• Amazing Trip with an amazing company

    When you want to go on a trekking trip to Nepal there is a host of international and local Nepalese companies offering their services. It can be quite bewildering which one to choose, actually. A way to decide which company and which trek you should decide on is of course to compare web sites and, even more important, to read other travellers' reviews.Annapurna Foothills Treks have a very professional and inviting web site with loads of valuable information. On top of that this company gets only the best of reviews. We decided to try and send an email to Annapurna Foothills Treks to enquire about a trek to Upper Mustang to take place in July 2016. This review hopefully explains why we made the right decision to go along with this company. Prior to our arrival we had a very good communication with the company's managing director Ngima. Ngima was very responsive to all our emails and questions regarding everything related to our trip, and Ngima even had suggestions to slightly alter and further tailor-make the itinerary to accommodate our interests.Arriving in Kathmandu we were met by the company's representative, the very friendly and knowledgeable Tashi.We were not in the best of moods, however, as half of our luggage had somehow got stuck in Istanbul where we had our connecting flight to Kathmandu; the lost luggage included half of our trekking gear, of course. That made it impossible for us to go on our trekking tour that was due to start two days later. Again Ngima and Tashi were extremely helpful in calling airport and airlines representatives for us to enquire as to the whereabouts of our stuff. They also drove us back and forth to the airport the next couple of days when news were that our luggage should be "on the next plane", all in vain though. Our 10 days permit to Upper Mustang had previously agreed and fixed dates so Tashi and Ngima had the bother to constantly renegotiate the dates on the trekking itinerary on top of rebooking and pushing our domestic flights. As a military coup suddenly happened in Turkey we thought that we might never see our trekking gear again. So we had to make the decision to buy all the missing stuff in Kathmandu. Ngima was again very patient as he drove us around the various outdoor stores in Kathmandu and helped us replenish our gear list, giving us valuable recommendations along the way. We didn't have to buy or rent new sleeping bags as Ngima lent us two professional sleeping bags for free. Those sleeping bags proved very valuable keeping the cold mountain nights at up to 3800m at bay.The trip to Upper Mustang was also amazing. The mountain scenery was nothing short of spectacular and we enjoyed our walks at altitudes going up to and sometimes beyond 4000m. It was easy to see that trekking groups from other companies were also assisted by some skilful and knowledgeable guides. But it was also clear for us that no group had a guide in the same league as ours. Our guide Dawa was a true expert, experienced and a treasure chest of information on the mountains, nature and the local culture. Dawa was very good at reading our stamina and fitness level and knew when small breaks were due. Besides his mountain competence, and equally important, Dawa had a wonderful sense of humour. We had many a good laugh on the trek. It can sometimes be challenging to spend 12 days in very close company of people you don't know that well. But we never felt like that with Dawa and our porter Minbadhu. They were both very gentle characters and it was also nice to see how well they got along with the local Mustang people we met on our way. The trekking tour we had bought did not guarantee ensuite bathrooms. But Dawa always tried to find a guest house where we could have a hot shower in a bathroom of our own. We were always happy when we got lucky there. We always felt in really safe hands with Dawa, yes, a bit pampered actually.One day Dawa got a text message from Ngima back in Kathmandu with photos of our lost luggage that Ngima had picked up for us at the airport when it eventually turned up. Due to the delayed start to our trekking tour plus some later weather-related delays while on the trek we had to cancel some of the hotel reservations we had made for the last week in Nepal, after finishing our trek. These were reservations we had made ourselves beforehand, i.e. not through Annapurna Foothills Trek. But even here our friends at the trekking company were helpful beyond their duty. In order to make use of the "free cancellation" through booking.com we would have to cancel while we were still in Upper Mustang. As there was no internet connection in the area the only thing for us to do to save us losing money was to send a text message with our login and password to Ngima back in Kathmandu. Ngima logged in for us and made the cancellations, saving us a lot of money. You should normally never share your login and password with anybody! But this example just shows how much we trusted Ngima, a trust that was warranted.When we came back to Kathmandu Ngima invited us home to dinner to meet his family. Tashi was also there and we got to meet Ngimas lovely wife Tenzin and their aunt and children. They were all really eager to hear about our experiences on the trek and this was a very nice way to end an eventful trip and say goodbye for now.As should be clear from this review, we are very grateful to Annapurna Foothills Trek for making our trip to Nepal an amazing one, full of good and warm memories. Ngima and his employees all went above and beyond to make our stay in Nepal a pleasant one. If you plan to visit Nepal, check in on Annapurna Foothills Trek's very informative web site and send them an email - you won't regret it!Louise and Anders,Copenhagen, DenmarkVisited July 2016

