Highlights  

• Explored the unexplored Annapurna Himalayas 

• Witness the diverse cultures of ethnic communities 

• Waterfalls, floras and faunas, ancient caves, beautiful landscapes and amazing tea gardens

• Less touristic traffic trails  

• Explore Deurali village  

• Eye-catching views of mount Machapuchare and Mount Annapurna 

Trekking in the Himalayas means a real adventure and to explore pure nature. We are tired of cities, aren’t we? But these days even in the Himalayan trekking trails, there has been a huge tourist traffic. This has created a big problem for trekkers. Since Nature Lovers Treks and Tours have always been working to make your trip more adventurous as well as exciting, here we offer you Machapuchare Model Trekking, one of the least known off-the-beaten trail adventure in the Annapurna region of the Himalayas.

Do you want to explore the natural and cultural aspects of the Himalayas? Do you want silent and fewer traffic trails? If yes, trust us that Machapuchare Model Trekking Trails offers you this opportunity to discover the unseen pictures of the Himalayas and the lifestyles of various ethnic communities. Due to the construction of the roads everywhere, many trekking routes have been disturbed. People who have trekked this region 6/7 years before will know the difference and the disturbance in trekking. Machapuchare Model Trek offers you the joy of living, close encounters of the soaring peaks and confrontation of the most assorted vegetation of the Himalayas. This is less explored or maybe we can say secret trekking trails which let you to witness the centuries-old tradition of indigenous people. You can even do this trek with your family since Machapuchare Model trek does not demand any physical strength nor it requires the previous experiences. It can be simply enjoyed by anyone. Since your highest point goes around 3000 m only, there is no chance of altitude sickness at all. 

Machapuchare Model Trek offers you magnificent sights of natural ancient caves, natural hot water springs, waterfalls and amazing tea gardens on the way. One of the best trails even for a photographer we would say. The mesmerizing landscapes will be always waiting for your footsteps. This amazing trekking route is a magical mix of Mt Mardi, Mt Machapuchare, Mt Annapurna, Mt Dhaulagiri and other Himalayan ranges. Machapuchare model trek is a very newly opened trekking trail which offers you the lifestyle of dwelling ethnic communities. Gurung, Newar, Magar, Chhetri are the main people living in this area. You will also encounter various species of birds and wildflowers in this trek. You should schedule your travel accordingly to this trekking journey since during the rainy season, you may not get clear views as it remains cloudy through most of the days. Our trekking begins from a short drive from Pokhara to Milanchok and ends at Lachok. 

Between these times, you will cross many small settlements of Gurung community taking Deurali as the best example. Chichemle Kharka is the highest elevation of your trek where you will have an eye to eye contact with one of the most magnificent peaks on the planet Mt Machapuchare (Fishtail) 6,993 meters. One more fact about Machapuchare peak is that it was also ranked in 13th position by telegraph (UK) for being one of the most beautiful peaks on the planet. This peak is believed to have some connection with lord Shiva. Machapuchare comes under very few peaks which has not been summited. Spring and autumn are the best times to trek here. Nature lovers with any level of experience can complete this trip. In the Spring, you can witness Rhododendron flowers (national flower) blooming very brightly over the hills.

Machapuchare Model Trek Outline Itinerary

DAY 1: Drive from Pokhara to Milanchok and Trek to Ghachok (1,250 m), BLD, Homestay/Camping

DAY 2: Trek from Ghachok to Dhiprang (1,440 m), BLD, Homestay/Camping

DAY 3: Trek from Dhiprang to Chimchime Kharka (2,650 m), BLD, Homestay/Camping

DAY 4: Trek from Chimchime Kharka to Lalka (2,250 m), BLD, Homestay/Camping

DAY 5: Trek from Lalka to Ribhan (1,430 m), BLD, Homestay/Camping

DAY 6: Trek from Ribhan to Lachok (1,160 m), BLD, Homestay/Camping

DAY 7: Trek from Lachok to Milanchok and drive back to Pokhara, Breakfast.

