Real People of Annapurna
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Overview
During Dashain, Nepal's biggest religious festival, you'll find huge 20ft bamboo swings (pings) in most of the remote villages. They say your feet need to leave the ground at least once during Dashain, and swinging helps you feel youthful. Everyone in the village gets a turn, that's if you can get past the kids.
(Was Annapurna Community Lodge Trek)
Itinerary
Day 1 - Kathmandu
If Kathmandu was a person, they'd have dreadlocks and smell like patchouli. It's the perfect place to sip on masala tea and load up on momos (dumplings) before the trek.
- If arriving early, why not explore Durbar Square
- Pre-departure meeting and an optional group dinner in the evening
Hotel Shakti or similarDay 2 - Pokhara
It's a long bus trip to pokhara, but the arvo is free to explore. Take a boat onto Nepal's second biggest lake and walk around the village. You'll have giggling, smiling, singing kids hanging off every limb. Be prepared, they love having their photo take.
- Drive over the rim of the Kathmandu Valley to Pokhara
- See the Ganesh, Manaslu and Annapurna ranges on a clear morning
- Free afternoon to explore Pokhara
Day 3-8 - Community Lodge Trek
Each day we'll try and do about 4-6 hours of walking. We avoid all the usual trails which means you won't see many other trekkers. Stay in community lodges (which Geckos helped build) at Swanta, Chistibung, Bayeli and Kopra (our pick for best sunrise).
Day 3
- Commence the trek from Naya Phul
- Stay overnight in Ulleri
(Walking time: approx 5 hours)
Day 4
- Trek through new trials that see very few travellers
- Stay in a lodges run by the local community in Swanta
(Walking time: approx 6 hours)
Day 5
- Journey through thick oak and rhododendron forest
- Pass buffalo grazing pastures
- Stay in a temporary herders' settlement in Upper Chistibung
(Walking time: approx 5 hours)
Day 6
- Ascend above the tree line
- Keep eyes peeled for Himalayan tahr and Danfe pheasant
- Gain awesome panoramas of Annapurna South, Fang and Nilgiri to the north and Dhaulagiri Himal in the west
- Spend the night in the Kopra community lodge
(Walking time: approx 6 hours)
Day 7
- Enjoy views of the Annapurna range
- Take lunch by a small stream
- Ascend through open countryside
- Soak in views of Dhaulagiri Himal from the lodge in Bayeli Kharka
(Walking time: approx 4 hours)
Day 8
- Descend through an oak and rhododendron forest
- Arrive in Ghandruk, a place known for it's menfolk who have served in the British Gurkha regiments
- Enjoy mountain views from the lodge
(Walking time: approx 5 hours)
Day 9 - Pokhara
We don't want to play favourites, but there's something special about Pokhara. It's a combination of the lake, the fresh baked pastries, the friendly locals and the coffee shops.
- Complete the last few hours of the trek
- Unwind back in Pokhara during free time
(Walking time: approx 3.5 hours)
Day 10-11 - Kathmandu
You can't leave without seeing the Bodhnath Stupa. A stupa is a round structure filled with Buddhist relics and this is the largest one in Nepal. You should probably also get a hot shave so you don't go home looking like a yeti.
Day 10
- Relax or explore during free time in Kathmandu
- Enjoy a final optional group dinner
Day 11
- The trip ends this morning after breakfast, but there's plenty more to see and do for those who wish to stay on
Hotel Shakti or similar -
What to Know
What's Included
All tours are led by an experienced regional Gecko's leader. The trek in the Annapurnas is inclusive of trekking staff and porters. All transportation, accommodation and meals as indicated in the detailed Trip Notes.
Not Included
- International flights, arrival and departure transfers, airport/departure taxes, visas, pre or post tour accommodation, all other meals, optional tours sightseeing or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, travel insurance, tips and items of a personal nature, laundry and flights unless specified.
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Map
Map Itinerary
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Dates
Trip Dates and Prices
Start Date – End Date Trip Status Price 15 Sep 2013 - 25 Sep 2013 7+ Request US $885On Sale Sale: US $753 Book Now 27 Oct 2013 - 06 Nov 2013 7+ Available US $885 Book Now 10 Nov 2013 - 20 Nov 2013 7+ Available US $885 Book Now 24 Nov 2013 - 04 Dec 2013 7+ Available US $885 Book Now 22 Dec 2013 - 01 Jan 2014 7+ Available US $885 Book Now 19 Jan 2014 - 29 Jan 2014 7+ Available US $780 Book Now 16 Feb 2014 - 26 Feb 2014 7+ Available US $885 Book Now 02 Mar 2014 - 12 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $885 Book Now 16 Mar 2014 - 26 Mar 2014 7+ Available US $885 Book Now 30 Mar 2014 - 09 Apr 2014 7+ Available US $885 Book Now 13 Apr 2014 - 23 Apr 2014 7+ Available US $885 Book Now 27 Apr 2014 - 07 May 2014 7+ Available US $885 Book Now 11 May 2014 - 21 May 2014 7+ Available US $885 Book Now -
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What to know
A good level of fitness is required. you will trek on hilly terrain, generally on well-defined paths, walking between 4-5 hours per day. Altitude may exceed 3000 metres - check the trip notes for details.