Hidden lake and Glacier trek is one of wildest trek with great contrast, encompassing all the features of the area from the terraced village lowlands, through the forests and agricultural areas of the middle hill country, to the glacial basins of the Annapurna Mountains. Hidden holy lake trek starts from the sub-tropical Pokhara Valley and passes through paddy fields before gradually ascending through terraced hillsides of wheat and barley. At each of the villages along the way we are warmly received by the local Gurung and Magar people. Our itinerary is sensibly paced so we have ample opportunity to experience and absorb local lifestyles that have changed little over centuries. From the very start this trek offers you the ever-changing views of the stunning snow-covered Annapurna Mountains and halfway through the trek we leave habitation behind and walk through rhododendron and oak forests, alive with exotic birds and beautiful flowers, to finally emerge above the tree line at Khopra Danda.
Khopra Danda or (Ridge) offers the stunning wilderness scenery beneath the towering peaks of Annapurna; to the west lies Dhaulagiri and far below lies the Kali Gandaki River Valley, which is the world’s deepest George. As we climb higher above the tree line we enter a fantastic mountain wilderness visited only by local shepherds during the monsoon months. The truly spectacular vista is dominated by Annapurna I (8091m) and Dhaulagiri (8167m), the highest peaks in the region. However this unique trek concentrates on the unexplored wilderness around Annapurna South (7237m), a remote and magnificent area that is rarely visited. An exploration of the rugged area below Annapurna South is sure to be the highlight of our journey.
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met by our Himalayan Hikers representative and transferred you to the hotel. The drive from the airport to the hotel is around 20 minutes.After your checkin the group leader will set a time for your trek briefing to discuss in regards to the trek. The evening is free but your trek leader will organise a welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant.
Today, you will visit Bodhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world and Pashupatinath ,the main temple for the hindus. Here you will see Hindu holy men (sadhus) meditating, pilgrims bathing, and occasionally funeral pyres burning on the ghats. The rest of your afternoon is free. In the late afternoon you will be issued with your trek pack. Departure information for the next morning will also be given.Meals included: B
You will have an early departure from the hotel today for your flight to Pokhara.The flight timeis about 30 minutes with spectacular views of the main Himalayan chain to the north.
In Pokhara you will be transferred by road (private bus) to the starting point of the trek at Nayapul. We stop for a while to get the crew organise your load. You leave Nayapul following the Modi Khola River to Birethanti where you will have your trekking permits checked. From here you get great views of the ‘fish tail’ Machapuchhare (6993m).You will continue to hike on the dirt road following the Modi Khola passing through terraced fields and settlements inhabited by the Chettris ,Brahmins and Gurungs. Soon you will reach thethe small hamlet of Shayuli bazaar for the night. Meals included: B, L, D
Today you will start the climb to Ghandruk. The trail gradually climbs out of Shyauli, and you will cross a steel suspension bridge. From here the trail climbs more steeply up stone steps through settlements of Klieu and Kimche .You stop in for a rest and can enjoy a hot drink or maybe a soft drink.From the small village of Chane the trail traverses and then climbs up to the village of Ghandruk, where you will stop for lunch and spend the night. Ghandruk is one of the biggest Gurung villages in the area.Ghandruk is well known for the number of its men folk who have served and is still serving in the British Gurkha regiments.You will have spectacular views of Annapurna South (7219m), Hiunchuli (6441m), Machapuchhare (6993m), and Hiunchuli (6434m). Meals included: B, L, D
Todays walk will be easier with not many steep ascents to encounter.Once you leave Ghandruk,you enter into oak and rhododendron forest keeping you cool.The forest is comes alive with the sounds of birds,streams and small waterfalls.There are no villages on today’s walk,but there a few tea houses at Bhaisi kharka .we stop in for your morning tea and rest.
There will be fine views of Annapurna II (7937m), Annapurna III (7555m), Annapurna IV (7525m), Annapurna South (7237m), Machhapuchhare (6993m) and Lamjung Himal (6931m) teasing you all along the way.
