A Himalayan Escapade – 7 Days

A Himalayan Escapade – 07 Days

This is home, home on the range, where the buffaloes and the antelopes play, where seldom is heard, an encouraging word, and the skies are not cloudy all day…A gentle foray into Nepal’s middle hills, nestled in the overwhelming backdrops of the Annapurna Range…this is the Ghorepani Poonhill trek.

If you are a greenhorn on the trekking circuit, then this is ‘A Himalayan Escapade’ that will prepare your newly found urge for the big time escapes above the timberline. While planning your holiday schedules, if you run up on cramped time, then this is what the doc prescribed for an absolute ‘stress buster’’ and a Himalayan experience that’s not only brief, but also easy on the body with lower altitudes. We begin our odyssey from Nayapul after a several hours drive from Pokhara. Our trail goes across lovely rhododendron forest and charming traditional villages vibrant with life inhabited by the families of brave Gurkha warriors – the Gurung ethnic community who are the major residents of Ghandrung; this is a great chance to experience mountain culture and traditions upfront as we hike through typical rural countryside of Nepal.  The mesmerizing vistas of the silver grey peaks of the Annapurna Ranges and the sublime views of Mount Fishtail make this trek truly rewarding… 

Poonhill is famous for pre-dawn trekking resorts where the sunrise and sunset views are literally stunning; leaving a mark in our memories for a long, long time to come.  This venture can be an inclusion of a Heritage tour in Kathmandu and a Pokhara excursion on our return from the trek.  An ideal time to do this trip is in the spring and the autumn. It’s always best this time around with clear skies and fantastic weather patterns. July and August will not be appropriate for this trip because of the monsoons. 

Day 1 : Arrive in Kathmandu at Tribhuwan International Airport 

Day 2 : Drive to Nayapul  via Pokhara  and trek to Birethanti [1075m] – starting point of the Ghorepani Poonhill trek

Day 3 : Trek to Ghorepani (2855m), stay in a teahouse lodge

Day 4 : Climb to Poonhill [3193m] for great views of the Himalayas and trek to Tadapani (2595m) – Poon hill is the highest point on the Ghorepani trek

Day 5 : Trek to Ghandruk, explore the ethnic village, trek to Nayapul and drive to Pokhara for an overnight 

Day 6 : Drive back to Kathmandu, join Nepali dinner and cultural show

Day 7 : Final departure 

Day 1: Arrival Kathmandu at the Tribhuwan International Airport
You will find our representative awaiting your arrival by displaying a plastic board with your name highlighted in large letters on the board. Our office vehicle will be parked at the airport to pick you up and drop you to your designated hotel. Your first overnight in the valley of temples.

Day 2: Drive to Nayapul via Pokhara and trek to Birethanti [1075m]
After early breakfast we drive to Pokhara. Soon after touchdown in Pokhara, we take a one-hour cruise to Naya Pool along the charming Modi Khola Valley. On reaching our destination, we begin our highly panoramic Annapurna trek. The route skirts through lush forest leading finally to Birethanti after walking for one hour. Birethani houses well-resourced shops, hotels, cafes, a police check post, a bakery and a bank, a nice little village town to have fun and settle in for our first over night on the mountains. Overnight at a teahouse lodge.

Day 3: Trek to Ghorepani [2855m]
From Birethanti, we proceed further along steep trails. Nature displays exotic sights of majestic snow-capped mountain peaks, lush vegetation and rich plant life before us. We climb through rhododendron forest to Deurali [3100m] and reach a hamlet and cultivated fields. We then continue walking for 3 hours and finally we will find ourselves in Ghorepani. Ghorepani also houses several lodges to provide food and accommodation to travelers. Overnight at our lodge

Day 4: Climb to Poonhill [3193m] for great views of the Himalayas and trek to Tadapani [2595m]
Overlooking Ghorepani is nature’s gift of Poonhill at [3193m]. An hour-long pre-dawn ascent gives us the opportunity to see the enthralling views of the Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri glowing in the morning sun. After breakfast, we descend further along the trail showcasing rich rhododendron forests, gloriously cascading sparkling mountain streams and other mystical vistas of nature. After continuously climbing for 3 hours, we step on the territory of Tadapani at an altitude of 2540 meters. Tadapani offers the most awesome mountain views of the overpowering peaks of Annapurna South. We then crash out for the night at our lodge.

