There are several places you can go to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city, but the most common is Pokhara, and for good reason. Once you arrive in this gorgeous lakeside town you cannot help but think you are in a different country altogether. Pokhara is not only a pleasant respite from Kathmandu, but a location with a plethora of activities including, kayaking, mountain biking, getting tattooed, and people watching; however, the most popular activity to do, and the reason most people go to Pokhara, is for some of the best treks in the world!

​For more information about Pokhara and activities to do while you are there, click here

  ​The Trek to Poon hill from Pokhara is one of the easiest and shortest treks. It is well-marked and very popular, meaning that it can easily be done without a guide. Furthermore, there are many teahouses along the way so you will have no need to lug around a heavy tent and sleeping bag with you.
  Many people enjoy this trek as a way to acclimatize themselves before attempting a more difficult trek such as Annapurna Base Camp (ABC). Others, like Turtle and myself, use it as a cool-down trek after a longer, harder trek: the Annapurna Circuit.
  No matter what your reasons are for taking this trek, you will assuredly not regret the decision. The journey to the famous view of the surrounding mountain ranges is beautiful, and the view is something you will never forget. In fact, I was so inspired by the view from Poon Hill that I got a tattoo of it that wraps around my upper calf. (See Photo Below)
  This trek can be completed in three or four days depending on your pace, experience, and how much time you want to spend at the nearby hot springs. Below is the most popular itinerary:

​Day 01: Pokhara-Nayapul-Ulleri
  This bus trip will take between 2-3 hours and cost around $2.00 USD. You can also take a Jeep if you want, but if so, I highly recommend no sitting the back bench seat over the wheels unless you are shorter than 5’9.

For more information about the hell that is a jeep ride in Nepal, see Turtle’s recent blog here.

  Then hike from Nayapul to Ulleri. This stretch is about 12km (roughly 7 ½ miles) and should take you between 3 and 5 hours to reach your destination. There are plenty of tea houses and lodges in Ulleri that will allow for you to get a good night’s rest and a good meal to prepare you for day two.

​Day 02: Ulleri-Ghorepani.
  This 8km hike is on the shorter side and should take the average trekker between 2 and 3 hours to complete. Make sure and get to bed a little early because you will not want to miss the view from Poon Hill at sunrise. 

​Day 03/04: Ghorepani – Poon Hill – Ghorepani – Ghandruk – Pokhara
  Wake up two hours before sunrise to account for crowds and the seemingly never-ending hike up 3,000 steps to the 3,200-meter elevation and a view you will miss for the rest of your life after seeing! The ascent should take you from an hour to an hour and a half. Once you arrive at the gate entrance you will have to pay 100 rupees to enter, but the views are priceless. (Pro Tip: remember your wallet!)

   Once you summit, your eyes can hardly recognize what you are seeing as you watch the pink glow from the sun casting silhouette of the breathtaking Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Machhapuchhare, Annapurna II and Lamjung mountains. One look at this and you will want a tattoo of it too. 
After witnessing the sun rise as it was meant to be seen, you can walk down a few steps a large café where you can have some delicious coffee or tea and a bite to eat before conducting the hardest hike on the trek.
  If you thought that hiking up the thousands of steps was difficult and annoying, walking down these steep, slippery steps will be hell for you. My tip for you during this part is take it as slow as you need to prevent injury of your joints. Also, if you have big feet like I do, it may be advantageous to walk down with your feet parallel to the steps. It may seem as though the steps will never end, but I promise you, they do and then the real trek starts from Ghorepani to Ghandruk.
  The trek from Ghorepani to Ghandruk is a long one and will test your endurance for sure. It should take you between 5 and 6 hours to complete the 16km (nearly 10 miles) trek to Ghandruk. Once you arrive you can end your trek and take bus to Pokhara; or you can stay the night in Ghandruk and take a bus in the morning. You can also hike to Tadapani from Ghorepani to begin the ABC trek. 

  ​The Ghandruk Loop is a great way to see the beautiful Annapurna Sanctuary without going on a long trek that could take weeks. The Ghandruk loop not only follows part of the famous Annapurna Circuit, but goes through a few rural Nepali villages. Overall, the Ghandruk loop is a short trek full of gorgeous mountain vistas and a unique cultural experience. Below is the 3-day itinerary:

​Day 03: Pothana-Phedi-Pokhara
  You should wake up a little early so that you spend a little time in Pothana. Afterwards, begin your trek from Pothana to Phedi. Along this stretch, you will not only see views of mountains but beautiful forest scenes. Once you arrive in Phedi, you will hire a bus back to Pokhara to bring your journey to a close.

  Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) Trek is one of the most famous treks in the world, and one that is on many people’s bucket list.  Surprisingly, it is not very long, and the altitudes are not as high or as intimidating as the name may make it seem. Though Annapurna stands at a whopping 26,545 feet, the base camp is only about half of that. On the ABC trek you will see all of the beauty of the Himalayas and conquer two base camps of intimidating mountains: Machhapuchhare and Annapurna 1. Below is the 11-Day Route.

​Day 04: Tadapani-Kimrung Khola- Chomrong
  The Hike is mostly downhill and should take around 4 hours to complete the beautiful 15 km (9.3 miles) hike.
Day 05: Chomrong- Kuldi Gar- Doban
  The Hike will go through the forest and down to the Modi River and finally back up to Doban. The entire hike should take 6 to 7 hours to complete the 14km (8.7 miles) stretch. 

​Day 07: Machhapuchhare Base Camp-ABC
  Day 7 will be your shortest day of trekking, but the most dangerous and hardest. The highest altitude is 13,500 feet and there is a high chance of ice and hazardous conditions. Make sure you are well prepared and take the hike as slow as you need. Once you arrive you will have made it to Annapurna Base Camp (ABC): a life-time feat for many. If you are comfortable, you can stay the night here, but I recommend hiking back down to Machhapuchhare Base Camp and staying the night there. 

​Day 08: ABC-Bamboo
  The next day make sure and wake up early enough to catch one of the best sunrises you will ever see in your life. After you pick your jaw up from the ground, you can begin you long trek back down to Bamboo. It is a long hike, but you can take the 17 kilometers (10 ½ miles) as fast or slow as you need. Starting out early, will allow for plenty of time. The descent is nearly 5500 feet.
Day 09: Bamboo-Jhinu Danda
  This trekking day is quite long and requires climbing many steps through Chomrong, but the hot springs at the end are well worth it. There is a short 20-minute walk from Jhinu Danda to the well-deserved hot springs nearby. It should take around 6 hours to arrive in Jhinu Danda.

​Day 11: Pothana-Phedi-Pokhara
  The last day is a short trek from Pothana to Phedi. From there you will take a bus or jeep back to Pokhara to completer your life-changing trek. The hike is approximately 1 ½ hours and the drive should take around 45 minutes to complete. 

  One of the other famous treks in Nepal is the Annapurna Circuit. Most people start this trek from Kathmandu and hike in a counterclockwise direction ending at Pokhara, but the rare few try it the opposite direction. My father and I decided to try this, kind of.
  Our original plan was to catch a Jeep from Pokhara to Muktinath, hike all the way up to Thorong La Pass at over 15,000 feet and hike back down to Muktinath in one day, then continue the back half of the circuit, ending with Poon Hill. Unfortunately, my father had some medical issues, and we could not make the pass. Below is our path:

​Day 01: Pokhara-Halfway to Muktinath
  We hired a Jeep who took us on a memorable 2-day trip from Pokhara to Nepal. After a hellish 12-hour journey, we stopped in a small town with beautiful mountain views and wild horses. I do not know the name of the town, as it was not a planned stop. 

​Day 05: Muktinath-Lupra-Lower Kagbeni
  Day 5 was a fun day full of lessons, strong winds, near-death experiences, and hidden treasures. We left Muktinath in search for Kagbeni. We did not have a guide, so we tried to take an alternate route through Lupra. Long story short, we got lost along the way. On our way to Lupra we came across a beautiful old stone building with a stone fence and apple trees. 

​Day 11: Ghasa-Tadopani-Ghorepani
The next day we trekked from Ghasa to Tadopani to get in some well-deserved hot springs before continuing our journey to Ghorepani.
Day 12: The last day was nearly Identical to the last part of the aforementioned Poon Hill Trek.

