Traveller reviews

“Our 12 day tour was booked through a local voucher deal company and for the low price paid our expectations were not that high. After contacting HSJ to make the booking and other arrangements we could immediately see that they were a professional company and very efficient, even arranging birthday gifts etc prior to arrival. The greeting on arrival at Kathmandu was smooth and the first evening's introductions and the folklore dinner was great. Our trip included a full day sight seeing tour of Kathmandu which was interesting but we felt it could have included more. The next day we travelled to the Trishuli river and enjoyed a couple of hours rafting which was one of the highlights of the trip. Great fun and well-organised followed by an overnight in the lodge and a tasty breakfast. The following day we arrived at Birethanti for the start of our trek which was fantastic throughout. Well organised, friendly guide and porters and good quality teahouse accommodation each night. The weather was perfect throughout and we were so lucky with the views that we experienced. We would highly recommend HSJ for any trip to Nepal without question and may even visit again ourselves one day!”

“We have just completed the Ghorepani Poon Hill circuit trek with Himalayan Social Journey and I would highly recommend them. HSJ make the entire process hassle free from the moment they pick you up from the airport to the time you are dropped back at the airport nearly 2 weeks later. We opted for a private tour so on the trek it was just the 2 of us plus our guide Tikaram and porter Dinesh. HSJ are a socially responsible trekking organisation and ensure that their porter’s are not overloaded by assigning one porter for every 2 trekkers and limiting each individual trekker to about 12kg of gear. Unfortunately as witnessed on the trek not all companies are as responsible as HSJ and if you are concerned about porter welfare I would definitely recommend using HSJ. All of the staff from HSJ we encountered were genuine and helpful. From the email correspondence which was always responded to promptly through to the general manager who met with us before we left Kathmandu. However special mention must be made for our guide Tikaram and porter Dinesh whom we spent the most time with during our stay in magnificent Nepal. Tikaram arranged our days on the trek expertly so that the only thing we needed to worry about was hiking, ordering food, and being packed and ready to go for the next day. Tikaram arranges the accommodation in the guest houses along the way, sets the hiking pace based on your ability, takes your order and serves your food. The hiking never feels rushed under Tikaram's guidance and there are ample opportunities for photography and rests. We had a extra slack day so Tikaram advised we spend an extra night in Pokhara. Additionally we decided to fly back to Kathmandu rather than bus and Tikaram arranged the flights as well. All in all Tikaram is a brilliant experienced guide and a kind, thoughtful and considerate person. HSJ are very lucky to have him as an employee. Dinesh is a dutiful and attentive colleague of Tikaram. He bore the weight of our pack with a smile and aplomb. He assisted Tikaram with meal service and would often be of assistance on the trail when required during wet and treacherous conditions or would power on ahead to secure our lodgings for the evening. All of this with the most weight of his back and a smile on his face. I wish Dinesh well with his future endeavours and his progression as a guide which I’m sure he’ll achieve and excel at. As for Nepal itself if you are contemplating coming I would highly recommend that you do. It is a dichotomy of the hustle and bustle of dusty manic Kathmandu to the serene majestic beauty of the Himalayas. With Pokhara falling somewhere between the two. Do not be delusioned power outages are a regular occurrence throughout the country. While we were at Kathmandu airport the power was cut on 3 occassions. The first time was disconcerting to be plunged into darkness but by the third time is was a mere inconvenience. The Hotels are basic is terms of western standards and the guesthouses on the trek even more so. However as always we were stuck by contrasts as we had wifi at most guesthouses which was totally unexpected and often an ensuite bathroom which Tikaram had secured for us. He was at pains to mention that during peak season it is not always possible to get an ensuite in a guesthouse. The major benefit of an ensuite is the toilet, the showers were sometimes cold because of power issues. However if you are an experienced multi day hiker even the option of a shower is plus. The roads are often narrow, potholed, dusty, and very busy. Driving in Nepal is an art involving lots of horn and overtaking on blind corners. Additionally everything happens in what’s known as Nepal time, and you need to be patient. Buses take between 6 and 10 hours to travel along the sole highway between Kathmandu and Pokhara. This major reason I would advise flights between Pokhara and Kathmandu if you can afford the additional expense. One way by bus while very interesting is enough. Why do Nepal? Given the challenges outlined above why would you travel to Nepal. Simply because of the adventure. The Himalayas are breathtaking and the sunrise summit of Poon Hill with the panoramic views of the Annapurna’s is an emotional experience. But beyond the mountains more importantly is the people. We’ve come away with life long friends who we will return to see hopefully again and again as we explore this magnificent country.”

