Day 01: Pokhara to Tirkhe Dhunga (1,491 m.)
After breakfast, we drive to Nayapul (48 km.) that takes about one and half hour via hilly ridges of Lumle and 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 climb steadily up the side of the valley, reaching Hiley at 1,495m near by Tikhedhunga. Along the way, various hamlets offer ample camping possibilities but if Gorepani is the objective for the next day it is better to push to Tikhe Dhunga.
Day 02: Tikhe Dhunga to Ghorepani (2848 m.)
Breakfast served in the morning around 7am. From Tikhedhunga, the trail crosses a stream (Bhurungdi Khola) on a suspension bridge to start the long steep climb to the large Magar village of Ulleri at 2,070m. Above the village where the trail climbs gently through pastures and cultivated fields, there are magnificent rhododendron and oak forest. Lunch spot in Nange Thanti. Thanti is a Nepali words meaning ?rest house?. In the winter, the trail can be covered with show. From Nange Thanti, its about one hour walking to Ghorepani at 2,848m. 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 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 in the east, with the mighty Annapurna range in between them. Then, we will return to our camp and time for breakfast. The first part is climbing along the ridges of the hills in pine and rhododendron forest to a top 3,030 meters then descend to at a second pass also called Deurali. The steep descent becomes gentle way to reaches Ban Thanti where we will stop for Lunch. From Ban, Thanti, the trail follows the stream down to a bridge where the trails start climbing to Tadapani (2, 540m) offering a brief view of the mountains. Tadapani means, ?Far water? and possibly the name was picked up as the villager have to go far to fetch the drinking water.
Day 04: Tadapani to Ghandruk ( 1, 919m)
It takes about 6 hours from Tadapani to Ghandruk Village. From Tadapani, the trails descend through the forests then terraced fields, to the Khumm Khola. The Ghandruk trail descends steeply from Tadapani, through the forest of different vegetation, dominantly the rhododendrons. We will stop for lunch at Ghandruk Village. It is the most probably the most beautiful of the Gurung Villages of Annapurna region. It has excellent close -up views of Annapurna South, Machhapurchhe and Himachuli.
Day 05: Ghandruk - Pokhara
From Ghandruk, the trails leads all the way down to Modi Khola then climbs to Landruk ?another Gurung village. From Landruk, it?s an easy walk through flat fiends, and descends to Tolka a small settlement at 1,710meters, with several lodges along the trails. Now the trail climbs through the forests and after crossing a stream on suspension bridge at 1,690 m, the trail climbs Bheri Kharka. Again the trail climbs through forests to a clearing on the top of the hill at 2,010 meters to Deurali. At Deurali, you will enjoy fine mountain views and then descend all the way down to Dhampus for about two and half hour. Dhampus also has magnificent views of the Himalayas. After a steep descent to Phedi, meet your transport and drive about 2 hours to Pokhara. |
