My trip to Zurich was a real eyeopener for me. It really made me want to explore my capabilities and try something different. I’ve always been the type of person that loves a challenge. Career wise, I like to push my limits and see how far I can get and generally, just continue expanding my comfort zone. However, I wasn’t satisfied with the way I was exploring the world. I’ve been to many places, but I have always felt like there was something missing. That was until I came across Gulf For Good.

Gulf For Good is a Dubai-based organization that coordinates trekking challenges with a humanitarian purpose. After I found the opportunity to climb my first mountain, I took the chance and went for it.

Against the Himalayan backdrop, the five-day trek offered panoramic views of the majestic mountain range. Within a group of eighteen members, which was made up of six women and twelve men, the 70km journey took us through tea gardens, visits to monasteries and meeting the locals. The hike was met with steep accents and deep descents, but spectacular scenery that surrounded us made it worthwhile.

Taking off from Dubai, we had an overnight stay in New Delhi, India. There we made a visit to the charity  where funds are raised to build a mobile clinic and educational center before we were transferred to the foothills of the Himalayas – the town of Darjeeling. Once a summer resort for the British Raj elite and famed for Himalayan railway that’s commonly known as Toy Train, there we passed through the pine forest and snaked our way through the winding paths and meadows. Meanwhile, Sandakpu which peeks at 3,634m was the highest point of this trek. We also passed through the Singalila National Park that’s known for its rare red pandas, which was a sight to see.

Despite the breathtaking views, to tell you it was not difficult would be an outright lie. Especially since this was the first time on a trip of this nature. Once the excitement wore off, being in the wilderness finally set in. My capabilities were put to the test. I wasn’t as physically fit as I am now and hiking on an average for seven to eight hours per day on steep rocks, down valleys and up steep hills was no easy task for a beginner. Training wise, I prepped for three months prior. However, the trip was a mental challenge, because it required a lot of patience.

As we camped under the stars in Alpine tents – another first-time experience – and trekked downhill through farmland, scattered villages and forests, I exposed myself to the beauty of nature that I would not otherwise known if I had not pushed myself to go on this trip.