64 Annapurna South
A 16-day Trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal .. covering Mohare-Danda, Khopra-Danda, Muldhai, Macchepuchare-BC (MBC) and Annapurna-BC (ABC)
Panoramic view of Annapurna Range . . . . . . as we approach Mohare-Danda
The Google Earth Image of the Trek path I took .. Khopra (Part-1 in Pink) and ABC (Part-2 in Green) ... The picture shows the ABC Base Camp in a bowl like setting ... nicely encircled by the Annapurna massif. The Placemarks show the Trek Day no (nn) with added "n/h" for Night Halt places.
Background
When I did my first Nepal trek, of Annapurna Circuit in 2003 .. I had not completed the South-leg of that trek, that sometimes includes the ABC Sanctuary; i.e. going into Annapurna Base Camp area. So I decide to do that missing bit in Dec-2016.
But, I realized this was an easy 8-9 days trek from Nayapul, near Pokhara. On asking Suman Neupane of Asian Hiking Team, if I could extend that with some middle-hill treks he suggested a newly opened 'Community-Lodge Eco-Trek' in the foothills of Annapurna South, which he said comprised of stunning Snow Peak views from Mohara & Khopra Danda. He said it may be better to do that part first and then join the ABC Trek directly at Chomrong. It seemed a good suggestion to me, so I decided to do exactly that.
Pre-Trek Prep
I left for Kathmandu on 2-Dec-2016 by a direct Mumbai-Kathmandu Flight of Nepal Airlines. I landed in KTM at 8:30PM and met Suman at the airport and he took me to the 'Hotel Annapurna Lodge' in the same lane as his office in Thamel.
I took a DBL room (#205) with attached bath at NRs 1300/- per night.
Next day (3rd Dec) I met Suman at his office and finalised the trek schedule and he introduced me to Nirmal (Dil) Basnet, who was to be my Porter-Guide for this trek. Later, I went to the "Kalapathar" shop in Thamel with Suman to buy/hire a down-jacket and some other trekking gear.
On 4th Dec I left my Lodge at 5:30AM, with Nirmal Basnet, to catch a Bus to Pokhara dep at 7:00AM. We reached Pokhara around 3:40PM. We went to Hotel Chedhim(?) where Suman had pre-booked a room for me. In the evening I walked around the Lakeside area. Pokhara is a nice place, with a touristy feel.
Next Day 5th Dec 2016 we took a taxi to Nayapul from where this trek started. Day-wise Trek details are in the sub-pages in the box below.
Post-Trek Summary:
This trip turned out to be the most awesome trek of mine! ... in terms of most snow-peaks seen, perfect viewing weather, and good Teahouses everywhere. ABC is reputed to be a great and most accessible Base Camp in just 6 days walk from the road ... but the views that I got from Mohare, Khopra and Muldhai were 'out-of-the world' for me.
Click here to see all Pics of this Trek in Day-wise Albums
Day-Wise detailed Trek Diaries in sub-menu pages under Trek Tour #64 .. see in left column margin Options
Dhaulagiri Main - from the ridge above Nangi
Annapurna range from Mohare Danda
Me and the View ... at Muldhai Viewpoint
Machhepuchhare .... as seen from Muldhai
A 8-min YouTube video .. showing highlights of the entire Khopra & Annapurna ABC trek
Trek Itinerary :
Date ------> Day-# From Place (via) To Place (Walking Hours)
05-Dec-2016 Day-01 Nayapul - Puranogaon - Lespar (8Hrs)
06-Dec-2016 Day-02 Lespar - Nangi (6Hrs)
07-Dec-2016 Day-03 Nangi - Mohare Danda (6Hrs)
08-Dec-2016 Day-04 Mohare - Phulbari - Phalate - Swanta (6Hrs)
09-Dec-2016 Day-05 Swanta - Chistibang - Khopra Danda (7Hrs)
10-Dec-2016 Day-06 Khopra -via UpperTrail - Bayeli (5Hrs)
11-Dec-2016 Day-07 Bayeli - Dobato - Muldhai - Isharu - Tadapani (7Hrs)
12-Dec-2016 Day-08 Tadapani - Chiule - Chomrung (5Hrs)
13-Dec-2016 Day-09 Chomrung - Sinuwa - Bamboo - Dovan (6Hrs)
14-Dec-2016 Day-10 Dovan - Himalaya - Deorali (3Hrs)
15-Dec-2016 Day-11 Deorali - MBC - ABC (4.5Hrs)
16-Dec-2016 Day-12 ABC - MBC - Deorali - Dovan (4.5Hrs)
17-Dec-2016 Day-13 Dovan - Sinuwa - Chomrung (6Hrs)
18-Dec-2016 Day-14 Chomrung - JhinuDanda - NewBridge - Landruk (5Hrs)
19-Dec-2016 Day-15 Landruk - Tolga - Pitam Deorali - Pothana (4Hrs)
20-Dec-2016 Day-16 Pothana - Australian Camp - Kande (2Hrs)
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Total Trek Hours = 84 Hrs and Distance (guesstimate) = 210KMs