Friday, June 8, 2012

Annapurna Sanctuary Trek: Part 8 - Jhinu to Phedi - Return to Civilization

After soaking in the hotsprings and enjoying a good nights sleep in the warmer temperatures, we were on the trail again.



We continued a gradual descent along the Modi Khola river.


As we walked along the river, Annapurna South loomed behind us, seeming to float above the clouds.

We saw some amazing bryophyte specimens in the moist jungles of the Himalayan foothills.







A fig tree.




Just look at all that moss :)

A beautiful blooming orchid.


After about 7 hours of hiking we reached Pittam Deurali (2100m) the last town we would stay in on our trek. It was located at the top of a hill, from where we saw our last glimpse of Annapurna South.




The trail down to the highway had a very peaceful herd of buffalo grazing next to it.

After 5 weeks and around 300 kilometers of walking we were happy to be back in the comfort of civilization at Pokhara. But the end of a hike is always bittersweet, especially one as amazing as this. It is hard to put into words, but our time in the Himalayas had definitely changed us. We will never forget the amazing things we did, wonderful people we met, and beautiful places we visited. In the end, these photographs can only express a fraction of what we experienced. The Annapurna mountains were without a doubt the most amazing place we had been on the whole journey. If there is anyone out there reading this who is in a position to trek the Himalayas, you owe it to yourself to do it. It is truly the hike of a lifetime.

We had a new appreciation for the small comforts, like hot showers and soft beds. But the screech of tires and honking horns from the road left no doubt that we had left the isolated mountain villages behind. 

After a couple of days in Pokhara, we were off to Kathmandu on another bumpy bus ride.

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