Annapurna Tatopani Loop Trek
Highlights of the trek
Trekking to and through Gurung villages, excellent views of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhare, sunrise at Poonhill and relaxing at hot springs of Tatopani.
Trek dates
Daily from September to late December and February to late June
Also Scheduled Group Treks
Detailed itinerary
Itinerary can be customized according to your needs and length of stay.
Day 01 - Arrival in kathmandu
Upon arrival at Kathmandu International Airport transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu or Bhaktapur. Short briefing will follow concerning the necessary formalities. Depending upon your arrival time you may spend free time visiting nearby sanctuaries or resting.
Day 02 - Sightseeing / Cultural Day in Kathmandu Valley
Half day sightseeing around UNESCO Bhaktapur / Kathmandu where your guide will escort you on a tour of Buddhist and Hindu temples and shrines reflecting ancient local traditions. There is time to explore the city’s many places of interest on your own or take a rest while trekking permits are finalized. In the evening, sample a traditional Nepali dinner. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 03 - Kathmandu to Pokhara
Fly or drive to Pokhara, from where you will depart on your trek. Overnight in Pokhara.
NOTE
Based on the required travel time between Kathmandu and Pokhara we may depart for the trek a day earlier than shown on the itinerary.
Day 04 - Kathmandu to Tolka
Your trekking guide will meet you at your hotel at 06:30 hrs to escort you to the airport, from where we take a plane to Pohkara, which takes about 25 minutes of flight time. After a short drive to Phedi and starting at an elevation of 1130 meter, in a forest that is so overgrazed that it looks like a manicured municipal park we start climbing to Dhampus on the top of a ridge at 1700 meter. The route then enters a rhododendron forest and follows a trail paved with stones to the village of Pothana. From here, we have excellent views of Machhapuchare mountain (6997m). Machha, meaning fish and puchhare meaning tail, except from this angle it looks more like the Matterhorn then resembling a fishtail. The trail climbs further on a stone paved route to Deorali atop a hill at 2150 meter. We descend then into the canyon of Modi Khola down a rough stone trail to the teahouses at Bheri Kharka, a suburb of the large Gurung village of Bichok, which is far below. After climbing out of the valley following flagstone steps we arrive in the small settlement of Tolka at 1790 meter (5-6 hrs).Day 05 - Tolka to Ghandruk
The trail descends a long staircase to a suspension bridge across the Tiku Khola at 1720 meter and then climbs up to a ridge. It is an easy walk past streams, fields and unusual oval-shaped houses to the Gurung village of Landruk. Past this village, our downhill trail leads to the river Modi Khola and then ascends steeply to the Gurung village Ghandruk at 1990 meter. Ghandruk is the second largest Gurung village of Nepal, and is a confusing cluster of closely spaced, slate-roofed houses. The views of Annapurna South from here are amazing, and Machhapuchhare can be seen in its fishtail form (4-5 hrs).
Day 06 - Ghandruk to Tadapani (2630m)
Today we ascend around 700 meter to the village of Tadapani, meaning ‘far water’, because of the long distance the nearest water supply was from the village. The trail leads us at first over stone paved steps and then we ascent among bigger rocks crossing a few streams on the way (3-4 hrs).Day 07 - Tadapani to Ghorapani/Deurali (2870m)
We start the day by descending to the Bhurungdi Khola river, followed by a steep rocky ascent to the village of Ban Thanti at 3180 meter. Afterwards we follow a stream, which offers good swimming opportunities in some of its pools. We descend through pine and rhododendron forests to the village of Ghorapani at 2750 meter and then we continue with a short walk to Deurali (meaning pass) at 2870 meter. From here we have a great panorama of Dhaulagiri I (8167m), Tukuche, Annapurna South, Annapurna I (8091m), Hiunchuli (6441m) and Tarke Kang (7193m) (5 hrs).
Day 08 - Ghorapani to Tatopani (1220m)
Everyone rises early today to make the early morning excursion to Poon Hill (3210m) about an hour’s climb from the pass. At sunrise, there is a spectacular unobstructed view of the high Himalaya. After returning to Deurali for breakfast we make a steep descend through rhododendron and magnolia forests, we pass some small villages and walk alongside the Ghaja Khola. In Tatopani (which means hot water in Nepali) there are natural hot water springs for your refreshment, be sure to bring a bathing costume. We stay overnight in Tatopani (5-6 hrs).
Day 09 – Tatopani to Beni (820m)
We cross the high suspension bridge over the Kali after which we ascend to the Bhraman village of Rato Pani. After leaving this village we descend along a vertigo inducing cliffhanging trail to the banks of the river. We cross numerous landslides and go through a few cut-out tunnels to Baisari, a small settlement at 960 meter. Then we follow the westbank of the Kali Gandaki river to Beni, from where we take transport back to Pokhara (5-6 hrs).Day 10 - Fly or drive back to Kathmandu.
Day 11 - Kathmandu
Departure from Kathmandu.