Traveller reviews

“Fantastic experience made even better by our guides Mingmar & Bishnu. Their knowledge, humour & genuine concern for all of us to complete the trek made this the experience of a lifetime.”

“We had an incredible experience trekking to base camp over 16 days. The views along the way are something that have to be seen to truly be appreciated. Our trip was made even more memorable by the people we met and our guides Mingmar and Bishnu who were very informative, professional and encouraging; their humour and knowledge make the journey all the more entertaining. I would recommend Himalayan social journey to anyone wanting to experience the Himalayas.”

“Our trek to Everest Base Camp (EBC) could not have gone better. We were thrilled with the experience, the jaw-dropping scenery and the great service and support from HSJ. Due to our timing we were the only ones on our tour so had our own guide and porter making for a personalised and friendly trek that matched our pace and preferences. The package was superb and other than one less than stellar accommodation option, everywhere we stayed worked well and it was a delight to end up at Gokarna to finish the trip. Above all else, we had great people looking after us and were among some of the most hospitable and friendly people on earth - the Nepalese, and in particular, the Sherpa people. If you are thinking about a trek to EBC, do it! It is a life-affirming experience and we are happy to recommend HSJ.”

“by far one of the most challenging things i have completed but totally rewarding and a sense of achievement by the end! our guides Binod and Raju were excellent, very knowledgable and an asset to the company. they knew names and heights of every mountain we passed, gave an in depth explanation of the next days itinerary and were thorough in checking our oxygen levels every night. felt very safe in their hands. the tour is well run, organised very well, the hardest part you have to do is decide to book! if you are considering a trek to base camp, this is the tour for you! and the 2 nights at gokarna after the trek is an excellent idea, lots of food, massage n relaxation!!!”

“This was hands down one of the best holidays I've ever been on. The scenery, the people and the personal journey of hiking in beautiful and remote places is irreplaceable. Our guides for the trip Binod Dhakal and Raju Aryal were not only extremely professional and knowledgeable, but they were funny and personable and made the experience more than any of us could have hoped. They always went out of their way to meet every request and were genuinely good people to be around. Definately made some friends for life on this trip. I would highly recommend both of them as guides and they have a diverse range of activities not just base camp that they can help with. The trekk itself was at times challanging but every tea house, every village was worth pushing to get to. The guides also always looked out for your health and well-being, so if you needed to slow the pace or take breaks they were right there with you. We were always well looked after and very comfortable, warm and well fed. I was a little worried at first about holidaying with people I had never met, but I'm so pleased to say that they are all apart of my family now. By the end I felt like I had known them forever. I could not recommend this package enough. It's affordable, it's friendly and it's once in a lifetime! Do it!!”

“We had a wonderful experience with our wonderful guides Mingma Sherpa and Bishnu. Each part of the trip was very well prepared and thorough briefings provided each day so that we knew what to expect. Even when our flights out of Lukla were cancelled, Mingma and Bushnu did everything they could to ensure we had options to fly out to Kathmandu and maintained ongoing support and contact until we were safely out our destination in Kathmandu. This company is highly professional and very experienced. I would highly recommend them to anyone seeking an trekking adventure in Nepal.”

“What an awesome experience.....from the lush greens to gliterring glaciers, the natural beauty of this exhausting but exhilirating trek (2600m to 5545m) is simply breathtaking. Gange our guide was only a professional, but was outstanding in making evaluation efforts for one of our trek member from New Zealand and also lead to rescue trekkers from Germany who went down into Himalayan glaciers near Lobuche and were without a guide/porter/travel insurance. Hats off to you Ganga.....With regard to the Himalayan Social Journey, they are truly an outstanding company who not customized the programme to our specific needs but also ensured that we have a life time of experience. Thank You Ram, Usha and all their staff working towards this objecttive.”

“Thank you so much for probably the best experience of my life! I decided to undertake this trek to challenge myself, and even though there were times that were tough for me physically, my guide Ganga was there to encourage me at every step- sometimes literally! The accomodation was great, food choices amazing - even though I trekked in the off-season, and the beautiful people of the mountains were always welcoming and extremely gracious. I really can't speak highly enough of Ganga and his words of wisdom while I was trekking. He had a very calming way about him, and his experience showed when I unfortunately began to show signs of altitude sickness . The level of care, concern and dedication shown by HSJ was incredible. As a solo traveller from overseas, any kind of illness can be scary, but because of the profesionalism and experience of HSJ, I received the most excellent care and outstanding support from start to finish. My entire experience in Kathmandu (even with the slight hiccup) was truly amazing, and I am planning to return as soon as I can. If you are planning to trek in Nepal, take it from me, you should do it through HSJ - their experience shows in the finer details, and they take all the worry out of planning and travel. Thank you so much HSJ”

