The Annapurna Foothills Trek : Dec 21st to 28th 2014

Dhaulagiri from Poon Hill

The Annapurna foothills provide tremendous trekking 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 Annapurnas and Dhaulagiri as well. 

DATES

December 21st to 28th 2014 Kathmandu to Kathmandu

COSTS

INR 45,000 for SAARC citizens and USD 1000 for foreigners. Exclusions apply. Please email sujoyrdas@gmail.com for a detailed trek pdf.

SCHEDULE

Day 01 Kathmandu to Pokhara to Austrian Camp (2050 metres) – Flight to Pokhara then drive to Kande (one hour) and climb to Austrian Camp ( 2 hrs walk)

• Day 02 Austrian Camp to Landrung
• We leave in the morning after a splendid sunrise over the entire Annapurna range and walk to Pothana in half an hour. From Pothana the trail climbs uphill to Deorali from where it makes a steep descent to Bichok. From Bichok it is a level walk to Tolka where we break from lunch. From Tolka it is an hours walk to Landrung our night stop.

Ghandrung village

Day 03 Trek to Ghandrung (1950 metres) 5-6 hours walking

• The large village of Ghandrung can be seen directly across the valley from Landrung. This is a short walking day allowing time to explore Landrung and Ghandrung. From Landrung we descend to the Modi Khola River and cross on a large suspension bridge. The ascent through terraced fields to the picturesque town takes around 2 hours. 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. The views of the Annapurna Mountains and Machapuchare from here are stunning.
• Day 04 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 05 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 06 Ghorepani to Tirekedhunga (1515m) -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.

South Col group at Gurung Cottage Ghandrung

Day 07 – 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 08 Pokhara to Kathmandu (885 metres) Flight to Kathmandu and onwards.

The Annapurnas from the air above Pokhara town

Selected Links

Photos from the Annapurna Region

Video of the Poon Hill Trek

Testimonials

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