– Ralph Waldo Emerson

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to deeply appreciate the wonder and majesty of the mountain landscapes I often admired but took for granted. Despite my adventures in the airline industry, it wasn’t until I became a parent living along the scenic border between Oregon and Washington, that I came to fully appreciate these rocky giants. When I felt isolated as a brand new mom, quietly gazing out at the mountains as I soothed my son, it was the view of Mt. St. Helens from my bedroom window and a towering Mt. Hood on journeys from home that filled me with a sense of peace and groundedness amidst the chaos. Hiking with my bundle of joy in a carrier helped me reconnect with nature, myself, and the world around me as I navigated matrescence.

Despite countless journeys through and around mountain ranges, it is in this phase of my life that I now truly appreciate how each new experience continues to evoke a profound sense of awe and connection with the world, echoing the timeless allure of these natural wonders. I know that no matter where I end up adventuring, just about any mountainous destination will leave me awestruck, grateful, and with stories for years to come. Lately, I’ve been thinking about what draws us as humans to mountain landscapes around the world and diving into some of the breathtaking adventures we offer at Journeys for enthusiastic explorers like me.

What Draws Us to Mountain Destinations?

They Evoke Awe & Wonder

Mountains are symbols of existential quests, challenges to overcome, and places of profound peace and spiritual solace. Their presence is commanding, and their historical and cultural significance is rich. Mountains invoke awe, a powerful emotion that diminishes ego and enhances our connection to something larger than ourselves. Research suggests that regular exposure to awe-inspiring landscapes can boost life satisfaction and decrease stress – which has been my experience. This emotional response is often accompanied by increased feelings of generosity and a sense of being part of a greater whole.

Physical Challenges & Rewards

Mountaineering, trekking, and hiking are activities that demand mental agility and physical endurance. The challenges presented by mountainous terrains encourage a state of flow—where skills are used to their utmost in response to immediate challenges, leading to heightened states of consciousness and clarity. In a flow state, individuals experience a deep focus that temporarily diminishes awareness of other needs and the passage of time. People feel fully involved and lose their sense of self-consciousness, contributing to a state of peak performance and heightened satisfaction. Flow is a powerful state for enhancing performance, reducing anxiety, and improving emotional regulation. A mountain terrain is the perfect place to find flow, and even in those years when I had a baby on my chest, a good hike could get me into that flow state.

Mountains Host Essential Ecosystems

It’s no secret that mountain landscapes are critical for their biodiversity, climate regulation, and water resources, making them vital areas for ecological and geological study. The wildlife in mountain ecosystems is highly adapted to the terrain and conditions and can teach us a lot about our world, even if our animal encounters may be fleeting. For the plant-lover, sustainable foraging opportunities are often abundant and may boast several surprises and learning opportunities.

Historical Cultural Significance & Inspiration

Mountains hold sacred status in many cultures and can be steeped in rich folklore and mythology. For many indigenous communities, mountains are not just landforms but are living entities with spirits. They play central roles in narratives and ceremonies, serving as places of worship, sources of sustenance, and symbols of identity. The reverence for mountains can be seen in practices such as the Incan worship of Apus (mountain spirits) or the Japanese tradition of Yamabushi, who view mountains as places to seek spiritual solace. The stark beauty of mountains also inherently stimulates the aesthetic senses, inspiring artists, poets, and travelers alike.

The spark that started Journeys International was an adventure in the Himalayan mountain range in Nepal (read our story here), where Will & Joan Weber were first inspired to organize a small group trip led by a local Sherpa guide. From that one mountain adventure sprang 45+ years of building local relationships around the globe to facilitate connection & sustainable exploration.

Where to Go for “Peak” Adventure

Today, Journeys International reaches into the far corners of the globe, offering mountain adventures for a range of activity preferences and comfort levels. If you’re looking for an adventure that may get you out of your head, something to challenge and inspire you, one of our premier mountain destination itineraries might do the trick.

The Himalayas

The Himalayas stand as a symbol of awe and spiritual depth, stretching across five nations and home to the world’s highest peaks, including Mount Everest. This vast mountain range is not just a destination for trekkers and climbers; it’s a profound cultural heartland, rich with centuries-old monasteries and the mystic traditions of the Sherpa and other indigenous peoples. The Himalayas offer a journey through dramatic landscapes, from lush valleys and dense forests to the stark beauty of its towering, snow-capped peaks. Here, each step brings a new revelation, offering not only a physical challenge but also a profound personal transformation amidst some of the most spectacular vistas on earth.

