Mulde View Point, Dobato and Poon Hill Route and Timings March 2023

 

Mulde View Point and Poon Hill Trek Route and Timings

With a view to extend the Poon Hill trek by a few days we decided to go a recce of a new route to Dobato and Muldai View Point – the Muldai route can be extended to Khopra Ridge as well.

February 28th 2023 - Flight Kathmandu to Pokhara drive to Ghandrung 

Our Buddha Air flight to Pokhara was at 7.55 am but when we reached the airport we were told that there are not enough passengers for two flights so they sent us on the earlier flight at 7 30 pm. The flight was uneventful with views of Langtang, Ganesh Himal and then Himalchuli and the Manaslu group. Finally just before Pokhara the Annapurnas and Macchapuchare came into view through the early morning fog. We landed at the new Pokhara airport which is big and very swanky with all the modern amenities and facilities. Our jeep ride to Kimche below Ghandrung took around 1 hr 45 min and we then started the walk to Ghandrung. Kimche is around 1700 metres and in an hour we reached Ghandrung which is 1980 metres. I was quite shocked to see the rapid urbanization of this beautiful village. Gone are the slate roofed houses and lodges - ugly new brick and concrete constructions are mushrooming all over the village some three storeys high- there is construction materials piled up everywhere destroying the old charm and beauty of this once upon a time Himalayan village. We walked up past our earlier lodges Milan and Gurung Cottage both which seemed to be quite congested and surrounded by new buildings in a state of semi construction and decided to stay at the Ghandrung Eco Lodge which thankfully had a better view and an open aspect - tomorrow we walk to Tadapani.

Pokhara to Kimche by jeep 1 hour 45 min to 2 hours; Kimche to Ghandrung trek 1 hour ; Ghandrung 2032m 28 22 34N 83 48 26 E

Ncell and NTC both working at Ghandrung 4G reception; Dal Bhat Rs 500 Black Tea Rs 80

Nepal Trekking | Open and Closed regions Autumn 2020

 

Important information for all those who plan to trek in Nepal this autumn - please see below what is open and closed.

Please note that this information is collected from October 5th to 10th 2020 and can change at any time. Nepal rules can also change - there is a proposal as on date to allow tourists only from mid November 2020 and not October 17th 2020 - it is yet to be confirmed by the Government.

Other rules like PCR negative test 24 hours before any other restrictions like rapid antigen test on arrival is to be followed.

1. Tsho Rolpa -> No trekking and outsiders are allowed

contact -> Naa view point hotel 9843813119 / 9840531500

2. Everest Region -> Allowed, required PCR Negative result report required of no longer than 72 hours

3. Manang / Tilicho -> not allowed

Contact -> Hotel Yak and Resturant (Manang)9841461082, Khangsarkang hotel 9843172015

4. Gosaikunda -> Allowed

Contact -> Deurali Hotel 9849434107, Hotel yak n nak In chandanbari : 9741203099

5. Mustang -> Not Allowed

Majestic mustang "hotel north pole" 981-3727397

6. Timbung Pokhari Trek-> Allowed

facebook page "Timbung Pokhari -Trek Divine" for more informatio

7. Sikles Trek-> Trekking and outsiders are not Allowed

Contact -> Namaste Guest House

8. Annapurna Base Camp Trek -> Not Allowed

Contact -> Real Chhomrong: 9846359659

9. Mardi Himal Trek -> Allowed

Contact -> Hotel Fishtail And Restaurant (High Camp) 9856014765, Hotel Green View And Restaurant 98065369

10. Dolpo Phoksundo Trek -> Trekking is Allowed with PCR Negative Report, documents from ward office and permit from NP

Contact -> Tashi Homestay, 9848304204 Tashi Lama, Ringmo

11. Mundhum Trail Trek -> Allowed

12. Panchpokhari Trek -> Allowed

Contact -> Resham Tamang 9741337147 Ngima chhiring Tamang 9843497149

13. Poonhill Trek -> Not Allowed

Contact -> Hotel Old Village Inn 9856047031, Kamala Lodge and Restaurant – 977-9846646349

14. Helambu, Ama Yangri -> Not Allowed from Tarkhegyang side

15. Langtang -> Allowed, required pcr report

Ghandrung - Ghorepani - Poon Hill Trek | Updates December 2019

A South Col team trekked the Annapurna foothills in the last week of December 2019. Our route was Pokhara-Kande- Australian Camp- Pothana- Tolka- Landrung-Ghandrung- Tadapani- Ghorepani- Poon Hill- Banthanti-Ulleri-Hillay-Birethanti-Pokhara.

Some useful updates from the trek.

