DAY 3 – 14th March POTHANA 4-5HRS TREKKING
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we make our way to the airport for a domestic flight to Pokhara. Once there our team will transfer us to Phedi, the starting point of our trek. The road passes a Tibetan Camp, where there is a carpet factory, a monastery and a few hotels. The trek commences on the road, heading to Dhampus, a village where you can see local villagers cultivating crops and typical Nepalese buildings. From there, we move on to Pothana where we end our first day at a teahouse, which is typical Nepalese accommodation for trekkers.
DAY 4 - 15th March GHANDRUK 5-6HRS TREKKING
Our trek today will involve a slow ascent to the village of Ghandruk, the largest village on the trekking trails of the Annapurna region. Along the way, we will pass through the rural villages of Bhichok Deurali, Bheri Kharka, Landruk and Kyumi, set against beautiful backdrops of the mountains. Our arrival in the Gurung community of Ghandruk will find us at 1940m above sea level.
DAY 5 - 16th March TADAPANI 4-5HRS TREKKING
A shorter trek today will see us continue the slow ascent up to a height of 2700m, beginning through the woodlands up to Kyunri Khola. From here, we will able to view the entire Annapurna southern region stretching out below us. Our climb will continue through the forested hillside near Bhaisa Kharka and will reach its completion at Tadapani, our base for the night.
DAY 6 - 17th March GHOREPANI 5-6HRS TREKKING
We set off early on a meandering trek through dense, temperate forests. The route will involve a combination of ascents and descents as we pass through the small hamlets of Bhantanti and Deurali. Our destination and teahouse for the night will be Ghorepani and its incredible mountain views.
DAY 7 – 18th March SHIKA 4-5HRS TREKKING
We will rise very early today for one of the highlights of this challenge - a trek to the summit of Poon Hill (3190m) from where we enjoy what is considered by many to be the most spectacular mountain vista anywhere in the world. To the north is the mighty Annapurna herself (8091m), whilst to the west Dhaulagiri (8167m) completes this breathtaking panorama. After taking a few picture perfect photos, we will make the comfortable descent through Chitre and Phalate before reaching our destination at Shika.
DAY 8 -19th March BENI 4HRS TREKKING
This morning is our final day of trekking and we begin our descent from Shika. After four hours of trekking we reach the end point of our trek, Tatopani. Tatopani, which means hot water in Nepali and lays claim to some famous hot springs. This marks the end of our long journey with a bit of relaxation soothing our weary limbs in the steaming pools. After this, our support vehicle takes us the short half an hour drive to Beni where we are welcomed at the International Childcare Trust Project. We meet the children benefiting from International Childcare Trust’s work before sitting down to dinner with the local staff.
DAY 9 – 20th March KATHMANDU
We begin the day with a visit to a drop-in centre which offers healthcare, counselling, non-formal education and recreation funded by International Childcare Trust. We will transfer mid-morning to Pokhara to catch our afternoon flight to Kathmandu. After freshening-up at our hotel in Thamel, we then sit down to a celebratory dinner in the bustling heart of Kathmandu and reflect upon our experiences.
DAY 10 – 21st March ARRIVE HOME
This morning we leave our hotel and board a morning flight via Delhi back to the UK. |
