100 Travel Stories
Six Days Trekking in the Annapurna Mountains, Nepal
One of my most memorable travel experiences was a six-day trek through the spectacular Annapurna Mountains of Nepal.
From Kathmandu, I flew to Pokhara on a small Yeti Airlines plane, together with Ang CeCi Sherpa, the daughter of Everest climber and guide, A. D. Sherpa.
“The Sherpa people are an ethnic group from Nepal who have lived in the high altitudes of the Himalayas for generations. They have long served as guides and porters, whose local expertise has been invaluable for foreigners attempting climbs in the area.” – CNN
In Pokhara, I met my porter, Bishnu, and we drove to the starting point of the trail for a six-day trek in the Ghorepani – Poon Hill area, organized by “Friends in High Places”.
You can trek independently, but hiring a Sherpa and a porter not only makes the journey easier but also supports local communities.
My team was one of the highlights of the trip, especially Ang CeCi. It is still quite unusual to meet a female Sherpa in a world traditionally dominated by men.
Our itinerary: Pokhara – Gandrung – Tadapani – Ghorepani – Poon Hill (3,210 m) – Ulleri – Tirkedhunga – Birethanti.
The Annapurna trekking trail consists largely of thousands of stone steps, passing through rice fields and small mountain villages. October is one of the best months for trekking, with clear skies and pleasant weather. The trails can get busy, with tourists, porters, farmers, and children playing in the villages.
Images from Annapurna
The mountains here are quite different from what we are used to seeing in Europe or North America. Even above 2,000 metres, you can spot monkeys with white-grey fur and black faces. The vegetation is surprisingly tropical for such high altitudes, and there are hardly any conifers along much of this route.
- Read More: Children of Nepal – A Photo Essay
The mountains are different from what we know in America or Europe. Over 2,000 m and you can spot white monkeys with black face (lemurs). The vegetation is more tropical than what would you expect at high altitudes. And there are no conifers!
The porters are amazing. Some carry incredibly heavy loads, reportedly over 100 kg, including trekkers’ backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, food supplies for the tea houses, large metal pots, and even washing machines in Kathmandu!
They use a simple but effective system: a strap across the forehead supports the load, which is attached to a backpack, basket, box, or cage, depending on what they are carrying. Some wear proper mountain boots, others running shoes or flip-flops, and a few even walk barefoot. Ponies and donkeys help carry supplies along the trail.
The highest point of our six-day trek was Poon Hill (3,210 m), where we watched the sunrise at around 5:30 am.
The weather was excellent, with sunshine and clear skies every day. It was hot during the day but cold at night. The snow-covered peaks of Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Annapurna, and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) were clearly visible.
The tea houses were quite comfortable, and most used solar power to heat water. The food was good, although the menus were almost identical everywhere. I also tried the local Nepali liquor, raksi, made from millet, which was surprisingly good.
The people were friendly and welcoming. Nepali children loved having their photos taken and seeing themselves on the camera’s LCD screen. One of the highlights of the trip was visiting a school in the small mountain village of Ulleri. I made a donation, took photographs of the children, and later sent printed copies to the school by mail.
People are also quite inventive. I discovered a local alternative to billiards called carrom. The board resembles a small pool table, but instead of balls, players use black and white disks. You flick them with your fingers, using a heavier disk called a striker, and try to get them into the corner pockets. The board is sprinkled with flour to reduce friction!
One evening, hearing Nepalese music coming from a nearby tea house, I discovered a local celebration. Traditional dancing, accompanied by music, with the dancers moving their hands and bodies in graceful harmony.
A wonderful ending to an amazing trip!
Map
Related
- Rush Hour in Kathmandu
- Kathmandu Street Photography
- Temples and Stupas in Kathmandu
- Pokhara – The Hippies Hideout
- Children of Nepal – A Photo Essay
- Elephants and Diwali in Nepal
- The 10 best hiking trails in Nepal (Lonely Planet)