This is one of the most common concerns I hear, and it is something especially many women feel deep down. I completely understand - I have joined tours in the past myself where I was left behind, simply because I naturally walk at a slow and steady pace. It is a rhythm that makes me a great long-distance hiker, but not a fast one. That experience stayed with me. Because of it, I have become very protective of the slower walkers on my tours. Shanti Treks is not about performance, competition, or proving anything. My philosophy is simple: find peace in the mountains.

On my Nepal treks, the name 'Shanti Pace' got established for my calm, steady pace, and the name stuck. A steady, calm rhythm that has become part of what people appreciate about my tours. Over time, more and more guests have joined specifically because of this consistent and gentle pace, which not every mountain guide can or wants to maintain. You do not need to be fast or super fit to join. The real goal is not to cover the most distance or reach a summit quickly. It is to spend meaningful time outdoors, to move in rhythm with nature, and to enjoy the calm that comes from walking with awareness. We take breaks often, breathe deeply, and take in the views. You will be supported every step of the way, no matter your pace. What matters most is your willingness to show up, to connect - with the landscape, with yourself, and with those walking beside you. And when you do, you might find that the peace you’ve been searching for is not at the destination - It is in the walking itself.

This is such a common worry, and I understand it—because I still feel it myself. I have travelled and hiked solo for over 20 years, and even now, I still get a bit of an uneasy feeling when joining a new group on my own. That small flutter of uncertainty is totally normal. Over time I realised that moments of connection often feel more meaningful when I join events alone. When you come with a friend or are part of a familiar group, it is easy to stay in your comfort zone. But arriving solo opens you up—to others, to the environment, and often, to yourself in a new way. What starts with hesitation often ends with a full heart and new friendships you did not expect.

Another common worry is the fear of not fitting in. Will I be too different? Too quiet? Too inexperienced? Too young or old? These thoughts are completely natural, especially when joining a group of strangers. But time and again, I have seen how quickly those fears fade. When you spend a day outdoors, moving together, sharing simple moments and stories, connection happens naturally. You do not have to be a certain type of person to belong; you just have to show up as you are.

For the hiking-weekend above lake Achensee in June, all guests are joining solo—and they come from three different countries. This is not unusual, but something I see often on my trips. It tends to create a warm, open group dynamic that many find especially enriching. Within a day, those first nerves are replaced by shared stories, mountain laughter, and quiet, comfortable silences. You quickly realise you are in the best company - surrounded by others who have felt the same uncertainty. That unspoken understanding naturally leads to a group dynamic that is kind, open, and supportive. At Shanti Treks, you will not feel like “the one who came alone” but like someone who belongs exactly where they are.

It is a fair question - and one that often depends on how one defines "comfort". For me, comfort in the mountains looks different than it does at home. It is stepping into a warm, dry hut after a misty or cold hike and holding a steaming cup of tea in a quiet common room. It is a simple, soft bed after a long day on the trail. It is hot water to rinse off the effort of the day, and a warm, nourishing meal after a squashed cheese sandwich eaten at the summit.

Mountain huts are basic, yes - but they have everything you truly need. And with time, they have taught me something valuable: how little luxury I actually need to feel content. Being up there - even just for a few nights - resets your sense of what is essential. In a world that constantly tells us what we need to be happy, the simplicity of hut life gently reminds us: it is often much less than we think. And many huts today are not at all what we may imagine from years past. They have been lovingly renovated, such as The Meißnerhaus, where we stay during our Hiking and Yoga Week in June, which now offers newly renovated washing facilities - perfect for a refreshing rinse after a day on the trail. Some are also lovely decorated, with thoughtful touches like hammocks, sun loungers, outdoor showers, and sunny terraces that invite you to linger. Both the Meißnerhaus and the Priener Hütte, where we stay for a Hiking- and Yoga-Weekend in August, have lovingly designed yoga rooms - bright, peaceful spaces that invite you to stretch, breathe, and arrive fully in the mountains. There is a clear effort to create a cosy, welcoming environment—without losing the simplicity and charm of mountain life.