Universal Religion: Psy trance party in Nepal at the beginning of the Annapurna circuit

The key to getting into most music festivals!

“We’re the security for the trance party. Would you like to see our I.D?” Ram asked us. Usually, we’re asked to present I.D. This was a good rescue.

We were 7 hours away from host farm, Hasera, for one night to catch the end of this party, Universal Religion. One of the worlds highest altitude parties, this year was held in Bandipur, an area where most people jump start to their Annapurna circuit trek.

We were caught with a 1,500 (17 USD, very expensive in local economy) Nepali rupee taxi ride up the mountain from a city called Dumre to Bandipur after night has settle into the mountains. The road was a windy 7km uphill. Half way up, the taxi croaked on us. The driver lifted the hood and started fidgeting with the engine pulling out god-knows-what from who-knows-where in the engine block. The engine would not start. Other cars passed by roaring up the bend. More failed monkey mechanics and the driver calls someone.