King's School Manaslu Trek - April 2011 - Part 1 - Kathmandu to Machha Khola

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Manaslu Himal - the purpose of our trek is to walk round the base of this mountain which at 8,156 metres / 26,759 feet is the 8th highest peak in the world Saturday, 2nd April - we arrive at Kathmandu airport. Katrina retrieves our luggage These Classic Journeys bags will never look this pristine again We are met by a Karnali Tours coach Garlands of fresh flowers await us
Manaslu Kathmandu Kathmandu Kathmandu Kathmandu
         
We are each given one A banner welcomes us to the Shangri La Hotel One of the first things to do is exchange English money for Nepali rupees This is serious business and needs eagle eyes to spot the no longer legal notes in the bundles Our evening meal at the hotel has Everest beer to wash it down
Kathmandu Kathmandu Kathmandu Kathmandu Kathmandu
         
The hotel gardens are lovely Sunday, 3rd April - what a fine setting for breakfast A haven of peace in the chaos of Kathmandu The swimming pool... ...with a beautiful Bougainvillia
Kathmandu Kathmandu Kathmandu Kathmandu Kathmandu
         
A sightseeing tour takes us to visit... ...Boudhanath Stupa, one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal The stupa is one of the largest in the world Situated on an ancient trade route from Tibet, the Boudhanath has offered shelter to travellers over the centuries People process clockwise round the stupa, turning the prayer wheels and making offerings as they go
Kathmandu Boudhanath Boudhanath Boudhanath Boudhanath
         
The crowd is varied and colourful Hundreds of prayer flags decorate the stupa There are many Tibetan Buddhist gompas or monasteries in the surrounding area A giant prayer wheel is kept turning by devotees Smaller prayer wheels are set in the walls around the stupa
Boudhanath Boudhanath Boudhanath Boudhanath Boudhanath
         
The precincts are busy with traders, devotees and beggars The electricity cables in Kathmandu have to be seen to be believed..... ...but apparently they do the job A typical street in Kathmandu A street trader selling ceremonial dyes at the entrance to the Hindu Pashupatinath Temple complex
Boudhanath Kathmandu Kathmandu Kathmandu Pashupatinath
         
The Pashupatinath complex with, on the left, the ghats where bodies are cremated The Bagmati River is considered sacred because it eventually flows into the Ganges This funeral pyre is ready to receive the body The men of the family prepare the body for the pyre and take off the orange shroud The pyre is set alight
Pashupatinath Pashupatinath Pashupatinath Pashupatinath Pashupatinath
         
Relatives wait until the body is consumed The ghats People come to Pashupatinath to commemorate their dead relatives with a meal and offerings A view across the Pashupatinath complex - note the anti-monkey device on the lamp post Pashupatinath Temple is one of the largest Hindu temples in the world. The roofs are covered in gold
Pashupatinath Pashupatinath Pashupatinath Pashupatinath Pashupatinath
         
A small temple in the complex A home for the elderly is very handy for the ghats Pashupatinath The holy river, Bagmati Pashupatinath monkeys
Pashupatinath Pashupatinath Pashupatinath Pashupatinath Pashupatinath
         
A load of bricks for repair work Blood stains from sacrifices A small school near Pashupatinath Swayambhunath or the Monkey Temple Resident monkeys
Pashupatinath Pashupatinath Pashupatinath Swayambhunath Swayambhunath
         
Moving up through the Swayambhunath complex Swayambhunath The Swayambhunath Stupa - the two eyes on the stupa represent wisdom and compassion 7th Century statue of Buddha Swayambhunath Stupa
Swayambhunath Swayambhunath Swayambhunath Swayambhunath Swayambhunath
         
Prayer wheels and monkey Swayambhunath Stupa Small caged birds... ...offerings? A welcome lunch break at Rum Doodle's in Thamel
Swayambhunath Swayambhunath Swayambhunath Swayambhunath Rum Doodle's
         
Bella tries out and buys a stringed instrument of some sort Katrina and Karen in a street in Thamel We take a cycle rickshaw back to the hotel The rickshaw driver seems happy with his fare A refreshing swim in the pool
Thamel Thamel Kathmandu Kathmandu Kathmandu
         
Our evening meal in a Nepalese restaurant Delicious vegetable curry Monday, 4th April - John briefs us about the daily Back pack on and all the gear to hand, ready for our journey to Arughat Loading the kit bags on to the buses
Kathmandu Kathmandu Monday, 4th April - Kathmandu Monday, 4th April - Kathmandu Monday, 4th April - Kathmandu
         
Ready to go We stop for fuel... ...and some miles further on, for road side repairs A bit of leverage... ...and the wheel is off
Monday, 4th April - journey to Arughat Journey to Arughat Journey to Arughat Journey to Arughat Journey to Arughat
         
The mechanics look as if they should still be at school Bishnu adds a bit of weight to the wheel brace We arrive at our lunch stop at last Roadside market near the restaurant The scenery becomes more rural
Journey to Arughat Journey to Arughat Journey to Arughat Journey to Arughat Journey to Arughat
         
Preparing the ground for rice Arughat - our baggage is off loaded and waiting for us Arughat - 520 metres / 1,700 feet - our first night under canvas Tent No 9 - this becomes our tent for the duration of the trek Tuesday, 5th April - Arughat - this is the starting point of our trek
Journey to Arughat Arughat Arughat Arughat Tuesday, 5th April - Arughat
         
