Greetings from Seattle!
I’ve simply kicked off my second main journey of 2023, and it’s one which I’ve been wanting ahead to for years. This journey will deliver me and my spouse Ashley to a few of the tallest mountains on the earth, earlier than we head proper again all the way down to sea degree for some much-needed downtime.
After a dash to the end line to get the whole lot prepared for our journey, which required us to pack for 2 fully totally different locations, we’re toasting our departure with a glass of glowing wine on the new Centurion Lounge and anticipating the numerous adventures forward.
The Journey
As somebody who’s lucky to journey fairly continuously, I’m typically requested about my favorite locations on the earth. With out fail, one of many a number of that I record (it’s unimaginable to decide on only one) is Nepal.
The previous kingdom nestled within the majestic Himalayan mountains has been a spot that I’ve wished to return to ever since my first journey there again in 2008. Again then, my pals and I felt as if we have been transported to a distinct world, and whereas I’m positive loads has modified up to now 15 years, I’ve a slight feeling that some issues haven’t.
My earlier journey was with a bunch of pals after we have been all in our early 20s, and we had an absolute blast discovering our approach by way of the Annapurna mountains and trying to find yetis excessive above the alpine line. As I’ve gotten older, I do know that this journey could have a little bit of a distinct vibe, however I’m very thrilled to be heading again this time with Ashley, who will likely be experiencing Nepal’s majesty for the primary time.
It’s been a very long time since I’ve introduced my backpack on a visit, having lengthy since swapped it out for a set of rolling baggage. As I used to be packing it up for this journey, it introduced me again to after I was setting out on my first-ever worldwide journey again in 2005.
After a number of days acclimatizing and exploring the streets in Kathmandu, we’ll embark on a journey into the Langtang area of the Himalayas to do a trek. If the Langtang sounds acquainted, it is perhaps as a result of it was one of many areas of Nepal that was most affected by the devastating earthquake that shook the nation in 2015.
We opted for this area of Nepal on account of its relative proximity to Kathmandu, since we had a little bit of a brief timeline to work with. A buddy of mine has additionally trekked within the space many instances, and advised that the world is a bit much less trodden than different common trekking routes, such because the Annapurna space and, after all, Everest Base Camp.
Anybody heading out for a trek is now required to have a information with them. This latest improvement didn’t have an effect on us, although, as we’d opted to rearrange for one anyway, utilizing the identical clothes shop, First Environmental Trekking, that assisted us again in 2008.
I’ll be writing a really detailed article concerning the trek, however briefly, we’ll make our approach as much as a most altitude of round 5,000 metres over the course of 9 days. The trek will deliver us by way of a number of various settings, and if it’s something like my final go to to Nepal, we’ll wrestle to take a foul image.
After settling again in Kathmandu for a number of extra days of momos (Nepali dumplings) and masala chai, we make our technique to Mumbai by way of Delhi. We’re utilizing Mumbai as a pit cease as we make our technique to an island in the midst of the Indian Ocean for the second main a part of our journey.
After totally having fun with our keep at Le Méridien Maldives final 12 months, we’re aiming to go to an island far-off from the whole lot as typically as we will. This time, we’ll discover ourselves in Mauritius for some much-needed downtime at sea degree after climbing approach up into the clouds.
Because it seems, there are a number of hikes that we’re wanting ahead to on the island, and we hope to catch a glimpse of the well-known “underwater waterfall” phantasm from Le Morne Brabant, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.
For this a part of the journey, we’ve rented a automobile, and can wind up doing a complete lap across the island over the course of eight days. Our aim is to have a pleasant mixture of exercise and leisure, as we’ll be staying at some properties that look like completely pretty.
On the tail finish of the journey, we’ll hop all over the world to get again to Vancouver in time for the Prince of Journey Signature Occasion, Vancouver 2023. I’m wanting ahead to a different weekend with my colleagues on the Prince of Journey workforce and the numerous friends in attendance for a day of all issues Miles & Factors.
