Traveller reviews

“The trip and the experience were incredible to fly up the valleys and then be surrounded by snow capped mountains! Definitely a life experience! The only down side was Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor had false info and timing for the booking and they have no idea how the actual provider works, and then they were not available to help after they made the mess. We booked the flight for 9:15am well ahead of time and the night before the flight the actual provider called to say we had to be ready to go by 5:45am which we found out later was simply them trying to fill the helicopter although they used other excuses. So the bottom line it's must do experience and well work the cost, but whatever you do, don't use Tripadvisor to book it.”

“Not a long trip but one of the most memorable trip with boss at Chandragiri hill escaping from hustle and bustle. He provided me personal care and guided me. He is the owner of top company but i was lucky to have such a high profile guy as my friend. He is great and services was beyond my expectation.”

“Good place to see the snowing near the Kathmandu valley at the winter season. Just located around 10/12 km far from capital city and elevated around 2500m from the see level. Easy to reach with cable car. We can have chance to see the the panoramic view of Snow caped mountain towards the north. Everyone should reach there once their life to enjoy with the nature.”

“We visited chandragiri cable car on 15th of May 2023, it was really awesome going to the height of 2500 m above sea level, and from their you can see all katmandu and if the weather pemit you can see the himalayan range”

“we were looking for a rental car with a driver for South India. We had already booked hotels. Although the company "The India Specialist" hardly earns anything from this arrangement (without hotels), they very quickly arranged a great deal for us with additional tour advice regarding the distance planning per day. Very selfless, very serious, friendly and fast”

“Namaste. 🙏🏼 It was amazing. I really loved it. ☺️ Had so much fun going there and seeing the beautiful view. The trip was smooth maybe because it is weekdays as mentioned by my guide (Suk). He was a great photographer too 📸 Managed to ride the swing and Zipline on top of the hill. Over all I think this is one of the place to visit if you are planning to visit Kathmandu. 👍🏼👏🏼”

“Calm and safe driver who arranged the ticket and informed about everything I needed to know! Waited on site for transport back. Everything worked perfectly.”

“Don't rely in this to get a view of the Himalayas. It's extremenly weather dependent. however it's still a fun day, there are activities at the top of the mountain that don't break the budget, and it's the freshest air you'll breathe the whole week if staying in Kathmandu. You can get there for under USD$10 with a rideshare app. it costs about USD$20 for an adult with a foreign passport. you don't need your passport to go up unless you are applying for a reduced rate on account of your age. NB”

“I had a great experience on the Chandragiri Cable Car and Monkey Temple Tour with Indra. He was such a knowledgeable and friendly guide, making the whole day really enjoyable. Even with a bit of haze, the views were still breathtaking. Highly recommended!”

“I was once again assigned Ramsaran Simkhada (Ram) as my guide which was great. Ram kept in touch with my via WhatsApp and we agreed to push back the start time as it started raining at our scheduling meeting time. This was perfect as the rain cleared out some of the clouds and opened up some incredible viewing of the western ranges of the Himalayas. Very thankful for Ram’s support. The cable car ride was amazing. Very smooth and quick ride to the top (more than 2,000 meters up) and Ram was very helpful in pointing out the ranges for me and other tourists who were nearby. Awesome guy. This trip is good for anyone who wants a relaxing afternoon or you can add some of the activities to enhance the journey (e.g. horseback riding, zipline or bicycle wire riding).”

“Ram and all his guides and porters were gracious and helpful and most importantly KHARO! (funny). There was not a dull moment. From the moment we arrived in Kathmandu and toured around they were organized and navigated their way thru the chaos of the city. They offered many side excursions like a plane ride over Mt. Everest! A must do. Lake boat rides, & paragliding in Pohkara ( also a must do). The trek itself was life changing and by the far the most challenging thing I have done being that I am not the most physically fit. The team sang and danced they whole way and just when I though I couldnt walk up another step I would hear their call and keep going! and enjoying delicious Dal Bat was so special! Dal Bat Power 24 Hour! Thank you guys!”

“Hands down one of the most enjoyable trips I've had. You see and feel parts of a very special country. The people and their beliefs, historical places, arts, all mind opening. Had a fair share of adventure in hiking, white water rafting, paragliding, elephant riding, canoeing, and the list goes on. Accommodation is cosy, WIFI is readily available at every provided lodging although with limited speed. Staffs are helpful and friendly. And we forged new friendships there. Especially with Amreet and Ganga. Amreet even took a bicycle ride with us in Pokhara, and paraglided with us in Sarangkhot. And of course we have stayed in touch through social media. Ganga is awesome at his work. He motivates us all the way throughout all the strenuous activities, making sure we are well cared for. My gratitude for the wonderful staffs who made our journey so much more memorable.”

