Amazing Annapurna

A bumpy slow ride took me to Pokhara about 200km west of Kathmandu. Pokhara is known as the second tourist city of Nepal - however it is tiny compared to Kathmandu. Most people come here to trek - the Annapurna trekking area is only a short bus ride from the town 

The terraced hillsides on the way up the trail...

The route up to ABC - Annapurna Base Camp

The scenery was not quite as spectacular as Everest - you start off at about 1000m above sea level and it takes a couple of days hiking to get into the mountains proper. 

The terraces are still ploughed by oxen...

The peaks come into view...

The area was extremely quiet compared to normal - a lot of trekkers had headed out of Nepal because of the earthquake and also there had been a lot of rain - it felt like I had the mountains to myself.

Ominous sign on the trail....

A glimpse through the clouds...

Beautiful Annapurna Valley

Langur monkey on the trail

Tea House - with obligatory stunning view...

 However the downside was that local business was affected - some of the teahouses I was staying in had not seen trekkers for 4 or 5 days

Like all treks in Nepal this one was not without it's risks - the Annapurna region is well known for avalanche risk  40 trekkers having lost their lives last October. 

 

Fortunately by the time I trekked the risk season was over - most of the avalanches had already happened (causing no problems to trekkers)

Old avalanche covering the trail

Another old avalanche on the valley floor

Annapurna is one of the highest mountains in the world at over 8000 metres but also one of the most deadly to climb. a third of all climber who attempt this summit don't return. Compare this to 2% on Everest...The area was littered with memorials to these climbers...

Memorial to a Korean climber although I can't agree with the opinion on the plaque - I would say if there's a 1% possibility turn back...

Memorial to famous Ukrainian climber Anatoly Boukreev who survived an Everest disaster only to die on Annapurna the next year...

Prayer flags at Annapurna Base Camp

At the top of the Annapurna Valley

Annapurna early morning

The Annapurna range from Poon Hill

 With not many fellow trekkers to stop and chat to it was all about the walking and I completed the trek in half the time it suggested in the Lonely Planet!

 

Once a bible for travelers it's reputation is much diminished these days - sites like TripAdvisor are much better for searching accommodation and restaurants but it is still useful for basic trip planning - of course no need to cram thick guides into your backpack anymore - ebooks have stopped all that nonsense !!      

At the end of the trek I got the bus back into Pokhara - the last few days here have been the laziest of my trip since I arrived in Bali - lazing around drinking beer, reading books and shopping for souvenirs...just like a normal tourist! :-)