DAY 6 : NEPAL : Maccha Khola (930m) - near JAGAT (1340m) - 6 hour walk

 Our destination today was near Jagat.

We set off along the banks of the  River Budhi Ganaki.

 

Climbing higher with Ganesh Himal range in the background.

Butterfly on hibiscus.

Locals carrying amazingly heavy loads on difficult terrain.

We passed through the town of Tatopani - where there is a natural hot spring. A little too public for a hot shower - but tempting.

Interesting rock formations along the river.

Sheer cliffs in every direction.

Passing a 2 house village we noticed a Rashti still - the local home brew made from rice. One trekker told us that there is a village in the Tsum Valley where they drink so much of it that villagers regularly fall off cliffs. Potent stuff!!
Apparently, it ranges in strength from 3-10. We haven't had the pleasure to try it yet. Satish wants us in perfect condition to survive the higher altitudes.

Lunch today was at a very neat settlement called Dobhan.

An interesting character from the community.

A welcome rest with our porters along the route.

Our campsite tonight was on the shore of the river.

It looked quite a poor settlement, with many children. Another itinerant group that support trekking groups in the season and then move to higher ground during the monsoon.

 

The camp was hurriedly set up as the rain set in.

M&M

mm_smith@bigpond.net.au