Nature at Its Best
Manaslu Circuit Trek with Heaven Himalaya allowed me to immerse myself in nature's beauty. The pristine landscapes and diverse flora and fauna showcased the untouched wilderness of the region.
Personalized Attention, Exceptional Service
Heaven Himalaya's personalized service stood out throughout the trek. From attentive guides to comfortable accommodations, they ensured every detail was taken care of, making the journey truly special.
Expert Guides, Breathtaking Views
The guides from Heaven Himalaya were not just knowledgeable but also passionate about the Manaslu region. Their expertise enhanced the trek, and the stunning views of the Himalayas made it a dream come true.
A Majestic Trekking Experience
Heaven Himalaya provided an extraordinary Manaslu Circuit Trek that left me in awe. The scenic beauty, coupled with their professional guides, made it an unforgettable journey.
Manaslu Circuit and Tsum Valley
We booked our trek about three months before the trek itself, and throughout the process, Ramhari and Sanjeev were extremely helpful and patient with our endless questions. We opted for the Tsum Valley extension to the Manaslu Trek, as we wanted a more remote and less populated route (for locals and trekkers).
We could not be more delighted with our trek and the whole Nepal experience that Heaven Himalaya arranged for us. Having followed the guidance on the excellent HH website, our kit weighed about 20kg (for the porter) plus our own small backpacks (of about 5kg each). I can offer tips on what to take or not to take if anyone wishes.
We got along really well with our guide, Dipak, and our porter, Babu, and between all of us we discussed modifications to the planned itinerary so that we had minimal'resting' days. This meant that we covered the ground a lot quicker than planned, and Babu had to work extra hard, but he and Dipak were excellent throughout, showing true professionalism, admirable flexibility, and great humour in all situations. All of our modifications to the itinerary were subject to satisfactory acclimatization; we were fine, but this wasn't the case for some trekkers, and Dipak was careful to ensure that we didn't try to do anything that we were not ready for.
The trek itself was like nothing else, especially the Tsum Valley. It was like stepping into a bygone era, and it was a real privilege to be able to travel and live for a short while in the land of these Tibetan-descended people. Their friendliness and hospitality were faultless, and we enjoyed sights and experiences that are very rare these days.
Unlike the Tsum Valley (which is an out-and-back excursion), the Manaslu circuit is walked by (almost) all trekkers in an anti-clockwise direction, so we only met tourists when we were overtaking them or at the Tea Houses, which meant that it felt even more remote.
Throughout the trek, the scenery and landscape were surprisingly varied and included forest, valleys, plains, farmland, and lots of boulder-strewn tracks. Several landslides provided potentially dangerous crossings, but our guide was very careful to ensure they were crossed as safely as possible. A particular treat was the number and variety of animals, from domestic dogs and chickens to mules, ponies, cattle, oxen, and yaks, plus some bonuses such as vultures, wild blue sheep, wild goats, various monkeys and lizards, and thousands of butterflies.
Bizarrely, the busiest place was the lodge on the night before the Larka La Pass crossing: there is only one 'guest house' and so everyone has to stay there. It was an early start for the crossing (0500 set-off for us, and we were last to leave), and the trekking was tough. This was the one day on which Dipak insisted that we walk at his pace due to the risks of an oxygen shortage at 5000m. For the first time, we could not have gone faster if we'd wanted to. It was quite hard work; a few dizzy spells and minor headaches were our worst symptoms, but some people really suffered. (Succumbing to AMS is almost entirely random. Two porters from other groups had to turn back at 4000 m.).
We would highly recommend Heaven Himalaya, our guide Dipak, and our porter Babu. Everyone had the perfect balance of professionalism, hard work, and great humour, which meant that the trek went exactly as we wished. As a bonus, our rapid pace meant that we had a few days in Pokhara after the trek, and we would thoroughly recommend the city (far better than Kathmandu) if you can spare a few days after your trek.
Exceptional Experience
The Heaven Himalaya team provided an exceptional experience from the beginning to the end of our journey. They were with us every step of the way, from picking us up at Kathmandu Airport to ensuring a smooth return. What truly sets apart a customer service experience is how well a team handles unexpected situations, and I can confidently say that the Heaven Himalaya team excelled in adaptability and flexibility when our plans needed adjustment.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude, in particular, to the Himalaya team members who managed our trek on the ground. Starting with Som, our guide leader, his leadership, extensive knowledge, and sense of humor made sure we were always well-informed and comfortable with what lay ahead. His primary focus was on meeting the needs of our group. I also want to highlight the remarkable team of porters who accompanied us on our journey, namely Babu, and Ramesh. They were not only attentive and supportive throughout the challenging treks but also provided great encouragement.
