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Trekking in Nepal

Picture of Deborah Bine
Deborah Bine

The Barefoot Blogger

The first day of trekking in Nepal was exhilarating. At first, I thought I would not keep up with the rest of the group. I started at the front of the line, just behind our guide. Within a few minutes, I dropped back close to the end. Eventually, I discovered what would become “my stride.”

Lakeside lodging in Kathmandu
Lakeside lodging in Kathmandu

The trekking day began at 6:30 am — a timeline we would keep from here on for this journey.

We left the lakeside resort at 8:30 am. After breakfast, we packed the last articles of clothing we’d need for our 4-day hike in our OAT (Overseas Travel Adventure) duffle bags.

A bumpy van ride in our dated bus led us through the already busy town of Pokhara.

 

Already, the scenery was getting interesting!

 

 

 

 

 

Roadside view of Nepal outside Pokara
Roadside view of Nepal outside Pokar

The first stop was a modern cultural museum dedicated to the history of mountain climbing in the Himalayas.

Mt. Anapura poster at the Mountain Museum on the way to our trekking lodge
Mt. Anapura poster at the Mountain Museum on the way to our trekking lodge

Next was a rest stop and our first view of Annapurna and Fishtail Mountain.

Mt. Annapurna and Fishtail Mountain
Mt. Annapurna and Fishtail Mountain

“Fishtail” is known as “Machhapuchhre” to the people of the western Himalayas –Machha (Fish) + Puchhre (Tail). The nearly 23,000-foot mountain has never been climbed because of its spiritual significance to the people of Nepal.

Fishtail Mountain of Nepal
Fishtail Mountain of Nepal

Our guide said we were incredibly fortunate to have such a good mountain view. It was magical to see it rising above the clouds.

After another two hours on the bus and a quick lunch, we headed to where we would begin our trek. There, we were met by our porters…five females from one of the nearby villages.

The women are members of a village group that works to provide opportunities for females outside of their customary roles. Since very few have a chance to be trekking guides, these women are trained as porters for small excursions. They make a bit of money for their services, which they can use to help support their families, bringing them great pride.

Mountain women porters for trek in the western Himalayas
Mountain women porters for trek in the western Himalayas

We started the trek above 3500 feet. That’s the highest altitude I’ve been in years! My “comfort zone” is closer to sea level.

Trekking on rough roads in Nepal that climb up steep mountains
Trekking on rough roads in Nepal that climb up steep mountains

We walked up and up into the mountainous region, passing villages and terraced farmland.

Believe me, the climb was not easy! Thank goodness for the trekking stick and patient guides. The uneven roads and rocky paths were a challenge. By the time we reached our destination in the late afternoon, we were above 4600 feet.

Everyone we met — well, maybe not everyone — waved and shouted “Namaste”.

 

Trekking group on the way to lodge
Trekking group on the way to lodge

 

IMG_2078
Farms and terraced fields are part of the serene and mystical Himalayas

Some hikers, I guess, were not so lucky. A shrine to lost mountaineers reminded us of the recent avalanche on Annapurna. The Sherpas, lost among the others, were well known in this part of Nepal.

By late afternoon, we reached the lodge.

We would spend the next four nights in our little cabins there.

Mountain lodge path to individual cabins
Mountain lodge path to each cabin
Women porters finish their day's long journey
Women porters finish their day’s long journey

Beautiful!

Home away from home for four nights on the Himalayan trek
Home away from home for four nights on the Himalayan trek

 Evening schedule

Tea, hot chocolate, coffee and cookies served at the cabin door each evening
Tea, hot chocolate, coffee, and cookies are served at the cabin door each evening.

Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies were served to us at each cabin. At 5pm sharp.

Dinner at 6:30pm.

Bedtime: 8:30.

No heat in the cabin… just a hot water bottle.

No one complained. We knew we would wake up the following day and see the sun shining on this magnificent place.

Annapurna mountain range view from my cabin porch
Annapurna mountain range view from my cabin porch
Annapurna
Annapurna

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