Before you pack your bags, make sure you’re covered- WorldTrips is my go-to travel insurance, and it’s the best deal you’ll find. Get it here!
Arriving in Nepal
When people asked me what my favourite country is that I have ever been to, for a long time, my answer has been Nepal without a second thought. I am fortunate that my list of favourites keeps getting longer, but Nepal will always have a special spot in my heart and for good reason.
My South East Asia travels were coming to a sad end and as you can expect from any twenty-something traveler, the past few months had mostly been about binge drinking with occasional temple visits. So, it only seemed appropriate to end this journey with a story to tell to people back home and get back into shape while doing it. Alongside trekking, I also planned to spend 10 days at a silent Vipassana retreat. If you are curious, you can read about it here.
I booked my flight to Kathmandu, and decided to figure out all details upon my landing, getting information and recommendations from locals about where to go trekking. As soon as I arrived, I felt the peace within the chaos of the city. The feeling that you are exactly where you are meant to be at any given time.
Arriving in Kathmandu.
Preparing for the Trek
I had checked into my guest house and was chatting with the receptionist, when an Australian traveller, Luke, entered through the door armed with his hiking gear. He was the literal definition of positivity, with a huge warm smile on his face. I asked what his travel plans were and we decided to pick a route together and start hiking the following day.
We got our trekking passes stamped and chose to trek Annapurna, as Everest seemed too touristy, and we wanted to avoid the crowds. In the trekking information office, we met a German guy, Dima, who was set out to trek the same route solo. Like that, our team for the trek was complete. There was a silent agreement between us that each would follow their own pace but take care of the others.
As we were informed, this itinerary could take anywhere from 10-15 days, and could span from 160km to 250km. We took a local bus to where our trek would begin at an elevation of around 1000 meters and started following the path.
Passing through beautiful lush green forests.
The First Days on the Trail
First few days were calm, the weather was perfect and the scenery was breathtakingly beautiful. We passed through lush green forests, enjoying the jungle landscape and gaining more strength and momentum with each step we took. Every evening, after a long day of trekking, we were welcomed by local teahouses, who had delicious and very filling dal bhat (a traditional Nepali meal of rice, lentils and vegetable curry) prepared for us.
Time to finally eat and relax.
As we continued the trek, the scenery started to change into tall pine forests and Tibetan symbols began to appear in the form of colourful prayer flags. The sun had disappeared and we quickly realized it was monsoon season. It was raining non-stop and the road was getting steeper. My legs were aching and I could feel blisters forming on my feet. At this point, Luke had already switched into his flip flops, as he was getting sucked into the mud with his boots and we were soaked all the way down to our underwear.
Rain or shine, trekkers will do what they do best.
Many roads were blocked off and closed due to landfalls caused by the heavy rains. Some of the locals living in the villages had lost their houses built on the hills. It was heartbreaking to see them struggling. We chatted with them about how we could be of any help, now and for longer term fundraising. They warned us about landslides, and informed us about the best routes to take to reach the peak safely and successfully.
Very muddy and slippery.
Hanging out with a local schoolboard director in the mountains.
Acclimatization is the key to success
As we climbed up and stopped for lunch, I noticed an odd headache and a dizzy feeling. We were above 2500 meters, and apparently altitude sickness could happen to anyone randomly, no matter how fit you are. So, we decided to spend not one but two nights at the teahouse, taking it a little easy on ourselves before aiming for the peak.
Our group expanded, now there were eight of us trekking together towards the Thorong La Pass. As each person walked at a different pace some were left behind, and I made my best to remind everyone that our butts are going look amazing once we complete the trek. Our motto was “it is not about the altitude it is about the attitude”. We repeated it throughout the trek to motivate ourselves to stay positive, as mindset is the only most important factor keeping you from achieving any physical goal.
I am a firm believer that authentic travelling is meant to push you and challenge you in so many ways. This trek has definitely helped me achieve that. I learned to silence my mind when the noise in my head told me to stop and give up. Trekking at such high altitudes helped me build endurance, resilience, and self-confidence.
Reaching the Highest Point
Crossing the Thorong La Pass, the highest point of the entire circuit, was challenging. We were up before sunrise and headed over narrow edges in thick snow. Also note that trekking at high altitude is far more tiring than trekking at sea level because of reduced oxygen levels. We climbed continuously for hours before finally reaching the prayer flags on the pass, extremely relieved and breathless.
Mama, we made it!
Catching our breath and looking around, taking in the vast scenery, we realize it was all worth the effort! An extreme moment of joy and camaraderie!
The Wild Descent
After many hugs, kisses and congratulations, it was time to descend. From what we overheard, there were two options: trekking back down to the final destination or taking a bus that could be more dangerous than the trek itself, as it is driving down the edge of a steep mountain from an elevation of 3500 metres. It was the easiest decision of my life. I was so ready to sit down even if it meant I would die in a bus crash. The guys agreed to join and we got on the bus.
Stuck in the mountains, reconsidering our life decisions.
The bus was absolutely packed, everyone else had the same idea with us and wanted to skip the descend. The road was rough and full of potholes, our heads kept bumping into the ceiling. When I looked down the window, I nearly had a heart attack and I wouldn’t even consider myself one with a fear of heights. I could hear sheep and chickens crying in the trunk. Less than an hour into the bus journey, we stopped. There was a landslide and a big rock blocking the road. We had biscuits and tea as they cleared out the road. Few hours later, the terrifying journey continued until we reached Pokhara, our final destination marking the end of an incredible two weeks.
Nepal has been yet another country I visited with an open mind and minimal expectations and left with memories I will forever cherish and friends I hope to stay in touch with as long as I exist.
My advice and the little takeaway here is, if you ever hear the call of the mountains, go! Your best adventure might just be around the corner!
Travelling long term is fun but constantly arranging transport & hotels for yourself can be exhausting if you don’t know where to look. I use the following platforms to make my booking process a breeze:
For researching & booking the best flights:
For researching & booking the best buses & trains:
