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Archive for September, 2011

Dangerous Road The Rainforest Is Unforgivable

Daloa Man to Gbakpleu Border Cote d’Ivoire Guinea

Setting off after breakfast early morning the road still stretches a few hundred miles westward to the border with Guinea. To travel early has many advantages : For one the dreadful Gendarmerie and Douane checkpoints and barriers are mostly unmanned and secondly the temperature is still bearable.

The land is lush with green a fruit basket the entire country. On the way we pick up a ton of pink grapefruits whatever we could take a real bargain.at 15 cents a kg. I found grapefruits to assist in many ways it has many nutritional values and is a natural antibiotic flavenoids.

We reach the town of Man at 14.00 PM and ask directions to the border which according to my map should be about 30 35 miles. from here. It is mandatory in the region to call on the local police station to report your itinerary. The Police in Man is just wasting our time. Nobody cares and we move towards direction of Guinea.

A nasty feeling overcomes me when I notice the changing of the road surface till now we had tarred roads here it turns into a rusty red unpaved and full of potholes. Used to bad road conditions I try to brush my ill feeling aside only to be overwhelmed by it again later.

The Policeman standing on the road asking us for a lift looks decent and I invite him in the car with his AK 47 . A welcome guide protector in case of a problem. Not long after we experience the first heavy downpour on our trip.

With near zero visibility we move through the tropical storm I am now fully alert envisaging the things to come. In no time the road has turned into a network of lakes and waterholes making it difficult for the vehicle to pass. At speeds of 20 we inch along through the rain avoiding the massive pools along the road. We pass villages which lie paralyzed everyone seeking shelter from the storm. Coffee plantations along the way with the deep red coffee beans being visible within the foliage a beautiful sight I recall.

When we encounter our first hundred feet of rainwater we cannot bypass our guide the policeman wades in front of me the rain drenching him to show us a shallow place to pass. We manage the first one but I have a notion that things will get worse and they do.

A village is being cut off by a torrent stream the road washed away. The makeshift road which serves as a diversion is not much better we find ourselves in the middle of the village with everyone staring at us with curiosity. It is not everyday white people find their way in these remote parts

Through the center we drive and find back to our road on a cattle trail which is hard to maneuver on. And always striking me is the immense beauty of this country even under such a stressful situation Africa has its charm no doubt.

The dream is short lived we find more trouble ahead a truck has blocked the road sunk his axle deep in the mud. Loaded to the brink if anyone can understand the term unknown in western parts those trucks are being overloaded to their allowed max. payload. And amidst all this the driver and his mate attempt to lift the truck by means of a hydraulic jack. By now the downpour had stopped we get down form the car to watch the spectacle. People shoving and pushing the 20 tons plus without results the jack lifting up the back axle wheels grinding the vehicle miraculously finds its way out of this morast the driver knew where to jack up. I still cant believe it the truck actually moves ! Wonders happen. With the bypassing truck and people shouting in excitement we continue our journey. As our wheelbase is shorter we pass unhindered by the sump that has developed where the truck had dug his wheels into.

It is 5 PM when we reach a stretch of road that makes my heart come to standstill. The deep tracks left by the first truck I cannot imagine how I can possibly pass this more than 300 feet long. We get out from the car and reckon how to get through this everyone has a good advice at the end it is me who has to drive us through.

After 10 minutes I draw up courage and plan to move ahead right into the huge pool of water. And I must admit at the time I was still a novice. The inevitable happened the vehicle gets stuck 20 yards later. Everyone is on his feet giving me a push forward only to see the wheels digging in deeper smelling burnt rubber from the increase of friction. I begin to panic I know the forest dusk sets in at 6 PM and here in the middle of nowhere surrounded by tropical virgin rainforest not an ideal place to spend a night.

Something some miracle must come our way if we should make it out before dark. Personal safety is a concern the location near the Liberian border a triangle of three countries Liberia Ivory Coast Guinea. The route is being used by smugglers Armed Robbers Bandits and other Anti Social Elements and life does not mean a lot here.

Kneeling under the vehicle I notice the chassis stuck on the ground. The carjack is of no avail we dig with our hands cutting our skin with the tiny sharp stones. All attempts to free the car are fruitless.

