As we get closer, they just keep getting taller.
No one ever tells you how long it'll take to reach the top.
Have you ever seen how quickly the seasons change in just one month? It's incredible how serene and peaceful everything can be. That's the magic of the Himalayas. These majestic mountains have a way of controlling everything, including the weather. Nobody can predict whether it'll rain, shine, or snow. It's all just pure magic.
Life is so much more beautiful in the mountains. It's a simple life with simple people. Being a daughter of the Himalayas, let me tell you, every time I draw closer to them, I feel a warmth and safety, and above all, a sense of home. I remember watching the documentary "14 Peaks" last year, and that's when I decided I had to experience them up close. And this year, I finally made it happen.
I booked my trip through Trek The Himalayas, and they made everything so much easier for me. Since I planned to travel solo, I joined a group of three other people, all from India.
I arrived in Kathmandu on April 29, 2023, and started my journey the next day, on April 30, from Kathmandu to Ramechhap airport. It took about five hours to drive to Ramechhap from Kathmandu. From Ramechhap, I took a scenic 20-minute flight in a small Dornier aircraft to Lukla, and then trekked for approximately three hours, covering six kilometers, to reach Phakding.
Phakding is a charming village in the Khumbu region, situated at an altitude of 2,610 meters. It has lovely tea houses, wonderful people, and breathtaking views.
On the second day, we embarked on a trek towards Namche Bazaar, which involved hiking approximately eleven kilometers and gaining an altitude of 3,440 meters. It was quite a challenging day, especially the last stretch, which was steep. But we managed to push through it and reached Namche around 3:30 PM. Namche Bazaar is renowned as a historic trading hub, particularly known for its homemade yak cheese and butter.
My room had the most incredible view. Namche is like a miniature city nestled in the mountains. You can find everything related to trekking and souvenirs here.
"It is not the mountains we conquer but ourselves"
In the mountains, people rise early and call it a day early as well. Throughout my entire trip, we usually went to bed before 8 PM and woke up before 6 AM.
It took us eight days to reach the top. We went from Namche to Pangboche, Pangboche to Dingboche, Dingboche to Lobuche, and finally, we stayed in Gorak Shep, just three kilometers away from Everest Base Camp. During these days, I witnessed the most enchanting views, trekked along beautiful trails, marveled at the mighty Himalayas, and experienced so many other remarkable things. These trails weren't always easy; at times, we had to push ourselves. But that's precisely why we chose to be there instead of opting for some fancy vacation.
What it's like to push yourself to the limit? When you feel like giving up, your feet freezing, your stomach hurting like crazy, but deep down, you know that a little push can bring you closer to your dream.
We reached Lobuche at 5,030 meters, and from there, we took a 30-minute climb to catch a glimpse of the Khumbu Glacier. Life doesn't get more amazing than this. It's been seven days without a bath and three days without any network, but who cares at that time? Just one more day, and I'll be there. That thought was on repeat in my mind. Isn't it amazing? You dream about something, and soon enough, you're there. Tomorrow might be tough, and we'll need to push a little harder.
The final day was a bit challenging, requiring an extra push at an elevation of 5,430 meters, just to witness the view of the world's tallest mountain, Mt. Everest. And here I am, on top of the world. Happiest version of myself.
I discover myself over and over again in the mountains, going through self-introspection, finding what I needed. Life becomes easier when we stop dwelling on the past and the future. The peace I was searching for, I found it there. The tranquility, the sense of closeness, and the feeling of being protected, it's all there. It gave me strength and the power to overcome all the challenges. My search ends right there.
Choosing to take this trip was a big decision. It's not exactly a walk in the park, but it's also not impossible. Have you ever dreamed of something so beautiful and peaceful? I did, and that's why I went there. It's a place where you meet people from different parts of the world. It was my first time experiencing a place where I met people from every country, religion, and social background, all on the same grounds.
Life won't give us second chances, so let's take the plunge and face our demons. It took me years to realize that life has its own purpose. We learn by following our passions and life is more beautiful and meaningful in mountains.