Annapurna Dhaulagiri Community Trek

The Annapurna Dhaulagiri Community Trek is one of the most picturesque one-week local community-designed tea house treks in Nepal. The adventure comes with an original Nepal experience with a variety of mother nature and tradition. The track runs in between multiple unique classic villages, lovely jungles, and seldom trekked high alpine meadows that provide extraordinary views of the magnificent Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.

Simply no other treks give you like an abundant several breathtaking landscapes, serenity and remoteness and familiarity of a lot of varied Himalayan civilization. We stop over at local people operated and maintained holiday lodges, whose profits in the field straight assist local schools and people.

This Annapurna Dhaulagiri Community trek is a type of smooth standard below 3500 meters. The path can also be referred to as the Annapurna Community Eco-Lodge Trek, which is located close to the Poon Hill areas. This is exactly one of many new community-managed campaigns in Nepal where the benefits of tourism succeed in achieving the overall local community.

Additionally, Nangi is the very first wireless internet service linked to a remote village in Nepal by Mahabir Pun. Mr. Pun is a local inhabitant of Nangi and was a teenager student from that school. After numerous honors, he went back to his village and lived his everyday life with charitable work to improve and commence his community into the online world. You will have the opportunity to learn more about him and his developments for the local community as well.

My Guide to Annapurna Dhaulagiri Community Trek

We started our journey from Kathmandu to Pokhara on a local tourist bus. We were driven for seven hours, including breakfast and lunch break. To do this trek, we need to be in Pokhara. We stayed at the Hotel Bougainvillea. I went shopping in the evening for the trek preparation. I bought a warm pair of trousers, hired a sleeping bag and bought some cookies and chocolate for the day trek. Went for the dinner around lakeside at Rainbow Restaurant. The food was perfectly tasty and delicious. Imagined and excited to do trekking next day into the remote part and hoped it would be one of the best lifetime memory trek.

Day 01: Drive 85km from Pokhara to Galeshwor for 4 hrs. and trek to Baskharka (1550 m) for 3 hrs.

We were ready to drive Galeshwor from Pokhara after our morning breakfast at 7 am. We were driven like 4 hrs. to Galeshwor by viewing the lush green hill, mountains view that can be seen from Pokhara and by following the Modi river up to the border point of next district. Driver get off and make an entry.

After that, we continued to drive again by passing city town of Myagdi district and followed the Kaligandaki corridor and river up to the Galeshwor where we commenced our trek. Stopped to have lunch at river side restaurant. After lunch, we strolled around 15 min into the muddy trail and crossed the Kaligandaki suspension bridge and headed uphill through the forest by passing the traditional village along the trail and arrived at Baskharka. Overnight at family homestay.

Day 02: Trek to Nangi (2300 m) from Baskharka for 5 to 6 hrs.

When we waked up in the morning, the family mother brought black tea into our room. It was very nice moment that Mount Dhaulagiri and Gurja peak gives striking view in front of the village. Baskharka is a beautiful village that orange garden around it. We had our breakfast at community lodge below from the family homestay. Afterward, we headed forward 2 and half hours uphill from the stone steps through the pine and rhododendron forest.

Subsequently, the trail goes down and up with a mixed trail over the village of Danda kateri. We stopped to have lunch there with the view of the Dhaulagiri range and the tip of Annapurna south. Later, the trail passes along the terrace field and continues across the swing bridge, walk up stone stairs and gradually go over muddy trail till Nangi. Overnight at community Lodge.

Day 03: Trek to Mohare Danda (3300 m) from Nangi for 7 hrs.

Today, the difficult day but picturesque and mesmerizing. The view from Nangi was awesome. The day before in the evening when we went to visit the school and paper factory was also very good practical knowledge. After had our morning meal, we headed towards the forest of rhododendron and the trail was natural. The flow of tourist was not so much. It was peaceful and natural. Walking into the peaceful nature is one extraordinary life of walk. After few hours of trek, we controlled over the uphill trail before Ham pal pass (3100 m). This is good vantage point to view the high Himalaya.

The next one-hour walk along the narrow trail brought us to our lunch stop. Actually, this is the day that we need to carry a packed lunch from Nangi Lodge. I had ordered to pack spring roll. We ate for like an hour for lunch and rested. But, the spot was very good to see the Annapurna range, Fishtail and other mountains. Later, we walked for like 2 hours uphill through the rhododendron and alpine conifer trees to Mohare. The highest point of the trek.

Day 04: Trek to Danda Kharka (2800 m) from Mohare for 2 hrs.

We had briefed to wake up before ten min of Sunrise. So, we all waked up and put all the warm clothes to see the dawn view from the mountain. The top is just only the dining building 3300 m from the sea level. The sunrise view from the magnificent mountains was beyond the imagination. The sight was superb and awesome.

The mountains that we can see from the Mohare Danda are Dhaulagiri (8167 m), Annapurna I (8091 m), South Annapurna (7219 m), Machhapuchre (6997 m), Hiunchuli (6441 m) and many others. After spending time at the sunrise, we had our breakfast in front of the Himalayas and went to pack up all our stuff before descending down.

Afterward, we descend through the forest of rhododendron, passing the yak herd and Kalidaha Lake, and arrive at Dandakharka. A very beautiful place to see the Himalayas. There was only one community lodge that provided a completely basic facility.

