In April 2014 I traveled to Nepal to trek around the Annapurna Circuit, known to be one of the world's most beautiful treks. The views certainly exceeded my expectations. One of the wonderful things about the trek is that the views start out great and only get better each day of trekking. My small trekking team consisted of a guide, porter, and another trekker from Spain, although certainly you could opt to do the route without guide and porter. I wouldn't recommend going solo for safety reasons, and we saw several missing person flyers along the route. We hiked the full circuit, going over our high point at Thorung La Pass, and continuing past Jomson to finish the circuit. We also added on some side trips taking the treacherous route to snow covered Tilicho Lake, and staying at a community lodge in Mohare Danda. After the trek I stayed in Pokhara and Bhaktapur (a great alternative to Kathmandu) before flying home. Below are some of the many photos from my trip. Enjoy!
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| There were lots of waterfalls at the lower elevations as we started our trek. |
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| Starting to get some views of what our guide called "hills." |
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| Prayer wheels. |
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| View of Annapurna II from Upper Pisang. |
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| Me in front of Annapurna II. |
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| Panorama of Annapurna II on the left and Annapurna III on the right. |
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| Annapurna II with mani stones. |
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| One of many suspension bridges. |
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| Looking back at the landslide zone we crossed en route to Tilicho Lake. |
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| Tilicho Lake covered in snow! One of the highest lakes in the world at 16,240 feet. |
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| High Camp: last camp before Thorung La Pass. Elevation 15,850 ft. |
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| Early morning trek to Thorung La Pass. |
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| Me with my trekking team at Thorung La Pass; 17,800 feet. |
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| Juniper and Pine forest at lower elevation. |
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| Sunrise view from the popular Poon Hill. Elevation 10,500 feet. |
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| Lots of Rhododendron trees blooming at higher elevations. |
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| Fewa Lake in Pokhara, where I recuperated after the trek. |
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| Stone carving at a temple in Bhaktapur. |
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| Durbar Square in Bhaktapur. |
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| Pottery Square in Bhaktapur. |
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| Changu Narayan temple near Bhaktapur. Considered to be the oldest temple in Nepal. |
