Annapurna Khair & Dhaulagiri trekking a fascinating walking journey with Sherpa Nomads, leading you to awesome scenic mid hills villages inhabited by Gurung and Poon, Magar tribes a friendly people offering with warm hospitality in the comfort of nice and cozy lodges on route Poon Hill Panorama trekking.
Sherpa Nomads Annapurna Khair & Dhaulagiri trekking starts with an overland and interesting drive beyond Kathmandu valley to reach a scenic and most popular touristic spot in Pokhara, an amazing place nestled on the laps of Annapurna Himalaya and pristine lakes of Phewa and Begnas with great vista of mountains including the majestic Mt. Machapuchare ‘Fish Tail’ that dominates the Pokhara valley.
After Pokhara a short drive to the trekking starting point at Nayapul / Bhirethati located by the Modi River, beginning the trek with slow and gradual uphill passing several nice villages Hille and Tirkhedhunga, and then a steep haul on stone steps to Ulleri village, after Ulleri a pleasant walk with few short climb reaching at Ghorepani located on the base of Pun Hill at an 2,867 meters high with wonderful views of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Nilgiris and Annapurna South, a beautiful village surrounded with snow capped mountains and green forest of rhododendron and firs.
Next morning before breakfast hike up to Poon Hill the highlight of this trek, walk leads uphill through enchanting woodlands and then at Poon Hill marvel the excellent panorama of mountains with striking sunrise.
Pun Hill at the height of 3,190 meters offering awesome panorama of world’s highest mountain range from 7th highest Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167 m / 26,795 ft), 10th highest Annapurna I (8,091m / 26,545ft) Annapurna South (7,219m-23,693ft), Gangapurna (7,455m-24,457ft) and Annapurna III (7,555m-24,787ft), including to Mt. Machhapuchhre (Fish-tail) at 6,997 m stretching towards
8th Mt. Manaslu (8,163 m) and adjoining peaks across the horizon along with whale shaped Lamjung Himal at 6, 931 meters high.
From here heading towards our main goal and highlight of this trip to reach at Khair ridge, walk leads behind the main trekking trail into complete wilderness, away on the least visited area by trekkers, after few days walk in serene environment reaching at Khair ridge, offering superb close views of Dhaulagiri mountain range with Nilgiris, Vara Shikar and Annapurna South in tranquility.
After being on the main highlight of this adventure heading back to Pokhara via an alternative route passing through scenic hills, beautiful forest, Ghandruk, Landruk villages and then a short drive to picturesque Pokhara for overnight after completing a grand super Annapurna Khair & Dhaulagiri Trek with great service of Sherpa Nomads and its friendly guides and porters.
Daily super views of Annapurna Himalaya & Mt. Machapuchare (Fish Tail) with amazing landscapes, a country walk visiting traditional mid hills villages, old culture and custom, friendly locals, warm hospitality, enchanting alpine forest of rhododendron, oaks, birch and pine trees, striking sunrise over chain of Himalayan mountain range, tremendous closest vista of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiris, Vara Shikar and Annapurna South from Khair ridge top.
On reaching Kathmandu international airport, received by Sherpa Nomads staff and transfer to respective hotel in the hub of Kathmandu, and then briefing / orientation program regarding Kathmandu, Pokhara and trekking.
Morning after breakfast our city tour guide will take you on a half day tour at places of interest around interesting old temples, monasteries and palaces, Kathmandu is full of World Heritage Sites, afternoon free and preparation for the trek to Annapurna Khair &, Dhaulagiri.
Depending upon your choices either take a short scenic flight or drive to Pokhara which takes 6 hours of interesting drive, on reaching Pokhara transfer to respective hotels by the lake Phewa.
Morning a 2 hrs drive past Pokhara valley with super views of Annapurna Himalaya and Mt. Machapuchare and leading past interesting mid hills villages, on reaching at Nayapul or Bhirethati located by the River Modi, start the trek on the gradual uphill in this warm area to reach at Tirkhedhunga village with wonderful cascading waterfalls, overnight in the lodge with afternoon free at leisure for short walks.
