• LouisaJames
  • LouisaJames

Nepal

Et 31-dags eventyr af LouisaJames Læs mere
  • Start på rejsen
    20. oktober 2016

    Kathmandu

    20. oktober 2016, Nepal ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    Great to back although twelve years has seen alot of development. It's as as busy and insane as ever. Not sure what my brother would have said about the electrics! Relieved that there is not much damage from last years earthquake in the thamel area. Funny how we always manage to find bikes, James is with a very rare to see in Nepal, carbon downhill bike.Læs mere

  • Kathmandu Sites

    21. oktober 2016, Nepal ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Visited Boudha Stupa and Kathmandu Durbar Square, both of which were very badly damaged last year. Surprised at how quickly Boudha has been repared, just needs painting now. Great to wonder through the alleyways and packed streets around these sites too.Læs mere

  • Upcoming 9 day rafting trip...

    21. oktober 2016, Nepal ⋅ 🌙 19 °C

    Just been to group meeting ready for a 7am start tomorrow with 14 other clients rafting and camping by the Sun Kosi (grade 4/5) for 9 days. Only booked trip yesterday so not much time to prepare but super excited as never could of imagined that we would be doing such a thing. No internet until we return...Læs mere

  • Day 1 Kathmandu to Dolaghat

    22. oktober 2016, Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Day 1
    Once the rafts and kayaks were free from power lines we could get going on a three hour transit to the North West where we packed up, inflated rafts and then finally rafted for three hours after a short safety briefing (what to do when we fall in!) sampling some grade 2 rapids. Lou had an astrology reading and massage by our very own 'Guru'.Læs mere

  • Day 2

    23. oktober 2016, Nepal ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    'No Exit' a grade 3 and 'Meat Grinder' a grade 4+ were the main rapids today that the two rafts with 7 clients in each plus guides, the heavily laiden kitchen/food raft and 6 safety kayakers had to get through. A good day to get used to the routine and techniques. Plenty of time for swimming too.Læs mere

  • Day 3

    24. oktober 2016, Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Up early with the sun rise around 6, just in time for meditation and yoga before breakfast. Had a set of rapids today called 'Pre, Post and High Anxiety'! Freshly prepared lunch on another golden sandy beach along the river while we took in a local temple. Meals are really good and just what you need after a says exercise. Candles and a bonfire help to add to the overall experience.Læs mere

  • Day 4

    25. oktober 2016, Nepal ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    What a day, what an experience! Today was a grade 5 called the 'Hakapur' and it certainly felt like it. After lunch and a walk along the river bank to scout out this very technical part of the river, our guides decided it was alright to 'run'. It's around here that the river that runs from Everest joins. We were going well until we saw a huge wall of water in front of us, a massive standing wave... Before we knew it we were trapped under our upturned raft that was laidened with our personal luggage in the middle of a series of grade 5 rapids. After what felt like ages and wondering where the surface was we came up for air and were spat out into an eddy on the side. I was never so plaesed to see one if the kayakers to hold on to while the raft was turned over, still in the raging river by James and some of the other lads who had clambered on top of it. We continued on the rest of the rapid once we were all safely back in the boat. The other raft had a scary moment in the next part of the raft with their guide and a few other thrown out. A few bruises and cuts later we all enjoyed a beer on the beach.Læs mere

  • Days 5-8

    29. oktober 2016, Nepal ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    We continued with the same routine of early morning yoga, breakfast, a mad rush to pack personal gear and tents before waiting for the rafts to be loaded up. Rafting the rapids, sometimes swimming the smaller ones, splashing each other, doing back flips off the raft and generally having a laugh was also part of the days. We were treated one day to a 'power shower' under a huge waterfall so a good chance to wash sand out of our hair... We had a go at learning how to roll in a kayak, play frisby with children and be photographed by Nepali tourists. The scenery was amazing, plenty of wildlife, with many locals living in tiny houses made from plants (some with a small solar charger on the roof for their mobile phones). Local villagers would visit our camps and be made-up with a nearly empty jar of something. This is a very poor part of a very poor country and it's easy to see why when there are no roads and plenty of steep hillsides. 'Jaws 1, 2, 3', 'Rhino Rock' and 'Jungle Corridor' which is 10km of non stop rapids then we finished off with the 'Rollercoaster' which we managed to stay upright after much effort from our guide to try and flip us. Towards the end the river from Makalu also joined the river bringing much colder water. 'Big Dipper' and 'Black Hole' were some of the final rapids we tackled before ending the trip with a final visit to another temple.Læs mere

  • Day 9

    30. oktober 2016, Nepal ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Having rafted the Sun Kosi, 'River of Gold', from near the Tibetan border in the North West of Nepal to the South East of the country, near to the Indian boarder, it was time to take the 15 hour bus journey back to Kathmandu over some of the bumpiest roads that must exist! We did manage to see river dolphins however. At times we were thankful it became dark so we couldn't see the sheer drops down the hillside. This expedition has been one the most memorable experiences that we have had and vastly different from anything else that we have done before.Læs mere

  • Back in Kathmandu

    30. oktober 2016, Nepal ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    Just back from rafting. Excellent trip, photos and comments to follow.

  • Off trekking

    31. oktober 2016, Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Off again... Back in Kathmandu for a day, now starting a three week trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal. Currently Dipiwali (festival of light) for the next four days, so plenty of music, dancing and festivities. Beautiful sunset over the Manaslu massif (8,500 ish metres) this evening.Læs mere

  • Day 2

    1. november 2016, Nepal ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    7 hours walking with plenty of tea breaks and food. A really hot day up and down the foothills with tiny villages hanging on the hillside surrounded by rice paddies. Our tea house is in the last photo, on the cliff above the river.Læs mere

  • Day 3 Jagat to Dharaparni (1860m)

    2. november 2016, Nepal ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    Walking by 7, lunch by 11! Steep, winding path that traversed the edge of the deep narrow valley all morning then it opened up. Much colder evening, even colder water to wash in. Card games a plenty.

