There are so many reasons why I love returning to Nepal. It is the country that I keep returning to again and again. The main draw is of course the mighty Himalayas. There is something I find incredibly relaxing about the routine of going trekking ? early starts in the crisp mountain air, breakfasts under a vast blue sky, mind-blowing views of the giant Himalayan peaks, the simplicity of life while camping or staying in tea-houses. In my mind there is no better way to unwind.
The challenge of a trek and its huge ascents and descents provides a massive sense of achievement at the end of each day. And that challenge changes as you move further up into the mountains. Starting in the sometimes tropical heat of the foothills amongst the terrace fields and towering rhododendrons, moving up into the dryer, cooler glacial mountain landscapes above the tree line and approaching the snow line…
Passing through iconic villages such as Tengboche, seeing red robed monks against the back drop of beautiful mountains like Ama Dablam and visiting a monastery during a Buddhist prayer ceremony provides an otherworldly experience.
Of course Nepal is a country which has had more than its fair share of troubles. In recent years Nepal has experienced a major earthquake, suffers regular power outages and has only had democracy for eight years. The introduction of that democracy has not been smooth and brings occasional civil unrest. To me all of this makes Nepal a more interesting place to visit. The Nepali’s always make tourists feel very welcome and go out of their way to look after us, they really appreciate the benefits of trekking for their communities and it is rewarding as a visitor to be able to contribute to such a great country.
In several decades of travelling the world I?ve not found a country that I go back to as much as Nepal, and I’ve not found a country that fascinates me as much…
