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Walking the Himalayas
Following his trek along the length of the Nile River, explorer Levison Wood takes on his greatest challenge yet—navigating the treacherous foothills of the Himalayas, the world's highest mountain range.
Praised by Bear Grylls, Levison Wood has been called "the toughest man on TV" (The Times UK). Now, following in the footsteps of the great explorers, Levison recounts the beauty and danger he found along the Silk Road route of Afghanistan, the Line of Control between Pakistan and India, the disputed territories of Kashmir and the earth-quake ravaged lands of Nepal. Over the course of six months, Wood and his trusted guides trek 1,700 gruelling miles across the roof of the world.
Packed with action and emotion, Walking the Himalayas is the story of one intrepid man's travels in a world poised on the edge of tremendous change.
Praised by Bear Grylls, Levison Wood has been called "the toughest man on TV" (The Times UK). Now, following in the footsteps of the great explorers, Levison recounts the beauty and danger he found along the Silk Road route of Afghanistan, the Line of Control between Pakistan and India, the disputed territories of Kashmir and the earth-quake ravaged lands of Nepal. Over the course of six months, Wood and his trusted guides trek 1,700 gruelling miles across the roof of the world.
Packed with action and emotion, Walking the Himalayas is the story of one intrepid man's travels in a world poised on the edge of tremendous change.
293 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2016
217 people are currently reading
3206 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews
August 14, 2018
Levison Wood has become my favorite adventure travel writer. "Walking the Himalayas" follows Lev in his arduous six-month journey from Afghanistan to Kashmir to Nepal. There are natural disasters. There is conflict. There is a dangerous crash. There is also incredible beauty and innumerable acts of human kindness. There's even a meeting with the Dalai Lama!
This is the third book of Levison's I've read (the others are "Walking the Nile" and "Walking the Americas") and I hope he continues to go on these incredible journeys for as long as he can. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a thrilling travelogue.
Favorite Passages
"I decided that the aims of this expedition wouldn't be to climb mountains, or to try to break any records, or even to attempt to cover as much ground as possible, but instead use this opportunity to explore, on foot, the valleys and foothills that were inhabited by the various communities and tribes that called the Himalayas their home. For me it was about the people I encountered that attracted me to travel, and travelling on foot is the only way to explore the backcountry and villages that are hidden from the main trails and roads. It is also the way people have travelled in these regions for millennia and there seems to be a common bond between pedestrians everywhere. The physical hardships, the risks, the utter vulnerability mean that on the whole you will be looked upon as a fellow human being, rather than a foreigner, or worse, a tourist."
"But where there is darkness, I'd also found light. Years of travelling out of uniform in war zones had taught me a few lessons. So long as you're not armed and come in peace, you're willing to adopt to local customs with sensitivity to culture and tradition and try not to judge too much — however tempting — you'll generally be fine. People in the most dangerous parts of the world had gone out of their way to make me feel at home, sometimes regardless of whether I'd wanted to or not. With a smattering of language, a spot of homework, a bit of fancy dress (and knowing when it's wise to grow a beard or not), I'd somehow managed to blend in, survive, and what's more, make some good friends along the way."
This is the third book of Levison's I've read (the others are "Walking the Nile" and "Walking the Americas") and I hope he continues to go on these incredible journeys for as long as he can. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a thrilling travelogue.
Favorite Passages
"I decided that the aims of this expedition wouldn't be to climb mountains, or to try to break any records, or even to attempt to cover as much ground as possible, but instead use this opportunity to explore, on foot, the valleys and foothills that were inhabited by the various communities and tribes that called the Himalayas their home. For me it was about the people I encountered that attracted me to travel, and travelling on foot is the only way to explore the backcountry and villages that are hidden from the main trails and roads. It is also the way people have travelled in these regions for millennia and there seems to be a common bond between pedestrians everywhere. The physical hardships, the risks, the utter vulnerability mean that on the whole you will be looked upon as a fellow human being, rather than a foreigner, or worse, a tourist."
"But where there is darkness, I'd also found light. Years of travelling out of uniform in war zones had taught me a few lessons. So long as you're not armed and come in peace, you're willing to adopt to local customs with sensitivity to culture and tradition and try not to judge too much — however tempting — you'll generally be fine. People in the most dangerous parts of the world had gone out of their way to make me feel at home, sometimes regardless of whether I'd wanted to or not. With a smattering of language, a spot of homework, a bit of fancy dress (and knowing when it's wise to grow a beard or not), I'd somehow managed to blend in, survive, and what's more, make some good friends along the way."
October 14, 2021
I'd watched the TV show and this comes across as pretty much the same - a decent, earnest Englishman makes an epic trek only taking in the obvious. I hope Lev keeps walking and develops more of an eye for detail and some skills to probe and gain insight a bit more because his fortitude is amazing. The opportunities he affords himself to see and comment on places could be unsurpassed and with a bit more cultural commentary, social insight or a bit of humour this would have been a brilliant book. As it is, I enjoyed it because I have trekked some of the route, recognised some of the places and its reinforced my interest in Bhutan.
October 10, 2016
I disliked this book so much that when searching for other 1-2 star ratings and finding just a few I started to doubt my skill as a reader. But alas, I'm holding strong with the one star.
I had reasonable expectations to like this, I mean it has travel, adventure, nature- all things that are most enjoyable. But no, it just doesn't work. His characterizations of people are inane, and rather simplistic. It's like he expected to write certain experiences and meet certain kinds of people, and so the narrative formed to that instead of the other way around. I'd include an excerpt or two as an example but the ebook has already been returned to the library. Maybe if I had seen the television series I'd have been more involved and attuned with him as a narrator. And I never rely on the movie/show to carry the book. That is sacrilege.
What really made this a 1-star instead of a 2-star is his writing. Like, it felt like a high-schooler writing a creative essay for a school assignment or something. His descriptions are dull and uninventive. It took the pleasure out of reading. Maybe this seems harsh but I can't stress how bored I was while reading this. I would've DNF'd it but I was on a long train ride and it was the only book I had downloaded besides poetry. (I haven't got phone data).
