Nestled between India and China, Nepal has captured the imagination of mountaineers, trekkers and tourist alike ever since she opened her borders for the first time in the 1950’s. The word Himalayas is Sanskrit for " abode of snows " which aptly describes the towering peaks, eight of the highest in the world! From her majestic white peaks, to the rolling foothills and into the lowland jungles, Nepal offers you a diversity of landscape, flora and fauna unmatched throughout the world. A colourful land that not only contains some of the best walking on earth but also a fascinating and diverse group of ethnic cultures.

Among the peaks and valleys wind thousands of miles of trails used for centuries by the people of Nepal, Tibet and India. Even today, very few roads extend deeply into the hills, so the vast majority of villages can only be reached in the slowest and most intimate manner – walking. From steep terraced mountainsides to high altitude deserts, life in the mountain villages continues today as it has for thousands of years giving those who are passing through a glimpse into cultural history. As you climb higher, the subtropical lowlands give way to meadows, stretches of forest, swift flowing rivers and deep canyons before you finally reach the barren regions of the great peaks. Today we are lucky to be able to walk these ancient trails, discovering the countless wonders of the Himalayas, a place where one visit is rarely enough.

Trekking is for everyone who enjoys walking amongst nature. A trek in Nepal is a scenic walk along mountain trails absorbing all the sights and sounds of a foreign land. It does not require you to cling to sheer cliff walls with the mountain goats. You do not need to be a "super fit being". You only need the spirit for adventure. Many trekkers prefer to take along a guide and a porter to enhance the enjoyment of their trip.

A guide is a: Friend, guardian, teacher, student, advisor, attendant, and sometimes mother. A guide can be a wonderful companion and give you the support you need to complete your trek. Someone who can not only show you the way, but can enrich your trip culturally with knowledge of the flora, fauna and village life. A guide’s duty is to organize your trek, arranging itinerary, porters, food and accommodation. A guide does not carry luggage except in the case of an emergency. A porter’s job is to carry your luggage and help you reach your destination. A porter can also be a good friend and help with your food and accommodation. As English is not a priority for a porter, you may have the opportunity to learn some Nepali language. Some people may feel uncomfortable having a porter carry their baggage. A Nepali Doctor takes the following view: "By hiring a porter, you are doing a great virtue by providing an honest means of livelihood for the porter. For most porters the economic burden is heavier than the weight of your backpack."

Our porters carry your backpack, we do not use the "basket/namlo" style. All our guides and porters are insured and we take full responsibility for them. We supply them with adequate clothing for higher altitude treks. Our business is to take care of all the details so you can enjoy your trek

The first thing to consider is what sort of experience you wish to have. Is your goal to reach the centre of the great white peaks? Do you wish to pass through villages with many different ethnic cultures? Perhaps you want to get away from it all and disappear into the remote mountains or you might just wish to see a glorious mountain view with little exertion. The second consideration is how much time you have and in what season you would like to trek. The higher passes often close from December to February due to excessive snowfall whereas some lower elevation treks are open year round. A general overview of the main treks is listed below and we are happy to tailor the treks to suit your needs.

On a tea house trek, all your accommodation and food is catered for in the local village Guest Houses along the trail. These days, although still local style houses, most of the accommodation is very adequate and hygienic with comfortable rooms for sleeping and a range of local and western dishes that can even rival the best restaurant in town!

One of the most popular treks in Nepal, the Jomsom trek from Pokhara to Muktinath offers the greatest cultural diversity of any in Nepal. Along this scenic route you will pass through villages inhabited by different ethnic groups such as Thakali, Gurung, and Magar and in higher elevation the Tibetan culture is predominant. Here you may visit several authentic Tibetan Monasteries. The trail follows up the Kali Gandaki Valley, one of the deepest gorges in the world, between the soaring peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri and finally emerges to the north of the main Himalayan range, on the dry, desert like Tibetan Plateau. The high point of the trek is at the Holy Temple of Muktinath 3800m where spectacular views are to be seen. It is also possible to finish the trek at Jomsom, elevation 2,800m. The walking trail is a gentle slope making this a relatively easy trek that can be completed all year round. The average time is 14 days although a flight one way or the other not only offers incredible views but enables you to do this trek in approximately 8 – 10 days.

A classic walk right into the heart of the mountains. This popular trek ascends through picturesque villages to the center of the Annapurna range offering dramatic mountain scenery. Standing in the middle of the Sanctuary, surrounded by towering snowy peaks ranging between 6000-8000meters, is a truly awe-inspiring experience. Sunrise and Sunset are magical as you watch the sun dance on the peaks of Annapurna 1, Annapurna south, Annapurna 3, and Machapuchare. The maximum altitude reached on this trek is 4,400m at the Annapurna Base Camp. The trail up is often steep and the Sanctuary trek is perhaps one of the more challenging of the teahouse treks. If you allow the time to ascend at your own pace this trek is open to the moderately fit. A minimum of 10 days should be allowed to complete this trek with extra days for exploring the Base Camps and for alternative routes down, for example via the Hot Springs of Tatopani. Best time for trekking: October to November and April to May.

