Jun 21 2008
On the Trail
Each camp site during our trek was between 15 and 20 kilometers apart. Some of the members of the group hiked, and some of us rode horses. All of our gear, food and camp equipment was carried from site to site on the backs of 8 camels (the road for cars petered out soon after we were dropped off).
Each day was different in terms of terrain, vegetation, and scenery, but it was all beautiful. The horses carried us across dusty trails, rocky slopes, sludgy bogs, and many streams and rivers. They even carried us across snow a couple times. I got an incredible feeling of freedom and power while riding my horse on the trail through such remote wilderness.
Each trekking day, the hikers set off first because the expectation was that they would take longer to get to the next camp site than the horses and camels. Next, we horse riders left camp, usually about an hour after the hikers. Finally, once the camels were fully loaded, the camels, our cooks, our wranglers and extra horses would leave. Typically, the camels would pass us all and get to the next camp first (long legs and no tourists to slow them down). The hikers were strong and fast, many times getting to camp at the same time or just a little bit after those of us on horses. We took breaks throughout the ride to stretch, drink water, and take pictures. We ate lunch on the trail, and it was always tasty.
Our guides on the trip were Eddie and Amy, and a local guide named Dosjan. Eddie accompanied the riders, Amy accompanied the hikers, and Dosjan rode on horseback to assist both groups when the trail wasn’t as easy to find. We riders also had a wrangler with us to help us find the way, although we soon learned that our horses knew the route and usually led the way correctly (I say usually, because some of us had horses who had minds of their own sometimes, and wanted to take a circuitous route, or at least the route that would take them past the most delicious grass and wildflowers).
Most of the day, our horses walked, but when there was an open, flat space, we trotted or cantered. Every once in a while, we galloped for a short time.
Here are some pics from the trail:
Riders riding
Hikers hiking
Camels hauling
A beautiful view from the trail
Taking a break
Crossing a river
Sweet lunch spot
Another beautiful view
Snow!
Do you get the picture yet? This place is beautiful.
– Meredith
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