Nepal Nirvana Trails — Local services in Kathmandu Metropolitan City

TRIP: 21 Day trek of the Kanchenjunga Circuit to North and South Base Camp DATES: April 16 - May 8, 2023 Guide: Mr. Jangbu Sherpa Porter: Mr. Karma Sherpa

This trip of a lifetime was the best we could have ever hoped for! From start to finish, Nepal Nirvana Trails offered the most exquisite service that far surpassed our expectations. KP was extremely helpful with all emails during the planning stages and was patient and kind, and promptly answered any questions I had. Upon arrival, we were greeted at the airport by Bishal and Jangbu, our soon to be guide whom we would be spending the next three weeks with. On departure day, our guide met us to take us to the domestic airport, and from then onwards, everything was in Jangbu's expert hands. We felt safe, happy, and well taken care of during our adventure. (And we saw the top of Everest from the flight!)

To say the area we went to was "remote" would be an understatement. Flights, tuk tuks, jeeps, and days of walking after the roads finished, as just the "start". If you're looking for a very off the beaten track, away from the tourists, and diving into the full cultural experience of Nepal, living like a local, meeting mule and yak-cow shepherds and local families type of experience, this is the best choice. Don't expect Wi-Fi, much electricity, or many other tourists, but I think the people we met on the trip were looking for just that, to get away and really experience the great outdoors and the untouched beauty of the Himalayas.

Throughout the trip, the views were absolutely stunning. We walked over numerous suspension bridges, through rhododendron forests, passed temples and monasteries, and even got to walk within a 40-strong mule herd along a large section of trail (until they just were too fast for us). Of all the gorgeous mountains we saw, we were repeatedly told they were just "hills", laughing because of course they would be the highest mountain in all of the UK and much of Europe if we were back home. Ok Jangbu...we will keep waiting for "mountains". ;-)

Guide Jangbu, and our porter Karma were the absolute dream team. They worked so hard, were so happy and delightful at all times, and Jangbu was by far the most experienced of many of the other guides we met along the path, as some tourists had guides that had never even been over in this area before. They kept us remarkably well fed with delicious local meals of Dahl bat, momos, Thukpa, Sherpa Stew, as well as carrying and providing daily biscuits and fruit that was such a treat. We were so lucky and happy to have our team.

There were days that were easier than others, but every day was an amazing adventure, and very doable for anyone that is reasonably fit and motivated. The spacing between the teahouses allowed us to walk for the first half of the day, and then be able to relax in the teahouses with lots of tea and delicious food for the second half of the day. We recommend taking a small notebook to pass the afternoons writing down memories from the day, as well as any of the local recipes you can manage to watch when the ladies are making Nepali delicacies on the open fires/stoves.

When we finally got to Pangpema - North Base Camp, we were awarded with amazing views of Kanchenjunga - the 3rd tallest mountain in the world. What an unbelievable experience!

We carried on back down the route we came, then over a high pass - Selele Pass, and then back up again towards South Base Camp for another view of Kanchenjunga.

Upon return to Kathmandu, KP treated us to a lovely farewell dinner, and before we finally departed, he managed to see us off with lovely local gifts from Nepal. From start to finish, this company absolutely took care of everything. For the price for the trip, and the service we received, I would certainly say they are one of the best choices of companies in Nepal. We will be back! Highly...

We (my boyfriend and I) are very grateful for this experience with Nirvana Trails run by KP and family - everything was very well organized from beginning to end and we absolutely recommend this family run business. It was our first time trekking in Nepal on the Manaslu Circuit Trek and we didn’t have to worry about anything. KP sent our bags to Pokhara and organized a nice accommodation for us and he even reviewed our clothes before the trek which was very helpful to us newbies.

KP approached us in our hostel in Kathmandu and to us Europeans this direct sales pitch can be a little overwhelming as we are not used to it - in our case we are happy we listened and booked our trek with Nirvana Trails. We compared a couple of agencies and offers in Thamel and online and lastly, we felt KP was very straight forward and honest about the package and provided excellent service - what’s included/what’s not - what is the trek like (first two days partly on the road - no big deal really) and what kind of service/accommodation to expect in the mountains. He also educated us on what to eat on the trek to cope well with the altitude - and some dos and fonts in the villages - this was very helpful. During the trek he also reached out and proactively asked how we were doing.

The equipment we rented from Nirvana (down jacket, sleeping bag, poles, mini spikes, ) was in a perfect state and kept us warm on the trek. If he has availability KP will make sure to provide you with good gear.

On the trek, our guide Raj and our porter, also Raj, did excellent jobs and provided us with great service - we felt pampered :). Depending on the package you book you will get tea with every meal and even some fruits which is highly appreciated after a long day of trekking. With our guide Raj we shared a lot of laughter - he is really funny while always making sure you feel good, healthy and safe - Raj connects easily to anybody and you can hear laughter from the kitchen in the tea houses when he is around. Raj was furthermore flexible and adjusted to our wishes and explained some local customs and things about flora and fauna.

Raj, our porter, was very attentive to us as well and our bags were always ready for us when we got to the accommodations - furthermore he would fix the trail on the spot if he deemed a passage too dangerous for us to pass.

Thank you for this experience...

SHUT UT AND TAKE MY MONEY - YOU DESERVE EVERYTHING This is my true thought after I experience this trekking agency - only one in a million. To be more specific, I am some of the tourists that have an opportunity to experience more than 1 agency in Nepal trekking industry and I have to admit that Nepal Nirvana is the most special and credible one for me.

I just finished my ABC trekking tour in May. My tour was liked a private tour, only me and my wife. We have very difficult requirements for the agency and guide because my wife just went through a knee ligament surgery 11 months ago. So then in this tour, we need extra care service and the tourguide also have to be flexible and be ready for any circumstances that may happen. And Nepal Nivarna really won our heart in the most impressive way. From Mr. KP - the big boss, who is the manager, he took care of us from the day we arrived to the day we departed, the warm atmosphere, the friendly dinner, the daily message that he shows the care for us. He is a master guide with many experience and now become the big boss who can manage everything, from the small group/private tour to a big group.

And that’s not all. Here comes the best guide, my biggest brother Dipak Bhatta - the tour guide that showed us what is the real professional trekking guide is. My brother Dipak took care me and my wife at every single details, the steps, the breath, the water, the sleep, the meal and most of all the safety of the whole trip. As this is my 2nd ABC trip, Dipak really show his outstanding profession and experience in all kinds of trekking conditions and what he can do in all kinds of emergency situation. In this trekking route, myself 2 times face the very difficult situation because of the unexpected reason and my brother Dipak solved them all in the most perfect way. There is not a chance that Dipak make us unsatisfied during the whole trip. More than just a trekking guide, Dipak is like my big brother.

If you have any doubt or hesitation in the proper trekking agency/guide in Nepal, Nepal Nivarna is diffenitely the best answer for you. KP the big boss and my brother Dipak can always be the greatest Nepali...