It is said that real life begins at 50. Are you an active 50 plus aged elder and find it frustrating when many of the holiday options marketed to your age group are limited to low activity level? Do you like great outdoors with a pinch of adventure - hiking, biking, rafting ? Know about some of the trekking destinations in India and Nepal, which are presumed to be difficult, but in reality very much doable by 50 plus aged due to better facilities and customizations available to that age group...
Everest Base Camp Trek is a famous challenging trek in Khumbu, Nepal. Everest’s daunting summit at a height of 17,590 ft is an adventure of the highest sort. Spectacular mountain peaks and the loyalty and friendliness of its inhabitants - the Sherpas, made the Everest region (Khumbu)one of the most popular destinations for tourists in Nepal. Treks which are specially designed for 50 plus aged elders and seniors generally continues for 16-18 days including 2 days in Kathmandu. There are ample places to rest and enjoy a meal along the way. It needs 3-5 hours of walking every day with enough rest days in between and acclamation. Best time to visit are from the beginning of March to mid-May and from the beginning of September to mid-November.
Since ancient time, Mount Kailash is regarded as the holiest mountain in the world and spiritual destination to Hindus, Jains and Buddhists. Manasarovar, the most beautiful and sacred lake in Asia is the 2nd highest sweet water lake in the world. To adventure and nature lovers, Kailash-Mansaravar has lot more to offer. Kailash parvat is the only single stone mountain in the world that allows a trek around the circumference. In a 3 days trek around Kailash Mountain, one hikes an elevation up to 16,800 ft. It is a journey, that both outwards and inwards, transforms a person completely. Thousands of travelers of age upto 70 years come every year - July to September to experience isolated, timeless, breathtaking, fascinating and spiritual trekking to Kailash-Manasarovar.
There are stories about travelers falling unconscious from the heavy scent of the valley. A World Heritage Site, Valley of Flowers is an enchanting fairy land known for meadows of endemic alpine flowers. Covered with snow till May, the valley wakes up with blast of breathtaking colors after the first monsoon rain in June. The Velley of Flower trek starts from Govindghat near Joshimath. It's a 17 km trek from Govindghat to Valley of Flowers with night stay in a small picturesque village Ghangria. Most of the tourists coming to Valley of Flowers are first time trekkers. While the trek route is moderate and doable by 50 plus age, but due to few stiff ascends, it is advisable to hire a porter. Mid July to mid-August is the best time to visit when flowers are in full bloom in the spectacular backdrop of jagged, snow-capped mountains. While return, one must visit the stunning Hemkund lake. You will never forget the reflection of seven snow-clad peaks into the bluish-green water of the lake and Hemkund Sahib, a famous pilgrimage site for Sikhs.
Annapurna Base Camp Trek has long been considered by many to be the most scenic trek in the world. The Trek level being moderate, there are special 50 plus or senior citizen trek plans available which are customized to avoid long or strenuous walks. Unlike Everest Base Camp Treks, here altitude increases gradually. The trek route follows ancient trade route between Nepal and Tibet and dense forests of Rhododendron. A full circuit trek of Annapurna takes twenty days, however due to improvements in local roads, today Annapurna Circuit Trek can very well be accomplished in 14 days, needing 4-5 hours of walk on 9 trek days. Trek starts from beautiful village of Deurali which is about 5 hour drive from Pokhara, the paradise of Nepal. One can also take flight from Kathmandu to Deurali. On the way, Trekkers stay in famous and ethnic settlements such as Ghorepani, Kande, Chomrong. The local people are very friendly and food tastes great in this region.
The astonishing view of the high mountains such as Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Fishtail with diverse landscape of numerous waterfalls, gorges, rivers and forests make Annapurna Circuit a true magical experience.
If you are a seasoned trekker from young age and your hunger for adventure is no more satisfied with a hike or a climbing expedition, then 'Chadar Trek' can offer you ultimate challenge to test your control of mind over your body. A large section of the river Zanskar, which is one of the mightiest rivers in Ladakh, freezes over in the dead of winter and is covered by a thick blanket of ice. This frozen blanket or ‘Chadar’ is the only way in and out for Zanskaris in winter when all roads and passes connecting villages along the Zanskar river are closed due to heavy snowfall. The trail is being used for trade during winter from ancient time and today known as one of the wildest trek in the world. Chadar trek is open every winter during a small window between mid-January to mid-February.
There is no customized option available for 50 plus aged, as both fitness and more importantly strong willpower is required to join 'Chadar Trek. One should be mentally prepared to walk over a frozen river which is flowing at high speed few feet below a thick ice layer, spending nights in caves and walking 6-7 hours at -15 degree celsius . Still the amazing landscape of mountains, spectacular frozen waterfalls and the ethnic life of Zansaries, bring hundreds of adventure seekers who can not ignore the call of extreme wild.
Readers Comments