AM I TOO OLD TO GO TREKKING IN THE HIMALAYAS

November 12, 2020

AM I TOO OLD TO GO TREKKING IN THE HIMALAYAS – NEPAL | BHUTAN | TIBET | INDIA

Leading a healthy lifestyle through hiking, trekking, or exercise is genuinely beneficial. However, if you haven’t embarked on this journey yet, you’re not alone, and there’s no need to panic. It’s never too late to start. There are several compelling reasons to consider beginning this adventure after the age of 50.

It’s possible that earlier phases of life were consumed by responsibilities such as starting a family, establishing a career or business, and gaining wisdom through life experiences. Once you reach the age of 50, you often find yourself more resilient to external pressures. Your children have typically moved on to college or left the nest. You’ve gained a clearer sense of self and what you aspire to be physically. At this stage, your life experiences take precedence over everything else, and you’re acutely aware of the preciousness of time. Your perspective shifts towards making the most of life’s most valuable commodity once you hit that half-century milestone.

Top three advantages for SENIORS to book a fantastic trekking trip to Nepal

You make better choices:

As you age, it becomes increasingly important to prioritize regular exercise if you haven’t already done so. You may notice a few strands of grey hair, but the silver lining is the wisdom that comes with age, leading to wiser decision-making. The days of impulsively booking a boozy trip to Thailand may be behind you, although there’s nothing wrong with occasionally lounging on a beach and returning with little to show for it. However, as you become more established in your career or business, you may find yourself with the luxury of taking longer and more meaningful vacations.

Consider combining a trekking vacation with a brief beach getaway on your return journey. While your adventure travel preferences still revolve around the idea of escape, as you’ve reached a point in life where your time is truly precious, a hiking vacation in Nepal or an overnight stay in a Colorado mountain hut is more likely to provide a profoundly fulfilling experience compared to a trip to Mardi Gras, which you might barely remember amidst the neon lights.

You could do better at altitude than youngsters:

Reaching middle age brings the advantage of sensibility when trekking in the Himalayas. You’ve come to understand yourself better and have a deeper appreciation for the beauty of nature and the warmth of the local communities. Your focus will likely be on savouring the natural beauty, capturing numerous photos, engaging with local villagers, and savouring the moments. This approach works to your advantage as ascending slowly allows your body more time to acclimatize.

You won’t yield to the peer pressure or ego that often influences younger trekkers, and you won’t mind arriving at lunch or the camp a bit later. Instead, your priority is to make each trekking day as fulfilling as possible. Recognizing how fortunate you are can transform this into a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It will also serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining good health to sustain this enriching lifestyle. Ultimately, it’s the unforgettable experiences that truly matter at the end of the day.

No more roughing it:

As you reach the age of 50 and beyond, you no longer need to rough it like you did in your 20s. Part of the reason for that might have been financial constraints in your younger years. However, as you age, there’s no longer any pressure to endure less comfortable accommodations. You can now confidently express your desire for a comfortable and memorable place to stay and truly savour your travel experiences. You’ve just hiked through the challenging Manaslu circuit trek; why wouldn’t you want to kick your feet up in a Boutique Hotel with a glass of wine and some local delicacies?

Here are some of the experiences of our founder’s time with older trekkers:

Namaste! I’ve been fortunate to cross paths with people from diverse backgrounds and various age groups, connecting with fascinating individuals from around the world. I’ve had the privilege of assisting numerous trekkers, including those in their 50s and 60s, and it’s worth noting that some of them were even in their 60s and beyond.

Harry Tan is standing in front of Everest.

March 2022: In March 2022, we embarked on a walking tour in the Mustang district with three septuagenarians and an 84-year-old gentleman. They successfully trekked at an impressive altitude of 3,800 meters. This remarkable group included my parents and cousins, serving as a testament to our commitment to responsible and safe trekking.

December 2019: In December 2019, we had the privilege of guiding a 71-year-old Singaporean on a trek to Everest Base Camp. Not only did he conquer the hike, but he also achieved an outstanding accomplishment – a world record of the highest golf tee-offs above 5000 meters by a foreigner, making him the first and oldest trekker to do so.

Raj Questions Harry, “So Harry, what is the difference between teeing off in the Himalayas and the wonderful Seletar Golf Club in Singapore?“

“Frist, you have to look around at the clear blue sky, snow. The thin air makes breathing and hitting the golf ball just as difficult. Since there is no stability, we do what is a ‘quarter swing’. Great Experience!“, Harry Tan’s

Raj says, “People like Harry are an inspiration to me. I hope to lead treks in the Himalayas in my 70s, if not well into my 80s. So keep the adventures rolling in!“

Harry Tan is playing golf on a grassy field in Nepal.

As he comes from Singapore, a tropical country at sea level, it was difficult for Harry to do the EBC trek in the middle of winter.

Last May / June 2016, our team brought a 63-year-old U.S. citizen to Everest base camp and back safely. He had no prior experience of an extended trekking holiday.

In March 2015, I led an English group on an Annapurna Trek. There was a 77-year-old lady, and she was the fittest in the group. But unfortunately, she had only started hiking four years after her husband died.

In 2010, an American couple booked to go on the Luxury Everest trek; they were 70 and 73 years old. However, they were determined to keep trekking until their 90s.

In 2003, I led a group of 4 persons in their late 60s and a lady who was 74 years old on the Markha Valley trek in Ladakh. There are two passes on this trek – just below 5000 meters and another 5100 meters in altitude. Now, this was a significant part of their experience. They had a day of rest after the 9-day trek, and they all ran a full marathon at 3500 meters above sea level. They completed the full marathon and danced with the locals before dinner that evening.

Raj Tamang near Everest Base camp

We did a trek into The Nar Phu Valley in March 2018 with nine trekkers from Singapore. 4 of them were in their 60s.

20/10/2017 – Our founder went on a 26-day Upper Dolpo Traverse from Juphal to Jomsom that involved going over six high passes above 5000 meters. The clients comprised 4 Polish Nationals; the three male members were 67 and 68, while the only female member was 48. They all did tremendously well.