This three-week trek encircling the Annapurna Range passes through country inhabited by a wide range of people and offers spectacular mountain scenery. Starting in the tropical Pokhara Valley, you climb from lush lowland forest to the arid valley of Manang. The high pass of Thorong La at 5,400meters offers a breathtaking view of the entire mountain range. On either side of the pass are fascinating Tibetan villages built almost entirely of stone. The trail descends to the Buddhist and Hindu pilgrimage site at Muktinath joining up to the Jomsom trek. Due to the high altitude pass the best time for this trek is October to November and April to May. Due to the altitude and length, this trek is considered to be quite strenuous. However, if you allow yourself enough time the circuit is suitable for the moderately fit.

On a camping trek you will be fully self-sufficient enabling you to reach the remote areas of the mountains where even local villages are scarce. Accommodation for these treks is in tents, and your food will be cooked on a kerosene stove by one of our creative chefs. Staff will carry all the necessary equipment, leaving you free to enjoy the scenery. Our camping treks are all environmentally aware. We choose our spots wisely, disturbing as little of the Eco system as possible and leave nothing but footprints behind.

If you long for remote wilderness, pristine beauty, peace and tranquillity…this is the trek for you. Feeling like the first adventures to Nepal you will ascend to isolated high ridges that offer spectacular views of Machapuchare, Annapurna Range, Lamjung Himal and Dhaulagiri. There are no villages along this track and therefore our camps are in wonderfully remote areas. The High Camp is at 4,100meters and the trail is a little steep at some points. This trek takes around 8 days and is suitable for the moderately fit. Best time for trekking: October to November and April to May.

This trek takes you to remote villages that are far from the beaten track. The area of Ghalekharka-Sikles is known as the ecological trek. Under the care of ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) the environment and culture in this newly opened area is being carefully preserved. You will visit traditional villages of the Gurung Ethnic group, sample the local dishes and perhaps have the chance to see some traditional dance performances such as the "Ghato" from Sikles. Superb views of Lamjung Himal and the Annapurna can also be had. This is a 7-day trek and suitable for the moderately fit. The above two treks may be combined for a wonderful 2 week trek. Best time for trekking: October to May.

A rural trek allows the opportunity for close contact with the indigenous people of Nepal. We visit quiet, peaceful villages in an area filled with magnificent natural beauty. Accommodation is in the village homes and local meals are enjoyed with the families. These treks do not reach high altitude but traverse through the hill regions of Pokhara Valley. The "Panchase Trek" offers wonderful views of the Annapurnas as does the "Royal Trek" where Lamjung is also visible. Both of these treks are open to the moderately fit and can be completed in 3-5 days. Best time for trekking: October to May.

October and November, the start of the dry season, is in many ways the ideal time to visit Nepal. The countryside is green and lush and Nepal is at its most beautiful. The air is sparkling clean, and the Himalayan views are as near perfect as you can ask for. As the weather is neither too hot nor too cold, this is peak tourist season and it is also the main season for Nepalese festivals. December to February can be a hauntingly beautiful time of the year to trek. The climate and visibility are still good, excellent clear views are common at high altitude but it can get very cold. You need to be prepared to encounter snow on the high altitudes. March and April is the second best time to trek in Nepal. The visibility is not as clear as earlier in the dry season but Nepal’s wonderful rhododendrons and many other flowers are in bloom. Mornings are usually clear, with clouds building up during the afternoon and disappearing at night, to reveal spectacular starry skies. As the season progresses, the magnificent rhododendrons bloom at higher and higher altitudes until the flowers reach treeline. In mid-May the weather begins to warm up. Although the views of the mountains may not be as clear as earlier in the season, you encounter many species of plant and animal life rarely seen at other times. June to August is warm and wet but these months are blessed for the keen botanist as the higher valleys and meadows blossom with flowers and lush vegetation.

Why not come straight to the source and directly support the local economy of Nepal. We offer you the opportunity to truly experience our country from the beginning to the end of your trip through the capable services of a unique Nepalese firm. Whatever you wish, hope and dream your holiday to be, we would love to

P.O. Box 284 Lakeside, Kahare

Pokhara – 6, Nepal

Tel: & Fax: 977 61 24066

Composed by: Lisa Clark, volunteer from Vancouver, Canada