Staff Blogs

Sudarshan KC was the winner of Explore's Tour Leader Awards 2011 and part of his prize was a trip to the UK. He was originally due to visit us in November of last year but fell victim to the weather in his home country of Nepal. He was one of thousands stuck in the mountain town of Lukla as the clouds closed in making flights in and out impossible. He finally made it over this week and while here we sat down to talk to him about his life as a Tour Leader, his pride in his work and what he loves about Nepal.

Sudarshan in the Explore office

Why should people travel to Nepal?
The thing many people don’t realise is that the word ‘trek’ actually started in Nepal, so people should come to the country which originated trekking! Nepal also covers a wide range of altitudes – from 67metres above sea-level to the heights of Everest - so there is a huge range of bird and flower species which people don't appreciate when they think of Nepal. We have 873 species of bird here for example.

What advice do you have for people travelling to Nepal?
Listen to the Tour Leader, even if you are a regular walker. All of us are highly experienced mountain guides and set the pace on all walks – let us! It may seem slow but take it slow and you’re more likely to enjoy the treks and successfully complete them. Plus, taking your time means you get to appreciate the beautiful surroundings more.

What is your favourite place to walk and why?
I love walking in the countryside, often away from the mountains. For me, the secrets of a country can be found in its countryside.

What top tips would you give to someone thinking of booking a trek?
I think the first thing is to know your own fitness and ability. Make sure you choose a trek which is right for you and one where you can handle the walks as this means that you’ll enjoy the holiday so much more than if you choose one too difficult for you. Also, leave you troubles and ‘real life’ at home. Just take in what’s around while you’re on trek to make sure you really appreciate it!

Do you recommend using walking poles?
Yes, definitely. They’re great when used properly, especially when walking downhill as they take the pressure off your knees. Plus, when walking in snow you can use them to help see where there is uneven ground and avoid crevices! If you don’t have any, you can pick them up in Kathmandu at the start of all our treks.

What about food in Nepal? What should people definitely try?
Rice and lentils are a staple while on trek and we try and give people a variety of things along with these. Dumplings, or ‘momos’ are good and are often steamed with meat, vegetables and spices. They’re great for energy and very tasty!

Sudarshan helping some group members with dinner

What is your favourite time of year in the mountains?
Definitely springtime. There are lots of flowers and usually good weather.

What is one thing you are never without when trekking?
Earplugs! They’re great for blocking out any heavy snorers. Plus, hand sanitiser is a also a must-have.

What are your favourite things about being an Explore tour leader?
I think the appreciation Explore has for the work we do and the trust which is put into us to do it. We are free to lead the tours and make any necessary decisions but there is also always 24 hour support in the Explore office if we need it. I also love that Explore customers like a bit of adventure, more so than most people. They don’t mind if things go wrong – in fact it often adds to the sense of adventure for them!

Tell us about an amazing moment you’ve had on tour?
It’s difficult to pick one moment – Nepal is full of amazing moments. When I receive good feedback from customers, that is the wow moment for me.

Do your groups find the treks emotional at all?
Yes, even the most experienced travellers! People always make great friends on tour. There are jokes, singing, dancing and often making fun of each other so you bond like a family very quickly. This makes leaving at the end of the trek hard – I often see tears in their eyes as we get to the airport.

Anything else you’d like to share about Nepal?
I think it’s not just the mountains which make my country special – it’s the people. The leaders and the people you meet on trek all enhance the experience. Everyone is one big family and is very welcoming – that’s how we do it in Nepal!

To find out more about trips in Nepal, read our dedicated Nepal guide, view the Everest Base Camp trip or meet more of our tour leaders in our monthly Tour Leader Spotlight.

Explore's Head of Tailormade Jenny Hendry recently made it to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Here she tells us how that felt and whether she'd consider doing it again.

Jenny and her husband at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro

Summit night and nervous anticipation wasn’t the only thing building up. So was the snow. Outside our tents, mingled among the harsh rocks of Barafu at 4,700m, the ground had whitened with four inches in a couple of hours.

This was an added dimension for the tough push to Uhuru peak. On top of the altitude and cold it was going to be slippery. We had bedded down at 6pm to prepare. Dozing, rather than sleeping, from excitement.

Tucked up in down jackets, headtorches casting a caterpillar-like trail, our group of 10 kept a steady pace to the crater rim, panting with the height, stopping briefly to refuel and rehydrate.

Time compressed. Suddenly it was 5am. Five hours had flashed by. Stella Point appeared and with it the sun began to lift the darkness. A quick tea-stop then on again, following the gently sloping summit path.

Sunrise came and with it Uhuru peak and the view. A white fluffy blanket of cloud, far beneath us, stretched for hundreds of miles. Only the peaks of triangular Meru and jagged Mawenzi poked through.

Huge hanging glaciers were the backdrop as triumphant photos were taken. The snow long since stopped; the skies turning from indigo to azure.

The summit was jubilant. I was touched by the magic that comes with such an achievement. To stand on top of an entire continent, knowing that no-one else is higher at that moment is both humbling and ecstatic.

This was the culmination of six days of important acclimatisation through forest, heather moorland, alpine meadow, rocks and arctic desert. That the entire group made it to the top and back safely was testament to the effectiveness of the longer Lemosho route.

With it came the realisation that the Lemosho route is so much more of a rounded Kilimanjaro trek experience, bringing with it the best views, a real variety of environments, stunning valleys and the famous Barranco Wall scramble. We had climbed high and slept low, taking it pole-pole; the right recipe for mountaineering success.

Two days later, we looked up from the bustle and heat of Moshi, with a special understanding and respect for the volcano. Quiet satisfaction mixed with the wonder of an amazing shared experience.

Will I go again? Places like this can be addictive…

The camaderie while on trek adds to the triumphant feeling

Jenny travelled on our Kilimanjaro - Lemosho Trek For more info of making it to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, check out our page focused on it.

Peru’s Inca Trail remains one of the world’s most popular treks. The classic 4-day trail is well within the capabilities of regular walkers and passes through a variety of landscapes. The grand prize at the end is your first glimpse of Machu Picchu – the lost Inca citadel which was only rediscovered in 1911. What surprises some people is the ever-changing scenery and smaller Inca ruins that are to be seen along the way…

KM82 - start point of the trail!

Inca ruins at Llaqtapata

Stopping to admire the scenery

A welcome bowl of hot water at first camp site

The hard working trek support team

The challenge of Dead Woman's Pass

Triumphant at the top of the pass (4200m)

Inca site of Runkuraqay

© James Brunker*

The clouds close in

Descending the old Inca steps

Inca toilet in remarkably good state of repair!

Taking a well-earned rest - end of day 2

Thank goodness for trekking poles!

Huxley enjoying the trek

Inca terraces

Trekking through the bamboo forest

Up into cloud forest

Winay Wayna

Sun Gate coming up!

First view of Machu Picchu

Celebrating successful completion of the trail

The classic place to take a photo

Machu Picchu revealed in glorious sunshine

© James Brunker*

Llama taking in the views at Machu Picchu

© James Brunker*

If you'd like to trek the Inca Trail take your first step by visiting our Inca Trail page.

*Many thanks to former Explore Tour Leader and professional photographer James Brunker for supplying some of the above images. To see more of James' images go to www.magicalandes.com or www.james-brunker.artistwebsites.com/?tab=artworkgalleries