I had reasonable expectations to like this, I mean it has travel, adventure, nature- all things that are most enjoyable. But no, it just doesn't work. His characterizations of people are inane, and rather simplistic. It's like he expected to write certain experiences and meet certain kinds of people, and so the narrative formed to that instead of the other way around. I'd include an excerpt or two as an example but the ebook has already been returned to the library. Maybe if I had seen the television series I'd have been more involved and attuned with him as a narrator. And I never rely on the movie/show to carry the book. That is sacrilege.
What really made this a 1-star instead of a 2-star is his writing. Like, it felt like a high-schooler writing a creative essay for a school assignment or something. His descriptions are dull and uninventive. It took the pleasure out of reading. Maybe this seems harsh but I can't stress how bored I was while reading this. I would've DNF'd it but I was on a long train ride and it was the only book I had downloaded besides poetry. (I haven't got phone data).
November 16, 2021
I really enjoy "armchair travel" & expected to enjoy this more than I did. The author was a bit self-absorbed. Could have used a bit more self-deprecation, or humor, or interest in the life going on around him. The story of his journeys was, fundamentally simple observation, and all about him without much more inquiry, insight or learning about the deeper culture, people & history - which is what makes travel books meaningful to me.
April 16, 2021
4 Stars for Walking The Himalayas (audiobook) by Levison Wood read by the author.
This was a interesting adventure. The environment was really extreme during this walk. But what I most liked was the descriptions of the people and towns that Levison Wood came across.
This was a interesting adventure. The environment was really extreme during this walk. But what I most liked was the descriptions of the people and towns that Levison Wood came across.
October 15, 2016
After a long introduction where Wood tells how he was settling in after the Nile adventure and how he got inspired for one more walk, he gives the highlights of this trek. They are great. But, really, a 6 month trip, 200 pages? This, and his lack of sympathy for his guides (the river crossing with Malang Darya and in Binod Pariyar’s foot problems) is why I’m giving this 5 star book a 4 star rating.
It could be that the highlights, which he relates, are so high that all else pales. He nearly died, at least 3 times (exposure, car accident, snake) and perhaps others. There are marvelous episodes, seeing a buzkashi in remote Afghanistan, a shaman, nomad tribes, having a special meeting with the Dali Lama, a trek on the bee hunting trip, crossing into Bhutan and more.
Like the Nile book, the pictures are wonderful, each begging for placement in a coffee table sized book. Also like the Nile trip, the serendipitous way he is found by friends (in this case a friend and a brother) suspends belief.
Most books and general media focus on the peaks. It's good to see some attention to life in the foothills.
Even if the rest of the trip was dull compared with this, I’d like to have read more. While I got this book from the library, I still feel a little cheated.
September 5, 2017
A man walks through difficult terrain because he can. In the end, he learns nothing of himself, imparts no wisdom to his readers in regards to the people & cultures he experiences, and flies back home to his London flat and 1st world problems. There, I just saved you hours of torture by telling you everything that happens in "Walking the Himalayas". After a month and a half, I found that i had only read ~50% of the book. The only reason I was able to finish this book was because I found an audio version that I could listen to as I did more enjoyable tasks such as scrubbing the toilet and cleaning out the fridge (not simultaneously, of course!). If I could have given it 0 stars, I would have!
I'm not a novice to reading nonfiction travel books, but Levison Wood's style is too boring to be enjoyable. It felt as if Wood simply turned in his travel diary to his editor rather than attempting to create a story with his experience. And what was up with him asking every guru "What do you think about my walk?" or "Do you have any advice for my walk?" None of them seemed impressed by his endeavor (neither was I), nor did they ever give him any advice.
Read it if you like listening to people drone on in monotone about their "trip to XYZ".
Skip it if that sort of thing makes your eyes glaze over.
I'm not a novice to reading nonfiction travel books, but Levison Wood's style is too boring to be enjoyable. It felt as if Wood simply turned in his travel diary to his editor rather than attempting to create a story with his experience. And what was up with him asking every guru "What do you think about my walk?" or "Do you have any advice for my walk?" None of them seemed impressed by his endeavor (neither was I), nor did they ever give him any advice.
Read it if you like listening to people drone on in monotone about their "trip to XYZ".
Skip it if that sort of thing makes your eyes glaze over.
August 22, 2022
Levison Wood writes dramatic, vivid, and adventurous travel-related non-fiction. I had previously read and enjoyed Walking the Nile, which was one of my favorites a few years ago. This is another in the same vein. In this one, he starts in Afghanistan, and travels alongside the Himalayas (not climbing peaks) through Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bhutan. Highlights of this trek include meeting the Dalai Lama, dodging rockslides and raging rivers, trying to avoid an encounter with wild tigers in the Nepali forests, and being involved in a serious accident. He meets and interacts with the local populations in a wide variety of cultures. He builds friendships with his guides, meeting one of them again after over a decade. It is top rate travel writing. I enjoyed it immensely.
4.5
4.5
August 28, 2019
Levinson Wood has quickly established himself as one of the very best adventure writers. I wish I had read “Himalayas” first rather than last in Wood’s “Walking” trilogy. Wood waits until this second book to tell his origin story, which also helped me understand why more than half of my adventure books are by Brits. “Himalayas” is his most compelling story, not because he has his closest brush with death, but because of the friendships he forms. I give him bonus points for risking having his book banned in China and India due to his sympathies for Tibet and Kashmir.
His books do not make this clear, but Wikipedia indicates that Wood remains a British paratrooper, having recently risen to the rank of major. Wood has great admiration for Victorian England’s explorers and colonizers. He is often retracing their steps or seeking evidence of their settlement. From the very beginning, Wood notes that Rudyard Kipling lived in one of the buildings where he decides to undertake his Himalayan trek.
