The Swotah Journal
Route guides, permits, packing lists and dispatches from the trail.
264 articles
Nepal ExperienceEverest Base Camp Trek During Winter
Everest Base Camp trek in winter brings empty trails and crystal-clear views, but serious cold. Weather, teahouses, and safety tips for Dec-Feb.
Nepal ExperienceHow Difficult Is the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra? A Complete Guide
Learn how difficult the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra really is. Understand altitude, fitness level, age limits, risks, and preparation tips before you go.
Nepal ExperienceIs Nepal Safe to Travel Right Now? What Travellers Need to Know
Is Nepal safe to travel in 2026? Yes, the 2025 protests are long over, advisories are back to normal, and tourism has recovered. Plus monsoon-season safety.
Nepal ExperienceGreen Boots Mount Everest: Who Was He & Why He's Still There?
The story of Green Boots, the climber whose body became a landmark in Everest's death zone: who he was, how he died in 1996, and why he remains on the mountain.
Nepal AdventuresNepal Opens 97 Himalayan Peaks for Free Climbing
Nepal has opened 97 Himalayan peaks in Karnali and Sudurpaschim for free climbing permits over the next two years.
Nepal AdventuresWhy Has No One Still Climbed Mount Kailash?
Why Mount Kailash remains unclimbed: sacred status for four faiths, no climbing permits, and mountaineering ethics. Myths debunked, plus the kora.
Nepal AdventuresSurviving Annapurna: The Story of Maurice Herzog
Explore the inspiring story of Maurice Herzog, the first man to summit an 8000-meter peak during the 1950 Annapurna expedition
Nepal AdventuresMt Everest Dead Bodies: How Many Are There & Why Can't They Be Removed?
More than 200 bodies remain on Mount Everest. Why recovery is nearly impossible, the ethics involved, and the stories behind the mountain's famous landmarks.
Nepal ExperienceBest Mountain Captions and Quotes for Instagram
Looking for the perfect captions and quotes to pair with your mountain photos? Discover 200+ inspiring, adventurous, and Instagram-worthy mountain caption.
Nepal AdventuresHelicopter Flight Ban in the Everest Region: What to Know
The Everest-region helicopter sightseeing ban took effect on January 1, 2025. What is banned, the CAAN dispute, and the best trekking alternatives.
Nepal ExperienceKailash Mansarovar Yatra Resumes for Indian Pilgrims: What to Know
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra resumed in 2025 for Indian pilgrims. Latest on the Lipulekh and Nathu La routes, the Kerung route via Nepal, and how to plan.
Nepal AdventuresWhy Are Flights to Nepal So Expensive? High Airfares Explained
Why flights to Nepal cost so much: airport constraints, fuel and handling fees, limited competition, plus practical ways to find cheaper fares.