  • Beautiful Limi Valley, Humla

    We trekked with Annapurna Foothills Treks and Expeditions for the second time. This time we went to Humla in the far north-west of Nepal; somewhere I'd always wanted to go. The tiny and beautiful Limi Valley was our destination. This is NOT a tea house trek.Our guide, Dawa Sherpa was wonderful. He was very experienced and always on the look out for both us, his clients and his staff (the cook, muleteer and three porters). On top of that he was enormous fun and great company.Lakpa, our cook, we knew from a previous trek. Also extremely experienced and hard working and with a great sense of fun!His dal bhaat is the best!And we particularly loved his soups.The muleteer, Netup, was a young local Lama. He was a sheer delight and looked after his mules beautifully.None had sores.It was a joy to watch him feed ,brush and look after his mules and loading them up each morning required enormous skill. The three porters/cook helpers were also young local lads, who could not do enough to ensure that we were comfortable and having a good time. Travelling with such a fabulous team of people is what I will remember most. The first six days of the trek towards the Tibet border are pretty and we passed through some lovely old villages, BUT a road is being built ( a necessity for local villagers, who are so far from anywhere)to the Chinese/Tibet border and sadly there is much litter en route.However The Limi Valley is remote and extraordinarily beautiful.We only saw two other trekkers en route.The villages are old and very traditional and culturally Tibetan. Halji is home to Nepal's oldest gompa. We saw many blue sheep and snow leopard scat.I cannot recommend Ngima Sherpa's trekking company more highly. We will be back! Thank you all for another hugely memorable trek.Visited October 2016

  • Amazing EBC, Island Peak & Lobuche East

    My husband and I just finished an incredible trip to EBC and two peaks (Island and Lobuche East). Everything was perfectly organized by Ngima as we booked the entire trip very last minute. The moment we arrived in Kathmandu we were met by our amazing guide and new friend, Dendi, and taken to our hotel to be welcomed by Ngima himself. There are not enough ways to explain the effort both went to ensuring we had the best time possible. Lobuche East was added while we were on our trek as an extra peak and everything went flawlessly, we even had pizzas at base camp! We learned a lot about the culture and people of the area as we were led by a local who is very passionate about his country and the Sherpa community.The climbs were handled professionally and the acclimatization scheduled was exactly what was needed for success at such high altitudes. The tea houses we stayed at were great all offering comfortable rooms and a big choice of delicious food. We were surprised by all the options and quality in these remote areas. After returning to Kathmandu we were so inspired by our experience that we are now leaving tomorrow for another adventure with Annapurna Foothills to Chulu and we could not be more excited. Thank you Ngima and Dendi for everything!

  • Impressed Yala Peak Climbing

    A very good adventure. Highly recommended. The director - Ngima with the Guide and Support Staff are very effective flexible arrangement and take good care during the 12 days (Oct 2016). Very beautiful trekking From Kathmandu airport to Yala peak Thank again for their amazing team, Special thanks for the climbing guide and porter from Kyangjin Gompa to Yala Peak.

  • Volunteer Tourism in Nepal

    Being a volunteer in the Monastery in Taksindu was the best thing I have ever done for myself, or anyone else. The monks are wonderful human beings who are exceptionally welcoming of people from all walks of life. They are keen to learn and practice their English and the time that I spent teaching was sheer joy.Ngima and Tashi were also very supportive, organising everything for me and making sure I was comfortable at every stage. Nigma's knowledge of the area and devotion to it's villages and the monks is inspiring and totally authentic as he was born in Solukhumbu and returns frequently. I would (and did) trust him with my life and would have no hesitation in recommending others do the same for any form of adventure in Nepal. Julie BishopAustralia

  • Annapurna Circuit and Chulu West

    I would like to higly recommend Annapurna Foothills Trekking for the great adventure they provided to me during the 3 weeks I spent with them! The trekking and climbing guides were excellent, always available and paying a special attention to any of my requests. I expect to come back again with them this time around the Everest region.

  • Excellent Day Trip in Kathmandu

    Was really impressed with the speed at which they organised a tour for me, and the quality of the tour itself. The director - Ngima - was very responsive and really helpful, meeting me the day before my tour and introducing me to my guide the day of the tour. Would thoroughly recommend this company for day trips in and around Kathmandu!

  • Three High Passes,EBC,Island Peak April 2016.

    Just got back from an awesome trip to Nepal, kindly arranged by Ngima Sherpa from Annapurna Foothills Treks. The organisation of the trip was absolutely flawless, and I can't remember having any problems during my whole month long stay. My Sherpa Dendi (as featured in the new Everest movie),is a living legend, and couldn't have done anymore to make sure my trip was a complete success, and keep me as safe and comfortable as possible. I will definitely be coming back to Nepal after having such a positive experience, and the only company I would use would be Annapurna Foothills Treks. So I would like to give a personal thank you to Ngima and Dendi for making my trip of a lifetime so very special. Thanks for everything !!