Day 19 – 21: Annapurna Base Camp trek

Obligatory mission up to the highest point in the park without mountaineering kit. Annapurna Base Camp, or ABC, as they call it.

What they don’t tell you is that it gets pretty snowy and treacherous, cold and wet. Though there may be lodges on the way, once you get into the sanctuary, wood burning is not allowed, having the knock on effect that any heat going to be provided is either going to be a) from the sun b) from you.

When the sun disappears, it gets pretty cold.

Gave it a go. I knew it was always going to be a question of weather.

Here’s a little map of where I travelled in the last 2 days.

annapurna base camp trek
Annapurna base camp trek

Day 3: Jihnudanda -> Sinuwa

The hot springs up to Sinuwa. A day taking you through the last permanent settlement, Chomrong and up, and down, a lot of steps.

Jihn at 1780 to Sinuwa at 2360. After reaching Sinuwa, most of the climbing had been done. Gave it some rest time.

Sinuwa is a smelly type of place. With a few lodges. Continue reading “Day 19 – 21: Annapurna Base Camp trek”

Day 18: Annupurna #2 – Tolka – Jhiundanda

Tolka to Jihnudanda

There are hot springs in Jihnudanda and a couple of the hotels accept Mastercard which means I don’t have to dip into my cash balance.

Stocked, up fed myself and re-charged my batteries.

Mardi Himal

Was talking to a girl who went on a ridge walk called Mardi Himal. Kind of an alternative to base camp. They stopped at one of the viewpoints. Some of the members of her party decided to continue to the next viewpoint and one of them stumbled and fell off the edge.

1,000ft drop. Helicopter came and picked the rest of the party up to take them home.

Here’s some photo’s from the trip.

Annapurna from Tolka
Annapurna from Tolka
Terraces near Lundruk
Terraces near Lundruk
New bridge to Jhinundanda
New bridge to Jhinundanda

Day 16 – 17: Annapurna day #1

Going to keep these posts short and sweet.

I’m now in Annapurna Nat. Park and internet connection is at a premium.

Yesterday was a hard day. Still had the remnants of a hangover which took about 5 hours walking to get rid of.

Here’s some photos from the day.

Phedi - Damphus
Lots of steps – Phedi
Welcome to Dhampus
View to Pokhara
Hardwood logs
Across the valley in Tolka

Day 12 – 15: Pokhara

Lumbini to Pokhara

A long and arduous bus trip.

The majority through winding mountain passes.

Having a puncture, more of a blow-out, set us back a bit. All in all, the whole trip took around 10 hours.

On arrival in Pokhara, had booked ahead and it was just a case of finding my way to the hotel.

Pokhara

Perhaps the most touristy type place I’ve visited in Nepal.

Lakeside seems to be set out entirely with tourism in mind.

Pokhara Centre Point
Pokhara Centre Point

Unlike Thamel in Kathmandu, it’s not so much the shops with nik-naks or hiking gear, herbs or Nepalese products, but restaurants and eateries, live music cafés and places to spend money in that manner.

There are shops of every nature, and Europeans seem to be much more in evidence.

It’s all pretty spread out.

I’ve got a bike, and I’m going to be using that to get around.

Holi

Today is Holi Festival which is a big thing in Nepal and in India. Continue reading “Day 12 – 15: Pokhara”

Day 10 -11: Lumbini, birthplace of Buddha

As the title says. And as you can imagine, it’s kind of a Mecca for Buddhists all over the world.

Not a Buddhist personally, but am kind of interested in sites of a historical and cultural nature.

Maya Devi Temple

Is the actual birthplace of Buddha and is a designated World Heritage Site.

There are lots of tourists here, and when you’re in the temples and religious areas, you’ve got to take your shoes off.

Sometimes its normal to light some incense, and make an offering.

The modern Devi Temple is surrounded by the ruins of the first monastery built here around 200BC.

Maya Devi
Maya Devi

As you wander round, there’s a pool and a tree at the front. The pool has large catfish, carp and turtles rolling on the surface, taking air and enjoying the sunshine.

The tree is the ‘Buddha Tree’ and is adorned by hanging prayer flags.

If you want, you can light some incense under the Buddha tree.

The garden extends off in various directions with lawns and flowers and walkways for the barefooted visitors. Continue reading “Day 10 -11: Lumbini, birthplace of Buddha”