Ghorepani / Poon Hill Trek: Nepal’s Classic Trek

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to Hotel

Flying into Kathmandu is a memorable experience with the view of Himalaya spreadings. The flight will land at (TIA) Tribhuwan International Airport at 1350m after you will receive Nepal entry visa which can be obtained in advance or on arrival and for the visa processing at TIA might take around 45min. depending on the number of people in a queue. For the Nepal entry visa information, kindly refer to Nepal government official site Department of Immigration Nepal. After you exit from the gate, you will see our company’s representative waiting for you holding placard written with the company name & logo. Company representative welcomes you by offering the holy Tibetan scarf and transfer to the hotel in a private vehicle. It takes around 30min to reach at Thamel from TIA via means of transportation. The scenes of Pashupatinath(sacred Hindu temple), city, full of various vehicles, peoples make our journey more enjoyable and amazing, then we reach the hotel and take rest. Thamel is full of restaurants, shopping centers, and good accommodation. Trip briefing and afterward invited to welcome dinner.

Day 2: A guided sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley with professional English speaking tour guide. (UNESCO world heritage sites visit: Swoyambhunath, Patan Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudha)

The sightseeing program will start from:

Swoyambhunath Stupa, most ancient and enigmatic of all the holy shrines in Kathmandu valley. Swayambhu has been listed in the World Heritage Sites. The entire valley was an enormous lake, nagdah, out of which grew a lotus with five colored flame (self-arisen). Lotus was transformed into a hill and the flower became the stupa. It is still believed that the self-arisen flame is covered with dome of Stupa. The place is known as Swayambhu, meaning "Self-Created" over which a stupa was later built. Swayambhu is among the oldest religious sites in Nepal known as 'monkey temple' because of the large tribe of roaming monkeys. Located at one of the highest elevations in Kathmandu Valley gives panoramic views of the city. The place is praised by Buddha and meditated by several Buddha's as a pure holy site.

Patan

- City of fine arts-Three main courtyards

It is one of the three medieval cities in Kathmandu and a destination of fine arts has hundreds of fascinating Hindu and Buddhist monuments scattered in and around. Patan City is an enchanting mixture of palace buildings, artistic courtyards, and former palace complex. Most of the monuments are back to the medieval Malla period 15th to 17th century as the golden period of Nepalese art and architecture. Krishna Mandir- a stone temple of Lord Krishna with its 21 spires and bas-relief art depicting scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana epics and surrounding Hindu and Buddhist temples. The main highlights are the Golden Gate and the Golden Window of the old Palace, the beautiful piece of traditional metal crafts, the famed Krishna temple with 21 golden pinnacles, the Royal bath of Sundari Chowk, a perfect piece of the classic work in stone, Royal Taleju temple, Vishwanath Temple and Char Narayan temple are the finest examples of the unique craftsmanship in wood; the temple of Bhimsen with the magnificent golden balcony overlooking the square outside plus many other shrines and sculptures scattered in and around the square.

Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most sacred Hindu temples of Nepal located at the banks of holy Bagmati River. Every year this temple attracts hundreds of elderly followers of Hinduism. The place for different festival like Maha Shivaratri and Teej where thousands of devotees celebrate. The temple is the ultimate pilgrimage for Hindus throughout the world. The area is swarmed in by the Hindus from different part of the country. The two-storied pagoda temple of Pashupathinath houses the five-faced statue of Lord Shiva. Apart from the main shrine, there are numerous temples dedicated to different god and goddess in and around the Pashupatinath temple area. This temple is an important destination for art historians. It displays a variety of temple design some of which are Dome style, Pagoda style, Shikhara style and so on. Cremation site here draws attention of many who really thrive to explore cultural & spiritual aspects of death rituals of Hindus.

