Tatopani – Ghorepani

(S) Take the track or follow the parallel paths alongside it to reach the junction where the track branches off to the left towards the high-altitude villages.

(1) Take the track or the paths that cut across it and leave the Kali Gandaki valley here. Begin a climb that will be steady throughout the day. Reach the first village: Guhre.

(2) Continue southwards amidst a dense crowd (schoolchildren, porters, etc.), keeping to the wide path on the left. Reach the second village, Ghara.

(3) Then begin the long stretch of steps along the path to reach Shikha.

(4) Keep going along these steps, which vary in height and length, until you reach another village, Phalate.

(5) From here, tackle the final – though long – stretch of steps to complete this stage at Ghorepani, at the foot of Annapurna South (E)

Water can be obtained from various outlets in the villages you pass through.

Despite the steps, this is a superb stage that highlights the immense effort put in by the locals to create this trail. The steps, of course, are there to prevent the erosion that heavy rains would otherwise cause.
And as night falls, enjoy the stunning light illuminating the majestic face of South Annapurna, where the reddish-orange hue contrasts with the white of the summit glacier.