Non-Runner Package

May 28

What is Annapurna Marathon?

The Annapurna Marathon is a challenging trail race held annually in Nepal, in the Annapurna region of the Himalayas. The race takes place on June 3rd and covers a distance of 42.195 kilometers (26.2 miles) with an elevation gain of over 2,528 meters.

The race starts at the altitude of 4,130m at Annapurna Base Camp. The route passes through Fishtail Base Camp, several traditional villages, and lush forests before reaching the finish line at Ghandruk, nestled in the shadow of the great Annapurna mountain range. Athletes will have to deal with a variety of terrains, including steep ascents and descents, rocky paths, and river crossings.

Due to the high altitude and rugged terrain, the Annapurna Marathon is considered to be one of the most challenging trail races in the world. The event attracts runners from around the globe who are seeking a unique and unforgettable running experience.

In addition to the full marathon distance, there is also a traditional dancing, concert, and various other sport events held at the finish line for those will-ing to be a part of the Annapurna Day. The Annapurna Marathon is not only a physical challenge but also an opportunity to experience the breathtaking beauty and culture of Nepal.

Annapurna Marathon Highlights

Annapurna Marathon is a high altitude adventure sports to celebrate the successful summit of Annapurna I (8,090m), the tenth highest mountain in the world on June 3rd 1950, three years before Everest was conquered, for the first time by any human being.
Be a part of one of the world’s most challenging high-altitude trail race.
Short and scenic walk to Annapurna base camp and picturesque sanctuary.
An adventure a blend of magnificent scenery with local immense cultures.
From low warm farm to cooler hills and towards arctic zone of ice and glaciers.
Lovely forest of tall pine, oaks, firs, bamboo and rhododendron tree lines.
Enter the magnificent Annapurna Sanctuary enclosed by giant snow peaks.

Social and Ecological Values of the Annapurna Marathon

“Our event is for a day, but our environment is forever.”

Annapurna Marathon is an annual event organized on Annapurna Day which falls on the 3rd of June every year. This marathon is organized in memory of the day when the French expedition group of Maurice Herzog conquered Annapurna me (8,091m).

The publicity campaign has been conducted to promote adventure sports in Nepal and encourage the maximum number of local as well as athletes from all around the world. It will also help all the runners in the world gather in the same forum as well as maintain mutual friendship and solidarity.

As the organizers of the Annapurna Marathon, we believe in the significance of social and ecological responsibilities during our event. We believe adventure events such as the Annapurna Marathon are excellent platforms to promote social and ecological awareness and encourage sustainable practices.

We operate our event with an environmental consciousness and sustainable practices to protect our environment from the devastating impacts of human activities and to ensure a healthy environment for generations to come.

Social Impact

The Annapurna Marathon attracts domestic and international participants, promoting cultural exchange and tourism in the region.
The event raises money for local charities and organizations, benefiting directly to the local community.
It encourages healthy lifestyles and physical activity, promoting well-being and fitness — not only among the participants but also among the local children of the community.

Ecological Impact

We emphasize environmental responsibility in the event, such as using eco-friendly products, reducing waste, and promoting conservation efforts such as planting tree saplings.
The marathon takes place in the scenic Annapurna region, which showcases the natural beauty and biodiversity of the area.
The event promotes responsible tourism and raises awareness of the impact of human activity on the environment.

Annapurna Marathon Non-Runner Itinerary

24 May 2024 - Day 1: International Arrival

On arrival at Kathmandu, Nepal International Airport, you will be received by Annapurna Marathon’s representative with traditional welcome greetings. Then short drive to your hotel, located in the heart of a city. Accommodation in one of the best tourist standard hotels.

Check into your lovely rooms. After rest and getting refreshed from the Jet-Lag, walk down to the hotel lobby to join with other trekking members for group briefing provided by your group leader, with useful information regarding the race, trek, hotels, local lodge on route.

