29 April 2014
We are in Manang and slept well in our Spartan room. We have a view of a small lake (Gangapurna Lake) and several white mountain giants. Today we go from Manang (3540m) to Milarepa’s Cave (4100m), to acclimatize a bit further.
It is a relief to walk with an almost empty backpack (only water and food). The first part of the climb is through the forest and at times quite steep. But we are already used to it. Here and there we come across ruins. Halfway through we come to a Gompa.
Finally we get to the cave. Somewhat anticlimactic. As sacred as it is, it is completely extinct and there is really nothing to see. A number of old houses and a huge Buddha. According to tradition, a monk prayed in the cave for years until he turned green from the pine needles he sat on and which he ate. Once, when a hunter passed by, he was so impressed that he hung his ax over the cave and repented.
Anyway, the view is beautiful on the glacier of Annapurna III, but with the sky getting dark with clouds, we go down again. Biscuit, chocolate and some water for lunch. In Manang, we visited the local bakery-European style. Delicious! As well as the shower. In the pigsty. You can’t have everything in one day, can you?
Read more about my Annapurna Circuit trek:
Annapurna Circuit day 1: Kathmandu – Besisahar – Bhulbule
Annapurna-Circuit day 2: Bhulbule – Ghermu
Annapurna Circuit day 3: Ghermu – Tal
Annapurna Circuit day 4: Tal – Timang
Annapurna Circuit day 5: Timang – Dhikur Pokhari
Annapurna Circuit day 6: Dhikur Pokhari – Ngawal
Annapurna Circuit day 7: Ngawal-Manang
Annapurna-Circuit day 8: Milarepa’s Cave
Annapurna Circuit day 9: Manang – Yak Kharka
Annapurna Circuit day 10: Yak Kharka -Thorung Phedi
Annapurna Circuit day 11: Thorung Phedi – High Camp
Annapurna Circuit day 12: High Camp – Muktinath
Annapurna Circuit dag 13: Muktinath – Marpha
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