Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek
Kathmandu, Pokhara, Pokhara, Nayapul, Tokhedhunga, Tirkhedhunga, Ghorepani, Poonhil, Tadapani, Ghandruk, Pothana, Dhampus Phedi, Annapurna Nepal
From $798 AUD pp (2 pax)
Sight seeing in Kathmandu
After breakfast, we start an interesting tour around Kathmandu. We try to give them a full taste of our vivid culture image and an enchanting manner of its people. In our sightseeing tour we go to Monkey temple Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath and Kathmandu Durbar square. Durbar Square: -This complex of palaces, courtyards and temples, built between the 12th and 18th centuries, used to be the seat of the ancient Malla kings of Kathmandu. An intriguing piece here is the 17th century stone inscription set into the wall of the palace with writings in 15 languages. The Durbar square, protected as an UNESCO world Heritage site, is the social, religious and urban focal point of the city. There are also museums inside the palace building. There is an entrance fee of Rs.250 for foreign visitors. Your ticket to the Square entitles you to visit all the museums. Swayambhunath, 6.5 kilometers west of Kathmandu, situated on a hillock, this 2000 years old Stupa is the world’s most glorious Buddhist shrine and is surrounded by several small pagodas. The main temple is capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt and is painted on the four sides with all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. Pashupatinath, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is the holiest and most famous Nepalese temple. Situated 5 kilometers northeast of Kathmandu on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, it is an impressive pagoda style structure with gilt roof and richly carved silver doors. It has bathing and cremation ghats, which are of absorbing interest to the tourist, particularly in the mornings and on festival days.
Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara
As you climb out of the Kathmandu valley annapurna Nepal, you quickly descend again to the Trisuli River and follow the river 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. If the weather is pleasant, Pokhara is a tourist’s paradise with many natural and cultural heritage sites such as lakes, caves, temples of Buddhist and Hindus along with mountains. You will see views to the north across the hills and Phewa Taal (lake) to the white peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. This drive will take most of the morning, leaving much of the afternoon to fall in love with its beauty.
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, tourism business and some in Gorkha and Indian regiments
Trek from Tirkhedhunga to Ghorepani, Annapurna Nepal
To begin your trek, you ascend steeply for the early 2 hours and then ascend gently passing through Ulleri and Banthanti, Magar villages. On the way, you could see a good view of Machhapuchhre or Fish Tail, Huinchuli, and South Annapurna Nepal. The trail becomes easier, passing through forest and descending gently up to the final camp. You could see some of the wild life such as monkey and various species of birds.
Ghorepani, Annapurna Nepal to Poonhil and Tadapani
This takes about five and half hours. Start early in the morning with a trip to Poon Hill, Annapurna Nepal to enjoy the sunrise view over Mt. Dhaulagiri , Tukuche Peak, Nilgiri, Varaha Shikhar, Mt. Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Annapurna III, Machhapuchhre, Annapurna IV, Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal and other numerous snow-capped mountain peaks.
After breakfast trek Ghorepani to Tadapani 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, Fishtail, Annapurna II and many others.
Trek from Tadapani to Ghandruk taking about three hours, a very easy trek 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 with a handicraft centre and Gurung museum. From this village you could see good views of Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna, Annapurna III and Fishtail.
Trek from Ghandruk to Pothana taking about six hours. The first part of your trek is steeply down a stone staircase to Kimbu (Bee hive). Kimbu is located on the bank of Modi Khola. The trail now rises steeply following the stone staircase up to Landruk and then gently for nearly two hours. This is followed again by a steep ascends for an hour until reaching Deural, passing through Tolkha village. From this point you can see panoramic view of Dhaulagiri I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Fishtail, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal . Now the rest of the trail descends gently down to Dhampus passing through Pothana village.
Trek from Pothana to Dhampus Phedi which takes about four hours. 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, paddy fields and forest protected by local community. Upon your arrival at Dhampus Phedi, you could take a vehicle to reach Pokhara.
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 operates 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.
TRIP FACTS
Ghorepani trek, Annapurna Nepal
Trip Duration: 12 days
Grade: Moderate
Max. Altitude: 3260 m
Season: Sep – May
Trekking: Teahouse
Accommodation: 4 nights in Kathmandu, 2 nights in Pokhara & 5 nights in trekking lodge
Transportation: Tourist bus or private vehicle or Flight
Group Size: Min 2 pax
This trek has the grade moderate, you are likely to walk for 6-7 hours each day over steep hilly terrain on usually rough trails but no real extremes of weather. Moderate trails entail reaching up to 5500m with daily ascends of around 400-700m. You will also be facing high altitude air with low level of oxygen on some days and therefore required to have a positive attitude and be physically fit. Previous hiking or camping experience is preferable.