Day 05: Trek to Tikot (2200 m) from Danda Kharka for 4 hrs.

After spend the day at quite lodge, we descended down through the forest again with delightful view of mountain. Took a rest at vantage point and moved onwards to Tikot for Lunch. The place is very beautiful and people are living with good harmony each other. Tikot was also the homestay place. We were sleeping one among those cluster house. The mountain that we saw from there were Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Hiunchuli, Bara shiker etc. There we can understand the village life of magar people. Most of them are involving in Agriculture. There is a higher secondary school for the education to children and Basketball court to play.

Day 06: Trek ends at Tippling (900 m) from Tikot in 3 hrs. and drives back to Pokhara in 5 hrs.

Today was last day of the trek. Felt like how soon the trekking is finished. we descended down through the pine tree and oak forest to Tipling. The driver was ready to pick for us and driven to Galeshwor first to have a lunch. Afterward, directly we were driven to Pokhara. A beautiful lake city where many more fun adventure things to do. Like Paragliding, Sightseeing, Zip line, Bungee Jumping, Cycling, Hiking etc.

Food and accommodation in Annapurna Dhaulagiri Community Trek

Actually, in this trek, food is available in the dining room of the community. Food is cooked by local people trained to a high standard that meets the requirements of the guest. Foods are available on fixed choice basis. Like dal vat which comprise of rice, dal soup with vegetable curry made from the seasonable vegetable available locally. Other dishes might include Roti (flat bread) with curry. Everything from macaroni, cheese, muesli, fried rice, momo, pancake etc. You will get simple menu with basic different choices from where you have to choose.

Accommodation on this Annapurna Dhaulagiri Community trek is completely basic and on a twin-share basis. In a peak season, sometime you have to adjust in multi-share basis with basic share toilet facilities. Hot showers in the lodges are buckets. They will provide you with hot water and you will have to mix the cold water to make a normal bath. In Nangi, there is solar shower if the sun is bright on the day. Bathroom and toilet will outside and away from where you are sitting.

Drinking Water in the Annapurna Dhaulagiri Community Trek

Water from the village tape is not safe to drink unless you keep the water purification tablet or drops till 30 minutes. Filter water or boiled water is provided in the lodges that is fine for drinking. Plastic bottle cause an environment problem. So, selling plastic mineral bottle water is not encouraged by the community project. Every lodges have well purified water filter that is especially USA designed technology and certified by UNICEF.

Do I need to hire a guide and porter for this Annapurna Dhaulagiri Community Trek?

Yes, it is very important to hire a guide and porter for this trek. Because, this is community based trek and many youths are unemployed in the society and country. To generate the employment opportunity in the society, your small effort to take them can help to change their livelihood. Taking guide and porter is not only the subject of mandatory. But, also to know information about place, culture and tradition – guide are helpful. They are not only to give information however they help you in emergency situation like any serious issue, concern and inquiry as well. Guides are well certified by the government. Coz, they have to pass the exam in order to get certificate.
Porters is needed for carrying your heavy bags. They are very kind and never steal anything of others what they carry. They are the residence of mountain region and healthy enough to carry the 20 to 25 kg of bags and also help make the stay pleasant, homely and fulfilling.

About Health Requirements and Travel Insurance in the Annapurna Dhaulagiri Community Trek

There is no specific health requirement for entry into Nepal. Before travelling or trekking in Nepal, if you would check to your doctor about health problem and suggested vaccination, that would be good practice. Common problems like dehydration, diarrhea, fever, headache and tonsil can be occurring during the trekking period. Do not forget to carry a medicine that is require for you. So, plan accordingly.

Travel insurance is also very important before travelling any part of the country. If you get serious problem and compelled to rescue then, your insurance company should able to pay the charter cost and requirement. Your travel insurance must cover against personal accident, loss of luggage, cancellation of trip, Medical expenses, emergency evacuation etc. Your one copy of insurance slip should be always with you. If you are travelling through an agency, insurance copy is asked by the agency in case of emergency.

What about the laundry in the Annapurna Dhaulagiri Community Trek?

Actually, in the cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara you find the many laundry shop with same day return back facilities. But in the trekking, you have to wash your clothes by your hand. Use the biodegradable washing powder or soap for rinsing. At last you need to depend on sunlight or heater for dry.

The Necessary Packing List for the Trek.

This trek is not going to a very high altitude. So, we do not have to carry a lot of things as much as we carry for higher elevations. This trek normally lasts 5 to 6 days. The essential things that you need to carry for this Annapurna Dhaulagiri Community Trek are as follows:

• Trekking bag that has belly waist strap and comfortable to carry
• Trekking boot, that is comfortable to wear
• Light slipper or shoes to wear after you arrive at Lodge
• 4-5 Cotton T-shirt
• Suntan lotion or cream
• Warm jacket (Nepal is climatic extreme country. So, anytime have to prepare for cold)
• Woolen Hat
• Sun Hat (Wide Bream to cover the face and neck)
• Warm trouser
• Pair of warm gloves
• Raincoat is mandatory
• Sleeping bag
• Wind proof trekking trouser
• Sun Glass

The things mentioned are basic requirements. The rest of the things that are not mentioned here can be kept by yourself as per your travel experience.