  • Day 4 Daraparni to Chame (2670m)

    3. november 2016, Nepal ⋅ ☀️ 4 °C

    Later start this morning, walking at 7.30. Saw white mountains today beyond the incredibly steep sided valleys: Manaslu and Annupurna 2. Really happy to be back in the big snow capped mountains today. More prayer flags, wheels and tibetan dogs. Spoons is our new favourite card game although not sure other group appreciated the noise we made! Many laughs.Læs mere

  • Day 5 Chame to Lower Pisang (3200m)

    4. november 2016, Nepal ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Beautiful colour on the mountain early this morning followed by an avalanche. Lots more Buddhist prayer walls, wheels and flags. The scenery just keeps on improving. Huge rock slab, similar to, but much bigger than Half Dome in Yosemite. After early arrival we walked up to Upper Pisang to see the monastery and walked around village. Not as touristy as thought route would be as farming houses scattered amongst tea houses.Læs mere

  • Day 6 Lower Pisang to Manang (3540m)

    5. november 2016, Nepal ⋅ 🌙 19 °C

    Cold night as the water pipe had frozen and the temp in our room was 1 degree. Must be getting to higher altitudes as impromptu 'monkeys' and 'can can' dances on the trail! Took the high path option today (8 hours walking) so a very steep uphill walk to start the morning (3670m). This meant we had amazing views of the Annupurnas. Very dry and dusty trail so with the afternoon wind we didn't want to get the camera out. Chocolate cake and pastry at a bakery was a bit of a welcome surprise at the end of the day.Læs mere

  • Day 7 Manang Rest Day

    6. november 2016, Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Great to have a lie in this morning till 7am then a short walk uphill to help us acclimatise (3800m). Found another great bakery for lunch then explored the village. Off to watch a film later once the thermals are on! Cinema was an experience, gravel floor, wooden benches with yak skin and tea/popcorn at half time!Læs mere

  • Day 8/9

    8. november 2016, Nepal ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Yak Kharka (4018m) and Thorung Phedi (4450m) Slowly heading higher so we don't gain too much altitude too quickly. Getting colder (-7 one morning) and tea houses even more basic and busy. Dusty uneven wooden floors with stone walls and very draughty windows/doors. A cattle shed comes to mind! All adds to the experience though. Saw someone helicoptered out of here due to altitude sickness.Læs mere

  • Thorong La Pass (5416m)

    9. november 2016, Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

    Great day, started at 3am! -2 so not as cold as expected and great stars. 1000m ascent and 1700m decent today to get up and over the pass. A couple of tea houses offered a welcome hot lemon and rest from the cold. Brilliant day walking, even more amazing mountain views and both felt well in the high altitude. Walked from Thorong Pedi (4450m) to Muktinath, where Vishnu was born (3700m)Læs mere

  • Day 11 Muktinath to Kagbeni (2800m)

    10. november 2016, Nepal ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Short morning walk through a landscape of bare eroded hills in strong winds with a backdrop of snow-capped high peaks. Some beautiful villages with a very Tibetan feel about it in this Lower Mustang region. Stayed at Yak Donalds who did great food including Yak burgers! Loved all the goats, mini cows, dogs and horses that roam the village. Also saw yaks being butchered outside, quite an amazing place.Læs mere

  • Day 12 Muktinath to Marpha (2667m)

    11. november 2016, Nepal ⋅ 🌧 7 °C

    Now following the Kali Gandaki River, walking at times on the river bed looking for fossils unsuccessfully. Not impressed with Jomsom but liked the bandits look we were all giving off due to the strong wind and very dusty terrain. Passed Dumba Lake to then get amazing views of the Valley, Dhaulagiri and Tukuche Peak. Passed a permanent Tibetan refugee camp before reaching our stop for the night. Found ourselves inside a pre-school set up by a young amazing American girl. The place was inspirational and offered English lessons to monks and children before and after school as well as pre-school for 19 children from 9.30 til 5pm 5 and a half days a week.Læs mere

  • Day 13 Marpha to Larjung (2550m)

    13. november 2016, Nepal ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

    Supposedly walking in the deepest gorge in the world - to the east Annapurna 1 rises to 8091m, to the west the peak of Dhaulagiri at 8167m soars above us. Entered pine, cypress and juniper forest and left the barren landscape behind. Walked up high to get a better view of the glacier coming off Dhaulagiri.
    The main photo shows how to skin a yak!
    Læs mere

  • Day 14 Larjung to Ghasa (2010m)

    13. november 2016, Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Superb long walk today. Typical early start, walking by 7.30 or 8 then finishing by 4ish in the afternoon. Took a packed lunch today as less places to eat. Not seeing any other trekkers in this part as most fly out from Jomsom. More forests, Titi Lake, villages and superb views of the high peaks. Evenings getting slightly warmer now we are lower down but no burner in the dinning rooms to take the chill away. Bedrooms and 'hot showers' continue to be chilly as they are basic with no heating as they have been all along. Still, much easier than our usual camping treks.Læs mere

  • Day 15 Ghasa to Tatopani (1190m)

    14. november 2016, Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    An undulating path today in the steep gorge with interesting village life to look at on the way. Felt like wrinkled prawns after a 2 hour soak in the hot springs. It gave much needed warmth to our tired muscles. It was also a great spot to people watch!Læs mere