Kathmandu: Into the heart of chaos.

We’ve arrived—and the city swallows us whole.

There’s no soft landing here. Kathmandu hits you like a wave: cars, scooters, rickshaws, bicycles, and people everywhere, all moving with a purpose only they understand. The honking is constant, but somehow not aggressive. It’s more like a language. A lot of noise, a lot of movement, and an unexpected kind of harmony in the chaos. We quickly learn that crossing the street is not for the faint-hearted—you really do have to look in all directions at once to avoid becoming part of the traffic.

Waiting for us at the airport is Chiring, our Sherpa. He greets us with traditional flowers and a smile so wide and genuine that it seems permanently etched on his face. There’s something instantly calming about him—like he’s the calm in the middle of this urban storm.

The drive to the hotel feels a bit like Russian roulette. Lanes are not existent and vehicles seem to dance around each other in some unwritten choreography. Somehow, we make it in one piece.

After settling in and a quick nap to shake off the travel fatigue, we head out into the buzzing streets. Tomorrow, our trek begins, and there’s still prep to be done. We’re staying in Thamel—the tourist heart of the city and a hub for trekkers. It’s a maze of narrow streets lined with gear shops, restaurants, and tiny cafes. You can get anything you need for the mountains here, often for next to nothing.

Theo needs a jacket and walks away with a surprisingly nice “TheNorthFace” down jacket for just €38. Even if it survives only this trip, it’s a steal.

The last task of the day: cash. Once we’re on the trail, ATMs will be rare (if not nonexistent), and card payments are virtually unheard of. We grab 30,000 Nepali Rupees—roughly enough to feel slightly wealthier and much better prepared.

Finally we head back to the hotel to catch up on some sleep. Tomorrow, the real adventure begins.