About Us

Connie Umbenhower, Founder and Author

Born and reared in the Himalayan foothills of Northeastern India, Connie Umbenhower is the author of The Deity Diet and founder of Himalayan Boot Camp - wellness eco-excursions.

At the age of 16, Connie immigrated to the Yukon Territory in Canada, and two years later she attended college in California where she met her husband and settled down. Since she left the Himalayan foothills of Northeastern India, Connie has been back and forth to India over 16 times. In addition to India and Canada, Connie has traveled to over 15 different countries, some of which are Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, France, Switzerland, and England.

Connie’s experiences with the different styles of cooking - from her childhood and adult years in India, Canada and the United States, her travels throughout the world and exposure to a kaleidoscope of culinary favorites, eating local and enjoying beautiful places - created a desire to combine a complete all inclusive wellness program so others can trek exotic locations and eat healthy, while experiencing local life and cuisine.

In her forthcoming book The Deity Diet, Connie discusses the nutritional and medicinal value of spices and herbs and how to incorporate them into normal everyday foods, including some of her favorite healthy, recipes.

Because of her treasured memories and love for India and her interest in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, Connie founded Himalayan Boot Camp to provide  others with the opportunity to experience the rich culture of India, and to enjoy the beautiful, stunning remote areas of the Himalayan region, all this while they enjoy healthy nutritious cuisine, join in yoga and meditation classes, and participate in fitness hikes and nature walks among fabulous, lush, topical, almost sacred surroundings.

Alicia Dunams, Professional Trail Blazer and Adventure Planner

Most people have never traveled around the world, but by age 23, Alicia Dunams had done it twice.  With a backpack full of maps and travelers' checks, Alicia set out to crew on a Yacht in the Cook Islands, trek across Nepal, and bicycle through Ireland.  Though all did not go as planned, Alicia discovered people and places that would forever change her sense of self. 

Her travels were documented by LA Times Travel Writer Susan Spano, and on her second journey around the world, Alicia documented her own experiences as a travel writer for Travelzoo.com.  She sailed the South Pacific on a 50-ft ketch sail boat, trekked through the Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal, fell in love in Fiji and out of love in London, and was even spit on by an irate camel in the Sahara Dessert.  Through all these adventures, in a journey that encompassed over 36 countries, Alicia's tour of the world resulted in a lifetime of memories and unforgettable experiences.

Alicia joins Himalayan Boot Camp to ensure the clients have an awesome, holistic wellness experience.

DRS. Helena Klitsie, Yoga Instructor

Using her considerable experience and expertise, Helena joins Himalayan Boot Camp to provide daily yoga and meditation sessions for our guests. In addition to regular classes, she will be available on selected hikes and walks, where she will initiate impromptu meditation and breathing exercises providing for a really “holistic” experience for our guests.

Helena has studied, practiced and taught yoga for more than 25 years.

She studied mainly in India but also in her homeland The Netherlands. Teachers and Institutes in India include: B.K.S. Iyengar, Clive Sheridan, The Vivekananda Yoga Kendra in Bangalore, The Shivananda Yoga Centre in Nayardamm, The Yoga Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, Bihar School of Yoga teachers in Bodhgaya, BKS Iyengar Yoga school in Amsterdam and many more.

She has been teaching Hatha Yoga in Amsterdam, India and in the meditation retreats of Wat Suan Mokh, a famous Buddhist monastery in Koh Samui, Thailand.

She has two books on the subject to her name (in Dutch and German): Liefde's Logika and Moeder India.

Helena is a doctorandus in Western Philosophy but has specialized in Eastern Philosophy. She has two books on the subject to her name (in Dutch and German):

Liefde's Logika and Moeder India.  She is still writing books and articles for magazines.

For many years she has been teaching Buddhist and Hindu Philosophy at the Open University of Amsterdam. Among others the Yoga Sutra's of Patanjali. She is also a qualified masseuse, having studied Ayurvedic massage in Rishikesh and Thai massage in Thailand.

Helena is married to an Indian and presently living in Kolkata.