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Flying back to Delhi from Kathmandu I sat mesmerized as I watched clouds float far below the giant peaks of the Himalayas. It’s hard to consider these mountains without reflecting on the geology and wondering why almost all of the worlds tall peaks are in Nepal. The Himalayas are a result of the collision between the Indian plate and the Eurasia plate that began somewhere around 50 million years. The resulting mountains are an unprecedented landform both today and in terms of historical geology. The Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau combined are one of the most extreme expressions of mountain building on the planet in the last 500 million years. Nepal is the place to go as it’s the present epicenter of this uplifting event and its home to 8 out of 10 of the world’s tallest peaks. The only other 2 peaks in the top 10 are in the Karakoram of Pakistan. To be fair of these 8 peaks several straddle the borders of India and China but however you look at it Nepal has a clear claim to housing the greatest concentration of the world’s tallest peaks not only today but probably in the last hundreds of millions […]
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The Annapurna Circuit is renowned as one of the world’s greatest treks. While most trekkers follow the standard route there are a number of interesting side trips that can be added or alternate shorter treks if one lacks time to complete the entire circuit. Here we give a brief summary of the Annapurna Circuit as well as the possible side trips and alternate routes. The Annapurna Circuit The Annapurna Circuit is the classic trekking route which encircles the entire Annapurna Massif. The trek typically takes 15 to 20 days and is approximately 160 to 230 km in length depending on the exact drop-off and pick up point. Most trekkers travel in a counterclockwise direction which provides a more gradual gain in altitude to cross over Thorung La Pass which at 5416m is the highest on the trek. The mountain scenery is fantastic with close-up views of some of the world’s tallest mountains – Annapurna Massif (Annapurna I-IV), Dhaulagiri ,Machhapuchhre, Manaslu, Gangapurna and Tilicho Peak. The higher elevations regions of the trek which include Manang and Mustang are primarily Tibetan cultures while Lamjung and Myagdi which compromise the lower elevations of the trek are typically Hindu. The trek passes through a […]
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Words like “breathtaking,” “exquisite,” and “pristine” are insufficient to describe the marvels of the Annapurna circuit. Located in Nepal, this trek through the soaring Himalayas attracts adventurers from all over the world. A dizzying assortment of flora and fauna, exciting range of climate zones, and glittering, ice-ringed snow peaks entice the eye, and a pleasantly-strenuously physical challenge beckons thrill-seekers. With a highest point of 5,416m, you’ll breathe thin air and take in views that will make you feel like you have the whole world at your feet. Spy glistening glaciers, fiery sunrises, and deep, mysterious forests! A full trek of the circuit generally lasts between seventeen and twenty-one days, although partial treks as short as a week are available. You’ll wend up fearsome passages, stop in on quaint villages (the people are mostly Tibetian Buddhist here), and bask in the camaraderie of others making the trip at the same time as you. October and November are the busiest time to make the circuit, with the “shoulder” seasons of September and November coming up right behind in popularity. The summer monsoon season and the howling winds of winter both make for a significantly less-pleasant journey, which explains why crowd levels are […]
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Quick overview: This is for sure one of the most popular treks around of the world and beyond doubt the most popular in the Himalayan region. The EBC (Everest Base Camp) trek attracts people from each corner of the planet, it starts in Kathmandu and goes all the way to Base Camp; the Sherpas will guide you to this incredible journey through mountain passes, suspension bridges, local villages and obviously and the most important Mt. Everest. The highlight of this trek is a morning walk to Kalar Patthar (The Black rock) where you will get a rewarding view of the summit of Mount Everest and its neighboring mountains. A life changing experience is how our customers describe this amazing journey, stay at Tea Houses and experience the hospitality of the locals.
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