Nepal & Bhutan: Gateways to the Himalayas

Nepal and Bhutan offer access to high altitudes and the high spirits of local cultures and communities along the Himalayan mountains. This is just a taste of a few of the trip itineraries Journeys offers to travelers:

• Everest Base Camp Trek and Annapurna Lodge Trek (Nepal): These treks are cultural immersions as much as they are physical challenges, offering an intimate look at the Sherpa community and the diverse ecosystems of the region. Mount Everest, or Mount Chomolungma, is the world’s highest mountain above sea level (29,029 ft) and a bucket-list adventure for explorers of many backgrounds and abilities. The Annapurna Lodge Trek is a great way to explore the Himalayas if you’ve already explored Everest or prefer to explore at lower altitudes.
• Black Mountain Trek (Bhutan): This journey traverses ancient landscapes filled with sacred monasteries, pristine forests, and high-altitude lakes, offering a serene experience deeply rooted in Bhutanese spiritual traditions.
• Festivals of Happiness Rare Journey (Bhutan): Explore what happiness means in Bhutanese culture and how Bhutan’s Nine Pillars of Happiness are woven throughout their lives.

The Andes

The Andes stretch majestically through seven South American countries, with Peru and Ecuador at the heart of its cultural and natural heritage. In Peru, the ancient Inca Trail weaves through cloud forests and past stunning archaeological sites, culminating at the world-renowned ruins of Machu Picchu. This path is a journey back in time, where each stone and passageway tells the story of a bygone civilization. Ecuador offers its own Andean marvels, most notably the Avenue of the Volcanoes. Here, adventurers can traverse the landscapes dominated by towering peaks such as Cotopaxi and Chimborazo, each offering challenging climbs and breathtaking views. These volcanic giants stand sentinel over rich valleys and traditional Andean villages, where life pulses to the rhythm of indigenous cultures unchanged by time. South of these vibrant cultural epicenters, Patagonia’s wild, untamed landscapes provide a stark contrast with its wind-swept steppes, massive ice fields, and the iconic jagged peaks of Torres del Paine in Chile, which continue to attract hearty travelers from around the globe.

Chilean Patagonia, Peru and Ecuador: Gateways to the Andes

Journeys has several exceptional treks across the Andes, each infused with rich cultural history and awe-inspiring natural beauty. Explore the northern part of the Andes to appreciate famous wonders like Macchu Picchu. Or explore further south, where Patagonia offers a dramatic contrast with its remote, wind-swept landscapes.

• Mountain Lodge Trek to Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Peru): This world-renowned trek takes you through the heart of the former Inca Empire, culminating at the spectacular ruins of Machu Picchu, nestled high in the Andes. Experience the ancient pathways where every step tells a story of the past, set against the breathtaking backdrop of rugged mountain scenery.
• Ecuador Highlands Explorer (Avenue of the Volcanoes, Ecuador): Explore the scenic avenue lined with some of the world’s highest volcanoes. This route offers more than just trekking—it’s an immersion into the vibrant cultures of the Andean highlands. Each volcano presents a unique challenge and a story, revealing the dynamic nature of this land.
• Patagonia Discovery Safari (Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia): Journey through southern Chile to the most scenic and exhilarating places in the Lake District and Torres del Paine National Park. Known for its iconic “W” trek, this park encompasses massive glaciers, bright blue icebergs, and dark granite peaks. It’s a place where the wild landscape alters your sense of scale and where every view is more arresting than the last.

These are just a sampling of some of the itineraries our team has put together for custom adventures.  There are many possibilities for any journey you have on your mind, so schedule a chat with an Adventure Specialist to plan anything from mountain trekking adventures to more low-key opportunities to appreciate these phenomenal destinations.

The Timeless Lure of Mountains

Mountains inspire a journey like no other—a journey into the self and beyond.  As someone who has experienced the intangible gifts these titans of nature have to offer in my own life, I have several spectacular mountain vistas on my travel bucket list, and I will forever encourage fellow travelers to consider new mountain adventures of their own. Journeys International is happy to help travelers delve deep into these monumental landscapes, equipped with expert guidance and supported by sustainable travel practices. Whether scaling the snowy expanses of the Himalayas or tracing the rugged paths of Patagonia, these mountain adventures promise to renew our awe and respect for the natural world with each step.

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The Saraswati School, near the village of Wana, had already begun to deteriorate due to the age of the building when it was further damaged by the severe earthquake and subsequent aftershocks which struck Nepal in April 2015. (See our earlier posts for more on our response in the immediate aftermath of the 2015 Nepal earthquake.) The result was leaky roofs, cracked walls, broken doors and windows, rough dirt floors, and no functioning toilet facilities.