A family of Natives appear 10 heads with the Patriarch in the lead all push the vehicle it does not move one inch forward. Noticing the nervousness of the Natives I can not explain. The only way is to get a tractor from the Agric station 10 miles ahead to pull us out.

The family members leave the Patriarch staying behind a nice gesture. As predicted dusk sets in at 6 PM the forest is shrouded in darkness An awesome feeling sounds of the jungle awakening around us.

All sorts of thoughts come to your mind what will happen how do we get out of here ? Normally what would be a scenery for a documentary but we are captives of a mighty forest of unknown dimensions. The gigantic trees around now look ghostly in the night sky only the fireflies glooming in the dark. Mosquitoes buzz around me in thousands but here I find the difference in being a Vegan. I am not suffering a single bite the Mosquitoes not being drawn to my un tasty hemoglobin. To breed their eggs they look for carnivores and those next to me keep on slapping their ankles and exposed limbs continuously. Having waded in the water I roll up my trouser sleeves above the knees. In midst the lukewarm red muddy water my Timberlands get caught in the sticky mud and in the dark never to be found again. I am now bare feet except the plastic slippers I have in my car a somewhat cheaper version of footwear.

It is 7 PM when I see a hush of a beam pointing towards the sky behind the hill in the forest ahead of us roughly 400 meters away. And rightly we hear a car engine revving its way up towards our position. Whoever has come here must be able to help us to get out I figure.

The car stops on the other side of the puddle upon noticing that we block his way I was wondering how a Peugeot 504 Caravan full with 12 passengers and Cargo could make it through this and I couldn’t. The driver coming over and inquiring about the problem laughs and calls his 12 passengers to help. With combined efforts 14 grown adults pushing the engine reversing we pull back to where I started from. The driver will cruise his 504 through the mud and will show me how to move my car through the morals..

In excellent fashion he steers his rust bin through all the puddles sinking so deep that I can’t believe he will make it yet he passes his engine roaring high. I wonder what is worse the Paris Dakar Rally or this here settling for the latter.

He chuckles then comes to me to give me the secret. Coming from a mountainous region I have driven on slippery icy roads before turning half way down a dangerous mountain in Winter. But this is new to me I submit to my African teacher.

He explains when entering the mud press down the accelerator turn the steer hard towards the embankment thus keeping the vehicle in a semiupper position and the car won’t get stuck. It made sense to me and the experience showed he was right. With him on my right side I take the stretch in a few minutes the car jerking and pushing through all the way. Our savior is obviously happy that he had shown me some bush sense. Amidst thanks and a small token in form of money the driver continues his journey it is 8 PM when we continue our trip.

Next I notice the ignition light turning red indicating a problem with the alternator. Now being pitch dark I decide to continue towards the border. Not far from where we are I also notice the steering going harder and harder. Upon all this we find a puncture in my rear right tire and we have to change the wheel like it or not. Again on a slope I attempt to change the wheel when I notice the sound of another car coming from affront. This one is sent by the our Companions to help us nearly 3 hours after they set of on foot.

They help me to get the spare tire and we continue and I am informed that the border post is only 3 miles away now. Just then it begins to drizzle again. when we reach the Soldier post the rain is again pouring. We took 8 hours to travel 25 Miles but the sight of the Army post lifts up my spirits high again this evening.

The Ivorian Army maintains a border post here the Capitaine a gentleman. Upon introducing ourselves he invites me to stay for the night his post lit by Kerosene lights.

He has also instructed his lower charges to prepare hot water for us and I have my forest shower under the nightly sky with the rain drizzling on me in the process. I can’t express the relaxing emotion overcoming me this moment after all the digging and profound physical efforts. This shower in midst the jungle under open sky and in the rain is what I recall today.

After we are invited to join the commander for dinner. I am hungry and I must say that Ivorians do have a cusine even here. Beef simmered in pea nut butter sauce with capsicums spicing the dish steamed rice. The dish tastes wonderful. On this occasion I bring out 10 pink grapefruits and distribute them amongst the soldiers.

They have built new barracks here and I am given a new barrack with a bed. I am grateful for their hospitality.

The steam of the jungle its ever present sounds around everywhere the rain hitting the Metal roofing sheets it is hard to find sleep. Tossing and rolling in my bunk my thoughts go back and forth what will tomorrow bring on this journey to the unknown….

