Expeditions in Nepal
Here are some of the expeditions I’ve completed across Nepal that I’ll be sharing on this blog. It may take some time to document each journey in detail, but once they’re published, you’ll find them under the Nepal tab in Expeditions. Below is the list in chronological order.
Manaslu Circuit
Dates: 8-21 Arpil 2019
Length: 14 Days
Start: Soti Khola
Finish: Chyamche
Total Distance: 200km
Highest Point: Larke La 5106m
Type: Group of 10, Guided/no porter, teahouse trek
The Manaslu Circuit was once again a journey that amazed, humbled, and stretched me in every way. Over 14 days — including 12 days of trekking without a porter — I walked nearly 200km, climbing from 800m to 5106m before descending back to 1400m through six distinct climate zones. From subtropical valleys to snowy high passes beneath Manaslu, the landscape constantly transformed around me. The mountains and rivers felt immense and alive, while the people I met and the cultures I experienced made the journey even more meaningful. A huge thank you to Chiring Sherpa for breaking trail through the snow for us — an absolute legend. Nepal feels like a place where my heart returns to again and again. It reminds me to slow down, be fully present, and embrace whatever the journey brings.
Mardi Himal + Annapurna Base Camp
Dates: 4-14 March 2020
Length: 11 Days
Start: Kande
Finish: Motkyu
Total Distance: 102km
Highest Point: Annapurna Base Camp 4130m
Type: Solo, teahouse trek
March 2020 marked my first solo trek in the Himalayas — combining the Mardi Himal Trek with Annapurna Base Camp over 11 unforgettable days. Each morning brought incredible mountain views that reminded me why I keep returning to Nepal — waking up, walking all day through the mountains, and ending with dal bhat felt like the perfect rhythm of life. Reaching Annapurna Base Camp at 4130m was especially meaningful. Surrounded by towering peaks, I couldn’t imagine anywhere else in the world I wanted to be. At a time when so much was happening globally, being alone in the Himalayas felt peaceful, grounding, and deeply rewarding. The mountains always seem to give me clarity — and once again, going there felt like the right answer.
Langtang Valley + Gosaikunda
Dates: 12-27 December 2021
Length: 11 Days
Start: Lingling
Finish: Sundarijal
Total Distance: 146km
Highest Point: Chergo Ri 4905m
Type: Group of 2, teahouse trek
Returning to Nepal in December 2021 felt incredibly special. Ever since leaving in April 2020, I had dreamed of coming back. Finally, at the end of 2021, Australia lifted its outbound international travel, and it happened.
This trek combined the Langtang Valley Trek with the sacred Gosaikunda route, eventually finishing near Kathmandu. It was a return to the simple and fulfilling rhythm of trail life — walking through stunning mountain landscapes, eating dal bhat, spotting langurs along the way, and appreciating the warmth of teahouses during clear winter days. One of the biggest highlights was spending three nights in Kyanjin Gompa and climbing both Kyanjin Ri and Chergo Ri under brilliant blue skies. Later, crossing Surya Peak at sunrise above the frozen Gosaikunda lakes was unforgettable. With many teahouses closed, one day stretched into a long push over two passes from Gosaikunda to Magingoth — challenging, but part of the adventure.
Khopro Ridge + Mulde Peak
Dates: 8-22 January 2022
Length: 15 Days
Start: Ulleri
Finish: Ghandruk
Total Distance: 63km
Highest Point: Mulde Peak 3637m
Type: Group of 2, teahouse trek
In January 2022, Ankur and I spent 15 days in total including 9 days hiking through the beautiful Poon Hill and Khopra Ridge region of the Annapurna Himalaya. Winter brought quiet trails, deep snow, freezing nights, and unforgettable sunrises from Poon Hill, Khopra Danda, and Mulde Peak (3637m). Waking up to views of 7000–8000m peaks from our teahouse windows each morning felt surreal. Somewhere along the trail, we caught COVID and ended up recovering in Chomrong for a few days. Despite the circumstances, there couldn’t have been a more beautiful place to slow down, rest, and recover — and thankfully, I still had my tastebuds to enjoy all the delicious food.
