Episode 172: EBC Part 1: Nepal & the Himalayas with Olga Bak
“Many people go to Nepal for the mountains. But before they leave, they change their mind. It is the people and this loving approach to life that they will take home with them.”
This week, we're honored to welcome Olga Bak, friend and advisor to Travel Nepal Himalaya's Treks, the local guide company that helped our group navigate the challenging journey to Mount Everest base camp. Developing an early connection with Nepal during her first trek in 2013, Olga's spontaneous "yes" to adventure evolved into something deeper—a calling to build bridges between travelers and this extraordinary Himalayan nation.
Olga takes us on a journey through her transformation from first-time trekker to passionate advocate for Nepal. She describes that pivotal moment when she climbed a 4,000-meter peak at 3 AM to witness the sunrise, feeling surrounded by stars so close "it really did feel like we could just reach and grab them like apples from trees." That initial experience sparked what would become a lifelong mission to help others understand Nepal not just as a destination for mountain views, but as a place of profound spiritual and personal transformation.
In this episode, we explore the meaning behind "Nepal: Never Ending Peace And Love," the unique character of the Himalayan landscape, and how Olga's relationship with guide Badri has created opportunities to support local communities. Join us for a deep and moving conversation about finding purpose through saying yes to adventure, embracing discomfort as a path to growth, and what it truly means to experience the transformative power of the mountains.
Olga also discusses:
00:30 Scott's Everest Base Camp Adventure
01:00 Introducing Olga Bak and Travel Nepal Himalaya's Treks
03:15 Olga's Personal Connection to Nepal
10:20 Cultural and Spiritual Richness of Nepal
15:00 Experiencing Kathmandu and the Himalayas
17:37 The Significance of Prayer Flags and Spirituality
20:14 Nepal: Never Ending Peace and Love
22:03 Political Environment and Challenges in Nepal
23:09 Political Landscape of Nepal and Tibet
25:08 Nature and Environment in Nepal
28:36 Exploring the Himalayas
31:38 Personal Trekking Experiences
39:57 The Role of Porters in Nepal Treks
42:05 Meet Badri: The Heart of Travel Nepal Himalayas Treks
45:17 How to Plan Your Trek with Travel Nepal Himalayas Treks
46:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
You can learn more about Olga, Badri and the team at Travel Nepal Himalayas Treks by following their Instagram, and Facebook, or connect with them on WhatsApp and by visiting Travel Nepal Himalayas’ website Travel-Nepal.net.
See below for photos Travel Nepal Himalayas Treks shared from their adventures.
Watch the Full Behind The Scenes Episode
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