Exploring Nepal's Wonders with the Alpine Club of the Himalayas
"There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign." Robert Louis Stevenson
4/15/20246 min read
During my time living and working in Saudi Arabia, I was fortunate to be surrounded by friends and coworkers who shared our love for travel.
Nepal was initially a country I hesitated to visit, but when my friend Brian returned from his trip and shared with me his tales of his adventures, I was completely sold. Brian, a seasoned Nepal traveler, had made friends with Sujan, the mastermind behind the Alpine Club of the Himalayas tour company.
Now, normally, I'm not one to rely on tour guides for my travels, thanks to the wonders of the internet and amazing travel blogs (like ours, of course!). However, Nepal is a different ball game altogether, and I'm grateful we teamed up with Sujan. He saved us time, money, and a whole lot of headaches! Nepal's rich culture and bustling atmosphere demand a level of expertise that Sujan effortlessly provided. With only five days to spare, we wanted to make the most of our time, and Sujan arranged everything for us – except our accommodations, which, you guessed it, we sorted out at the Marriott Kathmandu!
Sujan's attention to detail and unwavering support made our day trips a breeze. The highlight of our trip was a helicopter ride to Everest Base Camp. As self-proclaimed luxury travelers, we couldn't resist bringing along a bottle of champagne and some glasses to toast to our aerial adventure. Because really, what's fancier than popping a cork at Base Camp after a 45-minute ride in a heated helicopter? Backpackers, take note!
Once we reached Base Camp, however, we quickly realized the altitude was no joke – and neither was the lack of oxygen. Champagne was promptly shelved in favor of soaking in the breathtaking views and heart-pounding experience of flying along the Himalayan cliffs and landing at the Lukla Airport (to offload fuel), touted as one of the most dangerous in the world. Talk about a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Sujan ensured everything ran like clockwork, from whisking us through airport security to coordinating our daily excursions. And speaking of excursions, our time in Kathmandu was nothing short of extraordinary. We ticked off some of the city's must-see sights, including Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath Stupa, and the Pashupatinath Temple.
Chandragiri Hill, perched high above the valley, offered panoramic views and a glimpse into Nepal's rich history. We opted for the cable car ride up the hill, a nine-minute journey that culminated in a visit to the Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Sujan went above and beyond to ensure we had the best experience possible, from arranging knowledgeable tour guides to introducing us to his wonderful family.
If Nepal is on your travel radar, do yourself a favor and reach out to Sujan. I'm still in touch with him, eagerly awaiting his expertise for our future adventures in Tibet and Bhutan. Trust me, you won't regret it!
Sujan our tour coordinator and new friend!
During my time living and working in Saudi Arabia, I was fortunate to be surrounded by friends and coworkers who shared our love for travel.
Nepal was initially a country I hesitated to visit, but when my friend Brian returned from his trip and shared with me his tales of his adventures, I was completely sold. Brian, a seasoned Nepal traveler, had made friends with Sujan, the mastermind behind the Alpine Club of the Himalayas tour company.
Now, normally, I'm not one to rely on tour guides for my travels, thanks to the wonders of the internet and amazing travel blogs (like ours, of course!). However, Nepal is a different ball game altogether, and I'm grateful we teamed up with Sujan. He saved us time, money, and a whole lot of headaches! Nepal's rich culture and bustling atmosphere demand a level of expertise that Sujan effortlessly provided. With only five days to spare, we wanted to make the most of our time, and Sujan arranged everything for us – except our accommodations, which, you guessed it, we sorted out at the Marriott Kathmandu!
Sujan's attention to detail and unwavering support made our day trips a breeze. The highlight of our trip was a helicopter ride to Everest Base Camp. As self-proclaimed luxury travelers, we couldn't resist bringing along a bottle of champagne and some glasses to toast to our aerial adventure. Because really, what's fancier than popping a cork at Base Camp after a 45-minute ride in a heated helicopter? Backpackers, take note!
Once we reached Base Camp, however, we quickly realized the altitude was no joke – and neither was the lack of oxygen. Champagne was promptly shelved in favor of soaking in the breathtaking views and heart-pounding experience of flying along the Himalayan cliffs and landing at the Lukla Airport (to offload fuel), touted as one of the most dangerous in the world. Talk about a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Sujan ensured everything ran like clockwork, from whisking us through airport security to coordinating our daily excursions. And speaking of excursions, our time in Kathmandu was nothing short of extraordinary. We ticked off some of the city's must-see sights, including Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath Stupa, and the Pashupatinath Temple.
Chandragiri Hill, perched high above the valley, offered panoramic views and a glimpse into Nepal's rich history. We opted for the cable car ride up the hill, a nine-minute journey that culminated in a visit to the Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Sujan went above and beyond to ensure we had the best experience possible, from arranging knowledgeable tour guides to introducing us to his wonderful family.
If Nepal is on your travel radar, do yourself a favor and reach out to Sujan. I'm still in touch with him, eagerly awaiting his expertise for our future adventures in Tibet and Bhutan. Trust me, you won't regret it!