Tuesday, 5th April - Arughat to Soti Khola - the first of many bridges to be crossed The Buri Gandaki River is our companion for many days to come on this eastern part of the Manaslu Circuit Camera at the ready Arughat - Ramesh and Vimsem get our papers checked at the police post My trekking permit
Arughat to Soti Khola Arughat to Soti Khola Arughat to Soti Khola Police checkpoint Trek Permit
         
The fields are terraced and well cultivated. At this height we are in a sub-tropical climate zone These children are turning a machine to squeeze cane The porters overtake us to prepare our lunch and set up camp Arughat to Soti Khola - a local lady We take a break under a shady tree. It is very hot
Arughat to Soti Khola Arughat to Soti Khola Arughat to Soti Khola Arughat to Soti Khola Arughat to Soti Khola
         
Arughat to Soti Khola - working in the rice fields Arughat to Soti Khola - this group is weeding maize Glenys has the monkey today Arughat to Soti Khola - another shady rest stop Arughat to Soti Khola - local children come to greet us
Arughat to Soti Khola Arughat to Soti Khola Arughat to Soti Khola Arughat to Soti Khola Arughat to Soti Khola
         
Fraser shows them the photograph he has taken These men are making wire netting by hand. It is very precise Arughat to Soti Khola Alasdair, Bella and Sandie Arughat to Soti Khola - another bridge to cross
Arughat to Soti Khola Arughat to Soti Khola Arughat to Soti Khola Arughat to Soti Khola Arughat to Soti Khola
         
Arughat to Soti Khola Katrina Lunch break - it is very hot Lunch I decide that long sleeves are needed to prevent sunburn
Arughat to Soti Khola Arughat to Soti Khola Arughat to Soti Khola Arughat to Soti Khola Arughat to Soti Khola
         
We arrive at our camp site at Soti Khola - 730 metres / 2,400 feet We relax in the shade waiting for our tents and baggage to arrive by truck This young lady is quick to bring us beer and soft drinks Some people play cards... ...John takes a nap after his beers!
Arughat to Soti Khola Soti Khola Soti Khola Soti Khola Soti Khola
         
There are many mules at Soti Khola. Our trek mules are chosen from these At last, the truck arrives with our tents and bags We celebrate by taking a dip in a waterfall pool A banana plant seen on the way to the pool Dinner is in the open beside the Buri Gandaki
Soti Khola Soti Khola Soti Khola Soti Khola Soti Khola
         
Wednesday, 6th April - Soti Khola to Machha Khola - breakfast outside in the sunshine. What could be better than this? Katrina and Alasdair Almost ready to set off from Soti Khola Katrina cleans her teeth with the help of some local friends A hoop and stick seems to be a timeless toy
Weds, 6th April - Soti Khola to Machha Khola Soti Khola Soti Khola Soti Khola Soti Khola
         
As we set off, the mules are having their breakfast nosebags The mules wait to be loaded The bridge across Soti Khola Khola means river in Nepali. The bridges wobble a lot, hence the outstretched hands A young boy climbs this tree - I am not sure why
Soti Khola to Machha Khola Soti Khola to Machha Khola Soti Khola to Machha Khola Soti Khola to Machha Khola Soti Khola to Machha Khola
         
Soti Khola to Machha Khola - mid-morning break Soti Khola to Machha Khola - porters overtake us on the trail Katrina has a rest in the shade These delightful ladies give us gifts of sweet smelling roses Spectacular scenery
Soti Khola to Machha Khola Soti Khola to Machha Khola Soti Khola to Machha Khola Soti Khola to Machha Khola Soti Khola to Machha Khola
         
Ramesh looks down on the Buri Gandaki Soti Khola to Machha Khola - lunch break Soti Khola to Machha Khola - lunch break Local ladies This lady is grinding corn...
Soti Khola to Machha Khola Soti Khola to Machha Khola Soti Khola to Machha Khola Soti Khola to Machha Khola Soti Khola to Machha Khola
         
...I am not sure what is going on here The mules overtake us. We are always pleased when this happens, because it means there is a good chance that camp will be set up early for us The kitchen crew look after us very well - as always Soti Khola to Machha Khola - spectacular view of the way ahead The Buri Gandaki meanders at this point and in a short while we drop down onto the river bed
Soti Khola to Machha Khola Soti Khola to Machha Khola Soti Khola to Machha Khola Soti Khola to Machha Khola Soti Khola to Machha Khola
         
Entrance to a village A bit of roofing work in progress Our route crosses a bridge and hugs the cliff face... ..and then the path goes down to the river bed We carry along the bottom of the valley
Soti Khola to Machha Khola Soti Khola to Machha Khola Soti Khola to Machha Khola Soti Khola to Machha Khola Soti Khola to Machha Khola
         
Magnolia This lady is breaking stones into chippings Katrina tells John off for playing a trick on her. Our camp site at Machha Khola - 930 metres / 3,050 feet We are tight for space... ...but it is good fun
Soti Khola to Machha Khola Soti Khola to Machha Khola Machha Khola Machha Khola Machha Khola
         
We are watched closely by the villagers The river once more provides us with an opportunity to wash and cool down Everyone seizes the opportunity to wash clothes What a fine place for a laundry No toilet tents tonight. We have a toilet block
Machha Khola Machha Khola Machha Khola Machha Khola Machha Khola
         
Every day the kitchen crew prepares wonderful meals for us in dark, cramped conditions like this        
Machha Khola        
         
         
         
         
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