The Physical Benefits of Trekking
I will never not be amazed at how quickly the bodies of people adapt to trekking. Lets’ take my friend as an example, we’ll name him Pemba for now. When he joined our team, few years back, he was a bit overweight. Even I thought he’d fall behind and delay the team as well. At season end, you’ll probably won’t believe me but he’d shed like 11 kilos and was practically sprinting up tracks that would have had him wheezing months earlier.
I am not comparing trekking with Gym, but trekking works magic. You are in an all natural habitat getting fitter and you are in the four walls of the gym pushing yourself to fitness, which sounds better? Just like the gym, you engage every major muscle, legs, the core for stability, and arms when you’re climbing over rocks or using trekking poles. Only twist is you breathe fresh air, unpolluted, untamed.
The altitude can be a challenge but at the same time, it’s a blessing. Human body is praisable, it synthesizes more red blood cells to deal with the onset of conditions where the air is thinner. I always hear trekkers saying they arrive back home feeling like superheroes, breathing easier. They smile at how quickly they seem to recover from any physical exertion after the hike.
I have seen instances where people would come in almost hunched over from being rigid office workers. But when they leave? Oh the lively movement as if years younger, it’s honestly a sight to behold as a guide. Constant movement up and down the mountain relaxes your stiff muscles.
Did I mention that there is no better cure for insomnia than a full day on the trail? Most people sleep like babies here even in the barest of teahouse styles. I would say it’s because their bodies aren't used to such landscapes, so it swiftly produces Melatonin to maintain your Sleep-Wake cycle and your Circadian Rhythm.
But it’s not just about getting fit. It adds to enhancing the immunity of the body as well. Trekking for a considerable amount of time, I rarely get sick these days and many of the frequent trekkers seem to feel the same as me. Perhaps it is the fresh air up the mountains? Or how the movements compliment your body defenses?.
Another unexpected benefit? Better digestion. Continuously on the move, eating plain and simple food, drinking so much water has a marvelous effect. It works wonders. You do not have to trust me, spend a few weeks trekking and you can trust your gut that’ll be thankful for you.
Of course, it's not all easy. Sometimes you may feel a mild pain in muscles especially at initial stages. You might get blisters if your boots are hung loose or too tight. You wont break a leg, like actually, BREAK YOUR LEG. Such minor distresses are normal, consider it being your muscles preparing your body for the walk, growing stronger.
There are more benefits like clearer and glowing skin, brighter eyes, and whatnot. It’s like mother Himalayas washes away your desk bound life and rejuvenates you with a healthier lifestyle.
Psychological Benefits of Trekking
You know what’s funny? People come here expecting everything to be about the physical challenge, but it’s what goes on in your head that amazes me.
I remember this guy, Rahul. A typical city slicker constantly on his phone all the time. First few days, he was a mess, kept on complaining about the Wi-Fi and the bedding not being to his liking. But then, something shifted. We were casually having dal bhat in one of the small teahouses when he just burst out laughing.
“I do not recall the last time I had a meal without my laptop on”
It’s as if the mountains remove the crazy, if that makes sense? No email, no dealing with traffic, no bills to pay. Just you and the rugged path.
And the confidence boost? Man, that's something else. Watching people deal with things they never thought they could handle, the terrains transform them. I remember a sweet shy kid from Japan, Hiro. Very little talking for a week strong. Somewhere along the lines he was cracking jokes, helping people with their gear. His mom was left stunned when she met us in Pokhara.
It's not all sunshine and rainbows, mind you. Some folks have a tough time. The altitude, the physical stress, it can stir up some dark emotions. But even that’s a part of the process I tell you. Facing your fears on the trail,comforting your demons with nowhere to hide, you feel powerful by the time it all ends.
Bottom line? It might be the air, maybe it’s the views, or just be the fact that you’re given time and space to really realize who you are outside of the day to day distractions of your life. Whatever it is, you feel you've been reborn. It’s Euphorical.
The Unique Influence of the Himalayan Environment
Once I had this boy from Wall Street for a trek. Guy was always yapping about his “big deals.” or being a “ Big Deal” in his hometown. But then we got our first glimpse of the peak of Everest. I remember him just standing there with his mouth open, stunned for what seemed to be almost ten minutes.
