Visiting for the first time...

When visiting Nepal for the first time, is it viable to base yourself in Kathmandu and then use the services of the various companies that provide trekking tours round the country? Or do you have to plan everything in great detail first? The reason I ask is because I know so little about the country, it makes it hard to plan - far easier to just put yourself in the hands of the experts! I have been looking at the websites of some reputable local companies, some of whose representatives I think sometimes post here.

Visiting for the first time...

I recently traveled to Nepal to trek and tour Kathmandu. I made absolutely NO plans beforehand except which Kathmandu hotel to stay at before I trekked. (I usually plan things to the last detail, so this was the exception for me!) The hotel manager at The International Guest House wonderfully found me a sherpa/guide to trek with me for two weeks and arranged all air and hotel costs. It cost one third of the price of the internet companies and felt more private and personal. There are MANY companies in Kathmandu to choose from. If you are staying at a hotel, start with the hotel manager. He/She can be a great resource. Ganesh was the best at Intl Guest House and i recommend him highly!!

Visiting for the first time...

Thank you so much for your post, it really rings a bell with me. I also usually try to meticulously plan everything, but I think this is less important in the east than in the west. I will definitely follow your line of thought - I am glad it worked so well for you.

No problem! I wish you the best on your trip. You will love it, I promise. Try not to worry in advance too much. The trekking industry is huge there and th people are so accomodating. Let me know if you have any other questions!

I am in Pokrha right now, having just finished the Poon Hill Trek with my 5 kids. We had an amazing time. Along the way we ran into several groups of European and Japanese tourists who had hooked up with guides in Kathmandu, who obviously did NOT know what they were doing, or where they were going. In fact, some of their guides didn%26#39;t even get them to Poon HIll. They were really upset. They had gotten the ';best price,';but they didn%26#39;t get a good trip. You have to really be careful about who your guide is. My guide was amazing. A lot of the trekkers were asking MY where they were, and what was the best route while we were trekking. All I%26#39;m saying is, you get what you pay for, and you gotta be careful.

HI

I would recommend turning up in KTM and planning from there. However, I would ONLY EVER book with a company for whom I have received a good recommendation.

I have used both of these well established an reliable companies. Their staff are treated well and their equipment is excellent and they are both very flexible.

Highland Excursions Nepal Pvt Ltd

PO Box 12733 Baluwater

Kathmandu

Tel 4-413850/4-414783

and

Himalaya Expeditions Inc

PO Box 105

Kathmandu

Tel 4 22 66 22/4 257 257

email: info@himexnepal.com

www.himexnepal.com

Contact: Bhanu Sing Thakuri

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