Ganesh Himal Trek reviews

Ganesh Himal trek is a camping trek, with all that entails, including a significant crew of porters to carry all the kit. While tea houses are popular, we chose a camping trek deliberately and never once regretted it. The trek takes you off the beaten track, through remote villages and up mountain trails through farm terraces, forest, and up over Singla Pass. You do need to take heed of the level of fitness you require. We are in our early 60s, and keen walkers, but we still found it challenging, adding to the sense of achievement on completing the trek. There were stunning views in the mornings, with some unseasonal cloud in the afternoons and evenings reflecting changing weather patterns. We were the only ones on the trek, paying a very reasonable supplement to ensure the trip went ahead. Our guide was excellent. Very experienced and a natural leader. Lacking formal education he’d learned English on the job. He was absolutely professional and made well judged decisions along the route. He was evidently in full charge of his team, yet he treated the porters and cooking crew with great care and consideration. Indeed the whole team (9 in all) were great. They even managed to make a birthday cake over a campfire, and the whole team picked flowers to celebrate the occasion. We were the first trek through most of the route that season, and clearly lots of the villagers weren’t used to seeing that many westerners, welcoming us with politeness and smiles, especially the children, keen to practice their few words of English. That the novelty hasn’t worn off for the locals is a reflection of what this trek is all about. We wanted to meet people, and through our guide found out so much about their lives, the state of things in the mountain communities, and about their hopes and fears for the future. We felt that might have been harder on some of the more well-known treks, and was a key reason for deciding on this one. Mountain Kingdoms were super efficient, as were their agents in country, with all of the arrangements going like clockwork - no mean achievement is a less well developed nation like Nepal. All in all , and hope others will continue to follow this route, keen to open their tent in the morning to views of snow capped peaks in the morning sunshine.

Will & Lizzie, Devon

Overall, this was an enjoyable off-the-beaten track trek through countryside untouched by tourism with some pleasant rural and forest scenery. We didn't encounter any other trekkers. Unfortunately, apart from a couple of brief early morning glimpses of distant mountains and fragments between breaks in the clouds, we were denied the spectacular high mountain scenery we had been hoping for.

MHS, Overseas

Our group got on very well. Having a small number is, I think, a considerable advantage in terms of smooth running etc.It also made it easy to talk to local people. The trek was very much as described and expected The route was beautiful; we saw monkeys and mongoose and many different birds.

Mr D Hill, Shropshire

Lovely trek in remote area. Great to see people at work and play. Great views.

Mrs L, Surrey

Wonderful trek in this 'little known' region. Overall, well organised. The trek had stunning scenery/interaction with local villagers/getting to know our porters and how they live. Excellent camping facilities.

Ms H, Hertfordshire