Trek to Tent Peak Base Camp

Large number of foreign tourists come to Nepal every year to enjoy pristine beauty, magnificent snow-capped mountain peaks, and timeless culture and tradition of local people. Some chose to enjoy pleasure tours in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan or Lumbini, while some venture northern parts of the country for some hardcore adventure. Nepal offers different adventure activities ranging from trekking and rafting to climbing tall mountain peaks. Trekking is the best way to enjoy Nepal. There are many trekking trails in the country which take you to the closest possible place of these high mountains crossing fast flowing rivers and passing through lush green forests, rugged terrains and beautiful villages. Tent Peak-Annapurna Sancturary Trek is one of many trekking trails that offers views of beautiful mountain ranges and allows you to experience culture and hospitality of the local people. Here is the itinerary of the trek to the Tent Peak Base Camp.

 

Day 1 — Kathmandu to Pokhara (820 m)

The first day of the trip begins with a six-hour drive (around 200 km) to Pokhara along the Prithvi Highway from Kathmandu. Passing through the highway, you will get to see view of beautiful mountain ranges, rafting in Trishuli river and also a cable car to the famous Manakamana Temple on the way. After crossing a bridge over Trishuli river at Muglin, the road passes through Abu Khaireni, Dumre Bazaar and Damauli before reaching Pokhara.

The lake city of Pokhara always mesmerizes its visitors with the view of beautiful mountains like Annapurna South (7219 m), Annapurna IV (7525 m), Hiunchuli (6434 m), Machhapuchhre (6995 m), Annapurna II (7937 m) and Lamjung Himal (6893 m). On a clear day, the reflection of the Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna range on Fewa Lake can leave anyone spellbound. The day ends with some excursion in the lakeside area.

Day 2 — Pokhara to Patana (820-1820 m)

Second day begins with an hour-long ride to Phedi from where the trek officially starts. The trek commences with an uphill climb and on the way you can see beautiful mountains and enjoy view of Pokhara Valley in a distant horizon. After a walk of about four hours, you reach a beautiful Gurung settlement called Dhampus. Located at an altitude of 1650 m, Dhampus is popular among trekkers in the area as it provides visitors with a panoramic view of mountain ranges and natural landscapes. From there, a trek of around four hours will take you to Patana (1820 m). Patana is a beautiful village surrounded by lush green forests. It offers view of beautiful mountains.

 

Day 3 — Patana to Jhinu Danda (1780 m)

On the third day, the trek climbs to Deurali (2100 m) which has many hotels and lodges. A walk of around an hour from Deurali through lush green forests will take you to Tolka Village and then to Landruk. Landruk (1565 m) is an old Gurung settlement. It was a popular resting stop for trekkers in the past. But due to reach of road, it has now become the gateway to the Mardi Himal Trek and Ghandruk as well. As the village is surrounded by forests, you can see different species of flora and fauna here. After taking rest for a while, you head toward your destination. Shortly after leaving Landruk village, you cross Modi Khola and walk through forested trail before reaching Sano Gaun. From here the trail is slightly uphill. After crossing Kimrong Khola, you reach Jhini Danda (1780 m), your destination for the day. In the evening, you can take a dip in a hot spring near the village. Locals believe that a dip in the hot springs will take all our illnesses.

 

Day 4 — Jhinu Danda to Dobhan (2600 m)

You begin your trek early toward by setting off toward Chhomrong (2170 m). The walk takes around an hour. From Chhomrong, you can enjoy beautiful view of Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre and Himchuli peaks. The village also has telephone and Internet facility. From Chhomrong, you descend to Chhomrong Khola. After crossing the river, the trail takes uphill toward Sinuwa (2360 m). From Sinuwa, the trek continues through forests offering you the opportunity to see different varieties of flora and fauna. After a trek of around two hours from Sinuwa, you reach Bambo village (2310 m). There are some good lodges in this village. A walk of about one and half hours will take you to Dobhan (2600 m). Dobhan is surrounded by lush green forest and it provides you peace and tranquil environment.

Day 5 — Dobhan-Deurali (3200 m)

This is going to be one of the toughest days of the trek. You walk for around seven hours on this day. On this day, you feel the mountains coming closer as you continue your walk. The trail passes through two hills and we can see Rhododendron forest throughout the day. After reaching Deurali, you are greeted with beautiful landscapes which will make you forget the tiring day.

 

Day 6 — Deurali-MBC (3700 m)

You begin the trek to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC) early in the morning. The trek takes around four hours. But you have to be careful as the chances of catching altitude sickness are very high. After a climb of few hours from Deurali, the trail is almost straight till the MBC. MBC offers breathtaking and closest possible views of Machhapuchhre (6995 m), Tent Peak (5695 m), Annapurna III (7555 m), Gandharba Chuli (6248 m), Annapurna South (7219 m) and Bharha Chuli (7647 m). You camp at the MBC for the night.

 

Day 7 — MBC to ABC (4130 m)

Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) can be reached after a trek of few hours from MBC. It is usually the final destination of this trial for most of the trekkers. You take a night halt at ABC, as your plan is to reach the base camp of Tent Peak. ABC offers beautiful views of Annapurna I (8091 m) and Singu Chuli (6501 m) as well as other peaks seen from MBC.

Day 8-ABC to Tent Peak Base Camp (4400 m)

Trek on this day is chilling. Your guides will use climbing guide rope on this year as you will encounter a large rock on the middle of the trail. If you think things will be easier after crossing the rock face, you are wrong. The trek becomes treacherous as you have to walk for hours through the Annapurna South Glacier. After a trek of around five hours, you finally reach the Tent Peak Base Camp. Accommodation is in tent.

 

Day 9 — Tent Peak Base Camp to High Camp (4800 m)

The trail on this day is difficult and very narrow. As you are walking into thin air, it will take quite a time to reach High Camp (4800 m). From the High Camp, you see surrounding peaks much smaller than they seem from the distance. The mountain ranges seen from ABC and MBC can be seen from the High Camp.

 

Day 10 — High Camp

Mountaineers interested to climb Tent Peak must set off early in the morning, say at around 3 am. Accommodation is in tents.

 

Day 11 — High Camp-MBC (3700 m)

You start descent to MBC on this day. The trial is narrow and passes through rock face. You take packed lunch at the Annapunra South Glacier and continue to descend after crossing the challenging rock face with the help of ropes. The trek continues till you reach MBC.

 

Day 12 — MBC to Sinuwa (1940 m)

You set off early in the morning as it’s going to be a long day trek mostly through forests. You will reach Sinuwa late in the evening.

Day 13 Sinuwa to Ghandruk

The trek is long on this day as well. You reach Chhomrong and continue the trek after crossing Kumrung Khola and walking to Kimrung Danda. After resting there for a while, the trek continues and you reach Ghandruk after a walk of around two hours. The Gurung settlement of Ghandruk is very popular among trekkers as the village offers breathtaking view of snowcapped mountains. There are beautiful lodges and home-stay facility in Ghandruk. Here you can enjoy the finest Gurung hospitality, culture, tradition and cuisine.

 

Day 14 — Ghandruk to Pokhara

This is the final day of the fortnight-long trek. After breakfast, you can visit Gurung museum in the village which will help you to know more about Gurung history, culture and tradition. From Ghandruk, the walk continues to Nayapul through Kimche, Syauli Bazar and Birethati. From Nayapul, you take a jeep to reach to your hotel in Pokhara.