“I did the 18 day Everest base Camp trek with a friend and his adult son. I know it's not a day tour but I didn't find anywhere to review their longer treks and felt strongly that they deserved to be recognised for how good they were. There were seven of us on the tour. I didn't know what to expect prior to my arrival but this company was very efficient from our arrival at the airport until our departure. The Hotel we stayed at in Kathmandu was very nice and the Teahouse/Hotels we stayed at on the trek to base camp were very good. If they weren't the best in each of the villages we stayed at they must have been very close to it. Our guide Bishnu Bhattarai (Bart) was excellent and took great care of us continually checking on our health and only trekking as fast as our slowest walker. He went above and beyond by organising everything at every stop and helping our group with anything extra that came up. He even helped a couple of guys shop for clothing during the trek. The trip was unbelievable value for money and I could not recommend this company high enough. If I go back I would not hesitate to book with Himalayan Social Journey again.”

“Travel to Nepal it was a dream come true. We went for "Annapurna Ghorepani Trek with Chitwan Jungle Safari" with Himalayan Social Journey and it was amazing. All the staff was wonderful, from the beginning till the end of our journey. Very friendly, professional and available to help with any issue at any time. The trekking was what we enjoyed most... the landscapes, the culture, Nepalese people, the food...all deserve to be seen and known... what a great experience! We will never forget our lovely guides, Prakash and Ganga, and the porters Khadka, Basanta, Roopeszz, and Badri. You are incredible guys!!! A BIG THANK YOU to all of you!!! Prakash spent a lot of time with us and taught us a lot about Nepal... a big hug my friend. Hopefully, we will return to Nepal to experience the Everest Base Camp with you :) Himalayan Social Journey is a great company and made our journey even more special. Thank you a lot! To our group, it was a pleasure to meet you all. It was not our vacation...it was our mission... as Ganga once said... and we did it! One month ago we were there, "sometimes uphill, sometimes downhill, sometimes piriri" as Prakash always sang to us :). Thank you all of you for all the support and good moments spent :). Hope to see you again! NAMASTE”

“My family (Dad, sister and brother and I) flew out to Kathmandu July 2018. We have organised to do the 16day trek to EBC through the Himalayan Social Journey. On the day of arrival we were greeted by the Himalayan Social Journey Drivers who proceeded to take us to the Holy Hotel in Kathmandu all while giving us facts about Kathmandu city which we enjoyed and was a learning experience as it was the initial viewing we got to see as we hopped off the plane. We were greeted our Sherpa guide Mingmar Sherpa At the Holy Hotel and he informed us of our itinerary of our stay, journey up the mountain trails and where we were going to be stay during the nights, food choices etc, medical evacuations if needed etc. We had an orientation dinner that night which consisted of Nepali food and cultural music and dancing. When we flew into Lukla airport we were greeted by Janaak our porter. (Let me say that Janaak was one of the strongest and friendliest porters i have ever seen in my life. he even taught me some Nepali card games). During our entire trip up and down the mountains, Mingmar was an exceptional guide (Sherpa Number 1) who was full of amazing facts about Nepal and the mountain ranges and the local people. the accommodation we stayed in far exceeded my expectations as coming from a first world country i was skeptical but in the end was more then happy with the arrangements. The food was amazing (my stomach didn't like it though) so some Gastro pills or extra toilet paper is a must if you haven't been abroad. After 9 days of climbing the Nepali flat (little up, Little down) we got to experience the amazing views from the mountain ranges. The 4 days down went by faster then we thought. All in All, Mingmar and the Himalayan Social Journey deserve a 5 star rating. Couldnt be happier with our trip. I am coming back one day and am going to ask for Mingmar again and would recommend him to everyone”

“Had an awesome experience with Bishnu. He lead the trip and explained all the sites on the way to EBC, the experience wouldn’t have been the same without him. Would highly recommend EBC with Himalayan Social Journey”

“Cannot recommend Himalayan Social Journey highly enough. From my arrival in Kathmandu to EBC and back everything was taken care of. Our guides on the trek were excellent, professional, caring and motivating. Mingmar Sherpa was my groups guide - he was fantastic from start to finish - arranged tours for me in Kathmandu prior to leaving for the trek. He cared, encouraged and entertained us all the way. Never once did he make any of us feel we were too slow, old or unable to complete the trek - I have friends who now wish to take this wonderful challenge and I will be recommending this company and Mingmar knowing everything will be attended to and they will succeed and above all enjoy the experience! Thank you Himalayan Social Journey and especially Mingmar!”

