Eastern Light Trek.P.ltd, Nepal — Local services in Pokhara

Eastern light is a fantastic company and I have nothing but amazing things to say about them. My boyfriend wanted to hike the Annapurna circuit and I agreed to do it with him under one condition: we needed to hire a porter (I’m not a great hiker and the idea of hiking AND carrying my own pack terrified me). We found Eastern light through Tripadvisor and walked into the office in Pokhara 2 days before we wanted to start hiking. We met Ram, who was kind, honest and fair. He arranged our bus tickets, permits and everything and he promised me that the porter that would travel with us was a really nice person that would take care of us. Boy, did he deliver. Bahadur (some of the staff at Eastern Light call him Badl for short but I believe he prefers to be called Bahadur) was our porter and he was the best thing that ever happened to us. Not only is he insanely strong and never complained once about the weight of our bag, he is one of the nicest, most caring people I’ve ever met in my entire life. He was SO attentive to our needs, always making sure we had the most comfortable accommodations at the tea houses that were possible (good views if possible, sometimes with attached bathroom, clean, warm, etc.) and always making sure we were okay. One evening in Upper Pisang, I had gone to meet my friends at another tea house and it had gotten so dark that I didn’t know how I’d make it back to my own tea house. I got up to leave and Bahadur walked in the door that exact second. He had seen that it was dark outside and came to find me and bring me back to our tea house and to my boyfriend 😂 if he isn’t the sweetest, most considerate person, I don’t know who is!!!! He took care of us, made sure we were well fed, danced, sang, and slid me down the other side of the Thorong La pass (there was so much ice that I could barely walk without slipping). My boyfriend and I had the time of our lives. The Annapurna circuit was life changing - from the views, the hike, and the people you meet along the way. Thank you so much Bahadur, Ram and Eastern Light for making this happen for us. We 10000% recommend Bahadur and this tour company and will be back again...

When me and my friend arrive to Pokhara we were very curious about all the trekings around Annapurna and we wanted to know a lot of things but we also had a small budget so no money to pay for a guide. As soon as we saw the Eastern Light shop we went to ask a few things and tried to get some advises. That day we met Dave, one of the most kind and helpful man in town. With no problem and lots of patience he start to help us and gave us a lot of information about the weather, new suggestions, treks, etc. He was very nice and we can tell that he have a lot of experience because he knows about EVERYTHING in Pokhara and Nepal in general (Also Everest Area). Day by day we were going to the shop to ask new things and Dave and his workmates were always happy to help us. Big smile and good jokes, Dave is a man from the mountains that he always want to help with information or any advice that you need for your trek specially if you want to do one by your own. We were looking for a trek that it was not very touristic and hopefully that connect us with the local people. We wanted to see the villages and the mountains in a middle way (i mean not too hard and not too easy) and Dave has always the best options for us. He recommend us a few alternative treks and cheaper than the others, Mardi Himal Trek and The Muldhai Trek where you have amazing view points and you can share with the local people on the way. For almost a week we were visiting Dave for more advises, even he was telling us what clothes to take, lots of tips, cheap options and shops, etc. Honestly amazing people in Easter Light Trek. We ended up trekking for 15 days doing what Dave told us and it was absolutely beautiful! I definitely recommend this place to go and find out about what you need to do before trekking and if you need a proper guide, honest, fun and with lots of experience, just visit Eastern Light Trek, you will find a really good...

After a few long years of limited travel, my daughter and I decided to join a group of friends on a trip to Nepal. It was a group of 9 people of wide age span (29-65), expectations, experiences, desires and tolerance for adventures' risks. To help organize such a trip and have everyone happy, content and safe requires highest level of professionalism and genuine care for one's clients. There were several multi day adventures planned, like the Karnali River rafting, visit to Lumbini (Buddha's birth place), Bardiya National Park visit and safari, Mardi Himal Trek and a long list of half or full day options to have our heartbeat upped by sudden adrenaline shot, like paragliding. Leisure activities were not on the back burner either. Skilled (and patient) guides for Kathmandu and Pokhara's cultural and historic sights or an impromptu class in preparation of local meals from scratch, were at hand to fulfill every smallest desire, meet the need and answer any question we may have had.

The ELT owner Dev, and his staff, Purnam, Manuj, Tub, Deepak, Padam, Radu and many others who were assigned to assist us on our trip in any which way, made us feel more like old friends than simply "clients". We felt their warm welcome, care, and complete competence that was second to none at every opportunity. From the first touch down in Kathmandu to the heartfelt farewell we felt we were among friends and I am sure we will see them again.

I couldn't...