Spirit of Adventure

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.

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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If you’ve ever dreamed of standing on top of a snow-covered mountain peak, ice axe in hand, surveying the mountains around you, then we might have just the trip for you. Heading into remote mountains in the Everest region of Nepal our Ramdung & Tesi Lapcha trek offers the opportunity to trek through rarely-visited areas and climb to the summit of Mt Ramdung amongst spectacular Himalayan scenery. It’s a challenging trip, and it won’t be for everyone – be prepared for steep ascents, some roped climbing with crampons and ice axes, and the effects of high altitude. But for those prepared to accept the challenge, it will be the trip of a lifetime.

After exploring Kathmandu, the early days of this trek wander through small villages, alongside rivers and past terraced fields. As the altitude increases the landscapes become less hospitable - we trek up through sparse rhododendron and juniper outcrops, until we are finally amongst the snow and ice, preparing for our ascent on Mt Ramdung. After some climbing instruction we tackle the peak itself, which for some will be the biggest physical challenge of their life. It’s a great climb, not very technical, and the views are simply mind-blowing.

After descending Mt Ramdung, we tackle the Tesi Lapcha high pass, a strenuous and difficult approach to the Everest region. Once we have made it across the pass, we trek along more popular trails to the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar and back for our return flight to Kathmandu. This is a genuine mountaineering adventure!