Expeditioners are into day 3 of their trekking phase: heading for Tadapani today ...

Communications and receiving signals is proving problematic (as we knew it would be) during the trekking phase of the expedition. We will post any and all news when we receive it ... and when we have comms!

It's now day 3 of the trekking phase in the Annapurnas* where 'The Gang' will be trekking through colourful villages, rich forests, traversing rushing mountain streams and spending the night in traditional tea houses.

On Friday, they left Nayapul (1,070m) following the Modi Khola Valley to Syange (1160m). Yesterday (Saturday) will have been a tougher trek up to 1,940m. They will have climbed through the rice paddies and up stone staircases to the 2nd largest Gurung settlement of Ghandrung home to many Ghurkhas. The temperature up here is cooler than the monsoon heat of Syange - which will be a relief! Clouds permitting (!) we hope that the expeditioners will have seen some good views of the Annapurna range and the sacred Fish Tail Mountain Machhapuchhre.
Today they will be trekking to Tadapani.

Some typical scenery on trek: 

*For reference: The Annapurna Region in central Nepal is the most geographically and culturally diverse region for trekking. Annapurna I is the world's eighth highest mountain (8091m). The area boasts of a variety of Hindu and Buddhist cultures, tribes and castes including the Brahmins, the Chhetri, the Newars, the Gurungs, the Magars, the Manangis and the Tibetans. This area has sub-tropical lowlands, valleys, forests of bamboo, oak and rhododendron, alpine meadows and windswept desert plateaus. The area is home to over 440 species of birds and animals like the marten, deer, languor and the elusive snow leopard.

Machhapuchhre

*For information: Fish Tail Mountain ... Machhapuchhre  ("Fish Tail" in English), is a mountain in the Annapurna Himal of north central Nepal. It is revered by the local population as particularly sacred to the god Shiva and hence is off limits to climbing. It is one of the most photographed and distinctive mountains in the world.