The Asia Interviews: hiking in Nepal with kids

The Asia Interviews is a series of guest posts where fellow family travel bloggers talk about their best destination in Asia for family travel. TraveLynn Family hasn’t been everywhere, and we love hearing about the adventures of other families in Asia and being able to share them with you.

Political situations can change since this interview took place. Please check the GOV.UK Foreign travel advice before venturing to a country.

Katja from Globetotting about their favourite holiday destination in Asia for family travel and hiking in Nepal with kids. We were so inspired by this interview, that soon after, we visited Nepal ourselves and took on the 5 day trek to Poon Hill (3210m).

1. Tell us a bit about yourselves. Where are you from and how often do you travel as a family? How old are your children?

I’m a British travel writer and mum of three who has recently returned to the U.K. after nearly 12 years living abroad. We spend three years in Sydney, Australia, where my eldest was born, just over three years living in New Delhi, India, where my daughter was born followed by five-and-a-half years living in Mexico City where my my third – and final! – child was born.

I’m the founder of globetotting.com, a travel blog dedicated to adventurous family travel and I’m a firm believer that you can – and should! – take your kids everywhere.

2. How many times have you travelled to Asia and why do you love travelling there?

It’s hard to say how many times we’ve travelled in Asia as we lived in India for 3+ years and travelled a lot when we were there. During out time in Delhi we explored India, fell in love with Sri Lanka, escaped to Hong Kong and trekked in Nepal. We also visited Indonesia and Singapore briefly.

I’ve always loved Asia and would happily go back there as often as possible!

3. Why is Nepal your favourite destination?

I spent my GAP year in Nepal volunteering for an environmental project and it’s the country that really made me fall in love with travelling. It’s a magical place and the people are incredibly kind.

The four months that I spent there aged 19 helped to shape and form what I decided to do with life (travelling in various shapes and forms!). I always meant to return sooner but it wasn’t until we were about to leave India and move to Mexico that I got the chance to go back to Nepal with my two eldest (then aged 4.5- and 2-years-old) and my parents.

4. Where did you stay and do you recommend it?

We spent about 10 days in Nepal starting with a night in Kathmandu followed by a night in Pokhara. We then embarked on a five-night trek through the lower Annapurna range and ended our trip with a two-night stay in Kathmandu.

The trek was incredible. We organised the trip through an agent that specialises in trekking and that knows how to cater to families. The company has its own lodges, which were very comfortable and its own porters and guides. This also meant that we had honestly the nicest porter in the world to carry my two-year-old daughter.

Similarly, there was someone on hand to help carry my son in a traditional Nepalese basket (that had been fashioned into a seat) when he got weary. In the end, my son walked almost the entire way, which was very impressive!

This trip remains one of my absolute favourites and was well worth the long wait to get back to Nepal.

5. What did the kids eat?

You wouldn’t think it now but my eldest used to be a very picky eater. The staff at the lodges went out of their way to help create kid-friendly dishes but supplies were limited and so I packed a bag of pasta and another of Cheerios to carry up the mountain!

6. What’s your top tip for hiking in Nepal with kids?

Make sure you pick the right season to trek in Nepal; we went in March and it was fabulous with warm, sunshine-filled days and blue skies and chilly evenings with breath-taking mountain views. Avoid the rainy season (June-August) if possible; the trails are slippery and misty resulting in minimal views of the Himalayas.

7. What item could you not have done without on your treks?

Sweets! Never have snacks been so well-deserved than on this trek. I would also recommend bringing a good fleece and a lightweight down jacket for the kids in the evenings.

8. Where are you off to next?

Good question. We have literally just arrived back in London and are still waiting for our furniture to turn up. It’s the first time in a long time that we haven’t got our next adventure booked. I better get planning!

Read more about the travels from Globetotting here. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram.