Machhapuchhre Base Camp Trek (11 Days)

Overview And Highlights

Trip Facts

Duration

11 Days

Trip Type

Lodge Trek

Grade

Moderate

Max. Elevation

4000 m.

Transportation

Tourist Bus & Private Vehicle

Min. Group Size

1 or more

Best Season

Spring and Autumn

Identified and developed by TAAN western Regional Chapter, Pokhara, Machhapuchhre Base Camp Trek starts and ends at Pokhara, the panoramic town west of Kathmandu. As the name suggests, the Macchapuchre Base Camp trek takes you to the base camp of Mt. Machhapuchre or Mt. Fishtail (6993m). Mt. Fishtail is a holy mountain among local Gurung people, has never been climbed.

The view of Machhapuchhre peak and the Annapurna range including the Annapurna I (8,091 m) is phenomenal.

The trek passes through alpine vegetation with forests of rhododendron, oak and maple. The highest altitude reached during the trek is 3700m. The trekking trail is comparatively less crowded and is graded moderate to slightly difficult.

Day to Day Itinerary

Day1Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (914m.) takes about six hours.

Food/Meals

Breakfast & Lunch

Accommodation

Hotel

Max Elevation

914 m.

Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (914m.) takes about six hours. This drive will take most of the morning, leaving much of the afternoon to explore the various sites of Pokhara. Stay overnight at hotel.

Day2Drive from Pokara to Hemja Milanchok to Anante Thani (1100m.)

Food/Meals

Breakfast/lunch/dinner

Accommodation

Lodge

Max Elevation

1100 m.

Drive from Pokara to Hemja Milanchok takes 20 minutes. Your trek begins from Hemja Milanchok to Lachok where you stop for lunch and then on to end the days trek in Anante Thati. Along the way enjoy views of Nepal's rice terraces. You will also pass over the Mardi Khola River via suspension bridge. Stay overnight in camp.

Day3From Anante Thati you trek to Lalka (2250m.) passing thru Ribhan which is the last village on the trail.

Food/Meals

Breakfast/lunch/dinner

Accommodation

Lodge

Max Elevation

2250 m.

From Anante Thati you trek to Lalka (2250m.) passing thru Ribhan which is the last village on the trail. This day is ascending trail the entire way takes six hours. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day4Trek from Lalka to Khumai Danda (3245m.) which takes 7 hours.

Food/Meals

Breakfast/lunch/dinner

Accommodation

Lodge

Max Elevation

3245 m.

Trek from Lalka to Khumai Danda (3245m.) which takes 7 hours. This day is a completely ascending trail as well with some place being extremely steep. The views you can obtain at the end of the day are worth it with panoramic views of entire northern portion of the Annapurna range. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day5Trek from Khumai Danda to Campsite (3699m.) which take 6 hours on a completely ascending trail.

Food/Meals

Breakfast/lunch/dinner

Accommodation

Lodge

Max Elevation

3699 m.

Trek from Khumai Danda to Campsite (3699m.) which take 6 hours on a completely ascending trail. During winter months it is difficult to find water in this area. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day6Trek from Campsite to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (4000m.) takes 5 hours.

Food/Meals

Breakfast/lunch/dinner

Accommodation

Lodge

Max Elevation

4000 m.

Trek from Campsite to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (4000m.) takes 5 hours. From here you have fantastic views of all the mountains in the Annapurna Range including Machhapuchhre, Lumjung, Annapurna I, II, and III as well as many other peaks. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day7Trek from Machhapuchhre Base Camp to Pilicho Camp (2900m.) which takes 6 hours.

Food/Meals

Breakfast/lunch/dinner

Accommodation

Lodge

Max Elevation

2900 m.

This day your trail takes you from Machhapuchhre Base Camp to Pilicho Camp (2900m.) which takes 6 hours. This is a completely descending path with very steep portions. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day8Trek from Pilicho Camp to Karuwa (1380m.) takes 4 hours on a completely descending trail.

Food/Meals

Breakfast/lunch/dinner

Accommodation

Lodge

Max Elevation

1380 m.

From Pilicho Camp, you trek to Karuwa (1380m) takes 4 hours on a completely descending trail. Some areas are very steep on this day as well. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day9Trek from Karuwa to Ghachok (1254m.) takes 5 hours

Food/Meals

Breakfast/lunch/dinner

Accommodation

Lodge

Max Elevation

1254 m.