Wood never really explains in geographical or historical terms why he begins his trek in the extreme northeastern corner of Afghanistan, other than that he had served in that war-torn country. It does make for a hair-raising start to his journey. Even though he doesn’t start walking until a quarter of the way into the book, “Himalayas” does not feel rushed like “Walking the Americas.” He is also making his second and third visits to most of the countries he walks through, which gives him a deeper understanding of the cultures he encounters.
As with his Nile trek, Wood is forced to skip a small section (in this case just two miles) because of conflict. He had to then take a detour of hundreds of miles (by bus) due to the disputed border between India and Pakistan. Wood explains that the U.K. created the festering Kashmir conflict by installing Hindu rulers in a predominantly Muslim region, but fails to mention that the U.K. also bears considerable responsibility for the up to two million deaths that occurred as a result of an overly hasty withdrawal from the Indian Subcontinent.
Ironically, Wood faces the greatest peril of his three journeys not at the hands of mother nature, an apex predator or disease, but during one his rare trips in a car. His pictures support his vivid account of how horrific the accident proved to be--all to travel a distance of five miles.
For someone professing not to be religious, it is almost as ironic that the heart of Wood’s Himalayan experience is a series of meetings with religious leaders, culminating with an audience with the Dalai Lama. Meanwhile, the emotional heart of the book is Wood’s reunion with the Nepali friend he made as a 19-year-old gap year backpacker.
Easily the most curious person Wood befriends comes near the end of his 1500-mile journey in the form of his “cross-dressing gangster” guide for Bhutan. When asked why there are so many phallic symbols, Jamyang responds, “We worship dicks. All these phalluses keep away evil spirits.” When they talk about all the hikers dying on Mt. Everest, Jamyang tells Wood, “You Westerners, we have no idea why you want to climb mountains. It’s just stupid, don’t you think? You just want to conquer things, plant flags and all that” (p. 262). This does not stop Wood from raising the Union Jack in the final picture when he reaches the endpoint of his journey.
Wood has inspired me to return to South Asia and retrace some of his footsteps (I think I’ll skip Afghanistan). So what comes next adventure reading-wise? If I stay in this part of the world I have narrowed my choices to three books (I seem to have a thing for triplets). I have been meaning to read Rory Stewart’s “The Places In Between,” which covers the parts of Afghanistan that were too dangerous for Wood to walk. Stewart recently came up short to be the U.K.’s prime minister. I also want to read Michael Benanav’s “Himalaya Bound.” His south to north route intersects with Wood’s west to east route near the Ganges. It is hard to tell with such small images in both books, but Benanav seems to be a better photographer than Wood. My final option is Ian Baker’s “The Heart of the World,” which explores the one place Wood was not allowed to visit: Tibet. What a shame this spectacular "Top of the World" has so much unrest and conflict.
His books do not make this clear, but Wikipedia indicates that Wood remains a British paratrooper, having recently risen to the rank of major. Wood has great admiration for Victorian England’s explorers and colonizers. He is often retracing their steps or seeking evidence of their settlement. From the very beginning, Wood notes that Rudyard Kipling lived in one of the buildings where he decides to undertake his Himalayan trek.
Wood never really explains in geographical or historical terms why he begins his trek in the extreme northeastern corner of Afghanistan, other than that he had served in that war-torn country. It does make for a hair-raising start to his journey. Even though he doesn’t start walking until a quarter of the way into the book, “Himalayas” does not feel rushed like “Walking the Americas.” He is also making his second and third visits to most of the countries he walks through, which gives him a deeper understanding of the cultures he encounters.
As with his Nile trek, Wood is forced to skip a small section (in this case just two miles) because of conflict. He had to then take a detour of hundreds of miles (by bus) due to the disputed border between India and Pakistan. Wood explains that the U.K. created the festering Kashmir conflict by installing Hindu rulers in a predominantly Muslim region, but fails to mention that the U.K. also bears considerable responsibility for the up to two million deaths that occurred as a result of an overly hasty withdrawal from the Indian Subcontinent.
Ironically, Wood faces the greatest peril of his three journeys not at the hands of mother nature, an apex predator or disease, but during one his rare trips in a car. His pictures support his vivid account of how horrific the accident proved to be--all to travel a distance of five miles.
For someone professing not to be religious, it is almost as ironic that the heart of Wood’s Himalayan experience is a series of meetings with religious leaders, culminating with an audience with the Dalai Lama. Meanwhile, the emotional heart of the book is Wood’s reunion with the Nepali friend he made as a 19-year-old gap year backpacker.
Easily the most curious person Wood befriends comes near the end of his 1500-mile journey in the form of his “cross-dressing gangster” guide for Bhutan. When asked why there are so many phallic symbols, Jamyang responds, “We worship dicks. All these phalluses keep away evil spirits.” When they talk about all the hikers dying on Mt. Everest, Jamyang tells Wood, “You Westerners, we have no idea why you want to climb mountains. It’s just stupid, don’t you think? You just want to conquer things, plant flags and all that” (p. 262). This does not stop Wood from raising the Union Jack in the final picture when he reaches the endpoint of his journey.
Wood has inspired me to return to South Asia and retrace some of his footsteps (I think I’ll skip Afghanistan). So what comes next adventure reading-wise? If I stay in this part of the world I have narrowed my choices to three books (I seem to have a thing for triplets). I have been meaning to read Rory Stewart’s “The Places In Between,” which covers the parts of Afghanistan that were too dangerous for Wood to walk. Stewart recently came up short to be the U.K.’s prime minister. I also want to read Michael Benanav’s “Himalaya Bound.” His south to north route intersects with Wood’s west to east route near the Ganges. It is hard to tell with such small images in both books, but Benanav seems to be a better photographer than Wood. My final option is Ian Baker’s “The Heart of the World,” which explores the one place Wood was not allowed to visit: Tibet. What a shame this spectacular "Top of the World" has so much unrest and conflict.
