Travel photographs

October/November 2008 - Exploring remote hidden valleys and Tibetan Buddhist villages in a land of snow and desert in the Manang region, off the main Annapurna Circuit trail, including an ascent of the trekking peak Chulu Far East (6058m).

PHOTO GALLERIES

Kathmandu to Bhulbhule - Starting out on the early part of the Annapurna Circuit
Bhulbhule to Jagat - Lush jungle and rice fields
Jagat to Dharapani - Up the Marsyangdi's jungled river gorge
Dharapani to Koto - Ascending into alpine forest; views of snow-capped mountains
Koto to Dharamshala - Leaving the Annapurna Circuit up the narrow Nar Phu gorge clad with pine forest
Dharamshala to Kyang - High altitude desert valley dotted with juniper, berberis and old Khampa settlements
Kyang to Phu - Another gorge, this time through a rocky desert landscape north of the main Himalayan divide
Phu Village - Old mediaeval village hewn into hillside
Tashi La Kang Gompa - Important monastery in picturesque location on hillside overlooking Phu valley
Phu to Chyakhu - Return journey along high altitude desert gorge; blue sheep
Chyakhu to Naar - Hot, dusty ascent with mountain views and trailside stupas
Naar Village - Mediaeval village on hillside under shadow of Pisang Peak and Kang Guru
Festival in Naar - Colourful costumes and Bon-Buddhist harvest dancing
Naar to Kangla Phedi - Climbing gently to the top end of a wide grassy valley and the foot of a pass
Kangla Phedi to Chulu Camp - Crossing snow fields up to the Kang La pass; breathtaking Annapurna panorama
Chulu Camp to Chulu Base Camp - Big climb from forest zone to high altitude camp beneath Chulus East and Far East
Chulu Base Camp to Chulu High Camp - Short ascent from rocky valley to lofty snow basin surrounded by mountains
Chulu Far East summit day - A plod up steep snow slopes on fixed ropes and a narrow summit ridge
Chulu Base Camp to Braga - High path along forested valley; approach to traditional village from above
Horse racing in Manang - Eccentrically clad Manangis tonning it up and down a dusty main street on horses
Braga to Tare - On a high path above sparse pine woods in the Marsyangdi valley; an old remote gompa
Tare to Tilicho Lake - Long slog up scree slopes to an arctic plateau and reputedly the highest lake in the world
Tilicho Lake to Hyarukang Kharka - Crossing high passes of snow and ice
Hyarukang Kharka to Jomsom - Dusty descent to the lower altitudes of the Kali Gandaki valley; views of Dhaulagiri
Pokhara - Famous Annapurna panorama from the airport of Nepal's second city