Day 1
We got up just at around sunrise to ensure we could reach to our destination around midday – highest chance to avoid any potential bad weather
We were about to teach Manang, a village that’s situated at around 3,500m and where we’d stay for 2 nights to acclimatize to the elevation before we could ascend further.
I got a bit sick at this point, partially due to the high elevations (my trekking partner was sick too)
The storm clouds started forming again
I lied down after heavy Dal Bhat (950) for lunch a bit before heading back to the dining hall where the fire had lit up
I ordered a mushroom cheese veggie burger (700NRP) which turned out was much better than expected
Day 2
It’s a resting day, we didn’t have to get up too early nor worry too much about the weather.
We found this French bakery next to our guesthouse
The only agenda for the day was to climb up to the viewpoint in town to help with acclimatization
In just under 45min, we arrived at the high point.
It’s a bit early before lunch, I went to the local trekking center get some information and some shops to get some last minutes gears (a headlamp for 1,000NRP and hiking spikes for 1,500NRP)
For lunch, we decided to eat somewhere else other than our accommodation to save some money and also to have some variety
The internet came back, I managed to catch up with the world and work a bit. Soon was time for dinner (I had veggie burger again).
The lodge became much busier since the weather seemed to be cleared forward. Met quite a few trekkers all around the world.
Day 3
This day we were really starting to climb high (above 4000m).
We started seeing some stunning high mountain views now
In just shy of 2 hours, we reached of tea break (150NRP).
Just an hour before noon, we arrived at our accommodation for the day.
Since we were the first guest, we managed to peek into every single room to find the one that has the best view
Lunch I had the simple veggie Dal Bhat
Turned out there’s dried buffalo meat option but it’s not offered for trekkers due to possible stomach upset. My guide was kind enough to share his.
The Internet was down again, our guide took us to a simple tea house where the locals who built the bridge earlier of the day hung out
Soon, it’s sunset time
Once the sun was gone, the temperature dropped rather quickly. We all just hugged the fireplace.
Above 4,000m really started getting to me. I couldn’t really fall asleep the first half of the night, though managed to catch up with some sleep the latter half. The respiratory impact due to the attitude made it extra challenging as well.
Day 4
Early start again. At this point, we were quite used to the early start cadence.
The first part was gradual ascend to at around 4,500m
Tea break (100NRP) & lazy pup
We trekked through the famous landslide area. Earlier the bridge workers were to build a bridge to connect the trekkers to the other snowy but more stable side.
I have to mention my guide here. His eyes were constantly scanning for danger for the falling rocks. As soon as he spotted some, he quickly grabbed me to the side and hugged me to shield me away from the rocks. The rocks actually fell right behind and in front of me. I could have easily hit be the rocks due to the slow reaction speed at this elevation. Kudos to my guide!
In just over 2 hours we reached the low camp. This is where most trekkers stay at (4,500m) comparing the high camp (5,000m). There’s trade offs. Sleeping at high camp ensure shorter trek to the pass, whereas low camp might end up having better sleep.
It’s almost 500m straight up 45degree climb. This 1km took me nearly 90min. We actually met with a German couple where we stayed at the previous accommodation. They got extreme attitude sickness (massive headache) and decided to go back down.
I immediately ordered some sea buckthorn juice to help with the attitude. Lots of trekkers started getting headaches, I was surprisingly fine other than my breathing.
After lunch with a brief rest, we decided to climb the viewpoint at the high camp a bit. This was to taste what’s like to be above 4,900m
I went to bed right around 7pm, didn’t really sleep until perhaps at 1am. I had a shuteye for maybe 2 hours. Breathing was just difficult, and I was getting semi-panic attack in which my body was constantly trying to burn away fats to supply for my energy needs. I felt quite warm as a matter of fact.
Day 5
Got up at 3am to be ready for breakfast at 4am.
Trek soon started. We were in relatively great mood to experience the ultimate challenge of this entire circuit trek tour.
In about 45min, sun started to rise which gave us perspectives that we were going through a pass.
We reached the tea house at the pass, we got us a much needed hot tea (250NRP). Everyone’s in a celebratory mode, the exhilaration and excitement can be known among us trekkers who have completed this part.
The pass was very windy and cold (-15C), in just short minutes, we started descending
Descending 1,600m in a few short hours is probably harder than getting to the pass from High camp. Nevertheless, with the motivation of the freezing temperature we did rather quickly. It’s the first day I actually felt soreness in every part of my legs. It’s also just challenging on my knees as well.