“If one word can describe this incredible journey with best guide Mingmar it is enlightenment. Other words - incredible, unbelievable, enriching, wonderful, exhilarating, beautiful may describe too. Probably the best experience of my life. Thank you Himalayan Social Journey for the incredible service. Everything was well organised and on schedule. Best to go with organisation like this one.”

“Completed my EBC Trek, would not be able to complete it without the help of Ming Mar Sherpa and Dipak as our guide! Both of them are great and supportive. Just walk at your own pace and they will be supporting you throughout the journey! No pressure and enjoy the breathtaking walk uphill and downhill.”

“My husband and I arrived Sept 10 to do an EBC trek. Flights from Kathmandu to Lukla are notoriously delayed due to weather (in this case, flights didn't go for 8 days.) Binod Simkhada went to the airport with us (read: stayed with us at the airport 4+ hrs a day) on the 11th, 12th, and 13th to try to get us a flight on a plane or a helicopter. When it really looked like we couldn't get one, he arranged us a Jeep to Phaplu. Vishnu - Was going to be our tour guide but due to the delays, ended up going with another group. On the 10th took me on his motorcycle to help me get a phone - totally out of his way and didn't have to do it - super awesome of him. Dilip Simkhada - HMJ's amazing driver who came to our hotel at 5 AM each morning with a smile to take us to the airport... then take us back when the flight didn't work out. Kathmandu traffic is really something, but he's a pro. Dipendra - Our guide for the Kathmandu city tour on Sept 11 (at least that day wasn't lost due to the airport delays!) Took us to Durban Square, Monkey Temple, Great Boudah Stupa (lunch at the rooftop cafe was my favorite part - such a peaceful view!), and the crematorium temple by the river. Super knowledgeable about Nepali culture and religion - very enjoyable day. And now we get to the two absolute best people ever.... Raju and Sujan Aryal. Raju - our super capable guide, 10 years of experience. Our first day hiking was a wet one, and the rocks were super uneven (remember, we took that jeep - so we started lower than most people... not a popular stretch of trail.) He literally caught me about 5 times to make sure I didn't trip, fashioned a walking stick for me out of bamboo, and helped me through some difficult spots. He is super knowledgeable about Nepali flora and fauna, Everest history, and geography (I don't know how many times we asked him what mountain was what, and which "Boche" we were in (Dingboche, Loboche, Debouche... so many similarly named towns!) Since the trip was just my husband and I, he adjusted our journey to our walking speed (we're avid hikers and runners) while still staying safe about acclimatization. We took both rest days (highly recommend that!!) but did gain some time at the start at lower altitude, and on the way down (which we needed since the jeep took us to a ~3 day walk from the original start). At Gorek Shep (5180 M) my husband got sick (not altitude sickness, but a flu) - and Raju woke up at 4 AM to help make sure he was OK. Leaving Lukla was a bit of a challenge, but he was able to organize a helicopter for us when the flights didn't go. I'm sure he was exhausted after going up and down to EBC, but he was up at 4 AM with us that final day, and worked tirelessly until we got out of Lukla. What else can I say about Raju... he's always in a good mood, he's funny, he's organized - gives you a good run down of the day every morning, he's always making sure you're doing OK... he's someone we consider a friend after these 2 weeks of getting to know each other. Super good guy. Oh, and he knows EVERYONE... everyone at each of the tea houses, guides and porters up and down the trail... makes it easy for him to check on conditions up ahead, etc. Sujan - Some people might clap that we made it to EBC and back, but Sujan did it faster, while carrying our 30kg duffle bag. He greeted us every morning with a smile, and though he's a rather quiet guy, he was always super sweet. Don't challenge him (or Raju, for that matter) to a game of pool, though, unless you know what you're doing. :) In summary, if you want to do EBC, go through HSJ. Nepal is the kind of place that you have to expect the unexpected, and you want people that are friendly and trustworthy looking out for you.”

“The most challenging experience of my life but also the most rewarding! HSJ are a company that are at the top of their game and everything was organized and arranged to perfection - I couldn't imagine doing this trek without the expertise and experience shown by these guys! I really can't thank our guides Bishnu and Basan enough. Their level of care for all of our group was amazing. All 10 of us successfully made it to Everest Base Camp and I put this down largely due to the advice, guidance and care shown by our guides. I would not hesitate to recommend this company to anyone wishing to embark on this adventure of a lifetime! I'm very honoured and proud to call Bishnu and Basan my new friends. Thank you Himalayan Social Journey for giving me the most wonderful experience, and memories I will cherish forever!”

