Reviews

My husband and I traveled to Nepal in November 2015 for a month. After all the issues the country had faced this year - two earthquakes and subsequent loss of thousands of lives; political unrest; fuel crisis and loss of its tourism market – we really wondered what we were going to face. We spent a lot of time deciding which tour company would suit us best and were pleased with the relationship we developed with Karna at Nepal Mother House Adventures. Over the months leading up to our trip, he kept in contact with us, advising us of the latest news from Nepal.

We were originally going on the Manaslu and Tsum Valley trek but as many sections were affected badly by the April earthquake we had to refocus our attention on the Annapurna area. We wanted to do something a little different so added the Nar and Phu Valley to the Annapurna Circuit trek.

Our guide met us at the airport and the first full day in Nepal was spent with Karna sorting out our permits, itinerary, and hiring kit. Our guide and porter had been selected to cover us on our originally planned trip and I would have to say that they were very good but the guide's knowledge of English could have been just a little bit better.

Unfortunately, we ran into great difficulty as my husband became very sick in the Phu Valley at 4100 meters and we had to airlift him out of the mountains and spend 2 days in the hospital. We then had to reorganize our trip once more and after a few days' rest, we went to Poon Hill and did a shorter trek.
So, if you are still following this tale here is a list of pointers for your trek:

1. Annapurna Circuit was incredibly quiet due to the lack of tourists. If heading there it is wise to use a local tour guide/porter to support their income and to ensure you feel safe at all times.

2. Make sure you share your trip expectations in great detail with your tour company before you leave Kathmandu – if you are unhappy on the trip there is not much they can do once you are trekking!

3. Find out what is included and is not included in your price with regards to meals during the trek if you take a food-inclusive package. This seemed to vary when talking to different people we met.

4. Do not be afraid to challenge the tea house/lodge accommodation choices with your guide if you feel they are not up to your expectation. For example: if other trekkers have advised a very good lodge in the village you are heading perhaps you should choose that one.

5. The Nar and Phu Valley were incredible – well the bit of it we saw! You need an extra week to cover this – there is very limited accommodation in this valley and no tea stops in between breakfast, lunch, and the end of the day. You are also at altitude. There is no mobile reception and, due to the current situation, very few hours of electricity.

6. Do not leave home without adequate travel insurance – you never know when you might need it! Make sure it covers Heli Evac's situation as we didn’t expect it on my husband’s 4th trip to Nepal.

7. Nepal is an incredibly beautiful country facing such sad issues – Please support the Nepalese people by using porters and guides where possible.

I think it is fair to say we would absolutely use Nepal Mother House Adventures again and we would really like to say that Karna is a very professional owner of this company; he has years of experience; was courteous and informative at all times and was utterly superb at getting us off the mountain and into the hospital – and then back up the mountain when we were ready!!!

Thank you Karna we consider you our friend.

My friend and I booked a trip to Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar! it was fantastic, our guide was very good, spoke good English and looked after all of our needs thoroughly! Our guide Kieron made sure we were well fed and had plenty of water! Our trip was challenging but Kieron made us feel that we were in no rush and that we could go at our own pace. We had a great time and were looked after in every way, Kieron made sure our health was good and checked regularly and that we had no symptoms of altitude sickness.

Dealing with Karna was helpful, he always responded promptly, putting our minds at ease with regards to my first experience of high-altitude trekking Karna was very welcoming when we arrived in Nepal and the whole time we were in Nepal. He even came to greet us before we left for the airport to wish us luck on our onward travel!!!

Overall we were taken great care of from start to finish! and I wouldn't even think of using any other company in Kathmandu!

We did the Everest 3 Passes Trek with Nepal Mother House treks. Although we booked for a group trek, we were the only couple, so we could enjoy a private guide and porter.
Everything before the trek (from email communication with Karna to personal meetings in Kathmandu with Karna and the guide) was flawless. We immediately felt that we had made the perfect choice with Mother House treks.
The trek itself was physically demanding but rewarding, beautiful, amazing, and unforgettable. Our guide, Bamseding, was very skilled and reliable. We felt very safe with him. He was very protective and made sure we were ok all the time. We were 12 days on our trek when the devastating earthquake happened. We were lucky to be in a teahouse the moment the earth shook. Also with the aftershock, we were lucky. After the quake, our guide got the news that his house was devastated... It was horrible for him. But his first concern was to get us back safe to Lukla and Kathmandu. He is a remarkably good man and forever in our hearts!
When thinking of taking a trek in Nepal, whether in the Everest region or in Annapurna, just hire Nepal Mother House treks. They are a local company (so the money goes directly to the people in Nepal, with no foreign influence), they have a lot of knowledge and use the right guides and porters. Taking a 3-week trek is still one of the best decisions we have ever made. The Himalayas are amazing and we are glad that we chose Karna and Bamseding.

