Nepal Captures Your Heart Forever

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Himalayan Landscapes Are Forever in Your Heart

I have become addicted to wanting to walk in these landscapes. Forever.

Main Everest Base Camp Trail

That’s me on Day 13 of our Mount Everest Base Camp trek returning to Lukla. From the top of Kala Pattar we had the closest view of Everest, two weeks before I turned 58. That was October 2015. Now, we just have to go again. Back to see, and be a part, of these massive landscapes.

Flying to Lukla

All my reservations  left me when I saw the first vista from the plane flying to Lukla.  And my eyes filled with tears. In 2013 it was the first time I had ever done anything like this – hike or trek. Me, walk all the way to my next destination? Never.

EBC Trek Day 2

On the lower part of the trek the vistas are smaller. Remember it’s all relative. The noisy river, the trees, the small villages along the trail. And the bridges which cross back and forth over the river. The blue roofs are at Benkar and our porter is a little up ahead with the orange pack.

Bridges across to Nacmhe Bazaar hill

Then there is the iconic bridge which features in in the movie Everest. After crossing the suspension bridge and the fast moving Dudh Kosi river below there is the steep big climb to Namche Bazaar.

Day 4 Above Namche Bazaar heading towards Tengboche
Lodges in Nepal

In the photo above look closely at the bottom point of the river to see the two bridges. Looking back at different points and seeing how far you have come gives you a great sense of achievement. It’s all part of the addiction. 

Above Namche Bazaar on Acclimatisation Day

There can be amazing views even from your room. The climb to Namche Bazaar is worth the view. You can even climb higher, pay more and stay at the Everest View Hotel and get a view of Everest.  

I love the view of the two rivers below. The two bridges in the photos above cross where the two rivers meet. The day before I had walked alongside the river. There was a bit of cloud and rain as it was the very end of September. But we didn’t get wet.

Namche Bazaar to Tengboche EBC Trek

When we flew to Lukla the first time there was an man sitting next my husband who was on his seventeenth trek to Nepal. I told you it was addictive. He pointed out the mountains by name. I want to be able to recognise all the mountains and name them too. The one above is Ama Dablam, she is distinctive and easy to spot.

EBC Trek Walking to Dingboche

Above the tree line and blue skies. The track levels out in places.

Day 7 EBC Trek to Dingboche

Little hamlets and big views. Part of the attraction is no crowds. I loved Dingboche and the acclimatisation day walk above it. Half way up the hill you can see the C-shaped track above the stupa and to the right. That’s about 400 metres above the town and where the flag pole below was. The views were stupendous. I loved it.

View of mountains above the small village of Dingboche on the EBC Trek

There are walks to be taken from Dingboche so I just have to go back…

EBC Trek Dingboche to Lobuche
EBC Trek Dingboche to Lobuche

The massive landscapes put things in perspective.

Above Pheriche, Everest Base Camp trek

You could look at the view forever but you have to move on to the next amazing vista.

EBC Trek near Gorak Shep

And the views feel so special because you have “worked” and walked to get there. Note the people in the bottom left hand corner.

Gorak Shep and Kala Patthar

And when you get to your final destination and climb that final brown hill and stand in front of Everest and above Everest Base Camp…

On top of Kala Patthar in October

you understand it’s not just about getting there. The whole journey and the effort to get there is special. But be warned. It’s addictive.

Everest Base Camp in the morning

A morning view from Mount Everest Base Camp.

Posted on February 1, 2018 by Louise Terranova

59 thoughts on “Nepal Captures Your Heart Forever”

  1. Wow, I feel like I’ve just been on the journey with you Louise. What an awesome post that captures all the breath taking beauty of Nepal. No wonder you want to go back. So, being as addicted as you obviously are, when are you going? 🙂 xo

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Fantastic shots. Wow… I think it was a very special moment and I can tell it is still very much in your head. Wonderful true story. It feels good to share it. Thanks.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Hi, Louise –
    I totally GET it!
    “I have become addicted to wanting to walk in these landscapes. Forever.”
    This past summer, Richard and I walked our third Camino and said it would be our last. So many other wonderful places to explore. But. The Camino. It keeps calling you back. Again.
    I understand that Nepal is the same. When are you going back?