Machapuchare Model Trek Detailed Itinerary

BLD denotes Breakfast Lunch Dinner

DAY 1:Drive from Pokhara to Milanchok and Trek to Ghachok (1,250 m), BLD, Homestay/Camping

In the very first day of our Machapuchare Model trekking, we will drive towards Milanchok early in the morning after having breakfast. Once we reach Milanchok, we will trek to Ghachok via Mardi bridge and exciting villages.

DAY 2:Trek from Ghachok to Dhiprang (1,440 m), BLD, Homestay/Camping

Today we will trek towards Dhiprang which will take us around some 3hours of walk. On the way, you can witness the beautiful scenery of villages, meadows and lofty hills and mountains. This will make you feel for real that you are in the mountainous country.   

DAY 3:Trek from Dhiprang to Chimchime Kharka (2,650 m), BLD, Homestay/Camping 

Today we will trek through the splendid rhododendron forests and dotted villages. We might be able to see the exotic and rare floras and faunas in this remarkable journey. Enjoying this beautiful views we need to walk about six hours from Dhiprang to reach Chimchime kharka.   

DAY 4:Trek from Chimchime Kharka to Lalka (2,250 m), BLD, Homestay/Camping 

Today it will take us around 4 hours to reach our destination Lalka, a nice village which offers you a unique close-up view of Mt Annapurna South (7,219 m), Fishtail and Hiunchuli (6,441 m).    

DAY 5:Trek from Lalka to Ribhan (1,430 m), BLD, Homestay/Camping 

In the early morning after breakfast, we will trek down to Ribhan which will take us around 5 hours of gentle walk enjoying the amazing views of mountains in the backdrop. The sunset on the Himalayas looks amazing from here.    

DAY 6:Trek from Ribhan to Lachok (1,160 m), BLD, Homestay/Camping

In the morning after breakfast, we will trek down to Lachok. After reaching Lachok, we will spend the remaining time in local areas. Here we can observe cultural diversity very closely. The panoramic view of sunset on distant mountains looks truly beautiful from here as well and the same goes with the stunning sunrise in the morning.

DAY 7:Trek from Lachok to Milanchok and drive back to Pokhara, Breakfast.

Enjoying every moment in this Annapurna region trail, now it’s the final day for us to witness the amazing Himalayas and lastly get back to the starting point. We will walk down to Milanchok and catch our ride in the highway towards Pokhara.

Cost for 1 PAX: $1099 /-

Cost for 2 or more PAX: $999 per person

Note: Trip cost varies with the group sizes.

Machapuchare Model Trek Cost Breakdown

Cost Include

• All ground transfers

• Full sightseeing during trekking

• Camping/Homestay accommodations at mountain depending upon availability

• Required camping stuffs, including different tents and other gears and equipment with food supplies

• Full board meals; breakfast, lunch, dinner and tea / coffee and snacks

• Clean drinking water everyday

• Trekking permit

• TIMS Card (Trekkers Information management system)

• An experienced English speaking trekking guide and his expenses, insurance

• Porter service (1 for 2 trekkers) and their expenses, insurances including extra Sherpas for carrying camping stuffs

• First Aid kit Bag

• Company t-shirt/ Certificate of appreciation

• Government tax and Vat

Cost Exclude

• Extra drinks as alcoholic and non-alcoholic and other personal expenses

• Sightseeing and hotels in Pokhara

• Extra accommodation and meals behind schedule

• Travel and emergency rescue insurance

• Gratuities to the staffs (mandatory)

• Down jacket, walking stick and duffel bag (provided if required but to be returned after)

Machapuchare Model Trek Useful Information

Customized Trips and Trip departure

Machapuchare Model Trek departs from Pokhara as per our fixed departure dates. You can join any available fixed departure groups if you are a solo or small group travelers if you wish to, when the trips cannot be customized.

But if you are in a private group, fixed departure dates are not suitable for you and so you need to choose your own dates and packages, when you can customize the trek as per your travel needs. For further information, please kindly contact your own friendly neighbor, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours.

