“The trek around Annapurna” is considered one of the most scenic and most popular hiking trails in the world. Every year it is passed by about 20,000 mountain hikers from different countries.
The length of the full route – 211 km, the duration of the hike – about 20 days, the altitude difference – from 800 m (Besisahar village) to 5416 m (Torong-La Pass).
This trek would not be so popular if it did not pass through the jungle, passing mountains, waterfalls, expanses of rice fields and fairy-tale villages.
As experienced tourists assure, no one has ever returned from a trip to the Annapurna Mountains the same.
After all, Nepal – the most majestic mountains in the world, the world’s deepest gorges, Buddhist temples lost in the mountains, the place of power and inexhaustible energy.
Nepal is a tiny country sandwiched between China and India. People come here for the Buddhist shrines, the conquest of peaks (for example, you can climb Everest) and the amazing nature.
The only international airport in the country is in the capital, Kathmandu. The city is worthy of spending at least three days there, preferably before trekking around Annapurna. After trekking in the mountains, this city will seem too hectic and dusty – a real embodiment of chaos. It is better to enjoy it before trekking while your soul is still in the wilds of nirvana. Kathmandu is a whole world, but you can start the acquaintance like this.
Bodnath Stupa. Built in the 5th century, the stupa is the mecca of Buddhists from all over the world. It is customary to walk around the stupa clockwise and with his right hand to spin the special drums, which are written with prayers in Sanskrit. It is believed that when the drum is spun, the prayers go straight to heaven.
The first time you walk around the stupa, you pray for all life on earth, the second time for all animals and only the third time – for yourself. One circle of about 800 meters. Not a bad way to ask the local gods for a good hike and at the same time to practice walking. Sellers will be shoving all sorts of trinkets in your hands. Around the next corner you can buy the same, but at half the price.
Pashupatinath Complex. This is the center of Nepali Hinduism, founded in the 13th century. In fact, a walk through this place will not be joyful and the faint of heart is not recommended at all. But if you do venture out, your world won’t be the same. People are being burned here. Right in front of your eyes. You stand across a small liquid river and watch as a person is first covered with wood, then something is poured over them and set on fire. After a while, the ashes and what’s left are dumped into the river and the next person is put down. The cows try to find something edible underneath, and the dashing Nepalese scrub the ashes off the dirty dishes. The relatives and friends of the burned look on calmly, apparently, this is how it should be.
There are about a dozen temples dedicated to Shiva in Pashupatinath. In the middle of each mini-shrine stands a lingam – a short cylindrical column with a rounded top, which symbolizes the phallus – the embodiment of physical strength, creation, renewal. In addition to shrines, Pashupatinath has a special house where the elderly come to die, a hospital for typhoid patients, sadhu houses and an inn for pilgrims. In short, the place is colorful.
Swayambunadh is a Buddhist temple center on the outskirts of the capital. It is also known as the Monkey Temple. Keep in mind that these cute but cunning animals are best avoided. They are thieves, and although a banana in your hand is much nicer to them than an iphone, the tailed ones can steal it too. There is a large stupa in the center of the complex, with 365 steps leading up to it, which is also a good training before future ascent.