Annapurna Circuit, Best of Photos

People Hunting for Yarchagumba - Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

Yarchagumba, or Himalayan Viagra, is a prized commodity with locals paying big bucks to get a legal permit to gather it from the Himalayan hills (3-5,000 meters). A fungus infects the caterpillar, eventually mummifying it and giving it an aphrodisiac power. A fascinating and lucrative business. Taken in the village of Koto on the fourth day of our trek around the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. Read more about our Annapurna Circuit trek. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Mule at Dharapani - Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

This mule takes the "I'm standing perfectly still so maybe you won't see me" pose right in front of the Tourist Check Post in the village of Dharapani. Check posts are scattered across a handful of villages around the Annapurna Circuit in order to track foreign trekkers and to ensure that whoever goes into the circuit actually comes out safely. Taken on day three of our Annapurna Circuit trek in Nepal. Read more about our Annapurna Circuit trek. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Herding Water Buffalo - Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

This man patiently waits for his hungry water buffaloes near the village of Ngadi Bazar, towards the beginning of the Annapurna Circuit trek in Nepal. Read more about our Annapurna Circuit trek. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Nepali Schoolgirls - Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

These girls are on their way home to their village from their school in Jagat, Nepal. Many kids have long walks (think hours) each day to reach the closest school. Taken near the village of Jagat on the second day of our Annapurna Circuit trek. Read more about our Annapurna Circuit trek. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Namaste, Grandfather and Grandson - Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

This little boy greets us with "Namaste" (Nepali for "hello" or literally "I bow to you"), puts his hands together in the traditional greeting motion. His grandfather looks on proudly, laughing at our reaction. Taken on the way to Syange village on the second day of our Annapurna Circuit trek in Nepal. Read more about our Annapurna Circuit trek. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Nepali Girls - Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

Local kids near the village of Ngadi Bazar take a break. Taken at the beginning of our trek around the Annapurna Circuit trek in Nepal. Read more about our Annapurna Circuit trek. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Nepali Woman - Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

A local woman strikes a majestic pose near the village of Khorto on the third day of our Annapurna Circuit trek in Nepal. Read more about our Annapurna Circuit trek. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Smiling Kid - Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

Another friendly face to send us on our way from the village of Jagat on the Annapurna Circuit trek in Nepal. Notice her necklace, composed of various amulets for her protection. Read more about our Annapurna Circuit trek. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Adoring Mother and Son - Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

A proud mother gives us a big smile as we play games and adore her first son. Taken near Bagarchhap village on the way from Dharapani to Chame on the fourth day of our Annapurna Circuit trek in Nepal. Read more about our Annapurna Circuit trek. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Morning Mule Train - Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

A common sight along the Annapurna Circuit: a group of mules weighed down with everything from cement sacks to beer. Notice the colorful, woven head decorations. These are tough animals. Taken on the way from Dharapani to Timang on the fourth day of our Annapurna Circuit trek. Read more about our Annapurna Circuit trek. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Tibetan Women - Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

These older Tibetan women on a return trip to their village from Dharapani, on the eastern side of the Annapurna Circuit trek in Nepal. The trails are shared by trekking tourists and locals alike - there are no vehicles. Notice the Buddhist prayer beads in the woman's hand (left). Read more about our Annapurna Circuit trek. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Nepalese Kids - Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

Taken near the village of Chame at the end of day four of our Annapurna Circuit trek in Nepal. Read more about our Annapurna Circuit trek. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Snow-Capped Annapurna 2 Peak - Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

Our first clear views of the Annapurna 2 peak came on the fifth day of our trek, on the way from Chame to Bhratang. Just beautiful. Taken on the Annapurna Circuit trek in Nepal. Read more about our Annapurna Circuit trek. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Audrey with Group of Nepali Women - Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

Audrey joins a group of local women on their way home from Dhukur Pokhari to Upper Pisang. They offered up some mystery meat from the center of the circle, but Audrey politely declined. Taken on the fifth day of the Annapurna Circuit trek near the village of Upper Pisang in Nepal. Read more about our Annapurna Circuit trek. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Nepali Child in Hat - Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

