Stepping up to Ghorepani Poonhill

The Trip

This itinerary is one of the most beautiful and also the most popular trekking destination in the heart of the Annapurna region. It is one of the famous view points on earth and relatively easy to do. Tourists sleep in lodges and so called teahouses. It offers a wonderful opportunity to witness the beauty of the Annapurna region with a shorter trekking. This place is hidden treasure of Nepalese culture and tradition. During the trek the trail passes through world’s famous “the Gorkha warrior” clan the Gurung and magar’s charming village.

The trek begins with a guided sightseeing program in Kathmandu. After we drive to the lively lakeside city of Pokhara, the real walking starts from Nayapul. While trekking along to Ulleri and Ghorepani, we marvel at colorful orchids and clear views of the splendid high mountains including the two eight-thousanders – Mt. Annapurna (8091 m) and Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m). Upon reaching the final destination, Poon Hill (3210m) is a reward in itself, perhaps one of the most beautiful viewpoints on earth. The added presence of rice terraces completes the picture making it a photographer’s paradise. Then, we trek to the beautiful Gurung village of Ghandruk and enjoy the ethnic hospitality along with the cultural magnificence of Gurung Museum.

The itinerary is specially suitable for families with children and for first time trekkers to Nepal. It is less demanding, short but yet so beautiful trek,  in the rural mountainside with up-close Himalayan views. Additionally in Pokhara we explore the lakes, underwatercaves and waterfalls.

Day by Day Program

3.200 steps up to the fascinating Annapurna views

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu, o/n in a hotel +D
Himalayan Dream Team will pick you up at the international airport for your transfer to the hotel. As a welcome you will have a typical Nepalese dinner with some of the staff members, typical food coming up! And do not forget to try our typical Nepalese drink with great mood of cheers.

Day 2: Sightseeing/free day in Kathmandu, preparations for climbing/permits, o/n in a hotel +B
After breakfast we will start for the sightseeing tour in the Kathmandu, visit the main temples of Swoyambhunath (Monkey temple), Pashupatinath, the most venerated Hindu temple of Nepal and Bouddhanath, the biggest Buddhist stupa of the world. In the afternoon we show you Durbar square with an orientation tour through lively Thamel. Transport and entry fees included!

Day 3:  Kathmandu to Pokhara (823m, 6hrs drive), o/n in a hotel +B
Early morning at around 7 am, we set off for Pokhara on a tourist bus. On route we will see more of countryside of Nepal that offers greeneries, rivers, villages, farms and beautiful mountain sceneries. In the afternoon, we reach Pokhara. Pokhara offers magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhare, five peaks of Annapurna and others. Pokhara is known as city of lakes as it hosts numerous beautiful lakes. We can explore the most accessible and beautiful, Fewa Lake during the afternoon and enjoy boating too. We spend the evening exploring, relaxing and dining by the side of the enchanting lake. You can do some shopping during the evening hours.

Day 4: Trek to Ulleri (2.050 m, 4/5hrs) o/n in lodge +B/L/D
After breakfast we have an hour drive to the trekking starting point at Naya Pul, after 20 mins walking you reach  Birethati, a village with mixed cultures , lifestyles, traditions. Here you will show your trekking permit and TIMS permits in the check point office.  We first now pass through sub tropical valley forests, sometimes on the carved trail on sometimes on the side of the cliff. After lunch, we cross the Modi Khola (river) on a suspension bridge to the village of Tikhedhunga. The Ulleri Hill with thousands of steps and boulders that continually go upward would really prove a test of our stamina.

Day 05: Trek to Ghorepani (2.750 m, 4/- 5 hrs) o/n ín lodge +B/L/D
We make our ascent to the Ghorepani village. The name Ghorepani in Nepali means horse-water owing as to its role as an important campsite for traders before it became a trekker’s stop. Ghorepani is an interesting place with small shops and stalls for selling local products and craft. The town has two parts: one up and the other a few hundred feet lower. We stop at the higher part of the Ghorepani village that offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains including Annapurna South and Nilgiri mountains. Since Ghorepani lies quite higher than our previous stop, we begin to feel the chilly weather especially in the evenings

Day 6: Trek to Poon Hill (3210m) and to Tadapani (2.700m, 6/ 7hrs), o/n in lodge +B/L/D
Today will be a special day because we conquer Poon Hill- an icon of Annapurna region. To catch the magnificent splendour of sunrise over the Himalayas, we make an early morning climb along the steep trail to the viewpoint of Poon Hill. Poon Hill (3,210m) is a great viewpoint from where we will be able to enjoy wonderful panoramic views of the Mustang part and Pokhara valleys including the closest views of more than 20 highest mountains including the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The snowy peaks of the high mountains loom above and around us glowing in the morning light. After taking photos and having some coffee or tea or hot chocolate, we return back to Gorepani. Upon breakfast, we head east and climb a nearby ridge. We descend through rhododendron forest, pass by spectacular waterfalls along the way and reach Tadapani.

Day 7: Trek to Ghandruk (1.950m, 3/ 4hrs), o/n in lodge +B/L/D
Today after breakfast we start trekking about 4 hours to Ghandruk. It is a big village on the trek and a most interesting tribal Gurung village, from which Gorkha soldiers are recruited. It has excellent close -up views of Annapurna South, Machhapurchhe and Himachuli. We visit the cute village museum in the afternoon.

Day 8: Trek to Nayapul and drive to Pokhara (4hrs trek , 1hr drive) , o/n in a hotel +B/L
Today, we trek from Ghandruk to Naya Pul and then drive back to Pokhara. The trek will be downhill all the way to Birethanti. We step onto a staircase paved with stone slabs, curving in and out of the village and then along terraced farms. It keeps on going down almost without breaks from Ghandruk until the Modi Khola river valley. By the time, we arrive at Birethanti, some of us would feel like having made a downhill marathon. But our marathon is not over yet. From Birethanti, a final half-an-hour’s walk takes us into Naya Pul. The journey on foot comes to an end and we drive from Nayapul to Pokhara.

Day 9: Rest day and sightseeing Pokhara, o/n in a hotel +B
Pokhara, also nicknamed as the Lake City, is the most beautiful place in Nepal. The town offers magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhare, five peaks of Annapurna and others. Pokhara owns numerous lakes, known as ‘Tal’ in Nepali, and offers fishing, boating and swimming. We visit Devi’s Fall and the Gupteshwar Gufa Cave (also called Shiva Gufa). We also make a sightseeing trip to some of Pokhara’s marketplaces, old bazaars, and landmarks. In the evening, explore the surrounding lakeside areas!

Day 10: Fly back to Kathmandu (30 mins) o/n in a hotel +B
After a scenic flight upon our arrival in Kathmandu, you will be escorted to your hotel. The day in kathmandu either will be for leisure to rest or for perhaps some shopping before going home or further trek /tours or explore any sights we missed during our first day in Kathmandu.

Day 11: Transfer to international airport for fly back to home +B
Our adventure comes to an end today! Himalayan Dream Team accompany us to the airport for our flight time. Approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight.

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