Day 5: Trek to Ghandruk [1940m], explore ethnic villages, trek to Nayapul and drive to Pokhara
Leaving Tadapani, we trail along terraced fields beneath the marvelous panorama of tremendous glaciated Himalayan mountain ranges. On passing a succession of flatlands, forest, cultivated lands and a suspension bridge over Khumnu Khola, we arrive at the beautiful village of Ghandruk after walking for 3 to 4 hours. An ideal vantage point in this immaculate village offers breathtaking views of Annapurna South, Gangapurna, Annapurna III, Machhapuchhare and Hiunchuli. Several hotels and teahouses at the village welcome us with warmth and sincere hospitality while catering to the requirements of all trekkers’ who hit the trail through this village. From here on we trek to Nayapul through terraced fields till we culminate at the main road where we get into our waiting vehicle for a drive down to Pokhara for an overnight.

Day 6: Drive back to Kathmandu, refresh and get set for a sumptuous Nepali dinner and cultural show
On arrival at our hotel, we check in, do some refreshing and then head down to an upscale Nepalese kitchen for a sumptuous Nepali cuisine that’s complimentary on the house. You will be accompanied by your senior guide and a staff from our office. While savoring your meal, enjoy a scintillating cultural dance performed by the local belles of the ancient valley. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 7: Final departure transfer to airport for home sweet home farewell friends!
Should you require any extensive activities, please do let us know. This short trek can be added to an exciting historical tour of the Kathmandu valley by a day; we have a vast array of different programs that will even interest the discerning traveler, our ‘No frills’prices will certainly not hurt your pockets. ‘Incentive Holidays’ has taken much pleasure in organizing your holidays and knowing you has been a great honour for us. Thank you for visiting our amazing country Nepal. We do hope we will meet sometime again in the future. Bon Voyage!

Please Note: The above mentioned itinerary can be re-designed or tailored as per your individual travel plans based on your personal desires, please feel free to let us know whatever your needs are.

Accommodation

A TH [Teahouse Lodge] is a term used for sleeping in teahouse lodges on the trails. These teahouses are pretty basic but provide all the comforts that you would expect when hiking in remote conditions, they are cosy and warm – you’d like the homely environment. We crash out in single rooms wherever available, but often times we sometimes have to adapt to sleeping out in dormitory type rooms for a night. Generally, it’s just a bed with a pillow and blankets. It’s a matter of choice, if you want, you bring your own ‘Air pillow’ and freak out anyways, this is adventure in the wild…the rougher it gets the better. We accommodate our trek groups in local lodges available each day. Our porters hike ahead of us to book the required rooms for the group (rooms cannot be booked in advance). Please note, that some of them are very basic and a spirit of adventure is the call of the day. It is cheaper to stay in lodges rather than organizing a camping trek.
 
We have a pool of hotels in Kathmandu under 3 Star categories which we provide to clients in connection with this itinerary, unless it is mentioned otherwise or clients have a special choice. You can check on the description of such hotels through our website. Accommodation is never a problem, the choice exclusively yours.

Dining

At ‘Everest Nepal’ – its zero tolerance on cutting of cost when it comes down to feeding our trekking guests, because we know how tough it is on the trails; we provide three tasty, bountiful and nutritious meals daily with a variety of local and Western dishes. To start the day, breakfast is ‘king size’ [the first meal of the day] consisting of a choice of porridge, muesli and cereals followed by omelet, fried or scrambled eggs with chapattis or bread. Lunch is generally a selection of salad, cooked vegetable dishes, pasta and traditional breads.
 
After a lengthy gritty day on the trail, dinner is a hearty 3 course meal – soup, followed by a variety of vegetables, meat, rice and pasta dishes completed with a simple dessert. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate are also provided at all meals. We use as much fresh produce as possible and special diets are regularly catered for. The local trek leaders are able to maintain very tight controls on health and hygiene in the kitchen with respect to general cleanliness and food preparation and also within the group with respect to personal hygiene. This has allowed us to maintain extremely high standards of health over many years of planning treks – and good health is vital to an enjoyable and successful trek and climb. All foods are well cooked and vegetables are treated by potassium permanganate or iodine. Boiled water is served for drinking. Antiseptic soaps and potassium or iodine treated water are provided for washing. Special dietary requirements can always be catered for. ‘Gluttony is a sin’ but there are no restrictions on the grub we serve to our guests on the mountains; we leave it up to our trekking guests who are the best judge of their own appetites.