Annapurna Sanctuary Trek in Nepal

On the morning of Sep 23rd I flew from Kathmandu to Pokhara, where I checked into the Chhetri Sisters Guesthouse. I received a very warm and relaxed welcome there. This is the guesthouse of the same company I had booked my Annapurna Sanctuary Tea-House Trek with. I went for a walk in Pokhara, changed some money and enjoyed views of Phewa Lake, all much more relaxed than Kathmandu.

That evening I met Francis, my trekking partner; our guide, Nirma; and our 2 porters, Bima and Dhana.

The next morning we embarked on our trekking adventure. Where the weather had been very nice up till that moment it started drizzling the moment we stepped out of the van and onto the trail. And it basically rained for the first 6 days of the trek. The first few days we had some dry spells; the last 2 days it simply poured down the whole time.

And then, on day 7, the weather cleared: blue skies and sun for the second half of the trek, which meant we actually had views! This was the day that we hiked upto and into ABC (Annapurna Basecamp South) and it was breathtakingly stunning. Like walking into a huge cauldron rimmed with high peaks.

I could go into a day-to-day account of the trek, but I won’t bore you with that here. Suffice it to say that it was probably the hardest thing I have ever done (specially mentally) and in the end it was very rewarding. I came away from that adventure with a very good feeling and a huge sense of achievement.

I would also like to mention that Francis and I got on very well, we were very well-suited trekking partners.

Our porters, Bima and Dhana, did a great job, I have no doubt that in a few years they will be excellent guides.

And last but not least: Nirma (our guide): she was simply the best. I could not have done it without her. It was her strength and professionalism that got me through day 6 (for me the most difficult day for various reasons).

The trek in pictures.

Bonus album: Mountains from above.

Chhetri Sisters or 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking.

Chhetri Sisters’ amazing project: Empowering the Women of Nepal. I was lucky to be able to meet all 3 sisters.