I am thrilled to share my experience of the amazing Gokyo Valley Trek. This journey was nothing short of extraordinary! From start to finish, every moment was filled with adventure, breathtaking views, and a sense of accomplishment.
Our guide, a true gem, added an extra layer of excitement to the entire trek. Not only was he knowledgeable and experienced, but he also had a fantastic personality that made the journey even more enjoyable. His ability to connect with each trekker individually and provide insightful information about the surroundings was truly commendable. He made sure we were well-informed about the route, local culture, and any potential challenges we might face along the way.
The trek itself was a perfect blend of fun and challenge. The trails took us through picturesque landscapes, allowing us to witness the awe-inspiring beauty of the Gokyo Valley. Each step brought us closer to the basecamp, and the anticipation grew with every passing day.
Undoubtedly, reaching the basecamp was the ultimate reward. Standing amidst the majestic mountains, surrounded by pristine snow-capped peaks, was an experience beyond words. The sense of achievement and the overwhelming beauty of the surroundings left us in awe. It was a moment that will forever be etched in my memory.
I wholeheartedly recommend this trip to anyone seeking an unforgettable adventure. The Gokyo Valley Trek offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, physical challenge, and a sense of accomplishment. Whether you are a seasoned trekker or a novice, this journey will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.
I am grateful for the opportunity to embark on this incredible adventure and would like to express my sincere appreciation to the entire team who made it possible. Their dedication, expertise, and attention to detail ensured that everything went smoothly, making this trip a truly remarkable experience.
The Gokyo Valley Trek exceeded all my expectations. It was an amazing journey filled with beauty, challenge, and a strong sense of achievement. If you are seeking an adventure that will leave you in awe of nature's wonders, look no further - the Gokyo Valley Trek is the perfect choice.
Our guide, Sudarshan kc, was the best guide I've had on any Explore trip I've done (4, so far). He was really knowledgeable, gentle, warm, funny, & friendly, he looked after our group fantastically. Nothing was too much trouble, his recurrent phrase was 'anything is possible'. The tour itself was brilliant & flowed really well, despite the longer road journeys due to the landslides that had occurred a few wks before. In fact, I'd go as far to say those journeys were actually quite an adventure in themselves! For me, it was a perfect trip, the 4 days trekking were amazing, challenging at times, but worth the effort to see the stunning views of the mountains. The teahouses were simple but really welcoming, & in fab locations for views. Pokhara was a beautiful place for a bit of a rest, the calm lake, great shopping, & places to eat. Chitwan was outstanding, especially with the rhino sightings, & close encounters!
I was lucky to have a great group of people to travel with too, which made the trip a lot of fun.
Kathmandu is exactly what you'd expect, a city full of life, bustling traffic & historic sights. People are very warm & friendly.
I'd recommend this trip wholeheartedly.
I wanted to stay longer, & shed tears when I left. Many thanks.
This nine-day trip will tick all your boxes – outdoor adventures, bustling city life and an introduction to the slower pace of the Nepali countryside. Start and end your trip in Kathmandu's bustling metropolis with your small group of fellow solo travellers, explore Durbar Square and wander the vibrant streets. Then, pull on your adventure boots and hit the road outta town for a rafting experience in Pokhara, camp on the riverside and enjoy dinner beneath the stars by the Trisuli River with your new friends. Then, band together and trek the Annapurna region. Enjoy the chance to stay with local families along the way, including in a remote village in Hemjakot where you’ll tuck into a home-cooked dinner.
Sri Lanka is the rising star of Asia, and trust us, it's got it all! Our 12-day group tour itinerary show's you the best of this green and luscious gem of the Indian Ocean. Head up to the misty mountain tops to hike the hill country and explore tea plantations before travelling down to the sun drenched beaches and national parks where we’ll search for wild elephants. Spot dolphins, visit ancient temples, play cricket on the beach and have the adventure of a lifetime with your new One Life travel family. The smells of spices, tea and traditional foods will bring your senses alive as you adventure through this island nation.
Fully guided with a legendary company guide and a local Sri Lankan guide, you will be well taken care of and have all your questions answered. The tour includes accommodation in hotels and hostels as well as the most stunning train journey in the world, an expert guide, meals, transport, and more.
With inspiring cultural experiences and days spent trekking in the Himalayas, this women’s only expedition will give you a unique insight into the diverse lives of Nepalese women. Meet a range of female trailblazers, from chefs at a social enterprise to women campaigning to end menstruation discrimination to your all-female mountain guides and porter’s crew. Listen to personal stories shared by locals and spend time wildlife spotting in Chitwan National Park, where you’ll take a safari and a river canoe ride. Connect with Buddhist nuns as you get an inside look at an all-female nunnery challenging patriarchal traditions. Listen, connect and be inspired on this 13-day female-run adventure.
