Trek Talk - ElderTreks Blog

 

For 18 years Mr. Prakash Dhami owned an electronics repair shop in the small Himalayan town of Chamba, located in Himachal Pradesh which is in Northern India.  As times changed so too did his small electronics shop as business begin to fade away.  As a father and a husband Mr. Dhami had to think of something else to support his family.  Reflecting upon his childhood spent growing up in a small village Mr. Dhami recalled his love and passion for nature and ecology and especially his fond memories of trekking through the Himalayan Mountains.  He thought how wonderful it would be to return to his roots and to share his passion with his family.  It was a stage in his life that he would refer to as “going back to nature”.

In 1990 Mr. Dhami decided to leave the town of Chamba and move with his family into the foot hills of the mountains to start his homestay. He was the first homestay to be registered in Himachal Pradesh. He owned a plot of land and built a 2-room hut surrounded by fruit trees and vegetables that he had also planted. This small hut became the principle residence of his family of four as well as a mountain retreat for anyone else who wanted to come and experience the wonders of the Himalayas.

Unfortunately “going back to nature” had its limitations.  Nearing the point of total poverty Mr. Dhami, a once-prosperous business man soon found himself struggling to exist.  It was at this time that he decided to throw all his remaining energy into what he loved the most – the mountains of his youth.  He began his own trekking company and started guiding treks into the snow-capped mountains of the Western Himalayas of India. As business slowly grew he trained his daughter, Tanu, to become the first and only female trekking guide in the region while his oldest son Nitin became a porter for those adventure trekkers that wanted a harder challenge. And this is where Mr. Dhami’s life began to take a turn for the better.

In 1992 he registered his trekking company, Mani Mahesh Travels with the Department of Tourism to cater to the various needs of travellers.  Not content with his trekking company Mr. Dhami took his two room hut and greatly expanded it to create a beautiful,  eco-friendly organic farm / home stay that now has sufficient accommodation, a spring water pool and the peacefulness of the mountains of the Western Himalaya that will capture you in a way you would not think possible in India. He has not only opened up his own home and family to visitors but he has also kept true to his heritage with how he built this home in the traditional mountain style using stone, clay and wood. The rooms are simple and clean and the views from the verandas are sublime. Guests can now soak them selves in the spring water pool after a muscle-soothing massage, laze in a hammock, relish the mouth watering home-cooked local dishes, or simply grab a good book from the growing library and enjoy the hours in the tranquil surroundings.

A few years ago ElderTreks made a small but not insignificant change to our Northern India program.  We added a 3 night home stay at the Himalayan Orchard Hut – the site of Mr. Dhami’s original 2-room hut.  Perched mid-way up a terraced slope at 4347 feet (1325m) above sea level and overlooking the Panj-La Valley, it offers a bird's eye view of the mighty Saal River in the valley below and is the perfect base to explore the Western Himalaya through the daily treks that are offered or to just relax and rejuvenate as Mr. Dhami originally intended.

If you want to experience true Himalayan village life then you must visit the Dhami family and learn how they live on the side of a mountain year round. You will be moved in many ways.

http://www.eldertreks.com/tour/ETTD000278

For more photos of the Himalayan Orchard Hut visit us on Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/eldertreks/northern-india/

This article is updated and republished from March 2013.

 

David Roth - February 11, 2016
 

This week we continue our adventure to the exciting country of Oman. Well known for its contrasts in landscape, ElderTreks’ Country Director Sofia takes us through some of her favorite photos and memories from Oman.

Omani Men - There are two main forms of headdress for men in Oman. Men will either wear a kuma (an embroidered cap) believed to have originated in Zanzibar, a former Oman colony, or a massar (an embroidered wool turban) worn tightly around the head.

Omani Coffee - “Kahwa” as it’s called, is a mix of bitter coffee flavored with cardamom and dates. It’s an important Bedouin and Arabic ritual when visiting people’s homes.

Omani Windows - Typical shuttered windows from the Dorfar region of Oman.

Sayq village - One of the many abandoned adobe villages in the Western Hajar mountains of Oman.

Desert - A Bedouin traffic jam in the desert!

Empty Quarter/Lost City of Ubar - On our Oman itinerary, you will spend a night in the Empty Quarter in search for the lost city of Ubar. Known as the lost city deep in the sands of Arabia, Ubar is thought to be the fabled center for the rich frankincense trade thousands of years ago.

Sur - on the Gulf Coast of Oman, Sur is your typical port city and where most of Oman’s traditional dhows are still built today.

Wadi Shab - Known as one of the most beautiful places in Oman, Wadi Shab (wadi meaning dry river bed), will have you hiking among banana trees, date plantations and stumbling among blue, turquoise pools and hidden waterfalls.

We hope you enjoyed this photo journey of Oman! If you have any questions regarding this incredible country, please give us a call!

If you are inspired to visit, check out our updated Oman itinerary here.
 

ElderTreks - February 08, 2016
 

1-800-741-7956 North America  •  0808-234-1714 United Kingdom  •  416-588-5000 Worldwide
 
 
Font Size: -A  +A