First Class Agency – Trekking in the Langtang/Gosainkunda/Helambu and Annapurna Regions
I trekked with this agency three times over the course of nine months and was delighted with the service I received each time. I have already written a TripAdvisor review of my first trek with Touch The Himalaya in the Tsum Valley in November last year and returned to them once again for treks in the Langtang/Gosainkunda Region in Jan/Feb and then the Annapurna Region in June/July.
Again the organisation in arranging each trek was first class with Madan, the agency manager, being extremely attentive, kind and courteous in answering questions and providing support every step of the way…… indeed, this was quite literal with my Langtang trek where I was honoured to have Madan himself as my guide. One of the highlights of this trek was when he helped organise for us to take a helicopter ride back down the Langtang Valley from Kyangjin Gompa which was breathtaking! If that wasn’t enough, it consequently gave us the opportunity to trek in the beautiful Gosainkunda region and the top section of Helambu also…..not something we’d planned to do prior to leaving Kathmandu!
I returned to Nepal in June for a few weeks and with it being the monsoon season, Madan again was very helpful and lay out the best options and suggested itineraries as well as organise my first couple of nights accommodation in Kathmandu. On arrival I decided to trek the drier eastern side of the Annapurna Circuit over the Thorung La and down to Marpha and all the necessary permits were arranged very quickly. Less than a day and a half after arriving, I was in a bus on my way to Besisahar with my guide Arjun (who I’d met during my last trip to Nepal). I was in very safe hands for the whole trek with Arjun who had trekked over the Thorung La Pass over 50 times already! His experienced reading of the weather and terrain conditions enabled us to make the right decisions including the day of the pass itself advising not just myself but other trekkers on the route. He was also invaluable in arranging a jeep up to Chame and then down from Marpha to Pokhara at the end of what was an exhilarating trek.
I have gotten to know Touch The Himalaya and the team very well over the course of the last nine months and they have become dear friends.I do not hesitate in wholeheartedly recommending them. They are an exemplary trekking agency, one I will certainly use again should I have the good fortune to return to Nepal once more.
Date of experience: June 2018
