Long weekends out of the ordinary

A semester in Nepal is not just about the curriculum and writing exams – the weeks are structured in such a way that we also have the opportunity to explore mountains, villages, and jungles around the country.

11. desember 2025|Tuva

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We have several long weekends, in addition to writing group exams in the last weeks – so if one is efficient, there's a chance to take a few more days off!

Some in the group chose to go on a safari in the lush Chitwan, and saw among other things crocodiles, elephants, and rhinoceroses. Others explored the village of Bandipur or went on the Mardi Himal trek.

Turquoise glacial lake reflecting snow-capped mountains and a glacier, with a red tent on the shore.

In the end, I had two amazing experiences – the newly opened Annapurna North Base Camp and a weekend trip to the distinctive Mustang district.

Annapurna North Base Camp is located on the other side of the more famous South Base Camp, which we also visited earlier in the semester.

Climbers camp here before they attempt the summit push on one of the world's most dangerous and deadliest mountains, Annapurna. This route actually only opened five months before we walked it, and the journey shows it.

Deep mountain valley with two hikers on a dirt trail, snow-capped peaks, and a clear blue sky.

The drive up was an adventure in itself. The roads wind along steep mountainsides and were bumpy and narrow. One wrong step, and the jeep would tumble headfirst off the edge.

We discussed what to do if we encountered an oncoming car, and were very relieved that we didn't have to find out!

Just weeks before, on what we then felt were unsafe roads, my friend remarked, "Well, at least we're not on the road up to ABC North!" If only she knew what was awaiting.

Four people bundled in warm clothing and sleeping bags lie or sit in a rustic wooden room.

The accommodation on the way up was very primitive. We either slept in tents or in shacks where the mattresses were laid side by side across the floor.

We lay close together, but in the cold there was also some comfort in feeling the warmth from others. Much of the journey goes through a valley, so for large parts of the day it was very cold, until the sun finally peeked over the ridges around us.

Nevertheless, I must say that it was the crowds that left the strongest impression on the trip. Due to many social media-friendly places, this particular trip has gone viral on TikTok in Nepal, and there were extremely many people out walking!

Snowy mountains and a dark hill under a clear blue sky with a small moon.

Many people had set out on the trip without booking accommodation in advance, and unfortunately, there were several who had to sleep outside because everything was fully booked.

There was also a shortage of food, and it often took several hours before it was ready. One day we had to walk for six hours on an empty stomach before we finally reached a place with food. Packing enough provisions has thus proven to be a good idea!

We felt a deep gratitude towards everyone who worked hard in the camps to provide both food and lodging, and to handle the chaos of the crowds.

Several warmly dressed people eat a communal meal inside a large white expedition tent.

The base camp itself is incredibly beautiful and is situated by a bright blue lake, due to the glacial water.

We couldn't resist, so a friend and I mustered up the courage and took a dip in the water.

It was bitterly cold, but still exhilarating to feel the adrenaline rush and fun to be able to say that we have bathed at an altitude of 4100 meters!

This lake is the main reason the trip has gone viral, and no matter where you looked, there was a photo shoot happening.

Even our guide took us to a viewpoint, before she suddenly changed into a skirt and crop top to snap some pictures.

A tall waterfall descends into a rocky river with a prayer flag-draped bridge and wooden buildings in a rugged mountain valley.

The trip to Mustang was a stark contrast to the previous one. We were spoiled with brilliant sunshine all weekend, comfortable sleeping arrangements, and plenty of food.

The nature is also completely different from anything else we have seen in Nepal.

I must say that Mustang is a must-see when visiting Nepal. It felt like walking through a mix of desert and lunar landscape.

Golden statue of a Buddhist deity on a pedestal, under a pavilion, with prayer wheels and snow-capped mountains under a blue sky.

Mustang lies like a crevice in the Himalayan range, receiving the cold wind straight from China, which shapes the landscape quite dramatically.

Nevertheless, apple trees are growing everywhere, which gives the area a very exciting character.

We drove a jeep to Kagbeni, which is about seven hours from Pokhara, and set out on a hike the next day to the town of Muktinath.

Mountain landscape with a road through a valley, unique eroded pillars, and snow-capped peaks under a clear blue sky.

This is a sacred pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists, with temples at 3800 meters above sea level. Statues and Tibetan prayer flags stood in beautiful contrast to the mountains.

The day after, we went back to Jomsom, which marked the end of the Mustang adventure. All the villages we visited were very charming, and many travel here just to experience them.

So if one feels full from hiking, this is also a nice activity to do. On our way across the mountain, we encountered several yaks, which were really fun to see right at the end of our stay in Nepal.