Tatopani to Poon Hill

Thursday 13 May: The Essex trio bus it to Kathmandu to squeeze in a bungee-jumping and white-water rafting trip before the Maoist strike resumes on the 23rd and I continue trekking to Shikha and on to Ghoropani (9,416ft). This is a quiet enjoyable two-day stretch and I'm glad to be alone. I hear bird song and see a variety of wildlife including a bright orange and black snake, little blue finches, a magnificent Impeyan Pheasant and numerous brightly coloured butterflies, all far too quick for my camera.
Friday 14: An invigorating dawn hike up Poon Hilll (10,499ft) reveals a spectacular mountain scape dominated by the massive bulk of Dhaulgiri (26,869ft), the world's sixth largest peak and Annapurna South (23,861ft). It's now decision time - do I continue to the relaxing lakeside resort of Pokara as planned or attempt the tough eight-day Annapurna Sanctuary trek to ABC (Annapurna Base Camp) in four days so as to get back to Kathmandu in time to get to Tibet?
Tatopani to Poon Hill pictures.