Next Episode : The long Road to Nzerekore

excerpts from : A journey to the unknown by HR.

About the writer:  visit Heinz’s work and travels

Yachtcharter Dodekanes

Yachtcharter Dodekanes Sdstlich des griechischen Festlandes liegen die zwlf Inseln des Dodekanes. RHODOS ist die grte Insel des Dodekanes. Hier stand einst der berhmte 35 m hohe Koloss von Rhodos eines der Sieben Weltwunder der Antike. Die Kste ist 370 km lang das Straennetz ausgezeichnet und die Busverbindungen zwischen den Stdten und Drfern funktionieren reibungslos.

Die Inselhauptstadt heit ebenfalls Rhodos liegt an der Nordspitze der Insel und besteht aus Neustadt und Altstadt. Die Neustadt bietet moderne Luxushotels mit Swimmingpools und breiten Geschftsstraen. Die Altstadt hingegen die von den Mauern einer mittelalterlichen Festung umgeben ist ldt zu einem Bummel durch die schmalen kopfsteingepflasterten Gassen ein. Das Ritterkrankenhaus aus dem 15. Jahrhundert ist heute ein Archologisches Museum das die Aphrodite von Rhodos beheimatet. Der Palast der Groen Meister beherbergt eine herrliche Sammlung an Mbeln aus dem 16. und 17. Jh. sowie Mosaikfubden aus rmischer Zeit. 2 km auerhalb der Stadt liegt die Akropolis des alten Rhodos mit zahlreichen eindrucksvollen Ruinen einschlielich des Apollotempels eines Theaters und Stadions aus dem 2. Jahrhundert v. Chr. Die Ruinen des antiken Ialisos liegen in Filerimos 15 km von Rhodos Stadt entfernt. 25 km sdwestlich von Ialissos liegt Kamiros eine der wenigen archologischen Ausgrabungssttten Griechenlands an der man noch viele gut erhaltene Gebude und Monumente aus der hellenischen Zeit bewundern kann.

In der Akropolis von Lindos 56 km sdstlich von Rhodos gibt es auch noch einige Baudenkmler der Antike.

Faliraki Ixia Kalithea Kremasti Afandou Golf Ialisos Kritina Lindos und Profitis Elias.Rhodos ist auch bei Sportlern beliebt. Gute Fischgrnde gibt es bei Lindos Kameiros und Genadi.

Halbtags: Tglich eine Stadtrundfahrt. Ausflge nach Lindos Kamiros Ialisos zum Schmetterlingstal sowie Rhodos bei Nacht mit Abendessen und Folkloretnzen. Ganztags: Eine Besichtigungstour der byzantinischen Baudenkmler.

Ganztagestouren entlang der Kste von Rhodos nach Simi und Panormitis sowie Ausflugsfahrten mit Fhrung nach Kos Chalki Tilos Nissiros und Patmos.

KOS ist eine fruchtbare Insel mit mildem Klima und herrlichen Sandstrnden einige haben vulkanischen Sand. Die meisten Sehenswrdigkeiten liegen in der gleichnamigen Stadt oder in der unmittelbaren Umgebung so dass man sie bequem zu Fu oder per Fahrrad erreichen kann. Dazu zhlt die Platane des Hippokrates ein riesiger Baum mit 12 m Umfang ein alter Platz mit den Ruinen griechischer Gebude aus dem 4.2. Jh. v. Chr. der Dionysostempel das Odeon rmische Bder und ein hellenisches Gymnasium aus dem 2. Jh. v. Chr. mit einer restaurierten Kolonnade des Xystos. Die Johanniterfestung die man ebenfalls besichtigen kann ist ein eindrucksvolles Beispiel mittelalterlicher Architektur mit Burgmauer und graben.

Die Strnde auf dem Weg nach Lambi nrdlich von Kos und Richtung Sden bei Agios Fokas werden allmhlich fr den Tourismus erschlossen. Beliebte Urlaubsziele sind Asfendiou Kardamena Pili die alte Festung bei Palio Pili die Fischerdrfer Marmari und Mastihari Kefalos mit seinen schnen Strnden und Palatia die Ruinen der alten Inselhauptstadt Astipalea; auerdem Antimahia Lambi Milos Lappa und Psalidi. Die regionalen Fhrgesellschaften verbinden Kos mit Rhodos Kalymnos und Nissiros.