More than 2 years after the earthquake, teachers and administrators were still concerned about their lack of ability to meet the most basic conditions for providing a quality education to the students in the area.

So, beginning in fall 2017, and led by Journeys International travelers, Dave and Marcia Shannon, donors raised funds to make needed repairs to the buildings, pour concrete floors in the classrooms, and even provide a fresh water supply to the school which it never had before.

Meanwhile, the Earth Preservation Fund facilitated the funds transfer while Journeys Nepal director Narayan Shrestha provided oversight and in-country assistance.

The result has been an amazing success! After completing critical infrastructure improvements the project has now turned to a new phase focused on improving the academic program at the Saraswati School by purchasing a new computer for students to use, along with internet access, subscriptions to online curriculum materials, and teacher training.

So far, this project resulted in great progress for the Saraswati School, but the opportunity for further improvements to education in this area remains and is very apparent. As a result the project is being continued into the current school year with current fundraising designated for additional infrastructure and academic programs at the Saraswati School and now also at the area high school where the Saraswati and other students attend when they move to the upper grades.

Many classrooms will receive electricity and lighting for the first time, along with additional classroom computers and access to e-curriculum. The project is also funding a new science teaching lab with curriculum, materials, and teacher training that are consistent with the Nepali national educational standards.  This is a very exciting development that we look forward to seeing implemented.

For students in Midland Public Schools, participating in the project fulfills one of the core themes of their curriculum, to TAKE ACTION when students see a need. Beyond just raising funds for an important purpose, Midland students have learned about Nepal and interacted with students from a culture that is very different from their own while Saraswati students have had a similar experience. The project’s impact on these students has been very significant in creating a better understanding of people in another part of the world and giving them a more global and humanitarian perspective.

To make a donation to support the work of the Earth Preservation Fund visit www.earthpreservation.org. You can choose to designate your donation specifically for “Nepal Earthquake Relief” by making a note on the Paypal form.

It is sometimes possible for Earth Preservation Fund donors to visit Saraswati School. For more information on travel to Nepal contact Journeys International.

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Vacations are, by definition, opportunities to escape our daily lives—work, chores, responsibilities, and all the associated stresses—and instead immerse ourselves in new places, cultures, foods, and experiences. Ideally, international adventures allow us to recharge, reflect, and renew before we dive back into the day-to-day on our return home. These days, however, when wi-fi is nearly ubiquitous in even the most remote village and foreign SIM cards are cheaper than ever, it can be exceedingly difficult to escape from the tyranny of email even on journeys halfway around the globe—and don’t get me started on Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp. Even if you are among the valiant few who can resist the pull of social media while you’re traveling, it’s just as challenging not to pack every waking moment full of activities in an effort to get the most out of your time in another country, especially since you flew so far to get there.

I’d like to suggest an alternative form of international adventure travel: trekking trips, otherwise known as “slow travel.”

Certainly museums, restaurants, cultural heritage sites, theatrical performances, and the like are valuable experiences and enrich any trip to another country—rare is the trip that doesn’t see me eager to do these things. Yet some of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had in other cultures have come when I’ve incorporated into my vacation a trek through the countryside. I once hiked England coast-to-coast, and two weeks after I dipped my boots in the Irish Sea for good luck I crested a hill and saw the North Sea at last—a memory that still brings a lump to my throat. I recall the warm hospitality I received as the sole guest of a tiny pub in a remote Scottish Highland village, despite having come in out of the pouring rain and promptly flooded their foyer. The ready smiles and easy camaraderie shared by me, my guide, and our porters as we made our way in the Annapurna range of Nepal. Falling in with three Taiwanese ladies along Switzerland’s Haute Route, who cheerfully raised their umbrellas in the midst of a snowstorm and broke into songs from the Sound of Music every time they spotted an edelweiss blossom. The bliss of meandering through the Cambodian countryside with my students and being greeted by swarms of children shouting “Hello America!” as we passed by. The inability to do anything but laugh at the staggering beauty of Norway’s Jotunheimen National Park, and the unspoken understanding of something too magical for words shared by fellow trekkers in the lodge that night.

Experiencing a country and its people via your boots is uniquely rewarding—and a guaranteed way to unplug. It’s an axiom among trekkers that you never meet anyone unpleasant on the trail, whether fellow trekkers or locals. Simply moving at walking pace forces you to slow down mentally as well as physically and makes it possible just to be in the moment. When your only task is to get from point A to point B, and you have all day to do it, your perspective changes. You listen more attentively; you have the luxury of contemplating your surroundings at length; you’re more open to engaging with strangers; you find humility and calm in your own mind.

