Short Treks from Pokhara/5 Best Short Treks around Pokhara

 

Who would like to miss the 5 Best Short Treks around Pokhara when they are on a Nepal visit? Short treks around Pokhara are the opportunities to get a lifelong experience of the soaring mountains, village life, and exotic biodiversity. Pokhara 3 day trek or even longer trips are suitable for those having less time in Nepal. Besides short duration, these treks enrich your experience of day hiking and short treks in Nepal.

How to Begin the 5 Best Short Treks around Pokhara?

Short treks from Pokhara begins after you complete the Kathmandu City Tour with our friendly and professional tour guide. He/She takes you around 4 of the 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Nepal. The Monkey Temple, Patan Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, and Bouddhanath Stupa will be visited on the first day of Short Treks around Pokhara itinerary. You will adore the artistic and aesthetic beauty of these cultural, religious, and historical heritage sites.

On the third day of Nepal visit, you will head towards the Lake City Pokhara. You can either fly or drive along the Prithvi Highway, one of the oldest highways of Nepal. The flight is faster than the roadway transportation. However, the scenery you witness on the travel is the same. The magnificent mountains of Ganesh Himal (7,422m), Manaslu (8,163m), and Annapurna (8,093m) make your trip more memorable. The villages situated atop the green hills, the gurgling waters of the Trishuli and the Marsyangdi River are something strange to see.

What to See and Do in Pokhara?

Pokhara, the Lake City, is the Tourism Capital of Nepal. The gorgeous peaks of Annapurna (8,091m) and Dhaulagiri (8,167m) Massifs, several lakes, green hills all around have added to its beauty. Moreover, the adventure sports activities such as paragliding, bungy jumping, zip flying, ultra-light flight, and hot air ballooning in Pokhara have attracted thousands of tourists every year.

The beautiful city, Pokhara houses the twenties of natural and cultural landmarks that attract numerous national and international tourists. There are several lakes, temples, monasteries, malls, museums, and tourist junctions. Boating on Phewa Lake is an interesting activity to do in Pokhara. The image of Fishtail (6,993m) reflecting on Phewa Lake fascinates you more.

Pokhara is the transit point to begin day hikes as well as long and short treks around the Annapurna Region. Mardi Himal Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Machhapuchhre Base Camp Trek, Lower and Upper Mustang, etc. are some of the famous treks beginning from Pokhara. However, this blog intends to give you maximum information about the 5 best short treks around Pokhara. In this blog, you will know about:

1)      Dhampus Village Trek

2)      Chandruk Village Trek

3)      Begnaskot Hiking

4)      Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

5)      Royal Trek

 

1)      Dhampus Village Trek

Dhampus Village Trek is a 1-2 days’ trek from Pokhara. As doesn’t need any technical and previous experience of trekking in Nepal, it is good for beginners as well. Trek to Dhampus Village is recommended for a family trek around Annapurna Region because it is easy.

This trek is possible throughout the year because the highest elevation to reach is Dhampus Village (1,600m) itself. Nonetheless, spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are the best time for Dhampus Village Trek. You get to experience the warm hospitality and cuisines of the friendly Gurung people here.

From the village, you see several mountains including Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Machhapuchhre (6,993m), Tukuche Peak (6,920m), etc. Dhampus Village Trek can be tailor-made to Pothana Village, Australian Camp, or many other villages of the Annapurna Region.

2)    Ghandruk Village Trek

Ghandruk Village Trek takes you up to another Gurung Village of Annapurna Region. You meet with the friendly Gurung people and some ex Gurkha, perhaps! It is suitable for a family trek because even novice trekkers, children, and senior citizens can do this trip. Ghandruk Village is a gateway to ABC Trek and a model of rural tourism in Nepal.

 

Trekking to Ghandruk Village is free from the threats of altitude sickness. The trekking trail goes past the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). Different species of birds and small animals play hide and seek with you in the rhododendron forests. Due to the easy trail and low altitude, Ghandruk Trek is accessible at all times of the year.

