It's fair to say that when you're a hiking fan, at the end of the day, there's only one thing on your mind - a hot bath or shower! It was at Tatopani (which means 'hot water') that our prayers were answered, after several days without the luxury of having a soak.
Don't be put off by the sun-kissed tourists (from the neck upwards!) all squished in together, germs and all. Likewise, don't give another thought to having paid an entry fee or feeling like you're falling into a tourist trap. Close your eyes, think about your adventure, mentally zone out and enjoy!
You'll come out rejuvenated and ready to attack the last few remaining legs that separate you from your goal.
*After the devastating earthquakes that shook Nepal in April and May 2015 the country is slowly getting back on its feet. This article was written before these catastrophic events occurred.
I went to Tatopani mostly for its famous hot springs. They seemed like just what the doctor ordered as I had just spent a full week of hiking.
So I was really excited to get there, but what a letdown! The spring looked like a little pool (it was only around 3x5 metres) and around ten people were already crammed into it. It didn't seem relaxing or natural to me at all. I ended up not taking a dip. Furthermore, I found the owners to be quite unpleasant.
So I went for a walk in the village. It's nice, but nothing to write home about. Because the village is located on the main road, the flow of traffic is constant. While I was having my breakfast, a bus arrived and I found myself among a group of people that weren't necessarily the nicest.
I will say though, that my stopover in Tatopani made it very convenient to return to Pokhara. Still, it's certainly not my favourite place from my trip to Nepal.
The arrival into Tatopani is quite simply amazing! After a fortnight of walking amongst coniferous forests, stony deserts and high mountains, this spot appeared idyllic. Here, the vegetation is tropical, so it's a lot warmer but against this background there is a superb snowy peak... The contrast is extraordinary!
If you have also decided to walk around the Annapurna mountain range during your trip to Nepal, you will have various choices of itineraries. Many people decide to end their walk in beauty here, in Tatopani, after splashing around in warm pools. I enjoyed extending the hike by going back towards Pokhara via Ghorapani, Tadapani and Phedi. The detour is slightly tricky but definitely worth it.
I should also say that I visited Nepal before the 2015 earthquake, so it's possible that the areas have change a lot since.