“This was our 4th trek with Himalayan Social Journey and once again we had a great time. Our guide Prikash was agsin professional, friendly and helpful and made sure we were comfortable, happy and confident. All the porters were exceptional in their reliability, helpfulness and friendliness. We all achieved our goal with the help of this team. The accommodation was far better than we expected. A word of warning... if you are offered a jeep drive from Muktinath or Jomsom the road is really really rough and the trip is long and arduous. Opt for a flight if possible!”

“Just returned from our 14 day adventure. HSJ are the best and we felt safe and well looked after the whole time. Our thanks go to Binod our fantastic guide on the trek and was with us for most of the two weeks plus the porters who joined in with the banter and quietly got on with carrying our bags, waiting on us , and ensuring our every needs were met. If you are contemplating a trip to Nepal to trek in the Himalayas i would definitely look no further than HSJ, they were fantastic. I have now ticked off another lifetime ambition thanks to Binod and the team”

“Our group of ten undertook a tour of Kathmandu Valley and 10 days of trekking on Annapurna Circuit, with transfers included. The city tour was very good. We were taken to a variety of Buddhist and Hindu sites and were provided with detailed information from our guide. The trekking experience was excellent. Trekking poles were lent for use. Our guide Prakash and five porters were extremely helpful and made our journey more enjoyable. The circuit itself is a challenging but rewarding walk. None of the accommodation in the villages is luxurious (unsurprisingly) but it does the job. A note of caution: if ending your trek at Jomsom, make sure you insist on taking a flight to Pokhara. As we found out, transit by road is likely to take vastly longer than what HSJ suggests, can be uncomfortable, and is fraught with roads riskier than what is imaginable. We were unfortunate to miss out on a tour in Pokhara because of numerous roadworks we encountered on our way there. Airport transfers were excellent. Very punctual.”

“It is a bit a late review as we came back in May from our truly INCREDIBLE visit to Nepal thanks to Himalayan Social Journey and their INCREDIBLE TEAM!!! Together with a group of friends it has been decided to visit Nepal and trek in Himalayas. We decided to visit Annapurna region and walk the Annapurna - Poon Hill Circuit and I must say it was a trip of a life time. We found a great deal with Himalayan Social Journey and immediately booked the trip with them and I as well as my friends (their feedback here also can be found) did not regret it for a moment. We spend amazing two weeks learning about Nepal, its people, culture, food, customs and trekking the Himalayas with two amazing guides who could not be more helpful and caring: Narendra Timalsina and Prakash Rijal. I can easily say that I have never in my life been better looked after so I want to THANK YOU GUYS for making our stay in Nepal UNFORGETTABLE!!! Also I must mention other team members such as the Incredibly friendly porters who spent with us time in Himalayas, City guide in Kathmandu and the drivers who safely took us where we should be and picked us up from where it was needed. It is hard to mention everyone but BELIEVE ME - EVERYONE WAS AMAZING!!! As a part of our trip we also experienced absolutley great rafting on Trishuli River with experienced guides, guided trip around Kathmandu and Pokhara and many more atractions such as daily dance after supper with the guides and porters during the trek which will always stay in my memory. Package included Airport pickup & drop, accommodation, Necessary permit, TIMS, and national park fees Rafting in Trishuli River, Necessary rafting equipment (helmet, life jacket, and paddle) Trekking equipment during the trek (sleeping bag, duffel bag if necessary), sightseeing tour at Kathmandu and in Pokhara, all breakfasts and some other meals as per program,welcome dinner with cultural program, all transfers and meals, accommodation insurance, and other expenses of trekking crew (guide and porters) I recommend to visit Himalayan Social Journey web to see their offer and I as well as my friends and I think everyone who we meet during our time with HSJ will agree that this company and their people deserve the HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION FOR THEIR WORK AND HOSPITALITY!!! We already planning next trip - to EBC this time - and of course it is going to be with the amazing Himalayan Social Journey!!!!”

