Traveller reviews

“My cousin and I have just spent the most fabulous time with Himalayan Social Journey visiting the Golden Triangle in India and trekking and sightseeing in Nepal. The care and service given from Mr Ram and all his guides was excellent - special mention to Ibrahim in India and Shankar our guide trekking in Nepal who went beyond to make sure our trip was memorable in every way! I would recommend this tour to anyone wanting to experience a real India and Nepal - HSJ really know what they are doing with the minimum of fuss!”

“First group tour I’ve done and what an amazing experience. Himalayan Social Journey planned an amazing trip and the staff their were excellent great communication before and during trio and helped organise extra accommodation for earlier arrival. Tour was fantastic seeing the best sights of Rajasthan and very knowledge and fun tour guides to help understand the history and culture. I was lucky to have a fantastic group with an amazing tour leader - Ibrahim who was knowledge fun and made sure our whole group had the best experiences with no requests too hard to accommodate. Lovely and Happy our bus driver and assistant added to the joy of the trip with their amazing driving and great personalities Thank you to Ibrahim and Himalayan Social Journey fit a memorable and awesome trip will be be recommending to friends and family. Will hopefully see Ibrahim for our next tour September 2018”

“Such an amazing experience! The tour guides were amazing and very helpful with information. The accommodation was excellent, clean and comfortable. The places we visited were spectacular! Definitely would recommend this trip to people of all ages. I'm 20 and completed this tour with couples between the ages of 60-80. Loads of fun.”

“We did the 11 day tour from Delhi to Jaipur, Agra, Varanassi and back to Delhi. All the hotels we stayed in were up to standard. We were told that there was another option if we were concerned about the overnight train. We all went on the train and it was an experience... but isn't that what you go to India for?? Ibrahim looked after us from the beginning to the end and went way beyond what was expected when a bag was lost, which he found. I very strongly recommend this company, and Ibrahim as a guide.”

“HSJ have you looked after from the minute you step off the plane in India. This tour was amazing and our main guides Ibrihim and Shankar were absolutely wonderful. NOTHING was ever too much for these guys. They really know how to put on a tour and look after their groups and give them some of the best experiences that India and Nepal have to offer. I would definitely without a doubt do my next tour with HSJ. Can't speak highly enough and such amazing value for money. Way too many highlights to mention! Only one tip, don't go during Dwali or in the few weeks after as the pollution/smog is quite bad and the mountain views in Nepal will be disappointing.”

“Just finishing a trip with this company and enjoyed the experiences across the two countries. It is a tour providing vast contrasts! The tour was well organised and all drivers and guides were professional and punctual! The tour involves one overnight train trip in India which is an experience that I will always remember! The tour also involves a 4day trek in Nepal which we loved however the weather became very cold and the first guesthouse was very basic. Our trekking guide, Paban, looked after us very well along the way. We are in our 60’s and reasonably fit and healthy and you need to be for the trek! Overall we have very fond memories of our trip and would recommend this tour though it may not be for everyone. Expect the unexpected and you will enjoy!”

“We have just spent 3 weeks exploring India and Nepal on a tour organised by HSJ and it has certainly been and interesting and enjoyable experience. The Golden Triangle of India certainly exposed us to many well know sights as well as introducing us to the chaos and disorganization that is India. One must be prepared for the mass of cars continuously vying for space on the road, for the noise of car horns , for the cows that are oblivious to the constant stream of traffic and meander along without a care in the world. For the rubbish that piles up in the streets, and the tireless people trying to sweep it up. In India, HSJ selected some very fine hotels for us to stay in- all were comfortable and well appointed. Some had service that wasn't quite up to par , but in general we had comfortable and pleasant accommodation. Our Indian tour leader Tanveer, was very helpful and friendly, as was his young assistant ( whose name we never did get to know) and our driver Moorkesh ( how he navigated his way around I'll never know). Our local guides in each city were also knowledgeable and friendly. We were taken to a few "factory" type shops were we had a demonstration of creative process - weaving and rug making- which was interesting, but also involved a bit of "low-key" hard sell which we weren't very impressed with. The Nepal leg of the trip involved a 4 day trek as well as a short stay in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Our accommodation in both of these cities was comfortable , clean and roomy, especially Pokhara. Our trek guide , Sankar, and porters Sutan and Pradip, were all very pleasant and friendly. The accommodation on the trek was basic but mostly adequate, the Australia Camp guest house and site being the best, the Sarankot guesthouse a bit below par - a very uncomfortable bed, a dripping toilet cistern in the bathroom that was VERY annoying (kept us awake half the night until I switched the water off) and food that was poor standard. The most disappointing part of the trek was our 3rd day when we walked 20 kms on dusty roads with traffic . We were unaware that this would be the case, thinking that we would be walking off road and through the countryside, so we were a little unhappy. Maybe that should have been pointed out in the trip description a bit better. Never the less, we enjoyed our trip and although i think there is room for improvement, HSJ certainly provided us with an enjoyable holiday. I thing we did mention to HSJ on our arrival , and something for travelers to be aware of, is obtaining a visa on arrival into Nepal. We were told prior to leaving Australia that it was an easy process to obtain a visa at the airport, however, this was not the case when we arrived- along with 2 other plane loads of tourists. It took us a very long and frustrating 2 and1/2 hours to get through the process. I would strongly advise obtaining a visa before you leave home and have it when you arrive in Nepal!”

