The Annapurna North Base Camp Trek, also known as the Maurice Herzog Trail, is a hidden gem in the renowned Annapurna region. This unexplored trekking route offers pristine natural beauty and a sense of adventure for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience. Thanks to the combined efforts of the Annapurna Rural Municipality, Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal, Annapurna Conservation Area Project, the Ministry of Tourism, and local communities.
This historic trek route has recently been made accessible to eager trekkers and is being actively promoted to various groups, travel agencies, and individual trekkers. “It follows in the historic footsteps of a 1950 French expedition led by esteemed mountaineer Maurice Herzog, the first to successfully climb Annapurna I and the first-ever ascent of an 8,000m peak. Annapurna North Base Camp is an alternative trail in the Annapurna region, this trek offers a thrilling and unique adventure experience."
Trekking to Annapurna North Base Camp allows you to explore the beautiful Himalayas and enjoy panoramic views of Mt. Annapurna I (8091m), Baraha Shikhar Chuli (Fang) (7647m), Khangsar Khang (7485m), Tarke Khang (7193m), Tilicho Peak (7124m), Nilgiri South (6839m), Nilgiri Center (6940m), and Nilgiri North (7061m). You can also experience natural hot springs and immerse yourself in the Gurung culture of the region. It's an unforgettable adventure waiting for you.
Why You Will Love the North Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
Stunning Natural Beauty:
Despite being moderately challenging, the trek offers breathtaking views of the Himalayas, including Annapurna I, Mount Tilicho, and the Nilgiri range.
Scenic Trails:
The path winds through dense green forests, past waterfalls, hot springs, caves, and glaciers.
Narchyang Lake:
Visit the picturesque Narchyang Lake, which remains frozen during the winter months.
Rich Biodiversity:
The area is teeming with wildlife such as musk deer, snow leopards, bears, wild dogs, and blue sheep.
The Annapurna North Base Camp Trek Altitude Profile.
The journey will begin from Kathmandu early in the morning. We will take a flight to Pokhara and then drive to Tatopani, which will take about 3 hours. From Pokhara, we will continue driving on a dirt road to Humkhola and follow the Maurice Herzog trail route to reach the north base camp at an altitude of 4190m of Annapurna I (8091m) Base Camp. Then, we will return to Tatopani using the same route.
This trekking route is newly discovered and less traveled. As of now, there are no lodges or hotels set up in the area beyond the Annapurna North Base Camp route. Therefore, travelers are advised to arrange for their own food and camping accommodations. Visit Himalaya Treks specializes in providing all the necessary administrative and logistical support. Additionally, we offer highly skilled and professional trekking guides, as well as assistant guides, Cooks, Cook helpers, and a necessary supporter’s team.
The best time to trek Annapurna North base Camp.
The best time for the Annapurna North Base Camp Trek is during Spring (March-May) and October to mid-December in the Autumn season. This is because the weather is mild, with lower chances of rainfall, snowfall, and natural disasters. It's not recommended to trek here during the Monsoon and Winter during the snowfall time.
Required Trekking Permits.
Remember, two permits are required for the Annapurna North Base Camp Trek: the Annapurna Conservation Entry Permit (ACAP) and the Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS). Visit Himalaya Treks will manage the issuing and purchasing of necessary permits, which will be provided to you after the completion of the trek. Please note that all permits are non-changeable and non-transferable, and they are valid until your exit. You are not allowed to re-enter with these permits once you have exited.
Annapurna North Base Camp Trek is the perfect Nepal adventure for anyone who has only a short time for trekking and Hiking in Nepal but wants to experience trekking right up to the foot of some of the world’s highest mountains and off-the-beaten-path and high mountain treks in Nepal.
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek Short Itinerary,
Day 01: Arrive at Kathmandu TIA, receive at the airport, and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation day stay overnight at Kathmandu.
Day 03: Fly to Pokhara and drive to Tatopani (Hot Spring) 1190m stay overnight at a Hotel.
