Ladakh: a place we had dreamed about for well over a decade, a visit packed with expectations. What made this place remarkable wasn’t quite what we expected. Imagining Ladakh for all of those years, we focused on the landscape. Sure, Ladakh as a setting for just about anything did not disappoint. The physical beauty was more stunning – and more consistently so -- … [Read more...]
Favorite Treks from Around the World
A collection of our favorite treks from around the world, including unusual or offbeat treks that you may not have heard of before, but perhaps should consider for the stunning landscapes and immersive, cultural experiences. Many of the articles below are comprehensive "Beginner's Guides" that provide you with all you need to know to plan and prepare for the trek, from difficulty level to packing.
Crossing Gongmaru La Pass, Hiking the Markha Valley Trek in Ladakh
Tibetan Buddhist prayer flags greet us as we reach Ladakh's Gongmaru La pass. All the residual fatigue from climbing up to 16,800 feet/5,130 meters seems to evaporate once we've reached this place, our goal. It's been six days in the Markha Valley and we've been up and down -- and up again. We have to remind ourselves not to move around too quickly up here, not to … [Read more...]
Finding the Good Way: How to Meditate While Trekking at 15,000 Feet
This is a story of our re-discovery of a few of life’s truths amidst a seven-day trek in the Himalayas. "One foot in-front-of-the oth-er." … [Read more...]
Japan’s Mount Fuji: Following the Path of Pilgrims
This is a story about how sometimes it’s a good thing to take the long way, to miss the bus, and to find the shrine. … [Read more...]
Climb Kilimanjaro: Equipment and Preparation
How do I prepare for climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro? What equipment will I need? No shortage of digital ink has been spilled on this topic. Even so, every article we’ve read seemed to be missing a little something. Based on our Kilimanjaro climb experience, here are the nuts and bolts of what an average, ordinary hiker will need for a Kilimanjaro climb. We'll … [Read more...]
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro: Day by Day
Poa kichizi kama ndizi. -- Swahili for “Crazy cool like a banana,” the most appropriate response to “How are you?” while climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. So we climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro and shared some of the life lessons we learned along the way. But what did the climb look like? How did it feel? … [Read more...]
Climbing Kilimanjaro: Life Lessons from the Top of Africa
A few ideas on how walking up a big pile of volcanic rocks in Africa can teach you something about life. For some, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is another check box on a “to do” list. For me it turned out to be a journey -- in its own way, an epic exercise in achievement. Like any journey of significance, themes emerged. Somewhere beyond Kilimanjaro’s … [Read more...]
Torres del Paine Trek: 6 Days, 6 Lessons, Many Photos
Most articles we read about Torres del Paine National Park in Chile focus on Patagonian meadows, turquoise lakes, and rose-tinted granite towers in sunrise. We’ll allow our photos to do that bit for us. Instead, we’ll take a different tack and share some of the lessons –- about yourself, your marriage (if you have one), Patagonia, expectations, life, and … [Read more...]
The Salkantay Trek: From Glaciers to Machu Picchu
“Oooh, Machu Picchu!” Even my mom caught the hype when I told her we were headed there last week. As excited as she’s been about our travels, I think that was the first "Oooh!" of our trip she ever uttered. We kept our expectations low, however. Maybe it’s our reflex reaction to the prevailing travel wisdom: “Machu Picchu is the granddaddy of South American … [Read more...]
7 Treks That Made Us Gasp
At the time this is published, we should be crossing Apacheta Pass (4,650 meters/15,255 feet) and one day away from Peru's Machu Picchu. That is, if the scheduled publishing works as it should and we don't need an emergency mule ride or airlift from the top of the mountain. In preparing for this, the Salkantay Trek, we reflected on other memorable multi-day treks … [Read more...]