A wonderful country of the most beautiful art designed buildings with the most beautifully and colourful dressed people who are most kind, accepting and helful
My recent trip to India was fantastic. It exceeded my expectations. Our guide, Kathy, left no the detail undone. From walking in the gardens in the early morning to drinking a Chai with the locals, The sites we saw were exceptional and will live in my memory forever
From the autumn 2016 season the Mera Peak trek/climb by this tour operator changed from a camping based itinerary of previous years to lodge or tea house based accommodation. I/we departed in October 2016. Before commencing the trek Id convinced myself that the trek in to Mera would be broadly similar to the Everest Base Camp trek, I was very wrong. There is no gentle start and long days requiring sustained effort are the theme pretty much throughout. The route taken for the first few days is very quiet and had a feel of "going around the houses" for me. That quieter route also makes for much more basic lodges than those found on EBC for example but they were all adequate. The longer approach route does however allow for excellent acclimatisation, a major key to success. All the approach routes converge in Kote and it is then a straight shot up the now rocky Hinku valley. I didnt find the approach trek in to be very scenic and that wasnt helped by day after day of cloud cover. I wonder if a November departure would be worthwhile for clearer skies. Khare, which I thought of as base camp village, was a surprsingly busy place with climbers from all over the world either preparing for or returning from Mera. Stories of six groups having been beaten back by high winds the previous day brought about a realisation that nature could quite easily scupper our plans. Having left Khare and reached the snow line, those of us that brought our own mountain boots and crampons were reunited with them by virtue of some porters that had gone ahead of us. I was now using mountain boots and crampons on snow for the first time, I found I tired far quicker than I cared to admit at the time. After a short but steep climb things level out and then it was a relatively short walk to Mera La camp for the night. The sunset and night time stars were very nice. We were now in tents for the first time. I wish I hadn't binned off my Thermarest mattress as a weight saving effort for the Lukla flight. Foam mattresses were provided but I could still feel the cold coming up from the ground. The next day was a short one from Mera La to High Camp. It however is one of those sections where the destination never seems to get any closer despite feeling you're working like a steam train at full speed. The amusement of high camp's precarious position soon passes as you try to concentrate on getting some sleep for the upcoming 0030 wake up call. I got no real sleep. We then started our torch lit climb through the night in deeply sub zero temperatures. It was hard going, really hard going, there was little talking amongst us. It was just heads down and endure it. The group were imposing more rest stops on the guides than they wanted but I don't think there were any negative consequences when all said and done. My fingers were numb with cold. The sun slowly rose and Mera central summit could now be seen ahead. We left our rucksacks at the foot of the summit and using our Jumars went up the surprisingly short roped section fixed by our guides, it was easy and I was on the summit in a minute. It had taken around 7 hours from leaving High Camp with no sleep (for me) since Mera La the previous day. It was bitterly cold on the summit and very windy, there wasn't any open celebration. There now followed an extremely long walk all the way back down to Khare village with only a short pitstop at High Camp along the way. It was exhausting. Availability of water was a problem too since much if not all of our water was still frozen despite the now blazing morning sun. I was gasping for a drink. Ngima our leader had some warm water in a flask and I will definitely take a small flask when I find myself back on a high mountain again. What now remained was the trek "home" to Lukla. The third day of decent involved far more steep climbing than we were in the mood for but we gt where we were going. Conditions on the Zatrwa pass werent as bad as they could be. During our trek trail crampons or shoe grips weren't necessary. There were only a couple sections of ice a few paces long. The decent from the pass is long and steep, thankfully the national park authority have been building a stone staircase which makes things a little easier but you still have to watch your step. There is the potential for an overnight stay a few hours short of Lukla but depending on progress it can be skipped and we pressed on for Lukla and some comfort... relatively speaking
A one-day mountain biking trip with this travel operator was a memorable experience. The trip was filled with breathtaking trails, stunning mountain views, and engaging with the local community. The guides were knowledgeable and ensured safety. The writer also tried traditional delicacies and reflected on the safety measures. The trip left a lasting impression on the writer, emphasizing the importance of exploring nature and its people.
Mountain bike the famous Annapurna Circuit for a one-in-a-lifetime challenging and scenic ride! Looking for an incredible adventure and something beyond the same old trekking? We have designed this two-week mountain biking package in the Himalayas.
The Annapurna region earns its popularity from stunning mountain terrain, lush valleys, glaciers, lakes and overall incredible scenic beauty, along with a prominent culture and traditional lifestyle in this high alpine region. A biking tour is the best way to discover these hidden treasures and diverse landscapes of the Annapurna.
The trail starts right from Besisahar and follows river Marshyandi to its source, catching the enchanting mountain views of Mount Manasalu and Himal Chuli to the east. En route, cycle by mountain villages inhabited by a wide diversity of local people. Extending the breathtaking scenery to its side, the trail continues to the north of the main Himalayas range to the height and dry Tibetan plateau. Biking via the Thorang La pass, you will pierce from Manang—one rain shadow valley— into another valley --Mustang.
The trip includes a visit to Kathmandu and Pokhara, including a sightseeing trip in the Kathmandu Valley.
This small-group tour aims to capture the essence of North and Southern India. Begin your trip in Delhi, the fascinating capital divided into two counterparts and the former home of Mughal Muslim Rulers between the 17th and 19th centuries. Continue your journey to Agra, where you will discover the Taj Mahal, commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, and travel to Ranthambore. Visit the National Park, home to the largest tiger population in India where you may come across Royal Bengal Tigers. Next, you will drive to Jaipur, the famous Pink City home to the city palace and the impressive Hawa Mahal. Catch a flight to Southern India from Jaipur to explore Alleppey, a tranquil town and the hub of Kerala’s backwaters. From there you will discover Cochin, an old colonial harbor city boasting breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea before you end your tour of North and Southern India.
At 08:30 am in the morning, your guide will pick you up from your Chengdu hotel lobby and drive around 20 minutes to Panda Breeding and Research Center to see those adorable pandas from babies to adults. You will have an option of holding a cute panda for photos with an advanced reservation and a donation (RMB$2,000) to the base for its research projects which you are encouraged to do as it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hold a baby panda bear in your arms.
Next, visit Jinli Street, one of the oldest commercial streets in Chinese history. Established over 1,800 years ago during the early Qin and Han dynasties, Jinli Street still preserves many of the ancient architectural styled shops till today. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. After lunch, make a short visit to the Brocade Museum, where you will learn about interesting brocade culture from ancient times.
After that, move onto Chengdu Renmin Park, the biggest and most impressive park in Chengdu founded 1,800 years ago. After the park visit, you will be transferred back to your hotel where this tour concludes.