NEPAL HIMALAYA PILGRIMAGE – Tales from the Trails

It was such a privilege to be there again, for the third consecutive season, and I feel so blessed to have guided and facilitated another Himalayan Pilgrimage in some incredible sacred spaces.

Being in the mountain villages of Nepal again was like a homecoming!

Our group arrived a few days after I did – I like to go ahead of time to connect with the land, trails and families we will stay with along the journey.

My days in the mountains are always a wonderful combination of hiking, chatting, drinking tea, meditating, connecting to the people, marvelling at the nature, and being entranced by the magnificence of the Himalaya.

OUR GROUP FINALLY ARRIVES

Mom (yes, mother Marion joined this year), Rochez and Henk arrived safely in Nepal, and we started our adventures with a day-hike to warm us up for the mountain pilgrimage to come.

Not only were they introduced to the steep hiking terrain which is common all over Nepal, but also the breath-taking views, heart-warming Nepalese hospitality and spiced milk-tea at friendly local cafes.

By day 3 we are ready to pack our backpacks and change location… into the mountains we go. But to get there we take an exciting local bus ride to the foot of the sacred mountain we pilgrimage up. Our climb into the mountains is marked by leaving an offering at the first temple to ask for permission and safe passage for our journey ahead.

Over the next few days we overnight at two different small mountain villages, the one being a family farmstay and the other a local “tea house” owned by 3 sisters who have become my mountain mamas when I visit.

THE MOUNTAIN PEOPLE OF NEPAL

During our Himalayan Pilgrimage we spend time connecting with the local people of the quaint mountain communities, which are made up of small-scale family farming lands.

Their food comes from their lands, which they tend themselves. Everything is organic, seasonal and fresh.

Most families have buffalo (for milk and working the lands), cows and chickens… all of which are also nourished by the fields and wild surroundings.

They walk everywhere, and are physically active in the fields during the day, taking rest to eat and socialise together.

Family and community connection is so tangible, and it shows in their incredible hospitality.

They are part of the natural cycles of the seasons, rising with the sun each day and living in harmony with the changes throughout the year.

Mountain life in Nepal includes living in harmony with Mother Nature.

These are some of the healthiest people I have had the privilege to know.

Durga didi, Parvati didi and Humnath dai host us at their farmstay in the mountains. Their hospitality is incredible, having all our needs met with a smile. We are fed with fresh produce straight from their fields, eggs from their chickens, as well as milk, ghee and curd from their buffalo.

Our morning yoga with a view of the Annapurna range of the Himalayas is such a beautiful way to start the day! Even though she doesn’t understand English, Durga didi (75 yrs old) joins us before her day’s work in the land. She is nothing short of amazing, always having a chat and a laugh with us, in Nepali of course.

We are sent off with a blessing tika and freshly crafted marigold garland, continuing our pilgrimage to the higher village community of this sacred mountain.

BUDI, CHIJA AND MAYA

Although we did not see Budi didi this year (she was at a lower community with the buffalo for the season), it was so great to connect again and be hosted by Chija didi and Maya didi at our next stop in the mountain communities.

These sisters have an incredible work ethic… they cook, clean, change rooms, graze their cows in the wild surroundings, tend to their vegetable garden and lands by hand, and milk their buffalo (while still welcoming guests)!

We always have a good chat and many laughs when I visit, and this time was no different with our group.

After spending the days out on the mountain trails, we are always welcomed back warmly with smiles, milk tea and traditional “dhal bat” (lentil soup, rice, and vegetables from their lands).

As we hike deeper into the sacred mountain, the steep trails take us from sub-tropical to alpine vegetation.

Although we are not at a very high altitude, compared to the mighty Annapurna range (seen in the background of these photos), the change in elevation is noticeable and incredibly interesting.

While there are many highlights on this pilgrimage, the botanical diversity along our route is amazing!

Wild orchids in their natural habitat…
Subtropical fruit trees to alpine Rhododendron forests…
Cherry-blossoms in full bloom…
And, of course, the famous cultural flower of Nepal, Marigold…

These were just some of the floral wonders we encounter.

Over 9 days we traverse a variety of terrain, soil types, aspects and altitude. All this paves the way for a diversity of botanical delights.

To make this all the more magical, mom is a retired horticulturist and landscaper, and is still an avid gardener. Her fingers have always been green, and wherever we go she is connecting to the natural landscape through its plants.

Having mom on this trip was delightful as she shared her wisdom with us about every interesting plant we came across, which made our pilgrimage even more special.

PEAK PILGRIMAGE DAY

All our up-up-up accumulates in a full day summiting a very sacred mountain.

The circuit is an ancient pilgrimage route, still used today by locals far and wide.

The sacred “Mother Lake” lies at the far end of the mountain. It is the holiest of sites on the pilgrimage route. We spend some time giving offerings and meditating before climbing along the spine of the mountain to a few other sacred nature sites.

As we hold silence for the duration of the climb, we focus on “letting something go” that no longer serves us.

The final site marks an energetic entranceway into the heart of the Mother Mountain, and we do a final ritual there before descending.

It is a powerful day, with many profound moments individually and as a group.

The magic of silence, offerings, connection to nature and to our inner journey make for a transformative experience.

This day is forever be in our hearts.

Thank you to the sacredness and wisdom of the sacred lands.

While we have a whole day walking down off the sacred mountain (lots of down-down-down), which always assists with integration, our final full day together thereafter is dedicated to the integration of our pilgrimage…

After many days with mountain trails under foot, we embrace a welcome gentle paddle across Lake Pewa.

At the other side is a short and beautiful hike up (yes, more up, up, up) to the World Peace Pagoda, one the largest Buddhist stupas in Nepal.

Here we have time to reflect, discuss things that came up for us, and to connect in a spacious way with the incredible experience which is embedded in our bones forever.

Personally, I know I am still integrating the more subtle aspects of this trip. I feel that the integration time after such an experience is only deserving of a longer phase for reflection and “landing” back afterwards.

It is with a full heart and a deeper appreciation that I arrive home knowing I will return to Nepal…

After deep reflection on yet another incredible NEPAL HIMALAYA PILGRIMAGE, I’ve decided to take a small group of ONLY 4 people in November 2024 (by application).

This is for those whose spirit is being called by the mountains, to journey with me on foot, on pilgrimage into the outer and inner unknown, through the rich landscape and cultural tapestry of Nepal.

EMAIL TO APPLY with your REASON WHY you want to join.
 fran@tuningin.co.za 

Dhan’yavāda (thank you in Nepalese) Nepal.
See you next year!