Accommodations during trek

You will be staying in the homestays or the tented camps during the trek.

Route Map and Company T-shirt

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers you a complimentary trekking map and the company t-shirts.

Safe Drinking Water during Machapuchare Model Trek

Hydrating yourself is the most important thing to do during the trek. You should drink at least 3 liters of water every day or more. The main reason is to avoid the altitude sickness and to avoid other health issues. Nature Lovers Treks and Tours provides you water purification tablets or liquids to purify the water in the mountains. You can even buy mineral water or boiled water on extra cost.

Your trekking guides and porters

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours has the best guides and porters in the whole tourism industry. We can guarantee you on that. Ask yourselves a question. What do you look for in a guide and a porter? Are they fully insured and are they paid well? Well, they are the staffs of Nature Lovers Treks and Tours so they are hundred percent happy with their treatment by the company. They are experienced, licensed and knowledgeable in the field. They are well paid and fully insured for their journey as well as for the medicals.

Now, let’s talk about our backbones. The leader or a guide should have a significant knowledge in the climbing and trekking so that he can wonderfully and safely lead you, clearing any obstacles on the way. We, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours can proudly say that our guides (climbing, assistant, trekking guide) are highly qualified for the role. They are fully trained, experienced and licensed. They have undergone through a whole lot of training to make themselves useful in various situations and to make your journey a smooth and pleasant one.

Our guide knows the local areas, the cultures, the traditions and the lifestyles much more than anyone do. Some of the things he tells you, might even be hard to find in the travel guide books. Depending upon the situations and weather conditions, the daily plans might change slightly which when happens, he will inform you beforehand. You should always be flexibly ready to accommodate to your guides’ instructions. Let him know if you have any health problems as well since he will act accordingly to the situation. Depending upon the group size, we will also provide you assistant guides and extra Sherpas if needed.

Our porters are always fully equipped with the gears they need and as per the company policy, they are always insured and completely looked after. They are our backbone. We allow maximum weight of 25/30 kg to be carried by one porter. They are the strongest in our group with less communication skills. We also closely work with IPPG {International Porter Protection Group} and follow their ethics and guidelines.

Your safety

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours puts your safety as the top priority. We provide you our own comprehensive first aid medical kit bag along with the professional team of guides and porters. We are always in communication with our field team members to keep track of your safety and concerns. Your entire journey will be monitored by us and we make sure you enjoy your journey in full scale. We are available 24/7 for your health and safety checks during Machapuchare Model Trek.

Machapuchare Model Trek Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Machapuchare Model Trek cost?

The cost of the Machapuchare Model Trek varies from $800-$1800 depending upon the number of days you choose to trek. The longer the trek, more expensive it will become. Similarly, the price will differ with the accommodation choices and group sizes also. Normally, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers a comprehensive package which is inclusive of all the cost and expenses for the entire journey from the moment you land in Nepal till the moment you fly back home. However, you could also choose to buy only service-based package from us when we will be providing you only the supporting field staffs plus trekking permits and you have to arrange the rest by yourselves.

How is the Accommodation during the Machapuchare Model Trek?

In Machapuchare Model Trek, we will provide you the homestay accommodations as per availability in some days but for most of the days, you will be sleeping in the tented camps. A homestay is typically a local house with addition of some extra beds and minor facilities to welcome the guest. Homestay is where you can stay and experience the local lifestyles and cultures. Most of the homestays have Asian style of toilets. Hot showers are available but on extra cost. Sleeping blankets are usually provided but we recommend you to carry your own sleeping bags for the hygienic purpose {can be arranged on request}. At the same time, it’s better to carry your own toiletries including the towels.

During the camping days, you will be sleeping in the camps set up by our field Sherpa staffs. There will be separate kitchen and dining tents. Your meals will be freshly cooked and you will be served day and nights by our Sherpas. Our staffs will carry the sleeping bags, pillows and mattresses for you to sleep in the tents. Undoubtedly, you will have a perfect camping trek experience with Nature Lovers Treks and Tours.