 

The Ghandruk Village Gurung Museum lets you know about the traditional tools and technologies of the Gurung ethnic community. Situated on the lap of Mount Annapurna (8,091m), this village serves you with the majestic peaks of the surrounding.

3)      Begnaskot Hiking

Do you want to traverse along the less frequented trail from Pokhara? For this, Begnaskot Hiking is the ultimate option. Beginning from the second largest lake of Pokhara, Begnas Lake, this trek takes you up to a hillock, called Begnaskot. It used to be a fort to protect Kaski Kingdom before the Unification of Nepal by King PN Shah.

No need to have previous trekking experience, you will enjoy the typical mountain cultures and lifestyles on this trip. following the tranquil trekking route of Nepal, you will go past Sundari Danda. Sundari Danda, as its name means ‘beautiful hill,” is a model village promoting agricultural tourism in Nepal.

Besides walking along the quiet and peaceful trail, you get to experience fishing and agricultural activities. The best time for Begnaskot Hiking is spring and autumn. However, we recommend you do it in the rainy season to observe and participate in agricultural and fishing activities.

4)      Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek

One of the most popular short treks from Pokhara, Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek rewards you with the best sunrise views in the world. Also called Annapurna Sunrise View Trek, this trip begins from Nayapul (1,070m) Pokhara and gradually ascends along the ACAP.

While traversing through the oak and rhododendron forests, you have occasional glimpses of different bird and animal species. A 4-5 days’ trekking tour around Annapurna Region, this trek takes you along the classic Gurung and Magar villages.

Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek leads you across one of the largest rhododendron forests in the world. Out of 32 species, 8 species of rhododendron flowers are found in this forest tract. Thus, the best time of Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is spring when you see amazingly beautiful forests covered by vibrant rhododendron flowers.

Poon Hill (3,210m) is the major highlight of Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. From the top of this hillock, you see the snowy mountains, lush forests, deep valleys, and high altitude villages glittering in the first sunrays of the day.

Just have a cup of tea or coffee or even breakfast while observing some of the best sunrise views of the world. Most of the mountains of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Massifs come to your sight. Annapurna South (7,219m, Machhapuchchhre (6,993m), Himchuli, Annapurna III (7,555m), Dhampus Peak, Dhaulagiri II (7,751m), etc. peep you from behind the clouds during your stay over the hillock!

5)      Annapurna Royal Trek

Named after English Prince Charles, Annapurna Royal Trek is one of the easiest and short treks around Pokhara. Prince Charles with his royal guards traversed this route in the early 1980s.

Beginning from Kalikasthan, Pokhara, Royal Trek passes through cultural villages and ends at Begnas Lake. En route, typical cultures and lifestyles are observed in the rustic villages settled by Gurung, Magar, and other ethnic communities.

We recommend this short trek from Pokhara to beginners and for a family trek as well. You don’t need the previous trekking experience to do this trek and no need to bother about any kind of Acute Mountain Sickness.

En route, you find perfect hotels and lodges for accommodation and food as Annapurna Region is recognized for good teahouses and lodges.

While walking along the foot of the Annapurna (8,091m) Mountains, you will enjoy the sparkling mountains time and again. In such a way, Royal Trek is a perfect blend of local lifestyle, culture, nature, and a  kind of adventure.

Conclusion:

There are tens of short treks beginning from Pokhara. Some of them are Sarangkot Trek, Sirubari Village Trek, Naudanda Day Hike, Siklesh Trek, and Panchase Trek. Most of the short treks around Pokhara are of from 2 to 5-6 days. However, you can find tailor-made trips as per your choice and vacation time while on a Nepal visit.

All these short treks in Nepal reward you with the amazing combination of typical culture, unspoiled nature, and mild adventure. Also, the cost of short treks around Pokhara is reasonable as all of these are completely teahouse trekking in Nepal.