Niraj, who hails from a little hillside town in Western Nepal called Tansen, started his travel career as a local tour guide in Kathmandu. This was mainly to “make use” of his newfound love of travel and practising languages. Fast forward a few years and wanting to spread his travel wings further afield, he started exploring and leading tours in neighbouring countries India, Tibet, Bhutan and Sri Lanka as well as (once countries) Tibet & Sikkim. When he wasn’t guiding in the low seasons, he’d spent his time learning new skills including taking Mandarin lessons at Beijing University to participating in Vipassana meditation classes in Haridwar, India, but after moving to the UK due to family commitments, he adopted a slightly different role within the wonderful world of travel.
This industry has helped him fulfil some of his travel dreams of discovering fascinating places around the globe, from visiting Fidel Castro’s hideout in Sierra Maestra in Cuba, discovering the ancient city ruins of Tikal in Guatemala, to visiting a once-secret Soviet missile base in Lithuania, to name just a few. Joining Wild Frontiers and working with like-minded colleagues and intrepid guests alike, he hopes to keep fanning the flames of his passion for off-beat destination travel.
BEST TRAVEL MOMENTS
Q: Favourite city?
A: The temple city of Bagan in Myanmar. Its skyline dominated by countless temple spires comes to life at sunset and sunrise. That scene has stuck in my mind and my photos have been my laptop screensaver for years. By far Bagan is one of the easiest places to explore on your own. This traffic and pollution-free town is best navigated by e-bikes or e-scooters that can be hired easily. Sipping tea outside the many temples and watching the world go by was my favourite pastime during my week's stay there.
Q: Favourite country?
A: Bhutan has a special place in my heart. The Bhutanese people are the most welcoming, forever smiling and friendly bunch of people. Visiting this country a few times, I have been lucky to make some lifelong friends... it’s no wonder this country promotes GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) over GDP for a reason.
Q: Favourite meal?
A: Dishes from the Himalayan region from Sikkim, Tibet and Ladakh to Nepal.
The must-try meal from this region would be Thukpa, a noodle broth soup mixed with egg/vegetable or meat garnished with garlic and green chillies to spice up the dish, and Shyphaley, stuffed deep-fried bread with meat or vegetable fillings. For your drinks order, you can always ask for the local beer, Tomba which is a local fermented millet drink usually served in a bamboo container.
Q: Most memorable journey?
A: The overland journey from Leh in Ladakh to Srinagar in Kashmir up in the Indian Himalayas is out of this world. The breathtaking change in scenery, as well as the people, religion and culture, is second to none. Stopping over at Kargil close to the infamous LOC (line of control) at the Indo-Pak border does add an extra layer of excitement to the trip.
Q: Favourite travel advice?
A: I tend to ask the driver and locals where the best eateries are rather than Googling or checking Trip Advisor. Also, shopping in the next street or round the corner from the main “tourist traps” close to the sites and monuments is what I prefer to do. It not only helps find surprisingly good value items, but you can make sure that your tourist money will reach local traders who unfortunately are often pushed away from the main street due to the high rent paid by bigger chain souvenir shops.
Q: Next on the must-see list?
A: Egypt - I would love to see the Luxor and Karnak temples, visit Abu Simbel and cruise the Nile as a bonus!