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.

People in Samdo.

Manaslu (8163m) at sunrise seen from the village of Samagaon.

Successive views of Manaslu during sunrise.

Children in the village of Samagao.

Women in Samagaon.

Yaks leaving Samagaon.

Peak 29 (7871m) and Manaslu seen from Pungyen gompa.

At Pungyen gompa.

A beautiful chorten near Sho and some of its inside 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.

Unusual rock formation.

Some of the many waterfalls along the lower section of Budhi Gandaki river.

A last look towards high peaks (Ganesh Himal).

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

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