At first, Rolwaling-Tsho Rolpa was on plan; we wanted to explore Tsho Rolpa Lake, a mighty Rolwaling Valley, and a hidden Sherpa Heritage Trail after the "Festival of Kathmandu." The weather was bad; at that time, the big dengue fever had spread around the town, and the team was unprepared. The poor weather conditions and the Dengue outbreak in Kathmandu Valley mean most of my planned travel companions either caught Dengue or family members did, and some just gave up thinking about the long uphill and downhill walk carrying a 7-9 kg bag pack. That means I had no one to accompany me, and I was confused about whether to do the Tsho Rolpa trek alone or not, as it is a relatively isolated trail with fewer travelers, even though I was confident that there would be fellow soloists or small group travelers that I could join. But I was not sure!

Every day, while hanging out, meeting, and playing cards, friends kept asking when you were going trekking, and I kept saying I would go tomorrow. This process went on for a couple of weeks, with the same questions and answers. The weather remained the same, which was not so suitable for travel. Even though I was not sure if I would be able to travel or not, I was determined that I had to trek. For that matter, I was even ready to travel solo. I was convinced that as my last option, I would explore either Annapurna Base Camp or Mardi Himal Base Camp, as these trails are well served with a high foothold. Even though I wasn't sure, I got my bags ready, recharged all the batteries, and managed the extra money required to hire supporting staff or fly to avoid a lonely bus ride. I knew I'd make new friends and learn from them on the trail.

However, due to the persistent bad weather and the warning not to rush, I waited until the last possible day, which was the first day of the Dashai festival. I knew I had to leave by the first day, or I wouldn't be able to return home for the main festival days. I planned to participate in the first-day ritual of Mohani Nakha. The Dashai festival, a 15-day festival celebrated all over Nepal with feast and fanfare in pleasant weather where people fly kites, marks the end of the monsoon to send a message to god. Dashai is also the time we worship our tools, our ideas, our superpowers, and our protectors.

In the end, I decided to explore the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, popularly known as the ABC Trek. I packed well, with a first-aid kit, rain gear, music, and an extra rain jacket. All set to go. Then I got a call from a friend saying I wanted to go as well. That was a WOW moment for me!

The ABC Trail was such a pleasure that it offered long uphill and downhill hikes, hamlets tucked inside deep forests, and waterfalls. A destination full of travelers from around the world excited to see a garden of mountains, a galaxy of stars, and colorful flowers on the trail.