Entering the clouds now
It’s only at around 10am where we reached the first settlement after the pass.
I took a quick juice break to gain some energy before continuing. Needless to say the temperature rose very quickly. From 3 layers and a down jacket to a T-shirt with a thin jumper
From the settlement to our destination was just a short 45min stroll with mostly flat trekking road.
Arriving in town
Turns out the town is also very popular among the Indian pilgrimage
After putting down our bags, we went out to celebrate with other trekkers
Spent sometime on the much needed Internet before heading for dinner. Though I got a mild headache likely from the beers. This is why guides don’t want us to drink any alcohol after reaching 3,000m
Day 6
The town is peaceful at early morning hours
We decided follow most trekkers plan to skip down hill trek for the day and take the bus (500NRP extra) instead. This also allowed us saving a day and getting back to the city one day earlier
The bus was at 11am, we got some time to walk around the view point and local temples
Found a bakery where I could finally get some good needed coffee and Apple pie to conclude the high mountains segment
We headed to the bus terminal for our bus to bring us down to 1,100m
Bus left 10min after scheduled departure time. Road was windy, fortunately I still had some motion sickness pills left from Vietnam.
Very quickly we arrived at a bus stop for a toilet break and also where more passengers got on.
I took some random pictures
The bus ride was supposed to be a bit over 4 hours, but sadly we hit a major landslide that slowed us down by 2 hours.
We arrived right around dinner time. I decided to treat myself with a what I thought mountain beef steak (turned out it’s imported from India – 1050NRP. oh well)
We went to the hot spring after dinner. It was very nice and much needed for the muscle pain before we could trek more.
Day 7
It’s the day we were headed towards Poon Hill, our last trekking stop.
Prices started to come down as it’s no longer in the high mountainous areas
After breakfast, we started trekking again. The muscle soreness could still be felt strongly. Though, good thing is most of the trekking was uphill which is definitely better than coming straight down.
Going through some villages
This part I actually quite like, it’s not very touristy or at least the villages aren’t built just for trekking purpose. One can actually experience what trekking might have been in the older days.
Though interesting to trek through this part, nothing spectacular however.
Arriving at our accommodation.
Surprisingly, the part of the trek was difficult (perhaps, just mentally after trekking through the pass that I was no longer ready to spend more effort?)
You could see from the background that the weather took a sharp turn for the worse
Right around sunset time, it started to clear a bit.
For dinner, I got some chicken momos.
I also got a local coffee mixed with rice liquor (300NRP). Tasted like Baileys.
After checking for the forecast, we decided that it’s unwise to continue the trek given the effort it’s needed and almost impossible to witness the spectacular sunrise from Poon Hill (later on we met trekkers who did the hike and all confirmed there wasn’t much to be seen but just wetness all the way. I think having experienced one wet day on the trek was a good enough lesson for me that I don’t need another one)
There are many thoughts I have towards Annapurna and Nepal in general, I will post them separately.
Expenses
Note that tour cost / tips / equipments are all amortized and included under Other column.
| Week 22 | Currency: | NRP | 130 | |
| Day | Food&Drink | Lodging | Transportation | Other (tickets/tours etc) |
| 1 | $17.38 | $2.31 | $0.00 | $40.26 |
| 2 | $21.69 | $2.31 | $0.00 | $47.95 |
| 3 | $19.62 | $1.92 | $0.00 | $51.79 |
| 4 | $18.54 | $3.85 | $0.00 | $40.26 |
| 5 | $30.77 | $7.69 | $0.00 | $40.26 |
| 6 | $22.85 | $3.85 | $3.85 | $40.26 |
| 7 | $17.50 | $3.85 | $0.00 | $40.26 |
| $148.35 | $25.77 | $3.85 | $301.02 | |
| Total | Grand Total: | $478.98 |
Great job! It sounds like you were prepared as physically as you could be along with having all of the gear you could find. It’s interesting how sometimes finding the name brand gear is more difficult out of America. I agree some of the snowy mountain sights look like some of the best of the trek. And, that’s great there were so many yaks trek with and you even have the option of eating them in a burger along with other fresh vegetables and things. Good idea to not continue the trek when the forecast shows it will be too wet, so you won’t see the sights as well and it might be too unsafe.