We wanted a private Kanchenjunga trek for our 2nd visit to Nepal & queried a handful of agencies. Himal stood out with his responsiveness & knowledge of the region, and we quickly opted to book with VHT. We couldn't be happier with the entire experience. Himal was patient with our many questions and accommodating of every request. He put together a package with a fair price that exactly matched our wants and never made us feel rushed, pressured, or as if we were causing any difficulty at all.
We are independent travellers but appreciated a personal transfer from KTM, especially late at night after a long journey. It was an unexpected treat that our trekking guide, Ishwar, met us at the airport and got us to our selected hotel. After a brief meetup with Himal & Ishwar, the next day we were left to do as we liked - this combo of support + free time suited us perfectly.
On-trek, we were constantly impressed by guide Ishwar and porter Brish (also a rising guide, bonus!). This top-tier team made our 2+ weeks together perfectly frictionless. From long jeep rides on sketchy roads in questionable weather, to late hotel arrivals, to meals in places with/without a menu at any time of day, to coming off-trek a day early after days without cell signal, we never thought about logistics because it all happened with zero effort from us. On top of his ninja-like project manager skills, Ishwar is an insanely generous and incredibly experienced mountain guide, and as the days passed, we realized how lucky we were to have been paired with him. He'd regularly strike up conversations with people we saw, developing/maintainining relationships, gleaning beta on current conditions, finding an answer to any question, or aiding in making a request possible.
He noticed our likes, listened to our preferences, and used this input to tailor each day to our personal style. We are reasonably fit with extensive mountain experience and were a bit apprehensive that even an itinerary requested by us might ultimately feel restrictive on-trail. This was a needless worry as Ishwar assured us that our progress & path would be determined by weather and our own fitness/desires, not a printout. He provided the perfect mix of accommodation and voice of reason when we discussed options for each day. We encountered only a handful of other groups during our trip, and it was obvious that we had the most experienced and professional team.
Of all the trekkers we met, we were the only ones with a clear view of Kangchenjunga from the south, because of where we stayed (Ramche) and when we left for Oktang (cold, early). We are thankful for Ishwar's specific expertise, as that morning was a highlight of our trek. As icing on the cake, Ishwar is a really great human, and we simply enjoyed spending each day with him. Brish played a less visible but still invaluable role in our daily activities. He capably carried our bags over every type of terrain, none of it easy, and always with a smile. He is sweet, funny, and kind enough not to laugh at our beginner Nepali or our preference to enjoy afternoon tea outside on a rock instead of in a dark dining area. By the end of our trek, we were sharing games and stories, and it's clear he'll make an excellent guide as he transitions into this new role.
Post-trek, we stayed in the Ilam region a few days (+ an extra night). It was unexpected but serendipitous that while Brish returned to Kathmandu, Ishwar remained with us - rather than being at all awkward, this transformed our short time in Fikkal into a 2ary highlight of the trip. Ishwar opened doors to experiences we would never have had on our own - tea processing tour, tuk-tuk rides, and a brand new monastery. He accompanied us enough so we felt completely taken care of, but then left us to our own devices so that we never felt stifled. In short, Ishwar's dedication to both service and hospitality knows no boundaries and shines in any circumstance.
Huge thanks to Himal for coordinating a near-perfect 3+ week trip.... only seeing a snow leopard could have improved our trek! 10/10 for Visit Himalaya Treks.