The Flights
We started planning this journey in the direction of the top of our go to to Australia final fall. As I used to be poking round for some attention-grabbing locations and flights, I discovered a comparatively direct routing for each components of the journey, and we determined to provide it a shot.
For the primary half, we’ve got a fast positioning flight from Vancouver to Seattle with Air Canada, after which proceed onwards to Kathmandu with a single connection in Istanbul with Turkish Airways.
We’ll be on the 787 Dreamliner from Seattle to Istanbul, after which on the Airbus A330 from Istanbul to Kathmandu. Of the 2, the primary flight could have a superior laborious product, however the gentle product on each flights ought to be wonderful, as is often the case with Turkish Airways.
In Istanbul, our connection time is lengthy sufficient to qualify for a nap room, which is a characteristic that I actually recognize. After some relaxation and a piping sizzling bathe, my plan is to hover across the pide station and benefit from the many culinary delights that may be discovered within the Turkish Airways Enterprise Lounge Istanbul.
After the trek, we’ve got a flight from Kathmandu to Delhi with Air India in financial system, after which fly onward to Mumbai with Vistara’s regional enterprise class product. Flights to India are usually fairly tough to return by today in any class of service, and whereas it could have been ideally suited to have enterprise class for each flights, we’re superb with financial system for a shorter-haul flight.
After our keep in Mumbai, I’m very excited to see what certainly one of Aeroplan‘s most unusual companions, Air Mauritius, is all about. The airline joined forces with Aeroplan again in 2022, and by all means, it seems to have a sexy product.
From Mumbai to Mauritius, we’ll be on the Airbus A330-200 plane, which incorporates a 2-2-2 configuration.
As we start our lengthy journey house, we’ll fly from Mauritius to London on the airline’s flagship Airbus A350-900 enterprise class product. At a size of over 12 hours, having a lie-flat seat will make a world of distinction.
After a brief layover in London, we’ll head to Denver in United Polaris enterprise class, which will likely be my first encounter with the US provider’s product.
To wrap issues up, we’ll fly in Air Canada financial system from Denver to Vancouver, though I’ve utilized eUpgrades to the reserving and hope that they’ll come by way of.
Given our origin and locations, I knew that flights utilizing Aeroplan factors wouldn’t be low cost. In actual fact, we’d be hitting the second-highest value level for enterprise class redemptions, as our complete distance flown labored out to be within the fourth distance band on the “Between North America and Atlantic zones” chart.
In complete, our journey priced out at round 115,000 factors per particular person per course. Nonetheless, I believed that this could be a superb use of a Tremendous Elite Precedence Reward, which cuts the price in half.
Reasonably than a complete of simply over 460,000 Aeroplan factors between the 2 of us, our value dropped all the way down to 233,300 factors. I’m fairly happy with the worth I received from the Precedence Rewards on this reserving, which I earned final 12 months on a mileage run and paying money for a premium financial system flight to Europe.
One attention-grabbing facet of this redemption is the whopping quantity of taxes and costs we’ve incurred. We have been dinged round $413 (CAD) every, which got here on account of plenty of airport enchancment charges, vacationer charges, safety charges, person charges, and so forth and so forth.
Sadly, taxes and costs are half and parcel with including plenty of locations to a single reserving, and to be truthful, at the very least we’re not simply paying a bunch of gas surcharges.
We’re overlaying over 25,000 flown miles on this journey throughout 4 continents at a fraction of what the price would have been if we have been to have paid money.
The Inns
The primary a part of our journey doesn’t have something too thrilling on the aspirational resort entrance. Once we arrive in Kathmandu, we’ll spend an evening paid with money on an business charge on the Kathmandu Marriott Lodge as we relaxation up from the 13 hour and 45 minute time distinction (Nepal has an odd time zone).