What are the permits that I need for Machapuchare Model Trek?

For Machapuchare Model Trek, you will need to make two permits: ACAP permit (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) and TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System).

How does this tipping system in Nepal works and do I have to tip?

Tipping is not compulsory for Machapuchare Model Trek however tipping is all about showing your gratitude and appreciation. We care about our staffs in the fields so we expect you to look after them in return for them looking after you throughout your journey. They are your closest friend in the remotest parts and also your protector whenever anything seems to happen to you. So tipping is highly expected and we’ve made it mandatory too. The amount of gratuities can be determined by yourselves. Normally, a guide expects around $5 or more per day per person while a porter expects $4 or more per day per person.

Can I charge my phones, batteries or other electronic devices in Machapuchare Model Trek?

You can charge your electronic devices during Machapuchare Model Trek {with some exception days} on extra charges. Don’t forget to buy a plug adapter or socket fittings before you leave Pokhara.

Is there WiFi and mobile signal on the Machapuchare Model Trek?

Machapuchare Model Trek route has mobile network coverage. And you can buy one of the NTC or Ncell Sim cards from any local phone shops in Kathmandu or Pokhara which has coverage in most parts of the country. It is wiser to buy a sim card with around 4 GB data in Kathmandu or Pokhara and use the mobile data in the trek whenever available.

WiFi is also available on some homestays in Machapuchare Model Trek route but if it does, you need to pay extra.

When is the best time to trek to Machapuchare Model trip?

Machapuchare Model Trek can be done throughout the year. However in average, Spring {March, April and May} and Autumn {September, October and November} are the best times or seasons to trek to Annapurna region. Spring and Autumn are known as the Peak season or Busy season in Nepal. It’s because the temperature is moderate during these seasons and the best panoramic mountain views are guaranteed while during other Summer {June, July and August} and Winter {December, January and February} season, the clear weather is not guaranteed. But if you are an explorer, a photographer and a peace lover, less busy season can also be the right time to do Machapuchare Model Trek.

Do I have to worry about the altitude sickness in Machapuchare Model Trek?

No. You don't have to worry about the altitude sickness at all in this trek.

Do I need to be healthy and physically fit for Machapuchare Model Trek?

When it comes to trekking in the mountains, health and fitness of a person plays a vital role. If you are a healthy person without any serious medical problems, Machapuchare Model Trek is for you but if you have any sorts of medical issues, please consult to your doctor before coming to Nepal for the trek.

Now when it comes to the fitness level required, Machapuchare Model Trek demands moderate physical fitness. The trekking includes daily walks of about 4-8 hours and involves many ascents and descents which means you need at least some practices before you start the trekking journey. If you do not have the previous trekking experience, that’s fine but obviously if you have previous experiences, it will be lot easier. For those not having previous trekking experiences, please exercise regularly for at least few weeks prior to your trekking departure. Go for the morning walks, do some jogging as you get time, participate in some cycling activities, etc. This way, you will be good to go for trekking to Machapuchare Model trip.

What kind of food items or meals can I eat on Machapuchare Model Trek?

Full board meals or full meals are included during the trek. Tea and coffee will also be provided during the entire trip. During the trek, you will have your breakfast and dinner in the same homestays or tented camps where you spend the night while the lunch will be served en route towards the next destination of the day. Freshly cooked meals will be served in most of the days and usually the foods are basic and with few choices but they will certainly be healthy and nutritious. During homestays, there will be some good choices from Nepali, Tibetan to Continental dishes.

Do I need a travel insurance for Machapuchare Model Trek?

It is better to have a travel insurance to cover your losses occurred in rare case of urgent medical issues or in theft or stolen cases.

What gears and equipment do I need to pack for Machapuchare Model Trek?

Choosing the right gear and equipment is important as well for the successful trek to Annapurna region. Pack the right gears and equipment but remember, packing as light as possible is the best way to go when trekking to Machapuchare Model trip. You should read this What to take for travel to get all the details on what you need to pack or carry.