Pokhara was a popular lakeside tourist town in the western part of Nepal and the jump-off point to our Annapurna Sanctuary Trek. We spent the first few days on preparing for our trek, which mostly involved obtaining a trekking permit and other stuff needed.

It was cloudy everyday for most of the day in Pokhara, so we did not get to see the famed view of the Annapurna Himalayas from any of the viewing points. With nothing better to do, we mostly spent our days walking along the scenic lakeside or hanging out at the hostel.

We finished the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek in just six days (four days up and two days down). It was suggested as a seven to eleven-day trek but we trekked fast and long hours each day. We also did not suffer from altitude sickness, which saved us the delay of acclimatizing, and it rained everyday for most of the day, which did leave a lot of long photo stops.

I bought a very light backpack and only brought essentials. The total weight I carried was around three to five kilograms. I wore barefoot running shoes, which was fine because most of the trail was either cemented, cobbled, or not that rough. We didn’t have to bring tents or packed food because there were accommodations (tea houses) along the whole way to ABC where we could get a cozy room and dine at. Since it was raining a lot, I was thankful that I brought reliable Goretex jacket and pants (bought for a very cheap price in Kathmandu).

Day 1

Kathmandu to Pokhara

• 6:30am – Ride taxi to bus pick-up area

• 7am to 3:00pm – Ride bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara
  • Brunch stopover
  • Lunch stopover

• 3pm – Arrival at Pokhara bus station
• Ride taxi to lakeside area

Pokhara Hostel Check-in

• Check-in at Horizon Guest House
  • Double room with private TB – R500

Day 2 to 4

Pokhara Lakeside

• Buy trekking equipment

Gompa

• Rent motorcycle  – R500 for half day
  • Gas refill – R260

Get Trekking Permits

• Annapurna Sanctuary Trekking Permit – R2,000
  • Two passport photos needed
• TIMS card – R2,000

Day 5 to 10

Annapurna Sanctuary Base Camp Trek

Day 5

• Ride taxi to bus stop – R250
• 8am to 10am – Ride bus to Nayapul
• Trek to Permit and TIMS card checkpoint

• Trek
  • Nayapol
  • Birethani
  • Chimrung
  • Syauli Bazaar
  • Kilyu
  • Tamle
  • Siwai
    • Lunch stop at New Siwai Restaurant
• Trek
  • Kyumi
  • 5pm – New Bridge

• Check-in at Kalapana Guest House
  • Triple room – R300

• Eat at Kalapana Guest House – R400

Day 6

• 6:30am onwards – Trek
  • New Bridge
  • Jhinudanda
    • Chai – R50
  • Taulung
  • Chomrong
    • Eat at Heaven View Guest House – R300
  • Sinuwa
    • Chai – R60
  • Bamboo
• 4:30pm – Check-in at Trekker’s Guest House
  • Triple room with shared TB – R360
  • Hot shower – R150

Day 7

• Trek
  • Bamboo
  • Himalaya
    • Eat at Tea House
  • MBC
• Check-in at Macchapucchre Guest House
  • Triple room – R300

Day 8

• Trek
  • ABC
    • Lunch
• Check-in at tea house in ABC

Day 9

• Sunrise at ABC
• Trek
  • ABC to Chomrong

Day 10

• Trek
  • Chomrong to Jhinudanda
  • Jhinudanda Hot Springs – R50
  • Jhinudanda to Sinuwa
• Ride shared jeep from Sinuwa to Pokhara – R6,000 per jeep (shared by 6 persons)

Day 11 to 13

Pokhara Lakeside

Day 14

Pokhara to Kathmandu

• 7am – Ride taxi to Damside bus station – R150
• 7:30am to 4pm – Ride bus from Pokhara to Kathmandu