Second day in Nepal. We decided to fly instead of terrible 8 hours by bus. Three hours after official departure time we suddenly hear name of our flight. That is concerning plate of rice from our flight company as apologizes for small lag. Now we are in aircraft. Pilot turns several switches, but nothing happens. He starts to repair engine, then fuel is delivered and very soon we are crossing first pass just hundred meters below us.

Our path starts some 50 km from Pokhara. We are deciding to go there by taxi. But small accident again happens…

…. when we are driving down from mountain pass, our taxi looses one wheel.

First evening on the path. Dinner.

 There are police checkpoints in narrow places on the trail.

4. and then cover it carefully

 Age is not a hindrance.

Corn figures are really funny.

 Although first day in mountains is not the best for different records, we did it! +1725 altitude meters in one day is personal record for everybody of us..

 Our dinner is going the same path.

Hotels. For us electricity and hot shower are most important features. 

Brand name Hilton does not mean that you can sleep without cap.

 Ghorepani wakes up early. Long cue of lights climb to near Poon Hill

to see from this beautiful viewpoint sunrise in Himalayas

 Annapurna and holy mountain Machhapuchhre

After each hour of trekking we are looking for nearest tea house

 Lemon tee big pot, two Cola, one Orange Fanta…this is more or less traditional order there

 But in lunchtime Tomato soup definitely join the list.

Each good restaurant has its own restroom.

We have reached agricultural territories

 Kids. They usually speak fluent English. First comes "photo", then "sweets, pen…"

 Bridges. This is special story. If any hole appears here, it will be carefully covered by stone.

 Tatopani hot springs - good place for relaxation after eight hours walk.

 And San Miguel or Tuborg together with great main course.

Kali Gandaki caravan route is one of most important trade routes between India and Tibet.

 Deep canyon begins after Rupse Chhahara

 Next morning we have steep climb

 Then Kali Gandaki valley becomes wider and there are beautiful views around

 This place is important due to local brandy distillery.

After 10 AM always become windy in the valley.

This is mountain dessert. Wind spins sandspouts around the valley.

 Marpha is one of largest and most beautiful villages on our trail.

Marpha's sausage!

 Any vegetation has disappeared till this place.

Kagbeni - entire labyrinth of streets with stupas and pray wheels.

There are two guards against gremlins - male and female, located in both sides of the town. This is male one, as you see...

Today our route is up to Muktinath - second most important centre of Buddhists and Hindu.

 We prefer horse ride.

 We have reached around 4 km altitude.

 Near Jwala Mai temple

 Visna temple and 108 springs.

 One of most beautiful views I ever have enjoined

Here we go inside gompa

 And explore our next hour route from roof of the gompa..

We are flying between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Top of Dhaulagiri is still 4 km above us.

One day recreation in Pokhara fruit oasis

Each truck is real masterpiece

Next stage of our expedition is so called rafting. For beginning we are becoming more familiar with commands fast forward, left forward, stop, backward

 Actually using of photo and video equipment is strongly prohibited by crew of our boat. Only between two rapids we can make several pictures. And this is good advice.

We are moving southward

This is Narayani river in shades of the evening. We are looking for boat that should wait for us there.

 Yes, here it comes

Early morning starts with elephant ride...

 There are more than 400 rhinos in Chitwan National Park. They are dangerous animals and can reach 50 mph in short distances. The best is to stay still in case of attack and go several steps sideward in the last moment. And the best is if you have a tree behind J

This is not a beam! Crocodiles of Ganga can reach 7 m length.

Closest familiarization we have with leaches.

 Bharatpura is beautiful city. "There is no difference comparing with India", says Vitalijs, who has been also there.

Holy cow.

Nice hotel

Back to Kathmandu.

Durbar square

 Prayer-place

There are lot of interesting people near the temples.

 We never have seen angry dogs here.

Stairs to monkey stupa of Kathmandu

 This is meat shop. And these are not defects of film - these are flies.

 Patan is satellite city of Kathmandu. We are visiting Durbar square of Patan.

 "Very cheap, what is your last price?"

 As last mission we are visiting Uldis Balodis - Latvian, who is Buddhist teacher and lives already 20 years in Kathmandu.

More information about possible pilgrim tours to Nepal you will find in Dharmatours page

 There is Saturday evening and many singing monk groups are circling around Boudha stupa.