reviews
Read holiday reviews by Mountain Kingdoms travellers.
This tour opened up the magic of Uzbekistan for us. We learnt so much about the country and its history. The most amazing part was that as we progressed around from Tashkent to Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand, the beauty of the buildings and the skills of the builders surpassed each other until we could no longer envision anything more stunning. Our guide Shakhnoza was so knowledgeable and had us all fascinated despite the history being so complex. We enjoyed the free days which enabled us to revisit places or to shop and which, as part of an intense tour, let us have time to consolidate everything. We also particularly enjoyed the day out to the desert forts which added variety.
After an introduction to Kathmandu and the colourful whirl of Thamel and then exploring Pokhara and its marvellous setting, mountains beckon. Don't be put off by a hair-raising ride in a four by four up the valley from Tatopani. Close your eyes if needs be or pray if needs be. Don't look down. Within a couple of hours you are safe and sound at the start of a three-day walk up. This is a new trail for most western trekkers. Much of the route up the gorge and valley is over well constructed stone steps, though they have been swept away in places. A week's walking in total, on a route that is at times over loose moraine, landslides and rockfall but you are rewarded by a top camp set in a stunning bowl, by a stunning lake, ringed by massive mountains. Here at about 4000m you are surrounded by Nilgiri, Tilicho and Annapurna's peaks sweeping down to Lake Nachang with the Annapurna glacier dominating the far shore. This campsite setting is magnificent and well worth the approach. Climb further and the views are good as you can find in central Nepal. The campsites on route are untidy at best. This short trek is used mostly by young Nepalese who it seems who have much to learn about litter and great trails deserving great care. At times their consideration of others on site can be lacking! It is however worth the moans about the environment and the neighbours as the days spent around the lake are breathtakingly beautiful.
Everything about the trek was amazing from the flights, hotel in Kathmandu our guides, porters tea houses and the food excellent from start to finish.
A great experience with a lovely group of strangers who quickly became friends. All of us are experienced trekkers and the trail was a bit tougher than we expected, but it was nevertheless very enjoyable and our excellent guides and porters looked after us very well. Food and accommodation was of a consistently high standard.
I urge you to consider this trip, the highlands are beautiful. The trek is very rewarding but, although I think the grading is probably about right, the heat and humidity are factors you should consider. Accommodation were all fine, ranging from high class hotels down to simple inns, but all had good views, decent food and helpful staff. Take the opportunity to communicate with the local people. Some do not speak much English, but everyone will smile and try to be helpful. Eat the Sri Lankan food, even the breakfasts. Finally, a nod of appreciation to the organisers both Mountain Kingdoms and the local agent and its staff. One thing I think is certain. If this is your first visit to Sri Lanka you will want to come back.
“We have just returned and we had an absolutely wonderful time. The choice to do the Lingshi Laya trek was definitely best – the longer trek really got us into the mountains – the scenery and ambiance were brilliant and the pace and knees were fine. Bhutan really is a most fascinating place. Your team in Bhutan were extremely good. The lead guide (PT) was highly knowledgeable and entertaining and the team looked after us extremely well – I don’t know how they managed to produce such good food consistently in that environment but they did!”
The itinerary was excellent, with amazing scenery and mountain landscapes. The guides were all very knowledgeable, friendly and supportive.
We really don’t know what to say….what a fantastic adventure we have just had. The whole experience was beyond our expectations. We left the UK excited but a little apprehensive about what was in front of us. But we shouldn’t have been worried from the moment we were meet at the airport by Binod, our guide for the next 14 days everything was perfect. The accommodation throughout was fantastic. Dwarika’s was stunningly elegant, Everest Summit Lodges were far superior than we expected and what we saw of other lodges. We ate like KINGS..the food throughout was way above our expectations, plentiful, fresh and tasty. The scenery…the first 4 days were horrible, misty, foggy, damp, we didn’t see a mountain. Then the morning we woke in Namche everything changed, within two hours we were looking at Everest, the Top of the World WOW. The views for the next 7 days were surreal….nothing else to say about that, other than goosebumps!
Very well organised and excellent value. We would be happy to use Mountain Kingdoms again.
This was a truly memorable holiday. We trekked in the Annapurna region but it was a true wilderness trek. We didn't see a fellow Westerner until the last 2 days of the trek when we joined the Annapurna circuit. The scenery of Fishtail and the Annapurna range was breathtaking. Our guide Suman and assistant guide Lakpur were excellent especially helping out on difficult ascents and descents.This trek is not for the feint-hearted, it was labelled vigorous for a reason! Mountain Kingdom came up trumps again in finding a holiday that ticked all the boxes!