Evening a group welcome dinner in an authentic Nepali Restaurants. Entertains you with Nepalese folk cultural program, an introduction to Nepalese heritage and culture while you enjoy the meals.

25 May 2024 - Day 2: Half-day sightseeing in Kathmandu and afternoon flight to Pokhara

After breakfast, meet your tour guide for half-day sightseeing around two UNESCO heritage sites in Kathmandu. After the city tour, you’ll stop for lunch at one of the heritage sites.

After lunch, transfer to the domestic terminal for a 25-minutes scenic flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara International Airport. Upon landing in Pokhara, transfer to Lakeside and overnight in a tourist standard hotel.

26 May 2024 - Day 3: Drive from Pokhara to Ghandruk

After breakfast about 9 AM, we take a 4x4 jeep and drive for 2-and-half hours to reach Ghandruk (2,012m). After settling in the teahouse, we have time for lunch. Then, its a free afternoon for a lookaround in one of this oldest Gurung village where the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) started from.

Ghandruk is a traditional Gurung village in Kaski Gandaki Province. It is home to a Gurung museum and has one of the best views of Annapurna South, Gangapurna, Annapurna III, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre.

It is also the finish line village of the Annapurna Marathon.

27 May 2024 - Day 4: Trek from Ghandruk to Chuile

After a traditional Gurung breakfast, we now start our adventure on foot. We begin the trek on a fairly easy jeep track on a reverse marathon route, reaching Uri village, overlooking Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Mt. Fishtail.

From Uri, we descend winding through the jeep track to reach Kimrung Khola for a tea break. After the tea break, one hour ascend to Komrong Danda for lunch.

After lunch, an easy one-an-half hour walk to Chuile (2,195m) for overnight stay.

28 May 2024 - Day 5: Trek from Chuile to Chhomrong

We start the day with a descend on stone steps to reach a suspension bridge. After crossing the bridge, we reach the village of Gurjung.

From here, the walk is on a single trail, gradually going uphill to a single teahouse called Durpin Danda. We take a short tea break at Durpin Danda and then gradually going down and up, passing through several

corn/maize terraces to reach Chhomrong village (2,150m) for our lunch and overnight stop.

Situated at 2, 150 meters, the village of Chomrong is a frequent stopover for trekkers on route to the Annapurna Base Camp and Sanctuary. Check into one of its many fine lodges and guest houses on the mountain side.

Chomrong is the last permanent village on route to Annapurna Base Camp and Sanctuary. A lovely settlement of Gurung people, the main tribes of Southern Annapurna region interwoven to Buddhism religion and culture.

29 May 2024 - Day 6: Trek from Chhomrong to Dovan

Morning walk leads down for a short while, to cross over Chhomrong stream, then route leads to steep climb on stone steps. Reaching on top of a high ridge at Sinuwa Danda, a small place with few lodges and shops, where we stop for lunch.

After a refreshing lunch break, walk on winding forested path with short downhill to a nice clearing at Bamboo. A settlement with number of lodges close by the Modi River amidst forest of rhododendron, pines and bamboo. Possible tea stop in one of its best lodge restaurants, afternoon few hour walk uphill into a dense forest.

After a good climb reaching Dovan (2, 130m), a small settlement with few simple teahouses and lodges. Situated on a gorge of a Modi River, enjoy the overnight halt with the sound of raging Modi River.

30 May 2024 - Day 7: Trek from Dovan to Deurali

From Dovan, morning walk leads to steep climb close to a waterfalls, a narrow path above Modi River. Slowly the walk leads close to a large overhanging Hinko Cave, where Himalaya Hotel is located with few lodges and tea-houses.

Having a short rest, continue walk over a rock fall of old avalanche area of Huin-Chuli peak. As trail leads to short climb reaching a flat area at

Deurali (3230m), a nice place with number of good lodges. Stopping here for our lunch and overnight stay.

From here onward tall tree lines fades for short alpine bushes and shrubs.

