This Is Me – The Journey of The Unlikely Hiker Through the Manaslu Circuit with Nepal Hiking Team
“I am brave, I am bruised, I am who I’m meant to be—this is me.”
As The Unlikely Hiker, I never saw myself conquering one of the most challenging high-altitude treks in the Himalayas. But thanks to the incredible support of the Nepal Hiking Team—and the unwavering encouragement of my exceptional guide, Yubraj—I achieved what once felt impossible: completing the Manaslu Circuit and crossing the mighty Larkya La Pass.
This wasn’t just a trek. It was a journey through remote villages and deep valleys, under the gaze of Mt. Manaslu, where Tibetan culture breathes and nature roars. The Manaslu Region—untouched, sacred, raw—is a place that transforms you.
And I was transformed.
From the very start, Yubraj made sure I felt seen, safe, and never alone. He never once complained about my pace, even when I took a record-long time to cross the pass. He carried soft drinks for me through isolated villages just to help me stay energized—because he noticed that small thing helped, and he cared enough to make it happen.
There were moments when I wanted to give up. When the altitude hit hard and the doubts crept in. “When the sharpest words wanna cut me down, I’m gonna send a flood, gonna drown ‘em out.” And I did—because I wasn’t doing it alone.
Yubraj and the Nepal Hiking Team marched beside me—step by step, without judgment. They understood the mountains, yes—but more than that, they understood people. They knew how to listen, how to encourage, and how to lift someone higher than they believed they could go.
“Look out ‘cause here I come, and I’m marching on to the beat I drum. I’m not scared to be seen. I make no apologies—this is me.”
As The Unlikely Hiker, I want to say this to anyone out there doubting themselves: You belong here. In these mountains. In this story. The Manaslu Region is not just for the strong, the fast, or the fearless. It’s for anyone with a dream in their heart and the courage to take the first step.
Nepal Hiking Team made my dream come true—not just by guiding me through the Himalayas, but by helping me believe I belonged there in the first place.
This is me.
This is us.
This is the magic of trekking with Nepal Hiking Team.
With endless gratitude,
The Unlikely Hiker
- Guided by Yubraj Adhikari