About Travelling Mandala

Hey, I’m Kris 👋

How a Spontaneous Trip Changed Everything

People often ask me how I ended up living in Nepal. The short answer? I bought a plane ticket on a whim.

Back in early 2015, I was traveling in Mongolia and was supposed to fly back to London (where I lived at the time) afterwards. Instead, I made a spontaneous decision and booked a trip to Nepal.

I arrived in Kathmandu in February 2015, planning to stay for just a couple of months. Then April came. I was in Nepal during the 2015 earthquakes. It was a difficult experience, but it also made me feel connected to Nepal in a way I never expected. The resilience of the people I met left a lasting impression on me and eventually inspired me to pursue a career in humanitarian work.

Over the following years, my work took me to different countries around the world, but no matter where I lived, I always found myself coming back to Nepal. Eventually, I stopped asking myself why. In 2023, I decided it was time to make Kathmandu my home.

What You’ll Find on Travelling Mandala

Although I write about several countries, Nepal is very much the heart of this blog. If you’re planning a trip here, you’ll find detailed guides on:

• Trekking and hiking in Nepal
• Kathmandu and cultural sites
• National parks and wildlife
• Cafés and restaurants
• Transport and practical travel tips
• Hidden gems you won’t find in every itinerary

I also share guides from countries that have played a big part in my own journey, including Hungary, England, Cambodia, Germany, Czechia, India and the Philippines. Whether it’s a weekend city break or a slower adventure abroad, I hope my experiences help make your trip a little easier.

Why Read My Blog?

I only write about places I’ve actually explored.

Most of my travels are independent, which means I’ve spent countless hours figuring out transport, finding accommodation, planning routes, and discovering places that never make it into the guidebooks.

You’ll find honest advice based on real experiences, not places I’ve researched from behind a laptop. If I recommend somewhere, it’s because I’ve genuinely been there. If I tell you to avoid something, there’s probably a story behind it.

Countries I’ve Lived In

• Nepal 🇳🇵
• India 🇮🇳
• Cambodia 🇰🇭
• Philippines 🇵🇭
• Ukraine 🇺🇦
• Hungary 🇭🇺
• Czechia 🇨🇿
• Ireland 🇮🇪
• Belgium 🇧🇪
• United Kingdom 🇬🇧
• Italy 🇮🇹

Trek Nepal With Me

Over the years, this blog has helped thousands of travelers plan their own adventures in Nepal. One of the questions I kept getting was: “Do you organise treks?” For a long time, the answer was no. But after spending years exploring Nepal and building relationships with local trekking professionals, I decided it was time to change that.

Today, I organise a small number of group treks each year together with a trusted, licensed Nepali trekking agency. I’ll be joining these trips myself alongside experienced local trekking guides, combining my knowledge of traveling in Nepal with the expertise of people who’ve spent years guiding in the Himalayas.

If standing beneath the world’s highest mountains has always been on your bucket list, I’d love to share that experience with you.

Let’s Explore Together

Whether you’re planning your very first trip to Nepal, researching your next Himalayan trek, or looking for inspiration for another destination, I hope this blog helps make your journey a little easier (and a lot more exciting).

And if you’ve been dreaming about trekking in Nepal, maybe we’ll even meet on a trail one day.

Cheers,

Kris