Tageskreuzfahrten nach Kalymnos Nissiros mit Vulkanbesichtigung Patmos mit Besichtigung des Klosters und der Hhle Johannes des Tufers und nach Pserimos mit seinem traumhaften Badestrand.

PATMOS liegt 140 Seemeilen von Pirus entfernt; ein Dampfer verkehrt auf dieser Strecke. Auerdem ist Patmos ber den regionalen Fhrverkehr mit den umliegenden Inseln Fourni Lipsi und Leros verbunden. 2 km vom Hafen Skala entfernt und mit dem Bus oder Taxi zu erreichen liegt Hora die Inselhauptstadt. Das majesttische Kloster des Propheten Johannes in Hora ist ein Wallfahrtsort. Die Heilige Grotte in der Johannes seine Offenbarung erhalten und niedergeschrieben haben soll liegt in der Kirche der Apokalypse unterhalb des Klosters. Herrliche Strnde die per Auto oder Motorboot von Skala aus erreichbar sind gibt es in Grikos Meloi Netia Diakofit und in der KambosBucht. Die Ausflge zu den Klstern Panagia Apolou und Panagia Geranou sind besonders eindrucksvoll.

KALIMNOS erreicht man ebenfalls mit Liniendampfern vom 180 Seemeilen entfernten Pirus. Regionale Fhren verkehren zu den anderen Inseln der Dodekanes. Der Hauptort heit Kalimnos. Ausflugsziele um Kalimnos sind die Tropfsteinhhle Kefala und die Grotte der Sieben Jungfrauen sowie die Heilquellen bei Therma 1 km sdlich der Stadt Kalimnos. An der Westkste liegen mehrere Urlaubsorte u. a. Linaria Mirties und Massouri. In der Nhe von Horio erheben sich die Ruinen der frankobyzantinischen Festung Pera Kastro sowie Spuren der Ruinen der Christuskirche aus dem 4. Jahrhundert. Im Sdwesten liegen die Klster Evangelistria und Agia Ekaterini die beide auch Pensionen betreiben.

SIMI ist eine berwiegend felsige Insel 235 Seemeilen von Pirus und 25 Seemeilen von Rhodos entfernt. In Pedi eignet sich der Strand gut zum Baden ebenso die Buchten von Nanou Marathoundas und Nimborio die mit dem Motorboot erreichbar sind. Die nahe gelegenen Inseln Seskli und Nimos bieten gute Fischgrnde.

KARPATHOS ist eine bergige Insel mit fruchtbaren Tlern. Pirus liegt 227 Seemeilen entfernt. Im Sommer kann man die 89 Seemeilen von Rhodos mit dem Flugzeug berbrcken ansonsten fhrt man per Fhre. Der Hauptort Pigadia liegt in einer weitlufigen Bucht an der Ostkste. In der Nhe des natrlichen Hafens in Possi gibt es schne Strnde. Busse und Taxis verkehren auf der Insel die Kstengegenden werden mit dem Motorboot angelaufen. Schn ist es in Aperi Volada Mirtonas Othos Messohori mit seinem herrlichen Badestrand in Agia Marina im Fischerstdtchen Finiki und in Arkassa. Im Norden der Insel erhebt sich der dicht bewaldete Berg Profitis Elias 1140 m. Vom Hafenstdtchen Diafani an der Nordkste fhrt die Strae zum Dorf Olimbos.

Ausflge zur nrdlichen Landzunge von Karpathos und mit dem Motorboot von Diafani aus zur kleinen Insel Saria mit den Ruinen der alten Stadt Nissiros bieten sich an. In der KiraPanagiaBucht gibt es traumhafte Strnde und ein interessantes Kloster.