February 6, 2017
As if walking the entire length of the Nile was not mad enough, his good friend Ashwin Bhardwaj persuades him to walk along the rooftop of the world; the Himalayas. Wood had been to Nepal before way back in 2001, when the country’s Royal family was massacred. At that time a man called Binod took him in and protected him whilst the unrest continued. This new walk along the world’s highest mountain range meant that he had the opportunity to return and see him once again.
Flying into Kabul would be adventure enough for some people, but that was where he needed to get to, to be able to reach the eastern foothills. The last time Wood had been there he was in the army. Met by his minder at the airport, he is taken to the scruffy looking car to make the first part of his journey, before a helicopter ride to the start point. Wakhan Corridor. He is accompanied along the walk by guides, even persuading Ashwin to join him for one section, before he makes it to Nepal for a reunion with his friend, Binod, before continuing his journey to Gankhar Puensum in Bhutan.
Wood is one tough guy; not only is this a mammoth walk of 1700 miles, but he does this at altitude too; no mean feat. He is an easy-going character, meaning that as he meets some of the toughest and nicest people he fits in easily, drawing their stories and lives out into the narrative. The range of cultures is quite an eye opener too, from the strict Islamic areas to the more relaxed and laid back Nepalese. It is reasonably well written, gripping in parts and has one heart-stopping moment. Haven’t seen the TV series yet, but I’m looking forward to watching it soon.
Flying into Kabul would be adventure enough for some people, but that was where he needed to get to, to be able to reach the eastern foothills. The last time Wood had been there he was in the army. Met by his minder at the airport, he is taken to the scruffy looking car to make the first part of his journey, before a helicopter ride to the start point. Wakhan Corridor. He is accompanied along the walk by guides, even persuading Ashwin to join him for one section, before he makes it to Nepal for a reunion with his friend, Binod, before continuing his journey to Gankhar Puensum in Bhutan.
Wood is one tough guy; not only is this a mammoth walk of 1700 miles, but he does this at altitude too; no mean feat. He is an easy-going character, meaning that as he meets some of the toughest and nicest people he fits in easily, drawing their stories and lives out into the narrative. The range of cultures is quite an eye opener too, from the strict Islamic areas to the more relaxed and laid back Nepalese. It is reasonably well written, gripping in parts and has one heart-stopping moment. Haven’t seen the TV series yet, but I’m looking forward to watching it soon.
January 10, 2024
An amazing travelogue that takes the reader through a hard trek from Afghanistan to Bhutan which shows immense courage, deadly passes and crazy accidents enough to keep one on the edge of their seat!
------
Walking the Himalayas is my second book by Levison Wood and I have become a huge fan of his now!
The first book Walking the Nile was equally hair-raising, terrifying and very interesting to read.
The book is completely written in first person narrative. Levison starts the book from London where he has settled after completing his Nile expedition.
He writes mostly about his personal life, friends and settling in London which takes up a major chunk of the first half.
If someone is reading Levison for the first time, there are huge chances the book would be DNF'ed. The only reason i persevered was because I was quite fascinated with Levison's writings and primarily his adventures from the first book and I'd like to re-iterate that it paid off!
Once Levison begins his journey, the book is nothing short of an adventure filled adrenaline ride.
I'm a fan of Levison's crisp and not overly descriptive writing style. He describes the mountains, the fear and frustration while trekking, his experiences, pains etc and it instantly paints a picture in the readers minds.
This book is about hardships, willingness and absolute craziness where the author travels from Afghanistan to Bhutan via Pakistan, India and Nepal.
Levison has stories from each of the regions above. Some fascinating and some heart-wrenching.
He also talks about people and various sects that he would meet like the Krygz and Pashtuns of Afghanistan, Aghori's and Sadhu's of India, the people of Rukum's who helped him during a mishap and the courageous Gurkha's in the Nepal and ofcourse Dalai Lama.
All the locations that he travels in the book are worth googling. For instance: the Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan, Hunza valley in Pakistan, Dharamsala and Kashmir in India, Machhapuchchhre in Pokhara and Kathmandu in general.
In the book, the author has mentioned an incident where he along with his crew falls off a cliff 150m deep while they were travelling in a car.
Even after sustaining life threatening injuries and fractures, he returns back to the same point of Rukum after 5 months to continue the journey. This is admirable as well as outright crazy.
The book is a perfect mixture of cultures from various countries, conflicts, dangerous jungles and wonderful people that Levison meets on his way.
Ps. Pictures at the end of the book are an absolute treat
-----
Have you checked out Levison's prior adventure to the Nile? Walking the Nile
------
Walking the Himalayas is my second book by Levison Wood and I have become a huge fan of his now!
The first book Walking the Nile was equally hair-raising, terrifying and very interesting to read.
The book is completely written in first person narrative. Levison starts the book from London where he has settled after completing his Nile expedition.
He writes mostly about his personal life, friends and settling in London which takes up a major chunk of the first half.
If someone is reading Levison for the first time, there are huge chances the book would be DNF'ed. The only reason i persevered was because I was quite fascinated with Levison's writings and primarily his adventures from the first book and I'd like to re-iterate that it paid off!
Once Levison begins his journey, the book is nothing short of an adventure filled adrenaline ride.
I'm a fan of Levison's crisp and not overly descriptive writing style. He describes the mountains, the fear and frustration while trekking, his experiences, pains etc and it instantly paints a picture in the readers minds.
This book is about hardships, willingness and absolute craziness where the author travels from Afghanistan to Bhutan via Pakistan, India and Nepal.
Levison has stories from each of the regions above. Some fascinating and some heart-wrenching.
He also talks about people and various sects that he would meet like the Krygz and Pashtuns of Afghanistan, Aghori's and Sadhu's of India, the people of Rukum's who helped him during a mishap and the courageous Gurkha's in the Nepal and ofcourse Dalai Lama.
All the locations that he travels in the book are worth googling. For instance: the Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan, Hunza valley in Pakistan, Dharamsala and Kashmir in India, Machhapuchchhre in Pokhara and Kathmandu in general.
