Traverse of Western Nepal (2008)

Leg 8: Dharapani to Arughat (November 3-12)

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We followed the Marsyangdi river down to Dharapani. There, we abandoned the Annapurna circuit for the Manaslu circuit (again in the reverse direction). The highlights of this section are the spectacular views of Manaslu (8163m) from Samagaon and Pungyen gompah. We briefly left the normal Manaslu circuit itinerary to climb to Kokwa village, 700m above the Bhudi Gandaki river. This small village is reputed for its mani stone carvers. Our trek ended at the bus station of Arughat, some 100km away from Kathmandu.

Trail along the Dugh Khola between Tilje and Bimtang

Sunrise at Bimtang

Ascending Larkya La pass (5135m)

View from Larkya La, with Samdo (6335m) on the right. I reached Larkya La around noon on November 5. At that time it was about 11pm on November 4 at home in California. I called home on my satellite phone and learned that Obama had been elected. Despite the lack of oxygen, I jumped of joy and celebrated with the best food I had in my bag.

Mountain goats near Dharamsala

Samdo, a Tibetan refugee village

Woman and boy in Samdo

Children in Samagaon village

Manaslu (8163m) at sunrise seen from Samagaon

Several views of Manaslu during sunrise

Women in Samagaon

Yaks leaving Samagaon

Peak 29 (7871m) and Manaslu seen from Pungyen gompah

At Pungyen gompah

A beautiful chorten near Sho and some of its paintings

An impressive mani wall near Kokwa village, a village famous for its mani stone carvers

Old prayer wheels near Kokwa village

Plateau of Prok seen from Kokwa village

Ringin Dorje Lama, a famous mani stone carver

His mother preparing buckwheat pancakes

Budhi Gandaki river

Strange rock formation

Some of the many waterfalls along the lower Budhi Gandaki river

A last look to high peaks (Ganesh Himal)

The bus station of Arughat, the terminus of 56 days and 1100 km of trek