Boudha stupa is the largest and most sacred Tibetan Buddhist site outside of Tibet forming a religion and culture hub for the Tibetan and people from the Himalayas of Nepal. The Stupa was on the ancient trade route from Tibet. The Stupa is claimed to have the relic of Kasyapa Buddha, the third Buddha of the Bhadrakalpa. Boudha Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site significant for its historic and architectural significance, with sprouting monasteries and craftsmanship. It is said that the stupa is built by the mother Jyajhima, a poultry woman. She was very poor despite her poverty she had an intense desire for building a stupa. The mother passed away after she completed up to the vase, the dome-like structure. She had four sons, and the construction of the rest of the Stupa was completed by four sons. After they finished it, they all stood up in front of it and made prayers. Everyone made their wishes. When they were praying, all the buddhas and bodhisattvas were absorbed into the stupa, which is why the name of the stupa is also “All-Encompassing.” The stupa is a semicircular white dome and the towering spire, with unblinking eyes painted on each side that stares into the four directions. The overall shape represents a Buddhist mandala (a cosmological map) and the path towards enlightenment, as well as the mythical center of the cosmos, Mount Meru. The four Dhyani Buddha signifies the crucial points, and the fifth, Vairocana is enshrined in the central white hemisphere of the stupa. The base of the stupa consists of three large platforms, decreasing in size. The square tower is topped by a pyramid with 13 steps, represents the stages that human beings must pass through to achieve nirvana. The triangular shape is the abstract for the elements of fire. Every portion has a symbolic significance: the base, dome, spire, and pinnacle represent the five elements. It is said that the stupa contains a piece of bone from the skeleton of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha

Day 3: Drive or Fly from Kathmandu to Nayapul via Pokhara & Trek to Tikhedhunga 1480 Meters

Today, once you are done with your breakfast, our office representative will pick you up from Hotel to drop off at Kathmandu domestic airport for flying to Pokhara. Once you land there you will be transferred to Nayapul by vehicle, then your trail starts for trekking. Beginning with uphill trek through fertile farms of rice, maize and millet, we will cross Birethati, pass by small waterfall and sudami to reach Tikhedhunga.

Day 4: Trek from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani (9,318 feet / 2,840 m)

Second day of your trekking, be prepared to climb almost 3767 stone steps mostly uphill. Don’t worry! You will be fueled up by energizing breakfast in the morning. The trail is quiet, tranquil as most of the time we see horses throughout. We will pass through picturesque mountain villages and hilly settlements as well as suspension bridge. Once we complete stairs section the rest of the trail will continue through a scenic area of blooming rhododendron and old oak forests. As we climb uphill, we will stop by Nangethati for lunch and continue on trails until we reach to our destination, Ghorepani.

Day 5: Trek from Ghorepani to Tadapani (8,562 feet / 2,610 m); Sunrise at Poon Hill

Today we will wake up early in the morning and prepare ourselves for an hour hike up to Poonhill (3210m) for a magnificent sunrise view. The hill settlement is dominated by an ethnic group called Poonmagar and hence is called Poonhill. This is spiritual place that provides majestic scenery, especially when the rising sun casts golden bright light on nearby snowcapped peaks like Dhaulagir, Annapurna south, Fishtail and Hiuchuli. After we enjoy the tremendous experience we will hike down to Ghorepani for breakfast then prepare for further on our trekking trails to a small beautifull village Tadapani. Today’s trails goes uphill and downhill through a range of landscape and microclimate. Overnight stay will be in Tadapani.

Day 6: Trek from Tadapani to Ghandruk & Drive to Pokhara overnight

After the breakfast, we will start the last day’s trekking with steep downhill descending, a quite easier part of our trails. This trails would give you an uninterrupted views of Annapurna range and fascinating Gurung community village. Once you reach this beautiful Gurung village your classic trek circle comes to an end and you will be transported to Pokhara by a private vehicle. Overnight stay will be in Pokhara.

Day 7: Guided Pokhara City Tour

A leisure day? Or would like to explore Pokhara valley? Pokhara is the most beautiful tourist attraction in Nepal. Certainly you don’t want to miss this chance. If so your guide will take you through major tourist attractions in Pokhara valley. Enjoy the beautiful day with beautiful city and views.

Day 8: Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu, 30 minutes, overnight stay at Kathmandu

After the breakfast, you will be transferred to airport for domestic flight to Kathmandu. Once you land in Kathmandu your entire eight days classic trek completes and you will be transferred to Hotel. To add up one more item in your entire menu, we will organize a memorable evening dinner with Nepalese cultural performance, a farewell dinner.

Day 9: Depart Kathmandu, Transfer to Airport

Our office representative will see you off at the airport. See you again.