Nepal. Annapurna Base Camp
Our first stage of the speed trek on the Himalayan trails was an acclimatization hike to the Annapurna Base Camp. Over four days, we covered 70 kilometers of high-altitude trails with an elevation change of 6.5 thousand meters. Joining our "pilgrim" company for the first stage were two of our friends, Mykola and Andriy. Mykola not only helped us financially with the trip, but he also agreed to tackle one of the routes with us...
We spent the first two days in Nepal exploring the Kathmandu Valley and obtaining permits for entry into the national park...
On the morning of the third day, we took a bus to Pokhara, from where we reached the village of Nayapul by taxi in the evening...
nteractive map of the completed route (more detailed map)...
The next day, we set out on the trail, crossing into the conservation area of the Annapurna region...
Buffalo and tourists...
On the first day, we reached the village of Jhinu Danda...
From the village, a trail leads down to hot springs with sulfurous mineral water. Leaving our belongings in the room of one of the lodges, we descended to the springs...
There are two small pools filled with hot sulfurous water, which flows from the depths of the Himalayan mountains. The pools are located right next to a mountain stream, where we plunged into the cold water after soaking in the thermal springs...
Returning to the lodge, Andriy immediately fell asleep. The first 20 kilometers of the trail and the sulfur baths had exhausted him...
A very interesting sign greeted us as we entered the village of Chomrong: "Dear and respected tourists (trekkers), we would like to request you not to eat chicken, pork, or buffalo meat in this special area from Sinuwa to Annapurna Base Camp, due to ancient beliefs, the sacred temple, and the natural sanctity of the mountains. Otherwise, natural disasters and personal accidents may occur. Therefore, we ask you to follow the instructions. Thank you"...
We spent the second night in the village of Himalaya. A severe hailstorm motivated us not to go to the village of Deurali, where we had planned to stay. There were no outlets in the rooms here, so we charged our smartphones from the main light using an adapter we had bought in Kathmandu.
The room was cool, but we warmed ourselves with songs and good spirits...
After the hail and heavy clouds of the previous day, clear skies and sunshine accompanied us all day...
We stopped for tea at Machapuchare Base Camp. The summit of the sacred mountain was illuminated by the rays of the morning sun...
Here we are... By midday on the third day, we reached the Annapurna Base Camp (4130 m)...
Getting at the lodge, we ordered lunch. Mykola and Andriy stayed in the camp to enjoy the rest, while Dima and I climbed higher to the memorial for three Korean climbers...
Views of the peaks Gangapurna, Annapurna III, and Machapuchare... And below, the lodges of the base camp...
In the base camp, we were served lunch - rice with vegetables...
In one of the lodges, a portrait of the famous Soviet climber Anatoli Boukreev hung, who died during an ascent of Annapurna in 1998. Below the climber's photo was a text in which Boukreev described his attitude towards life and mountains...
From here, we had views of North Annapurna and Annapurna I...
We were enjoying the mountain scenery when suddenly one of the cornices broke off, triggering an avalanche...
For the night, we descended to Machapuchare Base Camp. The next day, after covering more than 25 km, we reached the village of Ghandruk...
On the morning of the fifth day, we said goodbye to the guys and continued our speed trek, just the two of us... Ahead of us were 275 kilometers of trails and roads on the Annapurna Circuit...
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