We finally arrived victoriously in Muktinath (3800m) 12 hours after we left Thorung Phedi. The soft beds at the Hotel Bob Marley were extremely welcoming. After some delicious yak sizzlers for dinner, we quickly retired to bed for a much needed rest.
We slept soundly for over 12 hours and finally woke up feeling rejuvenated but very sore. We decided it was a good idea to take a rest day in Muktinath and explore the town.
The hillside above us strewn with prayer flags.
Muktinath is located in the upper Kali Gandaki valley. The climate is very dry as it is in the rain shadow of the Annapurna range. This caused the species composition to be very different in this high altitude desert ecosystem, in contrast to the Manang valley.
Muktinath is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus and houses a sacred spring as well as a complex of holy temples.
A giant prayer wheel.
Rock stacks in the temple complex, made by devotees.
The main temple in honour of Shiva.
During our visit it began to snow, even though it had been sunny when we arrived.
Frank sporting his 'mountain man' beard.
A mother cow and her baby, with a Nepali lady surveying the scene in the background.
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