Trekking route: Annapura Ghorepani trek, or more well-known as Poon Hill trek, located at the north-west side of Pokhara.

Flash back:

After some hiccup at the airport, a 20-something years old B757 of RNA finally arrived 24 hours later. Together with 7 other friends, I embarked on my first ever trekking trip to the hills.

The journey began with an overnight stay in Kathmandu, a 6 hour bumpy bus-ride the next day to Pokhara and the walk started in the rain from the bus stop at Nayapul to Birethani. We climbed up the steepy hill to Uleri the next day, and that is probably the most challenging stretch of the entire trails for this trek. A some-what 700+ steps as described by our sherpa, Bhim, ended up to be 3xxx steps, confirmed by a trekker whom we met along the trail who had taken the trouble to do the counting! But its all worth it as Uleri is one of my most favorite spots of the entire trail. It is surrounded by the magnificent view of snowcapped mountains and the evergreen oaks and blue pine forests. Its simply spectacular.

The next morning we took a predawn climb to Poon Hill to catch the magical sunrise. This is where we reached our peak of the trek (3210m). The journey continued from Ghorepani to Banthani and Tadapani. The trekking ended by a 10-hour non-stop walk down the steepy & rocky valley, but we were generously rewarded by the panaromic view of the villages, the golden terraced fields and the crystal clear river running across Syauli Bazaar.

The journey would not be complete without good companions -7 lovely & fun-loving friends and 5 caring & responsible sherpa & porters. They have made this a journey to remember.

I have been long for the pictureque view of the mountains of Annapura. Now that I have come one step closer, I couldn't help but wanting to see more of it. I know I will be back one day....

Namaste!