Poonhill
Trekking
Often referred to as the
Gateway to the
Annapurnas, Poon Hill is
the last mountain before
the mighty Annapurna
massif rears skyward. A
regular trading and
trekking route into the
Kali Gandaki valley, the
deepest valley in the
world, the paths are
bustling with the old
and the new.
Clanging bells announce
the brightly coloured
mule and yak caravans
that regularly use the
well-trodden paths on
their way to and from
Tibet. We climb with
them through oak and
rhododendron forest and
across sparkling streams
to Ghorepani Pass
(2,834m). On day three,
in the pre-dawn, we
climb to Poon Hill
(3,190m) to witness a
classic Himalayan
moment. As the sun rises
in the eastern sky, the
mighty peaks begin their
dawn parade, changing
colours every minute as
the stunning vistas open
up.
Descending through giant
primary rhododendron
forest, troops of
monkeys and exotic birds
set a vivid and
colourful scene. We
arrive in Ghandruk
(1,940m), one of the
largest Gurung villages
in the Kingdom with its
traditional buildings
and picture-perfect
setting below
Machapuchare (6,993m).
We descend to the road
head for the journey
back to Pokhara after 5
magical days.
|
