Annapurna Ghorepani poonhill & Ghandrunk Trek

Trip Highlights

Trekking route	: Nayapul to pun hill & Nayapul
Total Duration	: 10 night’s/11 days in total
Trek Duration	: 05 days
Grade	: Leisurely to Moderate
Max. Elevation	: 3210 meters at punhill
Trekking style	: Teahouse basis
Meal	: Full board on trek
Accommodation	: Lodge on trek
Transportation	: Tourist bus & private vehicle
Best Months	: Sept - Nov & Mar - May

Trip Introduction

The Annapurna Ghorepani Ponnhill & Ghandrunk trek is one of the most famous, picturesque, classic and popular treks in Nepal. This trek leads through country inhabited by a wide diversity of peoples and topography. It offers spectacular mountain scenery on the ancient Trans-Himalayan Salt Trade Route to the north. There is a great mixture of culture, flora and landscapes from the subtropical low lands to the alpine zone, from the paddy fields to the rhododendron, silver fir and pine forest. This trek offers a short circuit route around the south of Annapurna Himalayan range, offering grand views of three highest mountain ranges from Dhaualgiri, Annapurna to Mananslu range. You trek in the midst of the rain and alpine forest zone, and through traditional villages with constant views of the high snow capped peaks including the majestic Mt. Fishtail.

Although this trek passes through several up and down hills for few days, our itinerary is flexible to suit the client’s interest and allows them to walk at their own pace. This trek is ideal for all types of outdoor, family group and nature lovers.

Trekking Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu

Day 02: Kathmandu Valley sight-seeing

Day 03: Kathmandu to Pokhara

Day 04: Pokhara to Tikhedhunga (1,460 m.)

Day 05: Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani (2,772 m.)

Day 06: Ghorepani to Poon hill (3210 m) to Tadapani (2660 m.)

Day 07: Tadapani to Ghandruk (1926 m.)

Day 08: Ghandruk Nayapul to Pokhara 4-5 hrs walk & 2 hrs drives

Day 09: Drive back to Kathmandu. 200 k.m. 5-6 hrs Bus Journey

Day 10: Leisure at Kathmandu

Day 11:Departure from Kathmandu

Day to day Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu
Namaste and welcome to the Himalayan country of Nepal. You will be meet at the airport and be transfered to your hotel for check-in. After time to get refreshed, you will be meet in the evening for a welcome dinner in one of the finest Nepalese restaurants which includes a cultural show. Then afterwards you will be briefed about your trip and brought back to the Hotel for your overnight stay.

Day 02: Kathmandu Valley sight-seeing
Today, after breakfast you will go on a guided sightseeing tour of the highlights of Kathmandu and the surrounding Valley. You will visit Swoyambhunath Stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple, with its fine views over Kathmandu valley. The temple has many interesting features as well as the great stupa with highest point to the Kathmandu valley.

After this you can join the devotees, pilgrims and wandering saddhus (holy men) at Pashupatinath. Pashupatinath is the most important Hindu temple in Nepal as well as being one of the most important Shiva temples on the subcontinent. It is situated on the banks of the holy Bagmati River where you may have a chance to see a cremation on the River bank.

Take time to walk around Bodhnath (Boudha) stupa, the largest in Nepal and one of the largest in the world. Boudha is also the centre of Tibetan culture in Nepal and a wonderfully vibrant, interesting community.
Explore the temples and courtyards of Patan, also known as the City of Fine Arts. In the evening we’ll drive back to Kathmandu where we’ll have a group briefing on what to expect when our trek begins tomorrow. The remainder of the evening is free for you to explore the surrounding area or simply relax at the hotel.

Day 03: Kathmandu to Pokhara
This morning we’ll drive (approximately seven hours with breaks) through beautiful Nepalese countryside to reach the relaxing lakeside resort of Pokhara. Arriving in Pokhara we’ll check in to our hotel and the remainder of the day is free to relax and perhaps explore the local area.  

Day 04: Pokhara to Tikhedhunga (1,460 m.)
This morning we will drive for about 45 Km. This drive offers you the best view of Annapurna Himalayan range with terraced landscapes and villages and then descending to the Nayapul. From there our trek begins in this warm sub tropical region. The walk follows the Modi River upstream to Birethanti & follows the east bank of Bhurungdi Khola with scenery of waterfalls, high green forest and follows the picturesque trails and finally reaches to Tikhedhunga. Lunch will be eaten en route. Walking distance is four hours and we will stay overnight at Tikhedhunga village where you can enjoy the cool splash of the cascading waterfalls.

Day 05: Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani (2,772 m.)
After breakfast you will continue the trek. The path ascends steeply for couple of hours to Ulleri village with the scenery of terrace landscape and Annapurna Himalaya. From here the path is more gradual up hill on the winding trail through the cool shade of forest; the walk continues mostly uphill, in the midst of the giant rhododendron forest and you finally reach Ghorepani Deurali. Ghorepani is a busy spot on the ridge in the midst of the beautiful rhododendron forest, offering grand views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range to the north and west.