Day 04: Drive to Humkhola 2883 m about 2:30 hours and trek to Sandikharka 3160m about 3 hours stay overnight at Camp.
Day 05: Trek to Busketmela 3651m about 4 hours stay overnight at Camp.
Day 06: Trek to Narchyang Lake 4060m about 3 hours overnight at Camp.
Day 07: Full-day exploration day around Annapurna North Base Camp and back to Narchyang Lake stay overnight at Camp.
Day 08: Trek Back to Sandikharka 3160 meters about 00 hours overnight at Camp.
Day 09: Trek back to Humkhola for about 2 hours and drive back to Pokhara for 5/6 Hours stay overnight at the Hotel.
Day 10: Explore around Pokhara City and stay overnight at the Hotel.
Day 11: After Breakfast fly back to Kathmandu, receive at the Airport transfer to the Hotel stay overnight at the Hotel.
Day 12: Final Departure.
Upon your arrival, a representative from Visit Himalaya Treks will be waiting for you outside the arrival terminal with the company's display board. They will then transfer you to your hotel stay overnight at the Hotel.
Full-day guided tour to visit historical and spiritual attractions listed as World Heritage Sites. After sightseeing, the trek leader will meet the group for a detailed briefing about the Annapurna North Base Camp Trek. All the necessary information about the trek will be provided. (Overnight at a hotel. Breakfast included).
After breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for the short scenic flight to Pokhara for about 25 minutes and after reaching Pokhara you will have Lunch and start taking the jeep journey to Tatopani. Being set on the banks of picturesque Phewa Tal (lake) and enjoying magnificent views of the Annapurna range of mountains. The views are always interesting and impressive as you traverse.
The scenic journey passes through hamlets, villages, and highly cultivated terraced farmland. The Modhi Khola joins the Kali Gandaki River Valley to arrive at the town of Beni. This is the District headquarters of Myagdi District. It should take around two to two and a half hours to Beni, and another hour or so to Tatopani to stay overnight at Hotel.
After leaving Tatopani, you cross a girder bridge and drive on a dirt road through farmland and small villages. The road then begins to climb, carved out of cliff faces. It ends just above the Humkhola Hydro project, where you'll start the trek.
The trek path is well-constructed and delightful. The valley becomes narrower as you progress, and you'll cross the river twice on suspension bridges. Upon reaching Sandhi Kharka, you'll find a simple, recently built wooden shelter used by the crew as a kitchen and sleeping quarters. Despite being surrounded by forest, you'll still get glimpses of large peaks and imposing cliffs. stay overnight at Camp.
Today's scenery was absolutely breathtaking! To start off, you'll cross a sturdy suspension bridge over the river. You'll then encounter well-built steps below cliffs and above a small waterfall as you head north. Leaving the forest behind, the terrain becomes more open with scrub and a rockier path. Somewhere on the left, you'll find the spot where Herzog and his expedition descended from the Fanche Pass on their way to Annapurna.
Near this point, you'll come across a sign marking the "Sky Caves," which are a peculiar set of high caves formed by the erosion of ancient glacial moraine. Maps may refer to them as Narchang Pit Hole. The views of the Annapurnas and Annapurna Fang, a peak on the great Annapurna ridge, at 7,647m/25,089ft, are absolutely stunning from here. Continuing further, you'll see a striking red waterfall cascading over a vertical cliff, with the path passing close by. As you look around, you'll be surrounded by enormous cliffs and prominent Himalayan peaks peeking over ridges. Throughout your walk, Tilicho Peak will steadily grow larger on the horizon. Crossing a remarkable suspension bridge will bring you to Bhusket Mela stay overnight at Camp.
"Start another wonderful day. The pathway is well-made and mostly clear, gradually ascending most of the time. There are a few steep parts that require caution, but overall it's a good trail. It roughly follows the roaring river with its impressive boulders. There are also unique ribbon waterfalls and you'll pass by a magnificent yellow sandstone cliff with a waterfall cascading down a chute on its left-hand side."
