This trek offers the opportunity to escape Nepal's tourist trails, to venture into the deep forests and roam the high alpine pastures to the base of the sacred, fluted peak of Machapuchare.

The emphasis of this trek is on the forest and wilderness zones combined with an essence of exploration.You will ascend through Hindu villages and pristine forests (magnolia, oak and rhododendron) to alpine campsites that afford panoramic views of the Annapurna Range.

Forays to the base of Machapuchare provide a further highlight before a delightful return through Gurung villages to Pokhara.

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1
Arrive Kathmandu
You will be met by your group leader and transferred to the Radisson hotel. Remainder of the afternoon at leisure. A pre-trek briefing will be given around 5pm where arrangements will be made for the distribution of your kit bag, sleeping bag and down/fibrefill jacket. Evening drinks are held in the hotel for all clients arriving today. Drinks and snacks will generally be served from 6:30 pm until 7:15pm, and this is a great opportunity to get acquainted with your fellow group members before heading out to dinner.

Day 2
In Kathmandu (1330m)
This morning a sightseeing tour takes in the key attractions in and around Kathmandu. In the afternoon you have time to explore Patan, Bhaktapur, and the lesser-known towns that dot the valley on foot, by bicycle or trishaw. The area has an amazing range of fascinating highlights, whatever your interest. Excellent bookshops, extensive markets, and novelty and handicraft shops contrast with fantastic centres of cultural and spiritual significance - Kathmandu has more World Heritage sites than any other city in the world.

Day 3
Fly Kathmandu to Pokhara 980m.
This morning we take a flight west to Pokhara, Nepal's second largest town and our first night's camp.

Day 4
To Australian Camp 1900m.
Walk approximately 6 hours. We drive a short distance passing a Tibetan Refuge Camp and then commence our trek. We immediately leave the main road and ascend steeply towards the ride where we gain panoramic views of the Annapurna mountain range in the distance. The scale of the imposing mountains astounds us as gaze at the adjacent peaks of Machapuchare (6993m), Hiunchuli (6441m) and Annapurna South (7219m). Following a ridge through fields and clumps of bamboo we soon arrive at a pleasant location for our picnic lunch at Dampus. Villagers greet us with "Namaste", the traditional Nepalese greeting as we pass through Chetri and Brahmin settlements and onto the ridge top. After lunch we head towards our camp, which offers us opportunities for sunset photographs.

Day 5
To Kooker 2590m. Walk approx 6 hours.
The views from our campsite are excellent, and morning generally offers the best opportunity to view the huge peaks. As we walk, the peaks of the Annapurnas will be visible through the scattered rhododendron forest, offering a sample of the trek to come. As we reach Deroli (2200m) we can get our first views of Dhaulagiri, the world’s 6th highest peak. We take lunch at Forest Camp, and after our longer uphill morning session, this afternoon will be a more gradual ascent to camp.

Day 6
To Humaal 2950m. Walk approx 4 hours.
We start the day with a gradual ascent, enjoying the impressive views of the distant steep terraced paddy fields and villages that cling to the hillsides. This is followed by a climb through forest to our dramatic campsite, high on a grassy knoll, providing spectacular views of Annapurna and Machapuchare.

Day 7
To Guhe 3680m. Walk approx 5 hours.
The mountain views this morning are among the best on earth. We have time to appreciate the enormity of these mountains, with their jagged profiles and huge tumbling glaciers. The views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli and Machapuchare get better with each step we take upwards through the lush forest of rhododendron and birch. We enter a zone of dwarf rhododendron before breaking into the grass hills above the tree line to our ridge-top campsite.

Day 8
Day hike to Mardi Himal Base Camp. Walk approx 6 hours.
We wake this morning to even more spectacular mountain views. As we are not moving camp today you have a choice to relax at camp and savour the views in the vicinity, or join a day hike to Mardi Himal Base Camp. The options are of course weather dependent, but which ever you choose you will be well rewarded with an exceptional day in the mountains. As you climb you get closer to the gigantic face of Machapuchare. If time allows, you may be able to traverse close to the glaciers, or view the giant sanctuary of Annapurna 1 or Annapurna 4.

Day 9
To Kooker 2590m. Walk approx 5 hours.
After a relaxed breakfast we descend reluctantly, stopping often to soak in the mountain views. This is a leisurely day as we return through the forest.

Day 10
To Landrung 1600 m. Walk approx 3 hours.
We descend steeply towards the Mardi Khola today, trekking through dense forest of rhododendron, oak and birch until we reach the terraced fields of Landrung. We have time to explore the village and visit the nearby waterfall before we set camp by the river.

Day 11
To Nayapul 1100m. Walk approx 5 hours.
After soaking in the early morning views of Annapurna South we descend and cross the Mardi Khola. We follow the roaring noise of the river downwards towards Shaluli Bazaar where we will stop for lunch by the river. After lunch we continue our gradual descent to our final camp.

Day 12
To Pokhara.
Our short walk today is initially uphill to a high point that provides excellent views of the mountains, and of the Seti valley far below us. We walk a short distance to board our bus to Pokhara. We will have the afternoon at leisure in Pokhara before our final dinner with our trekking crew. Overnight Pokhara

Day 13
Fly to Kathmandu.
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our fight to Kathmandu, a spectacular mountain flight along the face of the Himalaya. On arrival we transfer to the hotel.

Day 14
Trip concludes.
Depart Kathmandu. Arrangements cease after breakfast unless further arrangements have been made. Those travelling by aircraft to further destinations will be transferred to the airport

Note:
The above route and estimated times must be seen as a guide only. This itinerary may change at any time due to weather, trail conditions or other reasons. Our guide will always make a final decision after assessing the situation and liaising with our Nepali crew and the group members.

INCLUSIONS

• 13 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 10 dinners
• Airport transfers
• Flight Pokhara/Kathmandu/Pokhara US$148 approx
• Expert bilingual guide
• Group medical kit
• Good quality accommodation in Kathmandu
• Trek pack including sleeping bag, down or fibre filled jacket and insulated mat
• Souvenir kit bag
• Private transportation
• All park entrance fees and trekking permits
• Porters to carry all personal and group equipment
• Porter's insurance
• Sightseeing in Kathmandu
• Site entry fees

TRIP DATES

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