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The weather continued to play hide and seek with heavy rains
lashing in the night. For the first time in the trek I had difficulty in
sleeping. Not sure whether it was due to rains or altitude. But to our relief,
rains subsided in the morning.
lashing in the night. For the first time in the trek I had difficulty in
sleeping. Not sure whether it was due to rains or altitude. But to our relief,
rains subsided in the morning.
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| View from our hotel in Pisang |
It was a surprise when we looked outside from the windows of
our room. The weather was clear. The white mountains of Annapurna massif all
hidden from clouds until now were clearly visible. Also the mountains which we
had seen in brown on previous day were covered with snow!!
our room. The weather was clear. The white mountains of Annapurna massif all
hidden from clouds until now were clearly visible. Also the mountains which we
had seen in brown on previous day were covered with snow!!
We made a brief visit to Upper Pisang to savor some great
views of Annapurna peaks.
views of Annapurna peaks.
The clouds had cleared to provide a straight and clear view
of Swarga Dwar, a massive rock mountain of 5000 feet.
of Swarga Dwar, a massive rock mountain of 5000 feet.
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| Swarga dwar |
The most prominent peak in Pisang is the mountain that bears
its name, the Pisang peak. At 20,000 feet, it stands apart from the surrounding
area.
its name, the Pisang peak. At 20,000 feet, it stands apart from the surrounding
area.
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| Pisang peak |
Our journey was slow thanks to numerous photo stops. It was
simply not possible to walk faster without enjoying the views. The trail
climbed to a forested ridge which provided great views of the Hongde area.
simply not possible to walk faster without enjoying the views. The trail
climbed to a forested ridge which provided great views of the Hongde area.
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| Hongde airstrip |
Imagine the feel when you see an airstrip after trekking for
six days!! It was Hongde airport which provides an easy way to get in and out
of Manang. At present, no flights land at Hongde for reason unknown to me.
six days!! It was Hongde airport which provides an easy way to get in and out
of Manang. At present, no flights land at Hongde for reason unknown to me.
While the Hongde airstrip was visible from the ridge, it
took us nearly 90 minutes to walk down to Hongde village. Considering an
airport, we expected a “posh” village but Hongde was just a collection of few
small houses. We had to register ourselves at the Police check post here.
took us nearly 90 minutes to walk down to Hongde village. Considering an
airport, we expected a “posh” village but Hongde was just a collection of few
small houses. We had to register ourselves at the Police check post here.
The walk from Hongde was pleasant with little gain in
altitude. The views were excellent throughout the journey. We were awed by the
beauty of Annapurna massif. The trek was becoming interesting with each minute.
altitude. The views were excellent throughout the journey. We were awed by the
beauty of Annapurna massif. The trek was becoming interesting with each minute.
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| Me and Subbu |
We had our standard
lunch of Dal bhaat at Mungji and then continued our walk. We walked next to
Marsyandi River. The change in scenery was clearly seen. The dense forests we
started six days earlier had given way to coniferous forest. Now as we neared
Manang, the hills were all dry and brown. Only greenery we see was the shrubs and
grasses that grew in the area.
lunch of Dal bhaat at Mungji and then continued our walk. We walked next to
Marsyandi River. The change in scenery was clearly seen. The dense forests we
started six days earlier had given way to coniferous forest. Now as we neared
Manang, the hills were all dry and brown. Only greenery we see was the shrubs and
grasses that grew in the area.
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| Munji |
We stayed at Marsyandi hotel in Manang. The rooms were
provided for just Rs 100 which included hot shower and mobile charging with a condition
that we need to dine in their restaurant!!
provided for just Rs 100 which included hot shower and mobile charging with a condition
that we need to dine in their restaurant!!
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| Dry areas near Manang |
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| Manang valley |
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| Manang entrance |
The first phase of the trek was over as we reached Manang.
Though weather was not fully in our favor, the trek so far had been good. Altitude
plays an important role in the coming days. We were now at 11,600 feet which
required a day of acclimatization in Manang before we proceed to higher areas.
Though weather was not fully in our favor, the trek so far had been good. Altitude
plays an important role in the coming days. We were now at 11,600 feet which
required a day of acclimatization in Manang before we proceed to higher areas.
R Niranjan Das
Lovely pictures.
Vineeta Yashswi
Awesome…
The wild
Aravind ,the pictures of snow capped mountains are mesmerising.Quite amazing,too good 🙂
Aravind GJ
Niranjan, Vineeta, Arjun,
Thanks for your comments.
Country Hopping Couple
The pictures are lovely, just like those in postcards!
Dhiraj Reddy
The Pictures Are Incredibly Beautiful.
Aravind GJ
Anu & Sri, Dhiraj,
Thanks for your comments.
Subbu
Very first pic of both of us… after 6 days of treak :)….
Aravind GJ
🙂