When we first arrived in the village of Ghyaru, the local school kids were taking recess. One school girl looked up at Dan as he videotaped the scene. We thought her Rastafarian-style hat was a colorful touch. Taken in Ghyaru on the sixth day of our trek around the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. Read more about our Annapurna Circuit trek. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Tibetan Buddhist Engravings - Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

Slabs of rocks carved with Tibetan Buddhist manuscripts and mantras were piled up at various places along the Annapurna Circuit trail up to Thorong La pass. At every point, they seemed to be paired with a magnificent view, as if the Tibetans were paying homage to the mountains around them. Taken between the villages Ngawal and Bhraka on the sixth day of the Annapurna Circuit trek in Nepal. Read more about our Annapurna Circuit trek. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Annapurna 2 Peaks - Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

We rose at the break of dawn in Upper Pisang to beautiful views of Annapurna 2 from the Tibetan Buddhist gompa (monastery) at the top of the village. The clouds that slowly moved in took on a fluid look. Taken on day six of our trek around the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. Read more about our Annapurna Circuit trek. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Nepali Women with Biscuits - Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

We came across these women taking a rest break on the outside the village of Ghyaru. Their loads - brush and juniper branches packed tightly into wicker backpacks - were bigger than they were. We offered some of our HobNobs (British oatmeal biscuits from McVities) for an energy boost. They seemed to enjoy them. Taken on day 6 of our trek around the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. Read more about our Annapurna Circuit trek. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Yaks at Ice Lake - Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

Yaks graze on the open fields near Ice Lake (4,600 meters) above Manang. These shaggy creatures only live in high altitudes. Their milk is used to make surprisingly good cheese and yogurt. For us, the hike up to Ice Lake was the most difficult of the entire Annapurna Circuit - an elevation rise of over 1000 meters along steep switchbacks foot-carved out of loose rock and ash. While the lake itself was nothing special, the views across the Annapurna range on the way up made it all worth it. Taken on what was supposed to be our "rest day" - day 7 - of the Annapurna Circuit trek in Nepal. Read more about our Annapurna Circuit trek. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Sign to Thorong La - Manang, Nepal

A sign outside of Manang shows us the way to Thorong La Pass (5,416 meters) on the Annapurna Circuit trek in Nepal. Read more about our Annapurna Circuit trek. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Gangapurna Peak - Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

Hari, one of the porters servicing our growing pack of trekkers, picks a dramatic spot for a rest stop on the way from Manang to Yak Kharka. Gangapurna peak looms in the background. Taken on day 8 of our trek around Nepal's Annapurna Circuit. Read more about our Annapurna Circuit trek. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Young Nepali Girl - Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

This girl from Yak Kharka village eats her biscuits and tea on the front steps of her house. Notice her wind-burnt face. The elements - cold, wind and intense sun - can be harsh at 4,050 meters (over 12,000 feet). Taken on day 9 of our trek around the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. Read more about our Annapurna Circuit trek. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Hikers Going to Base Camp - Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

The landscape became dry and sparse as we made our way above 4,000 meters (over 13,000 feet). We trekked in slow-moving lines on the way from Letdar to Thorong Phedi (base camp for Thorong La pass). Taken on the ninth day of our trek around the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. Read more about our Annapurna Circuit trek. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Tibetan Smile - Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

This Tibetan woman from Letdar was incredibly shy when we first entered the village. She became embarrassed when we admired her amulets; she tucked them into her clothes for safe-keeping. Eventually, she warmed up to us and gave us a smile and hearty wave as we left for Thorung Phedi base camp. Taken on the ninth day of the trek around the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. Read more about our Annapurna Circuit trek. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Dawn at Thorong La Pass - Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

The clouds clear for a moment at dawn as we make our way from high camp to Thorong La pass (5,416 meters - 17,770 feet) on Nepal's Annapurna Circuit. Read more about our Annapurna Circuit trek. © www.uncorneredmarket.com