Alpine Ramble Treks Pvt. Ltd. — Attraction in Kathmandu Metropolitan City

This review is following a 7-day Annapurna Base Camp trek in April 2025.

If I could give Alpine Ramble 20 stars, I would. Alas, I am limited to five stars, so five stars it is. I found Alpine Ramble in early 2024 when I was first doing some research for a trip to Nepal to visit some friends. It was based on the positive reviews online that I decided to inquire with the company about a trek in April 2025, and I’m so glad I did.

For about a year, Dil helped us from start to finish; providing me and my travel companion with information about available treks, best dates, necessary paperwork, timelines, packing lists, etc. Despite being half a world away, Dil was super responsive via email and answered any questions we had along the way.

We met in person with Dil once we got to Kathmandu, and he was just as friendly and helpful as he was via email. After paying the initial deposit via credit card, we had the options to pay the balance via credit card, US dollars, or Nepali rupees, or a combination of US dollars and Nepali rupees (as I did). We also borrowed sleeping bags from Alpine Ramble, and although we didn’t need them for most of the trek, as the tea houses/lodges had thick blankets, they were very useful for keeping us warm once we got to Annapurna Base Camp.

Our guide, Saugat, and our porter, Biru, were so helpful and went above and beyond each and every day. They were friendly and professional (and fun!). Saugat even offered to carry my daypack when he thought it might make it easier for me to tackle all the stairs and uphill climbs (there are many!). Saugat made sure we had all our permits in order, that we had our room at each stop, and that we ate our meals properly! He also accompanied us from Kathmandu and back, making sure we arrived safely back at where we were staying. Biru did the hard work of carrying our gear. I don’t know how he does it.

They always took good care of us, responding to any questions, and ensuring we were where we needed to be when we needed to be there. I am a notoriously slow hiker, so I was offered the option of renting a horse for part of the journey back from Annapurna Base Camp. When I said I was interested, Saugat arranged for the horse and negotiated a good price. (Side note: although I could have hiked back - albeit slowly - I do recommend the horse option if you can afford it. It was about $80/day. It provides a different way to enjoy the journey. But do keep in mind that going up and down all those steep stairs on a horse is an active exercise, so you do have to actively hold on so as to not fall off. Having some previous riding experience helps, but they’ll help you if you don’t.)

At any rate, all of that to say that I can’t recommend Alpine Ramble enough. If I ever return to Nepal and am looking for a trek or other tour, I will definitely be choosing them. Thank you, Dil and team!

Notes: Alpine Ramble’s literature says that no trekking experience is necessary for the Annapurna Base Camp trek, but I would take that with a huge grain of salt. It is a very challenging trek. I am not a regular trekker, but I did train a little bit and I wish I had trained more. My travel companion, who is a much more avid hiker and works out regularly, had an easier time but still found the trek...

I completed the 12 day EBC trek solo in mid may without the use of a porter, here are my honest observations which may help others choose a trekking company:

I found many companies operating on this trek were very similar, that is they share many of the same tea houses/itineraries. You’ll find yourself bumping into the same groups again and again. Outwardly you can be forgiven for questioning the difference between all the big name players.

However this is very wrong, and for the following reasons you should consider Alpine Ramble your safe choice:

Their listed inclusions is completely truthful; you can count on the fact you will be picked up from the airport without charge, and stay in a comfortable KTM hotel without need to worry about bookings. Further, every night you can count on receiving a fresh fruit platter (with chocolate) and having an oximeter check. Not every company did this. I actually found more luxuries than they listed were included. Upon completion I received a cake, a better than expected certificate/trophy, and a take home duffel bag along with shirt, hate, beanie and map. The takeaway, there is no doubt in what Alpine Ramble lists; you get even more.

It was my first solo international trip. I was 19 coming from Australia. It was comforting knowing I could always count on dil. He was always quick to respond to my messages, and effective in eliminating any worries or doubt. His organisation was faultless, and is obviously a very hard worker with a genuine care for his clients. This was displayed when the only other member in my trek became sick with AMS. Dil organised his insurance rescue helicopter and closely monitored his health at the KTM hospital. Dil insisted on meeting me before departure, allowing me to put a face and a place to the name. He is incredibly friendly and obviously a great organiser. Reach out to him and just watch.

Finally my good friend Khrisna. Being completely solo for most of the trip, it was a great comfort and joy to share this experience with such an amazing guide as Khrisna. He was very personable, set the pace of the trek perfectly, and cared for me in every conceivable way: organising every meal, accomodation, route, times and medical checks. Not only did Khrisna operate very professionally, he also was a great friend. He could answer every question I had, and hold good meaningful conversations about each others cultures. It was refreshing to share laughs with Khrisna playing cards and on the trail. Without such a guide I would have gone crazy being solo. Pro tip if you are fortunate enough to have Khrisna; bring a pack of cards, he really comes a live in the best way during any game. However, I was also lucky enough to meet a few other Alpine Ramble guides. I have complete confidence and trust in all of their abilities, and found them all as professional, down to earth, and friendly as Khrisna.

Should I ever find myself in Nepal again, a big hope of mine, it is without a doubt I’ll be using Alpine Ramble again. Why pay more when you get less from others? Alpine Ramble is the most competitively priced, and I truly believe you receive the most tangible value from them. Nepal is an amazing country and I am grateful for...

Dil Gurung was a communication superstar: he responded promptly to emails and took great care in trying to assist us and plan the perfect Manaslu and Tsum Valley 21 day Itinerary.

Dil went over and above what I expected from a tour co-ordinator - he helped me at the hotel, changing money and finding bits and pieces I needed prior to the trek. He took time helping our group organise gear hire, and explaining the itinerary in detail.

We were lucky to have two amazing porters. In particular, Sujal Gurung was outstanding: he was one of the most helpful and humble people I have ever met. Sujal walked with me every day, ensuring that I was never alone and could stop where needed. Sujal was able to teach me many things about Nepali culture. His love for Nepal is infectious, as is his personality! Sujal was happy to help with carrying bags, bringing us our meals, finalising packing, getting hot water for drink bottles at night, even taking my drink bottle out of my bag so I didn't have to remove the whole backpack to take a drink! No job was too big or too small for Sujal, and he did everything with a smile.

On the hardest day, the day we crossed Larke Pass, Sujal was like an angel for me: I was freezingly cold and tired, walking very slowly (far behind the rest of my group) and seriously considering whether exhaustion and cold was a good enough reason to call a rescue helicopter. Sujal didn't let me give up, and at times showed more faith in me than I had in myself. He walked slowly with me, reassuring me that we would go bistari (slowly) and we would be successful at Larke Pass. All the other travellers attempting the pass that day seemed to have passed me and I could hardly believe this was true. Despite my doubts, Sujal did not ever despair, even carrying me where I felt I could walk no longer. In the end Sujal's faith in me won out: we successfully reached Larke Pass (maybe 6 or 7 hours after we departed) , and I was overcome with tears of relief, happiness and gratitude: in a strange country where I knew no one, a stranger had treated me with such great care and shown so much faith in me, making me feel as though I was on a journey with a friend of many years or a family member who had complete faith in me - and was right! It is hard to describe the feeling in words, but please know that it was this feeling of trust, feeling like I was cared for/about, the positive bouncy energy of Sujal's youth and his incredible strength that got me up and over the pass.

Back in Kathmandu Dil arranged for a tour of the city for me - unfortunately it was very quick, as I was soon flying back home. The guide was extremely knowledgeable in the areas of Nepalese culture, history and religion. He had piqued my curiosity and made me want to learn and understand more - perhaps by returning to...