Annapurna Sanctuary

[Lorenzo]

I am planning to go trekking on the Annapurna Sanctuary next September.
I would like to know whether is better to go from Dhampus to the Annapurna base camp and back from Ghorepani and Birethanti or viceversa?
Also can you tell me if is it whorhtwhile to visit ghandruk or is better to make a shorter way from Chomrong to Tadapani and then to Ghorapani?
Thanks,

Lorenzo

[Daniel]

Lorenzo,
Everyone seems to have their preferences depending on the time they have, etc. If you have 11-12 days, thay usually the most popular thing is going thourhg Ghorepani/Poon Hill first, than cutting across to Gandruk etc, and returning though Dampus.
Last year, having only a limited time, I took a taxi from Pokhara to Naya Pul, just above Birethanti, than trough Birethanti, Gandruk, Chomrong, Dovan, etc to Machapuchare BC and Annapurna BC in the Sanctuary. For the return we have more or less reatraced our stps. My 12 year old son and I have done this in 7 days, but it would be more confortable in 8. I know people who have done it in 5.
It would be wise to talk to locals, lodge owners and other trekkers in relation to the infamous stretch betseen Hinku Cave and Deurali. For an hour or so, you are going right unde the peak of Hinchuli, where snow has the habit of congregating in large quantities towards the end of the monsoon, and than fall very quickly on unaware trekkers. Three australians have died there in March 2000, and every other year or so someone dies there at the beginning (eg September) or the end of the trekking season.
This should by no means put you off the trek. It is only the above mentioned section that can be dangerous, and not all the time. Talking to the locals,
walking that particular section very early in the morning before it gets warm, all help to avoid any unpleasant experiences.



Whichever way you choose to go, have fun! It is an amazing area.
Cheers

[Andrées]

Hi Lorenzo, If you are Starting from Birethanti, going by Gorepani, you will have very strong legs when you reach base camp and a better aclimatation. So thats not so a bad idea. and on the way back you would ever enyoy fare more the hotsprings in Jinu Danda. In fact I would look mainly at the weather. Gorepani and Poon hill are only nice, when You have a good view. So if the weather seems to be stable for some days (ask in your lodge in Pokhara) go first to Gorepani. If not, go to Damphus. The weather in ABC is very changing, plan some extra day in case that there is no good weather, it absolutly worth to wait ther for a good view, its just breathtaking an surely one of the best mountainviews in the world.
Try absolutely to visit Ghandruk. There are to old village parts wich are worth to be seen. On is around ACAP and the ever more beautiful is about 15 min further west. Unfortuonally the main trekking just bypass these marvelous villages. So ask lodge owners, guides and porters, you can not see the the villages from the trekking path. In the old village there are two good lodges worth staying, uphill the "excellent view lodge" with a wonderfull flower garden an in the village "namaste lodge" with good cakes. If you are coming from gorepani, it would be a good idea to go first from Tadapani to Ghandruck, stay there the night and continue the next day to chomrong.
Have a nice trek in this marvelous country
Andrées
(PS you can have a look to some pictures of Gorepani in my site www.nepal-dia.de , Ghandruk and ABC will follow in the next weeks)

[Prasanta]

Hello Lorenzo,
Many greetings from Nepal !!

I am trekking guide , have been leading groups from long time.

In my experiences, and refers by my many friends whom I lead to Sanctuary treks,
they prefer to start the trip from Pokhara Dhampus-Chomrong-ABC back to Tadapani -Ghorepani -trek down to tikhedhunga- birethanti- Pokhara is very perfect.

I Every time make plan to do same route when I have to lead them.
One thing is that if the weather is not good then it is not worth to go ABC.

Wish you all the best,

Thanks !

[jacques]

I like what you have to say and i will be there in late sept this year is there a way to get a hold of you? were are you based out of? JM