Transitions

My trek to Birendra Lake on the Manaslu Circuit, Nepal. Photography: Naresh Dahal.

The magic of meaningful travel

British-born, Kathmandu-based Naresh Dahal has made Nepal his home for over a decade. As the Co-Founder and Operations Manager of Everest Luxury Holidays, Naresh designs and oversees high-end journeys in Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet, often travelling to personally experience trails, lodges, and cultural sites himself, making sure they meet the level of comfort and authenticity his company’s guests expect.

“Travel for me is both business and my passion – it keeps me connected to the landscapes and people that inspire the journeys we create. I often find myself travelling solo, exploring trails, ancient monasteries, and rivers, and even though I am a luxury travel operator, for me, travel is deeply personal, a way to feel present in each moment. I find myself heading to ancient monasteries in Mustang, feeling like I belong there, riding motorbikes through vast landscapes, or discovering quiet, unexpected experiences in Bhutan. Each journey shapes how I see human connection, culture, and the vastness of the world, and I try to experience every place fully, moment by moment.”

“I’m passionate about supporting local communities and cultural preservation in Nepal and Bhutan. Travelling through remote villages, monasteries, and small towns, I’ve seen how tourism can empower locals while keeping traditions alive. Simple acts, like staying in family-run guesthouses, learning local crafts, or respecting ceremonies, help sustain these communities. I encourage fellow travellers to engage meaningfully, support local businesses, and be mindful guests, because preserving culture and environment makes every journey richer and more responsible.”

Panbang, Bhutan, revolves around ecotourism, organic farming, and traditional industries,

Research in Panbang with members of the ex-Bhutanese army who run the dairy processing uni

(Left): Panbang, Bhutan, where ecotourism, organic farming, and traditional industries are driven by a strong community spirit focused on preserving natural and cultural heritage. Photography: Phub Tshering; and meeting ex-members of the Bhutanese Army who run the dairy processing unit while I was researching the positive impact made by sustainable local industry in Panbang. Photography: Phub Tshering.

How do you balance the demands of work with opportunities for personal exploration?

Balancing work and personal exploration starts with slowing down. Even on busy trips, I set aside time for a short walk, a local meal, or a quiet moment in a monastery. These pauses help me reset and connect with the place beyond work. I’ve learned that exploration doesn’t always mean adding more to the schedule.

Visiting my mother’s community in Ghandruk, Nepal. Photography: Kushal Koirala.

Are there habits or rituals that keep you grounded, healthy, and well when you're travelling?

I always begin the day with ten minutes of quiet breathing, even in a hotel room or airport lounge. I also carry a small notebook to jot down thoughts or reflections from the journey, which helps me stay grounded instead of letting days blur together. On the road, I keep one simple rule for meals – eat what the locals eat, but in moderation. It keeps me healthy and also connected to the culture of the place.

Camping in Dharamshala during my Manaslu Circuit trek, Nepal. Photography: Naresh Dahal.

What are the greatest advantages of travelling solo for work?

The greatest advantage is freedom. I can choose the pace, routes, and experiences without compromise. On one solo trip in the Annapurna region, I spent an entire afternoon just watching monks chant in a small monastery, something I might have missed in a group. Solo travel also sharpens awareness. I notice details in landscapes, markets, and rituals that might otherwise be missed. Travelling alone allows deeper connections with locals and gives space to reflect, make decisions freely, and return home with fresh perspectives.

… and the biggest challenges?

Honestly, I rarely feel challenged when travelling alone for work. Over time, I’ve learned to navigate airports, roads, and cultural differences smoothly. The only small challenge is occasional loneliness in the evenings, when the day’s work is done and the city feels quiet. I’ve come to see it as an opportunity to slow down, reflect, and connect with myself in ways that group travel rarely allows.

Is there a city or destination that has surprised you, either personally or professionally?

Mustang in Nepal constantly surprises me. I spent hours alone in front of a massive Buddha statue, watching the wind sweep through the valley. The quiet monasteries, fluttering prayer flags, and vast landscapes made me feel both small and part of something immense. It was a moment that reminded me how vast the world really is, and how much there is to explore.

