In this post you will see more images of the changing landscape while hiking along the Annapurna circuit. While on the trail, the first few days are spent mostly in smaller, deep valleys with beautiful views of the valleys but little of mountains. Once you enter the Manang region, things open up and the mountain vistas and long views are among the best in the world.

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A view of the Annapurnas taken along the beginning of the Upper Pisang Trail. We are already over 3500m at this point and the mountains in the back are close to 8000m

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Donkeys at rest
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Long valley view of road worker at rest
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A very common site along the trail – donkeys carrying supplies to mountain villages
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The first thing you learn along the trail – always stay on the inside of the trail when donkeys pass. They don't care if they knock you down the valley!
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Porter on the trail
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The entrance to the region of Manang – a region that is hard to get to but well worth it

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Early morning light on the trail. Our porters (Manoj & Dal) in action
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A lunch spot like no other. After a long, tiring morning we were told by our guide that we would be eating at a roof top restaurant. This spot was our introduction to the towering mountains that we would have for most of the rest of the trip
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Lunch as usual consisted of dal bhat (rice, curry, pickled veggies, and lentil soup) and a huge pot of milk tea. It took a lot of effort to leave this spot!
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A view of the inside of one of the tea house kitchens. These places are among the cosiest places that you can imagine after a long hike and cold weather. The efficiency and skill of the cooks is something to marvel at. The wonderful woman in this shot was much too shy to face the camera but was happy to let me photograph the space.
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Me in a dried up waterfall. I didn't stay here long as I couldn't stop thinking about it not being dried up!

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Prayer wheels at the north entrance/exit to Chame. Those who have been to Bhuddist places know that you always pass to the left and spin the wheels with your right hand. After 2 weeks in the area you find yourself passing to the left of everything you pass just out of habit!
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Suspension bridge in Chame

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The rock face in the back was one of the best scenes of the trip. It is about 2000m of smooth rock at an angle of about 45 degrees.
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This is a 4 image panorama in the valley between Chame and Pisang

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A young boy at the tea house in Pisang. These kids end up doing most of the heavy work in the tea houses when they are old enough
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As good as it gets! This is a particularly nice toilet along the trail. It's funny how westerners react to this type of toilet when they first see them. In reality, these are much more hygenic and practical for this environment.
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Not what you might think! This ancient symbol appears in many places along the trail. In the Bhuddist tradition, the symbol represents the graphical representation of eternity.
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One of the best sections of the Annapurna Circuit – The Upper Pisang Trail. Apparently only 10% of trekkers take this trail because it is much higher and tiring than the lower trail. This is what they miss out on!

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These are fantastic, Andrew. All I could think about was how much effort it took to get these shots! All the travel, hiking, and carrying cam gear/lenses on your person. I have spent numerous summers in Kenya/TZ with in the bush with the Maasai so I know what a thrill it is to see and experience these amazing people/scenes.

Having just returned from a trek to Mt Everest Base camp, your photos brought back many great memories.

I’m looking forward to a return trip and another trek

thanks for the images.

Amazing! I have many friends, that come to work where I live, from Nepal and Tibet. They never bring photos when they come each summer. I’m so glad to have this peek into their land. Now I BADLY want to travel there!