Overview

This popular trek offers excellent hotel facilities, if you are keen to hold on to your home comforts. Never rising above 3000m, the trek furthermore presents few altitude problems. Nevertheless, you are rewarded with some spectacular and unusual views of the high Annapurnas.

Short Itinerary

Day 1 Kathmandu – Pokhara
Drive or fly to Pokhara.

Day 2 Pokhara – Jomsom
Fly to Jomsom & sightseeing around Jomsom. The Kaligandaki valley here is called the Thakkhola, after the native Thakalis, who are distantly related to the Tibetans.

Day 3 Jomsom –Kalopani
Descend to Marpha, a lovely village of whitewashed houses and fertile fields. Continue down the Kali Gandaki reaching the former Thakali trading centre of Tukuche. As the trail continues, the Himalayan rainshadow blends into coniferous forest, and we reach the main river valley and Kalopani (2560m.) From here there are spectacular 360 degree views of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas.

Day 4 Kalopani – Tatopani
A beautiful walk, with another transition into sub-tropical vegetation and the return of water buffalo, Banyan trees and poinsettias. The trail follows the river through a narrow gorge, and descends to cross a bridge near a spectacular waterfall, before winding through the valley to Tatopani. The hot water springs that give the village its name provide the perfect opportunity for a good 'scrub.'

Day 5 Tatopani – Ghorepani
Steadily climbing all day, we eventually leave behind the terraced fields and walk through thick rhododendron forest to the village of Ghorepani. We camp at the pass for the best views of the sunset over the spectacular, snow-capped Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna Range.

Day 6 Ghorepani – Ghandrung
Today the trail undulates through giant rhododendron forest and orchid colonies to the pretty Gurung town of Ghandrung, where the Annapurna range and Machhapuchhare (the Fishtail) dominate the mountain views, although glimpses of Lamjung Himal and the Manaslu range can also be seen further east.

Day 7 Ghandrung – Dhampus
The path descends for about 2 hours, before climbing steeply to another Gurung village, Landrung. We then follow the hillside south to the Dhampus. The mountain views are superb and far away to the south lies Fewa Tal (lake.) We continue down the ridge to the village of Dhampus, from where the mountains still enchant.

Day 8 Dhampus - Phedi – Pokhara
Step descent through the river valley to Phedi, then drive to Pokhara.