Nepal, a country of Himalayas, has become popular for the destination of adventure in the world. You can find the diversified culture in different parts of Nepal and encounter with the cultural variation. A visit to Nepal offers you the best moments in your life and the best memories. Nepal can be your destination for volunteering tours, spiritual tours, Trekking and other adventure trips, city sightseeing tour, etc. So, make your next vacation to Nepal.
This is the blog of Ghorepani-Ghandruk Circuit Trek with my foreign sister, Ms. Greta Cassero, who was from Italy. We started the tour and trek on December 12, 2019, after she had done one-month volunteering on the Eco-home. Checking the trekking gear list and packing the bag on the evening of December 11, we were ready for our journey of the next day. Here, I present the blog about our tour and trek with the pictures.
December 12, 2019: Drive from Kathmandu to Bandipur
Finally, the day our journey started at 8 a.m. time from Hotel Manaslu, Kathmandu. We started our trip with Rishi Joshi who was from Kirtipur. For the first day, our journey was up to Bandipur which was of 4 hours drive in the car from Kathmandu. So, we decided to do the Chandragiri Cable Car Ride.
Unfortunately, the weather was cloudy and we couldn’t see any mountains, even the Kathmandu valley. We just walked up to the Bhaleshor Mahadev Temple and return to the bottom station. And continued our journey towards Bandipur. At 2 o’clock, we reached to Bandipur and checked into the Gaun Ghar Resort, Bandipur. We explored the Bandipur Village with our rest of the time.
December 13, 2019: Drive to Pokhara & City Tour
Early morning, we had breakfast at the hotel and explore the town for 1 hour. And we started our journey at 8 O’clock towards Pokhara that was of 3 hours. On that day too, the weather was a bit cloudy and after some moment, it was raining. Suddenly, we had to change our sightseeing program in Pokhara. After we reached Pokhara, we decided to visit the International Mountain Museum after 2 O’clock. Upon arrival at Pokhara at around 11 O’clock, we checked into the Hotel White Pearl. After some rest and refreshment, we proceed for the city tour as per our plan with Pukar Gurung from the transportation service. In the museum we got the information on the lifestyle of different ethnic groups found in different geographical location, their activities, occupation, livelihood, etc. and the flora and fauna found in different geographical areas.
The most interesting thing we found that the similarities in the life of Alps and Himalayas as she was from the region of Alps and I was from the region of Himalayas. The information of mountain peaks, first ascents, climbing gears, equipment had been shown as interestingly. The museum was established by Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) in 2004 A.D. After a sightseeing tour of the museum, we returned to the hotel. In the evening time, we decided to walk on the colorful lakeside bazaar of Pokhara by challenging the weather.
December 14, 2019: Pokhara City Tour
This was the second day in Pokhara and we had the full day sightseeing tour of Pokhara City. As per our schedule, we started our sightseeing tour of Devi’s Falls and Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave at first. It was believed that the cave was found by a grass cutter on the 05th Century. Later on, the entrance of the cave was built in 1991 A.D. Walking through the tunnel of the cave, we reached the edge of the waterfall and the place was fenced to avoid the danger.Β
After clicking some photos on the Nepali Typical house, we proceed towards the World peace Pagoda which was 20 min. drive from the Devi’s falls. The view of Green hills, Phewa Lake, Pokhara Valley was magnificent. But the weather didn’t permit us to see the mountains. The view of nature after raining was pleasant and we spent more than 1 hour time at the World Peace Pagoda. Later we returned to Pokhara City and did shopping for the trekking.Β
We again decided to walk on the shore of Phewa Lake and the Lakeside Street. On walking, we reached to Pame, where the paragliding landed. The view from there was excellent. And we spent some time enjoying the landing of Paragliding and Lake from the other side. And return to the hotel and prepare for the trekking with backpacking.
December 15, 2019: Drive to Nayapul & Trek to Ulleri (1,960m)
Finally, trekking day was started. We checked out from the hotel at 07:15 am and start driving towards Nayapul (1,020m) via Sarangkot Hill. At Nayapul, we met Dipak Tiwari to carry the bag of Greta. And we started the trek from Nayapul and had planned to stay overnight at Ulleri (1,960m). The journey of that day was 5 hours. At the check post of Birenthati, we proceeded for the entry with the checking of ACAP and TIMS Permits.