In the book, the author has mentioned an incident where he along with his crew falls off a cliff 150m deep while they were travelling in a car.
Even after sustaining life threatening injuries and fractures, he returns back to the same point of Rukum after 5 months to continue the journey. This is admirable as well as outright crazy.
The book is a perfect mixture of cultures from various countries, conflicts, dangerous jungles and wonderful people that Levison meets on his way.
Ps. Pictures at the end of the book are an absolute treat
-----
Have you checked out Levison's prior adventure to the Nile? Walking the Nile
August 28, 2017
I wanted to read this after seeing the author speak, and being so taken with his story. Though I rarely read non-fiction, this read so well and smoothly, I might find myself picking up titles in the genre more often. I loved the way Wood described his journey and the people he encountered, and also that he didn't glorify danger or pretend this is something everyone should do. It was simply a totally satisfying way for me to be an armchair explorer and I can't wait to read about his other long journey walking the length of the Nile. Highly recommended!
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
July 26, 2017
Just like Levison Wood's other works,this is a well written travelogue.Its also a major television series but the book is also a goodread.It is a perfect book for all people who want to know about "Himalayan People and their lives ".
May 6, 2018
For a book on the Himalayas, this one is flimsy and superfluous. It seems the journey was undertaken only to write the book and not the other way. The stories and anecdotes he shares are cliche, without any real depth to them. And the fact that he calls illegal and unplanned development in Kathmandu which led to massive loss during the earthquake of 2015 'man's triumph over nature' is naive and ill-informed.
I labored my way through the book on most days, always wondering if it would be worth it. Turns out it wasn't.
I labored my way through the book on most days, always wondering if it would be worth it. Turns out it wasn't.
February 28, 2016
This is the tale of Levison Wood—six months, 2,736 km, four million steps, a handful of guides and one man walking. Wood recounts the beauty and danger along the Silk Road route of Afghanistan, the Line of Control between Pakistan and India, the disputed territories of Kashmir, the earthquake-ravaged lands of Nepal and the phallus-worshipping happiness of Bhutan
This review was first published for The Hans India
Raw, rugged and real
Packed with action and emotion, ‘Walking the Himalayas’ is the story of explorer Levison Wood’s trek from the western anchor of the Himalayas in Afghanistan to the eastern anchor of the magnificent mountains in Bhutan, traversing through Pakistan, India and Nepal.
Not to be humbled by the magnitude and dangers of the travel – it is after all, walking the length of the Himalayan ranges – but, the book does stand out with its breath-taking narration, dramatic writing style that leaves a reader gasping for more and the spiritual abundance Wood encounters across many faiths in his journey.
Over the course of six months, Levison Wood and his trusted guides, Malang, Binod and others trek 2,736 gruelling kilometres across the roof of the world—the book gives a realistic impression of a journey often endured rather than enjoyed what with the stories of simple families and their everyday lives.
The beauty in narration lies as to how Wood manages to strike a balance in sharing the magnitude of his own travel story while continuously giving equal (if not more) representation to the stories of people he met en route. It begins in the dusty perennial battlefields in Afghanistan with the Hindu Kush where if nature was kind, abundance of national and foreign military presence is not.
As he steps into Pakistan with the Karakorum in the backdrop, the terror-filled valleys, liberal Muslims of rural areas and the Line of Control (LoC) between Pakistan and India speak abundance of the country’s ground reality. Wood and his guide, Binod, battle the avalanche of landslides in the snow-capped Kashmir ranges; face the fury of nature in the monsoons of Nepal, which drowned their spirits and involved a near fatal accident in the region—the mighty Everest giving a sight to behold; camping in the dangerous jungle with tigers and wild elephants that gave them cheerful visits during the night and finally reaching the virgin ranges in Bhutan—every page is magnificently narrated; it is as if the reader travels with the author.
As Wood explains before his travel, the journey was not about climbing mountain peaks but, to walk the length of the Himalayas and live the many lives of the people the majestic mountains contain amidst the political unrest in all countries.
Spiritual abundance
Another major standout point is the spiritual abundance across the world’s roof. From the non-fasting Ismaili Muslims in Afghanistan to the khol-eyed Muslims practicing the Ramadan fest in Pakistan; the serenity of Tibetan Monks in Dharmasala and meeting His Holiness, the Dalai Lama; the orange swarm of swamis in Rishikesh and the lone Aghori baba; the honey capturers in Nepal and the penis worshipping, happiness measuring people of Bhutan—Wood learned not to challenge faiths and accept spirituality at all levels.
Each spiritual story across varied religions, including the superstitions, is a reminder of the power of faith. And, for the scale of traveller he is, Wood’s ultimate learning and realisation from the entire journey is a pleasant surprise for the readers because it is simple and well-known yet, its understanding is profound and philosophically magnificent.
The brave traveller and his phenomenally inspiring tale is an emotional roller coaster, which at the end will leave you smiling for his success and achievement especially at the peaceful calm atop the Snow Leopard Mountain, which he so named. The trek has been documented as a TV series for. Sure, watch it but read the book because it is so much more!
This review was first published for The Hans India
Raw, rugged and real
Packed with action and emotion, ‘Walking the Himalayas’ is the story of explorer Levison Wood’s trek from the western anchor of the Himalayas in Afghanistan to the eastern anchor of the magnificent mountains in Bhutan, traversing through Pakistan, India and Nepal.
Not to be humbled by the magnitude and dangers of the travel – it is after all, walking the length of the Himalayan ranges – but, the book does stand out with its breath-taking narration, dramatic writing style that leaves a reader gasping for more and the spiritual abundance Wood encounters across many faiths in his journey.
Over the course of six months, Levison Wood and his trusted guides, Malang, Binod and others trek 2,736 gruelling kilometres across the roof of the world—the book gives a realistic impression of a journey often endured rather than enjoyed what with the stories of simple families and their everyday lives.
