Annapurna Base Camp trekking
Adventure beautifully craved
ABC
is not as easy as abc!
Imagine
a short break from a squalid quotidian life to some salubrious place, preferably
away from urban hubbub. The trip to majestic mountains of Nepal will supplicate
all we need. If we get a small leisure time, as small as 5-7 days, a short yet
adventurous journey can easily be planned. Just we must have the penchant for
travelling and a hale, struggling body to cope with.
On
the months of February and March, many of our friends talked in closed Facebook
group regarding this trip. Some gave the tepid response while others showed
great enthusiasm. Finally a team of 6 people met in Pokhara in the morning of
April 8, 2017. From Baglung Bus Park, named so because buses to Baglung leave
from there, we took a bus towards Ghandruk (1940m). It took less than 4 hours
to reach the final point where bus left us on foot. Checking our bags which
were packed with thick jackets, sweaters, mufflers, caps, socks, medicines,
first-aid kit, and not to forget the cameras we headed towards Gurung cottage
where our morning meal was ordered on the way. Kisham dai welcomed us and
served the best food though it was expensive as compared to Dharan or
Kathmandu. But of course, it was full of energy that we utilized to climb down
the serene Ghandruk village amongst beautiful houses, dense forest and wooden
bridges on the way. We were planning to reach Chomrong that was visible from
Komrong Danda (2654m) on the other side of Kimrong Khola. Amidst the plethora
of sceneries ranging from verdant hills, small rivulets, ferns and recently
shed Lali Gurans tress we were unable to accomplish our target. Rather we
reached Kimrong khola, talked to an auntie and arranged our sojourn for the
day. Crossing the suspension bridge over Kimrong Khola was risky with the old,
loose wooden stacks over it.
Early
morning we climbed steep hill to reach a point from where an exquisite view was
beholden all around. With some hours spent on the hills downwards and upwards
we reached Chomrong Danda (2170m). Having a brief rest we took photographs of
Annapurna, Gangapurna and Machhapuchhre mountains from there. The small village of Chomrong was a paragon
of clean, well managed, lovely residential area; the pristine beauty of hills
and mountains adding insuperable amazement to the travellers.
At
Lower Sinuwa (2360m) we had our food that accrued the laziness to climb the
hill in the scorching sun. By the evening our team reached at Bamboo (2310m);
so named perhaps due to thick forest of bamboos all around. We were at sixes
and sevens regarding our journey ahead owing to stories from other travellers.
Sunil dai, a helper to foreign tourists, made us confident and assured us of
accommodation in Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC) if not at Deurali or Himalaya.
Getting accommodation is very difficult in this trail as foreigners are paid
more heed than the local travellers.
Next
day walking by the side of beautiful Modi River we passed accross Dovan (2600m),
Himalaya (2920m) and Deurali (3230) and reached MBC (3700m). At Himalaya we
relish at a restaurant to have garlic soup costing only 200 NRs. It is believed
that garlic can counterattack the acute mountain sickness, although we also had
a tablet of acetazolamide at Deurali as precaution. The en route to MBC from Deurali
was more adventurous due to snowfall and walk through the avalanche-prone risky
areas. But after ascent to it we were lost for words to describe the beauty of
snow-capped mountains.
The
apparent fish-tail shaped Machhapuchhre (only one end of tail is visible from
city of Pokhara), majestic Annapurna South up close, beautiful Hiuchuli and
many other unnamed pinnacles of mountains gave an exquisite view to
behold. Our hearts lurched exuberantly.
The
next morning we reached the destination, in the lap of these mighty mountains
laid the Annapurna Base Camp aka ABC (4130m). And when the morning light fell
upon the summits the scenery was prodigious.
The
journey back was filled with happiness of accomplishment. We reached lower Sinuwa
to rest travelling all the way from MBC to ABC then back.
This
trek would be incomplete if one were not to visit hot spring lying at the bank
of Modi river. Thus we decided to change track from Chomrong danda towards
Jhinu danda then submerged our tired torsos in the naturally hot water. In the
evening we reached Siwai to catch a van to Pokhara.
Travelling
is always fun but keeping the necessities is worth. And when you accomplish the
joy is inexplicable. It is rightly said, variety is spice of life.
The documentary I made can be found at:-
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