Day 38: Ghoropani to Ghandruk

Trip Start Sep 21, 2006

228

Trip End Jun 01, 2007

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Flag of Nepal Ghandruk, Nepal
Monday, October 30, 2006

Rising before dawn, Nar and I join the stream of trekkers up the winding path to the crest of Poon Hill (3210m) for the famous panoramic view of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna range as the sun bathes it in its first golden light. It's chilly and noses run. Tripods are out and everyone's trying to get the same postcard image. It is undoubtedly a glorious view and I imagine more so when the surrounding rhododendrons are in spring bloom.
After breakfast back at base, Nar suggest a short cut to take us to Ghandruk (then Pokhara a day early). Essentially this means trekking an 18-day hike in just 15. I should have been wary. Nar's short cut shaved an hour off the walking time but took us over several peaks as high as Poon Hill. My legs are like lead again but I'm eager to reach the end of the trek now.
The path stays within mossy forest, lush with ferns. We disturb a large troop of langurs.
Our destination, Ghandruk, is bathed in warm sun at 1990m, a chance for laundry and lazing on a lawn. Yet again afternoon cloud hides the Himal, but our terrace over the forested hills, in a butterfly garden, offers a fine penultimate stop.

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