Every word we wrote came from our hearts. Our trekking in Nepal has changed us as humans. We will definitely return later! Big recommend!

I did a 14 day Tsum Valley trip with Nepal Mother House in Feb 2015. Karna responded quickly to all of my questions and helped me pick out the best tour. He was also able to organize the trek permits even though I was going solo. Once in Kathmandu finalizing arrangements and meeting the guide went very smoothly. The track itself was fantastic. Beautiful scenery everywhere and all the details taken care of so all I needed to do was walk.

the trip was a great value and the company was completely honest and up front in their pricing. I highly recommend them.

I have used this agency twice, once in June/July 2014 for a trek in the Upper Mustang area, Jomsom to Lo-Manthang, and once in December 2014 for a trek from Lukla to Island Peak and EBC/Kala Patthar.

The company's CEO, Karna Rana is incredibly service-minded and is very flexible and helpful in the planning process, and he will answer your e-mails in the blink of an eye.

Nepal mother house will arrange domestic air tickets and other prepurchases beforehand, so you don't have to worry about anything other than the weather, and when that goes wrong they will find a way by bus or jeep.

Absolutely recommended!

In December 2014 I joined Nepal Mother House for a 14-day Tsum Valley trip. It was my first time in Kathmandu and really didn't know what to expect. My flight landed in Kathmandu on a dark cold night. Alone, confusion and worry were what have written on my face. But things got a little better the moment I saw Karna and his guide. As another reviewer has mentioned, Karna is very attentive and helpful. The quick response to all the emails is part of the reason why I chose this agency. The trip to Tsum Valley was one of the best Christmas presents I have given myself. Spending Christmas day in the wilderness and total disconnect from the rest of the world is one of the most amazing trips I can ever experience. The guide who is also my porter is very attentive. Although communication can be a minor problem overall I was happy with their service, especially the after-sales service that Karna has provided. Keep it up, Karna!"

We finalized the trip itinerary and plan at the office in Kathmandu with Karna prior to leaving resulting in a flexible, realistic itinerary, with rest days, and side-trips to points of interest (gompas, nunnery, etc).

Guides and porters were very service-oriented, helpful, enthusiastic, fun, and informative regarding culture, trails, landmarks, wildlife, etc. They went the extra step to secure hotel rooms for us in advance by sending one of our guides ahead to the next village after lunch to reserve hotel rooms. Rooms were waiting for us with our bags when we arrived! A good group to Manaslu Circuit Trek with Tsum Valley with!

This year I did my first trekking in Nepal: the Annapurna Circuit.
The agency:
After requesting information about the Annapurna Circuit trekking and comparing prices at several tourist offices in Kathmandu I came across the Nepal Mother House agency.
Karna, the friendly manager, gave a very clear explanation (his English is perfect by the way!) of what I could expect to see and encounter on the trek and also advised me what to bring (which I really appreciated as a first-timer here).

The guide:
My guide Jayaram was simply perfect. He was great fun to do the Annapurna Circuit Trekking with, knew a lot about everything we encountered during the trek and was very polite and helpful. He always arranged nice rooms in the nicest tea/ guesthouses and also other travelers mentioned that he was a good guide. And just like Karna, his English was very good.

During the trek, my friendly guide and Karna had contact by phone to make sure everything was still ok and whether I was still happy about my trek: they are really trying their best to make the trip as enjoyable as possible.

The price:
The price was very reasonable and the best out of the (6) agencies I visited. Other tourists I met were paying more for their guides than I did.

Overall:
Overall my trekking was wonderful and so was my guide. In the future, I'll do more trekking in Nepal and will definitely trek with this company again!

Thank you very much Karna & Jayaram and see you again soon!

Ivo Sprik Bezocht