Namaste Ya'll! ...From Nashville to Nepal
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste it, reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
I am spending the next couple months traveling around India and Nepal. I’ve never been to either country. I don’t speak the languages, don’t know anyone first-hand who lives here and am traveling solo. Am I scared? Naaa…I am actually pretty stoked!
I will be writing a bunch of articles and blogs for various publications and working on a documentary. Overall I want to show what it is like traveling by yourself, especially as a single female, meeting new people, how safe it really can be, especially with the adventure travel industry, affordability, bucket lists and an epic trek in the Himalaya.
To plan this trip, I went to North American company, Adventure Center (www.adventurecenter.com). They are THE one-stop shop to search and book any type of travel you heart deisres. From beaches to mountains, Adventure Center has it all. They are the voice for TUI, the world's largest travel conglomerate. TUI owns tour companies from all over the world, including; Exodus, Peregerine, Gecko's, Quark, Country Walkers, Intrepid and Dragoman.
The first chapter in this adventure began with Exodus Travel and their 2 week, ‘Delhi to Kathmandu’ Trip. I joined a group of 12 people and along with our energetic Indian guide, we traversed Northern India & into Nepal. We saw the Taj Majal, Amber Palace, sailed on the Ganges River, watched Hindu pilgrims flock to the sacred waters and cremate their loved ones on the riverbanks. We rode rickshaws and elephants, charmed snakes, escaped a charging rhino in the jungles of Southeastern Nepal and relaxed on a lake at the foot of the Himalaya.
Joining one of these small group trips makes logistics and planning so much easier. You meet new people and share an experience. There were two couples and the rest of us were solo travelers, comprised of seven women and two men, ages ranging from 20’s-50’s. We all mixed well.
While the Exodus group finishes the tour in Kathmandu, I’m heading off into the mountains.
Chapter two in this adventure is trekking the 186 mile Annapurna Circuit solo. The goal is to complete one of the world’s most beautiful and popular trails in the world, the Annapurna Circuit. I say solo because I won’t be completely ‘alone’. I will meet many other hikers on the trail and each night I’ll sleep in a simple teahouse along the route.
Why am I doing this? I want to experience this beautiful part of the world on my own terms and ability. Will it be transformational like many say? I’ll have to let you know. If nothing else, after trekking 186 miles with a 30lb backpack over a 17,768 feet mountain pass, my butt is going to be in AWESOME shape when I’m done!
Stay tuned!
To read about the overland journey from ‘Delhi to Kathmandu’ and to follow along on my solo trek of the Annapurna Circuit go to: www.turnthepayge.com or www.facebook.com/paygemcmahon
To find your own ‘bucket list’ adventure go to: www.adventurecenter.com
I want to thank the following sponsors for keeping me warm & stylish on this epic adventure: Canada Goose, Osprey Packs, Wigwam, Asolo, Tilley Endurables, Kuhls & Peppers Sunglasses
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Comments
Very cool!
Great work Girl! You are rockin the Adventure World all the way from Nashville to Nepal. Super that we could help, and look forward to more of your bold adventures in the future. Signed, Grand Fromage of Adventure Center.
I personally think that there's nothing better in this world than traveling, this is my greatest passion and I embrace it every time I have the chance. We recently had our honeymoon in Barcelona, I still daydream about the awesome time we spent there. Thanks for sharing your Nepal experience!
It would be a fun experience for you it is actually quite thrilling to be traveling alone. But before you plan your trip you should try learn as much as you can about the local attractions, activities, as well as about local culture. If you are going to New Zealand you should find out about Things to do in New Zealand.
You would be enjoying every bit of this journey, beautiful views and unique experiences await you there. It is not difficult to travel all by yourself, but to make your stay comfortable you should reserve your room in advance.
First of all, wish you a great journey ahead. Truly, India has a lot to offer to it's visitors. Last year while I was planning my honeymoon in somewhere near French Polynesia, people at adventure carter suggested me to visit tahiti and I am really grateful for their advices. It was surely a trip to remember.
Hi there, this is Juno a fellow travel blogger, I want to appreciate you for deciding on these two exotic countries which are bound to impress the travel bug in you. Prepare yourself for an amazing journey ahead.
In fact if you take all safety measures then you could go on a vacation all by yourself. It is better to go on a tour or a short trip alone than moving around in flocks, just once plan a trip for yourself and go experience kelowna.
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