Start early, be on time

Start early, be on time

Next morning, we took a microbus from dam-side to Hari Chowk and caught an early bus going to Ghandruk. In an hour or so, we reached Birethanti, and from there we started our trek to Ghorepani. Make sure you register your name at the Annapurna Conservation Area Check Post and Information Center at Birethanti. The brochures at the center are quite helpful during the trek.

It’s sad that the gravel road runs along the trek route. While the scenery was beautiful, and the air was fresh, we would occasionally be buried in billows of dust and smoke coming from the jeeps plying on the road. However, it was pleasing to bypass the road and continue the trek through villages in between. Thanks to the local people and the Annapurna Conservation Area Project, you’ll never get lost. There are signs everywhere on the trekking route.

Reaching Hile, as we enquired about the remaining distance, everybody advised us to target reaching Ulleri by the evening and continue the trek to Ghorepani the next day. However, we walked briskly and reached Ulleri at lunch time. But, I would advise not to rush. Take time to enjoy nature—the waterfalls, butterflies, wild flowers, and the beautiful traditional houses along the route.