For Margalit Shachar, a 71-year-old completely blind Israeli, Nepal’s mountains have become a source of healing and therapy, transforming trekking from an adventure into a deeply personal experience. Through the sounds of rivers, the smell of forests, the touch of wind, and the warmth of local communities, Shachar has discovered a unique way to connect with Nepal’s nature beyond what can be seen.
Speaking at a Talk Session organized by the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) on Wednesday, Shachar shared her experiences of trekking in the Annapurna region and reflected on how Nepal’s natural environment and the warmth of its people transformed her trekking experiences. The session was coordinated by NTB Senior Manager Surya Thapaliya.
Trekking in Nepal as a Healing Experience
Shachar said her experiences in Nepal had helped her experience trekking from a perspective different from that of conventional travelers.
“Trekking in Nepal has been more than an adventure for me. It has become a healing experience and a kind of therapy,” she said.
A psychological therapist who has worked for many years with the Israeli military and in the Gaza region, Shachar celebrated her 70th birthday last year by completing the Annapurna Circuit. She returned to Nepal this year and completed the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trek, continuing her exploration of the country’s mountain destinations.
“Turning 70 is a special milestone. For me, celebrating a birthday through trekking is like celebrating life itself,” she said. Recalling her experiences, she said she completed the Annapurna Circuit last year and returned this year for the Annapurna Base Camp trek. Although some sections were challenging and risky, she said the overall experience was deeply rewarding.
Experiencing the Himalayas Through Other Senses
For Shachar, the most remarkable part of trekking was not what she could see, but what she could experience through her other senses. “The sound of the river, the smell of bamboo, the touch of the wind and the sounds of nature gave me a wonderful feeling,” she said. She explained that she initially expected the Annapurna trek to be more difficult. However, she gradually developed confidence by focusing on continuing at her own pace.
“I did not find the Annapurna trek as difficult as I had imagined. I convinced myself to keep going slowly, one step at a time,” she said. Her experience highlights how Nepal’s trekking destinations can be experienced beyond visual landscapes, with natural sounds, smells, textures and changing environments becoming important elements of the journey.
Blindness Did Not Stop Her Mountain Journey
Shachar also explained that being blind did not necessarily make the trek feel more difficult for her. “Because I cannot see the trail ahead, I do not anticipate how difficult the road might be. I also do not feel the passage of time in the same way. That made the journey easier for me,” she said. Rather than concentrating on what lay ahead on the trail, she said she focused on progressing gradually, allowing her other senses and the support of people around her to guide the experience.
Nepal’s Hospitality Adds to the Experience
Alongside the natural environment, Shachar praised the kindness and hospitality she experienced from Nepali people during her treks. She said the support she received from people along the trekking routes helped her feel comfortable and confident throughout the journey.
“People in Nepal are very supportive and kind. During the trek, I felt like a queen,” she said. She also expressed appreciation for Nepal’s culture, food and guesthouses, which she said added to the overall experience. According to Shachar, the combination of nature, people and cultural experiences contributed to the therapeutic value she associated with her time in Nepal.
Planning Another Trek to Nepal
Shachar is already planning another visit to Nepal. She said she hopes to return next year to celebrate her daughter’s 50th birthday and undertake the Langtang trek. Sharing a message for others, particularly persons with disabilities, she encouraged people to make the most of their lives. “Live your life as fully as you can,” she said. She also encouraged international travelers to visit Nepal, emphasizing the positive energy and healing experience she believes can be found in the country’s natural environment.
Israeli Embassy Highlights Inclusive Tourism Potential
At the program, Janan Mishleb-Bebar, Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of Israel in Nepal, described Shachar’s experience as inspiring and said it demonstrated that nature can be experienced through more than sight. “Nature is not something that can only be seen; it can also be felt and experienced,” she said.
Mishleb-Bebar said Shachar’s journey could encourage visually impaired people and other people with disabilities to explore destinations that might initially appear challenging. “If Shachar can do it, other visually impaired people can also have such experiences,” she said, emphasizing the importance of appropriate support and confidence. She further noted that Nepal’s trekking destinations have potential to offer meaningful experiences to a wider range of travelers, highlighting the importance of developing more inclusive and accessible adventure tourism.
Disability Should Not Limit Possibilities
Khom Raj Sharma, Inclusive Advisor at the Nepal Association of the Blind, said Shachar’s journey demonstrated the possibilities available to persons with disabilities. “Visually impaired people certainly require additional care and support, but disability should not be seen as the end of possibility. There is possibility within every disability,” Sharma said.
He emphasized that natural environments can be experienced through sound, touch and other senses, rather than solely through sight. Sharma’s remarks highlighted the importance of changing perceptions around disability and tourism while creating appropriate conditions that enable persons with disabilities to participate in travel and adventure activities.
Guides Call for Stronger Accessible Tourism Support
Trekking guide Shiva Prasad Adhikari, who has been working in the trekking sector since 2003, said guiding visually impaired travelers can present additional challenges but becomes manageable with proper training, communication and mutual understanding. Adhikari said he has been guiding Israeli visitors in Nepal since 2014 and has observed visually impaired travelers participating in different adventure activities.
He emphasized the need for greater attention from the government and tourism stakeholders toward accessible tourism infrastructure, trained support personnel and appropriate systems for persons with disabilities. According to him, improving these areas could enable more travelers with disabilities to experience Nepal’s trekking and adventure destinations safely and comfortably.
Annapurna Experience Offers New Perspective on Trekking Tourism
Shachar’s experience offers a different perspective on Nepal’s trekking tourism, where the mountains are not defined solely by spectacular views. For her, the sound of rivers, smell of forests, touch of wind, local hospitality, food and cultural encounters became essential parts of the Himalayan journey.
Her Annapurna experience has also brought attention to the potential of Nepal to develop more inclusive tourism products that allow travelers with different abilities to experience the country’s natural and cultural attractions. As Shachar prepares for another journey to Nepal, her story presents trekking not only as a physical challenge, but also as an opportunity for connection, discovery and personal renewal.
