Summary:
After a stiff climb to Ghorepani and get views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and other mountains, this trek returns through Ghandrunk, Landruk, and other Gurung Villages.
Detail Itinerary:
Day 01 :
Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara (820m.) which takes about seven hours. You depart for the seven hours drive to Pokhara (820m,), 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu. As you climb out of the Kathmandu valley, only to quickly descend again to the Trisuli River, you follow upstream to its junction with the Marsyangdi River. You follow the Marsyandi gently up through heavily terraced fields and small hill towns to the Seti River that takes you directly into Pokhara. Having pleasant weather, Pokhara is tourist's paradise with full of natural as well as cultural heritage sites such as lakes, caves, temples of Buddhist and Hindus along with mountains. You can observe views to the north across the hills and Phewa Tal (lake) to the white peaks of the Manaslu, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri ranges. This drive will take most of the morning, leaving much of the afternoon to fall in love with its beauty..
Day 02 :
Pokhara (820 m) - Tikhedhunga (1500m), drive via Nayapul.
3 - 3½ hours, 50m descend, 500m ascend
After breakfast at hotel, you could drive by car or van for 1 and half hours to Nayapul (1070m). Then you start your trekking. The first part of your trek is easy passing through numerous small villages and settlements. Afterwards you could ascend gently to the final destination of the day. The majority people here are Gurung and their religion is Buddhist. They are engaged in agricultural activities and animal husbandry, tourism business; some are employed in Gorkha and Indian regiments and overseas employment.
Day 03 :
Tikhedhunga (1500m) - Ghorepani (2900m)
6 - 6½ hours, 1400m ascend, 100m descend
To begin your trek, you could ascend steeply for the early 2 hours upto Ulleri (2010) and then ascend gently passing through Banthanti, Magar villages. On the way, you could see good view of Machhapuchhare or Fish Tail (6993m.), Hiunchuli (6441m.), and Annapurna South (7219m.). Now your trail is quite easier passing through rhododendron and shadowy trees and descends gently up to the final camp. You could see some of the wild life such as monkey and various species of birds.
Day 04 :
Ghorepani (2900m) – Poonhill (3200m) – Tadapani (2700m)
5½ - 6 hours, 800m ascend, 1050m descend,
Early morning trip to Poon Hill (3200m.) to enjoy the sunrise view over Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m.), Tukuche Peak (6920m.), Nilgiri (6940m.), Varaha Shikhar (7847m.), Mt. Annapurna I (8091m.), Annapurna South (7219m.), Annapurna III (7555m.), Machhapuchhare (6993m.), Annapurna IV (7525m.), Annapurna II (7937m.), Lamjung Himal (6932m.) and other numerous snowcapped mountain peaks. After breakfast trek Ghorepani to Tadapani (2700m.). After walking for almost one and half hour you reach Gurung Hill (3200m) which has the splendid mountain views as Poon Hill. From here you follow forests with rhododendron, bamboos until you reach Deurali (3100m). The trail goes steeply down through deep forests all the way to Banthati (2650m). It takes one hour from here to reach Tadapanil After breakfast trek from Ghorepani to Tadapani (2700m.) through the deep forests of rhododendrons, bamboos and oaks. En route, you frequently see waterfalls, rocks, wild animals, local birds and green scenarios. Tadapani is a small village surrounded by beautiful forests which grants you a magnificent view of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, Annapurna III, Fishtail, and Mardi Himal.
Day 05 :
Tadapani (2700m) – Ghandruk (1950m)
2- 2½ hours, 750m descend, 20m ascend
It is very easy trek by descending gently all the way through rhododendron, oak and other kinds of dense forests. You could hear different kinds of birds chirping on the way. This is one of the popular destinations for the birds' lovers. Ghandruk is a big Gurung village. There is a handicraft centre and Gurung museum. From this village you could see good views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna (7455m.), Annapurna III (7755m.) and Fishtail.
Day 06 :
Ghandruk (1950m) – Tolka (1850m)
4- 4½ hours, 650m descend, 450m ascend
First part of your trek is steeply down following stone staircase to Kiwi (Bee hive, 1300m). Kiwi or Bee hive is located at the elevation of 1300 meters on the bank of Modi Khola. Now your trail steeply ascends following the stone staircase up to Landruk (1640m), a beautiful Gurung village. The trail ascends gently for early one and half hours to Tolka which is your final camp of the day.
Day 07 :
Tolka (1850m) – Dhampus Phedi (1120m) then drive to Pokhara.
5½ - 6 hours, 250m ascend, 1000m descend
The first part of the trek is reasonably flat of to Bherikharka (1850m) then steeply climb to Deurali (2100m). Your trail descends gradually for at least an hour and follows gravel road for two hours and then steeply descends to Phedi passing through Dhampus village (1770m), paddy fields and forest protected by local community. Upon your arrival at Dhampus Phedi, you could take a vehicle to reach Pokhara.
Day 08 :
Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist mini bus that takes about seven hours. While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli, Dumre, Muglin and Kurintar where the Nepal's first Cable car is operated to reach to Manakamana Temple. En route, you could enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to capital city. You are then directly taken to the hotel.
You can also fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu which takes approximately 25 minutes.
|
Facts of the Trek: