The three of us (Eric, Ian and I) are leaving on November 4th, for a three month trip to Nepal and India to hike, volunteer, climb, and explore! The impetus for our trip was this New York Times article that Eric discovered:
http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/03/21/travel/21nepal.html. Although we purposely don't have solid dates for most of our trip (we hope to take things spontaneously), we do have a basic plan as follows...
We'll start the trip by flying into Kathmandu, then traveling to northwest Nepal where we will hike the Annapurna Circuit. For some reason sources can't seem to agree on the length of this trek, but it seems to be somewhere between 130 and 190 miles long. Probably depending on side trips, etc. The trek should take 3-4 weeks and will take us through a huge variety of environments including jungles, pine forests, and glaciers...even up to 17,769 feet above sea level at Thorong La. From pictures it looks absolutely beautiful, and the mountains are amazing. After the trek, we'll volunteer near Chitwan National Park teaching Nepali children science and art lessons for a week and a half (December 10-20). Next up will be India. We hope to arrive around December 20th, and plan to travel by train to Varanasi, the Taj Mahal, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, and New Delhi. Hopefully we will be able to arrange another volunteer opportunity in India, but we are still in the process of emailing a few organic farms to discover our prospects. On our way back to the U.S. we will have a 4 day, 5 night layover in London, then be arriving home to Seatac on January 31st!
I've decided to create this blog to keep all of you (my friends and family) up to date and filled in on what I'm doing!! I may only have intermittent internet access, but as often as possible I'll post some pictures and update you on my current location and experiences. You can comment on my posts, and also email me at
kim.popek@gmail.com. Keep in touch :) Looking forward to this crazy adventure!!
The three of us (Eric, Ian and I) are leaving on November 4th, for a three month trip to Nepal and India to hike, volunteer, climb, and explore! The impetus for our trip was this New York Times article that Eric discovered: http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/03/21/travel/21nepal.html. Although we purposely don't have solid dates for most of our trip (we hope to take things spontaneously), we do have a basic plan as follows...
We'll start the trip by flying into Kathmandu, then traveling to northwest Nepal where we will hike the Annapurna Circuit. For some reason sources can't seem to agree on the length of this trek, but it seems to be somewhere between 130 and 190 miles long. Probably depending on side trips, etc. The trek should take 3-4 weeks and will take us through a huge variety of environments including jungles, pine forests, and glaciers...even up to 17,769 feet above sea level at Thorong La. From pictures it looks absolutely beautiful, and the mountains are amazing. After the trek, we'll volunteer near Chitwan National Park teaching Nepali children science and art lessons for a week and a half (December 10-20). Next up will be India. We hope to arrive around December 20th, and plan to travel by train to Varanasi, the Taj Mahal, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, and New Delhi. Hopefully we will be able to arrange another volunteer opportunity in India, but we are still in the process of emailing a few organic farms to discover our prospects. On our way back to the U.S. we will have a 4 day, 5 night layover in London, then be arriving home to Seatac on January 31st!
Wow Kim! Can't believe it's coming up so soon. It's going to be a fun adventure! Happy last week of work at Mt Rainier :-)
ReplyDeleteLove you, Mom
Aaaah! November 4th is not very far away! So exciting! You've got quite the trip ahead of you, may your shoes not wear out and your hair not become infected with head lice! And I think I can manage breakfast if you are coming through Bellingham!
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventure. We pray for safe travels, good health and an amazing trip of a lifetime! We will toast to you at Christmas - you will be missed. Love you!
ReplyDeleteRachel
I can't believe the date is sooooo close!!! There's been talk and stories all summer long and now the date's almost here. I'm feeling anxious for you as if I was getting to go. I'm very excited for you three. Have an immense amount of fun and TAKE pics! ...I'm thinking huge Reveg potluck and slide show next year!!! We should get the Community building for ourselves, haha, would be fun. Oh yeah, I'm with Forrest, no head lice...eep! (starts feeling itchy)
ReplyDeleteWell, Kim was dropped off at the Airport in Vancouver BC, took off at 1;00pm on 11-4-2011, for the 13 hour trip to China with a two hour layover there, then a five hour flight into Nepal. They should be there now. Can't believe the trip has started. Looking forward to updates on your blog. Love Mom and Dad
ReplyDeleteएक सुरक्षित यात्रा है. सबसे महत्वपूर्ण सवाल मत भूलना. "कहाँ बाथरूम है." Uncle Ed
ReplyDeleteHello Kim, The adventure has begun!! Thinking of you today as you set off on your incredible hike. Loved your amazing pictures and description already of this culture and country on the other side of the world. So great to have a connection to you through this blog. I pray for sure footing, and good health for you and your friends throughout your hike.
ReplyDeleteLove you, Aunt Pam