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Gurung Villages to Annapurna Balcony Trek

5.0

Are you ready to leave the ordinary behind and step into a world of unparalleled beauty and adventure? Welcome to the Annapurna Balcony trek, where every step promises stunning views and unforgettable moments.

At a Glance
Location

Annapurna Balcony

Duration

9 days

Activities

Trekking

Accommodation

Lodges/hotels in Pokhara

Meals

All included

Group size

Min 2 Pax.

Best time

Winter, Spring and Autumn

Max. Altitude

3193m.

Trip Overview

Start an exciting 9-day tour with the Annapurna Balcony trek, a journey to one of the most wanted trips in the Himalayas. This journey is not just a hike to get to the final point, it is about the soul-stirring experience. It is a blank canvas of natural beauty with its gorgeous Annapurna range as boundaries and a cultural tapestry that brings you closer to the soul of local traditions.

This journey suits all types of individuals, goals, and capabilities. Thus, this is an ideal way for anyone to experience the enchantment of the Annapurna region. You will get a chance to spend the night at an eco-lodge in the village of Ghachok, an experience that will give an insight into how the community lives.

You will be able to see and feel the warmth of Nepalese hospitality when you exchange a smile with the friendly locals or learn about a specific cultural aspect of this area. Additionally, we can tailor your travel arrangements to include private vehicle transfers or flights based on your preferences and requirements.

Major Highlights
  • Get to experience off-the-beaten trail.
  • Trek to the foot of breathing Annapurna region and neighbor Himalayas.
  • Witness the sunrise over the Himalayas from the Poon Hill viewpoint.
  • Walking the long suspension bridge of Modi Khola at Jhinu.
  • Meeting locals and learning about rural life in Nepal’s countryside.
  • Admire the breathtaking view of some of the world’s highest mountains. Annapurna, Machhapuchare, and Dhaulagiri.

 

Your Journey to the Annapurna Balcony

The Annapurna Balcony Trek offers a breathtaking adventure into the heart of the Himalayas. Our journey starts from Kathmandu and then to the bustling city of Pokhara Seti Valley. In this trek, the path becomes effortless and passes through tiny villages and lovely tea plantations.

As we climb to Landrung, we’ll join the interesting Annapurna Balcony path. You will be delighted with the Gurung village of Ghandruk, the cultural corner of the entire Manang district. The next day, we will get up early to catch a sunrise from Ghorepani Hill which features a spectacular view of the immense Himalayan mountain range.

As you descend, you’ll pass through a stunning rhododendron forest, alive with vibrant colors from mid-March to late April. The initial part of the journey gives you a glimpse of the everyday rural life at the foot of Annapurna, far away from the hustle and bustle of all the trekking crowds.

You will spend the evenings at either an eco-resort or a homestay, allowing you to learn the preparation of dhal bhat, the renowned Nepalese national dish. Take a walk through the yellowish fields where you will see rice or wheat growing and yellow mustard flowers, depending on the seasons.

While on the trek, you will see some old stone houses with lime plaster coatings and ones decorated with beautifully painted woodwork. In addition, you could experience the close-up views of the Annapurna mountains from the beginning of the trip.

On your way, the trail links with the more favored Annapurna Balcony Path, with decent lodges and amazing views of the Annapurna range. The route comes to an end at Poon Hill where you will enjoy an impressive view that includes Dhaulagiri, the Annapurna region, and Fish Tail.

So, lace up your boots and get ready to explore nature’s balcony, and the Annapurna Balcony trek with Glacier Trek Safari.

Itinerary

Our first day begins with a local bus ride from Kathmandu to Pokhara. From there, you’ll ascend Seti Valley to reach hot springs. Upon reaching there, we will stay with locals in a beautiful Gurung village nestled among the slopes of terraced rice fields. You can enjoy baths in the hot springs, followed by a meal shared with the local family.

After navigating the Seti River and getting to the right bank, the path opens up its gentle appeal. We will hike through the beautiful Gurung villages and then move on to a vast plateau surrounded from the northeast by the Seti and Lasti Khola rivers. During the journey, you can see ochre and whitewashed houses decorated with mostly vibrant blue, pink, and red wooden furniture and others surrounded by corn, wheat, or barley fields depending on the seasons.

The village’s inhabitants show all sorts of diversity and it is beautiful to see people with different backgrounds such as Brahmins, Chettris, Newars, and Dalits living in the same rural heaven. Along the way, you’ll encounter men leading their oxen with wooden plows to the fields, women in flowing colorful blouses collecting grass for animals, and children returning home from their studies.

This is where real Nepal lies, away from the crowd of tourists. Our journey will come to an end with a night in a cozy eco-lodge, a village house-styled accommodation, enjoying local cuisine with nature fresh ingredients from the farm.

The day starts with the stunning sunrise casting its glow over the snow-capped peaks of Lamjung Himal, Annapurna II, and IV. Your hike takes you across a patchwork of golden yellow, beige, and verdant fields, dotted with vibrant purple flowers. Observe the local women working on the land and lumberjacks heading into the forest with their traditional two-handled saws.

You can enjoy a simple picnic beneath the shade of a banyan tree before continuing along wheat fields towards the Mardi Khola. On the way, you must cross the suspension bridge and ascend a steeper climb through terraced fields.

