Look at me Mum and Dad ... I made it to the top of Poon Hill (3,210m) in the Himalayas!

Photos .... just in!  After a 4 am start the expeditioners made it to the highest point on their trekking itinerary this morning (Monday) ... Ghorepani & Poon Hill! 

A break in the clouds allowed for fantastic views of the snowcapped Himalayan peaks.

Congratulations everyone - fantastic achievement!

We made it ... here's the proof!

On top of Poon Hill, Annapurna Himalayas

A break in the clouds for spectacular views!

Wet, wet, wet ... but all in good spirits on reaching Tadapani on trek!

Expedition leader Matt finally has a signal and reports to Fee Bellamy (on Saturday) …

Wow what a wet day! We arrived here at Tadapani at about 12.30. I think we have had the whole monsoon on us today.  Stopped at a village and Udaya, one of our Nepali guides, managed to source some hot mango juice and biscuits. The team loved it. Megan brought ginger biscuits ... the Sherpas loved them :) 

We have all been playing cards and games this afternoon, great spirit! The museums yesterday were great, 6 of the girls and 3 of the boys got dressed in traditional Nepali clothing … was great!  Off to dinner now.  

The natural stone staircases - going up, up, up and then down, down, down. 

Nepali mother and daughter, Annapurna Himalayas

Nepali porter, often Sherpas, in Annapurna Himalayas

Made it to Ghandrung, visited school, views of hills ...

Expedition leader Matt makes contact with Fee Bellamy and reports:

We have made it to Ghandrung and have had lunch. We managed to look around a school in Kimche. Martine took the contact details of the teacher. I have made a donation to the school health project on behalf of the expedition and the girls wrote in the journal to say who they were. Very good.

Clouds are down. Everyone is resting now after the tough day of trekking.
Unfortunately no views of the famous ' Fish Tail' mountain today (perhaps tomorrow?)* but views of the hills. We may go to museum later.

Typical scenery on trek

Typical trekking scenery

 

 Dawa one of our expedition's experienced and popular Nepali Guides

*Fish Tail Mountain 'Machapuchare'

*For information: Fish Tail Mountain ... Machapuchare  ("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.

First day of trek ...

Fee Bellamy reports following contact with expedition leader Matt: 

First day of trek went really well. They've tried rice from the paddy fields, played volleyball with the locals, had cockroaches and bugs in their rooms, eaten a fab Dhaal Bhaat now going to bed. It's raining now. 

P.s. Leaders have sorted the bugs!

Terraced Rice Paddies

Have arrived in Pokhara ... trekking awaits!

The flight to Pokhara has landed safely and everyone is now on the bus heading for the Annapurnas and the start of their trekking phase of the expedition!

Himalayan Annapurna views from Pokhara

Lake Phewa - Pokhara

Visits to schools, sightseeing and some exceptional Nepali guides.

Fee Bellamy reports:

I spoke with expedition leader Matt today ... They all went to the school yesterday and saw the children just before they went home. It was lovely and brought a few tears to some eyes as the students sang and gave them flowers.  They have earmarked a couple of classrooms for painting and the basketball hoop area for cleaning up. They aim to have bilingual lessons, i.e. they will get taught some Nepali by the students as well as helping them with their English. The Nepali teachers are very excited about them coming back in a week and a half to be with them.

Today was spent sightseeing at Patan (World Heritage Site) and Bungamati, a typical 16th century Newari village. The groups two main guides Udaya and Dawa have been great and the city tour guide Archana was brilliant.

Very hot, been pretty much dry so far. They are now packing for trek and will dine tonight in Sonam's restaurant.

I will try and speak to Matt whilst they are on trek but this may not be possible due to communications - so please do not worry if you do not hear any news over this next phase. 

View from the air!

Great views of Himalayas and the Ganges on approach into Kathmandu

Fee Bellamy reports: 

The group are all safely in their hotel in Kathmandu. They are being briefed by Udaya who will be with them for the whole trip along with Dawa. After a look around the Thamel area of Kathmandu they will go for lunch at Kilroys. Yummy food for all tastes. They will then travel to the famous Buddhist Stupa of Boudhanath, and visit the school in which they will be working on the way back.

The school is called: Atlantic English Boarding School! Not a boarding school as we know it ... This evening they will eat in the hotel, it has been a long day. 

Weather is dry at the moment and very humid, great views of the Himalayas and the Ganges as they flew into Kathmandu ... what an amazing start to their adventure!

Hustle, bustle, colour, sights and smells of  Kathmandu

Boudhanath Stupa is the largest stupa in Nepal and the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet.