Where tourists don't go ...
I would like to introduce you to our expedition to the remote part of Nepal to the foot of the API HIMAL mountain (7132m) and the subsequent journey of tourists not visited by the Far West Nepal area. Our expedition had 9 members, 10 local porters, one chef and a guide. The almost month-long journey began with a domestic flight to Dhangadi near the Indian border, followed by a 20-hour bus ride on winding, dangerous roads in the mountains.
The border town of Darchula - the beginning of the journey to the API
The river MAHA KALI in translation Big Black, which forms the border between Nepal and India.
Indian part of Darchula
The MAHA KALI river takes parts of the bank and houses every year
Village Darchula
This house is just waiting for it to collapse into the river :-( A few months ago there was a busy road in front of it.
The village of Sunsera
Here our guide Narajan hired porters who went the first part of the trek with us. we were constantly surrounded by children who followed us in setting up tents, food and hygiene. Gift giving was a beautiful experience. Céčka was a huge success.
The village of Sunsera
Our group aroused great interest of local people, especially children.
The village of Sunsera
Our dining tent and curious children.
Gati Bagad
A significant place on the map and in fact nothing. Dilapidated houses, logs across the river and an illegal journey to India. Moist, wet, leeches. And two local herdsmen who willingly jumped into India for us for a carton of Chinese beer.
Maha Kali river valley
Nepal on the left, India on the right and a happy host with a wonderful view
Final ascent to the Api Himal basecamp
Ascent to a height of 4200 m to the basecamp Api Himal through the stone riverbed Api Khola.
An abandoned gathering village of Yarsa Gumbha
Under the basecamp, we discovered an empty village of Yarsa Ghumba collectors, or Chinese caterpillars, also nicknamed Himalayan viagra. In the harvest season, there are hundreds of collectors who climb the mountains on all fours in search of this rare and especially expensive caterpillar. These are moth larvae of the genus Thitarodes, which are infested with parasitic fungi. She sucks and mummifies the caterpillar. Before that happens, the caterpillar climbs just below the surface and only a hat of the mushroom looks out of the ground … the whole thing is then dried and smuggled to China, where it is sold for incredible money. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Base Camp API HIMAL at an altitude of 4200m
Api Himal base camp (7132m) from where climbers set out to conquer this 7,000-meter peak.
Base Camp API HIMAL at an altitude of 4200m
we left flags in the base camp and our guide Narayan, nicknamed the Orange, said a prayer, thanking the gods called Puja.
Base Camp API HIMAL at an altitude of 4200m
Glacial lake under API HIMAL
Base Camp API HIMAL at an altitude of 4200m
Our porters, the boys from the village of Sunsera, who went in sneakers and without sleeping bags … they only had blankets and what they are wearing.
Way back to the village of SUNSERA
The trio of SHERPs are very proud to belong to this nation. They kept laughing, terribly selfless and carried incredible weight … Dawa Sherpa, Passang Sherpa and I don't remember the third name. Yeah, and the third one went on a full trek in slippers. That he is used to it.
Welcome to the village of SUNSERA
At this time, the holiday of Dashain culminated in Nepal. The most significant Nepalese holiday. For Buddhists and Hindus alike. Tica on the forehead and a sprig of rice behind the ear.
The village of Sunsera
Local grandmother
Western Nepal
Our next trip turned south, to a tourist area not visited by western Nepal. Our next destination was the village of Sitaula, which we never reached. In the background the mountains where the borders of Nepal, India and China join
Lost
We wandered a bit and then we met this local guy. And that for some rupee they will accompany us to the village of Sitaula, where he has a sister and at least visit them. But he spoke a dialect that our guide Narajan did not understand and instead of in the village of Sitaula, we ended up in the village of Sitola – about 60km outside our planned route.
Beyond the village of Sunsara
A beautiful part of a trek somewhere in the mountains behind the village of Sunsara. We walked about 20km on a paved sidewalk at 3.5 kilometers above sea level.
Five stars hotel
Beautiful sleep …
Full moon
Full moon over Western Nepal.
The village of Sitola
We were greeted by local children in front of each village. Doted´ I remember our local guide spreading his arms, pointing in front of him and shouting with a big smile: Síítolááá !! Except we were about three valleys off our way and outside the village of Sitaula.
Sitola Buddhist village
It was Dasain holiday and so everything was decorated and tidy ..... the meat was ready.
The village of Sitola
We sat with the local mayor. At first people were distrustful, but then they accepted us and it was amazing. Local cucumbers – chakra with salt and chili paste … We spent two days in the village.
Our group
The trip ends and we leave the village of Sitola, towards the airport in Danghadi. But it still awaits us about 60 km on foot and then 11 hours by bus.
Squirrel friend
The local dude drank with us in the evening, then slept on a chang and in the morning he came for some medicine that hurt his knees. He got Ibubrufen and then he danced with us.
Direction of the airport in Danghadhi
I didn't believe that I could fit in that car with my luggage … Yeah, it's not grass on the right, it's a swamp and the hotel was full of frogs and mosquitoes.
With my father-in-law
I want to thank especially this guy who visited Nepal about 25 times for taking me there and showing me what he fell for … mountains, nature, local people … challenging treks, an incredible mumraj in Kathmandu and I'm in it too . Then I visited Nepal 3 more times and I know not for the last time. Another thank you to Martin Kratochvíl, who organized this trek. And actually everyone who was with me. Jirka
Way back
The flight from Kathmandu is amazing in that you fly along the central and western Himalayas, so we saw from the plane the API we almost visited. And for this year, I bought tickets for Prague-Istanbul-Kathmandu for 13 thousand … so hurry up.
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