Ghandruk: My first trek!

Nothing excited me more than going on a trek for the first time.

“But can you walk?” questioned my friends, surprised and curious. But I was excited though five hours of walk would somewhat torment me a bit.

Born and brought up in Kathmandu, the only places I’ve visited so far are Pokhara, Chitwan, Hetauda, and the list ends there. [break]

However, I didn’t want to bracket myself in the comfort cocoon.

Ghandruk is an awesome choice for first-time trekkers who don’t want to walk for too long.

Trust me, but when you’re up there, it’s all worth it when you see the mountains and the lush greens and air that you can actually breathe with your mouth wide open, and your lungs stays clean, still!

The trek kicks off

An early morning bus from Pokhara took us to Naya Pool from where the walk started. We had walking sticks, which eventually turned out to be a lifesaver.

After 30 minutes of up-and-down walk, we reached Moonlight Restaurant and Hotel for a vegetarian lunch that actually melted in the mouth.

Maybe we were hungry!

Almost noon, we started walking with the sun hovering right above our meticulously styled hair.

I was having a good time until my back started hurting, and a friend offered to carry my backpack. Relieved, I walked but there was no end in sight. And this was just the first hour of the trek! So this is what trekking felt like.

There was absolutely no breeze. One hour down, and we would leave the flat trail and climb up stone slabs, which, apparently, have been laid by the Ama Samuha (Mother’s Group) of Ghandruk, making it easier for trekkers.

By now, my backpack was back on my back and my back pain surprisingly soothed down. Or my body may have gotten used to the walk after these hours.

The trek was tiring but more fun because the sun was gone and the breeze was cool and relaxing.

Stopping by water taps to refill our bottles and wash our faces (and restyle the hair), we thought Ghandruk was nearby.

But everytime we asked a local shop vendor how far our destination was, he would say, “Another one hour.” One hour would go by, and we would ask again, and another “another one hour” was the answer. We just stopped asking and focused on our walk.

Then it started drizzling. When it poured, I started feeling better and thus my pace sped up. I started running (read walked fast). Maybe because I did that, an insect went right down my throat. I tried to get it out it with water, but nothing helped. However, a final cough did the trick.

I didn’t want to see what kind of insect it was but I knew it was a big one. Bottom-line: Don’t breathe wide openly when insects are savoring on decaying mule poo nearby.

Six hours of trek, and we finally reached our destination: Ghandruk. We couldn’t help but laugh out loud and take pictures after pictures. But when the winds went high, we took shelter at the Sherpa Hotel and drank a steaming cup of black tea.

Tired, cold and wet, we reached Annapurna Hotel, where we were to spend the night. We were welcomed with a warm bowl of Rara soup.

The hospitality in Ghandruk seemed amazing with the staff friendly even to local tourists, and everyone greeting you with a “Namaste” along the trek, specially the kids.

The next day

Sunrise. The next day at 5:51 am was something you wouldn’t want to miss when you’re in this village.

The tips of the mountains are the only thing lit, and as time lapses, everything becomes more visible, and the village of Ghandruk appears flawless. A warm cup of tea, a good book, Ghandruk and the Annapurna Range – that’s what I thought!

Our trek was a one-night stay program. So we had to trek down the next day. Yes, staying at least two days would be ideal.

After lunch, around noon again, we started trekking down, and it was lot easier than trekking up. But we were warned that our feet would hurt awesomely! And by God, it did! The sun wasn’t too sharp, and the breeze in the hills kept things cool.

Four hours of downhill trek, and we reached Naya Pool where our bus was waiting for us to take us back to Pokhara and fun.

Ghandruk was as exciting as I thought it would be, and I feel great that I trekked and saw what I saw.

The mountains, the hills, potato farms, and the smiles all have left me with a soft corner for Ghandruk, my first trek.

I can’t wait to trek again!