South Col Expeditions will be running the Annapurna Foothills Trek over the Christmas vacation for the fourth year in a row. This trek is extremely popular with families, children and those who want to get a feel of trekking without being in the mountains for a long period. There ares still some seats available so email me at sujoyrdas@gmail.com to sign up!
For testimonials from other South Col trekkers please do visit www.southcol.com/testimonials
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.
Day 01 Kathmandu to Pokhara by micro bus 6 hours night at Pokhara.
Day 02 Pokhara to Kande to Austrian Camp to LandrungWe leave in the morning after a splendid sunrise over the entire Annapurna range and drive to Kande. From Kande we climb to Austrian camp in around two hours and then 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.
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. Theviews 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.
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 8: Pokhara to Kathmandu and flight to onward destinations
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