Trekkers' Trip Review | Nepal Trekking Guide

Gerrit Assink, Ede, Netherlands

The guys from Samsara Trekking arranged a wonderful trekking to Langtang in November 2019! The ultimate trophy on our trip to Nepal was to find a Himalayan Monal in its typical habitat, the Himalayan slopes.

In order to find these, and many other birds, the guys from Samara suggested to do a 7 day trekking into the valley of Langtang, one of the less disturbed areas in the Himalayas. Our guide was Raju and he really had the eyes of an eagle, finding even the smallest birds. Not only did we find more than 10 Himalayan Monals & over 120 bird species, we also saw some typical mountain mammals like Thars, Langurs, Pica’s and even a Serow. Besides a great guide, Raju and porter are very pleasant company and always in for a joke or a good conversation.

They also provide you with excellent food and make sure you have a good bed to sleep in. Above all, they care a lot about the well-being of their guests. When symptoms of altitude sickness showed up, they did not take any risk and made sure that we got down immediately to prevent any serious harm. Thank you for the awesome trip and showing me the most beautiful place I have ever seen!

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Bas Drost, Veenendaal, Netherlands

In 2019 early November, a friend of mine and I went a week trekking in Langtang to see as many birds as possible. Raju is really a great bird guide who knows the best places for birds! Moreover, he is great company, and he can tell you a lot of interesting stories about the local environment and culture. During our relatively short trekking, we saw over 120 bird species, including few iconic ones like the Himalayan Monal, Bearded Vulture, Spotted Forktail and many more.

Raju was able to identify almost all birds, including difficult groups like leaf warblers. I highly recommend Raju & Samsara trekking for every birdwatcher who would like to see birds in Nepal Himalaya

Megan Lois Neal, Denver Arbor CT, USA

In late 2017, I reached out to Samsara Trekking with a specific request-a guide who could both hike and bird watch. Prem organized an amazing itinerary with a Langtang Valley trek and a visit to Bardia National Park in the terai. Throughout the entire planning process, Prem was kind and patient with all my questions. He set up our hotel in Kathmandu, our trekking permits, and our flights to and from Nepalgunj.
In October of 2018, Raj met us at the airport and our 16 day adventure began! We started with the Langtang Valley trek, taking our time and bird watching the entire way. We made it up to Kyanjin Ri, ate wonderful food, met kind people, and had fun chats with Raj. The birds were magnificent, including several vulture species, Himalayan Monal, Tibetan Snowcock and Ibis bill! Raj took great care of us throughout the trek.

When we arrived at Samsara Safari Camp right outside the gates of Bardia, we felt like we were in the lap of luxury! Not only did we see many magnificent birds, including Great Hornbill, but we saw both rhinos and elephants from such a close distance we could hear them chewing. It was an experience I will never forget.

We saw 270 species of birds while in Nepal and made friends who feel like family. It was absolutely the trip of a lifetime, and I would never hesitate to recommend Prem and Raj Thapa and their team to help you plan your trip and guide you through Nepal.

Charlotte Notts, Cheshire, UK

Four recently graduated girls joined Raj and Prem for a 16 day trek (Annapurna Sanctuary and Mardi Himal). The guides went above and beyond to ensure that you had the best trip possible. Raj has superhuman eyes and ears that can spot a rare bird from afar and Prem has a vast immense of knowledge on nepalese and tibetan history/ buddhism. We trekked during monsoon season in June but I think it was the perfect time for us as the routes were very quiet/ teahouses always had space and although it rained most afternoons, we usually arrived at our destination before the rain and the views were beautiful all morning!! We loved our guides so much we later travelled to Bardia to join Raj and Santa on a jungle safari. It was very very, very hot in Bardia and the journey from Pokhara took 20 hours on public bus BUT everything was worth the sights we saw. We had the whole park to ourselves and saw lots of animals, including 4 tigers in one day (the closest being about 5 metres from us hidden in the grass). Although we were only armed with bamboo sticks, I felt at ease with our guides as they knew the jungle inside out and were not afraid of the animals. The love they have for the animals and the jungle is beautiful to see and I would not have wanted to experience my first time in Nepal with anyone else! I can’t wait to go back to Nepal and I miss Raj and Prem already!
31 July 2018 Chester

