Annapurna I Expedition 8,091m

Annapurna I Expedition 8,091m

Facts of the Trip

Elevation: 8091m

Location: Annapurna Himal range

Duration: 35 days

First Ascent: Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal, on 3 June 1950

Best Season: Autumn and Spring (fair weather in Nepal)

Accommodation: Guest house and Camping

Climbing Route: western side

Grade: Mountaineering VI

Transportation: By Tourist bus and Jeep

Group Size: O2 to 15 Pax

Major Activity: Trekking and Mountaineering

Trip Map: Click Here

Annapurna massif is in the Himalayas in north-central Nepal. The massif is 55 kilometres long and is bounded by the Kali Gandaki Gorge on the west, the Marshyangdi River on the north and east and by Pokhara Valley on the south. Annapurna I Main is the tenth-highest mountain in the world at 8,091 metres (26,545 ft) above sea level. The surrounding area is protected within the 7,629 square kilometres Annapurna Conservation Area, the first and largest conservation area in Nepal.

Historically, the Annapurna peaks are among the world's most dangerous mountains to climb. In particular, the ascent via the south face is considered, by some, the most difficult of all climes.

Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal, of the French Annapurna expedition led by Herzog (including Lionel Terray, Gaston Rébuffat, Marcel Ichac, Jean Couzy, Marcel Schatz, Jacques Out, Francis de Noyelle), reached the summit on 3 June 1950. The south face of Annapurna was first climbed in 1970 by Don Whillans and Dougal Haston using supplementary oxygen, members of a British expedition led by Chris Bonington that included the alpinist Ian Clough, who was killed by a falling serac during the descent.

The climb is done with 3 camps; from camp 1 to Camp 2 the climbing is slightly less steep and also difficult with still high objective avalanche danger. This section also requires a set of about 1000 m of fixed ropes. The route from Camp 2 to Camp 3 requires switchbacks navigation on the snow field between seracs of the broken glacier. There is still 1000 m of fixed ropes required. The summit attempt is on an uncovered ridge, but it doesn’t require fixed ropes, it is done as a free ascent.

Asian Hiking Team’s trekking itinerary starts from Lete (Mustang). We drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara then Beni continues to Lete. From Lete to Annapurna base camp, 4 nights’ accommodation by tented camp. We fix the advance base camp, then 3 upper camps. After the summit, Annapurna returns the same way to Kathmandu. 

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu, Meet Asian Hiking Team Staff, Transfer to Hotel (BB).

Day 02–03: Preparation and Briefing from Ministry, overnight at hotel (BB).

Day 04: Kathmandu to Pokhara Drive by Tourist bus or flight, 6 hours, transfers to hotel (BB).

Day 05: Pokhara to Tatopani by Jeep/bus 4–6 hours, overnight at hotel (B/L/D).

Day 06: Tatopani to Hum Khola Camp by Jeep, 3-4 hopurs, overnight at Hotel/guest house(B/L/D).

Day 07: Hum Khola to Annapurna Base Camp Trek 5–6 hours, overnight at Camping (B/L/D).

Day 08- Day 29: Annapurna Summit Climbing Period (8091 m)

Day 30: Last day in Base Camp, overnight at Camping (B/L/D).

Day 31: Base camp to Hum Khola, overnight at Hotel/Guest hosue(B/L/D).

Day 32: Hum Khola to Pokhara drive via Beni by Jeep/bus, 6-8 hours, overnight at Hotel (BB).

Day 33: Pokhara to Kathmandu by Tourist bus or flight, transfer to hotel (BB)

Day 34: The Leisure day, and city tour in Kathmandu or Pokhara, farewell dinner, overnight at hotel (BB).

Day 35: Transfer for Final Departure (B).