Trekking in the Himalayas

Nepal was not on our original travel list, but it is such a short hop away from India, it was too hard to resist. After some research, we decided on a trek in the Annapurna range which is renowned for its spectacular views and changing scenery.

We were trekking for a week. Each day we saw buffalo, chickens, donkeys and super fit locals with huge baskets carried by a strap across their foreheads. Our accommodation was basic ‘tea houses’ – the homes of friendly locals which offered a hot dinner and freezing bedrooms.

The highlight of the walk was reaching the poon hill summit. We walked up in the darkness for an hour to watch the sunrise over the mountain view. It was breathtaking and was worth the 5am wake up! From that point we were able to look at two Himalayan ranges, and some of the highest mountains in the world! It made us feel rather low down at 1670m!

The toughest day of the walk was the same day. After breakfast, we had a good 7 hours walking ahead, and much of the track was icy, requiring lots of concentration and careful footwork. To top it off, Sophie got a cold and made her way through 5 packs of tissues that day!

Alongside the walking, we also practised a lot of yoga. Our guide was also a yoga teacher, so we fitted in daily classes, stretching and guided relaxation sessions. On our return, our bodies felt as though we had only been for a gentle stroll.

Annapurna Range

Fishtail mountain, its sacred so no one has ever walked up it

Snowy tracks

Sophie finds someone to chat to

Yoga at every opportunity

Dahl Baht, ’24 hour power’

Us and the fishtail from Poon Hill

Teetering tea houses

Rice terraces fill the lower mountain sides