Horizon West resident travels around the world in 80 days

Jules Verne, in his 1872 novel, “Around the World in Eighty Days,” writes of Phileas Fogg taking steamships, hot-air balloons, trains and even elephants on his 80-day trek around the globe.

Horizon West resident Amrut Patel was inspired by the book and took an 80-day adventure as well this summer — but he had all the modern conveniences. The 64-year-old traveler recreated the trip by taking 32 flights to visit 26 countries on six continents.

Patel is a retired certified public accountant, and he spends about 50% of his time traveling. He has visited 106 countries on all seven continents in his lifetime. This year’s trip added 16 new countries to his list. This year, he also visited his sixth of the six Walt Disney World theme parks around the world.

Patel took his third trip to hike Kilimanjaro in January. He said it was a special trip because he was able to take Windermere High School graduate Carson McCullough with him. Patel had served as McCullough’s youth leader through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints several years ago when the youth was 16 years old.

McCullough was inspired by Patel’s travels and asked him to take him to Kilimanjaro. Patel encouraged him to save his money and reach out again when he was older.

After McCullough served a two-year mission for the church, he saved his money and then contacted Patel, asking if the time was right for the two to make the trip to Kilimanjaro. Patel agreed it was, and they set out on their adventure at the beginning of the year.

In all, Patel has climbed three of the seven summits: Mount Elbrus in Russia, Mount Aconcagua in Argentina and Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. He has not hiked to the summit of Mount Everest, but he has been to the Everest base camp in Nepal three times, including once when he ran a full marathon there five years ago.

Of all the places Patel has visited, he said his favorite is the mountains of Nepal. 

“I find peace and feel close to God there,” he said.

WANDERLUST

Patel had an epiphany years ago about climbing Mount Everest, but after turning 50 on his first trip to Nepal, he fell in love with mountains, hiking and climbing in general, and, particularly, the Everest region.

“There is more to life than working all the time,” he said. “I felt like I can make more money, but I can’t make more time. At the time, I owned a hotel in Kentucky and sold it, started traveling with a vengeance. I made my first trip to Everest base camp in 2015 and loved it. I come to love the Beauty of God’s creation.”

After he turned 50, he was climbing with people half his age.

“I feel like I am a people person and love seeing new things, meeting local people and learning about different cultures,” Patel said. “It’s a big world, but I feel small when I am in remote corners of the world.”

Patel said his favorite part about traveling is “seeing the beauty of the Earth, appreciating it, sharing with others that might not have opportunities to travel.”

He has a passtion for learning about other cultures, people and history.

“I try to go off the beaten path, (so to) speak, and meet and talk to local people in their communities,” he said. “I think you learn more. Again, we have conflicts around the world, but when you see and talk to people, the barriers of language, distance, shyness are lifted.”

Where will Patel go next?

He is planning a trip to Patagonia in November, which is the unspoiled wilderness that spans from Chile and Argentina.

“I am certain pictures and BBC planet documentaries will not do it justice,” Patel said. “If you are open to adventures, then places to go to see and do and enjoy nature are limitless. We have beautiful Earth, and the people are kind, friendly and welcoming. The one-to-one contact erases stereotypes and barriers.”

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Patel was not always a world traveler. Prior to immigrating from India at the age of 10, he lived on a farm in a small village. His daily chores included taking cows to the pasture to graze before school each morning.

Before moving to Chicago, where his father attended school, Patel had never been on an airplane. Prior to moving to the United States, Patel was raised as a Hindu. He later converted to Christianity when he was baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

When Patel is not traveling, he spends a portion of his spare time volunteering at the church’s Orlando Temple. He has visited 37 of the church’s temples on six continents.

“The most significant mountain that I have visited in different states and the seven continents is the Mountain of the Lord, which is another name for the Temple — Isaiah 2:2,” he said.

Patel said he tries to live life to its fullest.

“Life is an adventure, and I want to leave this life exhausted,” he said.