LEROS ist eine gebirgige und ausgiebig bebaute Insel 169 Seemeilen von Pirus entfernt. Ausflge zu den Kstendrfern Agia Marina Koukouli Kithoni Panagies Blefouti Gourna Lepida und Temenia bieten sich an. In der frankobyzantinischen Festung in der Inselhauptstadt Patheni und den Ruinen des byzantinischen Schlosses am Berg Kasteli im Nordwesten findet man die Spuren des alten Glanzes der Insel. Einer der grten Naturhfen des Mittelmeeres liegt 3 km von Patheni entfernt. Alte Sitten und Gebruche haben auch hier berlebt: die Karnevalsfeiern erinnern an das alte Dionysosfest.

Auf TILOS gibt es wenig Tourismus. Die Insel ist hgelig mit einsamen Strnden und liegt 290 Seemeilen von Pirus und 49 Seemeilen von Rhodos entfernt. Die wenigen Einwohner leben in Livadia einem Naturhafen oder in Megalo Horio einem Stdtchen mit einer mittelalterlichen Burg. Gute Badestrnde findet man in Livadia Agios Antonius und Plaka.

NISSIROS liegt 200 Seemeilen von Pirus und 60 Seemeilen von Rhodos entfernt und ist mit diesen beiden Hfen durch regelmigen Schiffsverkehr verbunden. Die Insel ist nur 42 qkm gro der riesige erloschene Vulkan lsst sie jedoch grer erscheinen. Die Inselhauptstadt Mandraki liegt unterhalb der mittelalterlichen Burg und des Klosters Panagia Spiliani. 8 km sdwestlich von Mandraki liegen die Reste der alten Akropolis mit den pelaginischen Mauern die an vielen Stellen noch gut erhalten sind. Gute Badestrnde findet man im Fischerdorf Pali.

CHALKI ist eine kleine hgelige Insel mit einsamen Strnden 302 Seemeilen von Pirus und 35 Seemeilen von Rhodos entfernt. Es gibt keinen Autoverkehr man kann jedoch Pferde oder kleine Motorboote mieten. Die wenigen Inselbewohner leben vom Schwammfischen und Tauchen. Wahrzeichen der hbschen Inselhauptstadt Nimborio ist der Glockenturm Agios Nikolaos. Die besten Badestrnde liegen bei Nimborio. KASTELORIZO MEGISTI die am weitesten im Osten gelegene Insel der gis ist nur 9 qkm gro. Ein Boot von Rhodos luft die Insel zweimal wchentlich an. Hoch ber den Dchern auf einem Felsen liegt eine alte Burg das Castello Rosso die im 14. Jahrhundert von den Johannitern wieder aufgebaut wurde. Mit dem Boot erreicht man die Hhle von Parasta im Sdosten der Insel. Schne Strnde gibt es in der Nhe des Hafens von Agio Stefanos und auf der unbewohnten Insel Agios Georgios 10 Min. mit dem Motorboot entfernt.

ASTIPALA ist eine bergige und fruchtbare Insel mit schnen sandigen Buchten. Sie liegt 165 Seemeilen von Pirus entfernt. Astipala ist ruhig und erholsam. ber der Inselhauptstadt mit dem gleichen Namen ragt die frankobyzantinische Burg. Die schnsten Fleckchen der Insel sind Livadia und Maltezana wo es wunderbare Sandstrnde gibt.

KASSOS liegt 3 Seemeilen sdwestlich von der Insel Karpathos 215 Seemeilen von Pirus und 94 Seemeilen von Rhodos entfernt. Der DodekanesDampfer luft auch diese Insel an. Die Hafenstadt Emborios und die Inselhauptstadt Fri sind besonders malerisch. Eine interessante Tropfsteinhhle liegt westlich des Dorfes Agia Marina. Die Straen sind nicht asphaltiert und fhren zu den hbschen Drfern Panagia Arvanitohori und Poli. Mit dem Boot kann man Armathia erreichen.

About the writer:  www.yachtchartergriechenland.de is one of the most yacht sailing and renting company in greece.Yachtcharter Griechenland unsere Sttzpunkte liegen in Athen in der Marina Kalamaki bei Alimos an der stlichen Seite von Attika in der wunderschnen Ortschaft Lavrion dort befindet sich auch die Olympic Marina. Unsere Charteryachten sind im Yachthafen von Lavrion stationiert. In Syros der Hauptinsel Hauptstadt der Kykladen in der Marina Finikas Ermoupolis in Skiathos auf der grnen Insel der Sporaden in der kleinen Marina Skiathos.

