If you are thinking of traveling to Nepal, then you need look no further than Hike Nepal’s Binod Mahat to take care of your trip.
In all of our travels Binod is the most trust-worthy individual that we have met, his English is exemplary, and his attention to detail is incredible. In November 2008, my wife and I completed the Annapurna circuit trek. The amazing scenery and friendly locals along the trek was complemented perfectly by Binod’s excellent customer service.
Starting at about 800m above sea level, the first few days of our 12 were amazing – hot and long, but beautiful beyond words. Every corner seemed to hide a new waterfall tumbling towards the wild Marsyangdi river. The scenery is lush and rich and full of rhododendron forest and alpine flowers. Every day we would pass through three or four villages, each serving their own take on the national dish, Dhal Baht,and each filled with smiling locals warmly calling “Namaste” as you walk past.
The landscape is dotted with rice paddies, millet and buck wheat fields and grazing buffalo. Everywhere we looked, (and walked, for that matter), hills rose up to greet us and in the distance the Anapurna Himal range provides a stunning backdrop against the brilliant blue and cloudless sky.
The trail is busy, not only with fellow trekkers, but also with local porters lugging unwieldy loads with their heads, mules carrying what the porters can’t, school children rushing to the district school, and an entire village following an old man as he carried his sick wife in a basket on his back to the nearest hospital.
From the Throng La pass amazing views greeted us in every direction. As we looked to the North we could see the hills of the Tibetan Himalayas and to the South an uninterrupted vista of the Annapurna Himal we had spent the last 10 days walking past. To the West Throng peak soared above us.
Our 19 days in Nepal were incredible. The Annapurna circuit trek was truly amazing and a life changing experience. We were rewarded with the most amazing scenery I have ever seen, witnessing the local people’s daily struggle using only the most basic of resources in some of nature’s harshest environments, and all the time enjoying the many subtle variations on the ubiquitous Dhal Baht.
At all times during the trek Binod was caring and attentive, interested and informative and organized every single detail for us. Binod provided us with an excellent porter, Sunil, who was polite, friendly and honest at all times. He always made an effort to join in on our nightly card games or discussions around the dinner table. There is nothing we would change if we could, and we certainly look forward to using Binod’s services again when we make our second, third, fourth and fifth trips to Nepal!
Gerard O’Brien and Anna
New Zealand
Auckland