Hiking the Annapurna Circuit Trail in Nepal. Day 4, from Upper Pisang (3300m) to Bhraga (3450m)

Just as good as the previous day had ended, this day began. The young couple owning the guesthouse, even lit the fire in the communal area for us and the other few guests during breakfast. Something I noticed, made a very big physical difference in how my day began. Having warm hands and feet, right before I started my day’s hike, was so good for my energy levels. I don’t even know why this had such a big impact on me.

Because of the positioning of the village, Upper Pisang bathed in sunlight when we left that morning. The smoking houses in the perfect stillness of the morning sun, was one of the most beautiful visuals we got during the whole trek.

The route we were taking that day was going to lead us al the way to 3700 meters within the first 5 kilometres. The way there showed itself hot and sandy. We crawled our way up accompanied by a group of British men in their forties. I swear their humour and self-spot helped us to put the whole climb into perspective.

3 quarters of the way up we came across grandma’s little cabin. She sold us some colourful hats which would come in handy on the coming days. A few kilometres after the summit of the day, we got distracted by a bird of prey. We accidentally got on a detour that added a good 6 kilometres to the planned 16, but lead us through an amazing path full of little temples.

Because energy levels were good, we still got to Bhraga by 7 o’clock in the evening. By that time energy was spilled and I was suddenly so tired that I had difficulties eating enough again that evening. Our original plan was to check out the village of Manang, 1 kilometre further. We choose to go to bed instead.

END NOTE

Detours are probably gorgeous, but tiresome! That being said, acclimatisation type hiking it is a really smart thing to do. It is good to hike higher during the day and sleep a bit lower at night. This gradual 2 steps up, one step back, way of gaining height during the trek, can help prevent altitude sickness.

THE WHOLE STORY OF NEPAL

·Annapurna Circuit trail Nepal day 1. Chamche – Dharapani

·Annapurna Circuit trail Nepal day 2. Dharapani – Koto

·Annapurna Circuit trail Nepal day 3. Koto – Upper Pisang

·Annapurna Circuit trail Nepal day 4. Upper Pisang – Bhraga

·Annapurna Circuit trail Nepal day 5. To the ice lakes from Bhraga

·Annapurna Circuit trail Nepal day 6. Bhraga – Yak Kharka

·Annapurna Circuit trail Nepal day 7. Yak Kharka – Thorong Phedi Base Camp

·How I got altitude sickness on the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal and the mistakes I might have made (Day 8)

·The way down on the wrong side of the Annapurna Circuit trail in Nepal. From Thorong Phedi Base Camp to Pokhara in 36 hours (Day 8, 9)

·Three amazing days around Pokhara, Nepal (Day 10, 11, 12)