Mountain Trekking In Nepal – 30 Suggestions

Whether youre into rock climbing or bird watching on a tight budget or have money to hire porters and guides you can always find a suitable trekking route in Nepal. A trip to the Nepal Himalayas is a fantastic experience for most of us offering views of snowcapped mountain peaks and a chance to meet indigenous mountain peoples who live almost cut off from the rest of the world.

All thats required of you is that you like walking in the nature. You dont have to be super fit for every trek but the better shape youre in the easier your trek will be. The top season for trekking in Nepal is OctoberNovember and FebruaryApril. In the summer months the monsoon clouds obscure the grand views most of the time and in the winter months the high mountain passes are closed by heavy snowfall. But with the right knowledge you can always find a good trek in Nepal. Just browse through this list to get an overview of your options.

Nepals Western Region

1. Simikot Humla
You can fly in from Nepalganj and maybe read Spy on the roof of the world by Sydney Wignall before you go. Permits are 90 /person /week.

2. Rara Lake
4 days walk from Jumla to this the largest lake in Nepal. Getting to Jumla though is either a plane/helicopter trip or a several days long jeep ride on a mountain road thats still under construction and will be for any foreseeable future.

3. Upper Dolpo
First of all see the movie Himalayan Caravan L’Enfance d’un chef Eric Valli 1999 Oscar nominated. It’s mandatory! Might want to pick up one of his books as well. Having done that you’ll want to go to the Phoksundo Lake which you can do in 1 week or as part of either the 15 day Dolpa Experience Circuit or the 20 day Dolpa Heritage Trek all out of Juphal airport. Another couple of oneweek’ers are the Sundaha Nature Trek and the Sahartara Tour. Expensive permit are required as in Upper Mustang it’s 70 /person /day with minimum 10 days. No lodges. Annual number of visitors are in the low hundreds.

4. Lower Dolpo
Permits are 10 /person /week. You might have to fly in from Nepalganj. Don’t expect lodges here so bring your own camping gear.

5. Upper Mustang
10 days. Home to the ancient kingdom of Lo still in existence sort of. Hefty permit required north of Kagbeni 70 /person /day with minimum 10 days.

Annapurna Region

6. Dhaulagiri
2030 days to complete the circle around this 8000′er. Bring good boots and sleeping bag!

7. Annapurna Circuit
23 weeks minimum. This is where everyone goes. Except me. In the high season it gets rather crowded and is more appropriately named the Annapurna Circus. Lodges and teahouses are everywhere. The Thorung La high pass 5400 m usually closes down in the end of November. If you bring your own camping gear there’s also good possibilities of doing side trips off the beaten track. ACAP entry fees stand at 2000 rupees.

8. Jomsom amp; Muktinath
You can fly into or out of Jomsom a days walk from Muktinath and hike to or from Pokhara in about 1 week. Muktinath is an important pilgrimage site nestled at 3800 m. It’s on the Annapurna Circuit.

9. Annapurna Sanctuary amp; ABC
1014 days 2000 rupee ticket. Another popular option since its shorter and a little less demanding than doing the full Annapurna Circuit.

10. Ghorepani Poon Hill
5 days out of Pokhara it reaches 3200 meters and is accessible all year round. Famous for it’s views of Annapurna Dhaulagiri and rhododendrons in the spring.

11. Panchase Peak amp; Ghandruk
Another holy mountain this one a couple of days walk west of Pokhara. Ghandruk is 3 days further and it’s home to the Annapurna Conservation Project and a whole lot of Gurung people.

12. The Royal Trek
4 days out of Pokhara. With altitude no higher that 2000 meters it’s open all year round.

13. Siklish Begnas Lake Lamjung
1 week return trip from Pokhara 1012 days through Lamjung to Besisahar. Lodges should be available 2000 rupee ACAP permit required.

14. Manaslu
3 weeks circle around this 8000 m twin peak that can be seen all the way from Kathmandu. Pass over Larkya La at 5110 m. There’s no lodges and the mandatory permit stands at almost 100 /person /week.