At the season we visit, the village farmers will soon replace wheat and corn with verdant tea bushes. You will come upon inhabitants committed to farming the best “Annapurna Organic Tea.” Organic tea is produced at the base of Nepal’s magnificent Annapurna mountain and is of excellent quality.

After wandering a lovely and serene way along a paved road, you’ll arrive at the traditional Gurung hamlet and feel the warmth of the Gurungs’ houses. You’ll travel through the village’s small and beautiful alleyways. Depending on the season, you can watch tea pickers at work and visit the factory.

Furthermore, you can relax by playing volleyball and ping pong with the village youngsters. It will be very enjoyable and entertaining. Additionally, you can cook a delicious dhal bhat with regional veggies and spices by joining your hosts. The total journey will take over five hours.

After a beautiful breakfast on a terrace full of sunlight and looking at the majestic, untouched Machhapuchhre (6997m), a sacred place for the Gurungs, we leave our hosts. We continue on a scenic trek.

Along the hiking trail, we cross terraced hills that offer a glimpse of the community lives and changes its life here. When we finish lunch we keep climbing alongside the noisy stream which eventually turns into the flat forest track.

During our trek, we will reach Pothana, one of the paths on the Annapurna Sanctuary trail. It is worth a few seconds to take a break and enjoy a cool drink or hot tea on a shady veranda. It begins with a short nature walk through the amazing rhododendron forest. The path continues to the wide grasslands where you can have an awesome view and a breathtaking backdrop of the snow-covered Himalayas. We will drive for 6 hours and will rest in a lodge.

This day we will leave Australian Camp and wave goodbye to the Machhapuchhre and the legendary Annapurna peaks. The sunrise was fantastic, we enjoyed it. Then, we’ll navigate a mix of ridges and hillside trails, eventually reaching the sprawling Gurung village of Landrung. After a challenging 6-hour trek, a cozy lodge awaits in this charming village. It offers a well-deserved rest and a chance to soak in the day’s adventure.

On the sixth day of the trek, trekkers will travel to Landrung and continue descending until they reach the suspension bridge of the Modi Khola. After walking through the river, the group will continue their journey up a stone staircase that will take them to a mesmerizing Gandrung village. The village is treated as the most populous Gurung population in the country. As night falls, our exhausted hikers settle into the cozy lodge. Our hike covers well over 5 hours and 30 30-minute periods when we will be exploring some of the most attractive areas of the region.

On our way from Gandrung to Ghorepani, we walk through the stunning landscape that makes us wonder about the beauty of this place. As we discuss Nepal’s cultural legacy, we’ll take a closer look at its interesting history, as well as its fascinating folk arts and stories.

After an early morning ascent to witness the breathtaking sunrise over the majestic Himalayas from the viewpoint of Poon Hill, the journey continues. It involves a lengthy descent down stone stairs leading to Birethanti. From there, travelers transition to a vehicle for the final leg of the journey, making their way to the serene lakeside city of Pokhara.

Today marks the final day of our unforgettable trekking adventure. We’ll begin by catching a bus from Pokhara to Kathmandu, followed by transportation to your hotel upon arrival in the capital city.

Cost Includes
  • Guide Anglophone
  • Porter
  • Meals during the trek
  • Accommodation during the trek
  • Entrance fee for the Annapurna Conservation area and the TIMS
  • Bus transport from Pokhara to Kathmandu
  • A hotel night in Pokhara
  • GST’s Nepali staff insurance
  • International/ Hotel private pickup and drop
Cost Excludes
  • Personal Insurance that covers rescue by helicopter in high-altitude
  • Nepal Visa
  • Personal expenses
  • Stay in Kathmandu (option possible)
  • Hot shower
Book your spot

Starting from

€648

Instant Booking

Secure Payments

No Hidden Costs

Trip Difficulty

Medium

5.0

Glacier Safari Treks Nepal

Tripadvisor Traveler Rating

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FAQs

The top attractions on this trek consist of the Balcony path offering a view over the Himalayas, the Modi Khola River, the normal village of Ghandruk, and the ascent to Poonhill which is at an altitude of 3210 meters.

Yes, GST offers trekkers English-speaking guides to guide them throughout Annapurna Balcony trekking. GST provides pick-and-drop services taking tourists to trek start points from Kathmandu and the return journey.

Physical difficulties like altitude sickness are the likely threats, especially because the walk involves an upward climb. It is important to go slow enough to adapt, keep yourself well-hydrated, and be able to recognize the symptoms of altitude sickness. Moreover, trekkers should be prepared to deal with simple injuries.

Yes, GST (Glacier Safari Trek) also provides custom-made itineraries for the Gurung Villages to the Annapurna Balcony trekking depending upon your choice, season, and health standards. You can talk over some requirements with management heads to personalize the trek to your preferences.

Yes, the GST team can add the transfer for private vehicles or flights as per your demands.

No, there is no requirement for the expertise in trekking in previous for the Annapurna Balcony trek. It is a moderate kind of trek but best suited for those with a good level of fitness and preparation. However, some previous hiking experience can be helpful, especially for acclimatization to more elevated heights.