When I heard about the majestic Annapurna Range, with its natural amphitheatre, which takes six days of trekking to reach, I became very curious. Having recently summited Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, I already had the hiking boots, a four season sleeping bag and a head torch (all the necessary equipment), so I recruited a friend and we booked on to the group tour.
The trek does require a relatively good level of fitness - before you reach the mountains the foothills have to be tackled. The first few days of trekking were in very warm exposed conditions under bright blue skies with the sun beating down on us. It’s all uphill to the coffee break, then downhill to a leisurely lunch, uphill to afternoon tea and a bit more ascent to the next overnight lodge. Walking poles are highly recommended to help transfer the weight evenly and save your knees.
I really enjoyed staying at the traditional teahouses. They're basic but comfortable. After a long day of walking, the sight of the blue-painted roofs in the distance was a joy and relief, and the aroma of Dal Bhat coming from the kitchen was truly mouth watering! The afternoon relaxation hours after the trek were the perfect time to take in the scenery and spend time getting to know our Sherpas, teaching them card games and sharing stories of our contrasting lives.
Most walkers cope with the altitude well and although you will trek up to 4,130 metres at Annapurna Sanctuary, we do not sleep at this height on our itinerary. The trail is demanding, but definitely achievable with some training. The main challenge is the stone steps that pave the way almost entirely.
The day’s trek up to the Annapurna Sanctuary was a memorable highlight. We had been staying at the base of the Fishtail Mountain - Machhapuchhre Base Camp. Our Sherpas woke us at 4am, and although the walk was just over an hour, it was a long trek in the cold temperatures. We were lucky enough to be guided by a full moon and the bright stars under clear skies. It really was an unforgettable experience – just as the moon was setting ahead of us behind the Annapurna range, the sun was rising, so we had this incredible view of the sunlight shimmering gold against the mountains.
In these recent uncertain times I feel particularly grateful that I have experienced the stillness and beauty of the Himalayas and got to spend nine days with the kindest and friendliest people I have ever encountered. It really puts into perspective everything that we have and that we sometimes take for granted in the Western world. With a bit more free time on my hands at the moment I find myself being drawn to my holiday photos and reliving all of my different travel experiences.
What I took away from my time in Nepal is the Buddhist culture: to live in the moment and to be still. In this current pandemic situation we find ourselves in I find these beliefs more important than ever. The mesmerising prayer flags have an undeniable presence amongst the villages along the trail. They represent the five elements and are printed with mantras for prosperity, long life, good health, world peace and harmony. When they sway in the gentle breeze of the morning wind it's believed that the answers to our questions and the problems to our solutions are spread across the world. I wish I had brought some back with me!
I wonder, if at the end of this world ‘lockdown’ whether we will notice a shift in people’s motivation for travel. Perhaps people will choose to travel with a sense of purpose, to break out of their own comfort zone, be that physically, mentally or culturally. Life is not a race, it’s not about reaching a final goal but about embracing the journey and enjoying every moment along the way. This can certainly be said for a once in a lifetime trip such as the Annapurna Sanctuary Lodge trek.
Contact a member of our friendly team to book your place on our Annapurna Sanctuary Lodge Trek.