Central Nepal

15. Trishuli Gorkha
The easy way: 4 days along the route that Prithvi Narayan Shah took in 1768. Apparently has village lodges and stays under 2000 m all the way.
The hard way: 23 weeks on remote off the beaten track. Passes over Sing La 3570 m and by the Jogeshwar kund 4500 m. Camping gear required.

16. Ganesh Himal
No lodges rough and remote. But wow wouldn’t I like to go there! The highest peak is well over 7000 meters and its prominent view from Kathmandu makes it all worthwhile if you like to brag about your adventures when you get back to civilization!

17. Tamang Heritage Trail
8 days lodges still under construction.

18. Langtang amp; Gosaikunda / Panch Pokhari
12 weeks minimum. Third most visited in Nepal after Annapurna and Everest. Fairly easy not too crowded especially the Gosaikunda lake area 4400 m which is arguably the most scenic. Langtang Valley has lodges every hour or so all the way to Kyanjing Gompa 3900 m the Gosaikunda trail has fewer but still enough for short days. Gosaikunda features the annual Janai Purniam festival and from there you can walk back to Kathmandu in 24 days. Entry fee 1000 rupees.

19. Helambu
1 week more jungle than mountains but still a rough trail. Teahouses available if you don’t get lost like that Australian guy. Distant but awesome mountain views before you get too close to the mountain bases. Walking distance from Kathmandu circuit from Sundarijal to Nagarkot 4 days.

20. Namobudda
1 day one of the few quickies you can do when the noise and pollution of Kathmandu starts to get on your nerves. Take the bus to Dhulikel and start walking.

21. Rolwaling amp; Gauri Shankar
2 weeks or so. Get up close and personal with Gauri Shankar 7130 m and its glacial lakes. Good view of Everest etc. Unspoiled landscape permission still required but check with Nepals Tourism Board when you get here. Theres rumors that theyre making this one permission free.

22. Chitwan Chepang Hills
7 days in the Middle Hills. No Himalayas and no higher than 2000 meters so it could be a good winter trekking possibility. Good view of the distant Annapurna Dhaulagiri Ganesh Himal Gauri Shankar Gurja Himal and Manaslu but the main attraction is the nomadic Chepang people who live as hunters and gatherers. There’s also a fort a waterfall and some caves along the route together with 400 bird species. Start in Hugdi on Prithvi Hwy end Shaktikor in Chitwan. Homestays are on the route.

Everest Region

23. Everest Base Camp amp; Kala Pathar
2 weeks out of Lukla 3 out of Kathmandu/Jiri with return flight from Lukla. If you don’t have a spare 50.000 lying around for an Everest climb permit you can just settle for this Base Camp trek. Most people seem to choose the Tengpoche route to KP which stands at 5630 m.

24. Mera Peak
23 weeks out of Lukla 6500 m. A popular expedition/climb that requires some basic mountaineering skills but without being too technical. Long march in 2 high camps.

25. Island Peak
3 weeks out of Lukla. At 6100 meters this trek is not for everyone. Although not very technical it is a demanding snow climb. Views are everything you could ever dream of.

26. Gokyo Lakes Peak amp; Renjo La
2 weeks out of Lukla. High pass at 5400 m. Lakes at 4800 m peak at 5500 m. Some lodges along the trail. Great Everest views.

27. Pikey amp; Dudhkunda Trail
1 or 2 weeks in the less much less visited southern part of Solukhumbu. Both the Chiwong and the Thuptenchoeling Buddhist Monasteries are world renowned the former famous for the Mani Rimdu Dance Festival the latter is the biggest monastery in Nepal.

Nepals Eastern Region

28. Arun Valley Makalu Base Camp
3 weeks out of Tumlingtar/Khadbari. You’ll get up to 5000 meters and still be 3500 meters short of the summit! Either go same way back or climb a couple of 6000′ers into the Khumbu region.

29. Kanchenjunga
3 weeks out of Taplejung 3rd highest mountain in the world. Don’t rely on finding any lodges here. Permits are 10 /person /week.

30. Pathibhara
1 week out of Taplejung. The Pathibhara Devi shrine is a pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists alike. There is lodges along the route.

About the writer:  The author Morten Svenningsen is an awardwinning Danish photographer in Nepal Asia. Visit his web site www.mortensvenningsen.com to see examples of his work. It’s now even possible to order his photos as fine art prints and posters!