Ghorepani – Tadapani – Chhomrong – Travel Notes and Pictures

Two day traverse through rhododendron forests, steep gorges, hill slope farms, and beautiful views of Annapurna peaks.

This afternoon we are enjoying a rest in our guesthouse room overlooking the Modi Khloa (River) valley which we will begin a three day walk up the sidewall to eventually make the Annapurna Base Camp.

To get here, the last two days walk has been incredible. We started yesterday early from Ghorepani and climbed up, up through almost mythical rhododendron stands along an ancient and precisely made rock path up to the Deurali Pass (3090m), then down, down through a very steep jungle gorge (losing about 500m elevation) to cross Bhurungdi creek before making our way back up the sidewall through a very cool and dense forest. Lunch was a plate of the ubiquitous yummy Dal Bhat after which we continued to a saddle pass at Tadapani where we checked into a lovely family run Hotel Panorama Point guesthouse (2670m). As we arrived one of the gardeners from the hotel was banging pots and pans to shoo away an impressive pack of monkeys who were making off with several heads of cabbage. The dining area had a warm woodstove where we’re able to warm up before dinner. Little comforts go a long way!

This morning we were up early again to catch a glorious dawn and sunrise in crystal clear skies and dramatic peaks. After breakfast we hiked down, down along more beautifully made steps to the valley bottom where a good sized suspension bridge awaited to cross the Kimrong River at Ghurnung. Then back up, up to the hill slopes and a narrow path to lunch at Taulung, then on to finish today’s walk at the village of Chhomrong (2170m) and another very clean and comfortable guesthouse. Laundry day, so we did a hand wash of socks and other essentials which are now out in the sun drying while we enjoy our afternoon cuppa overlooking the valley below.