Ghorepani Poonhill Trek

Day 01: Pokhara to Tirkhe Dhunga (1,491 m.)

After breakfast, we drive about an hour and a half to Nayapul (48 km.) via the hilly ridges of Lumle. We then walk about 20 minutes to Birethanti, a large and prosperous town. Beyond a pastureland used by pony caravans, the trail reaches Sudami where we have lunch. After lunch we climb steadily up the side of the valley, reaching Hiley at 1,495m and nearbyTikhedhunga. Along the way, various hamlets offer ample camping possibilities but if Gorepani is the objective for the next day it is better to push on to TikheDhunga.

Day 02: Tikhe Dhunga to Ghorepani (2848 m.)

Breakfast is served in the morning around 7am. From Tikhedhunga, the trail crosses a stream (BhurungdiKhola) via a suspension bridge and we start the long steep climb to the large Magar village of Ulleri at 2,070m. Above the village the trail climbs gently through pastures and cultivated fields.  And then continues on through magnificent rhododendron and oak forests.  Our lunch spot is in NangeThanti. Thanti is a Nepali words meaning “rest house”.  In the winter, the trail can be covered with snow. From NangeThanti, it’s about an hour walk to Ghorepani at 2,848m. We arrive at the top of the Ghorepani pass and camp there.

Day 03: Ghorepani to Poon Hill and trek Tadapani (2, 540m)

We will wake up early in the morning to hike up to the famed vantage point of Poon Hill. It takes about 45 minutes to reach the ridge of Poon Hill (3,195 m). As the sun rises, the views are literally breathtaking, a wide Himalayan panorama stretching from Dhaulagiri (8,167m)-the world's seventh highest peak to Manaslu 8,156m -the world's eighth highest peak, with the mighty Annapurna range in between them. We then return to our camp in time for breakfast. Following breakfast, the first part of our climb is along the ridges of the hills through pine and rhododendron forests.  We reach the top at 3,030 meters and then descend to a second pass also called Deurali. The steep descent gradually gives way to a gentle walkas we reach Ban Thanti where we will stop for lunch. From Ban Thanti, the trail follows the stream down to a bridge where the trail starts climbing to Tadapani (2, 540m).  Along the way the trail offers a brief view of the mountains. Tadapani means“far waters” and possibly the name was picked up as the villager have to go far to fetch drinking water.

Day 04: Tadapani to Ghandruk ( 1, 919m)

It takes about 6 hours to trek from Tadapani to Ghandruk Village.   The Ghandruk trail descends steeply from Tadapani, through forests of different vegetation, predominantly rhododendron. We will stop for lunch at Ghandruk Village, possibly the most beautiful of the Gurung Villages of Annapurna region. From here we can enjoy excellent close-up views of Annapurna South, Machhapurchhe and Himachuli.

Day 05: Ghandruk - Pokhara

From Ghandruk, the trail leads all the way down to ModiKhola then climbs to Landruk - another Gurung village. From Landruk, it’s an easy walk through flat fields, and then descending to Tolka a small settlement at 1,710meters. From here the trail climbs through the forests and after crossing a stream on a suspension bridge at 1,690 m, the trail climbs towards BheriKharka. Once again the trail climbs through forests to a clearing on a hill at 2,010 meters inDeurali. At Deurali, you will enjoy fine mountain views.  Continuing on we then descend all the way down to Dhampus for about two and half hours. Dhampus also has magnificent views of the Himalayas. Finally, after a steep descent to Phedi, we meet our transport and drive for about 2 hours to Pokhara.