Day 5 - Entering the Manang Region     Giant Steps This was one of our first views entering the Manang region, about which Andrew Stevenson says the following in his Annapurna Circuit - Himalayan Journey: Manang was a self-contained kingdom until the eighteenth century when Kin Shah of Gorkha united the waring kingdoms of 'Nepal' into one. In tribute to their allegiance, Manang was given special privileges including the right to trade freely without paying duty. Originally intended for traditional Manangbhot traders bringing up rice and taking down salt to and from India and Tibet, the privilege entitles the modern Manangbhot to import goods from overseas without paying duty, further encouraging their trading instincts.   Photo by Alistair Adams