“From the moment we were met at New Delhi Airport until we flew to Kathmandu we were very well cared for and given every opportunity to understand and experience many aspects of Indian life and culture. we were escorted throughout the time with special guides at each of the major cities. Nothing was too much trouble and the reliability and cooperation of the company was outstanding. Accommodation and transport were well planned and activities excellent. I would absolutely use this company if I travel to India again.”

“One of my colleagues spoke highly of this agency and recommended that I contact them for packaged trekking tours in Nepal. I decided to contact them about an year ago for my parents wishing to travel to Nepal and India. I found them very reliable and responsive. They have been very quick to respond and very accommodating, which has put me at ease. My parents enjoyed their holidays in Nepal and India(Golden Triangle and etc) and were highly satisfied with the service. Highly recommend them.”

“If you have a free day take the World Heritage Site Tour. You'll be stepping back in time as you wonder around the Bouddhanath Stupa with its steely Buddha eyes watching your every move, We walked through the gates and followed the path that led to pagoda styled Pashupatinath Temple. Smoke rose from cremation piers, letting us not forget the hardships that are still befalling the citizens of Nepal, but added wonderment to their faith. The temple itself was closed to visitors due to Covid, but even though, throngs of people gathered to pay homage to their deity or loved ones. Our next stop was Kathmandu Durbar Square, and yes there are indeed uncountable amounts of temples within this square alone...Each its architect trying to outsmart its neighbors' with the skill of carving wood. Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple) One of the world’s oldest Buddhist Chaityas. The Great Stupa of Swayambhu is the glory that was Nepal. We climbed the hilltop to the temple. Visited the Buddha Thanka Treasure An Exclusive thanka Paintng show room and listened to a talk about the history of Buddha. The young craftsman, and women who range in age of 13 -50+ who spend their lives following the art to become a master craftsman/woman who paint the glorious Mandalas or Thanka. Each Thanka more exquisite than the last that was brought out for us to see. No camera's allowed. My eyes strained to take it all in. Really a place worth the visit, and please sit a while and listen to the knowledge that is on offer to you. The owner Rajesh and his young daughter are amazing to listen to. I hope you do take the time ...Namaste !!”

“Our guide Dipendra arrived right on time with a nice modern, clean and air-conditioned taxi. He took us to a series of very beautiful sites, rich in culture and art, explaining the right things to us without ever boring but still with a wealth of detail. Very attentive to our needs and patient. I recommend the tour to everyone, they deserve top marks, a+”

“Mr. Deependra was a very well-versed guide. He gave interesting details of all places visited. The driver of the vehicle was experienced and gave us a smooth experience - especially while navigating narrow lanes. The only point we did not agree to was the imposing of the restaurant for lunch. Though the view was good, it was unnaturally expensive. The orders of all members from the diverse group were taken on a single order from and payment was made individually by the members. The tour organisers were obviously very well compensated for their business at the cost of the tourists. This is in very bad taste.”

“I was able to take in the mesmerizing view of the seven UNESCO sites. From the get go the staff were very polite with me confirming my tour. The guide was able to get into deep knowledge of sites Boudhanath, Pashupatinath and many other places. He was a clear communicator and very helpful. 10/10 experience”

“Such a wonderful experience to explore kathmandu with the Guide Dependerá. Thanks a lot for everything.”

“Kathmandu's UNESCO tour was incredible! Perfect for a quick city visit. A big shoutout to Dependra, our guide, for making it unforgettable. Thank you, Dependra, for an amazing experience”

“Awesome day tour with Dipendra! He's kind, knowledgeable, and waited out the rain with us. The driver was great too. Highly recommend this tour”

“Had an amazing time exploring Nepal's history and culture. My guide, Dipendra, was super knowledgeable and made the sites more meaningful with his informative insights. Thanks for a fantastic day tour!”

“The guide was amazing and the places were interesting to say the least. Loved every minute of this trip. If you are ever in town, this is a musttt!!!”

“Had a wonderful day exploring the city! Dipendra, our guide, was fantastic—so smart and fun. The Monkey Temple, Patan Darbar, and its museum were really pretty and interesting. Seeing the cremation ceremony at Pashupatinath was something special!”

“Dipendra made our Kathmandu day trip amazing with temple visits and historic sites. The unique religious ceremony at Bagmati River was a perfect end”

“Awesome day in Kathmandu seeing all the best spots. Went back the next day to check out the most impressive ones. Perfect for a tight schedule. Our guide was chill and knowledgeable !”

“Dipendra proved to be an excellent guide during my time in Kathmandu. His extensive knowledge about the city enriched my experience as he shared insightful information. Beyond the scheduled tour, he went above and beyond, assisting me in discovering other interesting tours around the city. Dipendra not only provided a comprehensive exploration of Kathmandu but also served as a valuable resource in facilitating further exploration. His dedication and expertise significantly enhanced my overall travel experience.”

“Dipendra proved to be an excellent guide throughout the tour. His friendly demeanor and informative approach made the experience truly enjoyable. I found the tour of Nepal and Kathmandu particularly enlightening, thanks to Dipendra's wealth of knowledge. It was not just a trip; it was a journey filled with interesting insights. I highly recommend this tour led by Dipendra for an enriching and delightful experience”

“Kathmandu tour was a delight! The guide brought history alive with engaging stories, and the flawless organization added to the overall enjoyment. An essential experience – two thumbs up for making it so memorable”