Arrive in Kathmandu and we transfer you to Kathmandu Guest House (KGH). The day is kept light so you can rest, hydrate, and recover from travel. If you arrive early, you can take a short walk nearby and pick up any last-minute essentials for the trek. In the evening, we keep things calm so you start the trip feeling fresh and well-rested.

This is your second Kathmandu day, so it can be used for Optional World Heritage Sightseeing while still keeping time for trek preparation. You will have a trek briefing, final gear checks, and practical planning for flights and the first trekking days. If you choose sightseeing, we keep it comfortable and efficient so you still have plenty of downtime. A relaxed evening helps you rest well before the Pokhara flight tomorrow.

You fly to Pokhara and settle into Nepal’s most relaxed trekking gateway. The lakeside atmosphere is ideal for slowing down, enjoying good food, and preparing calmly for the trek start. Depending on arrival time, you can take an easy walk by Phewa Lake or simply rest and enjoy the city. An early night is recommended so you feel fresh for the drive to the trailhead tomorrow.

After a drive to the Tikhedhunga area, you begin trekking on classic Annapurna foothill trails through terraced farmland and lively village paths. The day is designed to build your trekking rhythm, with steady climbs and frequent viewpoints as you gain altitude. This first trekking stage gives a real sense of entering the hills and leaving city life behind. Bantianti is a common overnight area used to position well for Ghorepani. The evening is usually calm, with a warm meal and early rest helping you recover from the first climb.

You continue climbing through forest trails and hillside paths, often through rhododendron woodland depending on season. The air becomes cooler and more alpine as you gain altitude, and the route begins to feel like classic trekking country. Ghorepani has a lively teahouse atmosphere and is well known as the base for the Poon Hill sunrise hike. After arrival, it is best to rest well and sleep early because tomorrow starts before dawn.

Before sunrise, you hike to Poon Hill (3,200m) for one of Nepal’s most famous viewpoints, with wide Himalayan panoramas on clear mornings. After returning for breakfast, you continue trekking through ridge and forest trails toward Tadapani, with the scenery shifting between woodland and open viewpoints. This day is memorable because it blends the excitement of the sunrise with a beautiful traverse into Gurung village country. Tadapani is a classic overnight stop that feels peaceful and forested compared to the livelier Ghorepani ridge. The evening is a good time to rest well because the route now turns toward Chhomrong and the sanctuary approach.

Today you move toward Chhomrong, a well-known Gurung village that sits on the main Annapurna Sanctuary approach. The trail includes classic mid-hill terrain with stone steps, terraced slopes, and changing valley angles as you move across the landscape. Chhomrong often feels like a major transition point because you begin seeing more trekkers heading toward base camp routes. The village setting is beautiful and culturally rich, and the overnight here positions you well for entering the Modi Khola valley corridor tomorrow. A calm evening and good hydration help as you start gaining altitude more steadily from here onward.

You leave the village corridors behind and follow the Modi Khola valley deeper into the sanctuary route. The trail becomes more forested and canyon-like in places, with the river sound and steep valley walls creating a very different atmosphere from the open hill villages. Doban is a common staging stop in the lower sanctuary section and feels more remote and quiet. Because the environment is more enclosed, the day often feels like you are entering a true mountain corridor. After arrival, it is best to rest and keep the evening simple as altitude gain continues tomorrow.

The landscape becomes more rugged and alpine as you climb higher, with fewer trees and a stronger sense of high mountain terrain. You pass through narrow valley sections and often notice the air getting cooler, especially in shaded areas. Deurali is a key stop on the sanctuary route and is used to position well for Machhapuchhare Base Camp. This is a good day to keep your pace steady and focus on hydration, because you are now moving into the higher basin zone. The evening is typically quiet and early, preparing you for the big scenery days ahead.

Today you climb into the upper sanctuary basin and reach Machhapuchhare Base Camp (MBC), a dramatic high alpine setting beneath Machhapuchhare (Fishtail). The scenery becomes more open and glacial in character, and the feeling of being surrounded by towering peaks grows stronger. This is a shorter-feeling day for many trekkers because the scenery is so impressive and the destination feels special. After arrival, the best plan is to rest, stay warm, and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the sanctuary. The evening often feels crisp and unforgettable at this altitude.

This is the trek’s signature arrival day as you continue from MBC into the heart of the Annapurna Sanctuary. The trail opens into the famous base camp amphitheatre, and arriving at Annapurna Base Camp feels like stepping into a natural mountain cathedral. The setting is surrounded by major peaks, creating an experience that feels very different from most valley treks. After check-in, you have time to enjoy the views and the atmosphere, then settle in for a high but rewarding night. Keeping warm and hydrated is important here, especially in the evening.

You begin descending from the sanctuary and the air starts to feel richer as you lose altitude. The scenery shifts back toward forest and valley corridors, and the walking often feels more comfortable on breathing. Bamboo is a classic lodge stop on the return route, surrounded by greenery and a calmer atmosphere than the high basin. This day is also a good chance to take care of your knees and pacing, since downhill walking can be tiring. A restful evening here helps your body recover after the base camp nights.

Today you continue descending through forested trails and familiar valley sections, returning toward the village corridors. The landscapes feel greener and more lived-in again, and you often notice energy and appetite improving as altitude drops. Arriving back in Chhomrong is a satisfying milestone because it marks the end of the sanctuary section while still keeping you on scenic trails. The village evening is comfortable and a great chance to enjoy a relaxed meal with a warmer climate. Rest well tonight because the trek shifts toward the luxury lodge finish from tomorrow.

You trek across classic village trails toward Landruk, moving through terraced hillsides and forest sections with changing viewpoints. The route feels more cultural again as you pass through settlements and farmlands rather than deep valley corridors. Landruk is a charming village known for its traditional feel, and staying in a luxury lodge here adds a premium finish to the trek. After arrival, you have time to relax properly, enjoy better amenities, and soak in the comfort after the higher sanctuary days. This is a wonderful evening for a slow dinner and a restful night.

Today you continue trekking toward Dhampus, often enjoying ridge-style scenery and a wider horizon feel as you move closer to the Pokhara side. Dhampus is a well-known village with a pleasant hill setting, and your luxury lodge stay keeps the end of the trek comfortable and unhurried. After the trek, you drive back to Pokhara and return to lakeside comfort. This day is designed to feel like a rewarding transition from trail life to relaxation rather than a rushed finish. A calm evening by the lake is the perfect way to celebrate completing the trek.

A full free day in Pokhara to relax and enjoy the destination properly. You can keep it simple with lakeside cafés, spa time, or pool time, or add optional light activities depending on your mood. This day also serves as a practical buffer in case travel schedules shift. The goal is to finish the trek feeling refreshed, not rushed. A relaxed evening prepares you for the short flight back to Kathmandu tomorrow.

Fly back to Kathmandu and we transfer you to Kathmandu Guest House (KGH). After the mountains, the city feels comfortable and easy, and you can enjoy a final celebratory meal or do last-minute shopping. We keep the day relaxed so you can pack calmly and rest well. This is also a good buffer day in case domestic flights shift.

We transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) for your onward flight home.