​If you want to know more about our unique trek and our experiences, click here

   
​   What if I told you in just five days or less you could see vibrant jungle, watch fluffy llamas, experience culture that is over 5 centuries old, walk through an ancient city in the clouds, and see one of the seven wonders of our world? Would you be interested?
​
  Well, lucky for you, you can do all of this and more by visiting Machu Picchu in Peru. Furthermore, if those reasons are not enticing enough for you, Machu Picchu also has impressive architecture, unsolved mysteries, an array of ways to get there, and a unique landscape that will help you build your social media and retain serious bragging rights over your friends and family.  

   By the 1570s, Francisco Pizarro and his crew of Conquistadors had destroyed and pillaged all the Inca empire, or so they thought. Hidden high up a sacred mountain in a sacred valley stands Machu Picchu: the Inca city that was never discovered by the Spanish. 

   Fast forward hundreds of years and historians knew little of the Inca Empire, except the tale of a secret lost city of gold that many historians and adventurers unsuccessfully searched for. Other than folklore, certain aspects of who the Incas were seemed to be lost forever, until one fateful day when Hiram Bingham, an American historian and adventurer “accidentally” rediscovered Machu Picchu. Bingham, like many before him, was searching for the lost city of gold when he learned from the Peruvian locals of an ancient city high in the mountains. Though the city he found was not in fact the city he was searching for, what he found may well be worth more than he could have hoped for. 

​   Though Machu Picchu helped Historians understand more about the Inca people, it left many questions about the purpose of the site itself. Was it an education center for religious officials? Was it a religious retreat for the Emperor and their family? Was it a religious site for special occasions? Furthermore, why was it undiscovered by the Spaniards and many others for so many years?
   These may be questions that will never have an answer, however, isn’t it worth it to grab your magnifying glass, your best Sherlock Holmes hat, and a ticket to Peru and try and solve the case yourself? (or at least go marvel at its beauty)

    When you think of beautiful bathhouses and aqueducts, you probably think of somewhere in Rome or Greece or Turkey, but did you know the Inca had these too and their technology rivaled the more well-known Eurasian predecessors? Along with sophisticated water transportation technology and Romanesque amenities, the Incas had a great understanding of agriculture and the importance of terraces. Terraces carved into the side of the mountains where the citadel stands not only assisted with farming but helped prevent rock falls that could have wiped Machu Picchu from existence long before Bingham discovered it. ​

​    What is more impressive, is how these structures were designed. The Inca people only seldom used any form of mortar to keep their stones together during construction. Instead, the indigenous peoples relied on geometry.
​   Many Inca buildings are built with polygonal shaped rocks instead of rectangular stones. The reason for this, is so that the Inca could shape the stones to fit together perfectly. Due to the unique shape of the stones and their weight, these structures have survived the test of time in many places, including Machu Picchu. In fact, these stones were lined up so perfectly that one could not fit even a knife edge in between two stones.

​   Not only is the site full of colorful history and unique architecture, the views from the site are spectacular, and they will take your breath away, even if the altitude has not done so already.
    Standing on the citadel looking outward you can see the gorgeous Andes Mountains almost magically disappearing and reappearing in the fog. With the clouds lower than you in most places, you feel as if you are standing at the top of the world on Machu Picchu – home of the original skyscrapers. 

​   Not only is the site incredible, but the journey to get there is gorgeous as well. No matter which route you take, you are almost guaranteed to see amazing beauty. You may be hiking and see the beautiful orange head of the Tinku, AKA “the cock of the rock,” Peru’s national bird; or you may see a condor soaring around the great Andean mountains. From a train or bus, you can see the beauty of the northern Amazon as it pours into the rapid Rio Urubamba, that only the most dauntless people raft. Whether you are standing at over 7000 feet or marveling at the beauty, Machu Picchu is guaranteed to take your breath away.  

​ ​One of the coolest things about this trip, are the different options to get to Machu Picchu. If you are an adventurer, you would most likely prefer one of the several hiking options. However, if you want a more relaxing trip, you may prefer the train and bus route.

