Our History
A Christmas story about John and Diane's time in Nepal in the 1960's.
Six Decades of Connection, Discovery, and Adventure
The Beginning: 1964
The lifetime involvement of John and Diane McKinnon with Asia began in 1964. John, a 5th year medical student, was invited to join Sir Edmund Hillary on an expedition in Nepal. Here, he became part of the Hillary group who built several schools and an airstrip at Lukla, which now is the main access to the Everest region. The team also made the first ascent of Mt Thamserku, a difficult peak. Those experiences changed his life.Returning back home, John completed his medical studies and married Diane, at that time a primary school teacher. In 1966, the young couple were selected as the first volunteer pair for Hillary's planned hospital at Khunde village.
Life Among the Sherpas
For two months during early construction of the hospital building, Diane stayed in Kathmandu acting as 'supply officer' for the multitude of materials which needed air transport to the Lukla airstrip and thence to the construction site three days up valley. Back together, John and Diane farewelled Hillary's building group and settled into life at Khunde.
John was a raw medical graduate, with more confidence than medical experience or expertise. Fortunately for the local Sherpas, most of their medical demands were not complex or if they were, the Sherpa patient placed greater faith in the local shaman or lama than in the young doctor! By day, Diane taught youngsters at the nearby Hillary-school of Khumjung and at night gave English lessons for adults who needed language fluency as mountain guides and within trekking lodges.
Adopted into the local community, it was for both Diane and John a life-changing time. They each made friendships which lasted beyond a lifetime. Those years forged deep emotional roots to the Sherpa people, roots that embraced Sherpa culture, the broader Nepal world, and Hillary's development work in Nepal.
Building a Family and Career
After more than two years at Khunde, the McKinnons returned to New Zealand, but not before their son, Dorje, was born in Kathmandu. John trained as an ophthalmologist in New Zealand, this is when their daughter Rebeccah was born. John continued his training in London before returning to Nelson, New Zealand in 1975 as a specialist eye surgeon. Diane managed their home and family life, and assisted John's professional practice.Since those early Nepal years of the 1960s, they have both returned to Nepal every two to three years, maintaining the deep connections formed during their time at Khunde.
The Birth of Footprints Tours
In the early 1970s, trekking in Nepal was much less understood and developed than it is today. Because of her experience, Diane was asked to lead a trek group into the Khumbu region of Nepal. Every year, she took groups to Nepal on behalf of a New Zealand company, Venture Treks.
When the owner of Venture Treks died unexpectedly, Diane formed her own company: Footprints Tours Ltd.Since that time, Footprints has taken many groups from New Zealand to wider Asia. The initial emphasis was general trekking in Nepal. This soon developed into specialized treks visiting regions such as the little-known Tsum Valley and remote parts of Mustang. Diane's botanical interest was satisfied by monsoon treks with an accompanying Himalayan botanist.Her fascination with textiles led to annual trips to textile regions of India and later the Silk Road. Repeat visits allowed strong friendships to develop between Diane, John, and the amazing craftspeople of those regions. For many clients who joined these trips, the close involvement of their tour with village artisans was a special highlight.
Expanding Horizons
John's retirement from ophthalmic practice in the late 1990s allowed him to take his historical interests into the travels of Footprints Tours. His historical knowledge and fascination with porcelain were of value on the company's later tours to China and the Silk Road.
The Next Generation
Now in their 80s, the older McKinnons, John and Diane, are stepping aside for a younger generation of the family. Their fresh ideas will inject enthusiasm into the personal and very special tours of Footprints. May they have as much fun as their elders, and may their expertise excite travelers who enjoy knowledgeable travel.
Footprints Tours Ltd - Sharing authentic connections across Asia since 1988