Gurung Heritage Trekking

Kathmandu Elevation: 1,400 meters/4,594 feet

Pokhara Elevation: 822 meters/2,697 feet

Our adventurous Gurung Heritage Trekking Trail journey begins with an early morning drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. On this scenic 6-8 hours drive through lush countryside landscapes, you will pass through major towns and villages like Naubise, Kurintar, Muglin, Trihuli Bazaar, Damauli, and Bandipur.

After reaching Pokhara with a long day drive, if time permits, we will probably boat to Phewa Lake and visit the Talbarahi Temple, which is on a tiny island in the middle of the lake. We will accommodate you at the finest hotel around the Pokhara lakeside for the night.

Tangting Elevation: 1,660 meters/5,446 feet

We will wake up, eat breakfast, and embark on a picturesque drive from the beautiful lake city of Pokhara towards the starting point of our Gurung Heritage Trekking Trail, Tangting. The distance between Pokhara and Tangting is approximately 45 to 50 kilometers, and it will take us only 3-4 hours to reach the destination. Tangting village lies within the Madi Rural Municipality in the Kaski district.

The off-road journey through a mix of paved and unpaved roads with some winding and steep sections will take us to Tangting. It is a charming Gurung village with traditional architecture and a teahouse facility. Upon reaching Tanging after a short drive, you will have enough time to explore the village surroundings and learn about the local culture and traditions. At night, we will have a glorious night at a cozy teahouse accommodation in the village.

Krapudanda Elevation: 3,072 meters/10,079 feet

Today, we will wake up fresh and well-slept at the cozy teahouse in Tangting. Then, we will rejuvenate with a warm meal (breakfast) before setting off on the trail. From Tangting, we will start trekking, and our first trek destination will be Krapudanda.

We will leave Tangting village and start descending through the picturesque Annapurna region trails. We will traverse the thick forest of rhododendron, pine, and maple trees. We will pass through several small villages dotted with cultivated terraced farmlands. With the captivating views of the surrounding hills and valleys, we will trek further. En route, we will walk past quaint Gurung villages like Ghachok and Lumle. On the final stretch of the trek, we will make a slight ascend through wide meadows to the Krapudanda village.

Krapudanda offers a stunning panorama of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The villagers are friendly and welcoming. We will reside at the finest teahouse in the village for the night.

Tapro Elevation: 3,385 meters/11,106 feet

After waking up early in Krapudanda village, we will start the day with a hot cup of tea or coffee. Then, we will start to head towards another scenic Gurung village of Tapro. As we come out of Krapudanda, we will ascend gradually through the colorful terraced farmlands and enter the lush forested areas. We will traverse the picturesque trails that meanders through the tall trees.

We will pass a few small settlements of the locals with a glimpse into their rural way of life. We will also walk along the rides that treat us to the magnificent views of the landscapes below. We will traverse the villages of Tanchok and Bhujung on the way to Tapro. In the final leg of the trek, we will make a slight descent to the destination. We will settle in at a comfortable Gurung teahouse in Tapro.

Khwolasothar Elevation: 3,283 meters/10,771 feet

Today, we will move toward Khwolasothar from Tapro following the mesmerizing trails that ascend through the terraced fields of the village. Soon after, we will traverse a dense forest of mixed trees. With the enthralling vistas of the green hills with majestic snow-clad peaks at their backs, we will gradually ascend towards a ridge, Ghyampe Danda.

From the ridge, you can marvel at the breathtaking, eye-filling views of the valleys and surrounding mountains. Descending steadily from the ridge, we will traverse forest and farmlands, cross a few small streams, and finally reach Khwolasothar village. We wil spend an overnight in this quaint hamlet.

Thulek Elevation: 4,070 meters/13,353 feet

Leaving Khwolasother, we will head towards Thulek, passing through a traditional Gurung village of Ghale Gaon. To reach Ghale Gaon, we will trek uphill, traversing the terraced fields and forested areas. In this charming village, you can witness people with their own unique culture, costumes, and traditional way of life. Trekking further, we will make several ascends and descends through other small Gurung settlements, farmlands, and enchanting forests. Finally, we will arrive at Thulek to stay overnight.

Thurju Elevation: 4,070 meters/13,353 feet

We will leave Thulek after a hearty morning breakfast. We will make our way towards Thurju, the day’s destination, by trekking across the cultivated fields of the village. We will venture deep into the remote landscapes of the Annapurna region, immersing in the pristine natural beauty and rich culture of the place. We will reach picturesque Mude village after some time and take a brief lunch break. We will continue further ascending through the ruffed terrains to Thurju village. Our night will be spent in this scenic Gurung village, soaking in the heartwarming hospitality and delicious meals.

Danphekahrka Elevation: 3,862 meters/12,671 feet

Gurung Deurali Elevation: 4,910 meters/16,109 feet

Today is the most exciting and adventurous day of our Gurung Heritage Trekking Trail as we will explore the alpine lake, Dudh Pokhari, and navigate the high pass of Namum Bhanjyang.

We will leave Thurju after breakfast and make our way through colorful fields and forests. We will ascend towards Dudh Pokhari, taking in the incredible view of the changing landscapes. Dudh Pokhari is just a 3-4-hour trek from Thurju. We will gradually enter into the rugged and rocky areas with sparse vegetation as we arrive at this alpine holy lake at 4,585 meters.

Dudh Pokhari appears milky white due to glacial meltwater. Take a soothing break at this tranquil lake spot and capture some photographs. Afterward, we will resume on the trail, heading towards Gurung Deurali, a pass/ridge that provides panoramic views of the fantastic landscapes below. We will reach the pass, traversing suspension bridges and rocky terrains. It is also the highest point of our Gurung Heritage Trek. Finally, after enjoying 360-degree sweeping views from the pass, we will descend to Danphekharka for an overnight stay.

Timang Elevation: 2,750 meters/9,022 feet

We are on the final day of the trek. Today, we will head towards Timang from Danphekharka, concluding the Gurung Heritage Trekking Trail. We will walk for around 5-6 hours through scenic trails of villages, farmlands, and forests to reach Timang, the ending point of our trekking journey. Then, we will board a vehicle towards Besisahar through a mix of paved and dirt roads. A 2-3 hours drive from Danphekharka takes us to Besisahar, the administrative center of the Lamjung District, where we stay for a night.

Besisahar Elevation: 760 meters/2,500 feet

As our Gurung Heritage trekking adventure has come to an end, we will leave the Annapurna region and return to the capital city on this day. The narrow winding roads along the hilly terrains will take us to Dumre village. From Dumre, we will join the Prithivi Highway and drive further.

Driving along the Prithvi Highway, we will pass through varied landscapes such as verdant hills, river valleys, forests, waterfalls, and several small towns and villages as we make our way towards Kathmandu. We will finally cover the distance of approximately 175-200 kilometers and reach Kathmandu after a long day overland drive of around 6-8 hours.