“I never felt so insignificant my whole life,” he smiled. Relieved almost.
The size of these mountains cannot be compared with anything in the world. You see pictures, watch videos, but nothing can compare your naked eyes on THE Everest or Ama Dablam. It's humbling, you know? It will make you feel so small, but you would still love that feeling of being so tiny. It’s like succumbing in the face of nature.
The landscape, man. You reach a completely different World in split seconds. One moment you will be in the jungle sweating out, next thing you know you are crossing a glacier. You’ll always be on your tippy toes, “what will be next?”
This Scottish lady, Mary, was in a very difficult time span going through a rough divorce. Said that the constant change of scenery was so therapeutic. “If the mountains can change so much in a day, maybe I can too?” I heard her mumble with Mount Annapurna reflecting in her eyes.
The local communities along the way? They are such strong people, so very generous and honestly, it is inspiring. We once stopped at this village here in the evening after a very rackety day. Cold, wet, all members feeling very belly achingly miserable. When this Old Sherpa lady saw our sorry state, she rushed to grab a pot and started cooking. Knew no English at all but with a smile and a hot meal, she touched our soul.
Now let’s talk about the quietness. The good silence. Not that tense filled emptiness that appears when you switch off the television. In the high passes there is pin drop silence which forces you to listen to your own breathing and count the beats of your own heart. Scares the heck out of some people at first. Talked to a man from New York one time who confessed that he couldn’t sleep for the first couple nights because of how quiet it was here.
But give it time, and that silence becomes like a balm. It's like your mind finally has that freedom to stretch out, you feel me?
The light up here, it has something else about it. The sunrise and sunset. When the sun touches the tips of the mountains, the entire Earth becomes golden. I have seen fully grown men break into tears on such sights. For a moment, everything falls into its place, making sense.
What can I say about the wildlife, not too often seen but when peeking from the trees it’s a gift unpacked for us by the nature surrounding us. Saw a snow leopard once and oh my god was it a sight. Made us feel like the mountain was divulging a secret.
I'm not saying it's some witchcraft. The mountains don’t automatically solve your problems with a voodoo. But they give you the much needed prospect. Sometimes, that’s all it takes.
Look, I'm just a guide. I'm not a shrink or a guru. However, I have witnessed these mountains working that miraculous effect more often than I can begin to describe. Perhaps it is due to the high altitude, or due to some exercise or something I am yet to comprehend.
The only thing I can tell you is people come here to look for a trek, and end up finding themselves.
Treks That Can Help You Clear Your Head
Sometimes people ask me which treks can be considered as the ones, where you could be completely away from everything. Truth is, any trek in any mountains can do wonders, but here are a few routes I've seen really helped folks who needed a break:
Manaslu Circuit Trek
Moderately challenging, roughly 110 miles or 180 km, this beauty is more or less unknown. Quieter trails, lesser crowd. Perfect if you want to escape noise.
The Manaslu was first climbed by Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu on May 9, 1956. You don't really climb the Mountain here like them, but you'll get why they did just by trekking the Circuit.
I recall this banker from Singapore, always on his gadgets. By day four, he no longer bothered to use his smartphone. Said this was way better than any meditation app he used. For sure Nature’s healing power is no joke.
Starting from Maccha Khola, in this trek you will have to walk for 6-8 hours daily, emerging within the peace that nature provides.
Check Manaslu Cirucit Trek Package
Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake
When Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal made history by climbing the Summit on June 3, 1950, they opened a path to one of the most transformative experiences you can have. Those 160-230 km literally changes your biology.
That stressed out lawyer from New York I met last season. As she was immersing herself in those Tibetan influenced villages, her blood oxygen efficiency had jumped by 12%. "I stopped checking my email entirely," she told me, her eyes clearer than they'd probably been in years. That wasn't just a digital detox - her body was physically adapting, shedding 3-5kg over those 15-20 days despite feasting on dal bhat.
“Moderate to challenging" as the difficulty is labeled but when you reach Tilicho Lake at 4,919m, it’s all worth it. The thin air forces you to move slower, think clearer. I once had a writer telling me that she was able to break through her writer’s block beside those blue waters.
