Mountains & Tigers: A Journey Across Nepal

Meghan Verbeek (left) after everest experience flight

Mountains & Tigers : A Journey Across Nepal

Mountain Views

I wish my flight back to Australia would be canceled so I can stay “I longer in Nepal,” Meghan says jokingly. From the flightseeing tour of the Himalayas on Buddha Air’s Everest Experience mountain flight to getting intimate with the Bengal Tigers of Bardia National Park, Meghan loved every aspect of her journey around Nepal. The accommodating nature of the people in Nepal made her feel safe. She has travelled to many countries, with Nepal being the 60th on her list. Meghan feels that Nepal is safe for solo female travel. “The kind people we’ve met have bent over backwards to make our travel safe and enjoyable, to a level we are just not used to. This trip has completely spoiled me. When I return to Australia, I will be wondering where my driver is, and why no one is checking in with me to ask if I am doing okay.”

Her itinerary in Nepal took her around Kathmandu, Nepalgunj, Bhairahawa and Pokhara, but Bardia was the best surprise. Flying to Nepalgunj with Buddha Air and driving to Bardia National Park, she actually got to see the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger! It was a hot day and the tiger was coming out of the long grass to take a dip in the river to cool off. And if that wasn’t enough, she even got to see a One Horned Rhino, deers, crocodiles and bird species. “I don’t think most people actually realize that there’s so much more to Nepal than its majestic Himalayas. To actually see these animals was simply unbelievable and a highlight of my visit to Nepal. Being within such close proximity to tigers and rhinos was truly unbelievable! It was one of the best days of my life!” She commended Nepal’s efforts for the preservation and conservation of its tiger population. She is creating a new Nepal itinerary for Intrepid that will include a visit to Bardia for 2020/21.

Meghan does have a small recommendation for Nepal’s tourism efforts. While trekking from Pokhara to Sikles with an all-female group, she saw a huge problem with plastic waste, which is an issue around the world as well. Even purely on an aesthetic note, seeing plastic

rubbish everywhere tarnished the views of the mountains. “Proper waste management along the trekking trails would make a major impact for Nepal. Creating awareness at school regarding ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’ campaigns around environmental conservation is crucial.”

Travelling around Nepal, Meghan also picked up on a few Nepali phrases, which she says she will try out in Australia as well. Some of her favourites were, "Dhanyabad, Namaste, Thik Cha (Okay?) and la jam jam (let’s go)." And the cuisine was another delight too. She expected the Dal Bhat to be bland, but the combination of vegetable curry, chutney and a warm bowl of Dal was perfect. “Now I understand the phrase, ‘Dal Bhat Power 24 Hour!” remarked Meghan. She loved the momos too and hopes to make them back home for her friends and boyfriend.

Her trip to Nepal concluded with a flight over Everest with her parents. Talking about the flight, Meghan said, “Working for Intrepid Travel, we send thousands of people to Nepal every year and so many of them do the Everest Experience mountain flight. We recommend the flight to everybody and being able to do the flight with my parents felt like a dream.” Her father, a retired pilot with experience flying in the Canadian Rockies, praised the skills of the Buddha Air pilots. He understands the complexities of flying through mountainous geography and the resulting fluctuating climates. Her mother was impressed with the professionalism and helpful nature of Buddha Air’s staff and flight attendants.

Meghan Verbeek is the Destination Manager for Nepal, India, Sri Lanka and Bhutan for Intrepid Group, in Melbourne. Growing up in Calgary, Canada, she used to go camping hiking in the Rocky Mountains. It is no surprise that she would enjoy the adventure travel industry. She has spent many years backpacking around the globe and eventually travelled to Nepal in 2019.

• Apar Pramod