Everest Three Passes
Dates: 8-29 May 2022
Length: 22 Days
Start: Lukla
Finish: Lukla
Total Distance: 155km
Highest Point: Kala Patthar 5650m
Type: Group of 2, teahouse trek
In May 2022, I completed the legendary Three Passes Trek in Nepal’s Khumbu region — 22 days of glaciers, high mountain passes, and some of the most spectacular alpine scenery on Earth. The trek took me across three major passes — Kongma La (5535m), Cho La (5420m), and Renjo La (5360m) — while also reaching my highest altitude yet at Kala Patthar (5650m). Along the way, I added side trips to Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Ri, and Chukhung Ri. I spent nearly half the trip above 5000m. The cold thin air, huge mountains, glaciers, rivers, challenges, and simple comforts of teahouse life — hot dal bhat, warm meals, and a clean bed — reminded me why I keep returning to the Himalayas. Despite being one of the world’s great high-altitude treks, it was surprisingly accessible thanks to the excellent teahouse network, with a daily budget of around 2500 Nepalese rupees per person. After three weeks in the mountains, returning to Kathmandu for hot showers, flushing toilets, and delicious food felt luxurious. Next stop: escaping the monsoon and heading north to Ladakh.
Sun Kosi Multi River Kayaking
Dates: 10-19 April 2023
Length: 10 Days
Start: Below Chainpur to Chatra
Finish: Chatra
Total Distance: 183 km
Type: Group of 19, Guided/supported camping, mostly III-III+ with one IV
In April 2023, I returned to Nepal for my sixth trip in four years — and my first kayaking journey there. It became one of the most impactful multi-day adventures I’ve ever had. Over ten days, we paddled the Bhote Koshi River, Balephi Khola, Sun Koshi River, and Tamur River — travelling as a flotilla of 15 kayaks, 2 rafts, and 1 cataraft through big water, jungle scenery, remote campsites, and playful monkeys along the riverbanks. I paddled every rapid, had two rolls and one swim, and felt more alive with every day on the river.
Kanchenjunga Circuit
Dates: 9-29 October 2024
Length: 16 Days + 5 Travel Days
Start: Sukethum
Finish: Ranipur
Total Distance: 145km
Highest Point: Kanchenjunga North Base Camp / Pangpema 5163m
Type: Group of 2, teahouse trek
In October 2024, on my seventh trip to Nepal, I completed the Kanchenjunga Circuit — a 21-day journey including 16 days on the trail and two rest days. The trek led me to the base of Kangchenjunga (8586m), the world’s third-highest mountain and the final 8000m peak on my list. With that, I completed my goal of hiking to the base camp, viewpoint, or circuit of all 14 mountains above 8000m. Blessed with beautiful weather and the comforts of teahouse trekking, the journey felt like a meaningful culmination of the past five years — years spent exploring remote corners of the Himalaya and Karakoram, facing challenges, sharing adventures with incredible people, and witnessing some of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth.
Dhaulagiri Circuit
Dates: 3-12 November 2024
Length: 8 + 2 Days
Start: Naura
Finish: Marpha
Total Distance: 62km
Highest Point: French Pass 5360 meters
Type: Group of 2, camping/teahouse trek
In November 2024, I hiked the Dhaulagiri Circuit — a camping trek that became my favourite hike in Nepal. Centered around Dhaulagiri (8167m), the highest mountain entirely within Nepal and the world’s seventh highest, the circuit had everything I love in a trek: incredible diversity in landscapes and terrain, magnificent mountain views, and a sense of remoteness far away from the busier teahouse routes. The journey moved through lush forests, alpine meadows, glacier crossings, high passes above 5000m, and into the dry, dramatic landscapes of Upper Dolpo. It felt like the perfect balance between challenge and enjoyment. With both Dave and I having already explored much of Nepal, Dhaulagiri felt like the ideal adventure — close to Pokhara, blessed with perfect post-monsoon weather, and remote enough to feel truly wild. After hiking in the Karakoram earlier that year, crossing glaciers and high Himalayan passes here almost felt… relaxing.
Karnali River Kayaking
Dates: 19-26 November 2024
Length: 8 Days
Start: Lohore Khola
Finish: Chisapani
Total Distance: 183km
Type: Group of 25, Guided/supported camping, Grade III-IV
The Karnali River was wild, powerful, and incredibly beautiful — flowing through pristine jungle, remote canyons, and long stretches of big Class 4 whitewater. Over 8 days and 183km, this multi-day river expedition became another unforgettable journey in Nepal. As Nepal’s longest, largest, and last free-flowing river, the Karnali felt truly alive. It was also the third river in my mission to paddle the four sacred rivers flowing from the region of Mount Kailash. I love the rhythm of multi-day river journeys — living beside the water, sharing challenges with an incredible group of people, and pushing my limits navigating powerful rapids in a kayak. Every day on the Karnali brought adventure, connection, and moments that made me feel completely present. A huge thank you to Himalayan Outdoor Project for making this experience so memorable.