The beauty in narration lies as to how Wood manages to strike a balance in sharing the magnitude of his own travel story while continuously giving equal (if not more) representation to the stories of people he met en route. It begins in the dusty perennial battlefields in Afghanistan with the Hindu Kush where if nature was kind, abundance of national and foreign military presence is not.
As he steps into Pakistan with the Karakorum in the backdrop, the terror-filled valleys, liberal Muslims of rural areas and the Line of Control (LoC) between Pakistan and India speak abundance of the country’s ground reality. Wood and his guide, Binod, battle the avalanche of landslides in the snow-capped Kashmir ranges; face the fury of nature in the monsoons of Nepal, which drowned their spirits and involved a near fatal accident in the region—the mighty Everest giving a sight to behold; camping in the dangerous jungle with tigers and wild elephants that gave them cheerful visits during the night and finally reaching the virgin ranges in Bhutan—every page is magnificently narrated; it is as if the reader travels with the author.
As Wood explains before his travel, the journey was not about climbing mountain peaks but, to walk the length of the Himalayas and live the many lives of the people the majestic mountains contain amidst the political unrest in all countries.
Spiritual abundance
Another major standout point is the spiritual abundance across the world’s roof. From the non-fasting Ismaili Muslims in Afghanistan to the khol-eyed Muslims practicing the Ramadan fest in Pakistan; the serenity of Tibetan Monks in Dharmasala and meeting His Holiness, the Dalai Lama; the orange swarm of swamis in Rishikesh and the lone Aghori baba; the honey capturers in Nepal and the penis worshipping, happiness measuring people of Bhutan—Wood learned not to challenge faiths and accept spirituality at all levels.
Each spiritual story across varied religions, including the superstitions, is a reminder of the power of faith. And, for the scale of traveller he is, Wood’s ultimate learning and realisation from the entire journey is a pleasant surprise for the readers because it is simple and well-known yet, its understanding is profound and philosophically magnificent.
The brave traveller and his phenomenally inspiring tale is an emotional roller coaster, which at the end will leave you smiling for his success and achievement especially at the peaceful calm atop the Snow Leopard Mountain, which he so named. The trek has been documented as a TV series for. Sure, watch it but read the book because it is so much more!
August 1, 2016
I stumbled onto this author via a comment on Instagram about a month ago, and I'm so glad I did. Lev's writing is filled with history, insight and emotion - usually all at the same time. His journey through the Himalayas is both heart-warming and, at times, terrifying. It's is a journey of the soul, of the body, and of the heart.
I devoured this book, and each time I had to pause in reading, my thoughts wandered back to it wondering what would come next. I was always grateful when I had a window in which to pick it up again.
This book is filled with grace, humor, and intelligence. I highly recommend it. And now I'm off to purchase "Walking the Nile"...
I devoured this book, and each time I had to pause in reading, my thoughts wandered back to it wondering what would come next. I was always grateful when I had a window in which to pick it up again.
This book is filled with grace, humor, and intelligence. I highly recommend it. And now I'm off to purchase "Walking the Nile"...
September 20, 2021
That was good however I did see the walk on TV a while back so knew some of the story. That said this filled in quite a few background aspects of series. Definitely a good one for armchair travellers 😀. Internet quite dodgy at present to expand on that!
July 7, 2021
Gotta say - Levison Wood really likes to walk!
I listened to this at the same time I was reading Walking the Nile, and so in many ways it's easier to review the two books together, which I'll do further down. But first, my comments on Himalayas as a stand-alone:
Had great expectations for this book based on reviews and the general subject matter. And in most ways, I was very happy with the result. Early on, Wood drops a mouth-watering list of people, places and books that reeled me in like a drunk catfish - Francis Younghusband, Wilfred Thesiger, Ahmad Shah Massoud, Rudyard Kipling; the Wakhan Corridor, Tiger's Nest monastery, McLeod Ganj; The Man Who Would Be King, A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush, Kim, Flashman...how could I not love this book?
The name-dropping stops as soon as he hits the trail, and from there it's a generally straight west-to-east journey that - whether intentional or coincidental - presents a fascinating lesson on history and religion in the region. Wood works his way east from Muslim Afghanistan and Pakistan into Hindu India and Nepal and then on into the Buddhism of Kashmir's "Little Tibet" and ultimately Bhutan. They also take us through such current conflicts as the war in Afghanistan, Indian-Pakistan border conflict, Maoist insurgency in Nepal and never-ending struggle for Tibetan independence. Plus, thanks to this book, I'm finally fairly clear on the differences between the Hindu Kush, Pamirs, Karakoram and Himalaya (neither of which should ever have an "s") - a major accomplishment in itself.
On the just-slightly-negative side, Wood's journey - while impressive - lacked the clear focus of his Nile adventure. While his African walk set out to hike the river from it's source all the way to the ocean - something never done before - his mountain trek was much more arbitrary. He admits that he was just looking for another epic walk, and so created a rather artificial goal of walking the length of the Himalaya, since there is no clear beginning or end, (something he himself admits). And so while an amazing trek in itself (especially as it followed so ridiculously close on the heels of his Nile walk), this really scores no points as any sort of "exploration," and breaks no real new ground. Also, while Wood isn't much of a photographer, what photos he did include in the book version really add to the story and keeping his various guides straight, and this is missing in the audiobook, (another point in itself: since he does his own narration, the whole book comes with a very strong and sometimes hard to understand Midlands [?] accent). I actually ended up getting the book version out of the library as well, just so I could see the photos and get a clearer idea of who Binod and Jamyang were (as well as how to spell all the names!). So for anyone who's interested, I would recommend the book over the audio version.
