By Holly Sherlock (Inspired Adventures Business Innovation Manager)
There’s a stillness that exists in the Himalayas that’s hard to describe, so vast, so humbling, so full of life. Trekking the Annapurna Community Trail with Girl Guides Australia as an Inspired Adventures leader, I found myself drawn to the staggering peaks and ever-changing terrain, as well as the quiet strength of the people I walked alongside and the warmth of the communities that welcomed us in.
We were the only group on the trail. Days passed without seeing another soul beyond our team and the locals who call this incredible region home. We stayed in four different communities, each with their own stories, traditions, and laughter-filled teahouses. We shared dal bhat and smiles, learned to say “namaste” with genuine reverence, and watched the sun hit the face of Dhaulagiri, the seventh highest mountain in the world, while sipping morning tea. Our guide told us that’s often how the locals tell time: by the way the first light touches the mountains. It's something I'll never forget.
The landscape was nothing short of magical. Over five days, we hiked through postcard-worthy scenery, orange trees soon to be bursting with fruit, rhododendron forests in bloom, and sweeping ridgelines that revealed layer upon layer of Himalayan peaks. Every turn brought something new. One moment you were in a lush, jungle-like valley, the next climbing stone staircases toward remote, and windswept villages. The uphills tested our lungs, the downhills our knees, but every step was a gift.
A word of caution for those training: Nepali mountains are not Australian mountains, get on the stair master.
Each day brought a new challenge. We climbed higher, breathed deeper, and leaned on each other a little more. The change in environment was as dramatic as the change within. One of our Girl Guides put it perfectly: “We all climbed different mountains.” And she was right. While we followed the same trail, each of us was moved in our own way, by the scenery, the culture, the physical challenge, or the conversations around the dinner table.
The Girl Guides team was nothing short of remarkable. A passionate, adventurous group of women from across Australia, they upheld their Guide Promise with heart and most of all, humour. There was a powerful sense of unity, each individual embracing the journey, lifting others up when the hills got tough, and sharing in the joy of every summit reached. It was a privilege to witness how the trek became personal for each of them, and to be part of something so much bigger than ourselves.
Our experience was shaped, too, by our incredible head guide, Sapnam. After we returned home, she sent us a message that perfectly captured the spirit of our journey:
“To all you beautiful, strong women, I honestly don’t have the perfect words to express how proud and happy I feel to have had you here in Nepal. For me, it was more than just a trek, it was a truly meaningful connection… Your shared energy brought us together, and I hope you continue to shine, grow, and do amazing things wherever you go.”
Her words stay with me, they’re a reminder of how powerful these moments of connection can be, and how lasting their impact is. Five days of immersion, of being present, of walking through places few have or ever will see. A trek I will never forget. If you’re even remotely considering it, I urge you to go. The Himalayas will move you. The people will welcome you. And you’ll leave with more than just memories, you’ll leave changed.
Photos by: Georgia Plowman, Girl Guide Australia Nepal 2025 Trekker
Check out our upcoming adventures and sign up today!
Liked this article? Here's some more you might like:
