Day 01. Kathamandu to Tikhedhunga 1600m – 9/10 hrs.

We left Kathmandu by Van early morning due to long journey up to Tikhedhunga. We tried to pass before moving the Kathmandu to Pokhara tourist buses. But it was still traffic jam somewhere on the way due to narrow and muddy road. We could not see mountain views due to hazy weather. Because of hot temperature, our guests preferred air-con continuously inside the Van. But i felt very cold and had to wear my jacket due to unfamiliarity with air-con. We took lunch break at Kuwa. We all enjoyed with Nepali food Dal- Bhat.

Then we directly moved to Nayapul from where the vehicle had to be changed due to the dirt road. Jeep took us by passing Birethanti, Sudame. It was pretty greenery scene with beautiful Burundi river along the way. Finally, we reached to Tikhedhunga at around 6:30pm. As the day was long, the sun had not yet set. So our group enjoyed with playing water at Burundi river.

Day 02. Tikhedhunga to Ghodepani 2860m — 7 hrs.

It was pretty clear weather in the morning. Everyone was quite excited to start hiking. After leaving from Tikhedhunga, we had to climb up all the way. There were only few other hikers on the way. we took tea break at Ulleri and headed to Banthati for Lunch. We enjoyed with warm sun during lunch break. After lunch we left the village and entered inside the forest.

Our group looked getting refreshed from greenery and cool weather. It was almost rained when we were at Nangethati. But luckily no rained untill we got to Ghorepani, our overnight place. As soon as got to Ghodepani, it was light rained. During dinner time, we decided to go to Punhill next day early in the morning.

Day 03. Ghodepani to Punhill to Swanta 2214m –6 hrs.

We got up at 4 am and headed to Punhill despite the misty weather. From half way, surprisingly weather began getting clear. We rushed to catch up the view from Top. When we reached to Punhill, Annapurna and Fishtail range was pretty clear. There were only less than 20 hikers.

After sun-rise, Dhaulagiri range also got clear in west. We could enjoy long panaromic mountain view. Then we got down to Ghodepani again and set off to Swanta  village after breakfast. It was easy and short trekking day. we descended all the way up to Ghar Khola by passing jungle and few small villages.

We had chance to taste wild strawberry along the way. After crossing suspension bridge at Ghar Khola, we had to short climb up to Swanta. It was beautiful village with good lodging-fooding services for tourists. It was pretty sunny day but not sure about next days due to starting of monsoon. So, we all dried our hiking gears very well. After having fresh lunch, we spent our time in our own way. Two of us visited around the village and Thado Jharana (waterfall) as well. Waterfall was really much more beautiful than we thought initially.

Day 04. Swant to Khopra dada 3660m — 8/9 hrs

After breakfast we took a group photo with the lodge owner. Then we started our trek by horizontal path. As soon as leaving Swanta no more villages.It began jungle along with fresh greenery.

Hiking trail was also original path of villagers. No one met on the way except various types of birds along the way. When we reached to mini hydro station closer to beautiful waterfall, then uphill began. We met also a big group of sheeps grazing in the forest. And we passed some shepherd’s hut which was a bit smelly around. Just before getting to lunch place at Sistibung, a very beautiful mossy forest appeared. Our group liked very much that mossy forest and took a lot of photos as well. we had very fresh Dal- bhat with omlette at Sistibung and climbed up again. It was cool hike with misty weather.

We kept climbing uphill continuously. But it took quite longer than we supposed time to get to Khopra dada. Despite the many hours trek, i climbed a bit further up than Khopra dada where hundreds of Nak/Yak were grazing everywhere. Dozens of Dozen calfs were also following theirs’ mother. It was really peaceful and pleasant atmosphere. Latter i got back to Khopra dada with heavy rain.

Day 05. Khopra dada 3660m to Khayar lake 4660m to Khopra dada 3660m — 11 hrs.

It was the longest and most exciting day hike due to our main destination Khayar lake. So we started our trek early morning at 5 am. It was pretty misy weather. After Khopra dada, it was all open pasturland.Initially we had to climb up around 1:30 hrs. Then came horizontal path and began raining as well. There were grazing many Nak/Yak along the way.After raining, weather got clear and appeared Mt. Dhaulagiri also in far west.

From the buttom of the Deurali, we had to climb steep up. It took more than 5 hrs. us to get to Khayar khola from Khopra for lunch. Khayar khola is located in flat area where one of the local men has been serving basic foods for trekkers  or pilgrims. Now he is trying to build up a lodge also there. Few of our friends returned back from Khayar Khola and rest of us headed towards the Khayar lake. After half an hour easy way, it was all the way up through stone staircases. We kept climbing by taking rest at few places. Because of too tired it was something like never ending climb up for us.

To be frankly, i was also really tired and rememberd the Larke Pass in Manasalu.

Finally we reached to Khayar lake after 3 hours from lunch place. Everyone looked in happy and excited mood from exsusted mood once again. Our youngest friend looked further overwhelmed.

The lake was really beautiful surrounded by small hills around.There were Temples and rest house as well for especially pilgrims. A big festival falls on full moon day of August annually there. Hundreds of local pilgrims visit this sacred lake during this festival. They even sacrifice hundreds of sheep (male) and goats.

Fortunately weather also got clear partially while we were hanging around the lake. Annapurna south looked very closer from this lake. After spending worth time at lake, we all descended same way to Khopra dada.

Day 06. Khopra dada to Dobato 3300m — 7/8 hrs.

We got up early despite the long day hike previous day. It was cloudy weather. But fortunately it got clear weather for a while and could see both Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges. After breakfast we got down from Khopra dada. One of our friends began to collect wild vege again. We took tea-break at Sistibung and headed to Bayali kharka carrying a bit salt also for leeches. It was especially shepherds’ trail inside the thick forest.

We got countless leeches all over the shoes. Salt helped us a lot to control leeches though it was impossible to remove all. After an hour easy way from Sistibung, we climbed uphill all the way to Bayali. We passed numerous streams and waterfalls along the way. what a great coinccident when our group reached to Bayali, heavily heavily rained more than an hour. It was the heaviest raining during our entire trip. When rain stoped, we headed to Dobato. It was easy way with greenery along the way. we took around 2 hours to reach Dobato. First time, other trekker also saw at same tea house with us. An American guy was with his guide.

Day 07. Dobato to Mulde view point 3600m to Ghandruk 1940m — 7/8 hrs

Despite the misty weather, 4 of us climbed up to Mulde view point at around 5am. It was just half an hour hike. When we reached to view point, dramaticlly weather got clear. South Annapurna and Nilgiri would look very closer. Gradually Dhaulagiri range also got clear from clouds. We got even better view from Mulde than from Punhill.

Then after breakfast at Dobato, we set off to Ghandruk downwards. It was pretty original trail used by mostly shephards. We passed mainly Rhododendron forest with greenery and misty weather along the way. Our friends were comparing that forest scene with some movie scene. As we supposed, we got to Tadapani for lunch and headed to Ghandruk with last tea break at Bhaisikharka.

We complited our trek without heavy rain on the way even during monsoon. We had much more better weather than we expected before the trek. Our group looked pretty happy and satisfied with trek. So they enjoyed with Beer and served to all staffs as well.

Next day, our group got back to Pokhara by Jeep.