Dhaulagiri Community Eco Trek

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu: 1300m/4265ft:
Arrival in Kathmandu greeted by representative and transferred to Hotel which is usually a walking distance to any good restaurants and shops. We will be given a short briefing on hotel facilities and safety as well as a short introduction to the area.  Next day there will be a comprehensive trip briefing. O/N in Hotel at Kathmandu (BB)

Day 02: Half day sightseeing of Baudhanath and Pasupatinath:
After breakfast, trek briefing will take place around 9 am. All aspects of gear and conditions are discussed to make sure you are fully prepared for the trip, introduce guide and any last-minute questions would be answered. We then visit Boudhanath, also known as little Tibet. Then we visit Pasupatinath one of the revered holy temple of the Hindus, this temple is also known for its cremation ceremonies that take place next to the holy river Bagmati. O/N in Hotel at Kathmandu (BB)

Day 03: Drive to Pokhara, 7 hours drive:
In the morning guide will pick us up and transfer us to the tourist bus station and drive about seven hours along a beautiful river & beautiful views of the Nepalese countryside. Once we reach Pokhara we transfer to the hotel and for the remaining hours we can freely tour around Pokhara lakeside or rest for the day. O/N at Hotel in Pokhara (BB)

Day 04: Drive to Ghaleshwar and trek to Banskharka (1400m/4592ft), 3 – 4 hrs:
After breakfast, we go on an early morning drive to Beni and meet with the trekking crew in Galeshwar village. After lunch, the trek begins by crossing Kalighaki River and an easy walk uphill for 3 - 4 hours. Enjoy first glimpse of Nilgiri and world’s deepest gorge between the 8000m peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. On the way to Banskhar, we will pass through several orange groves for which this area is well-known.  We will stay in a lodge which is part of the community eco trek & enjoy fresh organic food cooked by the local community. O/N at community Lodge (EP)

Day 05: Trek Banskharka to Nangi (2300m/7544ft), 6 hrs:
We gradually gain height walking through mixed trail of steps and dirt track with magnificent views of Annapurna South and Dhaulagiri.  We have lunch at the community lodge in Dandakateri and enjoy more great views of the Himalayas. After lunch, we walk another 2 ½ half hours to Nangi, an important center and one of largest Pun villages where most of the community projects take place. We will be welcomed by the community leaders and will receive information about the village and their projects. The village itself offers majestic views of Annapurna South, Barha Singy, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri and more. The Lodge is comfortable with free Wifi (a trade mark of the community trek) and is well managed. O/N at community Lodge (EP)

Day 06: Trek Nangi to Mohare (3313m/10866ft), 6 – 7 hrs:
A great day walking through mixed vegetation of oak, rhododendron and pine forest. The trail includes a combination of up & downhill and some tricky ridges but there are great views! Viewpoints such as Hamphal Danda (our lunch spot) and Ripu Danda.  It is a ridge with a view of wide open grassland and valleys with the Himalaya as an always present backdrop. Today we have packed lunch at Hampal Danda & afterwards continue walking for another 3 hours through deep rhododendron forest which is recovering from recent wildfires. We have a final push towards Mohare hill emerging from deep forest to open space and after a short climb along the ridge we will reach Mohare Danda with the most beautiful panorama of the Himalaya right in front of us as well as a clear view of the hills to the south. An amazing place to experience both sunset and sunrise. Our guide will wake us in the morning if the weather is clear so we can enjoy the sun rise. O/N at community Lodge (EP)

Day 07: Trek to Swanta (2200m7216ft), 5 – 6 hrs:
Today is a gradual descent through rhododendron & pine forest, about 4 hours before we reach Phalache village (2800m) for lunch. After lunch continue to walk along the trail both up and downhill for 2 hours to the village of Swanta. This is a Magar community. Like other hill tribes in this area the Gurungs & Puns have been recruited for generations to serve as one of the legendary Gurkhas by the governments of Britain, India & Singapore. The lodges are privately owned & have much better facilities including attached bathrooms and hot showers. O/N at Local Lodge (EP)

Day 08: Trek to Dhankharka (2900m/9512ft), 5 – 6 hrs:
The trail is mostly downhill to Tandur Khola from where it starts to gradually gain height on the way to Dhankharka. The trail is remote as there are no villages between Swanta and Dhankharka except one or two tea shops.  We will take light snack to munch en-route and have lunch in Dhankharka village. This village is located in the middle of the forest. O/N at community Lodge (EP)

Day 09: Trek to Khopra Danda (3650m/11972ft), 3 hrs. trek:
Today is probably the shortest walk of the trek but it takes us to the highest point of the trek up a steep climb which will take us above the tree line. There is good chance of seeing wildlife including the Himalayan Tahr, & Danphe (Lophophorus) the national bird of Nepal. The reward is excellent close up views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Nilgri and Barah Shikher. There is only one Lodge in Kopra which belongs to the community. Our guide will organize a prayer and offer Lungta (Prayer flag) for good health and prosperity for all the members. O/N at community Lodge (EP)
Note: Offer Lungta or prayer flags (printed prayer on flags for the peace and good health/happiness) together with our Guide. Offering prayer flags in high passes and sacred sites is believed to bring good fortune and long life in Buddhist culture.

Day 10: In Khopra Danda: Optional tour of Kaire Lake (4,500m/14,763ft), 10 – 11 hrs:
Today we have a rest day at Khopara Danda to enjoy the magnificent view of the Himalayas. We also have an option of hiking to Kaire Lake which takes almost whole day. O/N at community Lode (EP)

Day 11: Trek Khopara to Paudwar village (2,100m/6888ft), 5 – 6 hrs:
The end of our wonderful adventure is approaching. We descend through a rhododendron forest with ever-present views of Dhaulagiri, Fishtail and Annapurna South. There is a school, cheese factory & farm located in Paudhwar village which belong to the local community. We stay in a private accommodation owned by local residents. O/n at Local Lodge (EP)

Day 12: Trek to Tatopani (1000m/3280ft), 3 – 4 hr:
Trek to Tatopani, 1000m/3280ft, is an easy walk 3-4 hours. Further descend to a rough road towards the village of Tatopani where there are baths fed by natural hot spring water (Tatopani means “hot water”). This will be our last evening and our crew will organize a farewell ceremony and a celebration (a great opportunity to try Nepal’s famous Khukri rum or any local raksi (Nepalese wine). O/N Local Lodge (EP)

Day 13: Drive Tatopani to Pokhara, 5 hrs:
After breakfast, we drive to Pokhara and transfer to a hotel. And enjoy a free afternoon. O/N at Hotel (BB)

Day 14: Fly back to Kathmandu:
Today after breakfast we will drive to the airport for our flight back to Kathmandu. Upon reaching Kathmandu we will be transferred to our hotel by our representative.  You have free time for the rest of the day.  O/N at Hotel in Kathmandu (BB)

Day 15: Holiday extension or transfer to airport for final departure:
Today holiday extension for another tour or transfer you to the airport for final departure. Tour concludes.