Onwards, the sounds of flowing water on Bhurungdi River, singing of birds, the sound of winds was more interesting with the trekking. At Sudame, we stopped to have lunch. And continued our journey. From the trekking trail, we could see the hills covered by snow. The colorful flowers, green vegetation, rivers, waterfalls, snow-capped hills, sunny days with partly cloud made our journey more entertained and we were forced to stop for clicking photos at the bridge of suspension bridge of Tikhedhunga (1,100m).
After some rest, we continued our trek by crossing the suspension bridge and followed the steeply upward route towards Ulleri (1,960 m). After reaching to Ulleri, we checked into Purnima Guest House and Restaurant. The location of the lodge was in quite a place with a big garden and at the topmost place of Ulleri. From the lodge, we could see the Mt. Annapurna South (7,219 m) and Mt. Hiunchuli (6,441 m).
December 16, 2019: Trek to Ghorepani (2,874 m)
In the morning time, the sunrise view over the mountain was clear and magnificent. Before starting the trek, we had taken photos and start the journey towards Ghorepani (2,874m). Crossing the small village of Ulleri, the route was through the woods and the small river was flowing with the sounds which makes the trekking more excited. The route was covered by snow and it was slightly difficult to walk on the ice.
The weather was so clear to see the mountain ranges from Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m) at the left to Mt. Hiunchuli (6,441m) at the Rightmost side. Inside the lodge, there was the central burner at the lobby where we can sit around it and can get heat. After seeing the mountains, we almost forgot our tiredness during the trekking.
December 17, 2019: Hike to Poonhill (3,210m) and Trek to Tadapani (2,680m)
In the early morning, we got ready at 04:30 am and started to walk to Poon Hill (3,210m) to see the sunrise view over the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Ranges. The route was full of snow. After 1 hour we reached the top of the hill and can see the panoramic view of the mountains.
December 18, 2019: Trek to Ghandruk (1,940m)
Early morning, we woke up to see the sunrise view over the Mountains closer to us with the hot tea. After breakfast, we started to walk from Tadapani towards Ghandruk (1,940m). After 3 hours we reached to Panorama View Point Guest House, Ghandruk. The location was quiet and at the top part of Ghandruk village, so there was less crowd and the view from the Lodge was excellent.Β
After lunch, we started to explore Ghandruk village. Firstly, we visited the old Ghandruk village and then the Old Gurung museum and the hotel area. Later we returned to the lodge and take rest.
December 19, 2019: Trek to Nayapul (1,020m) and Drive to Pokhara.
After breakfast, we started our trek towards Nayapul. That was the last day of trekking and we were at the last of our trekking. Walking through the small village of Kiul, Kimche, we reached to Birenthati canyoning Spot which was on the roadside. And we were headed toward the house of Dipak Dai to have lunch. The food lunch with Buffalo’s milk was delicious. After lunch, we started to walk towards Nayapul. At Birenthati, we stopped for the exit stamp on the permits. And our trekking was over at Nayapul. And we gave farewell to Dipak Dai and started driving towards Pokhara via Sarangkot.
Upon arrival at Pokhara city, we chooseΒ the way via the Old town of Pokhara. At 01 O’clock, we checked into the Hotel White Pearl. In the evening, we stroll around the colorful Lakeside Street and watch Tal Barahi aarati Puja at the shore of Phewa Lake.
December 20, 2019: Fly back to Kathmandu – 25 mins
After breakfast at the hotel, we moved towards Pokhara Domestic Airport to board an onwards flight to Kathmandu which was of 25 minutes. Upon arrival at Kathmandu, we met Rishi Dai and move towards Hotel Manaslu, Lazimpat. Finally, our tour and trek were over with full of memories.
End of the Trip…
This trek is a short and relatively easy trek of the Annapurna Region. It is also suitable for those trek lovers who have less time to visit and to spend the time to observe the beauty of snow-capped mountains. This trek also offers a magnificent and panoramic view of Dhaulagiri Ranges and Annapurna Ranges. The tea house lodges are well-managed with good services. The main things you may notice that the guide will serve you breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For breakfast, you have to give the order on the preceding day. Β
