| Outside Pokhara |
This circuit is one of the most popular short trek
circuits of seven days. However two days can be
shortened by reaching Birethanti by Bus instead of going
from Dhanpus. Your trek starts from Birethanti where
there is a check post of ACAP looking at your trekking
permits. There is a good facility for accomodation but
you can keep walking toward Thikedhunga because there is
a steep climb towards Ghorepani...
Annapurna Region Trek
Introduction:
"Trekking in the Annapurna Himal will open your eyes not
only to scenes of great beauty, but will enable you to
build relationship with people of another race another
culture"
-Kev Reynolds
Author- Annapurna "a trekkers guide"
Spectatcular view from the beautiful lake city Pokhara
in central Nepal the northern horizon, about 30
kilometres(20 miles) away, is well of glittering snowy
peaks of the Annapurna mountain. Magical changes of the
colour with sunrise and sunset, one can feel the deep
enchanment of these glorious mountain. Among them twelve
summits rise in excess more than 6000 m(19500 ft.) high.
It's an island block moated on the east by the eleft of
the marsyangdi khola and the west by the deep Kali
Gandaki valley. To the frontier ranges which from the
northern wall of the curving marsyangdi rises manaslu
(8163 m) and to the west of the Kali Gandaki the
dramatic Dhaulagiri Himal crowned by the shapely ice
peak, of Dhaulagiri itself, while draining the heart
land of thus huge block of mountain is the deep shaft of
Modi Khola.
Apart from the mountains, the Annapurna region is
popular for it's geographical and cultural diversity.
The "heriefy" of the scenic beauty from the green lush
vegetarian of the lowlands where rice paddies terrace
the foothills to arctic-like saragery of ice falls and
gleaming glaciers and will surprise the new comer to
Nepal with the broad smiles and genuine open hearted
friendliness of the local people. Namaste namaste in
their eyes and on their lips is respect and a welcome to
their guest.
If it is a dream of mountains that initially lures you
to this himalayan kingdom. It will be the valleys and
hillsides populated by a wide range of rthnic groups,
each united by a common bond of traditional Nepalese
hospitality and cheerfulness that ensures you do not
forget it. Among the Annapurna massif the cultural
diversity the ethnic variety, is probably greater than
anywhere else in all Nepal. A rich and memorable
experience indeed awaits all prospective trekkers in the
Annapurna Himal.
Dhaulagiri Trek
A circuit trek of this gigantic mountain Dhaulagiri
(8167m) is the strenuous trek around Annapurna region.
After several hours of drive from Pokhara, this trek
starts from Beni, the district headquarter of Myagdi.
The worlds deepest George-kali gandaki George
(1100m),the strenuous French pass (5360m),and the
dhampus pass (5250m) are the great significant of this
thrilling trek. Besides these, passing through Myagdi
River and the Magar village gives a lifelong picture of
the mountain life. The combination of the culture,
nature and the adventure is no doubt the most attraction
of this astonishing trek.
Panchase Trek
This trek is probably the best short trek with good
Mountain View. The combination of culture and rich flora
and fauna with the majestic view of Annapurna and
Dhaulagiri makes this trek very typical one. Very few
places in the world have such a splendid variety of
natural beauty. A rare combination of snow-capped peaks,
crystal clear lakes, and turbulent rivers with deep
gorges, together with Tibetan monasteries, hot springs
and picturesque villages are the significances of this
trek.
Pony Trek
With the landscape varying from the even lakeside to
small hills with the most famous view in the country,
Pokhara provides a magnificent opportunity for
sightseeing on horseback.Pokhara, the clean and serene
city beautifully located, is rich of many lakes rivers
and the great view of mountains.
Our programs:
We will take a packed lunch or some sandwiches and fruit
and have it with a relaxed time. We will linger in the
rice fields, wonder at the haunting views of Lakes
Mountains and green forest and enjoy the shy smile of a
passing beauty.
Pony trek around Pokhara Valley
• Damside-Dobilla-Nirmal Pokhari-Bhandardhik
• Damside-Dobilla-Nirmal Pokhari-Kristi-Davis Fall
• Davis Fall-World Peace Pagoda –Pumdi Bhumdi –Machapuchhre
View Point
• Pokhara –Pame –Thulachaur – Pokhara
• Pokhara-Sarangkot-Kaskikot-Naudanda
• Pokhara-Methlang/Gyarjati-Pokhara
• Pokhara-Dhampus-Pokhara
Mustang Lo-Manthang Trek
upper mustang trekking
Mustang, the lost kingdom
Mustang, or Lo as it is known by the inhabitants, is a
mysterious high plateau tucked behind the Annapurna and
Dhaulagiri Massifs in north central Nepal. The area is
actually the top of a watershed, the headwaters of what
becomes the mighty Kali Gandaki River, which then runs
southward through the world's deepest gorge. In the rain
shadow of the huge Himalayan peaks, though, this area is
dry and windswept, ruggedly sculpted and mostly devoid
of vegetation. The region offers dramatic and unique
geography for those who only have seen the more familiar
green, forested landscape of the rest of Nepal.
