Fibers of Bhutan: Culture, Heritage, Art and Me
When I took my first knitting class last year, I knew good things would happen because I yearned to knit since I was a young child but nobody ever showed me. Between pre-kindergarten and second grade, I gathered scraps of fabric and yarn and morphed them into pillows and characters inside shoebox dioramas. I tried to make sweaters but there's only so much you can do with scotch tape, glue and scraps. Around the same time, I learned about the “Abombable Snowman.” I couldn't pronounce “abominable” and thought the term “yeti” sounded much more pleasing. It was an especially fun word to say fast, “YetiYetiYetiYETI!” My five or six year old self was stubbornly convinced the yeti could sing high pitched melodies; and anybody who thought them menacing or dangerous was suffering from pathetic misunderstanding. I cried on Disney's Matterhorn ride because I wanted to stop and talk (and sing with) the yeti inside that mountain.
Biking Nepal's Wild West: Upper Mustang
Unpsoiled Tibetan culture - many believe Mustang is the last TRUE vestige of Tibetan culture... Spectacular, and out of this world, landscape... And SUPER friendly people. This is Mustang for you. It is by pure co-incidence I had packed Seven Years in Tibet to read while on this trip. Our trip to Tibet had just recently been cancelled as China had stopped issuing permits as they were celebrating the "60th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Tibet". So our two time client, Joelle Koster (she had previously done the Ultimate Everest Trek with us), and I decided to go to Upper Mustang as it was in the rain-shadow region and it was the best substitute for Tibet in Nepal.
The Land of Gross National Happiness
The first question most people ask when Bhutan is mentioned is “Is that in Africa?” or perhaps “Oh yeah, they measure happiness, right?” Well, no and yes, in that order. Bhutan is a small Himalayan kingdom sandwiched between China to the north, and India to the South. It’s about the size of Switzerland, with a population of just 700,000 people.
Mountain Biking: Kathmandu to Pokhara
Cross country biking is an up and coming adventure sport in Nepal. With the Nepal government’s long-term goal to connect all district head-quarters with a road, many of the destinations previously accessible only by walking on a narrow path for several days are now accessible by vehicles (and now bicycles) on a wider path. An example is the Annapurna Circuit Trail on which there is now a road built on more than 50% of the entire trail and with plans to build a road till Manang by 2012. Past Muktinath, there is now a road all the way till Beni. This is now a 12 hour vehicle ride which otherwise would have taken 7 days walking. The Annapurna Circuit is now a major attraction for mountain bikers from all around the world. However, it does involve a fair bit of pushing and carrying as it would be very difficult to ride on some sections of the trail.
Sacred Peaks and Valleys: Jhomolhari Trek
I just returned from a 12-day trip to Bhutan where I wanted to experience everything that this remote Buddhist kingdom had to offer. What I discovered is that 12 days is not nearly enough time to see everything in Bhutan! That said, I had a fantastic experience and am overflowing with excitement about the experience. In fact, I've created two separate itineraries for next fall that I am inviting all of you to join me on.
Magnificent China and Tibet
In February 2010, I, as Grand Asian Journey's representative, and Sierra Club leader, Brad Carlson, scouted China (Beijing and Chengdu) and Tibet. The goal of the journey was to inspect hotels and sites for a Sierra Club Outings trip in 2011 and for future Grand Asian Journeys adventures in China. We loved China (first time for both of us) and are always happy to go to Tibet (we've both been there several times). We are happy to announce that Grand Asian Journeys is successfully running trips in China and that Sierra Club Outings is offering a trip combining China and Tibet in October 2011.
The rugged Dhaulagiri Circuit
In May 2010, Grand Asian Journey's Chief Adventure Officer, Jwalant Gurung, scouted the Dhaulagiri Circuit for a Seattle-based outdoor club, The Mountaineers. They were planning a trek around Dhaulagiri and he wanted to make sure that it could be done safely, in addition to familiarizing the guides and staff with the route. Jwalant now ranks The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek among his favorites! Needless to say, Dhaulagiri is now a featured Grand Asian Journeys trek, and we're one of the few trekking companies to offer this rare opportunity.
New offerings for 2011!
We've gotten so inspired these past few weeks of summer, that we are creating new itineraries that we will offer to our clients in 2011 and beyond...and we are excited!
- Want to take a culinary tour of Vietnam?
- How about a Women's tour of India including yoga, cooking and ayurveda?
- Or a multi-country trip that includes Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan?
If any of these journeys appeal to you, let us know! We'll be posting these itineraries and more in the coming weeks at http://www.grandasianjourneys.com. Likewise, if you have a dream journey, let us know and we'll help custom create the itinerary for you!
Happy traveling!
The wild and pristine Dhaulagiri Circuit
From 1808 to 1848, Dhaulagiri was thought to be the highest mountain in the world; from 1848 to 1852 Kanchenjunga; and since 1852 Mt. Everest. Now Dhaulagiri is the seventh highest mountain in the world at 8,167 meters (26,795 feet).
The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is like the Annapurna Circuit Trek but without the crowds. It is pristine - you will not find lodges or coca cola. Instead it is 15 days of pure wilderness and nature. On this trek you will get up close and personal with Mt. Dhaulagiri, it's ice falls, glaciers and infact will walk and camp on the moraine for two full days. The trek begins in the lush green valleys of Myagdi, slowly ascending through village and terraced rice fields. The trail then passes through thick forests rich in wildlife - both animals and birds. After walking on the expansive Dhaulgiri moraine for two days, cross the French pass (5,360m/17,600ft.) into the hidden valley. From here you have the option to climb Dhampus peak (6,060m/19,900ft.). Continue over the Dhampus pass into Marpha in the Kali Gandaki valley.
Explore Rural Villages and the History of the Annapurna Region
The 17 day/16 night circuit trek takes you through some of the most amazing landscape in Nepal. The trek begins in well forested and terraced hills; a region inhabited by Hindus. But past Pisang the landscape changes dramatically as the dense forests are replaced by the barren landscape of the Tibetan plateau. Here you enter the Manang valley which is inhabited by gypsy traders of Tibetan origin. After several rest and short days for acclimatization, head north to Thorung La at 17,840 ft, and descend to Muktinath where there is a fantastic shrine revered by both Hindus and Buddhists.