Manaslu circuit
I had never been to Asia before, so I could only be surprised in Nepal. Smaller airport, but helpful and friendly staff at the entry into the country, processing the visa took a few minutes. The hustle and bustle of the big city was already waiting outside. Luckily my English was good enough for a simple phone call with our guide and I scurried off to the hotel. The personal exploration of another world began and was accompanied from the first moments by Raj's professional and interesting interpretation.
The journey to the mountains started with a bus, followed by a jeep, and then finally continued only on one's own feet. As it turned out, in the optimal time of year, when at least some previous moisture allowed nature to show its wonders, which, thanks to its rich knowledge, Raj could not only show us, but also name and describe in context. Nature changed from "lowlands" with subtropical plants, through semi-primitive forest, to high forests with coniferous and deciduous giants along the course of the glacial river, to mountain meadows and to a thicket of fragrant rhododendron bushes in the highest parts behind the five-thousand-meter saddle of Larke Pass, where we they had only rock and glacier underfoot, but the closer we were to the sunlit peaks covered with ice and snow.
The direction of our march, where we slowly gained altitude meters to the highest point of the expedition in a reasonable number of kilometers every day in complete comfort, with sufficient sources of food and drink, and in view of the following steep initial descent behind the saddle, was excellent.
Our guide described the route for each day in advance, its character, places and stops for food and drink, accommodation for the night. I never felt "lost", uncomfortable, or rushed.
During our trek through the mountains, we used the services of a porter during the day to carry our sleeping bags, spare clothes, etc. Biru always did this with a smile and an assurance that everything was O.K., even though it seemed like a difficult task. Thanks to Biru's services, our own wandering could have been more comfortable. Thanks a lot.
In order to return to urban civilization clean and tidy again, the guys took me to the local barber. It was definitely a great experience.
Seeing how life in a different environment can be difficult and at the same time initially simple for a person to survive makes me return to Europe richer and at the same time knowing that good people live everywhere, helping others is always needed and meeting others and sharing experiences with them is enriching.
Thank you very much for all the services and I look forward to the next trip if possible!
Pavel Klement
Třebíč, Czech Republic, Europe