“My son (aged 19) and I have had the most wonderful trip thanks to the team at Himalayan Social Journey. The whole experience has been wonderful, from booking, through to the trip it's self. Everyone was so helpful and accommodating. The guide and porters were all fantastic, so helpful, knowledgeable, friendly and patient. When we return we would love to have the same team as it was so enjoyable. We would particularly like to thank our fantastic guide Ram who I'am sure is the best guide in Nepal and to our porters Pradip and Ramesh who were smiling all the time and so patient with us.”

“We had a great time with HSJ! We really enjoyed trekking through the mountains with our guide Shankar and the porter boys. The hotels in Kathmandu and in Pokhara were really great the guesthouses were good and clean. The rafting in Thishuli river was great. Only can recommend!”

“What an amazing trip! Looked after by Bishnu - a highly experienced and entertaining guide - as well as Rupris our lovely porter, we had the best time. Bishnu went to great lengths to ensure our safety and comfort at all times (though was a slave driver during the walking hours haha). We cannot recommend this company enough, from the pick up/drop offs at the airport, the Kathmandu hotel we were booked in, the city day tour and everything else they organised for us, just great. Annapurna is beautiful but HSJ made it the best holiday we've ever had. Thanks guys we will be back to do Everest!”

“My husband & I travelled from Australia to do HSJ 14 day Annapurna Circuit Trek & Chitwan National Park. The scenery and the experiences that we had while trekking were as advertised 'just wonderful'. They touched our souls. SHANKAR- our guide - had exceptional expertise, knowledge, client focus, flexibility and communication skills which contributed greatly to our enjoyment and to our satisfaction with the company. The customer focus that the company brought was also very marked particularly in the design of the trek especially its route and distances. Although some communication and administration could be improved. Don't assume! If you think you might have a question just ask and ask again if necessary. The company responds promptly by email. We valued the efforts of our porters and for their benefit we suggest that trekkers take no more than 10kg per person on the trek. You don't need more. There is plenty of clean drinking water and beer to be bought and ample good quality food. It can be cold in the mountains but will be warm in the cities in November. Importantly November is a no rain month and viewing conditions in the mountains are superb, in the mornings particularly. Some points to note: . The track has many trekkers & locals walking in both directions . Be prepared for 'squat' toilets . Showers when available & are mostly cold . Often only one hand basin for everyone in teahouse . It is useful to have a local SIM card - they are cheap . Internet access can be purchased at your teahouse but is often overloaded or very slow . Tipping is common & expected . There are NO ATMs on the track so take plenty of local cash . Most roads in Nepal are unsealed and in very, very poor condition eg 87km in 5 hours Finally, we could not recommend our guide - Shankar from HSJ more highly.”

“I did the Annapurna Circuit with my friend and it was the most amazing experience! Our guide was Nabraj and our porter was Rupesh. They both were excellent and we could have not done the trek without them! Nabraj was very helpful and provided us with the knowledge that we needed to do the trek. Although, Rupesh was the porter, he too assisted us with the trek. I would definitely recommend Rupesh to be a guide for the future as his knowledge about the Himalayas was very insightful! They both are now our lifelong friends! Would definitely recommend the trek and the guide/porter for anyone looking to do the Annapurna Circuit! Thankyou Nabraj and Rupesh for everything you did for us!”

“We’ve just finished a 14 day tour with Himalayan Social Journey, including Ghorepani circuit trek, Pokhara and Kathmandu sightseeing, Chitwan National Park visit and Everest scenic flight. We loved every minute of it and the whole experience was made so easy by the HSJ team. They helped with everything! Great communication day to day, great knowledge of their subjects and very flexible with itinerary (we were a very small group due to non-peak season booking). Highly recommend this company!!”

“We have just had the most amazing trek, walking the Poonhill circuit over 6 days and Himalayan Social Journey were excellent in every aspect. In particular, our guide Paban and porters Manog and Ramkrishna were a credit to their company. They were polite, friendly, caring and respectful. Paban's knowledge was exceptional.We felt very safe and very well looked after. I would highly recommend them.”

