“A Photo Journal of a Dream Fulfilled at 4,130 Metres”
🚆 Howrah → Gorakhpur → 🚌 Pokhara → Nayapul → 🥾 Ghandruk → Chhomrong → Dovan → Himalaya → Deurali → 🏔️ Machapuchare Base Camp (MBC) → 🏔️ Annapurna Base Camp (ABC)
A 13-Day Journey – 11th to 23rd March 2023
WALKING INTO THE AMPHITHEATRE OF THE HIMALAYAS
ABC Trek – Day-wise Short Itinerary
Day 1 (11 Mar): Kolkata (2:30 PM) → Gorakhpur by Train 15051; overnight journey.
Day 2 (12 Mar): Gorakhpur (10 AM) → Nautanwa (1.5 hr train) → Sunauli Border (15 min ) → Nepal Entry → Pokhara, ~10 hr overnight).
Day 3 (13 Mar): Pokhara (4 AM, ~820 m) → Ghandruk (1,940 m, drive ~2.5 hr) → Chomrong (2,340 m); overnight stay.
Day 4 (14 Mar): Chomrong (2,340 m) → Sinuwa → Bamboo (~2,335 m); trek ~6 hr; overnight stay.
Day 5 (15 Mar): Bamboo (2,335 m) → Dovan → Himalaya (2,850 m); trek ~6 hr; overnight stay.
Day 6 (16 Mar): Himalaya (2,850 m) → Deurali → MBC (3,750 m); trek ~6 hr; overnight stay.
Day 7 (17 Mar): MBC (3,750 m) → ABC (4,130 m) → Deurali → Himalaya → Dovan → Sinuwa (2,360 m); trek ~8 hr; overnight stay.
Day 8 (18 Mar): Sinuwa (2,360 m) → Jhinu/Ghandruk (~1,650 m) → Pokhara (~820 m); trek + drive ~7 hr; overnight stay.
Day 9 (19 Mar): Pokhara (~820 m) → Leisure day + visit to Shanti Stupa; sightseeing and relaxation.
Day 10 (20 Mar): Pokhara (~820 m) → Full-day sightseeing, Lakeside exploration and shopping.
Day 11 (21 Mar): Pokhara → Raxaul Border; overnight journey ~12 hr, arrival around 5 AM.
Day 12 (22 Mar): Raxaul → Howrah by Train 13022 Mithila Express; departure around 10:10 AM; overnight journey.
Day 13 (23 Mar): Arrival at Howrah in the early morning.
End of ABC Trek Adventure!
Annapurna called, and I answered like this...
Crossing Into the Hills —
A Suspension Bridge Over the Valley
You climb through exhaustion to discover wonder; you endure hardship to earn a view; you leave behind the familiar, one stone step at a time, and enter a world where the mountains seem to touch the sky. On the Annapurna Base Camp trail, the path to the mountains is rarely easy. These rough-hewn stone steps climb relentlessly along the mountainside, each uneven slab demanding another measure of strength, patience, and determination. The legs grow heavy, the breath becomes shorter, and every step feels like a small battle against gravity.
Just beyond Chhomrong, a beautifully adorned Buddhist stupa stands quietly against the Himalayan slopes—a sacred pause along the trail. Prayer flags dance with the mountain wind, prayer wheels whisper ancient blessings, and marigold garlands add a touch of devotion to the rugged landscape. Here, amidst Nepal’s timeless mountains, the journey feels less like a trek and more like a pilgrimage—where every step carries you deeper into the soul of the Himalayas.
We were just amateur hikers, drawn by the promise of discovering the unknown beauty of the Himalayas. The rugged terrain tested our strength at every step, but our team spirit kept us moving forward. A helping hand, a shared laugh, and constant encouragement turned every challenge into a shared adventure. And beyond each difficult climb, the mountains revealed breathtaking beauty—making every struggle truly worthwhile.
