Saturday 22/02/2020 Snow Monkey Park
Nagano, JAPAN
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
We had a wonderful visit to the Jigokudani Monkey park in the Joshinetsu-Kogen National Park. This is apparently the only place in then world where wild monkeys (Japanese Macaque – Macaca fuscata) bathe in hot springs and they really seemed to enjoy it!
2/5/2019 – 11/5/2019 Kagbeni – Chele – Syanboche (Shyangbochen) – Ghami (Ghemi) – Chrang (Tsarang) – Lo Manthang – Choser – Ghami (Ghemi) – Samar – Kagbeni
Upper Mustang Valley, NEPAL
Distance: 177 km Total Ascent: 10,050m Total Descent: 10,050m Time: 46 hours
Participants: Subin Basnet (Porter), Pawan Dai (Assistant Guide), Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Giorakh “Kaka” Dulal (Porter), Prabin Karki (Guide), Saideh Kent, Ralston Keyt, Sarah Keyt, Mohan Khaimrange (Porter), Ravi lal Phuyal (Porter), Kerrie Stewart, Lisa Stewart
Mustang, formerly the ancient Kingdom of Lo is a remote and isolated region of the Nepalese Himalayas. The Upper Mustang was a restricted demilitarised area until 1992 and is one of the most preserved regions of the world with a predominantly Tibetan culture. It’s status as a kingdom ceased in 2008. The influence of the outside world, especially China is leading to changes in the lives of these previously isolated inhabitants.
The region is cool and semi-arid being in the Himalayan rain shadow. Tourists have been allowed in the region since 1992 but visits remain highly regulated. It is considered a rare privilege to trek in this region and to experience the way of life of the true mountain people.
22/04/2019 – 1/05/2019 Jagat – Dharapani – Chame – Upper Pisang – Manang – Yak Kharka – Thorong Phedi – Thorong La Pass – Muktinath – Kagbeni
Annapurna Circuit, NEPAL
Distance: 172km Total Ascent: 10,400m Total Descent: 8,670m Time: 68 hours
Participants: Subin Basnet (Porter), Pawan Dai (Assistant Guide), Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Giorakh “Kaka” Dulal (Porter), Prabin Karki (Guide), Ralston Keyt, Sarah Keyt, Mohan Khaimrange (Porter), Sonaiya Magear (Assistant Guide), Amanda “Mandy” Menheere, Ravi lal Phuyal (Porter), Kerrie Stewart, Lisa Stewart, Kaitlin “Kitty” Travers
The Annapurna Circuit is considered one of the world’s best long distance treks. It is located within the mountain ranges of central Nepal and it encircles the Annapurna Massif. It offers a wide variety of climatic zones from tropical vegetation at 600m to the chilling alpine conditions of Thorong La pass at over 5,400m. There are cultural varieties from the Hindu villages at the lower elevations to the Tibetan culture of the Manang valley.
We travelled with the assistance of guides and porters from Himalayan Encounters, a company based in Kathmandu.
Expect stunning high altitude scenery, comfortable tea houses and delicious (mainly vegetarian) freshly cooked food.
Map of our planned trek from Jagat to Jomsom at Tilicho Hotel & Restaurant
25/6/2019 – 28/6/2019 Vaqueria – Quebrada de Paria – Taulipampa – Llamacorral – Cashapampa
Santa Cruz Hike, Corderilla Blanca, PERU
Distance: 82km Total Ascent: 8,500m Total Descent: 9,300m Time: 25 hours
(Inaccurate distance & ascent/descents due to gps reception errors during day 3)
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Elva Marcos Campos (guide), Emilio Gloria Arevalo (cook) Javier valdivia Melo (donkey driver)
This is a popular walk in the Corderilla Blanca and can be organised through several trekking companies or walked independently. There are buses that travel to the trailhead. This is a stunning mountainous area of Peru yet it is in the tropics about 9 degrees south of the equator.
Saturday 11/08/2018 Berry Springs Loop
Berry Springs Nature Park, NORTHERN TERRITORY
Larrakia country
Participants: Sue Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Moore
Berry Springs nature park is about a 50 minute drive from Darwin. It is recommended as a place to go on a hot afternoon. Every afternoon is hot in Darwin so I guess it’s good at anytime. The route however, may be impassable in the wet season.
