*Pictures at the bottom.
The post has been a long time coming and I am so thrilled to finally have time to write about Highland Trekking Initiatives. If you want to go trekking in Lhasa, this is the company to go with. I think that everyone should know about Highland Trekking Initiatives and its founder, Angie, is one of the most amazing women I have ever met. HTI is a trekking company that leads tours around Lhasa. I really think that this is an incredible company and deserves to be out in the world. I know that now is not the best of times to try to get into Lhasa but if you have the opportunity, take it. Angie can help you with your travel permit.
For those who haven't been following my blog, I lived in Lhasa for three and a half months in the fall of 2011. During this time I often went to La Bon Vie (yes, it's spelled wrong, it should be La Bonne Vie) for coffee and delicious pancakes and waffles. Almost every single time I went I saw this woman sitting in a corner surrounded by papers and typing furiously at her laptop. I never once got up the courage to approach her but I always noticed her presence. About a month and a half in this woman walked up to the Boy and I and asked what our stories were. We had been there so long that she knew we weren't tourists and wanted to get to know us. This is Angie. She is fearless, outgoing, and direct.
Angie has lived in Lhasa for fourteen years. She is a nature conservationist who runs HTI. She collaborates with nomadic communities all around the plateau in order to bring trekkers to little known areas. All of the profits she makes gets funneled back to the nomads and goes to the preservation of their grazing lands. All of her routes are those known only to nomads so that no other trekking groups hike her areas. It is really fantastic knowing that you won't run into a herd of people as you are trying to enjoy the scenery.
During the fall I was unable to go on one of her treks so I returned to Lhasa in January with the sole goal of going on a tour with her. The really great thing about her company is that she runs treks that range from six hours to seven days and up. If you have a free afternoon while in Lhasa, hit up Angie and she'll take you out for the day. Since I went during the winter season, I was only able to do a day hike but it was one of the top three highlights of my entire time in Lhasa. We even got to hop across some frozen rivers and it was really amazing being able to hear the babbling water underneath the thick layers of ice. I hope to be able to go back in the future and do a full week long hike with her.
Also, if you are worried that you have to be in spectacular shape, let me set your mind at ease. The day trek that I did was a very, veeeerrrrryyyy gradual climb and Angie sets an excellent pace. Just stay behind her and you'll be golden. Angie always brings along one of her other guides and we were lucky with the lovely Lhamo, who had an uncanny ability to be able to tell where solid ground was.
If you do a trek with Angie, which I HIGHLY recommend, here are some helpful links:
Her website: http://www.nomadictreks.com/
Her Facebook page: HTI Facebook Page
If you google HTI, this old website will likely come up:
http://www.highlandecotreks.com/ - Ignore it, that is her old website.
Before I get to the pictures, here are some tips:
1. Altitude sickness is not a joke. Do not be THAT guy or girl that thinks you are such a hot shot athlete that you can just charge up a mountain in the Himalayas. You will get sick. Take it slow, enjoy your time and don't worry so much about speed.
2. Do not litter. This is an eco-tour and even if it wasn't, always leave a place better than you found it.
3. Sunscreen is pretty important! You are much closer to the sun and you will feel it.
4. Hydration is key. Making sure to drink lots of water diminishes the risk of altitude sickness. Always carry a bottle with you.
5. Dress appropriately. It can get chilly at night even during the summer, so pack a sweatshirt. Make sure to have hiking boots or sneakers that are comfortable and sturdy enough to last.
Finally the pictures. Notice that some are of the same places just during the winter as opposed to the summer:
I hope that if you do end up going to Lhasa that you take advantage of the amazing opportunity that Angie provides.
The post has been a long time coming and I am so thrilled to finally have time to write about Highland Trekking Initiatives. If you want to go trekking in Lhasa, this is the company to go with. I think that everyone should know about Highland Trekking Initiatives and its founder, Angie, is one of the most amazing women I have ever met. HTI is a trekking company that leads tours around Lhasa. I really think that this is an incredible company and deserves to be out in the world. I know that now is not the best of times to try to get into Lhasa but if you have the opportunity, take it. Angie can help you with your travel permit.
For those who haven't been following my blog, I lived in Lhasa for three and a half months in the fall of 2011. During this time I often went to La Bon Vie (yes, it's spelled wrong, it should be La Bonne Vie) for coffee and delicious pancakes and waffles. Almost every single time I went I saw this woman sitting in a corner surrounded by papers and typing furiously at her laptop. I never once got up the courage to approach her but I always noticed her presence. About a month and a half in this woman walked up to the Boy and I and asked what our stories were. We had been there so long that she knew we weren't tourists and wanted to get to know us. This is Angie. She is fearless, outgoing, and direct.
Angie has lived in Lhasa for fourteen years. She is a nature conservationist who runs HTI. She collaborates with nomadic communities all around the plateau in order to bring trekkers to little known areas. All of the profits she makes gets funneled back to the nomads and goes to the preservation of their grazing lands. All of her routes are those known only to nomads so that no other trekking groups hike her areas. It is really fantastic knowing that you won't run into a herd of people as you are trying to enjoy the scenery.
During the fall I was unable to go on one of her treks so I returned to Lhasa in January with the sole goal of going on a tour with her. The really great thing about her company is that she runs treks that range from six hours to seven days and up. If you have a free afternoon while in Lhasa, hit up Angie and she'll take you out for the day. Since I went during the winter season, I was only able to do a day hike but it was one of the top three highlights of my entire time in Lhasa. We even got to hop across some frozen rivers and it was really amazing being able to hear the babbling water underneath the thick layers of ice. I hope to be able to go back in the future and do a full week long hike with her.
Also, if you are worried that you have to be in spectacular shape, let me set your mind at ease. The day trek that I did was a very, veeeerrrrryyyy gradual climb and Angie sets an excellent pace. Just stay behind her and you'll be golden. Angie always brings along one of her other guides and we were lucky with the lovely Lhamo, who had an uncanny ability to be able to tell where solid ground was.
If you do a trek with Angie, which I HIGHLY recommend, here are some helpful links:
Her website: http://www.nomadictreks.com/
Her Facebook page: HTI Facebook Page
If you google HTI, this old website will likely come up:
http://www.highlandecotreks.com/ - Ignore it, that is her old website.
*As of January 8th, 2013, her site seems to be down. In order to get in touch with Angie here is a link to another agency, Shigatse Travels, who will be able to assist you with your permit as well as with Angie.
Before I get to the pictures, here are some tips:
1. Altitude sickness is not a joke. Do not be THAT guy or girl that thinks you are such a hot shot athlete that you can just charge up a mountain in the Himalayas. You will get sick. Take it slow, enjoy your time and don't worry so much about speed.
2. Do not litter. This is an eco-tour and even if it wasn't, always leave a place better than you found it.
3. Sunscreen is pretty important! You are much closer to the sun and you will feel it.
4. Hydration is key. Making sure to drink lots of water diminishes the risk of altitude sickness. Always carry a bottle with you.
5. Dress appropriately. It can get chilly at night even during the summer, so pack a sweatshirt. Make sure to have hiking boots or sneakers that are comfortable and sturdy enough to last.
Finally the pictures. Notice that some are of the same places just during the winter as opposed to the summer:
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| Getting started! |
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| Lhasa countryside |
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| Himalayas! |
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| I think this yak was a little spooked. |
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| I think this man was quite confused that we were driving around his area. |
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| Snowy wilderness |
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| Sun burst! |
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| There were a ton of sheep |
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| We had to traverse a couple of frozen rivers. |
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| This is a nomad camp that is abandoned in the winter. |
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| Our fearless leader Angie! |
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| Angie of Highland Trekking Initiatives |
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| Lhamo showing the Boy where to cross the river. |
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| Cool mountain plant. |
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| Angie was giving us eco lessons during the hike! This lichen shows that the air here is still healthy and smog free. |
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| This was a slightly larger frozen river so Lhamo pushed ahead and showed us what was what. |
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| How far we have come! |
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| This is actually the campsite for those doing overnight or the first campsite for those doing longer treks. |
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| Who doesn't love prayer flags? |
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| Yak did not want to move so this Tibetan woman just shoved it aside. |
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| *Photo credit: Highland Trekking Initiatives |
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| *Photo credit: Highland Trekking Initiatives: Blue Sheep |
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| *Photo credit: Highland Trekking Initiatives |
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| *Photo credit: Highland Trekking Initiatives |
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| *Photo credit: Highland Trekking Initiatives |
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| *Photo credit: Highland Trekking Initiatives |
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| *Photo credit: Highland Trekking Initiatives: Pack donkeys |
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| *Photo credit: Highland Trekking Initiatives: Pack yaks |
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| *Photo credit: Highland Trekking Initiatives: Potala Palace view |
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| *Photo credit: Highland Trekking Initiatives |
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| *Photo credit: Highland Trekking Initiatives: Recognize the same rock formation from above? |
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| *Photo credit: Highland Trekking Initiatives |
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| *Photo credit: Highland Trekking Initiatives |
I cannot open the website page. Do you have a direct emsil for Angie as the one we had does not get through. Thsnks. We met Angie 7 years ago when she was setting up the business.
ReplyDeleteHi Joan and Philip!
ReplyDeleteWould you mind messaging me privately? Just go to the link above, "Talk to Me" and I will give you more details about Angie.