Trekking Amongst the Clouds
Imagine a travel destination where you can walk amongst the clouds, and be within reach of Heaven - a place where faith, spirituality and mysticism entwine to create an ambience unlike any place on Earth.
Nepal's Annapurna region, nestled amongst the Himalayas, is one to consider when contemplating your next adventure holiday.
The first thing that strikes the weary traveller upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport of Nepal is the relaxed attitude of the locals. Friendly and eager to please, the Nepalese are well versed in English and provide a hospitality that is warm and welcoming to adventurers and tourists alike.
The next thing that strikes you is the dust - a facemask would not go astray.
The capital, Kathmandu, is a busy, bustling metropolis that harbours a people steeped in religious and traditional observation. Hindu and Buddhist architecture dominate the landscape, and yet somewhat surprisingly, are temples that allow worshipers the freedom to celebrate a variety of beliefs. A fact not lost on the casual observer when acknowledging the hospitality of the region's custodians.
Once through Immigration, there are two options for vehicular transport. Prepay a taxi service that one might suggest is government-controlled or haggle with the seemingly hundreds of cabs jostling for a fare.
Navigating the potholes of an unkempt road while endeavouring to avoid collision with the myriad of trucks, farm animals, and human traffic is but a sample of the ordered chaos unravelling itself along this most mystical of geographic hubs.
The majority of trekkers will congregate in the tourist precinct of Thamel, where you will find accommodation ranging from $5 - $150 a night; as well as dine on modern, western cuisine. Although, there is something to be said for the local delicacies, in particular the Dahl Bhat - a smorgasboard consisting of lentil soup (dahl) and rice (bhat) served with steam spinach and curried vegetables or curried meat for those who have not yet acquired the taste for a vegetarian lifestyle. If you are budget-conscious, seek out a Nepalese café, where you can dine with the locals and pay half the price for meals served at other tourist venues.
There are a number of touring packages available depending on your penchant for adventure. And these range from the 'tour group' experience, led by able guides eager to engage you with their repartee; to the equivalent of an Aussie outback adventure, where overnight stops are chosen among tea houses in villages dotted along the region's many trekking routes.
Kerri in Nepal with Everest in the background
Be advised, trekking in the Annapurna region requires a good level of fitness in order to sustain the 6 to 10 hour-a-day walks, negotiating a terrain that can best be described as undulating. In the Annapurna region there are 2 main treks - Annapurna Sanctuary or the Annapurna Circuit, each with its own unique appeal and invariable challenges. On either trail you will find yourself walking through rainforests that parallel thundering glacial rivers. You will observe the locals tending to their terraced hillside farms, while taking in the majestic views of snow-capped peaks of the highest mountain range the world has to offer.
Caravan Himalaya is a local tour company with the expertise to make your next adventure holiday the experience of a lifetime. On offer is a range of tour packages through Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan - which, as you might agree, are some of the most exotic places on Earth. For more information visit: www.caravanhimalaya.com
As with any adventure holiday, it is highly recommended that you do your research and plan for the unexpected. Read widely and consult extensively. And please be sure to see your GP for up-to-date tips on vaccinations and staying healthy.
