Standing in the foothills of the Himalayas on our 2014 Nepal Trekking trip, gazing out across the vast landscapes and spectacular snowcapped peaks of Nepal’s Annapurnas, you could only ask yourself one question: Why didn’t I come here sooner?
As you will see in this Photo Gallery from our 2014 Nepal adventure vacation (by Kelly Palmer), this Nepal womens’ trip, fortunately offered again in 2015, has it ALL including exploring Kathmandu, rafting on the Seti River, Himalayan trekking and elephant riding and wildlife viewing in Chitwan National Park. A truly magical journey of the body and spirit!
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- We had amazing views of Nepals’ Annapurnas on our flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
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- Our Himalayan hikes took us through fields and villages, up and down the foothills of the Annapurnas.
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- View from the Himalaya Lodge in Ghandruk. Annapurna South, Hinchuli and Fishtail mountains.
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- We were constantly surrounded by breathtaking views of Himalayan snow capped mountains.
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- Passing local people and other trekkers on Nepalese hiking trails, which are steep and made of slate steps in sections.
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- The valleys are deep and stunning – we stop to take in the scenery and rest.
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- Nepalese people are beautiful and their lifestyle is simple and inspiring.
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- Lots of goats and water buffalo in the villages, used for milk, meat and sacrifice in religious ceremonies.
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- The women porters for our trek are tough ladies!
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- Our guide Mani shares his love of Nepal via stories, history lessons and cultural information.
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- Mount Machhapuchhre, or Fish Tail, is sacred to the local population and is off limits to climbing.
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- The lodge accommodations were fantastic, particularly Gurung Lodge, in traditional terraced setting with lush landscaping.
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- Local school children performed traditional song and dance for us.
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- Photographers and cameras are a huge hit. Pam shows the porters their photos.
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- Often there are no roads, and we crossed several suspension bridges between villages.
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- Harvesting a rice field in the misty morning. The rice is cut, then lays in the field to dry before separating out the grain.
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- Kelly and her porter Suk Maya, who is 20 years old and walked for 3 days from her village to meet us for the trek.
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- Buddhist prayer flags are hung to promote peace, compassion, strength and wisdom. Its believed that the wind will carry the prayers…
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- … and spread good will and compassion. Blue symbolizes sky, white is air and wind, red is fire, green is water, yellow symbolizes earth. Stopping to pose on the bridge: Sara, Jennifer, Kris, Valerie, Kelly, Fran and Linda.
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- After trekking we raft down the Seti River, milky in color from limestone deposits. A relaxing river float followed by some wild rapids.
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- On our raft trip we stay in these great safari style tents overlooking the river…
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- … and enjoyed an ‘off’ day at Seti River Camp, relaxing, swimming, and hiking.
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- Then on to Royal Chitwan National Park to look for wildlife riding on elephants and see rhino, crocodile, wild boar, deer, birds, but no tigers.
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- Elephants and their mahouts. This baby elephant is 3 years old. They usually stay with their mother until they are 4 .
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- We got to meet the elephants! Valerie feeds an elephant kuchi, a treat of grass, rice and molasses.
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- Taking a boat to float down the Rapti River to look for wildlife…
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- …we also enjoyed a beautiful sunset.
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- The original food truck! A man selling his wares in Kathmandu.
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- The open air colorful markets offer spices, grain, and other wares grown in the foothills.
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- Rice grain being dried in Kathmandu. The grain is turned over several times and left in the sun before it is hulled out of its shell.
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- Boudhanath in Kathmandu, one of the largest stupas in the world. A stupa is used by Buddhists as a place of meditation. There are many Tibetan refugees in Nepal.
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- A monk practicing and chanting.
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- The architecture is beautiful on these ancient buildings. Look at those carved wood details.
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- Our group and porters bid Nepal good-bye!