For our subsequent two nights in Kathmandu, we’ll base out of the Aloft Kathmandu Thamel, which we booked with money on an business charge. We’ll be out and about exploring the fascinating metropolis, and have been on the lookout for a spot that was a bit nearer to the motion whereas saving a bit of money alongside the way in which.
Within the mountains, we’ll be doing teahouse trekking, which is a superb technique to journey. Every evening, we’ll keep at a lodge in some unspecified time in the future alongside the way in which, often in the identical place the place you’ve gotten dinner.
The lodging is straightforward and rustic, and fairly inexpensive, too. In my view, it positive beats tenting, and we’ll particularly recognize the nice and cozy fires as we achieve altitude alongside the way in which.
Again in Kathmandu, we’ve got a few nights on the Fairfield by Marriott Kathmandu, once more booked with money on an business charge.
At this level within the journey, the lodges begin to grow to be far more attention-grabbing.
We’ve booked two nights on the JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu, paid for with Marriott Bonvoy factors for 39,000 factors per evening. This will likely be each of our first time visiting Mumbai, and the resort’s location proper by Juhu Seashore seems to be an ideal spot to chill out for a number of days.
Our first cease in Mauritius will likely be on the southwest nook of the island, the place we’ll spend two nights on the JW Marriott Mauritius. I booked this keep by way of an unconventional business charge, and I’m curious to see the way it works out.
Happily, the resort is situated near the trailhead for Le Morne Brabant, and I’ve learn many good experiences of the resort’s high quality typically.
From there, we head up island for 2 nights at Le Méridien Ile Maurice, booked with factors for 32,000 factors per evening. My spouse and I recognize the Le Méridien model, and I hope to proceed my sizzling streak of memorable stays.
We’ll make a brief drive as much as the Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa for a single evening. This resort has a terrific status, and I’ll be curious to check the property with the opposite Marriott lodges within the space.
I booked our keep on a Marriott Luminous charge for $390 (USD). A redemption at the moment costs out at round 62,000 factors, and I wished to preserve my Bonvoy steadiness for some stays in a while this 12 months.
The speed comes with plenty of value-added inclusions, similar to breakfast (which we already get pleasure from with my Platinum Elite standing), a $100 (USD) resort credit score (which we’ll use to pay for dinner), and a complimentary bottle of glowing wine to get pleasure from throughout dinner.
It’s additionally price noting that this property has a Keep for 3, Pay for two and a Keep for 8, Pay for six promotion. For those who’re planning a visit to Mauritius, make sure you get in contact with us for entry to this deal.
We’ll wrap up the journey with a pleasant keep on the 4 Seasons Mauritius, over on the east coast of the island. We have been generously supplied two nights on the home by the property in assist of our journey company, which doesn’t have an effect on the autonomy of my evaluate.
This will likely be my first style with the beautiful 4 Seasons model, and after listening to from Ricky about his stays at numerous properties up to now, I’m fairly positive we’re in for a deal with.
Whereas there received’t be an overwater villa this time round, I’m curious to see how an expertise in Mauritius compares with the Maldives. Each are completely beautiful, aspirational locations with loads of pure magnificence, however they’re additionally fairly totally different.
In any occasion, Mauritius will likely be our island-in-the-middle-of-the-ocean keep for the 12 months, which will likely be a beautiful technique to decompress after climbing up in the direction of the sky in Nepal.
Conclusion
We’re off to some far-off lands for a pleasant mixture of mountains, cities, and seashores. We’re overlaying a variety of floor in a comparatively brief interval of 4 weeks, however it shouldn’t be too packed to really feel rushed.
I’m all the time excited to fly with Turkish Airways, and will probably be good to additionally try what Air Mauritius is all about as certainly one of Aeroplan’s extra distinctive companions.
Our lodging on this journey ranges from bare-bones to oozing with luxurious, which is a pleasant combine. I’m wanting ahead to sharing the expertise by way of some evaluations and guides that cowl a few of the distinctive actions we’ll be collaborating in throughout this journey.
