Wanderlust Travel Magazine (UK)
ACHIEVE A NATURAL HIGH IN THE HIMALAYA
When it comes to the Himalaya region, KE Adventure are the original experts. As they celebrate their 40th anniversary, mark the occasion with a Himalayan adventure of your own…
Stretching some 2,500km from east to west, it’s no surprise that the rugged peaks of the Himalaya conceal plenty of unique experiences – and not just for those trekking its most challenging routes. Thankfully, the experts at KE Adventure have been exploring this heartland for 40 years, making them the go-to operator for Himalayan hiking adventures, and more…
When should I go?
To experience the Himalaya at their best, time your visit with the optimal climatic conditions of each region.
That means June to September for Pakistan’s Karakoram Mountains and Ladakh in northern India, while for Nepal and Bhutan visit between February and May or October and December, avoiding the summer monsoon season in between. A trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal – seen as the region’s most iconic hike – works well pre-monsoon or post-monsoon, but the autumn season offers stable conditions and good visibility.
A Himalayan experience for everyone
Extending the chain of the Himalaya naturally westward to include the
Karakoram, the range boasts all 14 of the world’s 8,000m peaks, as well as some of the wildest adventure terrain on the planet. As a result, you’d be excused for thinking that all the walking routes here are threatened by dangers like uncertain underfoot conditions, crevasses and wind-swept passes but that isn’t the case. While some of KE’S adventures, like the K2 Trek in Pakistan or Mera Peak in Nepal do cross challenging terrain, there are also comparatively moderate hikes like India’s Markha Valley and Nanda Devi treks, the Annapurna Sanctuary Trek in Nepal or the Druk Path in Bhutan. KE’S longest Himalaya treks can require
a good level of fitness and hiking experience, but the company’s main focus lies in getting travellers outdoors and away from their normal routine. No matter how you want to travel, KE Adventure has you covered. Way back in 1984, it was set up to allow visitors to experience Pakistan’s most remote mountain landscapes, but it has since expanded its repertoire, offering adventures to suit all ages and abilities – from solo travellers and families to private guided groups.
While you’re there…
There is, of course, much more to the Himalaya region than hiking and mountaineering, with lots of other experiences to fill your days. Spending time with the local people of one of four different countries – Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bhutan – provides the unforgettable opportunity to immerse yourself in a completely different culture. Stroll the streets of the Sherpa villages of the Khumbu and visit centuries-old monasteries with outrageous mountain views. Or, when in Bhutan, take in one of this pocketsized country’s famously colourful Buddhist festivals, such as the spring tshechu at Talo Gompa above the Punakha Valley. There are incredible sights to be found across the region. Thrillseekers will relish the opportunity to walk on and alongside some of the greatest glaciers in the world including Pakistan’s Baltoro and the Khumbu in Nepal. Maybe the biggest thrill is simply being there, standing in awe of the greatest peaks on Earth.
About the experts
KE Adventure is the ideal travel companion for exploring the Himalaya, with long-established relationships with the best local agencies and most knowledgeable local guides – some of them the sons and daughters of trip leaders it worked with 40 years ago. Including tours in the Himalaya, KE now boasts a worldwide selection of 360 adventure holidays, taking place in 100 countries and at all levels of difficulty. As KE prepares to celebrate its latest milestone, now is the perfect time to find out why the Himalayan region has held on to its mystique and fascination for 40 years (and counting).