With a cultural history that is as intriguing as the
landscape, Mustang has piqued the curiosity of many
Himalayan adventurers, and only recently was it opened
for limited visitation. Historically a vital trading
route between Tibet and India, the trail into Mustang is
lined with the fascinating remains of forts that served
as tax collection out posts. Settlements in Mustang were
fortified, a testament to its turbulent history. More
recently, in the late 1950s and 60s, the area was a
center for Khampas, guerrilla's who were trained and
armed by the US C.I.A. to resist the Chinese Army's
occupation of Tibet.
There are records that outline events stretching back to
the eighth century, and from the writings of the Tibetan
poet Milarepa it is known that the unique form of
Buddhism called Sakyapa has been practiced here since
1073. This form of Buddhism lacks the more familiar
metaphysical aspect; it is more worldly and practical,
perhaps in response to the unforgiving environmental
pressures in this area.
Throughout recent decades, the Nepalese Government had
maintained total restriction on visitation to this area.
The democratic change of government of 1990 and the
increasing international pressures for a more open Nepal
have coincided to remove these restrictions. Since 1991,
limited visitation has been allowed, providing the
trekking party meets strict environmental requirements
and pays a substantial amount for the entry permit.
These conditions limit the number of visitors, minimize
their impact, and generate revenues needed for future
conservation efforts in this region.
The trekking route stays mostly on the valley floor,
though it may traverse the ridge during the occasional
rainy period, which raises the level of the river. The
horses provide uphill assistance, but must be dismounted
for descending. Without substantially high passes
(nothing over 5.000 meters) this is not too physically
demanding as a trek, and it has the added advantage of a
very long season, due to the lack of monsoon rains or
high pass crossings.
Mustang's capital "city" is Lo Manthang, a magical place
imbibed with centuries of rugged history. Set on a broad
plateau, the town deserves its name, which translates
from Tibetan as "plain of inspiration". The Raja, or
King, lives in his palace in the center, while the four
major temples form the corners of town. Lo Manthang and
the surrounding area are usually savored for a day or
two before heading back down toward Jomosom.
Royel Trek
The terraced green hills, the village with the diverse
culture and the great Mountain View are the most
attractions of this trek. In 1980 Prince Charles from
United Kingdom was enchanted by the beauty of the
village .After his glorious trek to this village, the
route was regarded as the Royal trek. This is an easy
trek with the view of 7 lakes around the pokhara valley.
This trek is suitable for those people who have very
short time and are interested in the Nepalese village
life and natural scenery.
Religious Trek
Religious trek to Muktinath Temple
Pilgrimage to Muktinath, in the Nepal Himalaya near
Tibet, is a richly symbolic event in all its
expressions—social and religious, in legend, myth and
fable, in history and in its spatial or geographical
dimensions. High mountain sacred sites, like Muktinath,
are all the more efficacious because they are so much
closer to God. The precise way in which Muktinath was
designated as an especially holy space by Hindus, over
two thousand years ago, is not known. The clues,
however, are still present and obvious. The historian of
religions Mircea Eliade postulates that the choice of
holy space is not random but is found and identified by
the help of mysterious signs. In Muktinath some of the
signs are its high mountain location and its headwaters
site, and the presence of certain natural elements such
as fossils and fires; these have tempted Man, in the
search for god on earth, to create a supernatural field,
a sacred world where Vishnu and other deities are
believed to abide. It is not natural features, however,
but anomalies in nature that give Muktinath a special
sanctity and attraction. At Muktinath, these include
such wonders as fire burning on water and the fossils of
primitive sea creatures (ammonites) found high in the
mountains, many thousands of metres above sea level and
thousands of kilometers from any contemporary ocean.
These are some of the ‘mysterious signs’, rare and
sacred that Hindu devotees seek in the religious field
of which Muktinath is the central feature. It is clear
that several of the natural features found at Muktinath
and within its larger sacred field are imbued by its
devotees with supernatural characteristics. It is safe
to say that in the overall sacred environment, these
natural-supernatural elements take on prime importance
and are of considerable attraction to all pilgrims,
Buddhist and Hindu alike. Alongside, the three natural
elements at Muktinath -- the spring water, natural gas
fires and fossils, there is also a sacred grove of
poplar trees of the species populous ciliate, locally
called lekh pipal or bhot pipal…
Location
Muktinath is situated on the upper part of the river
Kali of Buri Gandaki on the north side of the main
Himalayan rang and south of Lo-Manthang or Mustang. Its
precise location is 29° 11’ N. latitude and 83° 53’E.
Longitude, at an elevation of 3,8000m (or approximately
12,500 ft) on the western slopes of the Damodar Himal,
northern extension of the Annapurna Himalayan massif.
Muktinath is in the high Himalayan arid zone bordering
China’s Tibetan Autonomous Region (Xizang). This
northern region of Nepal is often called Bhot (Tibet),
and its inhabitants ‘Bhotia”. Muktinath shrine is near
the headwaters of the Jhong River, a tributary of the
Kali Gandaki in the north-eastern corner of Thak Khola,
a dry trans-Himalayan valley in Nepal’s Mustang
District.
