Annapurna Circuit Trek, Nepal. September 2011

At the end of September eleven friends and I headed off to Nepal again, this time to trek the Annapurna Sanctuary route to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) in the Himalayas, this was so different to the Everest Base Camp trek which we completed two years ago; it was far prettier, walking through Rhododendron forests, with hundreds of fabulous waterfalls.

The trek was 100k which we completed in just nine days, there were however 30,000 steps so my knees will never be the same again! 

 At Annapurna Base Camp you are surrounded by many mountains at a height of around 7000m, at sunset it was breathtaking, my favourite is Fishtail Mountain, this is considered to be sacred, it has never been summited.

After we completed the trek we had a farewell meal with the Nepalese porters and guides, what a fantastic bunch of people, I can’t wait to go back again.  Not only did we take gifts for the Star Children Orphange, but also raised funds for Crossroads Care, Bennetts Funeral Directors nominated charity of this year.  If anyone would like to donate please visit http://www.justgiving.com/Jane-Bennett2

 After 10 days in Nepal we headed off to Bhutan for another ten days, the King and Queen were married the day after we arrived – how auspicious!  We travelled around for a good few days, and even met and chatted to the King, we also did some trekking there as well.

On the final trekking day we walked down to the Tigers Nest Monastery, it makes you wonder how they built it, on the edge of a mountain.

 An interesting country, they value Gross National Happiness above Gross National Product, lovely people.