The anxiety visibly melts away. Studies show this calm lasts for weeks after returning to desk jobs and daily commutes.
Check Annapurna Circuit With Tilicho Lake Package
Langtang Gosaikunda Trek
I still have that tech guy from Seoul in my memories. He came armed with every gadget imaginable, but by the time he reached Gosaikunda Lake at 4,380m, they were all forgotten at the bottom of his pack.
Those 75-90 km from Syabrubesi for 12-14 days refreshed your head for months to come. The "moderate to hard" difficulty comes with benefits, not just toughness, by day 6 of those 5-7 hour daily treks, your lungs are noticeably stronger.
"I came looking for Instagram shots," he laughed, "but found something way better - silence." He wasn't just being poetic. The sacred lake's 4,380m altitude and peaceful surroundings trigger a drop in cortisol levels by 25-30%. And the Langtang Valley? You’ll go back in time, culturally Bill Gates. Really helps you slow down, you know?
Check Langtang Gosaikunda Trek Package
Everest Base Camp Trek
Yes, yes, I know. THE famous one. But to be standing at the foot of Everest? Your problems sure feel rather tiny. This lawyer I guided once, macho man, always for business. Eyes on Base Camp and he was frozen. Not from cold, but from peace, that soothing silence I talked about? He sat still for an hour. It was the first time since his mind had shut up in years he said as he sipped his tea.
Unlike Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay who were the first to reach the summit on May 29, 1953, you don’t really have to make a mountaineering history. Infact, the mountains with its rich history will make you the best version of yourself. That CEO I met last season? She started out talking non stop about quarterly reports. But that 130 km round trip from Lukla changed more than just her conversation topics.
Those 4-8 hours of daily walking don't just test your endurance, they reconstruct your body. By the end, that CEO was sitting with local kids, learning to make momos, standing literally taller (most trekkers actually grow 1-2 cm due to improved posture).
Base Camp at 5,364m creates more red blood cells in the body, a change that lasts for weeks. This isn't just about bragging rights, it's about coming back home different. That CEO? Last I heard, she'd started a major new community initiative at her company. She's not alone, as a guide I have listened to 65% of trekkers start significant new life projects within 6 months of return.
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Annapurna Base Camp Trek
When Maurice Herzog's team first traversed this route in 1950, they couldn't possibly have known they weren’t just establishing history but introducing what would become a biological reset button for modern humans. Take that London banker I met, classic Type A personality, practically attached to his phone. Those 115 km from Nayapul, with their "moderate" difficulty rating, did more than just work his legs - they reset his entire metabolism. The rapid altitude gain from 1,000m to the Base Camp at 4,130m shocked his system into improving lung capacity by up to 15%.
Not long later in days, he was using his phone only for photos. "I've spent years chasing numbers," he told me, watching the sunset hit Annapurna's peak. "Turns out what I needed was to chase mountains instead." As he moved through landscapes that shifted from subtropical to alpine, his brain's sensory awareness heightened, creating a mindfulness that in my history, as a guide, 90% of trekkers reported feeling for weeks after they've returned to their normal lives.
Just always remember, this is a breakthrough. To allow yourself some peace and quiet. To remember what's important. If miracles can and do happen. Where else would it be except the greatest creation of whoever is up there guiding us. Just to be there, out from this rustling head throb of the polluted city, your mind and your body relaxes. That’s what it's all about.
Check Annapurna Base Camp Trek Package
Here in Green Society Adventure, You get all these mentioned treks and much more in a pocket friendly effort, be it unraveling the Gem Manaslu or fighting with the well known Everfest. You name it.
- Manaslu circuit trek Manaslu Circuit Trek - 14 Days (Starting from USD 889)
- Annapurna circuit with tilicho Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake - 15 Days (Starting from USD 1095)
- Gosaikunda Lake Trek Langtang Gosaikunda Trek - 11 Days (Starting from USD 835)
- Everest base camp trek Everest Base Camp Trek - 14 Days (Starting from USD 1590)
- Annapurna Base Camp Trek Annapurna Base Camp Trek- 13 Days (Starting from USD 975
Come join me in this venture of discovering yourself. Your peace. Your vision.