• The road from Pokhara to Nayapul and Birethanti has now been pushed up beyond Ulleri to lower Banthanti. Though we did not see any jeeps on the road we were told by the locals that the road is ready and jeeps can be hired from Pokhara to drive up to Banthanti. We fear that the road will reach Ghorepani in the next one/two years thereby ending another beautful trek. Many would not want to continue to climb or descend the 3280 steps. 

Himalayas: Weather

If you read any guide book on the Himalaya or on trekking in the Himalayan region, you will invariably be told that the post-monsoon season is the best time to trek in the mountains. Clear blue skies, superb mountain views, mild sunny days and crisp cold nights are all forecast for the trekker.

 You will also be told that the pre monsoon season i.e. March to May is the second best time to be in the mountains with mild showers in the evening but clear morning and the weather getting warmer as you approach the monsoon. Further, according to the guide books, trekking in the monsoon is strictly a “no no” and if the heavy rains and landslides don’t make your trek a nightmare, the leeches will! And of course the winter is so cold that no sane individual would venture into the high altitude at that time!

So what is the real story on Himalayan weather with the impact of global warming and climate change?

I have trekked in the Himalayas in all seasons, including the winter (Everest 2003-04), the monsoon (Sikkim 2000) and numerous autumn and spring treks.

One October I remember visiting Kathmandu airport every morning for the flight to Lukla and returning to our hotel at lunchtime. It rained for three days incessantly and the Lukla flight could not take off. Finally on the fourth day it did take off  and made a hair raising landing at Lukla narrowly missing the hill in front of the airstrip. Surprisingly the very next day the weather cleared and we did not get any rain for the next two weeks during our trek. In the October season in the Khumbu there are now more than 14,000 trekkers in one month!

Again, walking the Annapurna circuit in October I remember repeated day after day of afternoon rain up the Marsyandi valley. One downpour near the village of Chame was so heavy that we sheltered in a bamboo hut and managed to stay dry until the rain stopped.

In December 2009 I trekked with a South Col group to Poon Hill in the Annapurna region and surprisingly other than the morning at Ghorepani, the rest of the days had cold, cloudy weather very unusual for December.

The rain shadow regions of the Himalaya like Ladakh, Zanskar, Lahoul and Spiti possibly get the best weather in the monsoon season July to September.

So in my opinion, good weather is a gamble. What with global warming, rapid deforestation and urbanization, the weather is no longer predictable. Every season has something special to offer so select your season and hope for some great views and weather!

South Col Expeditions www.southcol.com treks in the Himalayas throughout the year. Do visit our web site for our treks both fixed departure and customised group offerings.

Annapurna Foothills Trek | Poon Hill and Ghandrung 2016

The village of Landrung with Annapurna south and Huinchuli

South Col Expeditions did the beautiful five days Annapurna Foothills Trek in the last week of December 2016. The weather was perfect and so were the views Some photographs from this trek are below:

Evening Poon Hill view - Annapurna I, South, Huinchuli and Machhapuchare on the right

Dhaulagiri and Tukuche from the Superview lodge Ghorepani

Sunset at Poon Hill

Annapurna South from the forest between Deorali and Ghorepani

Descending from Landrung - the right fork goes to New bridge and Chomrong while the left
leads to the river and then up to Ghandrung

The group at Ghorepani

To do this trek with us in 2017 do visit  http://www.southcol.com/treks-nepal/annapurna-foothills-trek-december-17th-to-23rd-2017/

Ghandrung, Ghorepani, Poon Hill Trek

The short five or six day Pokhara to Pokhara Ghandrung to Ghorepani trek via Australian Camp and Landrung is an ideal introduction to trekking in the Nepal Himalaya.

This is a perfect first time trek for those who want a taste of trekking but do not have the time or inclination to do a long trek. It has some great plus points :
a) it is short
b) it does not go higher than 3000 metres so no altitude issues
c) it has fabulous views every day of some of the greatest peaks in the Himalayas
d) it has good lodges to stay every night with excellent meals
e) it is an ideal family trek

South Col does this route every year in December as that is one of the ideal seasons for this route. For some photographs and route description please read on!

Poon Hill sunset- Annapurna I and South

Descending from Landrung to the river at Bee Hive before climbing to Ghandrung

Gurung Cottage Ghandrung

Breakfast at Tadapani

Evening Poon Hill

Looking west Poon Hill

Night sky Ghorepani

Dhaulagiri and Tukuche sunrise from Ghorepani with the Kali Gandaki valley in cloud

Resources

For details of the route and description of this trek do visit http://www.southcol.com/treks-nepal/trekking-annapurna/

For alternative approaches to the Annapurna region from Pokhara please do visit  http://sujoyrdas.blogspot.in/2014/06/approach-to-annapurna-base-camp-abc-trek.html

Das Studio | Darjeeling

For many years now, one studio is Darjeeling has been at the forefront of mountain photography in the region. Durga Das Pradhan,  who is now in his eighties and is still active in running the studio spoke to me in Darjeeling a few months ago.

