Pokhara Summit Seekers

Hi guys,

Since our e-Visa for India was only valid for one month, we had to leave the country and decided to go to Nepal for a few weeks. We were driven from Siliguri to Paitanki in a cycle rickshaw. Upon arrival, we took an overnight bus to Kathmandu. After a tiring 12-hour journey, we finally arrived and first went to the hostel, located in the Thamel neighborhood, known for its many restaurants, bars, and shops. On 03.02.2017, we went to the Indian embassy with Eli and Oli, a sibling couple from England, to apply for a visa for India. It takes a few days to submit the application and hand in the passport. To avoid wasting time in Kathmandu, we decided to go to Pokhara on 05.02.2017 to do some hiking. Upon arrival in Pokhara, we met Elena and Analoice, with whom we wanted to start the hike together. Since we only started on 06.02.17, we enjoyed our last evening in civilization at Movie Garden, a small open-air cinema with a stunning view of the lake. On the way there, we met Mauk and Abbey, who joined us for the movie. After pizza and wine, it was clear that our hiking group consisted of 8 people the next day. We couldn't have wished for a better group. With all the permits and documents ready, we finally started and took a bus to Nayapul on the first day. From there, we walked for about four hours to our first accommodation in Tikhedhunga. To pass the time until dinner, we played cards or 'where is the coin'.

Day 2 started early to climb the more than 3600 steps up to Ghorepani. In the evening, we felt every muscle, but the wonderful view of the Himalayan mountains made us forget the pain for a brief moment. To pass the time until dinner, we all sat around the warm stove to read or chat.

Day 3 started very, very early (5:30 am) to watch the sunrise on Poon Hill, which is at an altitude of 3210m. Once we reached the top, we were greeted with breathtaking views of the South Annapurna and other peaks. After breakfast, we continued hiking to Tadapani, where we spent our third night. The entire way there, we had a perfect panoramic view of the snow-covered mountain peaks. To pass the time until dinner, we drank a lot of rum with cola and played cards.

Day 4 started, who would have guessed, early to reach our destination Tolka. We were not sure if we would make it, as first we had to go downhill and then climb a long stretch uphill, which took a lot of energy. But late in the evening and quite exhausted, we finally reached Tolka. To pass the time until dinner...

The last day started early to walk to Dhampus, the final stop of the trek. Once we arrived, we enjoyed the last rays of sunshine during a hearty lunch. Exhausted, satisfied, and proud of ourselves, we were taken back to Pokhara by a cheap ride from Dhampus.

We arrived in Pokhara in the afternoon and met again in the evening to end our day at the open-air cinema with wine and pizza.

A big thank you to Eli, Oli, Mauk, Abbey, Elena, and Analioce. The last 5 days were amazing with you. We won't forget the fun game nights and great conversations so quickly.

Love, your Egger girls

Hi guys,

We left India because our e-Visa had expired, and we decided to go to Nepal. To get from India to Nepal, you just have to cross a bridge. In our case, it was by bicycle. On the Nepali side, we reached the town of Paitanki, from where we took a night bus to Kathmandu. After a 12-hour ride, we stayed in the suburb called Thamel, which is very famous for restaurants, bars, and shopping stores. The next day, we applied for an Indian visa at the Indian embassy in Kathmandu. We weren't alone because Eli and Oli also had to apply for the visa, and we met them at the hostel. After applying, we had to wait a few days for the visa process. So, we decided not to waste time and drove to Pokhara on February 5th, 2017, to do some hiking. There, we met Elena and Analioce, both of whom also wanted to hike and take the same route. So, we decided to join them. To spend our last days in civilization, we went to the Movie Garden, which is a nice open-air cinema with a beautiful view of the lake in Pokhara. On the way there, we met Abbey and Mauk, both of whom we knew from Kathmandu, and they also wanted to go to the cinema. After wine and pizza, we were a total of 8 people who wanted to start the 5-day trek in the Annapurna area. We couldn't have asked for a better group. After getting all our permits and documents, we took a bus to Nayapul. From there, we hiked for about four hours to our first destination, Tikhedhunga. To pass the time until dinner, we played cards or "where is the coin".

Day 2 started early as we had to climb over 3600 steps up to Ghorepani. In the evening, we could feel every single muscle, but the beautiful view of the Himalayan mountains made us forget the pain for a short moment. To pass the time until dinner, we all sat around the warm stove, reading or chatting.

On day 3, we woke up very early (5:30 am) to witness the sunrise on Poon Hill, which is located at an altitude of 3210m. Upon reaching the top, we were greeted with a breathtaking view of the South Annapurna and several other peaks. After a hearty breakfast, we continued our hike to Tadapani, where we spent our third night. Throughout the journey, we had a perfect panoramic view of the snow-covered mountain peaks. To pass the time until dinner, we played cards and drank rum with cola.

Day 4 started, as expected, early in order to reach our final destination, Tolka. At times, we weren't sure if we would make it as we had to go downhill and then climb a considerable distance uphill, which took a lot of energy. But late in the evening and quite exhausted, we finally reached Tolka. To pass the time until dinner...

The last day started early so that we could hike to Dhampus, the final stop of the trek. Upon arrival, we enjoyed the last rays of sunshine during a filling lunch. Exhausted, satisfied, and proud of ourselves, we were taken back to Pokhara by a cheap ride from Dhampus.

We arrived in Pokhara in the afternoon and met again in the evening to end our day at the open-air cinema with wine and pizza.

A big thank you to Eli, Oli, Mauk, Abbey, Elena, and Analioce. The last 5 days were incredibly beautiful with you. We won't forget the fun game nights and great conversations anytime soon.

Love, Luci & Klara