The Hero's Journey: Our Annapurna Base Camp Expedition 🏔️

1. The Ordinary World It all began in the sunny coastal town of Fremantle in mid-January, where life was calm and soothing. I was going through the motions of my usual routine when Lea, with her radiant energy, approached me with an idea that would change everything. We had been talking about life, spirituality, and the desire to connect with something greater, but this was different: "Would you like to organise a yoga and breathwork expedition to the Himalayas?"

It felt unreal, like something that only happened in dreams.

The idea of trekking to Annapurna Base Camp — a place of towering peaks and sacred landscapes — was both daunting and magnetic. Something stirred within me. A deep calling.  The Annapurna Base Camp trek wasn’t just an expedition; it was a journey that called me to face my limits, to push beyond the comfort zone, and to connect deeply with the power of the mountains.

Little did I know, that simple question would set me on the path of transformation.

This was the beginning of what would become the adventure of a lifetime.

2. The Call to Adventure The words "Annapurna Base Camp" held magic. The call wasn’t just to climb mountains; it was a call to awaken, to explore the edges of myself, and to lead others through yoga and breath into something primal and transformative.

As the days passed, the call grew louder. I began to imagine what it would feel like to walk among giants, to breathe in the thin mountain air, and to practice presence where the sky touches the earth.

3. Refusal of the Call Doubt came quickly. Could I handle the altitude? Was I fit enough?

How would I guide others while facing my own fears? I wasn’t an expert trekker.

The responsibility of organising a retreat in such a demanding environment felt overwhelming. But beneath those fears was a quiet, persistent knowing:

this journey had chosen me as much as I had chosen it.

4. Meeting the Mentor Lea became my mentor on this journey. She had already trekked parts of the Himalayas before and had a deep connection with the mountains.

Her calmness and wisdom reassured me. She believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself.

5. Crossing the Threshold We began our trek in Jhinu Danda, a place nestled in the beauty of nature. From there, we began our ascent. The endless steps up to Sinuwa felt like the first true test — the beginning of the climb both physically and mentally.

The trail took us across narrow suspension bridges, into bamboo forests, through waterfalls and stone villages. Nature demanded surrender, and we gave it. This was no longer a plan or an idea. We were in it.

6. Tests, Allies, and Enemies Each day brought its own set of challenges — rain, slippery paths, altitude-induced headaches, and aching legs.

The trek was a vivid mosaic of terrains: we followed winding mountain trails, crossed dry riverbeds littered with jagged rocks, trekked through snow-covered stretches, navigated slick and treacherous patches, and climbed endless, impossibly steep steps. But alongside these hardships, we encountered remarkable souls — fellow trekkers, porters, and villagers with kind eyes and warm food. We exchanged stories, shared laughter, and received the quiet generosity of strangers. With every step forward, we journeyed deeper into ourselves.

We passed through Bamboo, Dovan, Himalaya, and Deurali — names that transformed from mere map markers into sacred milestones of our growth.

The breathtaking views along the way reminded us that, despite the physical toll, the mountains were allies too, silently guiding us toward something far greater than we had imagined. By the time we reached Annapurna Base Camp, we had climbed and descended more than 6,000 steps. Each one hard-earned, each one a testament to our perseverance.

But it wasn’t only our bodies being tested — it was our minds. This journey became more than an expedition; it became a lesson in surrender, in resilience, and in connecting with something much bigger than ourselves.

We were also buoyed by the steady presence of our companions, Leon and Talasi — experienced mountaineers who moved ahead with grace and ease. They kept a consistent pace, always just in front, like beacons lighting the way.

Though quicker, they never strayed too far, always just far enough to inspire, yet close enough to follow.

Their quiet strength and unwavering rhythm became our motivation. Just knowing they were up ahead reminded us that we too could keep going. Their presence, their encouragement, was invaluable — urging us forward, reminding us to push through the discomfort, and to trust in our own strength when it felt like we had none left.

7. Approach to the Inmost Cave As we neared the base camp, the altitude increased. Our breath became shorter, our pace slower. The terrain turned treacherous with jagged rocks and snow-covered slopes. This was the inner cave: where doubt whispered louder, and the body begged for rest. But the mountain called. And we kept walking.

8. The Ordeal Reaching Annapurna Base Camp was not a moment of victory, but of deep surrender. The peaks were hidden in clouds.

There was no grand view, no cinematic moment.

But in the mist and silence, we found stillness.

We sipped our staple lemon ginger and honey tea, a comforting ritual after each long day, stretched around the tea house table, and breathed into tired muscles. The warmth of the tea house, combined with the peaceful atmosphere, helped us regain some energy.

The true awe came the next morning, as the sun lit the peaks in gold.

We woke up to a serene sky, the moon was still visible, and the first rays of the sun began to touch the snow-covered peaks.

The peaks, bathed in golden light, looked like they were glowing — a breathtaking moment that made all the challenges of the trek feel worth it.

The beauty of that moment, the stillness in the air, and the feeling of being so small in the face of such grandeur were indescribable. That moment — so silent, so sacred — filled us with reverence.

9. The Reward

We had walked over thousand steps, faced fog, fatigue and doubt.

But we had made it.

Not just to the base camp, but to a deeper connection with self and spirit.

The trek had become a mirror, showing us our resilience and reminding us that beauty lives on the other side of challenge.

10. The Road Back The descent was brutal. Over 10 hours of trekking on the first day, through slippery paths and relentless steps, crossing rivers, navigating loose rocks, and walking through snow-covered sections were just a few of the obstacles we faced.

The terrain remained unforgiving, and the physical toll of the trek began to set in. But, we kept a steady pace, encouraged by one another, reminding ourselves that we had come this far — and we would finish what we started.

Leon and Talasi, always just ahead, continued to lead by example. Muscles ached. But now we moved with purpose. We had seen the sacred.

We were returning not as the same people who had started, but transformed.

11. Resurrection The final day led us to Jhinu Danda’s hot springs. The feeling of accomplishment was overwhelming.

We plunged into the icy river and soaked in the warmth of the hot spring pool, our bodies softened, our hearts full.

The water washed away not just the physical dirt, but the emotional residue of the journey. In the warmth, we laughed, we breathed, and we remembered who we are.

12. Return with the Elixir We left the mountains, but the mountains did not leave us.

We carried their lessons in our bones: that true strength is born in surrender, that breath can guide us through any terrain, and that nature is the greatest teacher of all.

This trek wasn’t just about reaching a destination; it was about embracing every moment of the journey. The challenges, the discomfort, the beauty, the struggle, and the triumphs — each step held meaning.

The real reward of the journey was not the summit, but the transformation that occurred within. We left the mountains stronger, more resilient, and more connected to both nature and ourselves.

Through the highs and lows, the breathtaking views, and the moments of doubt, we learned that perseverance, surrender, and connection are the keys to overcoming life’s toughest challenges.

This wasn’t just a trek; it was a rite of passage.

And we made it. Stronger, softer, forever changed.

Written with reverence for the Himalayas and gratitude for every step of the journey.