trip summary - NEPAL: HIMALAYAN DREAMS
by kahli april
Some places in the world are almost impossible to describe. Nepal is one of them.
Before arriving, I expected towering mountains and challenging hiking. I didn't expect to fall in love with so much more.
We kicked things off in Kathmandu, which is perhaps the most unexpected place I’ve visited. It's a city that somehow feels both completely overwhelming and incredibly welcoming at the same time. Motorbikes weave through impossibly narrow streets, horns become part of the soundtrack, cheeky monkeys and temples appear around every corner, and colourful prayer flags flutter above the chaos. Yet amongst it all are some of the kindest, gentlest people I've ever met. There's a warmth to Nepal that makes you feel welcome from the moment you arrive.
And then, of course, there was the trek…
After flying to Pokhara to start our trek, we were immediately struck with complete overwhelm. Every day the landscape changed. We began in dense, humid forests alive with birdsong, bamboo and enormous rhododendron trees. The trails wound through tiny, cliffside villages connected by endless stone staircases, where life seemed to move at a wonderfully simple pace. Gradually the trees began to thin, the air became cooler, and the valleys opened wider until eventually, we found ourselves surrounded by nothing but rock, ice and snow-covered giants.
I've photographed mountains all over the world, but nothing quite prepares you for the Himalayas.
They aren't simply “big” mountains. They're so vast that your brain struggles to understand what you're looking at. You lose all sense of scale while you strain your neck, constantly looking up at the summits that seem to stretch endlessly into the sky. They're difficult to photograph because no image can truly communicate their size. They're difficult to describe because there really aren't adequate words.
One of my biggest surprises was the birdlife. I’m not a bird photographer (yet), but I don’t think one of us came away without at least one bird photo. Brightly coloured minivets, laughing thrushes, sunbirds, barbets and giant vultures soaring above us.
And then, on day seven, all of our efforts paid off as we made the final climb into Annapurna Base Camp. The weather really rewarded us with crystal clear nights that revealed an incredible canopy of stars stretching above the iconic mountains, and we were treated to not one, but two flawless sunrises as golden light slowly spilled across Annapurna, Machapuchare and the surrounding peaks. Moments like those can't be planned. You simply hope, wait, and feel incredibly grateful when nature decides to cooperate.
Away from the scenery, Nepal constantly reminded us how differently life can be lived. Watching local people carry building materials, food, gas bottles and everyday supplies on their backs, up thousands upon thousands of stone steps, was incredibly humbling. Entire villages continue to function through sheer hard work and determination, growing their own food supplies and surviving by any means necessary. It leaves you with a deep appreciation for both the resilience of the people and how fortunate many of us are.
That appreciation extends equally to our incredible porters. Their strength is almost beyond comprehension, but even more impressive was their kindness, humour and constant encouragement. Our trek simply wouldn't have been possible without them, and I came away with enormous respect for everything they do.
The food also deserves a mention. After long days on the trail, steaming plates of so many delicious meal options, including dal bhat, somehow always arrived exactly when they were needed most. Add in endless cups of masala tea, the sacred momos, and plenty of well-earned desserts, nobody went hungry. The tea houses were wonderful and a true delight after a long day on the trail.
Our local guides were nothing short of incredible, and they really made the trip as special as it was. Their experience and knowledge of these mountains gave us complete confidence every step of the way. They seemed to read the landscape and weather instinctively, often predicting conditions with remarkable accuracy long before any of us could see the signs. It's a reminder that generations of living and working in these mountains can teach lessons that no weather app ever could (though I would pay to subscribe to any weather app they made without hesitation)!
It was an emotional journey to finally be standing at the base of those giants and something that, for me, had huge personal meaning as I’d always dreamed of hiking through the Himalayas.
The Himalayas have a remarkable way of putting life into perspective. They remind you how small you are, but somehow make you feel more alive than ever. Nepal challenged us, humbled us, rewarded us, and welcomed us with extraordinary kindness. Long after the sore bodies have recovered and the photographs have been edited, I think we'll all carry a little piece of those mountains with us.
If you’re interested in joining us on our next trip to Nepal, you can join our waiting list here and you’ll be the first to be notified when spaces open up! https://mailchi.mp/offbeatphoto.ca/nepal
