Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle

dependent on tourism, so room and board is easily found in every village along the way. Guides and porters are always available for hire, and can be resourceful in securing beds during high season. However, since the Annapurna Circuit attracts the largest number of trekkers in the world, you'll soon be joining people you meet along the beaten path. Your biggest asset is time. The trek can be done in a couple of days thanks to jeep roads that connect the towns on both sides of Thorong La pass at 5,416 metres. However, aside from missing the transition from jungles and rice fields at 800 metres to cold hard rock at 3,000 metres, the problem is you risk experiencing altitude sickness without proper acclimatization. I trekked for 23 days. It was safe and I saw everything I wanted: countless white stupas and temples, side excursions to the base of Annapurna III and the incredible Tilicho Lake at 4,949 metres where I encountered a Tibetan guide with tales of the elusive snow leopard residing in the area. Take your time and you'll be rewarded with yak burgers and butter tea, Tibetan monasteries and hot springs, orange trees and apple orchards. Whichever route you choose, make sure it ends in Ghorepani. A pre-dawn hike to Poon Hill is the perfect way to pay homage to the mountains as four towering 8,000-metre peaks etched against a purple twilight sky are awakened by shades of pink and orange as the sun rises. Into the jungle Chitwan National Park is home to the most concentrated habitat of Bengal tigers and a jungle exploration tour to visit them may be the most thrilling experience you'll have in Nepal. After paddling downstream in a canoe, I walked with two guides carrying only a bamboo stick for protection. I wondered if I had miscalculated the risks of this adventure. Stalking tigers had me examining their paw prints and fresh feces. Suddenly I stopped; I had heard something. In the time it took for a bead of sweat to drip down my face, my adrenalin kicked in, and the idea a moment earlier of how amazing it would be to encounter a tiger was trumped by the fear that I may indeed see what was growling at me from somewhere. Hearing tigers was enough however rhinos were also lurking, as were crocodiles, elephants and wild boars. After an exciting jungle hike with close encounters, it was time to freshen up with a playful elephant bath. Nepal is one of those countries found on many travellers' wish list. But once you cross it off, it instantly becomes a favourite and a country you'll want to visit again. travel planner Guidance on trekking routes can be found online at Nepal-dia.de. For more information on Nepal, visit: Nepal Tourism Board: welcomenepal.com Chitwan National Park: chitwannationalpark.gov.np

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