“Myself and 3 ladies from Estonia got back yesterday from our great adventure in Nepal. When we first arrived to Kathmandu we were a bit unsure of what to expect because the news depicted Nepal after the earthquake in the darkest colours. What we actually saw was completely different. Nepal is as safe as any other place in the world and there is nothing to be afraid of. Well, maybe just one thing - that you don't have enough time to experience everything that this beautiful country and its amazing people have to offer. In our 10 day trip with the Himalayan Social Journey we got to see most of the main sights in Nepal and do a lot of fun things (rafting, elephant bath,canoying trip, cultural dances, jungle walk, elephant ride, trekking and paragliding!!!). Throughout our trip the HSJ family was very professional and caring. Everything was organised perfectly from the minute we arrived to the airport until the moment we left. All of us in our group would especially like to thank our guide Raju who took such good care of us and made our time in Nepal unforgettable. Until we meet again - Namaste!”

“My wife and I have just returned from a couple of weeks in Nepal which included a 10 day Explore Nepal trip run by Himalayan Social Journey. It was a great trip and Himalayan Social Journey did a great job. They picked us up from the airport and made us feel relaxed and welcome in Nepal. They tool care of all the things that can sometimes be a pain in the butt in a foreign country with a language you don't speak. They organised accommodation, bus tickets, various activities which left us to concentrate on having a good time. We got stuck into some rafting, trekking, paragliding and loved it all. We had been told that there have been a number of people who have been cancelling trips to Nepal due to safety concerns and potential problems encountered after the earthquake earlier in the year. We had no such problems and were well looked after by our guide Raju Guru and porter Amrid. My wife and I had not travelled in a number of years due to a couple of small people that have taken over our lives and it was wonderful to walk the earth again. Nepal was a great place to visit with the smells, the food, the chaos and of course the mountains. I would highly recommend it and Himalayan Social Journey to prospective travellers. Michael Hahn”

“My boyfriend and I Just finished our 9 days Nepal tour and trek with himalayan social journey and it has been amazing!! We did many interesting and fun activities such as trekking and paragliding and everything went according to plan. A special mention goes to our awesome guide Mingmar. He looked after our group so well and went above and beyond to ensure we all had an unforgettable experience!! I highly recommend Mingmar!! See you on our next trip :)”

“This was the Nepal leg of a 21 day Himalayan Social Journeys tour of India and Nepal. trip comprised 2 nights in Kathmandu, 5 nights in Pokara region (of which 4 days were trekking) and another night back in Kathmandu. Our team was led by Mingmar Sherpa, an outstanding guide whose total concern was the happiness and well being of the group. If I had the energy to trek up Everest, I would gladly trust Mingmar to have my back. Assisting Mingmar, Narendra also did a great job and showed some smooth dance moves round the campfire. Highlights of the trip include excellent sightseeing in Kathmandu, the outstanding views of the Annapurna ranges and course paragliding off the mountains back to the lake. Ample time for shopping and flexibility for impromptu excursions (village school visits and joining a local dance party!) Thanks team for a great trip”

“This was a trip to remember-Trekking/river rafting/ paragliding and good company. The guides and porters were excellent. In particular Binod, Bijay and Dinesh ( Dennis) made the holiday informative and very enjoyable. Hotels were clean and the tea-houses though basic were also clean with basic amenities like warm shower provided. Local food I found was simple and tasty. Enjoyed the ‘masala tea’ and ‘Dhal Bhaat’. ( for those missing home food-porridge,toast and eggs also available). The Trekking in particular was comfortably paced and our guide Binod made sure we took our time and did not rush through. October first 2 weeks is a good time to go after the rains and before the start of the local festival. Booked via Luxury Escapes and the package was provided by Himalayan Social Journey (HSJ). Overall HSJ have provided a professional service with efficient friendly guides and porters who have made this a holiday to remember. John/Luke”

“Great paragliding just outside of Kathmandu! Safe and fun mini half day adventure. The pilot, guide and driver were all professional and kind. They give you all the photos and a recording of the flight as well which is really appreciated!”

“This was an amazing experience, we were picked up on time at our hotel and took to the paragliding place, the instructors were friendly, helpful and experienced in paragliding. After a briefing about safety and instructions we took off. Soaring above the mountains was a breathtaking experience, the views were spectacular and it was a thrilling experience, a must do for adventure/ adrenaline lovers. A go pro is provided so you can take amazing photos and videos. A truly unforgetable experience❤️”

“From being picked up at the airport to our day tours in ancient Buddhist and Hindu temples, HSJ did a great job of making everyone feel welcome, safe and informed! Bishnu and our tour guides were very professional, funny and friendly. From Katmandu's beautiful art, culture, food and music to the Nagarkot views of the foggy gorgeous green mountain tops, my 5 day tour met all my expectations and I can't wait to return for a longer trip of hiking or rafting. Definitely going to be contacting HSJ for my next visit.”