Rachel Shellien, Liverpool, UK

We spent 16 days in June 2018 trekking Annapurna base camp and Mardi Himal with Raj and Prem in June and couldn’t have imagined a better experience. Between them, Raj and Prem know almost everything about the natural environment, the history of Nepal and the local people who live in villages and towns along the trek. They are both extremely passionate about preservation of the local and cultural environment, and involved with local charities and agencies dedicated to this. Above all else, they are both kind, easy going and we felt extremely safe in their capable and experienced hands. Thanks for an incredible trek – we will be back

Natsuko HAGIHARA, Tokyo, JAPAN

I trekked along Ghorepani Circuit of Annapurna region with my guide, Prem Thapa, for 6 days in early October 2007. It was very short time, but my first visit to Nepal became beautiful, wonderful, fun-filled and unforgettable moments. We had not only a wonderful trekking with beautiful Himalayan mountain views and Nepalese country views, but also singing Nepalese songs, dancing Nepalese dances and playing Nepalese flute or drum with Nepalese people or foreign trekkers day and night! We laughed loudly many times making jokes, and kidding each other on trekking. But he took always care so that I did not get hurt or fall sick, too. He speaks fluent English. And he is deeply knowledgeable about his country Nepal. So I could learn a lot of Nepalese culture, climate and Nepalese people from him. Sometimes I strolled feeling soothing atmosphere in deep and beautiful forests, in quiet except birds singing and our footsteps. Oh, yes, if you like bird-watching, you would have a great time for birding on trekking. He had professional experiences of bird-watching guide at Royal Chitwan National Park. This time I made really a good decision to hire him as my trekking guide. Of course I am very looking forward to trekking with him again.

Kleathis Georgaris & Maria Mazmania, Athens, Greece

Prem,
We would like to thank you for this amazing, lifetime and unforgettable experience we had with you in Nepal. Our trip has been very well organized in a professional way and our only concern was just to enjoy and admire the magnificent Nepalese nature! Overall, this is a trip that we definitely make again in the future!!

Julia Simpson, Brighton, UK

Dear Prem,
Thank you very much for organizing my wonderful trek in spectacular mountains of Nepal. Bisnhu and Shil are treasure and looked after me so well. I did not have to worry about anything. We saw magnificent views and Bishnu showed me many, many birds. We also had lots of interesting discussion about your culture.
A thoroughly enjoyable trek and I will not hesitate to recommend your company to anyone I meet who wants to come to Nepal.

Thank you again!

Rory Kronmiler, Washington DC, USA

Well…there was quite a lot of walking for a chubby like me, but my guide on the trek, Raj was great. He showed patience and understanding, but still got me across distances I had no idea I could cover. I had great fun, saw some beautiful scenery, some cool creatures and vanquished some ridiculously daunting bridges.

My stay in Lumbini was also great and my stay in Kathmandu cool as well with some 2,300 pictures of Nepal and some really great memories, I’d call this trip a resounding success.
A special thanks to both my guides, Raj and Prem! I hope you guys had as much fun as I did.

Cindy, Wisconsin 53222, USA

Prem & Raj,
You arranged a trip that has changed my life! And experienced the beauty of your nature, mountains, water falls, birds, flowers, gardens …to the warm generous people. You managed to learn about the group tailored the trek speed/pace and difficulty to our needs and experiences. You took care of every details from starting the trekking route, to having the right tea, to providing certificate at the end. I feel very blessed to have met each of you. You are very gifted and special people and the insights and stories you shared helped me understand your culture and people. I will not this and will plan to return. Continue your passion for trekking and nature with others…!

Testimonials