    Liked by 2 people

  11. Hi Donna, I ‘m glad you get it!! We are going back late September and early October. Ideally I would like to go a bit later for more guaranteed finer weather but I can’t because of my job. I work in a secondary school and so holidays need to be tied to the holiday breaks, I ask for an extra week off. Unfortunately when we have a longer 5 and half week Summer break is the northern Hemisphere winter.
    We actually were seriously planning a camino walk for 2018. Bought the book, my husband was researching including reading your blog ( I think) and other sites and had decided we would do a section, Then we went to Italy for 3 weeks ( 2 in Sicily) Sept/ Oct last year with our adult daughters, It was a beautiful magic trip BUT the trip there and back nearly killed us, You know the long flights to the end of the earth of Australia. Anyway my husband said he didn’t want another long flight like that for at least five years! So Nepal is back on. The plan is Goyko Ri in the Khumbu. But all considerations aside I am in love with Nepal, But we will do the Camino too. One day. Thanks for reading and commenting, Louise

    Liked by 3 people

  16. I confess that I’ve never understood the urge to climb mountains, Louise — until now. Your writing and photos are so evocative that I can practically feel the cold air against my face, hear the gurgly whoosh of the noisy river, and bask in the stillness of those vistas, where you are literally standing on top of the world. Thank you for letting me tag along on this incredible journey.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Hi Louise

    It was sooooo enticing to read your blog and see the wonderful pictures! Yes, indeed it’s addictive! We’re going to EBC on March 14…..just hoping for reasonable weather this time. I’m also hoping for more slightly more comfortable accomodation than Annapurna – and maybe a few more Western toilets.

    Your notes will be going with me – they’re fantastic!

    Warm wishes
    Vicki

    Liked by 2 people

  20. Hi Vicki, You have no idea how happy that comment makes me. Can I ask you a favour to put this or something similar on my home page please. Also if you want to email any questions just flag it on any of the posts and I will jump into my emails and respond.Louise

    Liked by 1 person

  24. I agree with you Louise, it gets under your skin and I’m so thrilled to read you’re going back later this year!! Such great photos and fabulous memories for you both, what an achievement! It’s on our return list on day too. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  36. I’m going trekking in Nepal this November and I have to say this post has gotten me all to excited for my trip! It’s so far away yet so close. Definitely looking forward to some of the incredible landscape and nature! Any tips on training?

    Liked by 2 people

  39. Hi Rachael, I am glad I have made you even more excited. You should be!

    Tips on training? Steps. Steps, steps and more steps. Find a staircase somewhere with multiple flights and go up and down them. I would start that at three months before you go. Once a week building up to twice a week for the last month. We started off with ten minutes each time and finishing up doing an hour of steps with a short ten minute break at the 30 minute mark. Also some hills or treadmill on an incline. One steep hill somewhere is enough. Just backwards and forwards up and down. Up and down. Training in your boots and with a backpack on is a good idea. Even if you take a porter you will need to carry a day pack. Where you going? Annapurna area or the Khumbu or somewhere else? Look forward to hearing back from you. Louise

    Liked by 1 person

  44. Louise, I just found your blog while doing a Nepal search in the WordPress Reader. All I can say is, “Wow!” I love this post, your pictures, your story — and look forward to reading through you blog. Thank you SO much for sharing your amazing experiences!

    Like

  45. Hi Ann, That is lovely feedback thank you. I had very quick look around your blog. Florence is one of my all time favourites. Soooo, are you planning a trip to Nepal? I will check out your blog during the week, I have to get ready to go out train by climbing stairs for our next trek. which I need to blog about SOON.Louise

    Liked by 1 person

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