Mountains
When hiking, all I need is in my backpack and the only things I care about are food, pee, and sleep. Hence, I forget the world below. Whenever I feel unsettled, I retreat to the mountains. Life is so simple up there that my brain switches off and my batteries recharge. My mind quiets, my thoughts slow down, and I can breathe again. I see clearly what really matters and where my path is leading. In the mountains, I feel grounded and at peace. There is a lightness in my heart that I rarely find anywhere else. This is what I want others to experience when they come hiking with me.
My hikes are not about reaching summits, ticking off goals, or chasing personal bests. They are about experiencing the mountains with all our senses and connecting with nature, with others, and with ourselves. We walk slowly, take plenty of breaks, and stay present in the moment. We talk when it feels right, and we walk in silence when that is what we need. There is space and time for whatever serves us best.
The trips I offer throughout the year vary in location, length, comfort level, technical difficulty, and required fitness. I want to make space for different interests, needs, and abilities. Should I still miss something or someone, I am always open for tour suggestions to include them in my portfolio next year.
Traveling
When I was eleven years old, my cousin went to the United States for a high school exchange program. That was the moment I began planning my first trip. Five years later, I spent a year studying in Canada. After finishing school, I volunteered for a year in Guatemala, studied part of my bachelor's degree in Copenhagen, completed my master's in Nottingham, and spent six years working in London.
Over the years, I have traveled to more than 40 countries—often alone and for several months at a time. In the beginning, I was drawn to the passion and energy of Latin America. Later, I found peace in the stillness of Southeast Asia, and eventually felt inspired by the vibrant spirit of Africa. In 2019, I left my job in London to travel the world, but fell in love with the Himalayas and stayed. That journey turned into a deep connection with South Asia, and especially with the complexity and extremes of India.
The pandemic brought me back to Germany. I returned to Bonn, where I began working for the German government and started a master's degree in South Asian Studies and Hindi. At the same time, I began training as a mountain guide, planting the first seeds of what would become my own travel venture. When I was younger, I imagined that one day I would want to settle down. Now I know: traveling is not just something I do—it is my way of life. And with Shanti Treks, I am excited to take that life to the next level and share it with others.
