LEG 2: THE COMPASSION & WISDOM TREK
Day 2/13: After breakfast at the hotel we’ll head to the airport for our short flight to Pokhara and a night at the beautiful Temple Tree Resort. Pokhara is nestled amongst lakes and mountains with potential for clear views of Nepal’s highest mountains like Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Machhapuchhre, five peaks of the Annapurna range. We’ll gather in the evening for orientation and group dinner at the resort restaurant.
Day 3/14: After practice and breakfast at the hotel we’ll set out on leg 1 of the trek: we’ll take a short drive to Nayapul through the large village of Lumle with sights of terraced farmlands and lush hills. Following the main street, the trail continues through bamboo forests and goes past a large waterfall and a swimming hole. Beyond that, you will come across a pastureland used mostly by pony-caravans. We’ll lunch at one of the many cozy trailside cafes and then gradually continue to climb up the side of the valley until finally reaching Tikhedhunga for our first tea lodge overnight. We’ll go from about 2985ft to 4903ft on this day and travel/hike for about 7 hours total.
Day 4/15: Tikhedhunga To Ghorepani (9,348ft), duration 7 hrs. You will leave Tikhedhunga today and walk on the trail that passes a steep climb. Reaching Ulleri, you would be able to observe and roam around the Magar village of Ulleri that is located at an altitude of 2,070m/6790ft. After an hour’s walk from Ulleri, you will reach a resting point. Trekking further, the track ascends slightly as you walk on oak and rhododendron forests until finally getting to Banthanti. Banthanti lies at an elevation of 2,250m/7380ft and from this point; you will be walking to reach the settlement of Nangethanti situated at the altitude of 2,460m/8070ft. An hour’s walk away from Nangethanti is Ghorepani. It is a beautiful settlement that is sometimes covered in snow during the best seasons of the year. At Ghorepani (2,840m/9318ft), views of mountains like Dhaulagiri I (8167m), Annapurna I (8091m), Nilgiri (6940m), Hiunchuli (6441m) and more present a spectacular sight. We’ll overnight stay at a guesthouse in Ghorepani.
Day 5/16: Ghorepani – Chuile, duration 7-8 hrs. Morning Poon Hill Excursion! We’ll wake super early this morning for a pre-dawn 45 minute hike up to Poon Hill (3,210m/10,530ft). From the grassy top of the hill there is an unobstructed panoramic view of the high Himalayas stretching from far western Dolpo, and Dhaulagiri (8,172m/26,812ft), the Annapurna Range in the north, including Machhapuchhare (Fish Tail) and on to Manaslu (8,163m/26,783ft) in the northeast. To the south, the mist slowly rises from the flatlands towards India. After countless photographs, walk back to Ghorepani for breakfast before setting off on our trek to Chiule (6-7 hrs trek). The eastward trail to Tadapani crosses numerous ridges through thick pine and rhododendron forest with occasional flat sections and wonderful views of the snow peaks to the north from high ground.
Day 6/17: Chuile – Jhinu (2,020m/6625 ft), duration 5 hrs. A steep downhill descent through the forests takes us to Gurung, a village named after the ethnic group living there. The trail from here takes us to Jhinu where we will stay for the night at the finest guesthouse around! The natural hot water bathing on the way too could be an amazing experience.
Day 7/18: Jhinu to Landruk (1740m/5708ft), duration 5-6 hrs. We’ll trek to Tolka village from Jhinu Danda crossing Chhomrong khola and Modi khola via New Bridge, Himalpani and finally to Landruk (a part of the Annapurna base camp trek). The area is mostly populated by Gurung and Magar ethnic groups who demonstrate simple yet fascinating cultural wares. Ghandruk and Landruk villages are famous for trade, culture, festivals and breathtaking mountain views like Annapurna south, Hiunchuli and Machhapuchre (fishtail). The trail passes through many villages, terraced cultivated land where the trekkers are amazed with the culture, traditions and hospitality of the villagers.
Day 8/19: Landruk/Tolka to Dhampus (1650m/5413ft), duration 4-5 hrs. Today we’ll trek further from Tolka for a 1.5 hours climb up to the Pothana Deurali and further up to the beautiful Dampus village. The trail follows through dense mossy jungle along the ridge of hills. Dhampus village offers you spectacular views of the entire Annapurna Himalayan range.
Day 9/20: Trek Dhampus to Phedi (950m/3120ft) duration 2-3 hrs. It’s a MOON DAY!! Meditation only practice on this day. And then we’ll descend all the way to the final point - Phedi. We’ll pass many cultural hamlets and hill terraced traditional farmland. At trail’s end we'll be picked up by transport and driven to Pokhara for lunch, rest and overnight at the Temple Tree Resort - massages await!
Day 10/21: Morning yoga if you’d like and then flights back to KTM and on wherever your chosen winds take you!
Note, the cost of your in-country flights and transportation are included. Also, all meals during the trek, plus an experienced English speaking trekking guide and porters to carry luggage and yoga gear. Our trekking hosts also offer a down jacket, a four-seasonal sleeping bag, duffel bag, and trekking map if you’d like to borrow (down jacket, duffel bag and sleeping bag are to be returned after trip completion). Wifi and hot showers may or may not be available - and may require additional expenditure on your part. It’s Nepal!
