Odds are that you like to travel as I do. You may have cancelled a trip or two because of the pandemic and its associated risks. Going into summer I was like, “I got this”, and I did make it through the summer months, yet not much has changed.
Read MoreWe have always been a small Boutique company that loves immersing ourselves in the cultures in which we travel. Because of this, the communities we visit and stay with are like family. Right now, our family in Nepal is in distress. Due to COVID, their income has been extremely affected. In the beginning, there was hope that tourism could resume in the fall. Here we are, at the end of August and the hope for any sort of mountaineering tourism is fading fast.
Read MoreIf you are going stir-crazy and can’t wait to resume traveling, you probably check CDC travel guidelines often. As we see softening of travel restrictions domestically in the US, we hope for soft re-opening of international travel. How long would it take for things to get back to normal and when can we travel to Nepal? What will be the top changes that are to be seen?
Read MoreThe novel corona-virus has caused a severe impact to every part of the world including Nepal. Nepal, being a neighboring country to China and at a greater risk, took action early in the year when the first cases appeared.
Read MoreWhy do we crave the outdoors? What drives us to feel the sun on our face and the rocks under our feet? Is it to be free from the day to day routine? Is it because we need a break, or what people call a “reboot” from technology?
Not that long ago technology, as we know it now, didn’t exist. I remember when my husband suggested I get a cell phone. I was appalled! “Why?” I asked him. No one needs to get me that bad, and if they ever do they can leave a message. Remember that? We would come home after a long day and see the red blinking light on our answering machine? Press “play” and random voices would fill the room with messages we missed. Now it’s a funny electronic beep that commands immediate attention. I find time spent outdoors, say, the Gokyo lake trekking helping me to go back to those days when I wasn’t tethered to a phone.
Read MorePictured here is my beautiful friend May, whom I met by chance on a spontaneous nationwide women's rock climbing meetup in Alabama with the Ladies Climbing Coalition. When May learned that I was undertaking the Everest Base Camp tours with Driftwood Adventures, she eagerly jumped at the opportunity to join us. Her presence brought such a radiant, bright, and peaceful energy to our group. I'm so grateful for the sisterly bond that we developed as roommates over the course of our 17-day trek.
What's special about this photo is that May is seated by the beautiful bay window in the home of our sherpa, Tshering, and if you research the adventure trek groups in Nepal, you'll soon understand how uncommon it is for the tourists to be able to stay at the home of their sherpa, let alone spend the day at their local village school, receive cooking lessons in their kitchen, or sit around the dinner table with their local friends and family from the village and dance together - more on all of this soon.
Read MoreI can’t believe the Holidays are just around the corner. Although, I love the festive holiday shopping I often think to myself how many socks or trinkets does someone need? It’s fun when you have that person that you are excited to shop for, but after 20 years what else could you possibly get them? Especially when they may just go out and get what they want anyway.
How about an experience? How many times have you heard someone say, “I would travel here if I could only get away”. Or “I wish I would have……when I had the time”. Or maybe you know someone that just needs an extra push. They have talked for years about needed a change, needing an adventure… Or the proverbial “I just need to get away!”
Read MoreMost people feel that they need a year or two to get ready. If you walk a lot, love outdoors and have a sense of adventure you can be ready in 6 months.
One does not need to be a major sports person to trek Nepal such as taking the Everest Base Camp Tours, however physical fitness is important! Our treks are not running competitions. We feel it’s important for you to be able to walk your own pace so that you can enjoy the natural beauty around you! Trekking the trails of Nepal offers a diversity of landscape, flora and fauna, people and culture.
Read MoreWe, as women, wear a lot of different hats. We are a mom, a wife, a co-worker or a CEO. We are constantly running, moving; taking care of others. It’s important to take time to remind yourself who you were before you wore all these different hats. Is that girl still in there that maybe went backpacking through Europe in college? Or wanted to and didn’t get the chance? We all have that little girl in us that just wants to run free.
Why not run free amongst the beauty of the Himalayas? Explore Everest, the Base of Annapurna, enjoy the Everest base camp tours as well as other regions of Nepal by foot. Treat yourself to a natural reboot surrounded by like-minded travelers as part of the adventure trekking tours in Nepal.
Read MoreFirst-time trekkers in Nepal are always wowed by the Khumbu region around Everest and the Base of Annapurna. Yep, you read that correctly, first time trekkers. I honestly recommend Annapurna for first time trekkers.
Nepal is a wonderful place with adventure treks for all levels. When I first talked to a friend of mine about leading treks to the Base of Everest her first reaction was, “Aren’t you afraid?” Fear never entered my head. For as long as I could remember I always wanted to trek in the Himalayas. Now, all I want to do is share my experiences with others.
Read MoreHow many times do you find yourself traveling and wish there was a way you could give back? Help someone? We incorporate philanthropy and photography into all of our treks, be it the Everest base camp tours or the Gokyo lake trek.
During the last adventure trek in Nepal wherein we had visited the Base of Everest we brought solar lanterns. Solight Design was kind enough to donate a case of lanterns to our group. They are a global social enterprise delivering affordable solar lighting and power solutions to the world. Their mission is to provide clean sustainable light and power to those who need them most. There are over 1.6 billion people who have no access to electricity and clean sustainable lighting and energy, something most of us take for granted.
Read MoreEver thought about trekking in the higher altitudes? Worried about losing your breath? There is a technique that can help you to not only explore the majestic heights but enjoy it in every step of the way. It’s called the Sherpa Step, an important technique to acclimatize yourself and avoid altitude sickness while undertaking the adventure travel in Nepal.
Sherpas, the native Nepalese mountain people, who are known for the display of physical prowess at extreme altitude, hike up steep hills in a distinctive style called the Sherpa step. It is a particularly useful technique for saving energy when carrying heavy loads up the inclines where there is little oxygen in the air. The Sherpa step is also used to help trekkers acclimatize to the altitude, thus preventing altitude sickness.
Read MoreAre you looking for a vacation or an experience? I often find that people are looking for just a little bit more than the pink umbrella by the pool. Now, don’t get me wrong… I love that little pink umbrella sitting next to a crystal, clear pool overlooking the ocean with the sun warming my skin. But I have done that.
A few years ago, a friend of mine told me, “I want an experience. I want to do something that I feel on the inside, something that challenges me but doesn’t break me”. She was an avid athlete. Ran marathons and competed in triathlons… But all she brought home was a t-shirt that she rarely wore and another metal to collect dust. I personally would love to get those t-shirts and metals – but I’m too old for that!
Read MoreI signed up for a trek to Everest Base Camp (EBC) with Driftwood Adventure Treks in April 2018.
It was both the best and most fulfilling thing I have done in my life. Fulfilling because Bri, founder of Driftwood Adventures makes sure that you not only get to see the amazing beauty of the Himalayas, but also fully experience the spirit of Nepalese people and their way of life, which is wildly different from the Western culture. She also provides many opportunities to give back by visiting schools and bringing badly needed (donated) solar lanterns for villagers who do not even have running water or electricity.
The sparkling, pristine blue and green waters of the Gokyo Lakes are one of Nepal’s most memorable sights nestled in a country where a simple “Hello” rings sweet with the vibration of "Namaste" - a humbling greeting of respect, good will, and reverence for humanity.
There's still so much I'm processing from the April adventure that I underwent as part of the adventure tour in Nepal, and even still, I can confidently attest that this is one of the best decisions you can make for yourself.
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