There’s more to Nepal than Everest, this Annapurna Community trek provides a unique and close-up insight into village life in this beautiful area of the Himalayas. Mohare Hill (3,300m) offers spectacular panoramic views of the Annapurnas, Dhaulagiri and Machhapuchhare (Fish Tail Mountain); some of the highest mountains of the world – a definite highlight of this trip. Trekking in a pristine and unspoilt area, you are unlikely to meet many other trekkers. Instead, you will meet the local farmers, yak herders and village people in the communities where you will be treated more as a guest than a tourist.
Annapurna Community Trek navigates trekkers through the rich nature and its tranquility together with the lovely mix of culture, eco-tourism concept, sustainable tourism and information technology in rural regions. Trekkers can appreciate the Himalayas, terrace farmland, rhododendron forest, village lifestyles, ethnic group culture, and tradition as well as the local effort to incorporate information technology in education, health, and community development. Annapurna Community Trek leads you to the villages cooperating together to have sustainable development of the community by balancing modern technology and preservation of nature.
Drive to Galeshwor. Trek to Bas Kharka.
Starting from Pokhara, you are driven to Galeshwar via Beni, where you start your trek. Heading up to Bas Kharka from Galeshwar you pass scattered farmhouses, climbing through forest and then orange groves as you approach the attractive village. Much of the route follows stone paths and stairways leading up and down. You will have time to explore this Magar village, maybe visit the school and health post. In season, enjoy the sweet oranges that grow on the hillsides. |
Trek from Bas Kharka to Nangi.
Today we have an easy day of 2-3 hours hike down the hill to Dandakharka community lodge – a lovely, but basic community lodge set in an open field. Emerging from the rhododendron forest into clearer valleys we stop by lunch in a beautiful spot then it is a leisurely walk on to Nangi, the main village where you will spend the night.
Here you may visit the school and observe the activities of the students, although interaction with the students is highly discouraged. You may also visit local cottage industries including making paper from locally grown plants and also visit some income generating projects.
*** (Please note: these visits depend on weather, seasonality and local holidays).
Trek from Nangi to Mohare Hill via Dhimu Danda.
Today, you will be climbing through the forest with stunning views of the mountains.
Reaching the top of Mohare Danda (3300m), depending on the weather conditions, you can see the Himalayas stretching as far as the eye can see, with close-up views of Machhapuchhare (Fish Tail Mountain), Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.
Surrounded by forest, do not be surprised if you meet yaks grazing nearby. There is no village, but here is the highest wireless internet relay station in Nepal, providing internet to remote villages for schools and health posts that use telemedicine, linking up with hospitals in Kathmandu to provide better health care in the villages. We will be staying in a basic Lodge/Tea house with limited amenities.
Trek from Mohare Danda to Tikot via Danda Kharka.
A fantastic ridge walk with marvelous views in every direction before descending through forest to Danda Kharka. The mountains here seem so close you feel could reach out and touch them. |
Trek from Tikot to Baiseri & drive back to Pokhara via Beni.
From Tikot descend a steep path down to Baiseri, descending even more stairs than the ones we trekked the first day. The reward is the amazing sheer views down to the Kali Gandaki river below. At Baiseri your driver will be waiting to drive you back to Pokhara. |