Trekking the Annapurna Mountains — So That's What You Mean by Monsoon — Day 1 Out on the Himalayan Trail to Poon Hill: Naya Pol to Ulleri

Asia » Nepal » Uleri
June 25th 2013

Published: July 6th 2013

Today we woke up at 5:30 and got ready to set off from Pokhara on a tea house trek in the Annapurna mountains. The Annapurna mountains are a branch of the Himalayas. We were disappointed yesterday that it was too cloudy to see any of the snow-capped mountains around Pokhara. Today our guide, Devman (Dave), knocked on our door about at 6:30am to tell us to come to the rooftop to see the mountains. ... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 50, Displayed: 21

Comment Follow (12) Message

Mike & Elysia

mike and elysia

After a long year of work and studying, we are getting back into travel mode. Our newest adventure takes us to Africa for a 40 day overland journey that will have us camping our way through Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and South Africa. After we will spend 5 days in South Africa and then we will head back to Europe where we will spend 3 days with our friends in the Netherlands and 3 days with our friends in Berlin. It's going to be a crazy summer, but who knows when we will get this kind of time again? ... full info

Blog Options

Top Photos Blog Map Private Blogs (3)

Print Version

[blog=794034]

[blogger=78956]

Bakerloo?

No, but this kitten looks just like what Bakerloo looked like when she was a kitten!

Water Buffalo

The Map

Our guide didn't need it, but he brought it out at lunch to show us our route. We started in Naya Pol, then walked through Birenthanti towards Tikhedungga, then on to Ulleri, then to Ghorepani and Poon Hill. From Poon Hill, we would retrace our steps to Ghorepani, then move on to Ghandruk, and complete the circle back to Birenthanti.

At Lunch

Lots of corn fields everywhere you go. Actually, we didn't take a picture (and should have) of another field. It had three main crops: rice, corn and marijuana.

Lunch Time

This is where we had our first Mountain meal. Dal Baht!

Porters are Tough!

These chaps pack up to 30 kg, usually hanging off of a single strap over their forehead. Not an easy load to carry. We didn't have a porter — we carried our own stuff.

Elysia in Rain Gear

It's official. Monsoon season has arrived.

Rain Break

Taking a quick break to drip dry a little bit and to hope that the rain would slow.

Rain Break

Elysia was soaked through too.

Where are We Going? Up there!

Mike is pointing to Ulleri, which we could see, but didn't turn out well in the picture. When we finally got to Ulleri, we could see where we took this picture (which is also where we took our rain break).

Beautiful Nepal

An Unexpected Visitor

Yes, there are crabs in the mountains.

The End of the Road

And a steep end it was. Also, a recent landslide wiped most of it out. A small kid (probably 10 years old) just fixed it up with an excavator (EX-200 equivalent).

Hopping Across a Creek

We were trying to keep our feet dry as long as possible. Gortex doesn't help if water comes in over the top!

Tikhedungga

We've just arrived in Tikhedungga. We could stop here for the night, or soldier on to Ulleri. We opted to continue... not knowing how steep it was to get to Ulleri.

A Quick Break in Tikhedungga

Over the Bridge

Welcome to Tikhedungga

Now We Go Down, Down, Down

It's kind of unfortunate, because each step you go down is another you will have to go up!

Finally - We Made it to Ulleri

This is the teahouse we stayed in the first night. Simple rooms and good food.

Our Room in Ulleri

6th July 2013

Chris
non-member comment

Well you are in Asian leopard cat country. Wouldn't it be cool to see the foundation wild cat of the Bengal breed in the wild?

7th July 2013

donna
non-member comment

Good read
So that's a true monsoon. Looks like we've been exaggerating our coastal rains. The river looks spectacular, like Hagwilget Canyon near Hazelton BC. You must be walking in headwater country. And it looks like Nepal, like Canada, has water. Nice layout in your blog. I like the balance of text and images, and easy navigation. Engaging. Thanks for sharing your travel stories, dd

Tot: 0.11s; Tpl: 0.019s; cc: 12; qc: 25; dbt: 0.0582s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.1mb

Do not copy images or text from this page without requesting and receiving permission. All rights are reserved by the author and photographer.

Contact Mike & Elysia (mike and elysia) - a lack of a response does not mean that you have permission to use material from this page.

Trekking the Annapurna Mountains — So That's What You Mean by Monsoon — Day 1 Out on the Himalayan Trail to Poon Hill: Naya Pol to Ulleri

Copyright Notice: All Rights Reserved