Our trip to Nepal began with a very warm welcome in the form of a welcome dinner the evening before the Nepalese New Year. The next day we enjoyed the colourful hustle and bustle and many great impressions in Kathmandu. Then it really started: we had chosen the Mardi Himal tour because the moderately demanding route along a rising mountain ridge promised us a great panorama of the Annapurna region.
The route started at about 1000m in an almost tropical climate, and after crossing through small villages soon led into the pleasant region of the mysterious-looking rhododendron forest. Even the first camps and occasional viewpoints gave us early-morning views of snow-capped peaks. From Low Camp, Machapuchare (Fishtail) already seemed very close – it was also very impressive to look at this mountain in the light of the full moon. On the way to High Camp we finally reached the region beyond the tree line. It was a perfect day to soak up the great impressions of the Himalayan panorama all around us! As always, our guide Khadga had planned the route perfectly, so that we arrived at the next camp in time before the midday shower. At High Camp the clouds quickly cleared again, so we spent the afternoon there simply watching the indescribable play of the clouds around Machapuchare. The next morning our small team started right before sunrise with the ascent through the freshly snow-covered landscape to the Mardi Himal viewpoint at 4200m. The incomparable natural spectacle we were able to experience there reached its perfect climax when the summit of Fishtail was, at the end, almost “faded out” by the clouds that had risen with us, ring-shaped from outside to inside – a clear signal to begin the descent.
Over the following two days the way back took us past High Camp, Low Camp and Forest Camp again. A bit further on we took the turn-off left down to Lwang. We reached this original village on a varied path through the ever-warmer forest, as well as across meadows, gardens and tea plantations. Our destination was a homestay, where we were very kindly received and looked after. From there we went back to Pokhara by jeep the next day, where we relaxed for a few days after the trekking tour.
We would like to thank the team of geoDiscovery Tours for the perfect organisation of this great trip. Special mention goes to our guide Khadga, who always took touching care of really all aspects of our well-being. Together with him and our “strong man”, who carried the majority of our luggage every day, a very special team grew together for these days: whether outside trekking or playing Uno together in the afternoon – we always had a lot of fun together! Thank you very much – we’ll happily come back!!
Warm regards,
Poh-Choo & Ralf
