Far West Nepal GHT in Nepal Traveller Reviews

I've done several treks with the Mountain Company over the years (first one c.2012) Prior to the trip I'm always very impressed with Roland's communication - no query is too insignificant and always gets a personal response. Once in country things run as smoothly as that country will allow - more importantly when things become more complicated you realise that Roland, the group leader and especially the local sirdars have several back-up plans in place ready to go. The equipment and food on this very remote trip were (as always) excellent. Roland offers more trips to places that other companies don't offer (I also did Upper Dolpo with the MC) and I would highly recommend taking advantage of this. On this trip at one point we didn't see another person for over a week - a very different side of Nepal from the Everest/Annapurna regions. When we hiked to the Mt Kailash viewpoint a lot of the crew came with us to check it out even though it was technically a rest day for them... They were as eager to explore this spiritually significant area as we were. To sum up these trips are definitely pricey but once you see the logistics that go into running them and get to experience the culture and landscape of these remote regions (which will modernise fast as roads get built) I believe they are more than worth it! Highly recommended!!

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My husband Simon and I had chosen to join an exploratory trek in the Far West region of Nepal with The Mountain Company after booking two other great trekking trips with the company before. Due to the rapid expansion of the road network in the Himalayas, several of the more traditional trekking routes now either follow or come very close to roads for an extended period of time, and the idea behind the exploratory trek was to develop a new trekking route which would avoid roads as much as possible. Since the trek had only been attempted once before and was located in a very remote region of Nepal, it was important to bring an open, flexible mind-set, which was part of the allure for us to join the trek. We were not disappointed! While we managed to follow the established route and all cheered when we managed to cross the high pass, surprises did pop up along the way, all of them handled professionally and calmly by our cheerful, knowledgeable guide Adrian and the local guides and staff. The landscape during the trek was varied, starting with a descend into a river valley just as about a million butterflies had hatched (amazing sight!), walks through dense, lush forests, sections following glacial rivers through wide plains, rocky paths into the mountains, and alpine plateaus with amazing vistas of snow-capped peaks all the way around. Our campsites matched the beauty of the trek, always in breathtaking locations and with plenty of time in the afternoon to take the vistas in. We passed both through traditional villages that seemed frozen in time and villages closer to roads that were a curious blend between tradition and modernity, met yak herders out in the middle of nowhere and were the main attraction in villages that had not seen a Westerner for several years. The organization of the trek was excellent as always, the food as delicious as it was nutritious, keeping us well-fueled for hours of walking (the noodle soup was a real comforter on tough days!), and the staff were always kind and helpful. I can warmly recommend booking a trip with The Mountain Company.

This was our third trek with The Mountain Company, and so far the experience has always been the same: We received great pre-trip preparation both via online meetings and useful written material before the start of the trip, followed by a warm welcome and an extensive briefing on-site. The guides are always extremly knowledgeable, both in terms of trekking in general and the area in which the trek takes place. The staff members are well-chosen: Kind and helpful, and very good at their job. If there are bumps on the road, communication is clear for the clients, and the challenges are dealt with efficiently, either by finding a direct solution or an alternative. I always feel like I am in very good and professional hands when travelling with The Mountain Company.

The Far West Nepal Exploratory GHT trek is a +20 day trek to a very remote region of western Nepal. This area is rarely visited by westerners and you are likely to see very few other trekkers. The landscape is varied and you'll pass through forest, high alpine desert, river valleys, villages and mountain passes meeting only a few local yak and goat herders. The trip included crossing the Nying La pass at 5400 meters (which only very few people ever does!) and visiting the Mount Kailash view point on the border with Tibet. Later the trek passes through villages with visits to very old Gompas (Buddhist temple) with impressive wall paintings. The trek is remote and includes a good amount of travel but is well worth the effort !

This was the third trip we went on using The Mountain Company as operator. We will definitely come back again! As always the trek was extremely well organized and the guide as well as the local crew were excellent. The cook was very good at providing varied 3-course meals in the middle of the mountains including both pizza and chocolate cake besides the more traditional Nepali/Indian dishes of dal, rice, curries etc. All the food was of high quality and there were plenty of it to go around. The Mountain Company is well worth considering for any treks to the Himalayas as they treat their local crews well, have excellent safety measures and do a big effort to finding routes and itineraries which are away from the many roads being build in the region. By including trips to remote regions where fewer trekkers go they are also spreading the impact of tourism both in terms of over-crowding, ecological strain and boosts to the local economy. Not everything has to go to the Everest region! We highly recommend the Mountain Company.

Another amazing trek with The Mountain Company (TMC). The Far West Trek is a new trek through a very remote region of Nepal. Though some of the trails are very rocky and some long trekking days, the remoteness and the beauty of region are worth the effort. Also, meeting villagers and seeing their way of life in this remote region was a special cultural experience. Throughout the entire trek, Ade, our western guide, and the Nepalese crew ensured we were well looked after. You are never left on your own if you happen to be trekking at a slower pace. The crew member ensures that you take your time and offer a hand if and when you need it. The chef cooked us delicious and nutritious meals, and we even got apple pie and cake.

This is my seventh trek with TMC and will continue to trek with them. This is because Roland, owner/director, put safety of the crew and trekkers his priority. This is evident in the planning of each trek with built-in contingency day(s) if and when required. Roland works with the local Nepalese crew and ensure they have all the right gear (clothing, footwear, equipment) to do their job. He responds to all questions and concerns in a timely manner.

I was one of 7 trekkers selected to take part in an exploratory trek in the Hunsa region of Far West Nepal. The planned route had not been trkked or explored before to the best of my knowledge. Highlights were seeing Snow Leoprd pug marks in fresh snow, visiting the Nepal/Tibet border to lookout towards Mount Kailash and later visiting the remote village of Halji to see the local Buddhist community and their amazing 11th century Gompa.

This is the 7th time I have visited The Himalayan region on treks organised by The Mountain Company since 2007. As a returning customer I can personally vouch for the detailed pre trek organisation and communication, infact it has got better over the years. No query is left unanswered. This particular trek was an exploratory trip to see if a commercial trek could become a reality in the future. The Mountain Company maintain contact with all their treks via satellite phone and provide weather updates to ensure safety.

Very well-organised and supported trip. We had to change plans because of the weather but the western leader made sure we still had the beat possible trip (and it was still tough) with many highlights.

Personal interest by the owner/director who was out in Nepal to see us off and had responded to questions etc on calls before the trip. Good follow-up also to improve the trip for future groups.

The Nepal Far West Exploratory GHT trek starts from Simikot and follows a number of remote river valleys in an anti-clockwise direction to the Tibet border at Hilsa. This trek is wild, remote, and very much an exploratory trek in the true sense of the word. An amazing trip to the Far West of Nepal. Amazing culture and amazing mountains. Highlights were seeing Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar but closely followed by the visit to Halji monastery a 900-year-old monastery with a fantastic prayer room. Exploring this remote area of Nepal was a joy, meeting remote local communities and trekking through the wild rugged valleys gave us a great sense of adventure and the true meaning of adventure travel. This trip has been more than I could have ever asked for. We walked for 25 days, put up tents almost every night at a different location and on most days, we had fabulous sunny days. I loved the scenic remoteness, the wonderful company of the local guides, cooks, and porters. I always make an effort to engage with local people wherever I travel to learn about their lives. The kindness with the local crew treated me every day makes me work hard to become a better person myself. I will cherish memories of this amazing trip for the rest of my life.

The Mountain Company is the best a person can ask for. Roland replied to me right away when I inquired about this exploratory trek. Information about the trek was truly clear. I felt extremely comfortable booking with The Mountain Company this exploratory trek. This is the first time I have booked a trek with the Mountain Company. In the past I have used other companies for my trekking adventures. Things The Mountain Company did to make me feel comfortable: - Thoroughly checking suitable participants for this exploratory trek. Being a back-country skier with good avalanche training, I realize how important every single team member is for the success of a trek. - Checking every trekkers equipment before venturing out into the mountains. - Using a knowledgeable local company to work with the Mountain Company to hire local guides, cooks, porters. Roland Hunter was at the hotel to send us off. - Meals were delicious, healthy, and nutritious – meat (beef & chicken) has been dehydrated prior for the trek - Great equipment (new tents), mats, pillows - Porters were properly equipped for the trek, supplied by The Mountain Company (hiking boots, pants, jackets, sunglasses). This is very important for me to see that the entire team, including staff is taken care of. - Safety and hygiene was an important aspect of The Mountain Company, making sure the trekkers well being.

This trek was a true new route exploratory trek in western Nepal. Each day offered a new experience and beautiful scenery. Visiting a 900 year old Monastery and many rural villages and their people were just a few of our experiences. The Mountain Company UK provided excellent guidance, meals, and support throughout our journey. I highly recommend this Company for their thoroughness and superb service.

Roland Hunter and our trek leader Ade Summers were the best combination to assist with every need for their clients. The local guides and crew to support us could not have been better.