In a few weeks I will head to Bhutan for a trek through the Black Mountains, and this July I will attempt a trek up Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The latter will be especially tough, even with a guide and porters, but whether I summit or not is beside the point. I’m more interested in what happens along the trail itself than the official “goal.” And that’s really the heart of it: you don’t have to be a world-class mountaineer or hardened backpacker to reap the benefits of slow travel. There are trekking journeys available for every level of ability and comfort: from a few hours to a few weeks, from low elevation to high alpine routes, from single guides to full camp staff and porters, from camping to lodges and even hotels. It’s important to pick a trek that matches your abilities, but it’s also important to embrace the possibilities of challenge. Most importantly of all, be open to what happens along the way, in real time. In slow time.

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Access to this region was restricted by the government of Nepal until 1992, and Mustang was accessible only by foot until the last bit of road was completed in 2015. Mustang’s culture has descended in its pure form from the Red Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism (contrasting to the Yellow Hat sect to which the Dalai Lama belongs), and it remains one of the only spots on earth where Tibetans live according to their own unimpeded traditions.

While there, Dick witnessed the annual tradition of processing recently harvested barley, a crucial element to year-round food security.

As we drove nearer toward Lo Manthang in Upper Mustang we passed villages with monasteries and sometimes monasteries standing alone without other people living nearby. The villages are where there is land that is or can be made level enough for agriculture and there is enough water for crops. The principal crop at these altitudes, around 12,000 feet, is barley.  In one such village we visited the monastery and decided to check out an obviously old building out back. It looked abandoned and turned out to be a building that had been an active part of the monastery but was no longer used by the monks. We saw faded and partial wall paintings typical of the monasteries, confirming its prior use.

We also discovered that it is now in use by some of the local people. We passed through an anteroom with a vigorous fire heating some flat pans, but I’ll come back to that later. From there we looked into a quiet dark room with a hole in the roof. A beam of sunlight poked through the dusty air directly on a woman sitting on the floor with a flat basket where she was cleaning barley. By tossing the grain in the basket, foreign materials such as small stones are segregated and can be picked out.

The woman was quite pleased to meet with the unexpected visitor, show me what she was doing, and have her picture taken. Neither of us could understand the other’s language. It’s now known by the local people that they consent to pictures for a small price. The customary amount is 100 Nepalese Rupees, which presently amounts to almost exactly $1.00. I took so many photos of this lady that I gave her 200 rupees.

It’s impossible for me to tell how old this lady is but I’ll guess in her fifties. You may notice that her hair is dark. It is extremely rare to see any grey or white hair in the Tibetan people. Age shows earlier in their faces.

The average life expectancy in Nepal is now about 69 years, almost ten years less than in the US. That’s for all of Nepal and I question whether the number is that high in Mustang. The people in this high altitude region have a life of hard work, often outdoors, as well as the environmental stresses, and most likely a poorer diet than most of the Nepalese people. The people here are genetically more Tibetan than Nepalese and life expectancy in Tibet is a couple years less than in Nepal.

I then checked out what was happening back in the anteroom. Two other women were roasting barley in flat pans over a surprisingly vigorous fire. Firewood is scarce in this high country and small fires are preferred. Roasting would help them keep the grain dry and free of weevils as it is stored for the winter. It will then be ground to flour by hand.

See the world without lifting a finger

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Every once in a while we’ll get a call from someone weary of traveling with a guide. They proudly state that they don’t need their hand held or to be babysat.

Before traveling with Journeys, I was that person.

Having been a wandering backpacker for most of my life, I felt that traveling with a guide would force me to be less adventurous. I worried that I’d be restricted or have to follow a rigid schedule. To me, a guide had the power to dictate what my experience would be, and I was not comfortable giving someone that control.

Furthermore, I’ve always been a fiercely independent traveler. I thought that by reading guidebooks and digging through online travel forums I could fully prepare myself. And if I couldn’t find the information I needed, I’d just wing it. Smart, right?

Fast forward to 2013 when I took my first Journeys trip. My group and I were attempting the infamous Everest Base Camp Trek (not for the faint of heart). We had two guides with us, both of whom were locals and seasoned trekkers.