Finally, you come to a rise and a sign that says Kagbhusundi Danda, 4,060m/13,320ft, and there below is Narchang Lake. Black, regular, horizontal, buttresses strong enough to support the weight of Tilicho Peak. Annapurna’s receding glaciers feed the lake. It was from here that in 1950 the French mounted their audacious climb of the world’s 10th-highest peak, the first of the 8,000m peaks to be climbed successfully. Tonight, you are camping at the original base camp used by Herzog's French team in 1950. Tomorrow you will explore the modern-day base camp and the French Advance Base Camp. If time and inclination allow you could explore some way towards Nilgiri as well. Stay overnight at Camp.
Just after breakfast, carry out drinking water Botel and some snacks and head toward Annapurna Base Camp and Advance Franch Annapurna Base Camp. You will almost certainly end the day celebrating the fact that few foreigners have been here before you and you have seen what it is like to be high up in a remote Himalayan valley. Visiting Annapurna North Base Camp, and around back to Camp at Narchyang Lake stay overnight at Camp.
You have the pleasure now of enjoying the descent of the huge valley and gorges you labored up on your way to pay obeisance to the Gods of Annapurna. It may take about 3 hours to reach Bhusket Mela and continue to Sadhi Kharka for about another 2 and a half hours to stay overnight at Camp.
A steep descent leads to Futfute Waterfall across the suspension bridge close to Futfute Waterfall to follow the undulating path up until Guranse Danda then again descends all the way down to Nilgiri River and after crossing the river gradually down to Humkhola. Our vehicle awaited us at Humkhola and a 5/6 hours drive led us to Pokhara. Arrived at Pokhara, checked in the hotel, and leisurely evening stay overnight at Hotel Pokhara.
Experience the beauty of Pokhara with a half-day guided tour of its renowned and historic sites, followed by a relaxing afternoon. For thrill-seekers, Pokhara offers a range of adventure activities including paragliding, white water rafting, and the opportunity to ride the world’s most extreme zip line overnight at Pokhara at Hotel.
A 25-minute flight to Kathmandu and a whole day to explore the capital. Visit some of the most wonderful places around Kathmandu Valley or last-minute shopping overnight at Kathmandu Hotel.
A representative from Visit Himalaya Treks Pvt. Ltd. will check your flight tickets and transfer you to the airport three hours from your flight with the hope of seeing you again in the future.
Arrival and Departure land transport by Private Car, Van, Jeep, Hice.
Four Nights’ twin-sharing Accommodation in Kathmandu (2 nights before the trek and 2 nights after the trek on BB Basis.
One Night Accommodation in Pokhara on BB Basis.
Sightseeing in Kathmandu with a historical guide and necessary land transport.
Kathmandu Pokhara – Kathmandu round fare domestic flight ticket.
Pokhara - Tatopani - Humkhola - Pokhara Land Transport.
Staffs Land Transport – Kathmandu - Humkhola - Kathmandu with gears.
All necessary gear arrangements, including a tent, kitchen tent, dining tent, toilet tent, table, and chair.
Tented accommodation (2 people in 1 tent) including the mattress.
All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea coffee while on the trek) are served by our trekking cook.
Experience Guide including his accommodation, food, salary, and insurance.
Cook, Helpers, porters including accommodation, food, salary, insurance.
Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) entrance Fees and TIMS Card.
First Aid Kit.
Government taxes and service charges.
Nepal entry visa fees.
Personal travel insurance (Compulsory).
Entrances fee during the sightseeing in Kathmandu.
Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Personal expenses like personal tips for drivers and Trekking staff.
Early arrival and late departure accommodation.
Gears renting cost if needed like a sleeping bag, down jacket, etc.
Start Dates are your arrival date in Nepal and End Dates are the returning date from Nepal.
The set departure dates listed are specially quoted and specified for group joining option. Let us know if the set departure dates are not suitable for you- another dates which are suitable for you can certainly be added by us.
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