Beyond their professional competence, the entire team displayed a warm and welcoming demeanor that made us feel like part of a family during our trek. It's worth mentioning that my partners was not only a skilled trekker but also a formidable opponent in gin rummy – a source of friendly competition and amusement.
I wholeheartedly recommend anyone considering a trek to choose Heaven Himalaya. Their exceptional staff ensures an unforgettable and seamless adventure, and I have no doubt that you will be delighted with your decision.
Inaugural journey to Nepal
We chose to embark on the Tsum Valley Trekking adventure for our inaugural journey to Nepal. Our decision was driven by the desire to explore a region that had not been overrun by hordes of tourists and was in close proximity to Tibet, allowing us to experience unique cultural influences.
The trek turned out to be an unforgettable experience, and we wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking to immerse themselves in foreign cultures while enjoying a hiking adventure. Our guide, Shankar, and our porter, Babu, provided exceptional care and made our journey truly enjoyable. Thanks to the efficient organization by Heaven Himalaya, we were able to fully immerse ourselves in the experience and savor the moments.
Prior to the trek, we had a comprehensive pre-trip briefing, during which we could address any questions we had and gain a thorough understanding of the trek's various stages and what to expect. We extend our gratitude to Heaven Himalaya for their excellent organization, and we genuinely hope that Shankar and Babu had an equally enjoyable time with us. Without a doubt, our next trek in Nepal will be with Heaven Himalaya once again!
Never experienced such amazing customer service
In my 54 years - I have never experienced such amazing customer service as with Heaven Himalaya. Having trekked the EBC 26 years ago, we knew a little bit about what we wanted. I contacted Ram by email and within 1 hour I received a full detailed proposed itinerary with prices. We made a few changes to the plan and agreed on a custom, family (with sons 18 & 22) trek to Everest Base Camp. From this point, we just had to show up in Nepal - the rest (and I mean the rest), was all taken care of by Ram and Sanjib from Heaven Himalaya.
Having built their company from the ground up, it is clear that they have a full understanding of what their clients need and they are listening too.
I don't want to spoil any surprises by giving away too much detail, but we were shown first class hospitality in Kathmandu City as well as on the trek. Communication is key and both Ram and Sanjib did this so well, they became our friends in Nepal, nothing was ever too much trouble, always letting us know ahead of time of any changes. Sometimes trekking in Nepal can change due to the weather, but through their network, they can also anticipate and communicate potential issues (other companies on the trek did not - we heard from lots of other trekkers). Then there's the actual trek, our guide Bishal - what a guy! Full of enthusiasm and energy. From the same mould as Ram and sanjib, his focus is on the clients from 5am until bedtime - he is available and there 24/7 without question. His goal is to make our trek 100% safe, enjoyable and achievable and he certainly achieved this with ease. Bishal, I'm sure will be our good friend forever.
I would recommend Heaven Himalaya to anyone looking to trek in the Himalayas without reservation - they made our family trip an adventure of a lifetime.
Excellent, they made every moment unforgettable
Excellent, they made every moment unforgettable. Our guide, Bishal, made the hike very enjoyable and always asking if we were okay along the route. I would definitely like to do other hikes and start mountaineering in Nepal. Thank you Ramhari for all your attention from start to finish, you really solved each of my doubts and I can't wait to see you next year.
Heaven Himalaya was simply top notch
Heaven Himalaya was simply top notch. From our first inquiry all the way through to the end of our EBC trek the service was incredible. Our guide in Kathmandu worked very hard to get us out of Ramchhap on time and our mountain guide Dipak was knowledgeable and confident. Dipak made sure we had the best accommodations possible in each location and continually helped us make the best decisions to ensure we made our goal without succumbing to altitude sickness. The sleeping bag provided was high grade and clean. The owner Ram greeted us and enjoyed a dinner with us after the trip. He truly took care of our every need. I highly recommend this company if you will be trekking Nepal. Ask for Dipak.