31 May 2024 - Day 8: Trek from Deurali to MBC

We start the day with a short climb and walk through the last teahouse of Deurali. As we continue walking downward from Deurali, we reach the Avalanche Area.

From here, the valley starts to open wide, walking upstream through the Himalayan primulas and fauna. After steep climb for a few hours, we see the first teahouse and a signboard saying we’ve reached Machhapuchhre Base Camp. From here, its another 15 minutes of climb to reach our overnight stop.

Machhapuchare Base Camp (3,720m), in short MBC, located at the bottom of Machhapuchare Himal the famed Fish-Tail peak, an unclimbed peak around the Himalayas, MBC offers a grand view of Mt. Fishtail,

Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Annapurna Fang, and Gangapurna. And if you’re lucky, you might even sight the Himalayan Blue Sheep and ever-so-shy Snow Leopard.

1 June 2024 - Day 9: Morning Hike to ABC and Trek to Dovan

After breakfast, a few hours walk takes us to the main highlight of the adventure and also the starting point of the Annapurna Marathon at Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m).

A short climb on grassy slope then on top of a plateau where scenic

Annapurna Sanctuary starts, enclosed by an amphitheater of snow peaks. The walk continues on a pleasant path with a short climb to Annapurna

Base Camp at 4,130 m high — situated at the base of the high snow and ice wall of Annapurna-I and Gangapurna Himal.

A picturesque and the highest spot of the adventure, enjoy the grand views of surrounding snow peaks. After spending some time at the base camp, we retrace our route back to Dovan for the overnight stay.

2 June 2024 - Day 10: Trek from Dovan to Chhomrong

While all the participants prepare for a mock race at Annapurna Base Camp, we retrace our route from Dovan to Chhomrong

We start the day with a gradual descend towards Bamboo. Once we cross the village, the route becomes slighly steep towards Upper Sinuwa.

After a short rest, we hit the road once again. Upon reaching Lower

Sinuwa, the route leads to a steep downhill towards Chhomrong Stream. Cross the stream and start climbing the stone steps to reach Chhomrong for the overnight stay.

3 June 2024 - Day 11: [Race Day] Trek from Chhomrong to Jhinu Danda and Drive to Ghandruk

Wake up early in the morning and make your way towards Jhinu Danda. The route from Chhomrong to Jhinu Danda is steep downhill.

Upon reaching the village, cross the long suspension bridge where your jeep will be waiting for you. Hop on and head towards the finish line of the Annapurna Marathon at Ghandruk to cheer for all the participants.

If you’re willing to support your athlete and join them in the adventure, you can wait for them to arrive at Chhomrong. You can then continue running together until the finish line.

4 June 2024 - Day 12: Drive from Ghandruk to Pokhara

All good things has to come to an end and this is that day for our adventure in the Annapurna Marathon.

After enjoying the breakfast looking at Mt. Fishtail, Hiuchuli, and

Annapurna South, we bid farewell to the wonderful volunteers, porters, and other friends that we met in this adventure. We then walk around 15 minutes to the bus stop to catch out respective jeep to drive back to Pokhara.

After checking-in and relaxing at the hotel in Pokhara, we now celebrate our achievement in one of the various bars at Lakeside for a After Party organized by the Annapurna Marathon Team.

5 June 2024 - Day 13: Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu

Hopefully waking up late in the morning after that crazy party last night, we have our breakfast at the hotel.

We pack all our bags and drive to Pokhara International Airport to catch an afternoon flight to Kathmandu. Upon arriving at Kathmandu, transfer to a tourist-standard hotel.

We’ll have a last farewell dinner for the Annapurna Marathon Group, exclusively for the full-package group only.

6 June 2024 - Day 14: International Departure

Your last day in Kathmandu and Nepal. As per your international flight time, our representative will transfer you to the airport.

Then, bid farewell to the staff as you enter the airport terminal for homeward bound flight, after a great adventure of the Annapurna Marathon.