A week trek in Gurung villages

Today you’ll fly to Kathmandu. Upon arrival your driver will take you to your hotel in Patan. Rest of the day free at leisure.

Today discover Patan with your guide: the beautiful Durban Square and pagodas of different styles, and Mahabudhha Golden Temple. Stroll through the city where many buildings date back to the 17th and 18th centuries, visit the very well restored Royal Palace and walk around the goldsmiths neighborhood. In the afternoon, you’ll reach Swoyambhunath or “Monkeys’ Temple” on top of a hill, for a great view over the city.

Today you will drive to Bodnath in the northeast of Kathmandu for a complete change of atmosphere. Walk around the biggest stupa in Nepal, where thousands of Buddhist pilgrims pray every year. Many Tibetan refugees who fled China live in this area. Witness the Buddhist ceremonies called puja inside Bodnath monasteries, and get enlightened with a Tibetan singing bowls session.

Today you will drive to Pokhara, the city-gate to the range of the Annapurna mountains. In the afternoon, you can discover the city, go for one of the numerous yoga classes offered there, or why not paddle with a boat on the lake to reach the opposite shore and climb to the stupa for a nice view.

Today you will drive nearby Pokhara in the countryside, in order to start trekking in the afternoon towards a tiny village up the mountains where you’ll stay for the night. In this old Gurung village, many youngsters have left for the city and you’ll meet their elders still living in the old-fashioned way. You’ll discover their way of life in your homestay, a very simple clay house with a beaten earth floor.

This morning, after a healthy homemade breakfast and a wonderful view on the Machhapuchhre if the weather is good, you’ll start hiking again, crossing the Seti river in order to reach a large plateau covered with mustard, wheat and corn fields and a few villages. See the local houses painted in yellow, blue, pink, orange and other bright colors. Observe men at work in the fields with their buffaloes, women carrying big baskets, or children coming out of school.

Today, enjoy the view on the Lamjung Himal and Machhapuchhre summits. Then you’ll walk along the plateau where fields will slowly leave the place for tea plantations. Locals united themselves in a tea cooperative in order to produce their “Annapurna Organic Tea”. You’ll reach their lovely village standing on the slopes of the hill and reach your guesthouse on a charming stone path. After a traditional dal bhat lunch, walk around the village and reach the higher tea plantations to get a beautiful view on the surrounding mountains.

This morning, you’ll follow a very agreeable path along the terraced fields and trees. A steep climb along a stream will take you to a more gentle slope to reach Pothana, on the Annapurna Sanctuary trekking path. From there you’ll cross the rhododendron forest to the Australian Camp platform. This mythic place offers a panoramic view on the surrounding summits, when the weather is clear.

Today, get a last everlasting memory of the view here at the Australian Camp and start walking along the crests in the rhododendron forests. You’ll reach a pass and start your descent towards Landrung village. Visit this charming Gurung village, with its old and new features, traditions and modernity coming in, and keep enjoying the view!

This morning, you’ll leave Landrung to walk downhill and reach the river. You’ll cross this beautiful mountain stream and waterfalls to climb up on the other side, on a steep slope mostly equipped with stone stairs. This biggest climb up of your trek will be rewarded with your arrival at Gandrung village, which is the most important Gurung village in the country. After a well-deserved lunch, take the time to visit the small “museum”, an interesting room containing all the everyday life objects of the Gurung ethnic group.

Today you’ll start a long descending walk along the hills and above the river, in order to reach Nayapul, a bigger town at the entrance of the valley. It takes some time to get accustomed to more people and agitation, but you will quickly meet your driver to drive back to Pokhara. Enjoy a last night near its quiet lake.

This morning, your driver will take you to Kathmandu (~6hrs drive). Get some rest in Kathmandu on your arrival.

On this last day, discover the capital city Kathmandu at your own pace.

Today, your driver will take you to the airport, where you’ll take your flight to your next destination.