“We have just completed our 15 trek of the full Annapurna Circuit and could not recommend HSJ enough. This is our second time to Nepal with HSJ, and we will be back again to see more of this beautiful country. What makes HSJ so great is the people and the care they give. We had a fantastic guide Ram Saran, and great Porter Ram Krishna. Both made our trip so memorable. They were both there to support us when needed on the tough trekking days like when we went over Thorong La Pass. Ram Saran was great in educating us on Nepal throughout the trip. Very knowledgeable. Also, HSJ is very easy to deal with online from our home country as we were planning our trip. We had 21 days to spend in Nepal, and they created an itinerary to suit our needs. Thank you Ram Saran, Ram Krishna and HSJ!!! Tristan & Fiona Merrett.”

“Hi so went on the trek to annapurna base camp. When we landed in kathmandu the company had sent a car to pick us up and a guide with the vehicle. The guide was Tikkara ( an amazing guy). We were staying at the hotel holy himalaya. Our room wasn't that great but alright. Next day we drove to pokhara , the rooms there were nice. The next day we started trekking from nayapool, we had two porters with us prakash tomong and om prakash, again amazing guys, they could speak a little bit of hindi and English but we had no problem communicating . During the trek we bonded with the porters and the guide . Made some amazing memories. One day we decided to stop at tadapani because my uncle wasn't feeling well , and I played ludo with them it was really fun😂( literally the whole day) . Tikkaram, prakash and prakash gave me really useful tips and were very helpful, always guiding us . Tikkaram got us the best accommodation where ever we stayed at night during the trek and ensured quality food for us. And our tour guide for kathmandu Dipendra was very knowledgeable and our driver dilip was also very nice. I'd would like to thank Himalayan social journey for this memorably trip and our guide tikkaram porters prakash and prakash and dipendra and dilip. If you're planning a trek in nepal Himalayan social journey is best!”

“We just completed a 13 day tour with Himalayan Social Journey in June 2019. The company is very professional and every email, with my many questions we answer promptly. HSJ was very flexible with my every need. Our Tour Guide Paban meet us at the Airport and for the next 13 Days guided us on an amazing adventure. My husband and Two kids ages 13 and 10 and I were treated with kindness and respect. The porters Hari and Probin were strong, tough and always smiling, always helping out whenever they can. We trekked for 5 days on the Poonhill Trek, my kids are fit and did not complain once. I will say if your kids are active in sports , they will find this easy. The Trek was Medium grade and if you hike regularly and are in good shape, definitely recommend the trek through the mountains and Jungles. Paban was very diligent in removing Leeches before they had time to reach your skin. He also help me come down the mountain as I had a bad knee, he always waited for me when I needed to take my time. Be prepared and know basic first aid and bring a first aid kit. We also brought a water filter and a life straw... We are very careful about what we eat and drink. We only ate hot vegetarian meals and eggs for breakfast.We avoided raw foods on the trek. Take loads of snacks from home that you like to eat. The snacks on the mountains are chocolate bars and cookies. We also brought a mesh tent for all the bugs. We placed the mesh tent on our bed at night... yes there are a lot of bugs at night , not during the day. Because it was monsoon we brought ponchos and expected it to rain all day. We got so lucky and it only rained at night. It was so hot during the day and sunny blue skies.Arron was our guide in Chitwan, he was so knowledgeable and excited to show us the elephants, rhinos , monkeys and birds. Highly recommend Himalayan Social Journey for your next adventure.”

“Frm pick up airport to guide/porter the whole trip ran smoothly with no hitches,throughly enjoyable trip. The trip was great value for money delip one of airport rep was great ensuring we arrived to all of our destinations on time safely. The trekking guide Bindash was very attentive to mine and especially my mothers needs,ensuring that at the age of 58 she achieved her goal safely in making her way around the trek. The city guide around katmundo was a wealth of knowledge it was like going out on a history lesson for the day brilliant. The accommodation that the company books fkr you including the guest houses on the trek are great i didn't expect such good quality, food and service their was outstanding. All in all a amazing trip well worth the momey and will be using the company again for future tours.”