Trek from Karuwa to Ghachok (1254m) takes 5 hours. Today's trek is very nice walking across mostly flat land along the bank of the Seti River. You will pass thru Kharpani which has a relaxing hot spring to enjoy along your trail. You will also pass thru many local villages and farmland. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day10Trek from Ghachok back to Hemja Milanchok to retrieve your vehicle back to Pokhara.

Food/Meals

Breakfast & Lunch

Accommodation

Hotel

Max Elevation

1100 m.

Trek from Ghachok back to Hemja Milanchok to retrieve your vehicle back to Pokhara. Today you can enjoy the views of Machhapuchhre as well as Annapurna II and III while walking along the bank of the Seti River and the beautiful rice terraces. Spend the night at hotel in Pokhara.

Day11Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist mini bus that takes about seven hours.

Food/Meals

Breakfast & Lunch

Max Elevation

1400 m.

Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist mini bus that takes about seven hours. While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli, Dumre, Muglin and Kurintar where Nepal's first Cable car is operated to reach to Manakamana Temple. En- route, you can enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to capital city.

Price includes the following services

Airport pick-up and drop-off services by private vehicle
2 night hotel accommodation with breakfast with breakfast
Trekking guide
One porter for every 2 trekking participants (1 porter carries 25 kilograms of luggage)
All meals three times a day (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
Accommodation in teahouses (lodges) during the trek
Trekking equipments: Sleeping bags, down jackets, duffle bags and trekking poles
Entry Permit for Annapurna conservation Area (ACAP)
Trekkers' Information Management system (TIMS) card
All land transportation: Kathmandu – Pokhara – Kathmandu by deluxe A/C tourist bus and Pokhara – Hemja and Hemja – Pokhara by private vehicle
Insurance and equipments for all guides and porters
First aid kit
Tax, VAT and our service charge
Rescue assistance (In case of emergency, we will organize prompt and professional rescue services. To arrange timely evacuation/rescue by helicopter, you must be well insured from a reliable travel insurance company that covers both helicopter evacuation and medical treatment cost.)
Farewell dinner in Kathmandu with live cultural performance at authentic Nepali restaurant on the last evening
Souvenir

Service Excludes

Personal nature expenses (Telephone calls, internet, toiletries, battery recharge, hot shower, laundry, soft drinks, beers and any alcoholic beverages)
Travel insurance
Tips for involved staffs
Lunch and dinner in Pokhara
Meals and hotel accommodation in Kathmandu (even in case of early arrival or late departure, early return from trekking due to any personal reason than the scheduled itinerary)

Explore the route

Altitude & route map

Select a preview to open a large, zoomable view.

Machhapuchhre Base Camp Trek (11 Days) Altitude Graph

Additional Information

Below is a list of equipment and clothing required for trekking. The necessity of these items depends on the type, altitude, timing and destination of trekking. Appropriate trekking gears are not only required for the comfort/pleasure of your trek but also to improve safety factor. Please have a look over these items in order to fully prepare and thoroughly enjoy the trekking.

General Items:
Daypack, Rucksack, Sleeping bag, Duffel bag, Walking Poles, walking boots, sandals, Toiletries (Soaps, Toilet papers, Sanitizers, toothpaste, tooth brush, etc.)

Clothing Items:
Thermal underwear, Down jacket, Shorts, Trekking trousers, Towels, Woolen gloves, Gaiters, Fleece jacket or Pullover, Wind/water proof jacket, Raincoat, Warm socks, buff

Sun-worn Items:
Sun hat, Sunglasses, Snow goggles, Sunscreen, Lip balm

Gadgets:
Headlamp, Flash light, Binoculars, Cameras (chargers and batteries),

Liquid/Snacks:
Water bottle/bladder, Water purification Iodine tablets, Energy bars and snacks

Medical Essentials:
First Aid Kit

Optional:
Altimeter, Compass, Binoculars, Books/magazines, GPS, Pocket knife, Candles (for lodges), Notebook with pencil/pen, etc

Additional items for camping trek:
Tent, Stove and fuel, Utensils for cooking, eating and drinking, sleeping mattresses

Note: We can also provide sleeping bag, down jacket, duffel bag, walking poles, and First Aid Kit in case if you don’t have one. These items are inclusive of total package price.