I’ll never forget on my second day of the trek, en route to Namche, we had to climb over a couple of boulders that blocked the often narrow trail. One of the boulders was only about two feet wide and sloped down to the left toward a massive drop-off into the rocky river. A successful clearance required good shoes, steady legs, and the discipline to not look down. Unfortunately for me, I “glanced” down, and my fear of heights began to manifest in my legs through uncontrollable shaking. Without help from our guide Nima (pictured), there was no way I could have cleared this thing if I tried.

Nima saw my hesitation but didn’t say anything. I could feel his silent encouragement, as he waited patiently for my next move. After my first unsuccessful attempt at making it across, he extended his hand to me and said, “I won’t let you fall.” This small gesture was the reason I didn’t turn back.

Besides that amazing moment, how else would I have known where to spot Everest’s snowy peak for the first time? How else would I have known that it is customary to walk along the left side of prayer rocks? How else would I have met the head monk at Tengboche Monastery? The advantages of seeing your destination through a local’s eyes are many, and frankly, you miss out if you don’t.

It’s been over a year now since that life-changing trip, but I still stay in contact with Nima. I’m beyond grateful for the courage and knowledge he instilled in me, and I’m even more grateful for his friendship.

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Support our ongoing efforts by donating to the Earth Preservation Fund! 100% of your donations go directly to our work in Nepal.

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Hello and Namaste,

I am Narayan from Journeys Nepal.

After the devastating earthquake, most of the old buildings (made out of mud, stone and wood) were badly damaged or destroyed. Immediately after the earthquake in April 2015, the Journeys staff of Nepal, including myself, visited many areas affected and learned what is most important to the victims.

First, we visited the epicenter of the earthquake, Gorkha, Barpak, and second we visited the Dolakha district. People were staying out of their homes in open areas, scared of the many aftershocks. Their houses were totally destroyed; rebuilding needed to start from scratch but villagers were not sure where to start.

It is difficult to put the experience in words. I saw kids and older people suffering, and many people injured or dead. When I first visited Khokana and Bungamati, ancient villages where I have taken most of my clients to show them traditional houses, cultures, and temples, I cried. There were no houses, some were dead and buried in the rubble, family members were crying in front of their destroyed homes with bodies inside. I prayed to God that it wasn’t real, that I was sleeping and in a horrible dream.

But it was not a dream. It was real. To support and encourage villagers to move on, the Journeys team started a rescue and relief program. We have provided several basic necessities, such as drinking water, food, clothing, medicines, tent, and tarps to the remote areas and in Kathmandu Valley. We are still working to rebuild schools, community houses and local people’s shelters.

NEPAL WANTS YOU BACK.

I know many people of you reading this have already visited Nepal and you might be looking to travel to new destinations. Or maybe you have never been to Nepal. Either way, I hope you will think about visiting Nepal in 2016. This is the best and perfect time to visit Nepal. Come and join us for life-changing adventure, for big smiling locals and the snow-capped slopes of the Himalayas.

And despite the earthquake that shook the region in April, those things haven’t changed. The mountains are still here, the trails are still open, the people as welcoming as ever. NOW WE WANT YOU BACK, so if you want to know the best way to help the country, the answer is pretty simple: VISIT.

Tourism is the biggest economy of Nepal but the year 2015 was not a good year for Nepal tourism industry. Even though the earthquake did not cause much destruction in the tourism infrastructure, it has pushed the tourism industry down a steep decline. The New Year of 2016 has brought new hopes in Nepali people’s heart. We want to see you again, and we ask for your help in boosting tourism again. So I request that you VISIT NEPAL in 2016 so people can get back in their jobs and be able to support their families.

Journeys Nepal has been leading trips for many years and our local leaders, guides, porters and ground staff are well experienced and the best qualified people to lead you to your destinations. Our small group style of travel means that you will stay under the radar, travel the local way, eat the local way, with small groups and big adventures.

SEE YOU SOON IN NEPAL.

To learn more about Journeys trips to Nepal, visit our website or call our adventure specialists at 800-255-8735. 

To learn about Journeys’ rebuilding efforts in Nepal, read the Earth Preservation Fund’s updates.

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Support our ongoing efforts by donating to the Earth Preservation Fund! 100% of your donations go directly to our work in Nepal.

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We met with the local people and decided to rebuild a village community house, which is used by villagers, a youth club, aama samuha (a mother’s association that helps provide education, sanitation, healthcare, and women’s skill development in the village), and many other community activity groups.

We are now in the legal process of figuring out what land we can construct the building on. Once that is finalized, we will begin rebuilding the community house.

Support our ongoing efforts by donating to the Earth Preservation Fund! 100% of your donations go directly to our work in Nepal.

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