Photo Friday: Son of a Sonamarg Shepherd

A mature young shepherd leading his herd On our trek through the Kashmiri Himalayas we saw lots of hardened youngsters, punching well above the weight in maturity. This young shepherd was one of the toughest though. He was helping his father lead their herd of goats through the valley, wearing shoes 4 sizes to big & a heavy sack slung over his shoulder. It was sad to see a child doing such wearisome work at such a young age. The wonder of childhood... Read More

Photo Friday: A Sherpa Tribute

Determination at its best! Sherpas make the Everest Region come alive and give the word ‘determination’ an entirely new meaning. So generous and kind-hearted, and so often taken advantage of. They take great pride in mountaineering, and ever since tourism boomed, mountaineering has become their livelihood. Living at high altitudes gives them a unbelievable advantage to ferry supplies up and down the mountain, set up camps, and lug equipment... Read More

Mt. Everest Base Camp

Day 9: Gorak Shep to Mt. Everest Base Camp, 2 hours We Made it!! After a relentless 9 day hike deep into the heart of the Himalayas, 7 mountain villages, over 25 hours of hiking, ascending 3,000m, altitude headaches, 2 acclimatization days, plenty of midnight toilet runs, indulging in Sherpa Stew, lemon tea, and momo’s at every chance, game after game of Yanif, hours of conversation with hikers from all over the world huddled around a fire... Read More

Day 7-8 Dingboche to Gorak Shep

Day 7: Dingboche to Lobuche, 4 hours We left the warmth and comfort of the cozy Dingboche lodge and the sweet old lady who kept us fed and warm the past 2 days. We stuck together with the other trekkers we met at our lodge and all headed out in the early morning hours for our long hike to Lobuche. Life after Dingboche continues to get harder and harder. The weather really deteriorates (it gets COLD) and the air is noticeably thinner. When trekking... Read More

Everest Base Camp Trek: Preperation & Tips

Before the trek there was A LOT to organise, A LOT to consider. Here are some ‘need to knows’ about our preparation for the Everest Base Camp Trek & some advice for any would-be trekkers…: It’s called ‘Tea House Trekking’ - Nepal offers some of the most unique treks in the world. Yes, obviously because you can trek through & to the highest mountains in the world, but also because they’re... Read More

Our Top 10 Indian Experiences

Our Top 10 Experiences in India   10. Floating on a small canoe past the burning bodies at the crowded ghats of the mighty Ganges River. Every fire is a different cremation... 9. Taking our first steps onto the luxurious houseboat, floating on beautiful Dal Lake surrounded by mountains & silence. Gazing out onto gorgeous Dal Lake 8. Jungle Johnnie’s slice of paradise, indulging in western comforts,visiting the elephant camp, and the... Read More

Himalaya Trekking in Kashmir

/* DAY 1 Due to the strikes & rioting across Kashmir we had to leave the luxuries of our houseboat at 4am to avoid army road blocks on the way to our starting point, Sonamarg. After a few hours on the windy mountain roads we arrived bright & early to set up camp at the foot of the mountains. Our entourage included a guide, a cook, 3 pack ponies, and a random kid. Meadows carpeted the valley floor in greenery, the Sindh river rushed... Read More

Photo Friday: Divine Dal Lake

  Paddling peacefully across the divine Dal Lake Dal Lake is situated at the Northern tip of India, the head of the country in the heart of Kashmir. Charming houseboats bob quietly on the calm waters of the lake, enclosed by the awe-striking Himalayas. An absolutely stunning scenery.  Read More