WALKING THE NILE and WALKING THE HIMALAYAS: I loved reading both these books, although I'd probably recommend doing so sequentially rather than simultaneously. They really tell one almost seamless story, and together cover two of my favorite regions. Unfortunately, in taking them as a whole, they end up suffering in comparison to similar and greater classics of travel literature, particularly Peter Fleming's Brazilian Adventure and News From Tartary. While I think of the Nile as desert and the Himalaya as mountains, both books spend a surprising amount of time in the jungle, which then corresponded to Fleming's book on the Amazon. And then Fleming's Tartary covers both the Chinese deserts and the Himalaya - so overall, both authors have written two excellent books on their travels in the jungle, desert and mountain. But Fleming (as well as Newby in Short Walk in the Hindu Kush) does so with a consistent and self-effacing British wit that is totally lacking in Wood's more matter-of-fact telling; and so while his books were consistently interesting, they were never amusing - as Fleming's were throughout. Fleming is also by far the better writer, whereas Wood is good but not great, occasionally falling into such cliches as "a watery grave" and "in one fell swoop." But equally important, both of Woods books lacked the "legitimate" purposes of Fleming's travels, (even if Fleming downplayed their importance). Despite being a hilarious travel story, Brazilian Adventure was a genuine effort to find out what happened to Percy Fawcett on his ill-fated search for the "lost city of Z." And Tartary was a London Times-sponsored attempt to find out what was happening in Chinese Turkestan just prior to the second Sino-Japanese War.
So while neither of Wood's books are true travel classics, they are fascinating reads on anyone interested in these two regions - and certainly one of the most current, as the two journeys only took place in 2014 and 2105.
I listened to this at the same time I was reading Walking the Nile, and so in many ways it's easier to review the two books together, which I'll do further down. But first, my comments on Himalayas as a stand-alone:
Had great expectations for this book based on reviews and the general subject matter. And in most ways, I was very happy with the result. Early on, Wood drops a mouth-watering list of people, places and books that reeled me in like a drunk catfish - Francis Younghusband, Wilfred Thesiger, Ahmad Shah Massoud, Rudyard Kipling; the Wakhan Corridor, Tiger's Nest monastery, McLeod Ganj; The Man Who Would Be King, A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush, Kim, Flashman...how could I not love this book?
The name-dropping stops as soon as he hits the trail, and from there it's a generally straight west-to-east journey that - whether intentional or coincidental - presents a fascinating lesson on history and religion in the region. Wood works his way east from Muslim Afghanistan and Pakistan into Hindu India and Nepal and then on into the Buddhism of Kashmir's "Little Tibet" and ultimately Bhutan. They also take us through such current conflicts as the war in Afghanistan, Indian-Pakistan border conflict, Maoist insurgency in Nepal and never-ending struggle for Tibetan independence. Plus, thanks to this book, I'm finally fairly clear on the differences between the Hindu Kush, Pamirs, Karakoram and Himalaya (neither of which should ever have an "s") - a major accomplishment in itself.
On the just-slightly-negative side, Wood's journey - while impressive - lacked the clear focus of his Nile adventure. While his African walk set out to hike the river from it's source all the way to the ocean - something never done before - his mountain trek was much more arbitrary. He admits that he was just looking for another epic walk, and so created a rather artificial goal of walking the length of the Himalaya, since there is no clear beginning or end, (something he himself admits). And so while an amazing trek in itself (especially as it followed so ridiculously close on the heels of his Nile walk), this really scores no points as any sort of "exploration," and breaks no real new ground. Also, while Wood isn't much of a photographer, what photos he did include in the book version really add to the story and keeping his various guides straight, and this is missing in the audiobook, (another point in itself: since he does his own narration, the whole book comes with a very strong and sometimes hard to understand Midlands [?] accent). I actually ended up getting the book version out of the library as well, just so I could see the photos and get a clearer idea of who Binod and Jamyang were (as well as how to spell all the names!). So for anyone who's interested, I would recommend the book over the audio version.
WALKING THE NILE and WALKING THE HIMALAYAS: I loved reading both these books, although I'd probably recommend doing so sequentially rather than simultaneously. They really tell one almost seamless story, and together cover two of my favorite regions. Unfortunately, in taking them as a whole, they end up suffering in comparison to similar and greater classics of travel literature, particularly Peter Fleming's Brazilian Adventure and News From Tartary. While I think of the Nile as desert and the Himalaya as mountains, both books spend a surprising amount of time in the jungle, which then corresponded to Fleming's book on the Amazon. And then Fleming's Tartary covers both the Chinese deserts and the Himalaya - so overall, both authors have written two excellent books on their travels in the jungle, desert and mountain. But Fleming (as well as Newby in Short Walk in the Hindu Kush) does so with a consistent and self-effacing British wit that is totally lacking in Wood's more matter-of-fact telling; and so while his books were consistently interesting, they were never amusing - as Fleming's were throughout. Fleming is also by far the better writer, whereas Wood is good but not great, occasionally falling into such cliches as "a watery grave" and "in one fell swoop." But equally important, both of Woods books lacked the "legitimate" purposes of Fleming's travels, (even if Fleming downplayed their importance). Despite being a hilarious travel story, Brazilian Adventure was a genuine effort to find out what happened to Percy Fawcett on his ill-fated search for the "lost city of Z." And Tartary was a London Times-sponsored attempt to find out what was happening in Chinese Turkestan just prior to the second Sino-Japanese War.
So while neither of Wood's books are true travel classics, they are fascinating reads on anyone interested in these two regions - and certainly one of the most current, as the two journeys only took place in 2014 and 2105.
January 10, 2016
The successor to Levison Wood's Walking The Nile, and the companion to a Channel 4 television series.
In 2015, Wood walked 1,700 miles from the Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan to Gankhar Puensum in Bhutan. He covered a greater length of the Himalayas than did Graeme Dingle and Peter Hillary in their 1981 mountaineering expedition, recorded in First Across The Roof Of The World, though Dingle and Hillary actually covered more distance as they wove in and out among the high summits.
Wood's route is mainly at a lower level, running through larger towns: Gilgit, Srinagar, Dharamsala, Pokhara, Kathmandu. As such, it's more about the people and cultures of the Himalayas than about the mountains themselves.
