ポカラの北からこのエキサイティングなトレックにわけいると、世界でも指折りのピークが次々とドラマティックに立ち現れる。こんなに間近におおいかぶさるように迫る山岳に対峙すると言葉もなくなり、貴重な体験といえよう。標高850mのポカラの滑走路から30kmも離れていないところに、何の障害物もなく、標高6997mのマチャプチャレの頂が拝めるのです。百聞は一見に如かず。ぜひ一度は訪れたい山域です。

大きな標高差、複雑な地形が気象条件とあいまって、この山域のトレッキングは、ナチュラリスト憧れの的となっています。わずか1週間足らずで、亜熱帯のポカラからツンドラを抜け、内院の氷河に達するのです。

グルン族やネワール族の住む地域の交易中心地であるポカラをあとに、イギリス、インドの軍隊の中で鳴らしたかの伝説的強靭なゴルカ兵で有名でフレンドリーなグルン族やマガール族のテリトリーがこのトレックの導入部です。帰路はチベットとインドの歴史上重要な交易ルートに取り、往路とは違ったコースを行きます。このコースはまた、巡礼者のメイン・ルートともなっております。

P. Box No. 4550 Chabahill, Kathmandu, NEPAL

Ph : 471549 Fax No 977-1-480806

The most exciting trekking area in Nepal is situated north of Pokhara, offering some of the most dramatic close-up views of some of the tallest mountain peaks in the world. The abrupt variations in altitude found here provides astonishing experience. The summit of Machhapuchre (6,997m) is less than 30 kilometers from airstrip (850m) of Pokhara with no intervening ranges to spoil the views. In fact the views in this whole area are fabulous.

The incredible altitudinal range, unusual geographical and climatic mix make the trekking in this area a real naturalist's dream. In less than a week we move from the sub-tropical areas around Pokhara to a high Tundra and the glaciers of the sanctuary.

The lower area of the range is inhabited by Gurungs and Magars, the sturdy Gurkhas of legend. It is the home turf of the three friendly smiling people that the famous Gorkha regiments of the British and Indian armies have been formed. Pokhara is the main trade center for the whole of this region where Gurungs and Newars have inhabited. The return trail follows one of the historical and most important trading routes between India and Tibet. This journey also forms a major pilgrimage route.

After flying or driving from Kathmandu to Pokhara, we meet our crew and have lunch. After lunch we take an easy trail through the Pokhara Bazaar and follow the Yamdi Khola (river). When we reach the Tibetan refugee center in Hengja village, we camp.

We continue an hour walk through the valley before climbing up to Dhampus, were we have lunch. After lunch we reach the top of the ridge, where we have magnificent views of Annapurna South (7,223m), Annapurna II (7,937m) and Machha Puchre. We move through Dhampus into a thick rhododendron forest and camp there.

We continue to climb up to about 2,160m, where the forest is alive with all varieties of birdlife.Then we steadily descend to the Landrung village (1,650m) and have lunch on the banks of the Modi Khola (1,432m). After lunch, we continue a steep climb up to the Ghandurng village, where Gurungs live. This village is set beautifully against the peaks of South Annapurna and Hiunchuli (6,441m).

After climbing to the top of the ridge at 2,225m, we descend through thick forests to the river at Kyumru (1,770m), where we eat lunch. We climb another ridge after lunch, circle around the ridge towards the Modi Khola valley and descend to Chomro to camp.

We walk up the Modi Khola through beautiful rhododendron and bamboo forests after the last permanent settlement, Chomro, before the Sanctuary. The valley narrows into a steep sided gorge. We pass through manifold high waterfalls. We camp near the river as it thunders its way downhill.

We reach the large overhanging rock of Hinku cave (3,017m) after leaving the tree line. The trail has become damaged in some places by rockfall. We have to scramble over rocks and small trees. We get tantalizing glimpse of the massive peaks that form the sanctuary. The sanctuary appears and beckons on the glaciers. After reaching the moraines, views are incredible and we find mountain amphitheater of spectacular size.

We can go to the Hiunchuli glacier (4,267m) from our camp.The views of the massive peaks and the glaciers flowing from them are quite incredible, and beyond anything you could possibly imagine. For those who simply wish to rest around the camp, you won't be disappointed. The views from here are also spectacular.

We go back into the tree line after descending through the Modi Gorge and passing spectacular waterfalls.We camp below the towering peak of Machhapuchre.

After a day long descent, we reach Chomro for lunch and camp by the river at Kyumnu

This day is particularly good for bird watchers and those who are interested in flowers. After climbing up through the small terraced fields and past farmhouses, we reach a dense forest. Here, in the winter the daphne is in bloom and in the spring the rhododendrons and orchids are in bloom and their scent permiats the trails. Views of the Annapurnas are also breathtaking. At the end of the day we camp in the forest next to a stream.

We have steep climb up to the Deurali pass (3,078m), The views up on reaching the top are among the best in all of Nepal. To the east, the visitors can view Annapurna II, Manaslu (8,156m) and Himal Chuli (7,893m) and to the west Dhaulagiri (8,167m) and Gurja Himal (7,193m).Above us in the pyramid form peak of Annapurna South and below us lie the deepest river gorge in the world- the Kali Gandaki, over 3 miles deep in places.

On this day, we descend steadily to Tirkhedunga (1,524m) where we have lunch. We join the main trail from Tibet and constantly meet mule trains laden with goods. People of Mustang, Tibetans and Khampas are traders here and the tea houses along the route are run by Thakalis. We sometimes meet Hindu sadhus (holy men) and pilgrims. When we reach the Modi Khola we camp on its bank.

After walking one and a half hour up to Chandrakot (1,562m), we stop gratefully for a drink in a tea house. Then we contour around to the British agricultural farm, an experimental station down to the Naudanda ridge and camp in full view of the Annapurna range.

We start to walk along the ridge, losing sight of the great mountains temporarily, to Kaski, one of the most important villages in the history of Nepal. The present King's ancestors can be traced back to this village who initiated the unification of Nepal.We then move quickly to the lake to take lunch and a welcome swim.