My new plan for the Annapurna Circuit

And so the inquiries I initiated just a few hours ago have resulted in my starting the AC trek TOMORROW.  Which seems pretty sudden as it's not the timing I had in mind but also perfect because I found an organized group that is leaving first thing in the morning ...

I'll be doing the trek with Earthbound Expeditions, based here in Kathmandu, starting in Besi Sahar tomorrow March 29th, returing April 16th to Pokhara.  The rough AC "itinerary" they've provided is below.  I'm not expecting frequenting the email so expect a massive "mission accomplished" email on April 16th.  Yes I am feeling full of good cheer, optimism and hope :)

Much love,
Me


Annapurna circuit trek - 17 days details

• Day 01, March 29  Drive from Kathmandu to Besi Shahar  then to Bhulbule and trek to Bahundanda (1430m/4691ft). Approx. 3 hours after drive
• Day 02, March 30 Bahundanda to Chamje(1560m/5118ft). Approx. walking 5 to 6 hours, 
• Day 03, March 31  Chamje to Bagarchap via Dhararpani (1810m/5938ft) Approx. walking 5:30 to 6 hours each day
• Day 04, April 1 Bagarchap to Chame
• Day 05, April 2  Chame Pisang (3190m/10466ft). Approx. walking 5 to 6 hours
• Day 06, April 3 Pisang to  Manang (3500m/11483ft)
• Day 07, April 4  One day rest in Manang for acclimatization, walk around it is Himalan Shangri-la
• Day 08, April 5  Manang to Yak kharka (4090m/1341ft). 
• Day 09, April 6  Yak Kharka to Throung Phedi (4441m/14570ft) Approx. walking 4 to 5 hours
• Day 10, April 7  Throung Phedi to Muktinath (3802m/11512ft) crossing Throung-la pass(5416m/17769ft);  Approx. walking 8:30 to 9 hours 
• Day 11, April 8 Muktinath to Marpha village via Jomsom (2665m/8743ft). Approx. walking 5:30 to 6 hours
• Day 12, April 9 Marpha to Ghasa (2080m/6824ft). Approx. walking 5:30 to 6 hours
• Day 13, April 10  Ghasa to Tatopani (Natural hotspring - ENJOY!) –(1110m/13361ft) 
• Day 14, April 11  Tatopani to Shikha (1935m/5859ft) Approx. walking 5 to 5:30 hours
• Day 15, April 12  Shikha to Ghorepani (2834m/9298ft) -  base of Poon hill . Approx. walking 4:30 to 5 hours
• Day 16, April 13  Ghorepani(2834m/9298ft) to Poon Hill (3210m/10531ft) ,  trek to Nyapul and drive to Pokhara by car for an hour. Approx. walking 6 hours
• Day 17, April 14 : trek to Nyapul and drive to Pokhara by car for an hour. Approx. walking 6 hours

Upon arriving in Kathmandu

I will not lie and say arriving in a totally foreign city where someone you've never met is waiting with a sign and the rest from here on out is really just up to you, is always great fun. 

Traveling alone is inspiring and fortifying in its own way and the challenges it brings are exciting to me, which is why I do it. I love the specificity of it, and getting to figure out for myself how to get from Point A to B, and the special satisfaction all of it brings.  I love the exposure traveling alone offers to people and places I might not otherwise get to experience, or at least not in the same way. 

That said, I envy Alice and Paulie when I meet them first off at the Yoga Center as soon as I arrive (www.yogainnepal.com.np). They are great friends from England who have been traveling together these past few months in India and Nepal, and are full of good travel advice.  I am hugely grateful for their warm reception, and we share the pomegranates and bananas they bought at the market while sitting and chatting away on their tent stoop (yes we are sleeping in tents). 

Last night - my first - brings with it deep gratitude as well for two things I remembered to pack: my headlight and my earplugs. I had no idea but Kathmandu is a city prone to power outages.  The handwritten sign posted for guests by the lone computer at the Yoga Center tells you when power will be on so you can check email: not that often.  So the headlight came in very handy after after it got dark at about 6 pm.  I was so tired I fell into a deep dark sleep after dinner - despite the dog barking orchestral symphony rock concert jam that began around then.  When the neighborhood roosters kicked in at around 4 am however I decided to give the earplugs a try and they WORKED.  Hooray!

The Yoga Center is perched on a hill on the outskirts of Kathmandu and today I actually did venture out, fully restored and rested from my trip, after lunch.  My yoga teacher - also the guy who basically runs this place - decided to accompany me, and proved a very helpful and knowledgeable guide about Swayambhu where we went - also known as the Monkey Temple for yes, obvious reasons.  Now I am in the city center, in the touristy Thamel neighborhood, waiting to make inquiries regarding the Annapurna Circuit and travels to Pokhara - probably tomorrow.

And now off to make inquiries I go...