Over a suspension bridge bedecked with prayer flags, on a promontory overlooking the Modi Khola, sits MLN Birethanti, amid half a mile of river frontage and blooming lawns full of marigolds, poinsettias and butterflies. This stylish spot has 18 roomy rooms, each handcrafted by local artisans.-plus an Ayurvedic massage service, laundry, and wifi. A short walk from here down a gentle hill is the trekker’s base in Birethanti. Phewa Lake and the nearby subtropical forests are excellent for botanical and birding expeditions. Against the hum of the roaring river, you’ll find fine service and a pleasant routine guiding life at Sanctuary Lodge: Afternoon tea is served at 4.30 pm, happy hour with free drinks at six, and a communal dinner at seven. At sunrise, guests gather outside for steaming cups of tea followed by breakfast of porridge and eggs, then most head out for their day’s hike.
This was our first of several Ker & Downey Lodge stays during our Annapurna Circuit and in many ways it was the most memorable. Upon hiking in, the small group I was trekking with was instantly greeted like family... and despite only spending about 15 hours at the lodge, we truly felt like we were part of the family as we hiked out.
It is clear that from the manager of the lodge down to the newest employees... everyone truly cares about those who come to stay at the Sanctuary Lodge. If you are considering a trek through Nepal, I would certainly recommend looking at starting with the Sanctuary Lodge. In such a short time, the Sanctuary Lodge made us feel so at home thus making it hard to hike out the next morning with the all the love & hospitality they showed us.
Lastly, if this is your first stay... the sunrise introducing you to Fishtail Mountain for the first time is both breathtaking and one that we are unlikely to forget!
If you have any COVID concerns, both the lodge and Nepal as a whole, seem to be in a really good place in regards to combatting the pandemic. There were never any concerns on our end relating to COVID safety. 2022 is a great year to get out to Nepal, the crowd sizes are down tremendously and the country is eager to embrace tourism again!
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Date of stay: March 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed one night here and the food and room were both perfect. Don't expect too much luxury as you're in a very small community. However, you'll have happy hour to enjoy before a good hot dinner and when you turn in, probably with a hot water bottle, you'll sleep like a log.
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Date of stay: March 2023
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Â The lodge provides filtered drinkable water so bring a reusable bottle.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beautiful setting with the opportunity to have views of Fishtail mountain if the weather is kind. Excellent food, snacks with drinks were very tasty. The rooms were comfortable, hot water bottles provided and tea brought to you in the morning. The only downside was that the beers were extremely expensive.
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Absolutely fab place. Great staff and fab food. nothing is too much for the staff here to make your stay special. The tomato soup when we arrived for lunch was so appreciative. Packed lunch was so good on our strenuous hike.
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Date of stay: November 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The oldest Lodge of the group. Good facilities with friendly staff. Lots of good walks over the 2 suspension bridges nearby. Good fire in the restaurant with good trekking dinner and breakfast. Worth accepting a hot water bottle at night. Good view of Fishtail at dawn
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Of the 4 Kerr & Downey lodges for most people this will be the first if you are doing the standard Sacred Mountain Trek (and I highly recommend you do - see my reviews of the other 3). They are all set up along similar lines with full time excellent staff and given where they are located are all extremely comfortable. Sanctuary has the most wonderful pots and hanging baskets and the garden is very colourful especially in March (the main breeding season for the wildlife and birds). Indeed this is a lovely time of year as the hillsides in Late March begin to be covered with the colourful blooms of the Rhododendrons. The Rooms are fairly basic but very adequate and the best you'll get on lodges in this area. The food varied from lodge to lodge but at Sanctuary in my view the standard was high. The situation as others have mentioned is beautiful but better views of the mountains can be had from the other lodges. If you are lucky though as we were, you can sit in the garden and watch the sunset over Fishtail peak which is a great start to your trek.
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Date of stay: March 2013
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Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sanctuary lodge was our first stop on our three night trek starting at Lumle. Our first trek took us about two hours, most of which was downhill on stone steps passing through the villages of Chandrakot & Tomijung. After crossing a rather unnerving wire bridge, it was just a short stroll to Sanctuary Lodge. We were very impressed when we got there. Beautiful gardens, spotlessly clean and well equipped bedroom and a bathroom that would have not looked out of place in a four star hotel!.A few minutes from the lodge takes you to the raging river with beautiful views and plently of spots to get away from it all. Lunch, dinner & breakfast were all excellent. The staff were all extremely friendly & attentive and the happy hour an unexpected bonus! Highly recommended.
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Date of stay: October 2011
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
An amazing place to unwind. Wake-up call to "the mountain is out" served with tea or coffee at your door. Sounds of the river is most relaxing.
Great food; great staff; comfortable lodging. It is not easy to reach this place. It requires over an hour of trekking; hopefully the road under construction will eliminate this by spring. Female porters can be hired to carry luggage; this is important for women to gain independence.
A generator is used which limits electricity in the rooms. Numerous options for trekking with a return greeting of drinks and smiling faces; fire place off the dining area is perfect for drinks and conversation. Laundry is free of charge; in fact, clothes are washed on rocks at the river and are dried on clothes lines.
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Date of stay: December 2010
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So thus was the first stop of a 8 day trekking vacation using ker and downy lodges. The staff could not be kinder, helpful. The food totally adequate. BUT in 2017 not go have wifi is unbelievable and disgusting. When I asked the manager why they don't have it he said the owner does not feel guests should have to depend on computers when they are in his lodges. WTF? This is 2017 and I want to stay connected with my family and business If I could cancel the rest of my ker and downy lodges I would. A few nights later we stayed in A non ker lodge with brilliant free wifi Wake up your guys
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Date of stay: March 2017Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was the first of the lodges we stayed in on our trek. It is situated on the Modi river and is a fairly easy 3.5 hour trek from the main starting point in Pokhara. The room we had was very large but was for a family and had one large and two other smaller beds in it. The bathroom is basically a wet room with a shower, toilet and sink but it was a good size and both rooms looked clean and well maintain. Furnishings are basic but this is what we expected and adds to the charm of the adventure here. Everything is solar powered so hot water is limited and lighting is only available from dawn until 9:30pm. If yo like to read in bed I would suggest taking a head torch. The surrounding ranges are stunning and there is a lawn area for you to chill out in. Tea is served at 4pm and 'happy hour' is from 6-7pm sitting around a wood fire. The temperature really drops in the evenings and they do supply jackets, hats and gloves. I tend to take my short Uggs in these situations, they are light in the luggage and feel like cosy warm slippers after all that walking during the day. Dinner is served at a communal table and its a great time to share all your adventures of the day and another forgetting your aches and pains. Food was simple but well prepared. The service and all the staff at the lodge are wonderful and make your stay all that more special.
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Date of stay: November 2012
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
"All rooms are equivalent and look across the courtyard toward the dining room building. To the left and above is a spectacular view of Mt. Macchapuchare (Fishtail Peak)."
There are more places to choose from in the Baluwapati Deupur area.
PRICE RANGE
$183 - $214 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
sanctuary hotel annapurna region
LOCATION
NepalCentral RegionBagmati ZoneBaluwapati Deupur
NUMBER OF ROOMS
18
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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