Highlights
Best alternative to Annapurna Base Camp trek
Trek to the Khopra Ridge. Discover the beautiful Khair Lake
Take in the stunning views of Annapurna & Dhaulagiri mountain ranges
Explore the beautiful Annapurna region
Itinerary
Hidden trails, majestic peaks, and authentic culture await on the Annapurna & Dhaulagiri trek—a 10-day guided journey through Nepal’s breathtaking heartland. This lesser-known route bypasses the crowds but still includes icons like Ghorepani and Poon Hill, famed for their sunrise views. Traverse Gurung and Magar villages, learning about local customs while marveling at the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The trek is ideal for those who value both solitude and cultural immersion, offering a unique blend of mountain vistas and traditional hospitality. The unique selling point: a quieter, more intimate trekking experience in one of Nepal’s most scenic regions.
day 1 - Drive to Pokhara from Kathmandu
Leave Kathmandu after breakfast and drive to Pokhara, Nepal's lake city. The total journey takes around six to seven hours. We suggest that you spend the evening exploring Pokhara's Lakeside.
day 2 - Drive to Syauli Bazaar from Pokhara & trek to Tadapani
Drive to Syauli Bazaar via Naya Pul and Birethanti after breakfast. The journey takes about two hours. Take the route to Ghandruk on reaching Syauli Bazaar. Cross the suspension bridge above Khumnu Khola to reach Ghandruk, a Gurung village. Enjoy panoramic views of Annapurna South, Fishtail and Hiunchuli peaks. Continue your journey to Tadapani (2,625m) through dense rhododendron forests.
day 3 - Tadapani – Dobato
Start your journey after breakfast. Along with the unique flora and fauna found in the region, you will get the chance to appreciate beautiful views of Mount Dhaulagiri and Mount Annapurna South. Call it a day on reaching Dobato (3,350m), where you will spend the night.
day 4 - Trek to Upper Chistibung
Start the day by descending to Lower Chistibung, hiking through beautiful forests and pastures. Take the uphill trail to Upper Chistibung (2975 meter) after lunch. You might spot the Himalayan monal (Nepal's national bird) and the Himalayan thar along the way.
day 5 - Chistibung – Khopra Ridge
A steep ascent through alpine meadows and pastures takes you to Khopra Ridge. The Kali Gandaki River Valley lies below the ridge while above the ridge you can see Mount Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Mount Nilgiri (7,071m), Barah Shikhar (7,800m) and Mount Annapurna South.
day 6 - Day hike to Khair Lake
This is long day hike and we will start our journey early in the morning. Khair Lake is located an an elevation of 4,500 metres and offers close-up views of the Annapurna Massif. The lake is considered sacred by both the Hindus and the Buddhists. There are a number of shrines around the lake.
day 7 - Trek to Swanta village
A steep, downhill route takes you to Swata (2,200m). Enjoy great views of Mount Dhaulagiri as you hike through terrace fields.
day 8 - Trek to Ghorepani
Your day starts with a downhill journey followed by an ascent to reach Chitre. Continue the trek to Ghorepani, traveling through a rhododendron forest. Your day comes to an end on reaching Ghorepani.
day 9 - Climb Poon Hill, trek to Hile & drive to Pokhara
The day start with an early morning trip to Poon Hill, which is approximately 50 minutes' climb from Ghorepani. Enjoy a majestic sunrise view of mountains in the Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Manaslu ranges.
Return to Ghorepani for breakfast and continue your journey to Hile. Catch a local jeep on reaching Hile and drive to Pokhara.
day 10 - Drive to Kathmandu from Pokhara
Enjoy your breakfast before heading for Kathmandu. Your tour comes to an end on reaching the capital city.
Altitude Map
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Customer Reviews
Read what other travelers have to say about Annapurna & Dhaulagiri Trek
A trip in Nepal we will never forget
We travelled with bookmundi and a local agency in Nepal and booked two packages: a 10-day trek and a 4-day jungle safari. The agency even adapted the original itinerary to our specific requests, and everything was perfectly organized and planned. We were treated like royalty — our guides and porter were outstanding, extremely professional, and genuinely attentive. We developed a friendship with them that went far beyond the professional service they were initially there to provide. The landscapes, the people, and the cultures we discovered were truly beautiful and enriching. This trip will remain an unforgettable memory for us. Don’t hesitate to contact this agency: their prices are unbeatable, and the service is exceptional — very serious, highly responsive before departure and throughout the entire stay. They genuinely go above and beyond to make everything perfect.
8 day trek to Jomsom/Muktinath
We went on a 8 day trek to Jomsom/Muktinath. This trek has lost its popularity over the years because of the jeep road, making it easy to cover the distance by car. But that made the experience less touristic and more authentic for us. With on average 6 hours of hiking every day, the views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri (2 of the 10 highest mountains in the world) were stunning. The nature was blooming: Nepal's national flower Rhododendron was flowering in a beautiful dark red color, and we ate delicious, freshly picked Nepali oranges on the way. The culture was most interesting: some of the architecture of the old villages we passed through made you feel like you were going back in time. Most of the people still work by hand. We saw women next to the road smashing large rocks into smaller ones using a hammer! Special thanks to our guide Dev, who is very knowledgeable and caring, and porter/hero Nema, who saved my girlfriends hat which fell into a canyon after a strong wind caught it. We enjoyed every minute with them!
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