The Annapurna Region in Nepal
If you asked me to describe the Annapurna Region of the Himalaya with a few words, I’d say “pink rhododendrons and breathtaking basecamp views”. The perfect time to visit? Spring. It’s when the magic of the mountain hills is in full swing with blooming trees popping up everywhere on the hills.
Blooming rhododendrons and other trees in the Annapurna region in spring time.
The Annapurna Circuit trek, especially in the beginning, is quite tough with a lot of stairs to climb until you reach Ghorepani. The mornings are cold and sometimes snowy or foggy. Getting out of your sleeping bag requires a good dose of motivation, mainly because the first thing you do is put on your ice cold shoes on. Breakfast doesn’t last long, but it’s super important to prepare your mind and body for the 5-6 hours of trek in the day. The atmosphere in the tea houses is quite cheerful and optimistic, everybody jokes around.
The welcoming gate of Ghorepani Poon Hill.
Then, the trek begins. Himalayan altitudes are no joke and while trekking, you will be out of breath multiple times. Plus, with less oxygen than what you’re used to, your brain starts to work differently. I noticed that my thoughts were racing between the real and the surreal. Another thing, the Himalaya changed in me the idea of what a strong person is. If you have never seen Sherpa people in action, you will be taken aback by their strength and resilience too. Many Sherpas hold Guiness records for accomplishments in mountaineering, yet they are humble as ever because they respect the mountain first and foremost.
Annapurna Base Camp, known among Nepali people as ABC.
And finally, a short note about the nights in the Himalayas. Ah the nights. The cosy mountain stays where dinner is always Dal Bhat and conversations around the fire are long. It is humbling to be underneath clear skies in the embrace of high peaks with nothing to disturb the silence but the wind tickling the trees. On a clear night, your view is saturated by millions of stars, a view guaranteed to stay locked in your heart forever.
Spring in bloom, Annapurna, Nepal.
I remember coming back to “the real world” and feeling as if city life was nothing but a simulation. The contrast between the open skies of the mountains and the crowded city was so big, I asked myself “is this really where humans live?” Right there, this point of confusion was the sweetest spot of the trip for me. See, we do all sorts of things to challenge ourselves in “normal life”. But in the Himalaya’s eternal wilds, everything is out of the ordinary. I believe, every person who’s been there once can’t forget their trip and, dare I say, they’re longing to live this adventure again.
Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal.
Copyright © Alex Kovacheva, Nomad Photos. All rights reserved.