So we made it back to the USA safely and had a bit of time to reflect back on our trip.
I must say that I'm already trying to figure out how I can get back to Nepal for another trek.
Oh my restless soul that longs to see the beautiful mountains and people of that foreign land be still, be still. For now I’ll just have to ignore those feelings and try to summarize the trip we just did. So lets start with day one:
Day 1 - Pokhara to Naya Pul to Hille
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain
After a breakfast of oat porridge and apple we load into a taxi and depart Pokhara for the 1 hour, 30 mile (48Km) ride to Naya Pal, elevation 3,200 ft (975m), the start of our Annapurna Base Camp trek. The trekking crew consists of myself, Donna, our guide Govinda and our porter Ram.
I used Govinda on my last two treks, Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base camp, and was very pleased with him. Of course, a guide is not really needed to do any of the treks in Nepal but, using one really enhances your experience. Govinda is such a big help with everything, speaks really good English, and knows so much about the area and culture. It’s more like having a personal assistant who handles everything as you sit back and absorb the beauty of Nepal. Ram is a young fellow who is looking to earn some money to start college. Does not speak much English but hey, he’ll be hauling our stuff about 40lbs (18Kg) through the Himalayas for the next 12 days. No English required just a strong back. He’ll earn enough money, from us, to pay for 1 year of school.
Arriving at the trail head we purchase some last minute supplies, water and toilet paper, and head out. Need to take TP as the bathrooms on the trek do not supply it. Of course, we could go the local way and do without TP but, not sure I’m ready for that experience just yet.
The trek starts out for the first 4 miles on a dirt road which eventually ends and a beautiful trail emerges. The path makes it’s way through rolling hills peppered with small houses surrounded by terraced rice and wheat fields.
As we walk along it’s amazing to watch the local people use so much manual labor to plant and harvest the crops.
The weather conditions are great and at this low altitude it’s sunny and warm around 85F (30C).
Another 2 miles and we arrive at our destination, the village of Hille, elevation 4,900ft (1494m). Just a small village with about 4 lodges. We get a room at the Mamta guest house which is the second lodge as you enter the town. It’s a typical room you find on the trek just large enough to accommodate 2 small beds, no heat or toilet.
At this elevation it should not be to cold so we should be able to get a good nights rest. We both take hot showers (water is solar heated) and order our dinner, Del Bhat of course. After dinner we play a few games of Farkel. Playing games with dice always draws the attention of locals who soon join in the fun.
Off to crawl into our sleeping bags and rest up for tomorrow’s upward, 3,000 steps to Ghorapani / Poon Hill.
The hiking total’s for today were 3 hours, 6 miles with a net elevation gain of 1,700 ft (518m).
Peace and Love from Tom & Donna
I must say that I'm already trying to figure out how I can get back to Nepal for another trek.
Oh my restless soul that longs to see the beautiful mountains and people of that foreign land be still, be still. For now I’ll just have to ignore those feelings and try to summarize the trip we just did. So lets start with day one:
Day 1 - Pokhara to Naya Pul to Hille
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain
After a breakfast of oat porridge and apple we load into a taxi and depart Pokhara for the 1 hour, 30 mile (48Km) ride to Naya Pal, elevation 3,200 ft (975m), the start of our Annapurna Base Camp trek. The trekking crew consists of myself, Donna, our guide Govinda and our porter Ram.
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| Donna & Tom at the start of the trek in Naya Pal |
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| Our guide, Govinda |
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| Our porter, Ram |
Arriving at the trail head we purchase some last minute supplies, water and toilet paper, and head out. Need to take TP as the bathrooms on the trek do not supply it. Of course, we could go the local way and do without TP but, not sure I’m ready for that experience just yet.
The trek starts out for the first 4 miles on a dirt road which eventually ends and a beautiful trail emerges. The path makes it’s way through rolling hills peppered with small houses surrounded by terraced rice and wheat fields.
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| Our first check point |
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| Trekking on the dirt road |
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| Nice |
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| Hard work |
Another 2 miles and we arrive at our destination, the village of Hille, elevation 4,900ft (1494m). Just a small village with about 4 lodges. We get a room at the Mamta guest house which is the second lodge as you enter the town. It’s a typical room you find on the trek just large enough to accommodate 2 small beds, no heat or toilet.
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| Our first night's stay in Hille |
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| Typical room |
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| Playing Farkel |
The hiking total’s for today were 3 hours, 6 miles with a net elevation gain of 1,700 ft (518m).
Peace and Love from Tom & Donna
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