ITINERARY F:

Day 1: Trek to Sanctuary Lodge (3750ft / 1150m)

There will be a pre-trip briefing in Pokhara before we transfer by road with guides and porters to our trek start point (1-hour). Our walk will follow a ridgeline in the lower foothills of the Annapurnas with surrounding views of the Pokhara Valley. This route then drops to the Modi River Valley, where our resting point for the night, the Sanctuary Lodge, is located. The lodge has magnificent views of the sacred and unclimbed Fishtail Mountain, or Machhapuchhre, as it is locally known. A picnic lunch is provided reach the Sanctuary Lodge. We'll have lunch at the lodge followed by another opportunity to walk to the village of Birethanti. Alternatively, you may choose to spend the afternoon relaxing by the river bank.Overnight at the Sanctuary Lodge.

Day 2: Trek to Gurung Lodge, Majgaun (4620ft / 1400m)

Following a leisurely breakfast, we leave the Sanctuary lodge and trek to Gurung Lodge at 1,450 meters. We cross the bridge nearby the lodge and start heading up the Modi River. This is a little used trail that starts off on a rocky path along the river bank and then meanders through a forested area. We soon reach a winding stone staircase which we climb. After about ½ an hour on the stair case, we reach level ground at a small farming hamlet on a ridge. We trek along this ridge to the village of Waday. From Waday there are far reaching views of the whole valley. Our trek then descends a short distance to a small but sturdy suspension bridge. After crossing this bridge, we have another uphill push, passing though the small villages of Patlekhet and Majgaun, before arriving at the Gurung Lodge in time for lunch. Trek time: 3-4 hours. After lunch, you may choose to hike with your guide to the nearby village of Tanchok, where there is a traditional house now made into a museum. The contents of the house illustrate how the local people live, with the tools and implements of day to day traditional village life on display. You may also choose to visit the local school. Trek time: 1-2 hours. Overnight at the Gurung Lodge.

Day 3: Trek to Basanta Lodge, Dhampus (5000ft / 1525m)

This morning we start out trekking through the unspoiled village of Patlekhet. Our walk takes us through sub-tropical forests that include tree orchids, rhododendrons and magnolias. Along the way, we will stop at the village of Pothana where many Tibetan traders live and sell their souvenirs. After about 3.5 hours, we arrive at the Basanta Lodge. From the lodge, there are sweeping en route with an estimated late afternoon arrival. (Trek time 3–4 hours).

Day 4: Trek to Pokhara (1000 m)

After breakfast, we depart along the ridge and descend through the wooded hillside and terraced farmland to the valley floor. Trek time: 1.5 hours. We then transfer by vehicle to Pokhara (30 minutes). On the way back to Pokhara, the vehicle can stop on request at a Tibetan refugee camp, where you will have time to explore the temple complex.