Nepal: Trekking in the Himalaya

The view from the bus to Dhunche

To get to Langtang National Park, we had to take an eight-hour bus ride, much like the buses we experienced in Madagascar - old, broken-down, and cramped full of people. There were frequent stops to let people from the aisle head up on top of the roof of the bus. Some even jumped aboard and climbed up there while the bus was moving! We were thankful we had paid a bit more to book actual seats so we at least had a bit of room for ourselves and all our luggage. At one point, the radio playing Nepali and Indian music throughout the bus started blaring one of our favourites: Jai Ho, from Zumba! It definitely got me bouncing in my seat! :)

As more and more people came aboard we were squished between them and their belongings. People were friendly, though, and we tried to make room under seats for bags and such. One woman asked me if I would be willing to help her with her load - and gave me her baby to hold!

  

After eight hours, we arrived in the town of Dhunche, where we would start our trek. The first day proved to be a model for all of the other days - either straight up or straight down was the norm (often both in one day, over and over again). It was nothing short of gruelling. But the views were diverse and outstanding! Here are some of my favourites:

The view starting our hike from Dhunche

Hiking up, up, up!

It's autumn in Nepal now, too.

A typical Nepali mountain house.

Lunch at a teahouse on the trail.

The Prayer Flags hanging from a temple.

One of the nicer teahouses we stayed in.

We think this is a Mountain Eagle.

At a hilltop Buddhist stupa.

The Hindu sacred lake, Gosaikunda.