Page 77 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 8 | December - January 2025

Some Perks
Going to boarding school in India allowed us to get connected to
a lot of locals in Nepal. Our tour operator was a good friend and
very experienced. That made all the difference when the weather
conditions worsened at the end of the trek. When we were trying
to fly out, the skies were bleak, the weather was uncertain, and the

planes were unable to take off. Many people were stuck due to the
unpredictable weather. Our contact’s local network was crucial in
ensuring we departed safely, promptly securing a helicopter amidst
all the chaos.

I think having a fun group to share this experience with also makes
the trip more manageable as you can have fun while pushing
through challenges that might feel overwhelming alone. The
experience created wonderful memories that will last a lifetime! It
would have been a totally different experience if we had chosen to
do this with a different team.

Daljit Singh Thakral – Insurance Broker
“I had planned this trip for many years and with God’s grace at
68 years of age, I am physically fit to embark on it. Inspired by

other trekkers’ tales, I took it as a personal challenge to enjoy the
experience. I aim to inspire my children and grandchildren to stay

fit as I like to say, ‘health is wealth.’ I wish to motivate them to be
able to complete this when they are my age!”

Accommodations
Based on my research, nothing would be more important than
a good night’s rest after a long hard trek. We selected the most
comfortable accommodation options at lodges and local tea houses.
It was good to come back to a warm room to relax and stretch.
At the end of each day, we would unwind at the teahouses by
eating warm food, playing cards or snooker and engaging in good
conversation with everyone. Unluckily, as we approached the end
(the last 3-4 nights), it was more challenging at high altitudes with
extreme weather conditions. The spaces were smaller and there
was limited water and electricity. Let’s not get started on the toilet
conditions at the very end! Although given the remote location, it
was understandable.

Meals
The best thing we did along the whole journey was listen to what
the Sherpa (guide) recommended us to eat. The priceless guidance
really saved us from altitude sickness and from having to take pills
for acclimatisation. We adjusted our diet to natural foods they
recommended (protein, garlic, ginger and lots of vitamin C). Once
we reached 3,500 metres, we avoided meat and chose to get protein The Emotions
from a variety of pulses. The most important thing was water Before the trip, I was excited about the challenge and was looking
because, at high altitudes, dehydration can cause severe headaches. forward to accomplishing it alongside family members. I was
By the end of the trek, each of us consumed 4-5 litres of water daily. determined that I wanted to complete this journey without hiccups.
As we ascended, trekkers heading down informed us that basecamp
was closed due to heavy snow. I was worried we would not reach it,
but as we progressed forward from town to town, I felt more hopeful
that the weather would get better. Meeting more trekkers along the
way (including seniors) gave me motivation to power through! Ten
days with extremely limited phone use and pure, fresh air was a true
luxury.

The Preparation
I regularly visit the park to jog, even prior to planning this trip.
Once plans were confirmed, I started walking up and down the

stairs whenever I could. I also watched several EBC videos for
motivation and to know what to anticipate along the route. I took
note of the obstacles and guidelines recommended by people all
over the world.

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