Annapurna Mountain Range Trek and Nepali Adventure - Nepal
“People come and go, but the way we loved them always remains. Never regret the love you gave, it’s a reflection of a beautiful heart.” - Lorelei
“Blind Faith. Not faith in what others tell you, but faith in yourself. That’s what keeps you going.” - Bruce Springsteen
Into the Chaos of Kathmandu
Our journey began with a grueling 24 hours of flights and airports, but the moment we touched down in Kathmandu, the exhaustion melted into pure awe. We dove straight into the vibrant culture by visiting Durbar Square in the historic Patan area. Amidst the stunning royal palaces, we found ourselves learning the soothing resonance of singing bowls and helping spin wicks for ceremonial incense.
Navigating the city, however, is an adventure in its own right. The roads are notoriously rugged, and the local driving style is nothing short of wild. You can still see visible damage from the devastating 2015 earthquake. Because the community is deeply committed to rebuilding their sacred temples and historic palaces using traditional architectural methods, the recovery is a very slow, deliberate, and beautiful process to witness.
The Climb to the Clouds: Nayapul to Poon Hill
Leaving the city behind, Ginger and I officially started our trek in Nayapul. The trail teased us with a mostly flat path at first, but it quickly turned straight uphill. We faced thousands of stone steps that truly felt endless. Our thighs were burning by the time we reached Ulleri to rest for the night. It was worth every single step—we stayed in a cozy room where we could watch the morning sun paint the mountains directly from our bed.
As we pushed forward toward Ghorepani, the landscape turned into a living postcard. We crossed massive suspension bridges swaying over rushing rivers, passed countless waterfalls, and wandered through rhododendron forests with trees stretching high into the sky. Vibrant marigolds grew everywhere, woven by locals into beautiful garlands to decorate doorways and ancient temples. We also shared our narrow dirt path with plenty of four-legged mountain creatures.
To catch the ultimate vista, we woke up at 4:00 AM and climbed straight up to Poon Hill just in time for a breathtaking 5:15 AM sunrise at 11,000 feet of elevation. Standing there snapping photos as the light hit the towering peaks was unforgettable. From there, we pushed even higher up to Deurili Pass, treated to panoramic, unobstructed views of the massive Annapurna mountain range.
The Treacherous Trek Down
What goes up must come down, and the long journey down the mountain proved to be a different kind of challenge. Parts of the dense woods, rushing streams, and hidden waterfalls actually reminded me quite a bit of the familiar mountain trails back home in North Carolina. But the descent was steep and treacherous, requiring us to navigate past families of wild monkeys swinging in the trees and cross more mountain streams than we could possibly count.
As the elevation dropped, the rugged rocks gave way to stunning agricultural marvels: acres upon acres of vibrant rice fields terraced meticulously into the steep mountainsides. Banana and guava trees lined our path as we made stops at the Magnificent Hotel, the beautiful village of Ghandruk, and the bustling Syauli Bazaar along the banks of the Modi River.
Fueling a 60-Mile Trek
You can’t complete a 60-mile Himalayan circuit without proper fuel! Throughout our trek, we stayed at welcoming local tea houses that provided a warm bed and endless plates of authentic dal bhat. This staple meal quickly became our favorite daily ritual: a hearty platter of rice, lentil soup, sauteed spinach, flavorful tomato sauce, pickled radishes, and a side of mohi (a traditional local buttermilk common in Nepali homes). Following local custom, we fully immersed ourselves in the culture and mostly ate these delicious meals with our hands.
A Wild Detour to Chitwan
After successfully looping back to Nayapul, our mountain journey transitioned into a wild transit adventure. Due to heavy mudslides blocking the mountain passes, it took a grueling 16-hour bus ride to reach Chitwan.
The slow travel was richly rewarded. We took a peaceful, guided canoe ride out to see the magnificent World Peace Pagoda, followed by a brisk 45-minute hike to the top of the monument. The real highlight, however, was exploring Chitwan National Park. We went from high-altitude peaks to a tropical jungle teeming with wildlife, spotting elephants, peacocks, cranes, and even rare, massive one-horned rhinos. Another tranquil canoe trip down the Rapti River gave us close-up views of two rare species of crocodiles and some of the region's 600+ species of birds, all set against a backdrop of bright yellow mustard fields stretching across the horizon.
A Final Blessing in Kathmandu
We returned to Kathmandu for our final day in Nepal and paid a visit to the famous Swayambhunath (affectionately known as the Monkey Temple). As one of the two most sacred Buddhist worship sites in the entire city, watching the prayer flags flutter as the monkeys darted across the ancient structures felt like the perfect, soulful conclusion to an epic journey. We flew out the next day, leaving a piece of our hearts behind in the Himalayas.
Hike Info Summary
Location: Annapurna Mountain Circuit, Nepal
Distance: 60+ miles
Max Elevation Peak: 11,000 feet (Poon Hill)
Our Crew: Ginger & Me, guided by Bishnu and our incredible porter Gokarna
Highlights: Sunrise over the Annapurna Range, sleeping in rustic tea houses, endless plates of dal bhat, and spotting one-horned rhinos in Chitwan.
The Roof of the World