Ella is a small and rather famous town in the Uva province of Sri Lanka, surrounded by jungle-clad hills dotted with some pretty impressive waterfalls. It's usually the final destination for anyone riding the famous train from Kandy, and it's a great place to hike, explore, eat too much good food, or just relax in... Continue Reading →
Why climbing Adam’s Peak for sunrise was a letdown
Climbing Adam's Peak for sunrise is as popular an activity as riding the famous train from Kandy to Ella or going on an elephant safari. One of those "must-do" activities that everybody raves about, you can't miss it, the best thing they did in Sri Lanka, blah blah blah. I'm a sucker for these kinds... Continue Reading →
Hiking the Himalayas: The Packing List
After spending 3 months in Nepal and hiking a grand total of 400km I've finally sussed out what I need and what I can live without when it comes to packing. My first trip in December 2018 was a nine-day hike to Annapurna Base Camp via Poon Hill. My second visit during April and May... Continue Reading →
Hiking the Himalayas: the Annapurna Circuit route planner – Thorung La to Tatopani
The full Annapurna Circuit is considered one of the world's great treks, and the real appeal lies in its variety. The trail winds through the subtropical jungle, up into the valleys, across the high mountain pass of Thorung La and down towards the desolate Mustang region, before descending down back into the valleys, all the... Continue Reading →
Hiking the Himalayas: the Annapurna Circuit route planner – Besisahar to Thorung La
The full Annapurna Circuit is considered one of the world's great treks, and the real appeal lies in its variety. The trail winds through the subtropical jungle, up into the valleys, across the high mountain pass of Thorung La and down towards the desolate Mustang region, before descending down back into the valleys, all the... Continue Reading →
Climbing Pidurangala Rock for sunrise in Sigiriya
Sigiriya is a small town a few hours north of Kandy, home to an ancient fortress on top of the 200m tall Sigiriya Rock, also known as Lion Rock. It's become one of the main tourist attractions in Sri Lanka, and it's worth a visit on your Sri Lankan adventure if you like big rocks... Continue Reading →
Hiking the Himalayas: how to hike on a budget
Hiking should always be free, but sometimes there are things you have to pay for. Permits and park fees, food, accommodation, and good gear are essential. Hiking in Nepal is spectacular but costs can add up really quickly when you pay for three meals a day, snacks, drinks, and guesthouses, plus more if you have... Continue Reading →
Finding Shangri-La and climbing Shika Snow Mountain
So, in case you haven't realised by my sarcastic ranting throughout the blog, China is expensive and it's almost impossible to have a free adventure anywhere. You can't even go for a hike without paying an entry fee. Until now. I found a free one! FREE! It's not for the faint-hearted... but if you have... Continue Reading →
I took a bus to Huanglong National Park and ended up in Narnia…
After two weeks of seeing various Chinese cities I was desperate to get into the mountains of Sichuan. I wanted to visit the rainbow lakes and forests of Jiuzhai Valley National Park but it was closed due to landslides, so I chose the next best option, Huanglong National Park. And boy, was it worth it,... Continue Reading →