The Prince of Wales first used this route in 1980. The trek starts after about 20 minutes drive from Pokhara to Bijyapur Khola and leads up onto a ridgeline through Brahmin and Chettri villages in the beginning and goes through the villages mainly populated by Gurungs afterwards. The Gurungs are renowned as one of the leading martial races in Nepal. Since the mid 19th century they have served with pride in the Nepalese, British and Indian Armies. Their homeland is the southern flanks of the Annapurna range. They tend to live high up on relatively steep slopes, among maize and millet fields and from these places cultivate rice fields on the valley floor. The Gurungs of West Nepal, originating from the North and following Buddhist customs have pronounced Mongol features. They are normally short but stocky.
The scene from the first campsite (KALIKATHAN) overlooking the entire Pokhara valley offers mountain views of the beautiful Machapuchare, to the north of Pokhara, the mighty Annapurna range and Lamjung Himal, Manaslu and Himalchuli, to the west. On the second day the ridgeline leads eastwards before a sharp climb up to the Gurung village of SYAGLUNG – the campsite is just above the village, on a meadow. The third day is to the CHISAPANI hill, another hill to the southwest of Syaglung. Second half of the walk is through forests and uphill. Campsite is below the shrine. The last day is almost downhill to the bottom of the foothills, through the rice fields then a little uphill to SUNDARE DANDA – a ridgeline between the two big lakes – RUPA and BEGNAS. The trail then drops to a roadhead where transport meets for the drive to Pokhara – about 3km away.
Day 1 KALIKATHAN
Day 2 SYAGLUNG
Day 3 CHISAPANI
Day 4 POKHARA - Hotel or camp by Lakeside.
