A special trek in the Annapurna

Trekking up through the forest towards Parje
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After an overnight stop in Kathmandu we enjoyed a spectacular flight with Yeti Airlines to Pokhara, with great views of the Annapurna mountain range.

Our week-long trek would take us from Hyangja to Begnas Tal, through breathtaking and varied scenery, from rural villages, forested mountainsides, terraced farmland to picturesque river valleys. Everywhere we went we were greeted warmly with children calling "Namaste" from near and far. The never ending stone steps enabled us to climb quickly to amazing views but also had our pulses racing and our knees aching! Fran and Vee enjoyed a close encounter with a leech or ten, an experience Chris was sorry to miss out on!

Hannah enjoying her dhoko
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A specially adapted dhoko enabled Hannah, who is profoundly disabled, to have the ride of her life in complete comfort. Her porters attended to her every need as they clambered over, and hacked through, fallen trees brought down by recent heavy snowfall.

Soaking our aching limbs in a natural thermal pool by the Seti River and surviving two tremendous hailstorms, which knocked down tents but cleared the sky to give us magnificent views of Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna peaks, were memorable highlights.

What a welcome at Gyhamrang
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The villagers of Parje and Ghyamrang entertaining us with folk-singing and dancing, paddy fields by the Madi Khola, a spectacular camping location on a ridge at Ghale Kharka and the excellent and varied food provided by our trekking team, made our week in rural Nepal an unforgettable experience.