Project Detail

Nepal Himalayan Odyssey

We are documenting one of the world’s great mountain journeys across Nepal — connecting landscapes, people and knowledge while creating a deeper understanding of the Himalaya.

The Nepal Himalayan Odyssey follows Nepal’s Great Himalayan Trail from Kanchenjunga in the east to Hilsa and Limi Valley in Humla in the west, crossing some of the country’s most remote and diverse mountain landscapes.

This is more than a long-distance walk. It is a chance to experience the Himalaya closely — walking through villages, crossing high mountain passes, meeting local people, listening to their stories and seeing how life is changing.

Along the journey, we will document the trails, villages, cultures, biodiversity, traditional livelihoods and everyday lives of communities along the Himalayan corridor. We will also look at how roads, infrastructure, migration, climate change and changing tourism are shaping these places.

A Changing Himalaya

The Himalaya is changing. Glaciers, snowfall, rainfall, water sources, ecosystems and traditional ways of life are all being affected by a changing climate.

We want to understand these changes not only through observation and existing research, but by listening to the people who live with them every day. Their experience and knowledge are an important part of understanding the mountains.

We will learn about community adaptation, conservation and local solutions, while also connecting with researchers, tourism practitioners, conservationists and government institutions working across the region.

Connecting Places and faces

Tourism is another part of the journey. We will explore how lesser-known mountain areas can benefit from responsible tourism — creating opportunities for local employment and livelihoods while respecting the culture, nature and character of each place.

Mountain Mandala sees this journey as an opportunity to bring different people, perspectives and knowledge together. Local communities, guides, researchers, educators, tourism professionals, conservationists, government institutions, photographers, filmmakers and travelers can all contribute to a better understanding of the Himalaya.

Through walking, conversations, observation, photography, film, mapping and stories, we will create and share knowledge about the Great Himalayan Trail — making the journey useful not only to those who walk it, but also to communities, travelers, educators, researchers and others who care about the future of the Himalaya.

From expedition to evidence — documenting what is changing, listening to the people who live there, learning from different perspectives, and sharing what we learn for the future of the Himalaya.