“I had the best time doing your 14 day tour white water rafting,Chitwan NP and 8 days of trekking. Your lead guide Binny (Binod) was very professional and was so accommodating making sure everyone was happy. Repesh (back up guide) was also very helpful and friendly. Big clap to the Porters Dil, Sudip,Ram and Buddi. I recommend this tour very much. Himalayan Social Journey your staff are just wonderful and I wish them the best luck.”

“Booked a 14 day trek through HSJ - and it was such a wonderful experience. Even from before we left - the correspondence was fantastic. From the moment we were met at airport in Nepal - to the end at our grateful farewells - every detail was taken care of. Our guide, Binod Gharti (Binny), was / is such a wonderful, kind, young man. His English and knowledge throughout our tour was excellent. He took care of every detail and everything ran like clockwork. It really worked out well to do the Sight Seeing City tour of Kathmandu prior to the tour - a much better option, I feel. Also loved that Chitwan Nat Park was before the trip too - as for me, the highlight was definitely the trekking, the people, the food, the laughs & those amazing mountains. Really looking forward to doing another trek with HSJ. Our group of 12 - was fantastic and a great way to travel in a smaller group - rather than a larger bus - much quicker on those roads. Highly recommend the flight from Pokhara back to Kathmandu - due to the conditions of the roads. I went with my son, he also took the helicopter to Annapurna Base Camp and loved it, and we both (as did most of our group), do the paragliding in Pokhara - amazing!. The only thing, I would have changed, is to stay another night in Pokhara as we didn't get enough time to explore if you do a few activities. Plus, I thought the accommodation was better there at the end. We decided to upgrade for the last two days / one night at Gorkana Forest Resort - and although this was relaxing - it was too far out from the city and nothing much to do and a little more expensive for drinks - plus I didn't like that the pool was inside - far better at Pokhara and nicer pools. In summary - I had a trip of a life time to a truely wonderful country that I hope I am lucky enough to visit again - and with any luck, be able to have Binny as a guide again. Our assistant guide, Rupesh, was also fantastic and our four porters were just hero's - and always helpful and funny. HSJ - well done! This trip would suit, couples, solo, family with teens, group of friends.Thanks”

“We had a wonderful 14 day tour of Nepal, with white water rafting, Chitwan National park and 8 days Annapurna trekking. Our lead guide Binod was great, informative, knowledgeble and professional, always willing to help where he can. The same goes for our second guide and porters,always very helpful and friendly. The highlight of our trip was the 8 days trekking, amazingly beautiful, good accomodation and food, can highly recommend this trip, all went smoothly from arrival to drop off at airport.”

“This trek was an amazing family experience! Having never trekked before and this being our first visit to Nepal, I can’t say enough about our experience with Himalayan Social Journey. We were picked up from the airport and taken to Hotel Holy Himalaya which was such a balm after a long journey from Canada. The next day we met our guide, Ramsaran Simkhada, who led our group so expertly. On the way from Kathmandu to Besi Shahar, we picked up our porters, Hari Pulami Magar, Thakur Adhikari, and Prabin Tamang. These four people became like family over the course of our 15 days together. The beauty of trekking this way is the opportunity to engage in the culture in a way not afforded if trekking alone. It truly was hard to say goodbye at the end. Friendship aside, we also felt like our safety and health were assured so that Tharong la pass was certain. We were reminded to drink water, to go slowly (vistari vistari) and along the way, mountains and mountain goats and birds were pointed out. I leave this place fuller for having known these four men and for having seen a piece of this beautiful planet. This trek took me beyond...myself, my imagination my senses. I will spend years reliving the different pieces. Thank you Nepal - Namaste.”

