Walking Holidays in the Middle East

Ten challenging but supremely rewarding walking days, each ending in comfortable accommodations with ample time to get clean, enjoy fantastic food, rest and recover for the next adventure. Three well-spaced rest days to relax and enjoy the charming towns of Chamonix, Courmayeur and St. Gervais. Breathtaking views of the Mont Blanc massif at all angles in various conditions. Life affirming moments overcoming the Cols (mountain passes). Delightful interactions with fellow trekkers from around the world, and exposure to French, Swiss and Italian cultures. Thrilling optional activities including tandem paragliding (highly recommended) and a visit to the amazing Aiguille du Midi.

Lawrence Leclair Tour du Mont Blanc Hotel Trek

We recently completed the Tour, having waited a few years after a ‘covid cancellation’ and whilst being fortunate with the weather (there were high temperatures before our trip and heavy rain afterwards), we enjoyed it immensely. The physical challenge was huge, perhaps not unexpectedly and the scenery utterly beautiful. If I could sum up our experience I’d say that our previous two major treks were in the Himalayas amongst mountains almost twice the height but this did nothing to lessen the majesty and sheer beauty of the Mont Blanc region. Any disappointments such as too much shopping for lunch and a poor hotel experience in St Gervais were minor niggles.

David Handcock Tour du Mont Blanc Hotel Trek

I’m 70. I had a yearning to see Everest since I was quite young. As I grew older, I hoped to do the trip with my sons but the length of the trip was not conducive. I wasn’t particularly fit but trained for a few months beforehand, not knowing if I could manage the amount of walking , let alone the unknown element of altitude.
Arriving in Kathmandu, the hotel was excellent and we had time to visit the old city of Thamel.
The flight to Lukla was a great experience in a small plane, next the start of the trek.
The ‘Teahouses’ along the way offered a warm convivial welcome, with varying numbers of other trekkers present. Suspension-bridge crossings, some several hundred metres long were great! We were lucky to have clear visibility and sunshine nearly every day as we progressed ever higher amid awe-inspiring scenery, expertly led by our leader Valerie Parkinson, and Nepalese guide Saroje. Our yakman Nawang took care of all our luggage except for our light daysacks.
We gazed up at Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Macalu, Pumori, to name but a few peaks. From various vantage points including the aptly named Everest View Hotel, we had excellent views of Everest with the South Summit and South Col.
We experienced at first hand the logistical marvel of how everything is transported up here; by yak, mule, dzo or porter.
Bird-life included Vultures and Golden Eagles soaring overhead, plus Tibetan Snow birds that took a fancy to my lemon drizzle cake on Kala Patthar during our final acclimatisation trek.
After taking in the Kumbhu Glacier, we reached Gorak Shep before the final push to Everest Base Camp itself. Unlike most other treks, we had ample time at Base Camp rock before the short walk to one of the expedition camps where we stayed overnight, amongst an array of camps looking like something out of a Bond movie. We witnessed a massive avalanche, and spent time on the ice shelf, truly surreal amongst the surrounding peaks.
Overall, it was tough but an utterly amazing experience, in the competent hands of our leader Valerie, a lifetime goal achieved.

Julian Pomery Everest Base Camp Trek