   From Aguas Calientes you can take one of the many inexpensive bus rides to Machu Picchu. Keep in mind, there are many options for trains and buses. Basically, the more money you are willing to spend on these transportation units, the more comfortable you will be. ​

​   Another hiking option that is much less crowded than the traditional Inca Trail route, is the Salkantay Trek. This trek is 5 days instead of four days so you can better acclimatize yourselves to the elevation difference however the peak elevation is nearly 2000 feet higher than the aforementioned option. Additionally, Salkantay trekkers will be able to experience more local culture in villages that many tourists never have the chance of seeing. Furthermore, this trek focuses more on nature and demonstrates a wide variety of natural biomes and waterfalls in the area. After hiking for four days in the jungle and atop high mountains, you arrive in Aguas Calientes where you can take a much-deserved shower before your bus ride to the citadel the next morning. You will see one other archaeological site but not as many as you do on the traditional Inca trail. 

​   Now, if archaeology and history are the main reasons that you decided to travel to Machu Picchu, you need to consider the Choquequirao trek with Machu Picchu extension. This nine-day trek is not for the inexperienced hiker. The trek is arduous, long, and you will come out stinking to high heaven, but you will see some incredible archaeological sites with basically no crowds in sight. Not to mention, due to the lack of crowds, the site is more preserved and intact then the more commonly visited Machu Picchu. As I mentioned before, this trek is a difficult one to say the least. It includes over 8 full days of hiking up and down mountains sometimes at altitudes higher than 4000 meters (over 13,000 feet), but if you are up for the challenge, the opportunity to see both of these incredible sights, is difficult to pass up. Unfortunately, my father and I have already planned our trip to Machu Picchu in 2021. Due to the time constraints and previous itineraries, we will not have time to do this trek when we go. I will say, however, this is my favorite trekking option and I guarantee that one day I will take it and I hope you guys are here with me when I do! 

​ No matter how you decided to get to Machu Picchu, one thing is for certain, you cannot miss out on the food. Whether you are acclimatizing your body in Cusco, relaxing after a long hike in Aguas Calientes, or enjoying a nice stop in a local village during your trek, you must take time to try the local cuisines.  Let me tell you what, Peru has some good food! Here are just a few options to get your mouth watering: 

Other Incan Street Foods  
​   If you really want to experience the local culture, you must do what the locals do and eat as the locals eat. There are many street food vendors in Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes and other Peruvian cities and villages. You can try Many local favorites, including: anticuchos (Andean kabab-type dish dating back to ancient Incan time), rocoto relleno (stuffed spicy peppers), and alpaca jerky. ​

Drinkin' like an Incan
   Do you enjoy alcohol and trying new drinks? Then Peru may be the place for you. Peru is well known for several sweet, fruity cocktails made with pisco, a popular liquor from the Pacific Coast of Peru. However, if you are looking for a truly unique drink, you must try chicha, a low ABV corn-based alcohol like beer.

​    What makes this drink so fascinating, is how it is traditionally made. Now, most places make chicha with barley for fermentation, but the drink was originally made and is still made in some places to this day with fermented saliva. Swapping spit with older Incan women just might be the highlight of the trip.
  Long ago, the Inca would enjoy this drink that was essentially corn chewed up and spit out, then fermented and finally enjoyed with some nice cuy and yuca frita – sounds delicious. Like I said, most places do not make the drink traditionally anymore. However, this does not mean that you cannot find somewhere that does. In fact, in rural towns along some of the hikes to Machu Picchu, you may see houses with red flags or red bags attached to their doors. This is a common symbol that shows that these locals serve chicha. Drop in, support the economy, enjoy the added effects of alcohol at high elevation, and try not to focus on the teeth that chewed and spat your beverage.

​Instead of making you read more about all the vistas and ruins and food that will push your social media accounts to new levels, check these out:

​I believe that no trip to Italy is complete without making a stop at this serene little Island on the Amalfi coast. In fact, my father just put out a blog detailing the best itinerary for traveling to Italy. See link here. Capri is organized as a day trip in his plan, but, if you have the time, I recommend staying 3-5 days as there is plenty of fun and relaxing activities to do on this little island gem. 

​​If your schedule is tight and you can only stay for a day or so, you must spend some of your time experiencing these can’t-miss spots on this paradise island.