“Himalayan Social Journey (HSJ) is completely fantastic!!! Our guide, Ram Simkhada, has been amazing! We had a setback that required him to take one of our party members all the way from Manang (clockwise) to Muktinath! He did this with grace and humour. HSJ had the foresight to send a very experienced assistant guide name Thakur Adhikari, who uses his expertise to guide our group of six, aged 13 (twins), 15, 42, 45, 49 over Thorong La. Guidance included advice on nutrition, sleep, trekking speed, and load management. The schedule, including rest stops, meals and places to sleep were adjusted according to our abilities and we never waive red in our faith in the ability of the team. Pravin Tamang and Hari Pulami Magar were our porters. Both men were superstars in their own right. Beyond the technical proficiency of our team, these guys became beloved travel mates. There was humour, signing, language exchange (them teaching us and vice versa) and wonderful exchange of cultural nuances that we would have missed without their input. From the pickup at the airport to the sad goodbyes in Pokhara, this has been the trip of a lifetime. Thank you Himalayan Social Journey!”

“We booked a 14 day Nepal trip through Luxury Escapes two years ago and was concerned that we may encounter problems booking so far in advance, but Himalayan Social Journey was professional and helpful from start to the finish. Usha and Khima replied promptly to all my email queries and provided all the important information required for the trip and organised the airport pick up. We were met at the airport by our guide Binny, who tended to all our needs during the 14 day period. He was an absolute star – nothing was too much effort and his stories about Nepal and trekking was captivating. Binny gave us a nightly briefing of what to expect the next day and he ensured pick ups / accommodation / meals etc was organised. He went as far as checking each room after we left to ensure nothing was left behind by his guests – through all my travels I have never encounter such dedicated staff as Binny and his support team. Rupesh assisted Binny during the 7 day trek (Annapurna / Ghorepani Poonhill Trek) and 4 porters carried the luggage for our group of 12 for over 60km and a 2000m+ climb. The Himalayan Social Journey’s staff was amazing – friendly, attentive and hard working – I could not praise each and every one of them more. The trek was by far the highlight of the trip. Harder than we expected, but ‘slowly slowly’ got us all to the top of Poonhill. We loved the quaint little villages and lush vegetation, Rhododendron forests, mountain views, friendly people, delicious food. No negatives for Himalayan Social Journey, but be prepared for some upsetting facts if this will be your first visit to Nepal and you are a nature and animal lover: • Chained up elephants in Chitwan. Why is this cruel treatment of elephants still practiced and accepted? At the breeding centre the dreadful facts of elephant torture is on display and the beautiful beasts can be seen - feet chained to the ground. I found it so heartbreaking that it distracted from all the other amazing animals and birds we were shown by our very knowledgeable and passionate guide • Hungry mangy dogs – especially in Kathmandu. The Monkey Temple is the worst – how inhumane that millions of visitors step over starving animals without giving them a second thought (or something to eat!). Please support KAT ANIMAL TREATMENT CENTRE, who is doing their best to improve the lives of thousands of street dogs in Nepal. • Lots and lots of rubbish everywhere – apart from the Anapurna Conservation Area portion of the trek, where rubbish bags are placed along the route leaving the environment clean and pristine. • White water rafting in the Trisuli River – where all the rubbish / sewage ends up. Although the river rafting was great fun, I do not believe the water is safe for water activities. There is water in abundance in Nepal – roaring waterfalls and rivers from the Himalayas – beautiful clean water. But visitors and locals alike only drink bottled water as once man is thrown into the mix the water is too polluted to drink – and millions of plastic bottles land up in the water – a vicious cycle. It seems like the rivers are the preferred dumpsite and transport of Nepal’s rubbish.”

“Wow, this trip booked through Luxury Escapes with Himalayan Social Journey was awesome. Our amazing guides Pradip Tamang and Binod Gharti, together with our wonderful porters Basanta, Dil, Suman, Ganesh and Machhindra, safely navigated our team through the spectacular mountains on the Annapurna circuit. The tea house accommodation in the mountains was basic, but always clean, comfortable and had a western toilet which is a treat we weren’t expecting but was welcomed. The meals at the guest houses were also a surprise - tasty, delicious and filling, which helped us get through each day of trekking with plenty of energy. On top of the awe inspiring trekking, we also took part in a jungle jeep safari spotting many animals including a couple of rhinos, white water rafting on the Trishuli River and took in the sites on city tours in Pokhara and Kathmandu. All in all it was an amazing adventure holiday that will forever have a special place in our hearts. Thanks Himalayan Social Journey for this fabulous experience.”