Arising at 5.15am from the very comfortable houseboat we tucked in to some eggs and bread and made our way to collect Alex, Joe, Lauren and Tara (our fellow trekkers) from the house boat 3 down the lake.We got to the other side and jumped in our jeep, strangely named "Dreamgirl" and headed to the village where we would start our 2 day 1 night trek in the Himalayas.Very excited we all were as we meandered the lake and mountain roads after going through the numerous and somewhat nervy police checkpoints.

After the checkpoints the guides got a live chicken, had it killed and plucked and then we were on our way to the place we would park up and walk the remaining distance to "base camp".Base camp was a beautiful setting, right by the river and at the bottom of the Himalayan foothills.We stayed here for a few hours and as the sun was out all of us lay on massive rocks in the sunshine while the guides sat in the shade and made us some lunch.

After a very tasty lunch and a short walk up a nearby hill (I think they were testing out our fitness) we settled back down at base camp and got to know each other a bit better with some amusing stories and a roaring camp fire - if I had had a guitar and knew how to play I think a few camp fire tunes may have happened.Instead we settled for more curry in the dark and all sat mesmerised by the fire.Now I had imagined the fire would have been started the traditional way with some kindling and maybe creating a spark with some flint in the way Bear Grills would have done it but the Indian guys had brought with them a massive can of petrol to get the fire started - I guess it was quicker.

The guides had said that due to only being a 2 day trek and having spent the first day lying in the sun we would need to set off early in order to get anywhere up the mountain.Liz and I were up at about 6.30am eager to get going and see if we had anything that resembled fitness left.However, the guides and the other guys arose somewhat later around 8am so after breakfast we set off up the mountain with quite a climb ahead of us.

The first hour of the climb was gruelling.It was so steep and long that we were all in dire need of a break and some water every 5 minutes.I was leading the charge which I was happy about having had the guy Alex say to me "even though you are much older than us I bet you are fitter".Out of the 3 girls Liz was way out in front and as the other 2 struggled, puffed and wheezed Liz was up at the top with the 3 boys at the same time resting and waiting for the stragglers.

We continued up the mountain and tried our best to keep up with the sherpa leading us.It would probably be a fitting time to mention that this guy was like a machine.He wore his traditional outfit with a kids school style jumper on and slip on suit shoes and yet he was so far in front of us it was unbelievable.We caught him up and had a lunch of eggs, jam sandwiches and potatoes with masala powder on and then the 2 girls said they couldn't continue so headed back down with one of the guides.

So it was left to Liz, Alex, Joe and I to power on up as high as we could before time restraints meant we had to go back down.On the way up the views were out of this world, we were so high up we were in the clouds but when they occasionally parted we were greeted with the most spectacular scenery we were very happy that we had splashed out on the trek.As we reached the top, the sherpa sat down and gave us 2 Haywards 5000 beers between the four of us and we washed those down whilst admiring the view.We had quite a few of the mountain gypsies come up and look at us quizzically and we took some interesting photos and tried to say hello despite them having no idea what we were saying.

On the way back down the sherpa stepped it up a notch and was speeding (practically running) down the mountain in his Clarks slip ons so we did our very best to keep up as he shouted and whistled at us to hurry up as if we were his herd of goats.Liz found some of the ground a bit slippery so the sherpa came back and grabbed her wrist and pretty much lead her down the mountain over some very steep slopes and precarious rocks.

On reaching the bottom (having overtaken the stragglers) we all sat down and felt the pain in our feet as most of the group had acquired various blisters.This was followed by a jeep ride back to the boat.On route there was a slight hold up with about 150 Hindus all protesting and causing a blockade in the road which despite being in a 4x4 we could get passed.They were all shouting and chanting at the police as they had been stopped from climbing up the mountain to a temple.There was a 2pm cut off point so as they had turned up late the police said that it was too dangerous hence they were very unhappy.For a country with no sign whatsoever of health and safety this must have been a very dangerous climb in the dark to have stopped so many angry Hindus!We got passed this commotion eventually and back to the houseboat with everyone very ready for a shower and a good nights sleep.

Amazing trip as the views were incredible, the challenge well needed and the fact we went to bed tired from exercise was a lovely feeling.

Sam