Ghandurk - Ghorepani Circuit
This circuit is one of the most popular short trek
circuits of seven days. However two days can be
shortened by reaching Birethanti by Bus instead of going
from Dhanpus. Your trek starts from Birethanti where
there is a check post of ACAP looking at your trekking
permits. There is a good facility for accomodation but
you can keep walking toward Thikedhunga because there is
a steep climb towards Ghorepani.
So it is better to divide the climb in two days by
reaching Thikhedhunga for the first day. The trail
follows through bamboo forest with lots of butterflies
and birds. You also pass through large waterfall
On the way there are small shops where you can buy
refreshments. Thikhedhunga is small, beautiful Gurung
village with good lodging and fooding facilities. The
village electrified by micro-hydropower run by the
villages themselves.
Second day, the trail is a steep climb to Ullen and on
the way there are no tourist hotels but few tea shops.
You can see Annapurna South and Nilgiri on the way.
Ulleri is a Magar village lying at an altitude of
2,070m. There are hotels and from there the trail is
gentle steep and passes through pastures and cultivated
land. Then the trail passes through dense forests while
climbing to Banthati (2,250m). After Banthati you can
see one of the best forests oak and rhododendron. Then
you reach Nagthanti (2,460m) and from here it is an hour
trek to Ghorepani (2,460m) which is a Gurung village
with several facilities. The major attraction is Poon
Hill (2,775m) which provides unobstructed view of high
Himalayas. At Ghorepani it is better to stay at Deurali
to view six different mountains.
Third day, the trek from Deurali to Ghandruk is long and
if the trail is snow covered it will be more difficult
to walk. The trail from Deurali passes through forest
and is muddy. It emerges grass knoll where mountains can
be viewed. The climb will be upto 3,030m and then
descends. There is a junction of trails leading to
Chitre and Tatopani.
The Ghandruk trail descends steeply from here. After a
few hours you wil be at Ghandruk (1,940m), which is a
second largest Gurung village known internationally for
the conservation efforts of the community and the
development of the village by the initiation of the
villagers themselves. The village provides all the
facilities that a tourist requires. The village is known
for the clean trails and healthy environment.
From Ghandruk it is only three hours descent to
Birethanti. But there are other optional routes to
Pokhara and one of them is via Landruk, a village known
for "Honey Hunting". It takes an extra one day to reach
Pokhara, Ghandruk is also a place from where the trail
leaves to Annapurna Base Camp.
Sikles Circuit
Sikles is another big Gurung village. It is 24 km
north-east of Pokhara. It is situated at an altitude of
1,981m. There are many routes to reach Sikles which is
only three days away from Pokhara. But it is best to
travel via Ghalekharka. This route is designated as
eco-trek route by Annapurna Conservation Area Project
(ACAP) and the infrastructure required is already made.
The route takes three days to reach Sikles. From Pokhara
there is facility of vechicles usually upto Puranchowr
and it is better to start your trek from here. The trail
leads through the cultivated land and the climb is
gentle. After a walk of seven to eight hours you will be
able to reach Ghalekharkha. At Ghalekharka, there is a
camp site designated by ACAP where you have to lodge.
All the way you have to walk through villages so there
are facilities for food but there are strict rules as
you are following eco-trek route; so you are not allowed
to throw rubbish as you like. There are several rubbish
bins and also lavatories on the way.
As soon as you are in Ghalekharka, you will find ACAP
check post and you will get futher information there.
After Ghalekharka, the trail passes through dense
forests and theere is not any house or hotels in between
Ghalekharka and Sikles but a camp site at Nyaulikharka
where you will spend your second night. The trail rises
upto 2,750m.
Third day, you have to continue your walking through
dense forests and reach either Parche or Sikles for
cmaping. There is one natural History Museum managed by
ACAP. The village is facilited by the eletricity.
This snap features the pyramid view of Mount Fishtail
(Machapuchhere) on the way to Sikles. Sikles is a gurung
village and is worth a visit.
You can return to Pokhara via Thak and it is also two
days walk and so you better halt at Thak and start the
trek next day towards Pokhara.
Long Trek (Jomsom Route)
Trek to the Annapurna Himalayan range starts from
Baglung but there is another route too.
Jomsom trek can also be started from Baglung Bus Parkin
Aarchalbot. An hour bus ride will take us to Nayapool
from where we start walking uphill towards a gurung
village known as Ghankruk. Including this we can also
take a direct flight to Jomsom from Pokhara. It is just
20 minutes flight from the Pokhara airport to Jomson.
Some people do prefer flight and trek all the way back
to Pokhara.
A caravan of horses and carrying donkeys going towards
Kagbeni which is a 5 hour walk from Jomsom for normal
walking people. This is the main source of
transportation in this region. The river shown in the
snap is River Kali Gandaki known to be the sister of
Seti river. The difference is Seti river is white and
Kali is black. In Nepali language White means Seti and
Black means Kali. |
|
|