Day 06: Ghorepani to Poon hill (3210 m) to Tadapani (2660 m.)
Today your guide will wake you early in the morning for a 40 minute hike up to Poonhill with the help of flash-light or moon light offering morning glimpse of stars and walking through the Rhododendron forest.
Poonhill is named after the hill tribe Pun, inhabitants of Ghorepani and the surrounding area. It is also an Advantage spot for the most panoramic scenery from the far western Himalaya of Dolpo, Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna including Mt. Machhapuchare (Fish Tail) Manaslu all the way to Ganesh Himalayan range. Nearly 600 k.m range of mountains can be viewed from this great spot with the spectacular sunrise on the mid western Himalaya range. After a great time here return to Ghorepani for breakfast and continue trek to Tadapani, the walk passes through the Rhododendron, Pine, fur & bamboo forest with few short up and downs and finally you reach Tadapani.  This is a wonderful place with close views of the Annapurna and Fishtail mountains, situated in the midst of the rain and alpine mixed forest. This takes around five hours walking up & down with a lunch break at Banthanti.

Day 07: Tadapani to Ghandruk (1926 m.)
Today’s walk leads through the serene forest for an hour on the gradual path to Bhasi Kharka. From this spot the trail descends with occasional views of the Mt.Annapurna ranges & Machhapuchre (Fishtail).
The trial descends through forest, creeks and small streams and into the maze of trails until Ghandruk village is reached. This is a semi-modern village and gateway to Annapurna Sanctuary. On reaching Ghandruk at lunch time you have enough time to explore the village and Gurung culture.We will stay here for the night stop.

Day 08: Ghandruk Nayapul to Pokhara 4-5 hrs walk & 2 hrs drives
Today we have a pleasant walk on this last day of the trek.  The path leads to a long descent towards Syauli Bazaar for two hours and from here the path follows the Modi River all the way to Nayapul and passes through another nice village at Bhirethati. From this place after a short walk of 30 minutes you reach Nayaul. Form here we have a two hours scenic drive to Pokhara for the overnight stop near by the Lake Phewa.

Day 09: Drive back to Kathmandu. 200 k.m. 5-6 hrs Bus Journey
Today, in the morning you will drive back to Kathmandu  with river views of Marsyangdi and Trisuli River. The drive passes through numerous towns and farm villages with great scenery of the farm fields, terrace landscapes. Reaching Kathmandu, you will return to the hotel and have the evening to explore the surrounding areas or to relax in the Hotel.

Day 10: Leisure at Kathmandu
This is a full day at leisure to rest and relax, to explore the local area and perhaps do a bit of last minute shopping at the heart of Kathmandu valley. You also have the option of doing some sight-seeing including Bhaktapur and Patan. Afterwards, you will have an evening farewell dinner with your crew and overnight at Hotel.

Day 11:Departure from Kathmandu
Today is free or last minute shopping for souvenirs or gift to your family, friends or relatives for you until your departure flight/drive or to commence any extra trips or activities you may have booked with us. If departing, you’ll be transferred to the International Airport for your departure flight to your onwards destination.

Note: The itinerary may flexible during the trek depending upon the clients requirements and fitness.

Extending your holiday
In Nepal, there are many choices and options if you’d like to extend your holiday before or after your main booking. Here are just a few suggestions of extensions available for this trip:

- Travel to the Trans Himalayan country with its mysterious and spiritual land of Tibet
- Visit land of the thunder dragon known as Bhutan
- Take a memorable wildlife safari with Elephant back ride in the Chitwan National park
- White water River rafting in the Himalayan country of Nepal
- 1 hour amazing mountain flight closest to the Mt. Everest
- Visit Darjeeling/Sikkim tour to India.
- Extend your trek in different trekking areas
- Bungee Jumping, Paragliding, Mountain biking and many more. >>>

Service Includes

• 4 Night Delux twin sharing accommodation in Kathmandu in 4 star hotel and 2 night standard hotel in pokhara
• All local transportation by suitable vehicle(car, van, bus) in Kathmandu & Pokhara
• Complementary welcome and farewell dinner in Kathmandu
• A day Kathmandu sightseeing as per itinerary with tour guide, vehicle & entry fees
• Kathmandu to Pokhara to Kathmandu by regular tourist bus (Optional private vehicle)
• Pokhara to nayapul & nayapul to pokhara by suitable vehicle(car, van, bus)
• Meal on full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea & coffee) basis during the Annapurna Ghorepani poonhill & Ghandrunk  trek
• Accommodation on teahouse/lodge during the Annapurna Ghorepani poonhill & Ghandrunk  trek
• Annapurna Ghorepani poonhill & Ghandrunk  trek leader (English speaking, First Aid and eco trained), Sherpa helper(for each two member), all payments
• Annapurna Conservation entry fee ,  TIMS and all major permit and entry fee
• Exclusive medical kit bag
• All government and local taxes
• Intl. flight ticket re-confirmation
• Submit your tourist registration form to the require embassy/consulate

Service does not Includes

• Visa fees, intl. airfare & departure taxes
• Excess baggage charges
• Lunch and dinner in city
• Travel and rescue insurance
• Personal expenses e.g. phone calls, laundry, bar bills & extra porters
• Tips for driver, guides and porters
• Anything does not includes in service inclusive column.

Enjoy the adventure with our Himalayan guides and take good memories away with you from Nepal.