The Annapurna Circuit is a circular trek around the Annapurna Mountain Range in Nepal. Although the trek is a giant loop, it offers a lot of side treks as well. One of the most popular places to do these treks is in Braka, a small village located right before Manang. Braka is positioned at an […]
The Mera Peak Trek: What It’s Like
I’m not sure if it’s the New Yorker in me or perhaps my parent’s constant reminders that I could do anything I put my mind to, but somehow I find I sign up for things that I’m ill prepared for. Call it gumption, or more fittingly, stupidity. It’s at these times that I wonder why […]
Mera Peak Climbing Itinerary: 15 Day Route
I decided to climb Mera Peak on a bit of a whim when the original trek I’d planned to Upper Dolpa turned out to be too expensive. Swotah Travel & Adventure gave me a Mera Peak climbing itinerary, but after doing some research I asked if I could make some alterations. I wanted to make […]
Trekking for Beginners: 10 Simple Tips for Success
Trekking for beginners can be daunting to say the least! My very first time trekking, I honestly had no idea what I was doing. I signed up for a three day two-night trek in the hills of Myanmar. It was beautiful, but I didn’t know what to pack or what “trekking” actually was. Once I […]
Kulekhani Lake Trek Itinerary: 3 Day Trek in Nepal
As much as I love long term trekking, I can’t do it every single day. Yet, sometimes I want a break from the Kathmandu Valley. I’ve been searching for short treks that can be done by all age ranges and by those with no trekking experience. Sometimes people don’t want to spend weeks roughing it […]
The Hike to Everest Base Camp: What It’s Like
When I set out on my trek, I thought it would change me. The hike to Everest Base Camp sounds so impressive that I was sure I’d have some kind of epiphany in the middle of the Himalaya. It was a sure thing. Is there any better place to find yourself then at the bottom […]
Mera Peak Packing List for Nepal’s Highest Trekking Peak
Mera Peak is considered the highest trekking peak in the world. While it’s called a “trekking peak,” it does require some mountaineering skills and equipment. Luckily, it’s the kind of peak where you can learn as you go, making it perfect for beginners looking to try their hand at something a little more difficult than […]
Tea Houses in Nepal: Everything to Know for Trekking
One of the very first questions I had about trekking was about tea houses in Nepal. What is a tea house? What do I need to bring with me? Where do you eat? How expensive is it? So many questions went through my mind. For my first trek, I booked with an agency because it […]
The Annapurna Circuit or Everest Base Camp Trek: Which is Better?
One of my dreams was to go to Everest Base Camp, but the more research I did, the more confused I was about which trekking route to choose. Should I do the Annapurna Circuit or Everest Base Camp? For some reason, I decided to stick with the Everest Base Camp Trek over the Annapurna Circuit. […]
The Flight to Lukla Airport: What It’s Like
My stomach is tense, and I can’t stop tapping my foot on the floor. A nervous tick. We’re already running an hour late as we pull up to the airport because someone in our group had ATM trouble in the morning. As we exit the van, I can see Lalit (our guide) sprinting across the […]