October 23, 2024, day 7
Direction Lama Hotel. Unlike what happened when going up, we skip the Langtang Village stage, this involves a twenty-two kilometer route and a thousand five hundred meters of altitude difference in descent. In addition to Langtang Valley, I chose to reach Lake Gosaikunda, an altitude of four thousand three hundred meters, located on the opposite side to ours, to reach it we will have to descend to an altitude of two thousand and then climb back up to an altitude of four thousand three hundred after two days of walking. According to the information on the website of Mr kesh's agency but also those of other agencies, my trip would involve sixteen days of walking but I have twelve days available, therefore I have to skip some stages, and this raises the average number of kilometers traveled daily, more distances less rest. The addition of Lake Gosaikunda in twelve instead of sixteen days with the climbs to Kjangjin Ri and Tserko Ri changes the qualification of my trip from 'moderate' to 'strenuous'.
The walk is very pleasant, despite the numbers. I have been walking continuously for seven days now, my body is more than trained. I only fear a union claim from my knees but my knees decide to work and work full tilt.
Near Langtang Village, out of the corner of my eye, I see movement on a rock to my right. Monkeys. A group of curious monkeys that are scrutinizing us carefully. I go to take a photo of the one closest to me but, in response, it turns and walks away, turning its backside towards me.
We arrive at Lama Hotel. Padàm tells me:
- We have the same problem as the other time-sir. -
- What do you mean? -
- We don't have a room. The guy decided to give them only to Nepalese-sir. We should look for another room in another village-sir. -
- There's no way around it. The plan is for us to sleep here and we will sleep here. How and at what cost is your problem. -
Padam manages - is forced - to get a room and not only does he get the same room as last time, but unlike that one the internal lamp works and the electrical outlet where I can charge my cell phone also works. It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good.