このトレックはポカラの西北にあります。間近におおいかぶさるように迫る世界でも最も美しい屈指の高度を誇る山岳をのけぞるように見上げると、その迫力にただただ驚嘆するばかりです。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。

プーンヒルからは中西部ヒマラヤ山脈が一望できます。信じがたいほどの高度差、複雑な地勢、快適な気候は豊かな野生を育み、この地域はナチュラリストの理想境となっております。インドとチベットのもっとも重要な交易ルートを帰路にとりますが、これは巡礼者のメインルートでもあります。交易の隊商、ヒンズー教徒、仏教徒が行き交うこのルートは有名なゴルカ連隊の主力マガール族とグルン族の居住地でもあります。

トレッキング中はテント泊

P. Box No. 4550 Chabahill, Kathmandu, NEPAL

Ph : 4711549 Fax No 977-1-480806

This area, north of Pokhara"Gorepani" offers some of the most dramatic close-up views of the highest and most beautiful mountains in the world. The abrupt variation in altitude found here is astonishing.From the Pokhara airstrip (850m) the summit of Machhapuchre (6,997m) is less than 20 miles away, with no obstructing ranges to spoil the view. In fact the views in the whole area are fabulous.

The Pun Hill, from where we can have a wonderful glance of the mid-western lined mountains, the incredible altitudinal range, unusual geography and a pleasant climate make trekking in this area a real naturalist's dream. The return trail follows one of the most important trading routes between India and Tibet. This is also a major pilgrimage route. We meet traders and both Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims. The Magars and Gurungs (backbone of the famous Gurkha regiments) live here.

We fly or drive to Pokhara from Kathmandu where we meet our crew and have lunch. We then take an easy flat trail through Pokhara, past the Tibetan refugee camp, through the sprawling village of Hengja and camp for the night.

After continuing for an hour across the valley floor, we climb towards Dhampus and lunch there.When we reach the top of the ridge, the views are magnificent. The peaks of Machhapuchre, Annapurna South (7,273m) and Annapurna II (7,937m) dominate the skyline. We move to camp through thick forest in full view of the peaks.

Today, we camp in the picturesque village of Landrung, after ascending through the rhododendron forest, alive with birds, to about (2,160m), then descend to the camp.

This is a short day climbing up to what is virtually a staircase to the Gurung village of Ghandrung. This village is beautifully set against the peaks of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli (6,441m).We have the rest of the day to relax and explore.

We have a gradual climb through small terraced fields, past farmhouses into dense forest. This is a particularly good day for the bird-watchers and those interested in flowers. In the winter the daphne is in bloom and its scent hangs in the trees. In the spring the rhododendron and orchids are in bloom. Views of the Annapurnas are also excellent. At the end of the day's climb, we camp in a small clearing in the forest next to a stream.

We have a steep and exciting climb in the morning to Deurali pass (3,078m) and the views from this pass are wonderful. We see Dhaulagiri (8,167m) and Gurja Himal (7,193m) in the west, and Annapurna II, Manaslu (8,156m) and Himal Chuli (7,893m) in the east. From the pass we descend to Gorepani.

Early in the morning, we ascend to the top of Pun Hill and the views on reaching the top are among the best in Nepal. To the west we see the Dhaulagiri ranges and Gurja Himal to the east all Annapurna ranges, Manaslu, Hiun Chuli, Machhapuchre and many other small peaks. Above us towers the pyramid peak of Annapurna South while below is the deepest gorge in the world-the Kali Gandaki, over 3 miles in some places. After spending some hours we descend to Gorepani and the rest of the time we relax and explore the village.

We descend steadily to Tirkhedunga (1,524m) where we lunch. On the way down we join the main trail from Tibet and we constantly meet mule trains laden with goods. The traders are Tibetans, Khampas, Mustang peoples and the tea houses along the route are mostly run by Thakalis. We sometimes meet Hindu priests and pilgrims. We reach Modi Khola and camp on its banks.

We take our last ascent up to Chandrakot for about one and half hour and stop there gratefully for a drink at the tea house. We then visit the British Agricultural Farm, and experimental center for growing fruits, trees and vegetables. Afterwards, we drop steadily down along the Naudanda ridge to Naudanda itself and camp in the full view of the whole Annapurna range.

We again continue along the ridge, losing sight of the great mountains temporarily, to Kaski, one of the most important villages in the history of Nepal.The unification of Nepal began from here several centuries ago and the King's descendants can be traced back to here. We descend the ridge to Pokhara and walk around the lake to the township of Pokhara and spend the rest of the day exploring the bazaars.