A Buddha statue in Muktinath – a sacred pilgrimage site in Nepal's Mustang district Photog

The Buddha statue in Muktinath – a sacred pilgrimage site in Mustang – where I spent hours alone watching the wind sweep through the valley. Photography: Kushal Koirala.

Visiting Marpha, Mustang, the only Bon Buddhist Village of the region with its alleys and

Visiting Marpha, Mustang, with its alleys and stone houses. Photography: Kushal Koirala.

Beyond this, Mustang has a magic over me. As in ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’, the character Ernesto (Che Guevara), in his monologue while travelling in Peru and seeing Machu Picchu, says, “How is it even possible to feel nostalgia for a world I never knew?” I feel it every time I travel to Mustang – whether the alleys with stone houses attached in Marpha, or visiting the only Bon Buddhist village of the region, Lubra. What fascinates me is that every time I try to spot the camouflaged villages beyond Kagbeni to Lo Manthang, every time I am not able to spot them at all until I reach them. This destination is magic in itself, and my daily habits have become like Mustang, being lost in the worlds of work, personal lives, and travel.

Riding my motorbike on the highest motorable road – the Chele La Pass, Bhutan Photography

(Left): Riding my motorbike in Kagbeni – a historic Tibetan village and the main gateway to Upper Mustang in the Kali Gandaki River valley of Nepal’s Mustang District. Photography: Kushal Koirala; and riding my motorbike on the highest motorable road – the Chele La Pass, Bhutan. Photography: Naresh Dahal.

What is one item you never travel without?

I never travel without my copy of ‘Palpasa Café’ by Nepali writer Narayan Wagle, but nowadays, I am just with its PDF version. The book captures Nepal’s civil war, but what stays with me are the vivid landscapes, local stories, and even the cafés. On every journey, I look for echoes of the places, people, or moments described in the book. Travelling alone with it turns each trip into a personal treasure hunt, blending reflection, discovery, and the quiet joy of noticing the world in your own way.

How has solo work travel changed your perspective on your personal and professional life?

Solo work travel has taught me patience, presence, and the beauty of human connection. While trekking in Taplejung, Nepal, I stayed at a local mayor’s house and was invited to join a wedding celebration. They didn’t care where I came from or what I did, they simply saw me as a person and welcomed me. Experiences like this show the generosity and warmth that define Nepal and Bhutan. Personally, it deepened my appreciation for human kindness. Professionally, it strengthened my confidence, adaptability, and trust in the journey unfolding on its own.

Walking the streets of Ghandruk, Nepal. Photography: Kushal Koirala.

What advice would you give to someone just starting to travel solo for work?

Start small and stay curious. Don’t rush to see everything. Allow moments to unfold naturally. Talk to locals, observe the environment, and take quiet pauses to reflect. Be open to unexpected experiences, like stumbling into a local wedding or a hidden monastery. These are the moments that make solo travel meaningful. Finally, trust yourself. Decisions may feel daunting alone, but every choice builds confidence and shows you how rewarding travelling solo can be.

Have you made friends that you met while travelling that remain in your life?

I haven’t kept in touch with locals after leaving a place. I like each visit to feel new and real, as if I’m experiencing it for the first time. While I do have professional partners I collaborate with, I enjoy letting the connections on the trail or in villages remain in the moment. This approach makes every journey fresh, and I can fully immerse myself in the place without expectations.

Can you share your top 3 tips for solo travelling success?

1. Carry a story with you. Bring a book, journal, or memory that connects you to a place, like my copy of ‘Palpasa Café’. It turns each destination into a personal treasure hunt and deepens your connection to the journey.
2. Let the landscapes guide you. Instead of rushing, allow mountains, rivers, or streets to dictate your pace. Solo travel becomes richer when you follow natural rhythms, notice details, and let the environment shape your experience.
3. Travel as yourself, not as a label. Let go of expectations about where you belong or how people will perceive you. Approach each place as a human being first. This openness fosters authentic experiences and deeper personal reflection.