Wood is chatty and amiable, offering little bits of potted history and his own reminiscences about previous visits to the region. And the book is full of incident, only some of which made it into the television series. Fording rivers full of crocodiles, evacuating a flooding jungle camp site in the middle of the night, staying in a safehouse in Kabul, meeting the Dalai Lama, being involved in a near-fatal car crash ... and just chatting cheerily to everyone he meets, from roadside children to hostile army officers.
In 2015, Wood walked 1,700 miles from the Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan to Gankhar Puensum in Bhutan. He covered a greater length of the Himalayas than did Graeme Dingle and Peter Hillary in their 1981 mountaineering expedition, recorded in First Across The Roof Of The World, though Dingle and Hillary actually covered more distance as they wove in and out among the high summits.
Wood's route is mainly at a lower level, running through larger towns: Gilgit, Srinagar, Dharamsala, Pokhara, Kathmandu. As such, it's more about the people and cultures of the Himalayas than about the mountains themselves.
Wood is chatty and amiable, offering little bits of potted history and his own reminiscences about previous visits to the region. And the book is full of incident, only some of which made it into the television series. Fording rivers full of crocodiles, evacuating a flooding jungle camp site in the middle of the night, staying in a safehouse in Kabul, meeting the Dalai Lama, being involved in a near-fatal car crash ... and just chatting cheerily to everyone he meets, from roadside children to hostile army officers.
November 7, 2016
Walking the Himalayas by Levison Wood (Little, Brown & Co. 2016) (915.496). This bit of nonfiction is just what it says it is: the author's account of walking across the highest mountain range on earth from one end to the other. His background is the British military, but it appears that his real interest is taking a walk to see what he could see. I found this to be a pleasant enough record of his travels, yet there was really nothing new here. He writes effectively about his interactions with the natives (Hindi, Indians,Nepali, Afghans, etc.), but past writers who have written about mountaineering on Everest have covered all of this ground before. Walking the Himalayas is still a worthy read. My rating: 7/10, finished 11/7/16.
March 17, 2021
Another great read from Levinson Wood as he treks through Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bhutan. It’s not a book about climbing mountains but walking in their shadow. Sadly, he wasn’t allowed into Tibet but Bhutan has been able to retain its culture better given the absence of a Chinese invasion. It’s probably not quite as good as ‘Walking the Nile’ but still well worth a read if like me you like books about travel to remote places. He gets to meet the Dalai Lama who has some good advice for him ( and all of us ) - live in the moment.
February 28, 2017
The opening sequence in this book was riveting. I was hooked. From there, it deteriorated. For a 1700 mile walk across the Himalayas, I got no feel for the experience. With a handful of interesting events, the rest of the book is mostly about eastern religions. Great in places but lacking focus overall.
April 27, 2020
A terrific and sometimes gripping read
I'm giving this book five stars because it held my attention completely from start to finish. It was written in a very truthful and descriptive style which made for great reading. I loved it and anyone else who enjoys reading about travel and/or culture should read this!
I'm giving this book five stars because it held my attention completely from start to finish. It was written in a very truthful and descriptive style which made for great reading. I loved it and anyone else who enjoys reading about travel and/or culture should read this!
May 14, 2019
This was the first book from the author that I’ve read. I like to read travel books, but this one just didn’t grab me. I guess the main reason is because he had guides/experts to follow behind and hold his hand. Helicopter rides and a special meeting with the Dali Lama. Nope can’t relate ...he doesn’t travel like a regular person.
Miscellaneous questions or thoughts I had...
What all was in his pack?
“Are you a terrorist? What are you doing in this country?” Why doesn’t he just tell people to google him and that he does these treks to write books?
The Dali Lama said something and everybody roared with laughter. The night before reading this, we went to see Colin Hay in concert. Everything he said (“it’s Friday night!”), the audience roared. What a life. Oh, if you’re thinking of seeing Colin...don’t.
“Ashe and I walked ....” Did he leave his guide or just doesn’t view him as important enough to mention?
So ...what happened to the driver and policemen/detective in the car accident?
Miscellaneous questions or thoughts I had...
What all was in his pack?
“Are you a terrorist? What are you doing in this country?” Why doesn’t he just tell people to google him and that he does these treks to write books?
The Dali Lama said something and everybody roared with laughter. The night before reading this, we went to see Colin Hay in concert. Everything he said (“it’s Friday night!”), the audience roared. What a life. Oh, if you’re thinking of seeing Colin...don’t.
“Ashe and I walked ....” Did he leave his guide or just doesn’t view him as important enough to mention?
So ...what happened to the driver and policemen/detective in the car accident?
November 1, 2016
Root word for travel is travail, to go on a difficult journey. And certainly to trudge from one end of the Himalayas to another is asking for difficulty. Why do it? Well, author opines, it's an immense test of one's endurance and an immense learning experience. (Glad I could tag along via couch.) He begins his trek in a wild remote area of Afghanistan and ends in tightly knit Bhutan. Accompanied by a companion, a different one for each trip segment, he encounters a Hindu Kush rockslide, national park tigers, razor wire separating Pakistan and India, aloof nomads, a nighttime jeep wreck, audience with the Dali Lama, and much more -- all written in easy-going narrative. No squeaky clean guided tour this!
February 22, 2020
What a special read . Always love travelogues but this one was a page turner . I haven’t watched the TV series yet , but walking with Levison around the Himalayas was mesmerising. A flowing narrative and a crisp documentation of the various cultures around the Himalayas .. The Afghanistan and Nepal episodes were just too good . Looking forward to more of your walks and books !
December 29, 2017
I really enjoy good writing in travel books. Levison Wood writes good descriptions of the sites as he travels. I was quite disappointed with Walking the Himalyas after having read Walking the Nile. This book seemed less fresh and had much more contrived writing than his previous book.
February 22, 2020
A fairly good piece of travel journalism, but not the best. I have read a few books about long treks but this one seemed to skim over the surface of the actual task of walking for weeks on end and because of this, it felt a bit shallow.
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