Hiunchuli which guard the entrance to the Sanctuary, and after 6 days reach our goal, the high glacial basin that is the site of the Annapurna south face base camp.