Your lodge at Tadapani is perfectly located between the rhododendron forest. Weather permittingSunrise and sunset views is a must to sefromhere.Meals included:B, L, D
You will leave now leave the main trail that leads to Ghorepani today and follow a rarely used trail –(mainly used by the local sheperds).you trek through thick rhododendron forest ,pine and bamboos and soon emerge above the tree line to superb views of the Annapurna range and the Fishtail mountain.There are little tea shops here and we stop for lunch.After lunch you will continue to climb gradually through rhododendron forest .to reach Dobato. From here you get great views of the ‘fish tail’ Machapuchhare (6993m) and Annapurna south.The trail descends for a while before making the final ascent to Bayli Kharka where you stop for the night.This is the first community lodge of the trek.From the lodge there are great views of Dhaulagiri Himal. Meals included:B, L, D
To reach the ridge at Kopra we have a steady contour then climb on a small trail that takes us above the tree line. This area is noted for wildlife and we should keep our eyes open for Himalayan tahr and Danfe pheasant. The best way to tackle the climb is to ascend steadily, take our time and rest as often as we wish. We reach the on Kopra Ridge in time for a late lunch and we will be greeted more fantastic views. This extraordinary panorama includes Annapurna South, towering directly above and only six kilometres away, and Fang and Nilgiri prominent to the north, whilst across the depths of the Kali Gandakhi Valley, the Dhaulagiri Himal dominates the entire western skyline. The Kopra Community Lodge is the highlight of our work in the region. Profits from this lodge have contributed to developing the secondary schools at Nangi and Swanta. Stay overnight at community lodge. Meals included:B, L, D
From Kopra Ridge we ascend gradually to the stone huts built to shelter pilgrims who attend religious ceremonies at the holy lake. In the monsoon months shepherds move large flocks of sheep into this area to graze on the grassy hillsides. This is a hauntingly beautiful region with the huge peaks of Annapurna South and Fang towering above our campsite. We rest up in the afternoon, acclimatise ourselves to the altitude and get ready for the next day’s excursion to the lake. Stay overnight at community lodge. Meals included:B, L, D
To further help with acclimatisation we remain at Kaire Khola for another day and night. During the day we take packed lunches and follow a well-defined trail up a stone staircase to a lake known as Pautarko Kaire. This lake is the site of the Badau Purnima Festival, held annually in August and September. Villagers from the surrounding area converge here to pray to Lord Shiva, bathe in the icy-cold waters of the lake and offer sacrifices of sheep. Although not too distant from the camp, the walk to this glacial lake will be tiring due to the altitude. Ascending the hill behind the lake is also recommended, as it allows for superb views of Annapurna I. overnight camping. Meals included:B, L, D
From the campsite we trek into a region only occasionally visited by local shepherds. Apart from our own groups, as far as we know, no other trekkers will have visited this region. The climb out of Tiboche Basin looks virtually impossible from our camp; however, a well-defined trail, marked by stone cairns and prayer flags, winds its way implausibly to the top, where a majestic panorama greets us. This high altitude plateau affords great views of the fishtail peak of Machhapuchhare and Annapurna South. From the saddle we traverse across the hillside to camp near a small stream and stone huts at Celli Kharka.Overnight camping. Meals included:B, L, D
Today will be a highlight of our trek, as we reach a rarely visited lake set among jagged, rocky spires. The scenery is truly awe-inspiring and is known only to a handful of shepherds and hunters. When researching this area, it took many days to locate the exact position of this lake. Some villagers knew off the area, but had never visited it and this led to many conflicting stories as to where we should look for this lake. We camp a short distance from the lake itself and enjoy a full day exploring this remote place where you will undoubtedly find some of the most magnificent scenery in all of Nepal. Overnight camping. Meals included:B, L, D
From the lake we gradually climb up to a small pass that leads to a steep descent to Annapurna South Base Camp. The scene is here breathtaking, with tumbling glaciers and huge moraine walls. The towering face of Annapurna may unleash its anger to send plummeting one of the many huge avalanches which crash off this awesome mountain. We will be safely out of harm’s way from these avalanches that have so often caused tragedy for climbing expeditions in the past. We set up camp at Annapurna South Base Camp and may even meet an expedition, as our arrival usually coincides with the climbing season. We have allowed a full day of exploration at Base Camp, where we have a chance to head up to the main glacier of this magnificent peak. Overnight camping. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
In the morning there is one last chance for spectacular photographs before we follow the Kymrong Khola down a narrow gorge and out of this small sanctuary. The climb out of the valley is fairly steep, but once we reach the rim our return route to Pokhara comes into view. A steep, but short, descent then leads us to Baisi Kharkha – our lunch stop and camp. Overnight camping. Meals included:B, L, D
Today after breakfast we bear east and follow a contouring trail that then gradually descends to Chhomrong. After spending nearly a week in the wilderness where we are unlikely to see any other trekkers, we now join the main trail to Annapurna Sanctuary. After a good break we start descending into Modi Khola Valley and to the hot springs at Jhinudanda for the night. Overnight at Jhinu. Meals included:B, L, D
Our return route then follows the river past a small cluster of lodges at New Bridge before a very picturesque trail takes us to Kalchane and on to a suspension bridge that leads steeply up to the village of Ghandruk, which we passed through early on in the trek. Here we take lunch and in the afternoon continue to follow the river to Kilyu, where we regain the main trail for the short walk to our lodge at Shyauli Bazaar. We spend the night amidst the fields of rice and wheat and relax with perhaps a few beers, celebrating the completion of our brilliant off-the-beaten-track experience with the crew. Meals included:B, L, D
Today after breakfast we follow the modi valley to birethanti,get the permits checked out and a short walk to Nayapul where we are picked by our coach and transferred back to Pokhara. We bid farewell to the crew here and drive for one and half hours to reach pokhara. Meals included: B
A free day in Pokhara to explore, shop or just take it easy. Your trek leader will be there to assist you for further sightseeing’s in Pokhara. Meals included: B
After breakfast we drive back to kathmandu to our starting hotel. The rest of the day is free to do shopping or further sightseeing.Our final night in Kathmandu gives us a chance to go out on the town and enjoy a final dinner (optional) with our travelling companions and new-found friends. Meals included: B
Your trip will come to an end today after breakfast. Your leader will be on hand to advise and assist with your onward travel arrangements.
SUGGESTED CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT LIST
Head:
Lower Body:
Feet:
Upper Body:
Hands:
Accessories:
Toiletries:
Personal Hygiene:
Extras/Luxuries:
Swimming costume (for Kathmandu & Pokhara)
Please note:
The gears with an asterisk (*) sign are handed out by Himalayan Hikers as a part of service You can use your personal gears if you prefer to do so i.e. sleeping bag, liner, down jacket.