From large format film cameras to 35 mm single lens reflex models to digital cameras and D-SLRs and now phone cameras, Das Studio has seen them all.

When I was a boy in Darjeeling, a daily visit to Das Studio was a must. I would stand before the photographs of  the great mountains and look in awe at those wonderful pictures. Many were to places I have never been to like Everest Base Camp, Kala Pattar, Poon Hill, neighbouring Sandakphu and Phalut, Dzongri and many more. And as I looked I imagined that I would be there one day!

The postcard section was a great attraction and over the years I built up an album of Das Studio postcards. I have that green album even today - dog eared but treasured.

Durga Das Pradhan was and still is a wealth of information on everything photographic. While we were chatting this March, he suddenly mentioned some huge Ansel Adams prints which he had seen in the USA. " For tonal quality you can't beat large format film" he said " hopefully film is making a comeback." In his heart Durga Das is still a "film man".

Ratna Das Pradhan, son of Durga who now lives in Australia  writes this about Das Studio on  his web site www.ratnapradhan.com :

"Our firm, Das Studio of Darjeeling, was established by my grandfather Thakur Das in 1927 at Mount Pleasant Road, a site near the present day bazaar. When the opportunity presented itself, he expanded his business and moved into shops in Commercial Row  (Nehru Road). In 1949 he scraped together a down payment to purchase the premises that housed Whiteaway Laidlaw, a haberdashery. 

He made the move to 15 Nehru Road in 1950. The history of the the family business is an interesting one not only to us family members, but also for the long time permanent residents of the town and the surrounding Tea Plantations.  

Darjeeling being a tourist destination and an escape for many plains dwellers during the scorching summer months meant many a visitor came to Darjeeling regularly during the hot Indian summer. 

Das Studio was always a familiar meeting place as the visitors strolled along Nehru Road to Chowrasta and a walk along the Mall to savour the cool Himalayan evenings. In a manner of speaking, the story of Das Studio has been somewhat linked with social history of Darjeeling, in that the business provided a popular social hub for visitors as well as the locals."

Sadly given the present situation of Darjeeling that is all changed.

Some photos from the Das Studio archives are below:

For more information on the history of Darjeeling and this historic studio visit https://www.facebook.com/DasStudio.Darjeeling?fref=ts 

Poon Hill Sunset Panorama Video

Recently  I was at Poon Hill in December  2014 on a South Col Expeditions trek and it was a brilliant evening. So we went up for the sunset and this short video shows the awesome view!





For the names of  some of the peaks from Poon Hill see this  diagram below:

The Annapurna Foothills Trek: December 21-28 2014

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

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

South Col Expeditions is a member of  

Treks with South Col Expeditions - December 2014

South Col Expeditions (www.southcol.com) will be running two treks in Nepal this December! There are limited seats so all those who are interested should sign up soon! The details of the treks are below:

 The Langtang Valley Trek  Nov 30th to Dec 8th 2014 Kathmandu to Kathmandu

A very beautiful though undertrekked region the Langtang has a lot of offer - forests, bird life, swift rivers and of course high mountains. Join South Col on this trek and climb a peak at the end Tsergo Ri! Here are some photos from past treks

 http://www.sujoydas.com/Nepal-Himalaya/Langtang/

Link to the trek: http://www.southcol.com/Treks-Nepal/the-langtang-valley-trek

The Annapurna Foothills Trek December 21st to 28th 2014 Kathmandu to Kathmandu

A six day ramble  in the Annapurna foothills is an ideal first trek and suitable for families and children. Enjoy awesome views from Austrian Camp and Poon Hill. I call this the best bang for the buck trek - great mountains with minimum effort and lower altitudes. Here are some photos from past treks http://www.sujoydas.com/Nepal-Himalaya/Annapurna-Foothills-Poon-Hill/ 

Link to the trek: http://www.southcol.com/Treks-Nepal/Trekking-Annapurna 

For testimonials from other south col trekkers please do visit http://www.southcol.com/testimonials

South Col is a member of  

South Col: Ghorepani/Poon Hill Trek and Photo Workshop

South Col Expeditions ran a trek-cum- photo workshop for five days in the Annapurna foothills in December 2011. The route was Pokhara-Birethanti-Ghandrung-Tadapani-Ghorepani-Poon Hill-Ulleri-Tirkedhunga-Birethanti-Pokhara. The team had four very enthusiastic and talented photographers: Dhrubo Gupta, Partha Das, Susmit Bhattacharya and Sandip Bhattacharya. Some photographs from the trek: