The Mountain Company Traveller Reviews

We did a 8 day camping trek in the Lamjung Himal region with The Mountain Company (TMC). This was our third trek with TMC, and we would not hesitate to book with them again. The pre trip information is fantastic, and the owner of the company, Roland Hunter, is always available to answer any questions and provide helpful guidance. He is in Kathmandu throughout the trekking season and always gives an in-person pre-trek briefing, which is a really nice touch. He also welcomed us to his UK head office prior to departure to answer some questions that we had. The trek itself was great, with a fantastic crew and a truly incredible guide in Dorji Tamang. Really kind, really friendly, really knowledgeable, and in someone whom we had complete trust. He simply could not do enough for us. The views of the Annapurnas towards the end of the trek were simply incredible, and made up for some of the bad weather we had on route up to the higher elevations.

TMC are simply fantastic in all respects. There is so much helpful information on their website, and the MD Roland Hunter as an experienced trekker and climber is able to answer any questions in advance, and during the trek. I don't think he ever sleeps, as it doesn't seem to matter what time you send a message, a detailed response is generally received within an hour or two. The organisation of the treks is second to none, and I am confident that trekkers with TMC get looked after much better than those travelling with other companies. It's the little touches like providing hand sanitiser on the dining table as soon as you sit down to eat that sets them apart from other companies.

An amazing trek through a wide variety of scenery from lowland forests to snowy high altitude passes. I would definitely recommend this trek if you're up for a challenge and you like quiet trails.

From my first phone call to Roland at The Mountain Company to my return to the Uk the service and attention to detail was outstanding. Roland was always quick to reply to any questions and ensured I was on the right trek for me. I would absolutely recommend booking with The Mountian Company if you're looking to travel to the Himalayas

Three weeks of trekking, customized by Roland to provide the right experience for us - lodging, guide, itinerary, and support. From booking the bespoke trek to returning home after the experience, The Mountain Company provided thorough, professional, and excellent service and attention...making it a memorable experience. It was the second trek I have arranged with The Mountain Company - and certainly won't be the last.

The Mountain Company, run by Roland Hunter and supported by a solid team of local professionals, provides a terrific personalized experience. Whether joining an existing group or having him and his team organize a customized itinerary and experience, I found other trekkers I encountered jealous...from the itinerary and care taken to safely and successfully complete the trek, to the local connections that gave us an advantage with existing and ongoing relationships with lodges and tea houses. Walking into lodges with The Mountain Company made us feel so welcomed by the lodge owners and staff. From planning, to execution, Roland and Team is my go-to for any trek in Asia.

The trip was 21days in total including 16 days of trekking that partly circumnavigated Mt Dhaulagiri in central Nepal. The landscapes we encountered ranged from paddy fields and rainforest to alpine zone and then onto glacier and snow before returning to arid zone pine forest. We crossed two 5000m+ passes and had stunning views of snow capped mountains 6000m to 8000m+

The Mountain Company were excellent from the moment I enquired about the trip through to dropping me off at the Airport on way home. Roland has a wealth of knowledge about trekking in the high mountains and his response time to a pre-trip inquiry is incredibly fast, by far the best customer service from any adventure travel company I have used and I’ve used a few in more than 30yrs of adventure travel. The accomodation varied from hotels to resorts to tents and all were excellent. The service provided by the in country operator was second to none with excellent guides and professional kitchen staff that provided some of the best meals I’ve ever had on trek.

Overall, an amazing and unforgettable adventure in this part of the Himalayas. Tough circuit but the itinerary was just about right for good acclimatisation. Great bunch of trekkers and fantastic crew who looked after us all with safety in mind.

Great organisation and communication.. Reliable crew.

If you are an experienced trekker and want to do something well off the normal Himalaya routes, this could be the trek for you. Yes its tough at times, long ascents on some undefined terrain, bouldering in places and camping at over 3800 in freezing conditions. We encountered days of sunshine, days of trekking in rolling mist / cloud, a prolonged hail storm and an afternoon of snow accompanied by thunder and lightning….but that’s the mountains. We were supported by an excellent team of 2 guides, 4 kitchen staff and 8 porters, all were very supportive. We did not see any other trekking groups throughout and after day 3 we did not see anyone outside of our group until the end of the trek. For a few day’s the views of the Annapurna mountains were restricted to early morning and gaps in the rolling cloud, but the last couple of days we were rewarded with uninterrupted stunning views. The trek is a challenge but also an opportunity to leave the western world behind for a few days and enjoy a more basic lifestyle in stunning surroundings.

The Mountain Company have a very informative website and provide plenty of pre- tour information. Roland (the CEO) will always answer any questions, normally with first hand knowledge of the issue. As a very experienced mountaineer he will answer with honesty, not glossing over any hardships. Basing himself in Kathmandu during the normal trekking seasons he will try & meet most groups prior too & after their trek to answer last minute questions/ concerns and also to gather first hand feedback.

An enjoyable and beautiful first trek with the The Mountain Company. The itinerary, including greater time for acclimatisation and an interesting alternative higher route on the return, greatly helped in making the trek a real pleasure.

Roland was super helpful with advice and guidance before the trek and TMC's organisation, logistics, comms and local team were excellent throughout. Would highly recommend and already planning future treks with TMC.

I had my eye on this trek for a while because of its remoteness, length - 36 days, challenge, beauty and legendary mystery surrounding Kanchenjunga. I was also spurred on by the account of fellow trekker who had just completed this section of the GHT in winter. I was delighted when Roland guaranteed it run with Ade at the helm and when two great mountain buddies also signed up. We were seven very experienced trekkers with over 40 Himalayan treks between us, very well briefed by TMC and well equipped. I have now had six weeks to process this rare and remarkable experience and digest the published trip report, which, does an honest job of describing what happened at ground level; including the struggles and inevitable ‘curved- ball’ logistic issues. I do recommend reading the report. I recognise that this trek has not run for ten years. Roland and the TMC put a huge amount of time and resources into planning such a complex operation which is credit to him and speaks volumes about his vision to keep the art of remote trekking alive. Ade is a renowned expert and is truly unique -  with years of international wilderness leadership and his buoyant benevolent nature. Sanja and Suman were top notch. The Kitchen first class. The porters were brilliant, the brand new mountain tents were robust and watertight and the lodges Kanchenjunga-side a welcome refuge. The views of Kanchenjunga and Jannu were spectacular. The ‘Pass B’ detour to Olangchungola  was 1800m up and down, thick bamboo forest, slippery, leeches, bugs, landslides, treacherous, exhausting but unforgettable. Lumba-Sumba was just heavenly. There was Thudum -  the ‘village that time forgot’, the grace of the villagers we met who could teach us more lessons about simplicity, hardship and happiness than we would care to admit.  The ‘jungle’ crossing to Kharka was wild, wet, slippery, dangerous, with few mountain views but the forest beautiful and unspoilt. There was this ethereal morning view of Makalu from our emergency shelter at ‘first’ Kharka. We had more than our fair share of adverse conditions, two casualties, Global Rescue, interpersonal clashes, misinformation about the Yangma bridge; we found ourselves three days behind and the remaining two of us elected to forego the final push to Makalu BC. Why five stars? I will answer in a somewhat  poetic form which does not answer all questions but is spoken from the heart. Because of the rarity of this opportunity, because these giant remote mountains did welcome us and reward us with passage, because this wilderness is not going to be here forever; the massive logistical effort, the guides and crew who became our loyal extended family for 5 weeks, without complaint. The camaraderie and the opportunity to connect and care. The bitter and the sweet, the risk , the pressure pushing us to our limit, the successes and failures. Because we came home spent. A pilgrimage in the words of Ian Baker where a “destination is ultimately not so much a place as a new way of seeing”.  Far more profound than any sightseeing joyride. Because in true TMC fashion Roland has stepped up to the challenges to make this trek even better. If you have the inclination - go - prepared to be immersed and with your eyes and heart wide open.

Committed to the art of remote trekking.

The trek to Makalu Base Camp is certainly demanding but the level of support provided by the team was exceptional and always flexible and responsive to what was needed, thus enabling me to experience this stunningly beautiful National Park in all of its diversity. Accommodation in teahouses was basic but adequate and provided an authentic experience of normal life and hospitality in this remote area of the Himalaya.

the Mountain Company rovided comprehensive and useful pre-trip information and a personal briefing from the company's Director in Kathmandua before starting the trek. I particularly appreciated his onging availability and helpful advice via a satellite phone. My Sherpa guide was extremely capable in all respects and very flexible, and the office in Kathmandu helped with rebooking flights when I needed this to be done during the trek. It all happened smoothly and efficiently.

The Everest Luxury Lodge trek was a great experience. Scenery, trails, hiking, food accommodations and company representatives all exceeded our expectations.

I’ve taken tours and treks around the world and I’ve never experienced better customer service. Adjectives like responsive, thorough, timely and thoughtful all describe The Mountain Company. They did everything to make our tour easy and comfortable…always put our needs and wishes ahead of all else.