Spirit of Adventure

Mike Wood from the Peregrine Travel Centre in Perth has just returned from the recently-opened area of Nar and Phu in the Himalaya.

Our 26-day Nar, Phu & Tilicho Lake trek started out on the legendary Annapurna Circuit, where we spent the first four nights in tea house accommodation. We then branched off into a barely noticeable side valley, and in an instant, all other trekkers disappeared, we were on our own.

The trail into the valley was through a sheer sided gorge, with a path carved into the walls high above the river below. It was easy to see how this place remained unvisited! In fact, the upper parts of the valley had actually been settled from Tibet, and it was only in the last 30 years that the Nepali Government became aware of villagers in the valley.

As we passed through green spruce forests we gradually emerged into a more Tibetan landscape, almost lunar at higher altitudes.

We trekked through long-abandoned settlements with ancient carvings, decaying chortens and collapsed houses. There were some signs that people were returning, with one village starting to build a lodge in the hope that the newly opened route will see trekkers staying overnight like they do in the Annapurnas.

Phugoan is an ancient Fort Town, perched on to the top of a hill for defence. We camped in the fields next to the town and explored the fort and surrounding area. The Gompa (monastery) was particularly impressive, although only a small number of monks now live there. The nearby village of Naar seemed wealthier and had large numbers of yaks grazing in the fields. They also had a small water powered generator that allowed them to have light at night and which powered other amenities including a satellite phone.

From here we crossed the infamous Kangla Pass (5300m), which like many Himalayan passes, tempts trekkers with numerous false summits, until finally, around mid-morning, we crested the summit and began the descent down through the scree to the Marsyandi Valley.

If you are interested in following in Mike’s footsteps, the next departures of the trek are on 4 April 2010, 10 October 2010 and 3 April 2011.

Lou Day, our resident trekking expert, shares one of her tales from the trail.

When reflecting on what has been my favourite trek to date I must admit I was torn as to what to choose. Having been lucky enough to work at Peregrine for over 10 years now, I have had the fortune to be able to pursue my passion for trekking in some of the most spectacular places across the globe.

My travels have taken me through the Annapurna’s and the high trails of the Everest region in Nepal, to the moonscapes of Ladakh, the trenches along the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea and recently to the top of Kilimanjaro! Not to mention the feeling of remoteness and untouched beauty I experienced when trekking through the Simien Mountains of Ethiopia. To experience the unique culture and learn more of the proud heritage of the Ethiopian people was a privilege.

However whilst it pains me to choose a ‘favourite’ I cannot go past Nepal, it is my favourite place in the world! I love everything about it - the nervous laughter that fills your small aircraft as you land on what I believe is the most dramatic airstrip in the world - Lukla , the gateway into the Everest Region. It is from where you commence trekking to Everest Base Camp, and if you have time branch off to visit the Goykyo and Khumbu Valleys. Our group was a mixture of Australian, British and Canadian travellers, all with that common goal of reaching Base Camp. Part of the appeal of the trek to Base Camp I believe is that you have a genuine feeling of being on an expedition and the camaraderie we felt, helping each other to achieve our own personal goals, was a special one. Our group still remains in touch some five years later as the experiences you share on the track are hard to replicate once you return home. Perhaps that’s why I get back to Nepal every year I can.

Everyone at Peregrine is very proud of our local tour leaders. Time and time again they are mentioned in feedback that we receive from travellers and the theme is always the same – they made the trip what it was, and were a vital part of the overall holiday experience. We’re not surprised, as after all, who better to show you around than someone born and raised in the region. Each year we pick the best of the best, so listed below are our 2009 Tour Leader Award winners. Congratulations to them all, we’re very proud of you!

Australia - Adam Slade
Central Asia - Aminov Davlat
China and Tibet - Annie Li
East Africa - James Phillip Urio
Egypt - Mostafa Gamal
Ethiopia and West Africa - Solomon Girmay
Europe - Antonia Maricic
India - Shaliendra Singh
Jordan, Syria and Turkey - Samer Younes
Latin America - Dennis Berk
Morocco - Said Baadoud
Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet - Passang Sherpa
South East Asia - Khamla
Southern Africa - Tracker Spokes

As part of celebrating all of our leader’s tireless passion for their homeland and their diligent approach to their role, we thought we’d feature a short profile of three of the worthy winners:

Southern Africa - Tracker Spokes
Tracker Spokes has a deep-seated intimate love for the bush. It’s his life! When he is not on safari he often sets up a tent in his own backyard, longing to be ‘closer to nature’. What Spokes wants most is to be immersed in the wilderness and share his passion for the bush with his guests. Exploring the wildlife with Spokes is an experience, but wait until you hear his animated camp fire stories. Ask him for his uncle’s honey badger encounter and you will truly laugh your heart out. He needs to write a book! There were quite a few tears shed when we parted at the end of our two-week adventure.
Yes, Spokes had given us exhilarating insights into the wonderful nature of Botswana and its people,
but we all had grown to love him as a friend.

