India. Nepal. These two countries evoke visions of cultures far removed from ours here in Canada. The history, the religions, the customs, the climate, the food, it’s all a long way from our snow and maple syrup.

When I returned from a trek to Everest Base Camp in the fall of 2013, Ken took a great interest in my stories and pictures. In short order, he announced that he wanted to experience Himalayan trekking for himself and thus the seed was planted for the trip we are about to take.

Our itinerary will take us to Delhi, Jaipur, Agra and the Taj Mahal, and Varanasi. We will cross into Nepal by land and visit Lumbini, birth place of the Buddha, then Chitwan National Park and Pokhara. After a few days’ rest in Kathmandu, we will undertake a trek to the Gokyo Valley and Everest Base Camp.

I will write about all these exotic places, our experiences, adventures and discoveries.

Our flight departs in four days. Come along and enjoy the ride. I know we will.