“Hi, I am in Kathmandu after our 16 day Everest Base Camp Trek with 2 nights at the Gokarna Forest Resort . First I will tell you the positives of this trip. #1 - The service, from booking the trip, answering questions before the trip, confirmation of the trip, being picked up at the airport with a very happy tour guide called Bishnu, accommodation in Thamel and the tea houses on the trek and the wonderful accommodation at the end of the trek at the Gokarna Forest Resort. Himalayian Social Journey offer a service which goes above and beyond and exceeds expectation. #2 - Our tour guide Bishnu. What can I say. I wish he was working for me in Australia. He made the trek. Giving us the information of each treking day, explaining what we should expect on each day of the trek. Recommending what to eat and what we should be wearing each day, he was like a mother to everyone and also showing me how to play and win at Uno. #3- Value for money. This was best money I have ever spent on a holiday. Cons - Nothing. What Himalayan Social Journey said on their website what was included on 16 Day Nepal Journey they provided but also went to the next level of service. Sum up - If you want to trek to Everest Base Camp and see some of the most beautiful scenery in World go with best treking company in Nepal, the Himalayan Social Journey and you won't be disappointed. I used Himalayan Social Journey in India 2 years ago and I will be using them again. A very over the moon happy customer. Scott Murray Gold Coast, Queensland (Scottish)”

“Exactly like the title says “ the most amazing trip of a lifetime”. Our family of 3 (myself, my husband, our 16 year old son) just completed the 12 day trek to EBC then 2 nights to finish at the Gokarna Forrest Resort. It was absolutely amazing. Everything was perfectly organised from the moment we arrived at Kathmandu airport till we were dropped back at the end of our trip. Our guide Mingmah Sherpa made our trip as perfect as it was. He has a 100% success rate of getting his guests to Base Camp and now I know why. Himself and his assistant guide PK went out of their way to make everything perfect for the whole group. The accomodation was great, food was beautiful and people .... just wow 🙏🙏🙏 The only sad thing was watching my son say goodbye to our guides as he had become such good friends and awesome card buddies with them both 😊 I highly recommend using Himalayan Social Journey and I will definitely be using them in the future. Namaste 🙏”

“HSJ provided exactly what they described. The guides, Bishnu and Pasang, were fantastic; knowledgeable, caring, fun. I would travel with HSJ again without hesitation. Be prepared to be challenged physically and mentally. A new and awe-inspiring view awaits you at every bend in the trail. The experience of watching the sun rise over Everest from Kala Patther is a once in a lifetime moment. Our thanks to HSJ.”

“My partner and I came back from our Everest base Camp trek a couple of days ago. We got a great deal through Himalayan Social Journey so decided to do it through them. From the first day everything was well organised. We had someone waiting for us at the airport which was great after a long trip from Australia. The next day there was an included city tour which was very interesting and informative. They took us to several large sites and we were even able to watch a body being cremated, something I have definitely not experienced before. However, the best part was when we finally arrived at Lukla a few days later and got to start our trek. Our guides were Raju and Sujan and they were both fabulous. Raju was in charge and he spoke excellent English and was so genuinely friendly and kind. He always ensured we were all comfortable, going at whatever pace we needed and teaching us about the surrounding mountains, environment and the Nepali culture. Over the next eleven days Raju would speak to us all each evening after dinner to inform us of the events for the next day, how long we would be walking, and how tough the day would be based on whether it was uphill and our altitude. He was always honest with us about what to expect but also motivated us and had faith that we would all make it. Although Sujan’s English was not as comprehensive as Raju’s, he had such a friendly persona that it didn’t matter. He led the faster group at the front, whilst the slower walkers stayed with Raju in the back. As I was in the front group, I spent a fair bit of time with Sujan and he was able to answer all our simple questions such as how far it was to lunch, how long we had left to walk, where the toilet was etc. He was always happy to stop whenever we needed a break and was very patient with us, stopping for photo ops of the beautiful scenery as well and even serving as a photographer when necessary. As we arrived at about 5000 metres in altitude, one of my fellow trekkers (an older man - about 65 years of age) started to get really badly affected by the altitude. He requested to be helicoptered back to Kathmandu as he could not complete the walk, and whilst Raju and Sujan were both very understanding about this, Raju especially deserves recognition. He made sure the man stayed hydrated and woke up three or four times throughout the night to check on the unwell man in his room. He stayed with the man and his wife until the helicopter came the next morning, and then rushed to Everest Base Camp in under two hours (the hike took us four or five hours) to be able to meet the rest of out group up there in time to take some photos together and congratulate us. That is some crazy dedication (and fitness)! It definitely made us feel special and showed that he cared about us all, despite the fact he sees so many new people regularly. The last person involved in our trek was Bijan, the porter who handled our bags and the yaks that carried them. His English was very limited and we did not spend much time with him as he was usually ahead of us with the yaks to ensure our bags arrived at each teahouse/hotel before we did, which was very thoughtful. When we did see him, he would always smile and wave hello back to me (he was very shy so I always said hello first). Bijan seemed so sweet in the limited interactions I had with him and is a crucial part of the team, as without him our bags could have ended up anywhere. The trek itself is tough and tiring. You will get sore, may get altitude sickness and will struggle to breathe as you get higher up, especially when climbing stairs. However, the feeling of accomplishment is amazing and you will - and should - feel so proud of yourself when you finish. Himalayan Social Journey is a great company to use if you are considering doing the EBC trek and I highly recommend it to anyone. Raju, Sujan and Bijan also all deserve recognition for their great work and dedication and I do hope they receive this from the company.”

