Flying east across the Himalayas by helicopter
Here is a brief video clip (taken by Sandra, who was lucky enough to have the box seat) showing what the Himalayas look like on a clear day, when you fly just above the clouds, and head east from Kathmandu towards Kanchenjunga - by helicopter.
Nepal Trekking Adventure: 2018
Only one month to go now until we embark on our uniquely-designed wilderness and cultural adventure in northeastern Nepal. After joining in the festivities in the beautiful village of Olanchung Gola, we will be trekking over the Lumbasumba Pass (which on a clear day is one of the most spectacular in the whole Himalayas) before forging a new route over the Thangla Bhanjyang Pass to Topkegola, and descending back down into the lower Arun Valley. Can't wait!
Mongolia Expedition 2018
Behind the scenes!
Just spent the last two days exploring a spectacular valley, lake and glacial cirque to the south of Yushu that we will be incorporating into the design of our cultural adventure scheduled for the summer of 2019. The hiking was just superb.
Time to get my dancing shoes on! Party time on the Tibetan plateau.
The tantric ceremony at Dzogchen Monastery yesterday afternoon in the tradition of the 'great perfection' teachings - which in the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism is considered the most profound and direct route to enlightenment.
Printing sacred dharma texts using ancient carved woodblocks and inks made from natural pigments.
Time for a quick stop to soak up the atmosphere at one of the most interesting buildings in Tibet - the beautiful Parkhang - repository of thousands of ancient tantric texts.
China Botanical Expedition: 2018 (crossing a swollen river).
What do you do when you are over three days into a remote expedition and you reach a river too dangerous to wade through? Well - chop down a tree, lay it over the rushing rapids (you'll get a better feel for the river's power with the sound on), loop some rope across to provide stability, keep calm, and then carefully cross the log bridge - of course. This is just one example why we could not even contemplate doing such an expedition without the expert local knowledge of our trusted Lisu guides and porters. Quite simply - they are the best.
Exploring the upper floors of Dongzhuling Monastery - on the way back to Shangrila.
The spectacular Karwa Karpo range straddling the border between Yunnan and Tibet. Wowsers.
China Botanical Expedition: Whistling Arrow
Heading off grid for a couple of weeks but before I do, I just wanted to point out that we once again have two places up for grabs on our June botanical expedition so, for those that are interested - drop me an email at [email protected] - to reserve the final spots on the team, and I will confirm the bookings in early March (first come, first served). Oh - and happy new year of the earth dog everyone.
Sacred Peaks Of Golok Trek: Eastern Tibet
For just one week, starting today, we are offering an exclusive one off discount of USD 250 to join our pioneering expedition to explore the Sacred Peaks Of Golok, in Eastern TIBET, this July. Lead by Adrian Bottomley and Kyle Obermann (and unique to Whistling Arrow), this wonderful trek will be our first commercial small-group trip into this spectacular mountain sanctuary, and promises to be a truly extraordinary adventure. To reserve your discounted spot on the team, first check out the full details on our website - by clicking the 'learn more' button - and then contact us, quoting the booking code: EPIC.
Treasures of the Snow Trek | Eastern Nepal
For those of you who have been patiently waiting for the release of the 2018 dates for our unique trekking expedition in eastern Nepal - Treasures of the Snow - you will be pleased to know that we have finally received confirmation for the timing of the local tantric Tibetan festival in Olanchung Gola (featured in this 2017 trip video trailer) which we always plan to coincide with the start of this epic wilderness trek. Please note however, that places on this unique adventure, will be limited to just 5 guests and myself, as we will be need to access the trail-head in the remote village near the Tibetan border by helicopter. Word of mouth has already been at work (even before the dates are announced and details uploaded onto our website) and three places have already been reserved, so if you are potentially interested, you will most likely need get in touch asap.
Oh - the dates for the 2018 trip are provisionally November 3 to 18, 2018.
Eagle Hunting in Western Mongolia
I have just returned from an amazing exploratory expedition in western Mongolia where our group was the first to ever trek into the beautiful mountains and valleys that border China in the southern part of Altai Tavan Bogd. We experienced spectacular scenery, huge panoramas, crystal-clear lakes and either saw or verified prints of ibex, wolves, bears, golden eagles and snow leopard. We were lead through this incredible wilderness by my good friend (and renowned eagle hunter) Shohan, who also treated us to a private training demonstration with his young eagle. We will be heading off again soon on a climbing expedition to eastern Tibet so, for now, I only have time to post a short video of Shohan training his new eagle.
Tibetan Horseracing Festival
Anyone for a spot of horse riding - Tibetan style? In July, all across the eastern Tibetan plateau you stumble across these remarkable festivals where local riders show off their daring horsemanship with a variety of events designed to test their skill. Complete nutters if you ask me - but great fun to watch!
I was asked to record a video diary for the first time on our last expedition. It's hard to think coherently above 4000m but video does better capture those spontaneous interpersonal moments that for me are often just as memorable as the spectacular scenery.
Walking the kora around Dzamtang Monastery in eastern Tibet this morning. Dzamtang is a beautiful and seldom visited monastery and is the main centre of practice for the smallest of the five sects of Tibetan Buddhism - the Jonang.
The Hong Kong most people never see.
Spent an amazing day with fellow members of the Explorers Club in Hong Kong yesterday coasteering and climbing in the beautiful Nine Pin Islands.
Tibetan Buddhist Fire Ritual
Like many of us who aspire to some kind of renewal at this time of year, the local community participate in the tantric ceremonies of the phurdup festival in the hope that they will carry the community back to an archetypal 'original' condition, thereby giving the village an annual fresh start. A particularly auspicious year is said to be in the offing if the flames of the climactic fire ceremony are judged to have reached the height of the gompa roof. Thankfully, all agreed that they did - so Happy New Year everyone.
