Royal Mountain Travel Magazine Royal Mountain Travel Magazine Issue 1 | Page 17

© RMT
© RMT

Annapurna
and Mustang

“AlmostfromthemomentweleftGamgadhi,Ifeltlike
we’dmovedbacknotjustdecades,butcenturies”-Ed
Douglas, journalist and author.
The Annapurna range is an enormous 55km long chain of six
mountains over 7,200m including Annapurna I, the world’s
10th highest mountain. These mountains receive almost
doubletheaverageannualprecipitation,makingthemsome
of the most dangerous to climb, and this fuels the visually
stunning mighty glaciers that tumble far into the valleys
below. It is as if all this immensity is by design to protect the
mystical ‘Kingdom of Lo’, or Mustang, lying hidden behind,
which in contrast remains arid, untouched by the summer
monsoon rains. Here is a last living example of pure Tibetan
culture. The capital of this spiritual land is Lo Manthang,
meaning“The Southern Plains of Aspiration”and here, vivid
www.royalmt.com.np

greenfields,ochre-daubedmonasteriesburstoutofthebarren
desertlandscape.Visitthisareaduringthedemon-chasingTeej
festival for a dazzling cultural experience. For independent
trekkers, the Annapurnas are by far the most popular and
the Annapurna Circuit is surely one of the world’s favourite
treks—it’seasilyaccessible,theviewsareincredibleandcanbe
enjoyed with a delicious piece of apple pie in one of the many
comfortable lodges.
Times are changing though and road construction, welcome
forlocalcommunities,isbringingmodernityanddustintothe
landscape.However,creativeguidesaretakingthecuriousback
in time to the magical medieval villages of Nar and Phu, over
the high trail of Kang La with its breathtaking views, and up to
the frozen Tilicho Lake. Even in Nepal’s most trekked places, a
trail less travelled is never far away.

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