Today a tough day of this trek as it leads to an uphill with stone steps to reach the village of Ulleri inhabited by Gurung tribe, after a walk uphill for few hours then it gets pleasant with gradual path through the beautiful rhododendron, oaks and pines trees reaching at Ghorepani as the air gets cooler with alpine climate, with super views of Dhaulagiri range with Nilgiris, Annapurna Fang / Vara Shikar and Annapurna South, overnight in nice cozy lodge with views of the mountains.
Early morning an hour hike to Poon Hill to catch the sunrise over the Himalayan chain of peaks, walk leads uphill through nice forest setting with alluring scenery, on reaching at Poon Hill with time to marvel the sunrise over array of snow clad mountains. After a fantastic time on top of Poon Hill the highest point of this trek head down to Ghorepani for breakfast and continue trek downhill to Chitre village from here leaving the trekking trail on the off beaten path towards Khair with overnight in a nice less visited Sauta village with grand views of Dhaulagiri mountain range.
From here on tranquil surrounding where few trekkers seldom ventured on this route to Khair area, walk starts with a slow gradual trail passing farm fields and scattered villages, leading through serene rhododendron and bamboo forest, then a climb into woodlands following the trail to Khair ridge, walk leads by a small stream then with an uphill through meadow and summer pastures to Chistebung for overnight stop, a small place with few small huts serving as tea-houses.
Today a short day walk of few hours to our final destination at Khair ridge also known as Kopra ridge, from this place gaining more altitude leaving behind the tree lines only for alpine bushes and shrubs, around this place chances of seeing some wildlife like Himalayan Thar, the Danphe Pheasant (National Bird of Nepal). Morning after few hours of scenic walk finally reaching at overnight stop at Khair or Kopra ridge, a scenic picturesque spot with awesome scenery of surrounding green landscapes along with stunning views of Mt. Dhaulagiri massive range and Vara Shikar (Annapurna Fang), Annapurna South which towers directly from this wonderful spot.
A grand spot for rest day, for energetic people one can take a hike to holy lake at Khair Lake located 4,247 m. which is a long hard trek to the holy site, a festival held annually in the month of August and September. Villagers and pilgrims from surrounding area gather here to offer prayers to Lord Shiva and bathe in the icy waters, offering and sacrifices sheep and goats.
After a great time at Khair ridge top, morning walk leads to a long descend towards east through grazing lands in the middle of rhododendron forest, from Khair a long downhill walk reaching back to tree lines and towards our overnight stop at Dobato a summer pasture a grazing land for the local Sheppard’s with striking views of Annapurna South and Mt.Machhapuchare 6,993 m.
Morning enjoy the views of Annapurna Himalaya with Fish Tail peak, from here a good walk downhill back to main trekking trail, as the route leads into pristine alpine forest leading to overnight stop at Ghandruk village, one of the largest village around Annapurna area, mostly inhabited by Gurung ethnic tribes famous as Gorkha soldiers in UK and India army battalion.
Today the walk is interesting with an hour downhill towards Modi River, after crossing the bridge an uphill for short while to Landruk village with great views of Annapurna South and Huinchuli, from here walk gets pleasant on the winding path with last climb to Deurali top with super views of snow capped peaks, after a nice break heading down to Potana village with magnificent views of Annapurna and Manaslu range of mountains with majestic Machapuchare peak.
Last day of this fabulous trekking, as the walk leads into serene cool forest to reach at Thulo Kharka a large pasture, this scenic place is also known as Australian Camp offering tremendous views of Annapurna Himalaya, from here an hour descend to the road head at Kande for a short drive back to picturesque Pokhara and check into hotel by the lake Phewa, afternoon free at leisure for individual activities.
Another option at Pokhara either fly or take an interesting six hours of scenic overland drive to Kathmandu.
Last day in Kathmandu as per your international flight time, our Sherpa Nomads staff will transfer you to airport for the flight homeward bound after a remarkable life time experience in the mid hill of Annapurna Khair & Dhaulagiri trek with excellent service of Sherpa Nomads.