C.M. who travelled with Spokes in August 2008

Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet - Passang Sherpa
On 19 May 2006 Passang fulfilled his lifelong ambition of summitting Everest. Passang mainly leads our climbing and exploratory trips. He comes from the Solu region of the Everest area, but has travelled widely having lived in Bhutan and India as well as Nepal. He has worked for Peregrine for many years and has an excellent knowledge of the Himalayan peoples, their customs and folklore. ‘Passang Sherpa is a truly remarkable man. Diligent and 100 percent professional, he is the most inspirational person I have met. Trekking with him was truly a privilege. Thank you Passang. ’

MH, Melbourne who trekked with Passang in October 2008

Europe - Antonia Maricic
Antonia Maricic has been a tour guide in Croatia for many years and we have been lucky to have her lead our Peregrine trips over the past couple of years. Antonia is proud and passionate about her homeland and has a vast knowledge on the history, culture and traditions of Croatia. She loves nothing more than sharing this knowledge with visitors from around the world. She particularly enjoys leading groups from Australia and New Zealand, as she feels a real connection with these cultures after having spent time here in her youth. Antonia’s enthusiasm, her professionalism and her ability to make people feel like guests in her country make her an exceptional tour leader.

Charity: Humane Society International
Dates: 12-23 March 2010
Fundraising target: A$7,500
Duration: 12 days
Cycle through Rajasthan - the Land of Kings, a quintessential Indian state, with its walled cities, forts and palaces onto our final destination Agra. Throughout the tour, stay at battle forts like Ras Fort and Tordi Garh; palaces like Phool Mahal Palace; and farm houses like Rawla Bagh, where our hosts personally help us explore their villages. In Agra, visit the incomparable Taj Mahal and have a full day at the Agra Bear Rescue Sanctuary.

Contact our Private Groups team for more information on this great charity challenge!

Kopra Ridge, Nepal, by Kerry Lorimer

Trip of the week: Annapurna Dhaulagiri
Do you like what you see? Then why not have a look at our Annapurna Dhaulagiri trip. Pioneered by Peregrine and arguably the best two-week trek in Nepal.

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While many people enjoy travelling with a small group, some like the idea of travelling with just a friend, or their partner, and perhaps another couple. If travelling with one, two or three of your friends or family sounds like the adventure for you, take a look at our new Independent Adventures in the Himalaya and India, and what they offer:

• Start your tour on a date that suits you, with some trips departing daily, others several times a week.
• We’ll take care of everything for you, like organising your accommodation, transport and guides.
• In India, travel in your own vehicle with an English-speaking driver, meeting local guides who will show you the sites, along the way. Enjoy hassle-free and safe travel, with a local ‘helper’ assisting you on and off trains and flights.
• Or explore Nepal in the company of a local leader, who will travel with you throughout your whole journey.

Here’s just one of our new Independent Adventures…

Highlights of Rajasthan 9 Days
Explore the highlights of Rajasthan – India’s most colourful region – and the Taj Mahal. This classic journey includes a visit to the wonderful village of Nimaj where you’ll spend the night in a beautiful palace hotel and gain insights into village life in India.

Girl from Delhi, India, by Steve Wroe

Trip of the week: Images of Rajasthan
Do you like what you see? Then why not have a look at our Images of Rajasthan trip. A comprehensive adventure visiting both the traditional and the more unusual highlights of Rajasthan.

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Mount Everest, Nepal
Taken from the ridge trail between Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp, with Mt Everest to the left of picture.

Trip of the week: Everest Base Camp & Kala Patar
Do you like what you see? Then why not have a look at our Everest Base Camp & Kala Patar trip. A classic trek in the heart of Sherpa country to Kala Patar and the base camp of Mount Everest.

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Highly Commended
Morning Worship by Shivji Joshi

A priest is performing morning worship of river the Ganges at Varanasi. The river Ganges is considered the most sacred river by Hindus.

Trip of the week: Highlights of North India
Do you like what you see? Then why not have a look at our Highlights of North India trip. Immerse yourself in the contrasts and spirit of this amazing region. North India offers a kaleidoscope of colours, amazing monuments, breathtaking religious sites, Rajput hospitality and much more.

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