Trek day 14 – Kagbeni to Marpha

It was another relatively easy day downhill to the village of Marpha.  Now at lower elevation, we were happy to see the greenery start to return to our walks. 

To get to Marpha, we hiked through the city of Jomsom which has a small airstrip and is also the highest village serviced by a dirt road on the Kali Gandaki side of the trek.  Although the construction of this dirt road over the past 10 years is generally well received by the villages(who now have better access to supplies and medical treatment), many Annapurna die-hards feel it has tainted the trekking route.  Some trekkers with less time opt to take a jeep from Jomsom to places south, or ending their trek altogether at this point.  Since we had some time to play with, and recalling our less than pleasant bus experience at the start of the trek, we decided to continue on and walk the entire “traditional Annapurna Circuit”. 

The truth is we didn’t mind walking along the road and “the road” is more like a wide, rocky trail with an occasional jeep.  At least the trail was now more level and easy to follow!

 

 

A shrine of some sort (we think), carved into the mountainside

 

 

No one told us there was a Hilton in Nepal.

 

 

 

 

Hiking into Marpha, we saw this caravan of horses hauling grass.  As they walked along they would reach back and try and steal a mouthful.

 

 

The village of Marpha is known for its apple orchards and various apple creations.  Arriving around lunch time, we decided to order a lunch of apple pie, apple crumble, chocolate cake and tea.

 

 

 

 

The narrow, windy walkways gave Marpha a very European feel

 

 

 

Irrigation canal  (and a farmer tending to his cabbage).

 

 

The courtyard of our lodge… we did a bit of wash in the sink (using shampoo for detergent) and our clothes are drying on the line outside.

 

A kid (maybe around 10 years old) hauling a big basket of wood into town.

 

 

Some of the apple orchards of Marpha