I am forever thankful to our wonderful Nepali guides Khadka Rai and Bir Bahadur Rai who guided me and Tim on the Khumbu trek via several high altitude routes eg. Chola Pass (5,420m), Gokyo Ri (5,357m), Chhukung Ri (5,546m). The only time I experienced altitude sickness was when we ascended Kala Patthar (5,644m) where I had stomach ache and mild nausea. Our guide Khadka kept checking in with me to make sure I was ok. We went super slow and ensured plenty of time to acclimatize, for example, we were advised to stay extra days in Khumjung which helped tremendously. If anyone is planning to go trekking in Nepal, I highly recommend these experienced guides.
My wife, Jensen, and I loved our trek through the Annapurna Circuit with Chandra. Jensen and her mom had trekked with Chandra in 2011 and we were lucky to have opportunity to trek with him in 2017. I would highly recommend this trek with Chandra as your guide!
Von März bis April 2018 ging unser großer Traum in Erfüllung: Endlich den Himalaya sehen! – Wir flogen von Hamburg über Istanbul nach Kathmandu. Bir und Youba holten uns am Flughafen ab und begleiteten uns in dieser faszinierenden und wuseligen Großstadt zu unserer Bleibe. Nach ersten Eindrücken flogen wir weiter nach Pokhara und begaben uns mit unserem Führer Bir und Porter Dirl auf den Trek zum Annapurna Basecamp. Die Beiden haben das super gemacht! Wir haben viel über Land und Leute erfahren und eine Menge Spaß gehabt. Wir konnten unser individuelles Tempo gehen und sind jeden Abend in einer netten Lodge eingekehrt. Bei herrlichem Wetter und klarem Blick erreichten wir schließlich das Amphitheater des Annapurna base camps. Die Sieben- und Achttausener waren zum Greifen nahe. Auf dem Rückweg haben wir noch einen Schlenker über das Gorkha Dorf Gandruk und den Poon Hill gemacht. Nach gut 14 Tagen auf den Beinen waren wir froh, noch einige Tage in Pokara am Pool zu entspannen. Es war rundum eine gelungene Reise, wir freuen uns schon auf das nächste Mal, wenn wir hoffentlich wieder mit Bir die nepalesische Bergwelt erleben dürfen. Vielen Dank nochmals an Bir und Dirl!! Herzliche Grüße von Inga und Detlef aus Kiel.
After having been to Nepal for trekking several times before, we came to Nepal in October 2019 to hike the Manaslu Circuit. It was important to us that the tour was led by Bir Rai, a guide whom we have hiked with on earlier treks, too. Together with two porters and Bir Rai we started the tour by jeep from Kathmandu. The first few days of the trek led us up the narrow valley of Budhi Khola, this part of the trek is not suitable for people with fear of heights. The valley became more open as we reached higher altitudes. Bir Rai was again a perfect guide who led our trek very safely and reliably. We are from the coast, so the sea and flat land are our accustomed landscape. Even though we have done long treks in Nepal several times before, our guide is indispensable to the tour: planning, organizing and leading the trek, providing safety and knowledge. Having Bir Rai take care of everything before and during the trek provided us with freedom and peace to fully engage with the fantastic landscape, the people and the hiking itself.
The day over the Larkya La pass was long but very impressive. It was a great feeling to reach the top and to have made it up there. Instead of views of Mount Manaslu we now saw the Annapurnas and the Dhaulagiri quite closely. After another two days we reached the route in Dharapani which we had last hiked 27 years ago on the Annapurna Circuit to Thorung La.
We will definitely go trekking in Nepal again. Like last time, we already developed ideas for the next hike with Bir Rai at the end of this hike around Manaslu Circuit. In any case, we will again rely on our proven guide.
Carsten (60) and Leena (54) Krage
Kiel, Germany
We did the Annapurna around trek, guided by Bir and I must say, it was one of the most impressive things I ever do. Excellent planning and a great team to help us on all we need, so we must dedicate all our time to watch the wonderful landscapes and enjoy all the trip. Very satisfied. Thanks to all Belmont Adventure team!