Pokhara Area Short Treks

Annapurna Skyline Trek
It is a three or four day trek. It is known as the “Royal Trek,” because Britain’s Prince Charles trekked is at one time. Not many people do this trek, so there are no places to stay along the route. Along the way there are some good views of the Annapurnas.

It is a pleasant trek to do along with children as the walking d

ays are not so long and it take not go to any high altitudes.

There are several different ways the trek can be done. The trek begins on the Pokhara to Kathmandu (Prithvi) Highway, a few kilometres from Pokhara. It then climbs up the ridge and then mainly follows ridges and then comes back to the Pokhara Valley.

The trail first goes through the villages of Kalikathan, Sahklung and Chisopani. It then descends to the stream that goes in Rupa Tal Lake. The end of the trek goes along the ridge between Rupa Tal Lake and Begnas Tal Lake and then end at Begnas Bazaar, where you get a bus back to Kathmandu.

Ghandrung to Ghorapani Trek
This seven day trek starts and finishes at Birethanti, west of Pokhara. It has some great views of the Annapurnas. The trek includes the first few days of the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek up to Ghandrung and the first few days of the Jomsom Trek up to Ghorapani and the walk between these two places.

Poon Hill, one of the best viewpoints in the area, is near Ghorapani.

Naudanda Trek
This two-day trek begins at Hyangja and then goes to Suikhet, Naudanda, Kaski, Sarangkot and the finishes in Pokhara. There are several places to stay in Naudanda.

Ghachok Trek
This interesting two-day trek begins in Hyangja, which has a Tibetan settlement. It then goes north across the Mardi Khola to Lhacock, and then to Ghacok. The trail then goes south to Batulechaur and then to Pokhara.

Kathmandu to Pokhara
The road Kathmandu and Pokhara is 206km. The road mainly follows rivers at the bottom of valleys. Even though there are some great views of the rivers, steep hill, rock gorges, and some views of the mountains.

Along the way is the interesting town of Gorkha, the old capital of the Shah Dynasty, and Bandipur, an old Newari village. The area is mainly inhabited by Magars, Chhetris, Gurungs and Bahuns. Magars and Gurungs from this area make up a good percentage of the Gurkha regiments in the British and Indian armies.

Kathmandu to Naubise
The road begins at the western end of Tripureshwar Marg. After about 10km heavy vehicles stop at a police checkpoint and pay a toll. Four km later the road leaves the valley. During a clear day there are great views of the Ganesh Himal, Manaslu Himal and Himal Chuli mountains. There are also good views down to the Trisuli River and Mahesh Khola River.
The road to Naubise is in general in good condition. It takes some sharp turns and there are trucks that overtake on blind curves. The Tribhuvan Highway joins the road from Hetauda at Naubise.

Naubise to Mugling
From Naubise the road goes along the Mahesh Khola River to where it meets the Trisuli River, a little past Baireni (52km west of Kathmandu). It then goes through the Trisuli valley past the town of Gajuritar.

Next you come to Malekhu. Just before getting to Malekhu, there is a bridge that goes over the river and the road goes to Trisuli Bazaar.

A little past Malekhu are several restaurants. The Hill Top Restaurant has good food and excellent views of the river. It has a clean toilet. Often rafting trips begin at this point.

The Blue Heaven Restaurant, next to the river, about 75km from Kathmandu.

At Benighat, the Trisuli is met by the wide Buri Gandaki River coming from the north. Then keep going along the Trisuli River towards Mugling.
Next you come to Kurintar, about 8km before Mugling. Located here is the River Side Springs Resort (056 29429; email: nongint@ccsl.com.np), which has a main building and comfortable cottages. The cottages with bath and a small verandah are $55/65. Nepal residents can get a 50% discount. It has a swimming pool.
At Mugling, the west flowing Trisuli River meets the southeast flowing Marsyangdi Khola River.

Copyright ©2001 John Howley and Spiritual Guides