The Annapurna foothills provide tremendous trekking opportunities with delightful trails connecting villages and ridge tops. This picturesque trek winds through enchanting villages with ochre thatched houses, terraced rice fields and rhododendron forests, which are spectacular in the spring when whole hillsides are cloaked in colourful flowers.
The ridge top village of Ghandrung provides one of the finest viewpoints of the Annapurna Mountains with magnificent views of the four Annapurnas, and Machapuchare with its fishtail summit. It is a good walk to the top of Poon Hill 3150 metres with a dress circle view over the four Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri as well.
Itinerary
Day 1
Kathmandu to Pokhara (885 metres) 6-7 hours by bus
Drive to Pokhara by the comfortable Green Line Tours Tourist Bus and check into the Gurkha Haven Guest House in Damside which is a quiet area of Pokhara. Spend the evening in Pokhara taking in the sights near the lake and relaxing prior to the start of the trek.
Day 2
Trek to Ghandrung (1950 metres) 5-6 hours walking
Leave Pokhara around 7.30 am after a good breakfast at the German Bakery and travel in our own micro bus to Birethanti, the start of the trek. From here we begin our trek with a walk along the river to the scenic village of Syuli Bazar. We have an early lunch at Syuli Bazar and then commence the three hour climb to Ghandrung. Overnight at a lodge in Ghandrung. Ghandrung is largely a Gurung town and is the headquarters of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). Many of the lodges here have the more environmentally friendly features that ACAP encourages such as back boilers, solar panels, etc.
Day 3
Trek to Tadapani (2595 metres) 4 hours walking
From Ghandrung the trail climbs gently to the village of Baisi Kharka where we stop for a cup of tea and then make the final ascent to Tadapani. Overnight at a lodge in Tadapani. The views of the Annapurna Mountains and Machapuchare from here are stunningly close.
Day 4
Trek to Ghorepani (2750 metres) 6-7 hours walking
The trek from Tadapani to Ghorepani involves a number of ups and downs! We pass through the villages of Banthanti and Deorali before reaching Ghorepani. Overnight at a lodge at Ghorepani.
Day 5
Ghorepani to Tirekedhunga (1515 metres) 5 hours walking
We visit Poon Hill at sunrise to watch the views over Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. After breakfast we begin our walk down to Ulleri (1960m) We stop for lunch at Ulleri and then start descending the 3000 steps to Tirkedhunga ( take it easy!). Night at Tirkedhunga.
Day 6
Tirekedhunga to Birethanti to Pokhara (885 metres) 4 hours walking
The trail descends from Tirkedhunga to the village of Birethanti. We have our lunch at Birethanti and then walk for half an hour to Nayapul. We cross the Modi Khola on a suspension bridge then follow the river valley to the road-head at Nayapul. Here our trek ends and our private vehicle takes us the short way to Pokhara. Here we check-in at the Gurkha Haven Guest House again From the hotel roof, across the lake and above the terraced hillsides, we may catch a glimpse of the sun setting on Annapurna and Machapuchare once again.
Day 7
Pokhara to Kathmandu (885 metres)
We take the bus back to Kathmandu and enjoy the view of the mountains. Those who wish to stay on in Pokhara for a day or so rest and shopping are welcome to do so and arrangements can be made accordingly. Pokhara is a great place to chill out for a few days after the trek! It has good food and relaxing boat rides on the Phewa Tal lake and of course shopping!
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