Alexandra Gregg | 19 April 2024
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…
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…
Main image: Shutterstock
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…
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.
Pakistan's Hunza Valley bathed in autumn sunshine (Shutterstock)
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.
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 pocket-sized 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.
The Tiger's Nest monastery is an iconic sight in Bhutan (KE Adventure)
The Annapurna mountain range is a classic Himalaya destination KE Adventure takes you to (KE Adventure)
Sagarmatha National Park in Nepal (Shutterstock)
Annapurna & Bandipur Luxury Lodge Trek
This is your chance to experience the Himalaya of Nepal without the stress of a challenging trek. With comfortable lodges throughout, it includes a leisurely six-day hike through the scenic foothills of the Annapurnas and visits the old Newari town of Bandipur with its traditional architecture and distant views of the 8,000m peaks, Dhaulagiri and Manaslu.
Festivals of Bhutan
The Kingdom of Bhutan is known for its vibrant religious festivals, one of which you’ll attend on each departure of this classic KE trip. Held across the country at one of the many dzongs (fortress-monasteries), these festivals include ritual dancing, music, blessings and spiritual teachings. Travel to the central region of Bumthang, visit the delightful Phobjika Valley and soak up the atmosphere of Bhutan.
Ultimate Everest Trek
Everest Base Camp is an iconic destination and on this 20-day trek, you’ll hike to Namche Bazaar accompanied by Sherpas and then deviate from the Everest Trail to the lovely lakes at Gokyo, before crossing the tough 5,400m pass of the Cho La to reach Base Camp.
Highlights of Nepal and Bhutan
Few countries are more synonymous with the Himalaya than Nepal and Bhutan. You can combine both in one trip on this fortnight-long KE trip where memorable moments come thick and fast, from strolling among Kathmandu's temples to hiking up to Bhutan's cliffside Taktsang Monastery and glimpsing epic panoramas of the Annapurnas.
Everest Yeti Trail Luxury Lodge Trek
You don't have to be a grizzled adventurer to tackle the wild landscapes of Mount Everest National Park. Now, new luxury lodges dotted throughout the Himalaya make it easier to enjoy a pinch of the good life to recuperate in between each day's walking. This trip knits a few of them together, pairing nature's mountainous majesty with comfort every night.
Ganesh Himal Panorama trek
If you really want to head off the beaten track then this KE trek is for you, taking in the little-visited region of Ganesh Himal. Here, the sweeping valleys, sleepy local villages and verdant farmland combine in a landscape few others think to tread. This is the Himalaya completely stripped back – exactly how it should be – and how Nepal was only two decades ago. Here it's just you, your guides and untouched Himalaya around you.
The Snowman Trek
Seen as one of the globe’s greatest walks, the Snowman Trek snakes from west to east as the ultimate high-level traverse through the Bhutan Himalaya, from Shana, through Laya, to Lunana. Prepare to tread through isolated valleys, traditional villages and enjoy close-up views of Himalayan icons like Chomolhari Peak and the world’s highest unclimbed mountain, Gangkar Puensum. KE Adventure is one of very few companies to offer the compete Snowman Trek. It’s a taxing trail to say the least but Mother Nature rewards in the most spectacular of ways.
Chomolhari is a spectacular peak in Bhutan (KE Adventure)
The iconic Annapurnas Circuit (Shutterstock)
Time your visit with one of Bhutan's tshechu festivals if you can (iStock)
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).
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