The Annapurna Circuit
Trip Start
Feb 25, 2007
1
71
74
Trip End
Nov 12, 2007
Himalayas, Nepal
Saturday, September 29, 2007
After arrive I settled into my hotel and started trying to plan my time there. First on the list was the Annapurna circuit, that was the main reason I was there. I got my entry permit and bus ticket and headed off.
The first day was all travel by bus. The main part was from Kathmandu to Besi Sharha and then from there in a four wheel drive bus on a jeep track to the starting point
Annapurna I
. The next day I was off. The trek was epic. So much diversity and so many beautiful mountain views. On this trek you can see the world's 7,8 & 10th highest peaks. Altogether, it covers over 120 miles and ascends to 17,764 ft go over the Throng La Pass, supposedly the world's highest foot pass. The surrounds changed from tropical rainforest with innumerable waterfalls to arid alpine. The trail ran along river after river through deep valleys and gorges and then up over the pass and then down through the mystical and revered Mustang district. Each night I stayed in "tea houses" which are make shift mountain hotels that are basic but accomidating (besdies a bed, what do the really need?). The food was basic and increased in price along with altitude. There was a strong Tibetan influence in a number of the villages. The best part had to be the suspension bridges. Since you had to cross and re-cross all the rivers and gorges you used suspension bridges. Not quite the Indiana Jones style, some were builts by the Swiss and most were steel. Towards the end some of them were wooden planks with vegitation starting to over take it but I felt comforatble crossing it after watching donkey trains go over. 
