Why
to Trek
The Himalaya,
the "abode of snows", extends from
Assam in eastern India west to Afghanistan.
It is a chain of the highest and youngest mountains
on earth and it encompasses a region of deep
religious and cultural traditions and an amazing
diversity of people. A trek in Nepal is a special
and rewarding mountain holiday.
Just as New York
is not representative of the USA, so Kathmandu
is not representative of Nepal. If you have
the time and energy to trek, don't miss the
opportunity to leave Kathmandu and see the spectacular
beauty and the unique culture of Nepal. Fortunately
for the visitor, there are still only a few
roads extending deeply into the hills, so the
only way to truly visit the remote regions of
the kingdom is in the slowest and most intimate
manner - walking. It requires more time and
effort, but the rewards are also greater. Instead
of zipping down a freeway, racing to the next
"point of interest," each step provides
new and intriguing viewpoints. You will perceive
your day as an entity rather than a few highlights
strung together by a ribbon of concrete. For
the romanticist, each step follows the footsteps
of Hillary, Tenzing, Herzog and other Himalayan
explorers. If you have neither the patience
nor the physical stamina to visit the hills
of Nepal on foot, a helicopter flight provides
an expensive and unsatisfactory substitute.
Trekking in Nepal
will take you through a country that has captured
the imagination of mountaineers and explorers
for more than 100 years. You will meet people
in remote mountain villages whose lifestyle
has not changed in generations. Most people
trust foreigners. Nepal is one of only a handful
of countries that has never been ruled by a
foreign power.
Many of the values
associated with a hiking trip at home do not
have the same importance during a trek in Nepal.
Isolation is traditionally a crucial element
of any wilderness experience but in Nepal it
is impossible to get completely away from people,
except for short times or at extremely high
elevations. Environmental concerns must include
the effects of conservation measures on rural
people and the economic effects of tourism on
indigenous populations. Even traditional national
park management must be adapted because there
are significant population centres within Sagarmatha
(Mt Everest) and Langtang national parks.
Trekking does not mean mountain climbing. While
the ascent of a Himalayan peak may be an attraction
for some, you need not have such a goal to enjoy
a trek. As far as most people are concerned,
trekking always refers to walking on trails.
While trekking
you will see the great diversity of Nepal. Villages
embrace many ethnic groups and cultures. The
terrain changes from tropical jungle to high
glaciated peaks in only 150 km. From the start,
the towering peaks of the Himalaya provide one
of the highlights of a trek. As your plane approaches
Kathmandu these peaks appear to be small clouds
on the horizon. The mountains become more definable
and seem to reach impossible heights as you
get closer and finally land at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan
Airport.
During a trek,
the Himalaya disappears behind Nepal's continual
hills, but dominates the northern skyline at
each pass. Annapurna, Manaslu, Langtang, Gauri
Shankar and Everest will become familiar names.
Finally, after weeks of walking, you will arrive
at the foot of the mountains themselves - astonishing
heights from which gigantic avalanches tumble
earthwards in apparent slow motion, dwarfed
by their surroundings. Your conception of the
Himalaya alters as you turn from peaks famed
only for their height to gaze on far more picturesque
summits that you may never have heard of - Kantega,
Ama Dablam, Machhapuchhare and Kumbhakarna.