Ghorepani Poonhill Annapurna Trek

Welcome to Kathmandu! As soon as you landed and went through the immigration process, you will be welcomed and picked up by our representative, who will take you to your hotel in the heart of Kathmandu. Settle down after your long journey. In the evening we will let you know what is in store for you in the next days.

After breakfast you will take a 30 minutes flight to Pokhara. Your trekking guide will meet you there and drive you to Nayapul within 1.5 hours. After the scenic drive you will trek along the banks of the Modi Khola river, until you reach Birethati (1015m), a large village with many shops and tea houses. From here, the trail continues along the north bank of the Bhurungdi Khola, ascends steeply through forests, gorgeous rice terraces and again through a dense forest, climbing steadily up to Hille (1495m), before you will reach Tikhedhunga at 1570m.

Today’s trek is rather short and relatively easy to allow you to get acclimatized.

Today you will trek for almost 6 hours, mostly ascending steeply until you reach Ulleri, a large Magar Village at 2070m, leaving numerous stone steps behind. The trail continues to ascend more gently, through beautiful oak and rhododendron forests towards Banthanti at 2250m. From here you will trek towards Nangethanti at 2460m before arriving at Ghorepani at 2840m. Ghorepani is a relatively large village with excellent views of the Annapurna range, Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri. Here you can stock up on supplies such as drinking water.

Poon Hill (3210m) is known as one of the best viewpoints of the Himalayas in the world, connecting two of the world’s tallest Himalayas, Dhaulagiri (8167m) and Annapurna (8091m). The best time to view the magnificent mountain range is at sunrise before 5 am. Therefore you will wake at 4 am today to reach Poon Hill. From the top you will enjoy views of majestic mountains Machhapuchher (or Fish Tail, 6993m), Tukuche Peak (6920m), Nilgiri (6940m), Hiunchuli (6441m), Annapurna South (7219m), Dhaulagiri (8167 m) and many more. After a marvellous sunrise view you will head back to Ghorepani for breakfast and afterwards start trekking to Tadapani.

The trek will then lead you through blossoming rhododendron jungles as you pass through the Deurali pass at 3160m. The road then ascends to Tadapani before you reach the Gurung village Ghandruk.

From Ghandruk the trail descends steeply, passing villages, rice terraces and forests, up to Dhampus and finally to Phedi. On this 5 hours trek, mountains like Machhapuchhare (the holy unclimbed Mt Fishtail), Annapurna South, Lamjung Himal, and Annapurna III, which you might have missed on the way up, will hover above you. You will end the trek here and drive back to Pokhara. Here you will have the rest of the day to spend leisurely. Enjoy a coffee or drink in one of the numerous cafés and restaurants on the lake side.

Today you will take an early tourist bus (at 7.30) which will take you back to Kathmandu. Great flexibility is required when you travel through the mountainous roads and the traveling time often depends on the traffic. You will arrive in the late afternoon. Take the rest of the day to settle down and relax at your hotel.

Today we want to show you three major cultural sites in the Kathmandu valley. The first stop is Pashupatinath. The world’s largest Hindu temple is truly fascinating, as cremation processes are happening here regularly. After spending some hours exploring the temple you will head to Kathmandu Durbar Square, which used to be a Royal Palace arena – now it’s home to the living Goddess ‘Kumari’. The palaces and the pagodas are rich in arts and superior examples of wooden craft that flourished in the 14th century.

You will then head towards Swayambhunath or Monkey Temple, which is not only home to many monkeys but also the perfect example of religious harmony between Hinduism and Buddhism. 365 stone steps lead up to the stupa on the top of the hill, from where you will have a magnificent view over the Kathmandu city.

In the evening we would like to invite you to a traditional Nepalese dinner with a cultural dance and music.

After breakfast and before your departure, your another stop will be Boudhanath, the world’s largest stupa, looming 36 meters high. It lies close by the airport. The design of the stupa is really fascinating, with hundreds of prayer wheels and 108 small images of Buddha all around. As you enter from the hustling main street, you will feel the peace and spiritual energy of this place.

You will finally be transferred to the airport for your flight back home. We hope you will reminisce in with sweet memories of Nepal, its mountains, nature, peoples and their smile.