Summary:
Features Gurung and Magar villages, Mountain views from Ghorepani (Poon hill), probably the best views in the world. Having a great opportunity to observe the sunrise and sunset over the mountains. A long descend to Tatopani (Hot springs), the deepest gorge in the world. Finish with a day of walking through villages that see more Nepalese and Indian pilgrimages than foreign tourists
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) - Deurali (2100m)
5 - 5½ hours, 1100m ascend, 20m descend
Drive from Pokhara (820 m.) to Dhampus Phedi (1120 m.) then steep climbing up to Dhampus Village (1770m) with views of Dhaulagiri 1st (8167m), the 7th tallest mountain in the world, Mardi Himal, Fishtail (6993m), Annapurna range, Lamjung Himal(6932m) and Manaslu range. Now the trail gently assents to the Pothana Village (1890m) through the forest. Again the trail gently assent to our final destination Deurali(2100m).
Day 03 :
Deurali (2100m) - Ghandruk (1950m)
5 - 5½ hours, 800m descend, 650m ascend
Treks begins to descend upto Bherikharka through forests. Now you follow flat path till you reach Tolka village. The path you follow till Landruk is really exhilarating as you pass through many local villages rich in culture, terrace fields and numerous green hills. From here the trail descends to Modi khola (stream), kiwi (Bee hive, 1300m.). Now the trail steeply ascend through stone staircase upto Final Camp of the day. Ghandruk village, the second largest Gurung village, having about 310 households (the largest is siklis, having about 400 households), one of the major ethnic group out of the 63 identify ethnic group of Nepal and well known for the brave Indian and British regiment. There is a handicraft centre and Gurung museum. From this village you could see Annapurna south, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, Annapurna III and Fishtail.
Day 04 :
Ghandruk (1950m) – Tadapani (2700m)
2½ - 3 hours, 750m ascend, 20m descend
The trek from Ghandruk to Tadapani is gradually ascend through rainy and dense forest. You could pass via Bhaisi Kharka with the birds chirping sounds. Form en route you could see beautiful mountain views as well as green hills.
Day 05 :
Tadapani (2700m) – Ghorepani (2900m)
4 - 4½ hours, 500m descend, 700m ascend
The first part of the trek is steeply down to small stream for half an hour then immediately steeply ascend to Banthanti (2650m). Again, your trail is steeply ascend about two hours to the Deurali (3100m). After Deurali your trek is still gradual ascend upto Gurung Hill (3200m). Finally your trail is descend all the way to Ghorepani. All this day you walk through Rhododendron, pine and oak forest. En route you could see beautiful mountain views and green hills.
Day 06 :
Ghorepani (2900m) – Poonhill (3200m), trek to Tatopani (1200m)
6 - 6½ hours, 1700m descend, 50m ascend
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 at Lodge you descend all the way to Tatopani via Chitre, Shikha & Ghara. After descending through the rhododendron forest, fine vistas open up as you approach Chitre, with the Dhaulagiri Range straight ahead. The path then leads through terraced fields to Sikha, a Magar village clustered on a ridge. You continue to descend, gradually at first and then more steeply to cross the Ghar Khola. After a short climb, you then cross the Kali Gandaki on a large suspension bridge and from here it is only a short distance upstream to Tatopani. Tatopani takes its name from the hot springs near the river below the village. Your route ascends gently up the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world. You can enjoy the hot spring at Tatopani as the word. Tatopati is termed after the natural hot spring situated at the bank of the Kali Gandaki river. It is popularly believed that taking bath in Hot Spring helps you to get rid of skin diseases. Along this, it gives you physical and mental refreshment as well.
Day 07 :
Tatopani (1200m) – Beni (820m)
6 - 6½ hours, 380m descend, 100m ascend
Trek from Tatopani to Beni which takes about six to six and half hours. The trail is flat which continues following Kali Gandaki. You will come across many small waterfalls. The trail also continues through the Bekhola, Baisari and finally reaches Beni.
Day 08 :
Beni (820m) - Pokhara(820)
5 – 5 ½ hours, 70 K.M. Distance
Drive from Beni to Pokhara which takes about five and half hours. The road from Beni to Maldhunga is rough and bumping. The road from Maldhunga to Pokhara is well paved and black top. While you driving to Pokhara, you will see good views of the different villages, people and the charming faces as well as greenery scenarios and finally you reach the Pokhara.
Day 09:
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 can also fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu which takes approximately 25 minutes.
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Facts of the Trek: