short treks around Pokhara

[Linwood]

Well it's that time again... we are planning another short visit to Nepal in December and will probably spend a week visiting family in Nuwakot, but also may fly up to Pokhara for a week (haven't been there yet!). I would really appreciate suggestions from the experienced people here for short treks around Pokhara (no more than 4 days). Any other must-see/do's around Pokhara also appreciated.

Thanks for any feedback and pheri betaunla!

Linwood

[MARORF]

Last august we did a 3 day trek near Pokhara. If you are not that used to trekking, you could do it in 4 days. We started in Nayapul early in the morning (I think it was 2-3 hours by bus from Pokhara) , and went from Birethandi to Ghandruk (too many stairs in that path!), where we slept the first day. Then a little hard and long path from Ghandruk - Bassi Kharka - Tadapani - Ghorepani (slept overnight). Early in the morning short path to Poon Hill and back to Birethandi + Nayapul to pick the bus ( throught Banthanti - Ulleri this time ). No words could describe the beauty of both the paths and the villages. I don't know about the weather in december, we went on the monsoon time and it was great, only we missed some views of the mountains because of the clouds. Have fun, I envy you!! (there is a good map in http://www.digitalhimalaya.com/colle.../Annapurna.jpg )

[Linwood]

Thanks Marorf! I'll check that out. Unfortunately, I have been out-voted by my husband and son and it looks like our next trip will be in June 2011 instead, just after school lets out. That's what we've done the last two times, in June 2007 and June 2009. I was really hoping for those clear December views, but I'll take Nepal anytime I can get it...

Thanks again,

Linwood

[zemmo]

Originally Posted by MARORF

Last august we did a 3 day trek near Pokhara. If you are not that used to trekking, you could do it in 4 days. We started in Nayapul early in the morning (I think it was 2-3 hours by bus from Pokhara) , and went from Birethandi to Ghandruk (too many stairs in that path!), where we slept the first day. Then a little hard and long path from Ghandruk - Bassi Kharka - Tadapani - Ghorepani (slept overnight). Early in the morning short path to Poon Hill and back to Birethandi + Nayapul to pick the bus ( throught Banthanti - Ulleri this time ). No words could describe the beauty of both the paths and the villages. I don't know about the weather in december, we went on the monsoon time and it was great, only we missed some views of the mountains because of the clouds. Have fun, I envy you!! (there is a good map in http://www.digitalhimalaya.com/colle.../Annapurna.jpg )

We came down from Poon Hill to Ghorepani to Ulleri and spent the night in Hile. This is a great section of the trail, but it's a long descent of nearly 5500 ft with an estimated 8000 steps from Poon Hill to Hille. We did it at the end of the AC so our legs were trail-hardened, but I think it might have gimped me out for a few days if we'd done that early in the trip. I haven't been on the Tadapani- Ghandruk variation from Ghorepani, would like to.

[Andrew]

I would recommend to do this trek the the other way, i.e. Nayapul to Birethandi and Ulleri where you can spend the first night and break the climb up to Ghorapani into two days. Second day up to Ghorapani where you'll spend night two. Next day early morning up to Poon Hill and then via Deurali and Tadapani to Ghandruk. I think this is much much easier than the Birethandi - Ghandruk - Tadapani - Ghorapani route. Just thinking about the steps from Syauli Bazaar to Ghandruk and Tadapani up to Deurali makes me tired. But then, I am old. Trip report here: http://www.andreastravels.com/Nepal2006.html Scroll down to the Poon Hill part.

[Linwood]

Thanks for your post Andrew! I enjoyed looking at your photos... yours are the best I've seen, I think, at showing why Macchapuchare has the name that it does. One doesn't get the full fish-tail effect in the usual shots from Pokhara. And thanks, too, for the suggestion to go clock-wise around that loop.

I'm wondering if you (or anyone else) has a feel for how much time it would add on to the trip to include Chomrong in the loop? A day? Two?

Thanks!

[Andrew]

Thanks Linwood.

In fall 2008 we went from Ghorapani to Chomrong in one day, including Poon Hill early morning. But it was a really long day! I think we arrived at Chomrong right at dark. Chomrong to Ghandruk is half a day or so, but steep down and steep back up. So adding Chomrong to the loop should add a day. If you go to my website, I have pictures and a blog also from that trip (Mustang and Annapurna BC).

[The falls]

You can take a taxi to Nyapul then walk to the start of the trek at Potthana. Spend the day there and walk back and catch a taxi back to your hotel in Pokhara. You don't need the permits for this one and you will get some excellent views.

[mighty]

You should try Nayapul to Birethandi and Ulleri. It will really be a fun for all your family.