“Breathing slowly and gasping for breath in the cold high altitude of 5100m Gorak shep I questioned whether EBC was worth it. And I would say despite the steep climb ,the bitter cold, the rarified air it was worth every small bit!! Thanks to HSJ for its meticulous planning and execution!! Ever grateful to the fantastic guide Raju for executing the plan to perfection. He has been ever so helpful encouraging and supportive of all the group members!! Always cheerful punctual and full of local information!! Thanks also to Sujan and Bijoy for providing the support!! I feel blesed to have had this experience!”

“My partner and I have just returned from Nepal after completing a 14 Day trek (8 days up and 4 days down) to Everest Base Camp. In my opinion, our guides Mingma and PK are the ones who made this adventure so successful. There is honestly nothing they wouldn't do for us. From carrying our bags, ordering our food, looking after our medical needs, giving us tips on what to eat and drink and making sure we were always in 'good health', is what saw our group of 10 reach our 'final destination' without any hiccups along the way. The only thing that made our trip even better, that Mingma and PK didn't have anything to do with, was our 2 night stay at Gokarna Forest Resort at the end of our trek. I highly recommend this adventure with Himalayan Social Journey.”

“My mum and I (mainly Mum) planned this trek knowing it would be a step outta the old comfort zone, but through Himalayan Social Journey, we were treated to the most comfortable and easy going experience one could expect at a striking altitude of 5350m. The guides were attentive and always prioritized the health and safety of clients above all else. Our main guide Raju took the necessary steps to ensure that we were all informed while subsequently welcoming any constructive criticisms or client confusions to help improve his contributions. Raju went above and beyond to leave us a lasting impression of this trek (including a surprise appearance at base camp after running 23 minutes from Gorakshep). Our assistant guide Sujan (despite the language barrier) also effectively played his role in catering to the needs of all trekkers, particularly those who were struggling. Our porter Bijan made sure our bags were transported and ready at every accommodation in which we stayed. The 18 month hype in the lead up to this trek was exceeded by the trek itself. The mountainous views progressively get more and more breathtaking as you get higher up, which personally had a big hand in fueling my motivation up those damn stairs! The sense of accomplishment you feel after a grueling 9 days to base camp undoubtedly gives you lasting confidence. The trip itself was well structured and delegates the appropriate amount of time for the long walk up and down the mountain. We were given the appropriate amount of days to acclimatize whilst still completing the trek in the least amount of time possible as safely as possible. Himalayan social journey would happily account for any scheduling mishaps (including a delayed flight to Lukla) by making the appropriate adjustments to ensure the most convenient experience in that situation. They would be in constant contact with insurance companies and resorts to make sure that every person was financially covered in light of the unexpected flight delay. Would highly recommend to anyone willing to put themselves through 12 days of massive exertion to book through Himalayan social journey as they pride themselves on ensuring the optimal experience for all trekkers involved. P.S. if you encounter Raju or any of the guides mentioned above, Tip ‘em a small fortune cause they deserve it (no pressure ;))The amount of time they spend away from home in favour of their responsiblilities as trekking guides is unbelievable.”