​If you are only here for one day, you MUST take a ride on the Capri boat tour with the Blue Grotto extension package! The water is a beautiful crystal blue color, and the view of the coast is breathtaking. The captain will circumvent the island while pointing out local landmarks and historically significant locations. Along the journey you will see several natural grottoes, learn history, and maybe share a smooch in one of the most romantic places in the world. 
Brief History           
​One of the coolest parts about the tour is the history you will learn along the way. The skipper will point out several historically significant places on the island. One such place is the 300 ft cliffs where the late Roman emperor Tiberius the Tyrant would enjoy watching his enemies being thrown from. Another historical stop is the world-famous Casa Malaparte, a uniquely designed adobe home constructed for the late Curzio Malaparte, a world-renowned Italian writer, filmmaker, and diplomat. The house is quite a site to see. It resembles an orange cube with a triangle back side where stairs are built into the foundation for access to the roof. I would not necessarily refer to it as beautiful, but it is worth marveling at its idiosyncrasy from below.

There are a few ways to get to Anacapri, the nearby city just above Capri. If you are a fan of hiking, you have to take the Phoenician steps from Marina Grande to Anacapri. The hike offers some of the best views of the island and the history behind this ancient route is intriguing. The steps are thousands of years old and long ago scala fenicia was the only trail that connected Capri to Anacapri. In order for the people of Anacapri to have freshwater, they had to collect it from a spring that is close to the current day marina. Before the carriage roads were built in the late 19th century, the only way for them to get the water was for the women to take large vases for water and walk back and forth on the nearly thousand steps balancing the vases full of water on their heads. Its incredible to think how tourist now walk it for enjoyment and relaxation, when long ago it was a tedious task necessary for survival.

​Due to its location, the bay is almost always warm, even in the dead of winter. Also, the bay is located very close to the gorgeous Faraglioni rock formations which makes for some great Instagram pictures. Furthermore, the beach and marina are far less crowded, making it perfect for relaxing on the Amalfi coast. ​

This island has plenty to do and if you have a few days to spend here, reserve a cute little Airbnb and take some time to experience more that this island has to offer.  Here is a list of a few more things I recommend that you do while in Capri:
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*Pro Tip: if you do rent an Airbnb and they have a glass cover for their stove, do not cook on the glass surface. Trust me Turtle and I learned the hard way. There was glass everywhere! *

​You may not think it, but the Amalfi coast is a great place to beach comb. While walking the beautiful shores, you can find cool sea glass, pottery shards and some pretty shells if you are lucky. Even if you find nothing, it is well worth a stroll on this gorgeous coastline. 

​If you love hiking, like my dad and I, you will love Capri. There are some beautiful hiking options on this island, many of which I had no prior knowledge of and will have to try when I revisit Capri. Here is a list of a few:

Villa Jovis Hike
Another cool hike on Capri is the moderate uphill 45-minute hike from the Piazetta to Villa Jovis, the ancient vacation home of the infamous Emperor Tiberius. The villa is over 2,000 years old and nearly everything is still intact. The architecture is impressive including the large cisterns used to collect rainwater. There once stoop a primitive lighthouse that showed visitors where the villa was. Also on the property is a famous cliff where Tiberius would gleefully watch as his enemies were pushed off to their deaths. Additionally, remember to do some research to find out when the site is open to the public. 

Sentiero dei Fortini
The longest, but arguably coolest, hike on the island is the Path of the Little Forts. This trail is three hours long and spans from Grotta Azurra to the lighthouse of Punta Carena. The trail hugs the coast showing some gorgeous views of the coast. Along the way, the trail intersects with three old forts built by the British in the early 1800s. The first fort is the Orrico Fort, located 300 meters from the blue grotto. The fort has thick stone walls in a semicircular shape. There are places where two cannons once stood ready to defend the area. The second fort is the Mesola Fort. This fort is circular in shape and similar in construction to the other forts. However, the most unique thing about this area are the traces of primitive man that have been found such as primitive bone utensils and remnants of an ancient stairway. I think it is worth taking a look around and seeing if you can find any artifacts on the surface. The final fort you will see is the Pino fort. This fort has a circular outer ring with a rectangular inner ring for added protection.