“By the End of December we have enjoyed me and my family (2 adults and 2 children) the services of this company. Totally we booked transportation and guide services for 3 services to visit Kathmandu, Patan, Bakthapur and Nagarkot. Everything was fine, these people is very professional. Don´t hesitate to book with them. I would like to make a special mention to our driver Dilip. He is a really amazing guy, always happy, always trying to help, always trying to make our holidays great. We have enjoyed very good moments with him and i hope the best for him for the future. People like him deserves the best. If in the future i would come to Nepal again, for sure I will book again with this company. Rgds”

“As I was going on my own, initially I planned to find a female guide for my trek, however, I was getting lazy and didn't want to take care of transport etc on my own, so in the end, I chose to join a package from this tour company because of the speed they have replied my emails and the attractive price quoted for low season (Jan). This was my first trek in Nepal, and my guide (whom also acted as my porter)- Santosh paid attention to many small details throughout the whole trip, from the numerous breaks during trekking to even cutlery I used for my meals. And it is a good experience to learn something about Nepalese people while talking to him in the few days I was travelling with him. And special mention to Dilip my driver for Kathmandu and Nagarkot part of the trip, he is a very nice guy and cares a lot about my safety and comfort during driving, he warned me every time when the road was getting bumpy, and he kept me entertained during our trip to Nagarkot. And my guide on the first day to Kathmandu is also amazing, (I am sorry, I forgot his name), he is knowledgable with very good English, and he could tell me a bit more about political situation in Nepal which is very interesting to me. He is very helpful in all ways too, helping me to buy a SIM card and all. Despite the earthquake and the fuel crisis, the sights in Nepal are still worth seeing, and there is not much effect on tourists. Yes, some of the world heritage sites are partially damaged during the earthquake, and yes, sometimes there are power outages. However, it is still worth going, and your support to this country by going there is going to directly help the Nepalese people, as tourism is like the most important industry there.”

“After purchasing a Luxury Escape 12-Day Golden Triangle of India tour, our very dynamic group of friends created our own customised add-ons. HSJ made this possible with a minimum of fuss! So - Mumbai it was for 3 days, in well located boutique Hotel Fariyas which is not far from the iconic Taj Hotel & surrounds. Followed by a "wishlist" to stay at the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (aka Ravla Khempur). Although it was a fair distance from Udaipur, itself an attractive Indian city, we had an out-of-this-world hospitality from the owner + Nitin and his Team. The main tour itself was a mixture of experiences reflecting what India was all about. Our escort, Ibrahim, was quick to adapt to our humour & tricks, We hope he had an equally good time with us, albeit the inevitable challenges we gave him must have stretched his patience. I am personally eternally grateful to Mr Lovely (our driver from Delhi / Jaipur / Agra) and his trainee (Ajay) for delivering us safely to our destinations. Traffic in India is indeed hair-raising! So many forts, historical tombs, etc. to see & visit but of course the greatest of them all - the Taj Mahal, was something to behold. Varanassi was rather confronting, with rituals and ceremonies too much to comprehend. The train trip from Agra was part of the Luxury Escape package; whilst it is an adventure of sort to have done it ... strongly recommend to opt for the flight back to Delhi (at whatever cost really!!). Hard to remember the names of all our city tour guides, but thank you all the same for your interesting info's and facts. Nepal was also customised by us, and found this a slower pace than the bustle of India. Other than some confusions on our transport arrangements, Ram and his team accommodated us to the best they can. Better to get out of Kathmandu and head for Nagarkot and Pokhara. Loved our mini-trek to the Oz Camp where we had stunning views of the Annapurna Ranges and Fishtail mountain. We bonded with some Nepali college students who happily joined us in our bonfire (reciprocal Aussie hospitality, I guess!). Special TY to Dipi, Dilip, and our porters. There will always be stuff to improve on the tour organisation and choices of activities. It can be frustrating when processes are slow, but this is India and Nepal. Our group kept an open mind prior to our trip and did not assume any level of expectation ... means we had a lot of fun, even if there are dozens of holy cows always getting in our way!!! Back to home sweet home Australia (where order is the norm), with so much priceless memories. With thanks to HSJ-India / HSJ-Nepal.”

“We had a short time in Nepal (4 days) and wanted to see the most we could of Kathmandu, Himalayan Social Journey worked with us to modify their sunrise tour. We had an excellent guide, Dipendra, who took us around the top historical sites in Kathmandu. He was personable and very knowledgeable. Our guide for the second half of our tour, Bishnu, accompanied us up to Nagarkot for a stunning view of the mountains at sunset/sunrise and a morning trek. A guide for 20+ years, he was also very knowledgable, professional and personable. We look forward to using this company for a longer trek in the future.”