Annapurna & Dhaulagiri Community Trek

Today is focused on preparation. You’ll meet your guide team for a full briefing on the trek route, altitude, safety and expectations for the journey ahead. Final gear checks will be done, and there’s time to purchase or rent any last-minute items needed for the mountains.

Afternoon - Tour of Pashupatinath and Boudhanath Temple.

Rest well—your Himalayan adventure begins tomorrow!

 

This morning will depart early for Pokhara by private bus. Although is only 200kms from Kathmandu, it is a slow and windy route and it will take 7+ hours to reach it.

Pokhara has a wonderful laid-back vibe and offers a host of different adventure activities, such as paragliding, rafting, white water kayaking, zip lining and stand-up paddle boarding. For those not looking for an adrenaline fix there are plenty of other options such as yoga, massage, museums, temples, shopping, boating on the lake or taking a gentle stroll along the banks of the lake itself. 

Lakeside offers cuisine from all around the world, there are many cafes, restaurants, bars and clubs.

After an early breakfast we will drive to the trail head at Beni (approx. 3 hours) where we will have lunch and meet our porter team. Once loaded up and organised, we will begin our trek. We take it slowly and steadily, stopping often along the way, and are rewarded by our first spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains. It is an interesting walk through rural villages of different cultural communities. Hike for 3-4 hours.

Heading steadily upwards through ancient forests, stopping along the way for lunch we finally reach the beautiful village of Nagi, home to remote wireless internet pioneer Mahabir Pun. We will overnight in a community lodge offering opportunities to see village development projects, visit a school or just explore the village.

Approx. 5-6 hours

Today we will walk through rhododendron forests. We will carry pack lunches as there are no settlements along the way. You will get to see lots of bird life and maybe some wild animals as well. From Mohare Danda you will get to see views of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges.

Approx. 6 hours

Today is longer day with plenty of ups and downs and an overall loss of elevation. We depart Mohare Danda through a giant rhododendron forest, cross the Annapurna Circuit route at Phalate and descend slightly to Swanta where we will once again overnight in a community lodge.

Approx. 7-8 hours

A hard, but beautiful climb through lush forests. As we near the tree line, we may see yaks from a local Village Development Committee yak farming project. Once we near Khopra we should be treated with magnificent panoramic views of Annapurna South, Baraha Shikhar, Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri and Gurja Himal. Overnight in a community lodge with the yak farmer who also manages the relay station for the village wireless network.

Approx. 7-8 hours

We depart early for the walk to Khayer Lake. This high-altitude lake is visited only rarely by pilgrims and is seldom seen by outsiders. This is a long, hard day, usually about 10/11 hours walking for the return trip. We will however, be rewarded for our efforts by magnificent mountain views along our route, and the opportunity to see this beautiful, often mirror-calm lake surrounded by mountains and shrines. Annapurna is right above us.

A long descent, with inspiring views over Dhaulagiri and the Kali Gandaki River valley – the deepest gorge on earth. Overnight homestay in Paudwar village, a Magar village with about 350 houses. In Paudwar we can visit a cheese-making scheme, unique in this area.

Approx. 6 hours

Today is our last day of trekking as we finish off with a short walk from Paudwar to Khoramuk (2.5 hours). From here we will make our way back to Pokhara (2 hour drive) for a hot shower, change of clothes and a well-deserved rest.

After an early breakfast we will head back to Kathmandu by private bus with the aim to be back by mid-afternoon. Tonight, we gather together for your final dinner at a local restaurant.

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.