I had Nepal on my travel list, but was not planned for this year. But things somehow mixed up, i had 2 weeks window at the end of March and when found a return ticket with Jet Airways from Milan to Kathmandu and back to Berlin for 340 EUR, the trip was cooked. As a cherry on the cake, there was option of one day stopover in Delhi. Only 11 days passed and i was on the way.

Countries visited: Italy, Nepal, India
Travelperiod: 3/2012

Duomo in Milan

Castello Sforzesco

My journey starts with short flight to Treviso in northern Italy, from where i continue by train to Milan.

flight to Delhi

the Himalays seen during flight to Kathmandu

Departure from Milan was right on schedule and the flight goes over the Balkans, Black Sea and further over Caucasus countries Georgia and Azerbaijan. Sunrise came when we were above Turkmenistan and then routed over Afghanistan and Pakistan to India.

Kathmandu - first impressions

does anyone take care of electricity here?

Shortly after takeoff from Delhi, snow-covered Himalayan peaks showed up on the northeastern horizon. The first impression of Kathmandu airport was - what the fuck? Absolutely underdeveloped as a gate to country, where so many people have income from tourism. After a short taxi ride, i let myself to drop in front of Nepal Tourist Office, where i have to sort out TIMS trekking permit. In the evening i needed to arrange transportation to Dhunche, which is a base for Langtang trekking. But buses were sold out (unless i was willing to travel on a roof) for the next day, so I joined a guy from Belgium to hire a jeep.

on the road to Dhunche

landed in Dhunche

The ride to Dhunche took slightly over 5 hours and was bit rough in it's second half, as the road was unpaved. A bus in front of us was moving like a ship on a stormy sea. Shortly prior Dhunche one had to pay 1000 rupees entrance fee at Langtang National Park checkpost and my TIMS card was checked (for the first and last time during the entire trek).

start of the Laurebina La Trek

Singh Gompa (3270m)

Next day morning the trekking action starts - over 5 hours long ascent to Singh Gompa (3270m), objective of the first trekking day.

view towards Ganesh Himal from 3750m

icy Langtang Lirung 7225m

Morning was pretty chilly, but clear sky. After breakfast i started to gain height again. Past a small settlement Cholangpati (3584m) the trail finally gets above vegetation line and one can enjoy views to giants as Himal Chuli 7893m, Manaslu 8163m or Annapurnas. It was just past 10AM, when i reached my today's overnight place - lodge at Laurebina Yak (3910m). In the afternoon i yet made a walk further up to 4300m to help the acclimatization.

chortens in 4150m

morning wonder - Himal Chuli 7893m, Ngadi Chuli 7570m, Manaslu 8163m and Ganesh Himal Range 7422m

The early morning view to Manaslu, Himal Chuli and Ganeshs was just breathtaking. The afternoon walk up yesterday helped a lot to acclimatize and i feel pretty well, so in just slighty over 2 hours i stand at the Gosainkund lodges at 4420m. I choose to stay in Lodge Namaste and after grabbing their delicious lunch, i'm heading upwards to Laurebina La (4654m) pass and Cholangpati Danda summit (4788m).

and the same perhaps 2 hours later

on the top of Cholangpati Danda 4788m

Laurebina La 4654m reached

descending from the pass to Phedi

Next day i cross Laurebina La and start a 3 days long walk down to Kathmandu. The path goes down to a place called Phedi (3710m). From there further it should be another 300 meters drop to Gopte, but the reality is far away from that - path is full of a steep up and downs and it takes me over 3 hours to reach Gopte. Although quite exhausted, i'm pushing myself to reach goal of the day - Tharepati (3610m). It was another over 2 hours of walking up to get there.

evening in Therapati

on the way to Magingoth

Following day was brutal. I walked from Tharepati to Chisopani in one day, while normally this stretch is done in two days. It was 16 hours of almost non-stop walking, both descents and ascents.

Kutumsang village

in Chipling

descent to Pati Bhanjyang

my room in Chisopani

I reached Chisopani well after dark, anchored in the very first lodge i have seen and crashed into bed.

walking down to Sundarijal

back in Kathmandu

From Chisopani it's yet 300 meters upwards to reach a pass at 2450m and there finally the 1000 metres descent to Sundarijal begins. After one hour i reached dirty village Mulkharka and then beated the very last section to Sundarijal. Follows a short bus ride to Kathmandu, where i anchored again in Thamel in guesthouse Sunrise Cottage (nice room for 600 rupees a night).

Black Bhairav on the Durbar Square

Durbar Square

I stay next 3 days in Kathmandu and do sightseeing - Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath stupa etc.

me at the Boudhanath Stupa

steep walk up to the Swayambhunath stupa

hustle bustle in front of Delhi Railway Station

in front of wonderful Jama Masjid

Flight from Kathmandu to Delhi was delayed and as a result we landed just prior sunset. Customs and immigration was a breeze and an hour later i'm in Delhi downtown. I had room booked in Paharganj, mecca of all backpackers, and the hotel Smyle Inn was a nice surprise. Room was small, but very clean and all worked. Recommendable.

Chandhi Chowk

bye Delhi

Next day morning i managed to do some sightseeing - Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandhi Chowk and India Gate. Later in the afternoon i'm heading to the airport. All then goes smooth, i change planes in Milan and finally at 11PM i'm in Berlin. I check-in to a hostel near Ostbahnhof Station, from where at 5 AM i take a direct train to Prague.