Saturday 24/06/2019 Laguna 69
Huascarán National Park, PERU
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Elva Marcos Campos (guide)
This incredible day walk can be accessed from Huaraz by a four hour bus trip or three hours by private car. We chose the latter more expensive option along with a guide which was not really necessary. However, it enhanced our experience having a local give us information along the way. All the lakes in the Huascarán National Park are numbered and there are at least 300 of them. This is number 69.
Sunday 23/06/2019 Laguna Churup
Huascarán National Park, PERU
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Elva Marcos Campos (guide)
Laguna Churup is a popular but relatively uncrowded walk which is reasonably close to Huraraz. It is not necessary to have a guide for this walk but a private car needs to be organised for drop off and pick up. National park entry fees of 30 soles (about $13) per person needs to be paid at the car park. The toilet costs 1 sole (about 40c).
Saturday 22/06/2019 Quilcayhuanca Valley
Huascarán National Park, PERU
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
This walk was recommended as an initial acclimatisation walk after arriving in Huaraz at 3,092m as it reaches an altitude of just under 4,000m and is relatively flat. As there is no public transport available into the area we organised a private car to transport us each way from Huaraz.
2/07/2019 – 9/07/2019 Baltra – Santa Cruz – Floreana – Espanola – San Cristobal – Santa Fe – Sombrero Chino – Bartolome – James (Santiago) – Rabida – Seymour Island – Baltra
Galapagos Islands, ECUADOR
Participants: Alfredo Banguera (Chef), Cifredo Banguera (Bartender), Enrique Briones (Engineer), Jose Caicedo (Captain), Anavi Chitnis, Jay Chitnis, Maritza Chitnis, Chitnis, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Morris Garcia (Guide & Naturalist), Greg Kato, Jeremy Kato, Ryan Kato, Janet Lindsley, Melissa Mccarthy, Arnaldo Muñoz (First Mate), Roberto Pazmiño (Dingy Pilot), Charlie Vandel, Ellie Vandel, Stuart Vandel
The Galapagos Islands are a bucket list destination for many people, us included. These volcanic islands which are part of the Republic of Ecuador straddle the equator nearly 1,000km west of continental Ecuador. The convergence of three major oceanic currents brings an incredible mix of marine life to these islands. The islands are estimated to be between 3 to 10 million years old.
Access is by air from Quito via Guayaquil. The islands are known for their large number of endemic species that were studied by Charles Darwin and which led him to formulate his theory of evolution through natural selection, published in 1859.
The Galapagos National Park and the Galapagos Marine Reserve are carefully managed by the Ecuadorian Government, visitor numbers are limited and a $US100 entry fee applies. The only islands that can be visited without a guide are Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela and Floreana.
More than 25,000 people live on the islands. In 1959 the Government of Ecuador declared all uninhabited areas of Galapagos a national park. In 1978 UNESCO designated Galapagos the first World Heritage site and the Galapagos Marine Reserve received the same status in 1998.
Friday 22/03/2019 Whitehorse to Haines Junction Sightseeing
Yukon, CANADA
Participants: Anne-Marie DaSilva, Walter Brennan, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
Another driving day trip from Whitehorse, this time we were heading due west towards Haines Junction.
The mountains again seemed endless, punctuated by lakes and rivers. It is truely impressive country!
Thursday 21/3/2019 Whitehorse to Alaskan Border Sightseeing
Participants: Anne-Marie DaSilva, Walter Brennan, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
This was a driving tour from Whitehorse heading south towards the Alaskan border. Our first stop was Emerald Lake which was a stunning emerald colour, even though it was still partially frozen.
Tuesday 19/3/2019 Fish Lake
Whitehorse, Yukon, CANADA
Participants: Anne-Marie DaSilva, Walter Brennan, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
The trailhead for this walk is a short drive from Whitehorse. We headed off on a stunningly clear day. The trail gradually climbed through forest until we were above the tree line. We kept climbing onto a rocky ridge with fantastic views of the frozen Fish Lake and surrounding mountains which appeared to go on forever. After a quick snack we descended via the same route.