background: Sunrise
at Poon Hill may very
well become your most
glorious morning ever.
opposite: Natural light
reveals the painted
teachings on the wall
of one of Nepal's many
temples.
below: We happened
upon a religious
festival in Patan.
Three Durbar Squares in the
Kathmandu Valley were home to
the palaces of various kingdoms
before
Nepali
unification:
Basantapur, Patan and Bhaktapur.
All are easily accessible and feature
incredible Buddhist temples and
impressive carved statues. Being
there before the crowds arrive can
spark feelings of ancient holiness
and an appreciation for strict dedication and discipline.
The sleepy, lakeside town of
Pokhara bustles with contrasting
energies. Some travellers are excited
about their upcoming trek into the
Annapurna Conservation Area in
north central Nepal whereas others
bearing satisfied and exhausted
Buddha-like smiles have just returned.
It's a trekker's haven with stories trickling out of fairtrade cafés. Pokhara is the beginning and the end, a relaxed
town where you can stay fit and where lazy days blend into
productive weeks. Time becomes purgatorial and it'll have
you thinking you reached heaven.
THE ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT
leave behind excess luggage in your hotel's storage room.
It is simple and safe, and lessens the burden of trekking
with items you won't need in the mountains. one perk of
the Annapurna Circuit is that everything is accessible on
the trek. Economies of mountain towns have become
Fa l l / Wi n t e r 2 0 1 3
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