Out of Focus | part 1 | Mountain Momos: A Hidden Himalayan Trek
Our resident altitude junkie (and London store manager) Lucy, strikes and hikes again. With Spring or Autumn being the recommended hiking seasons to visit, this April she flew east to seek adventure in the Himalayas. Flying into Nepal for a day of sightseeing before heading off to do the six day Manaslu circuit, instead of the twelve day option too. On the hike you can expect to gradually gain around 500-900 metres of altitude daily, which can be problematic for some, but Lucy’s top tip is to come prepared with Diamox pills to help with the sickness. Temperatures will also vary from hot to cold, so layers to cover all seasons are essential - it goes without saying that comfy hiking boots are too.
Nepal is a world away from the concrete jungle of London and Lucy devoured every minute of her time in the fresh mountain air and the breathtaking views. During a hike in Nepal you will usually be staying in locally hosted cosy tea houses, which are basic but comfortable and even offer WiFi for a small fee! If you fancy a slightly off the beaten track experience of Nepal, the Manaslu circuit was her choice and is less commercial than some of the more travelled Nepalese treks. But you will still be privy to all the Himalayan splendour as you trek the rugged road around the world’s eighth highest mountain, and that diversity is just what Lucy loved about the trip. She was able to immerse herself in the local culture and was met with kindness and the notoriously generous hospitality of the Nepalese people. It was a sensory journey of fluttering prayer flags, clanging temple bells and the scent of incense burning through the villages. During her time in the city of Kathmandu she stayed comfortably at Dwarika’s affordable luxury heritage property, which gives the feel of a living museum. Although if you are looking for something away from the bustling streets of Kathmandu, we would recommend travelling to Tiger Tops Karnali in the Bardiya National Park. It’s the place to go if you are in pursuit of seeing Nepal’s most impressive wildlife in unspoiled jungle settings - if you are lucky you will see Elephants, Leopards and potentially the Bengali Tiger.
Although the trip was predominantly to explore mountains and hit a daily 30,000 step count on Strava, it’s clear that Nepal has so much more to offer to those looking to absorb some culture and sightsee too. One of Lucy’s highlights was learning about the history of Buddhism and Hinduism in Bhaktapur, the city of temples. It’s also possible to travel the long (and cheaper) way round using the local buses, but we advise, in the interest of time saving, to hire a private driver for roughly £100-£120.
In Nepal, eating Momo’s is inevitable (little fried dumplings, ie. the ultimate comfort street food) and she said you can’t visit without also trying the delicacy of Dahl Baht or as the locals say ‘24 hour power’. Supposedly a nutritionally complete meal that local Sherpas eat to keep themselves nourished from the start to finish on their arduous trails - if it's good enough for them, it’s certainly worth a try to sustain your hiking energy. Lucy was enamoured by all the locals she met, saying that they are ‘extremely proud of their country and passionate to share it with you and enhance your experience’.
Nepal is also home to our Cashmere factory and we were delighted that she was able to give them a visit and it was even better that she came away with lovely tales to share. Check back in here next week to read all about it.
Travel- https://www.
Stay- The Pavillions Himalayas
Play- Manaslu circuit trek
Pack- Water hydration tablets are a must because you can’t drink mountain water. Bring snacks - you can thank me for this tip later and the Sherpa’s will thank you too!
