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Our treks

Small - Friendly - Adventurous

Hello from the three of us! Himalayan journeys are truly our passion and lifestyle. Joel and Kim run the best Zanskar and Ladakh treks there are, and in our unique style. Naturally we know and love Nepal, our second home, and Kim also specializes in everything Tibetan. Jamie guides Everest (yep, to the summit) and runs the the best exploratory treks on the planet.

Real treks in the best seasons with small groups and top crews - join us!

2008 Nepal Autumn

 

Kim Bannister

Jamie McGuinness

Joel Schone

Our trekkers are international but trips are costed in US$. For UK Pounds and Euros use the xe.com currency converter.

Everest New Year Pilgrimage Trek - Nepal

A new year adventure along the beautiful trails of the land of the Sherpa's, climbing the high viewpoints of the Everest region and visiting the power places of Buddhism along the way; the rightly famous Tengboche, but also the smaller Gomi La and Lauda Gompas in their tranquil hilltop eyries.

24 Dec-12 Jan, 20 days -- teahouse trekking -- Joel Schone -- US$2250

2009 Nepal Spring

We enjoy quite some variety during this pleasant but less busy (than October) season.

See the bottom of the page for explanations of the dates, services, leaders and other details.
Trip status: normally every trip runs, we only put a status if the trip is nearly full or full or something else unusual applies.

Ice walk; The Chadar Expedition - India

The most challenging and exciting trek on our planet - once again we take to the frozen Zanskar river on the route taken by centuries of traders.

16 Jan-10 Feb, 26 days -- expedition style -- Joel & Lobsang -- US$3650 -- full?

Annapurna Peaks & Villages Trek - Nepal *introductory

A classic tea-house (lodge) trek through the terraced valleys and traditional villages of Nepal's middle-hills, with spectacular panoramas of the Annapurna range, Dhaulagiris and more from Poon Hill, all in two weeks. Details to come.

8-21 Feb, 14 days -- teahouse trekking -- Lhakpa Dorji Sherpa -- US$1880
With Chitwan Wildlife & Raft Extension -- 8-24 Feb, 18 days -- US$2280

Everest Spring High Passes Trek - Nepal

The best, virtually all, of the Everest region; we cross the Cho La & Renjo La passes (with a Kongma La option), explore the spectacular Gokyo lakes region, climb Gokyo Ri and Kala Pattar, visit Everest Base Camp, the Chukhung & Thame valleys, relaxing in cozy Sherpa lodges en route.

1-25 March, 25 days -- teahouse trekking -- Kim Bannister -- US$2580 -- popular, book early

High Route Around Manaslu - Nepal

The absolute best of Nepal and Tibet, a trek of amazing ethnic and scenic diversity, still relatively un-trekked; the lush rice paddies and traditional villages of Nepal's middle hills lead to purely Tibetan villages, high Himalayan passes, spectacular snow-peak panoramas and wonderful campsites. Remote trekking, and one of Nepal's best kept secrets ...

2-25 April, 24 days -- expedition-style and teahouse -- Kim Bannister -- US$2980

Kanchenjunga Adventure - Nepal

A classic Himalayan journey from spring-green middle hills to the glittering snow peaks of Kanchenjunga base camp. Details to come.

9 Apr-3 May, 25 days -- expedition style -- Joel & Lobsang -- US$2850

Mustang - Beyond Lo Monthang - Nepal

Formerly the Kingdom of Lo, Mustang is a remote, borderland Tibetan region of medieval villages, ancient cave hermitages, Buddhist monasteries, arid, high desert, wild rock formations, canyons, fossils and soaring snow-peaks. Our 'off-the-map' journey through this majestic Himalayan kingdom is a other-worldly experience, a spectacular trek from first to last day.

3-23 May, 21 days -- expedition-style -- Kim Bannister -- US$3580

Everest ABC Trek 6400m - Tibet

We jump through some hoops to touch Everest on the highest trek in the world! (And if Tibet-China has issues then we have a Nepal backup plan.)

26 Apr-19 May, 24 days -- expedition-style -- local leaders? -- US$3980?
North Col option: 26 Apr-22 May, 27 days -- local leaders -- US$8850?

Remote Limi & Saga Dawa Kailash Trek - Humla, Nepal & Tibet

Magical, diverse Humla, in far-western Nepal, hosts the most remote, colorful Saga Dawa festival in the Tibetan Buddhist world. We trek the spectacular Limi Valley route to the Tibet border, cleans our sins with the breath-taking Kailash kora trek, and top off the trip with a fantastic jeep safari through west Tibet to exotic Lhasa. Ki ki so so Lha Gyalo!

31 May-28 June, 29 days -- expedition-style -- Kim Bannister -- US$4680

2009 Indian Summer

Our Zanskar and Ladakh summer treks are some of the best there are!

The Great Himalayan Traverse - Ladakh and Spiti

From the high domains of the nomads of Ladakh to the lush forests of the Parvati valley, this trek is a stunning kaleidoscope of landscapes and peoples as we journey across both the Great Himalayan Barrier and the Pir Panjal range.

31 May-24 June, 25 days -- expedition style -- Joel & Lobsang -- US$2950

K2 Concordia trek - Pakistan

Those mountains! And an insight into this country always in the news. The trek is tough but rewarding with an expedition feel as we accompany Phil's Gasherbrum II expedition.

16 June-10 July, 25 days -- expedition-style -- Jamie McGuinness/Phil Crampton -- US$3250

Zanskar - A Summer Journey

As the passes that guard this mythical mountain kingdom shed their snow, we cross it by a route that combines challenging trekking on remote trails with time to explore the villages and monasteries of a timeless land.

26 June-27 July, 32 days -- expedition style -- Joel & Lobsang -- US$2850

In Kim's Footsteps; the Hindustan Tibet highway

A gentle adventure as we follow the old Hindustan Tibet highway through the forests of Kinnaur. Kim of Kipling, that is.

Mystical Markha Valley & the Nomads of Karnak - Ladakh

Ladakh's jewel and beyond; a stunning trek under the soaring Himalaya & Zanskar ranges combining village and nomadic life. Traditional Markha villages, crumbling fortresses, ancient Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and the green Markha river-valley lead us over high passes to the high Tibetan & Ladakhi nomadic pasture lands; incredible scenery and lots of wildlife throughout.

11 July-1 Aug, 22 days -- expedition-style -- Kim & Lhakpa -- US$2980

Nomads, Lakes & High Passes of the Changtang - Ladakh

'One of the best treks on the planet' (so says Kim); the turquoise salt-lakes and high plateaus, backed by the Himalaya range, with yak-hair nomadic tents peppered throughout, are simply spectacular. We follow old caravan routes over high passes, fording rivers and setting up camp on the high Tibetan plateau after trekking through the magical Markha Valley (see above).

11 July-10 Aug, 31 days -- expedition-style -- Kim & Lhakpa -- US$3480

Zanskar Magic *friends

If you haven't traversed Zanskar, you must! This is the most scenic trek in an incredibly scenic region. Our variation avoids roads. Details to come.

25 July-21 Aug, 28 days -- expedition style -- Jamie -- US$2980?

Wild Canyons and Remote Villages of Ladakh *exploratory

Winding our way through spectacular canyons and hidden valleys, wading rivers and crossing many HIGH passes, we reach some of the most remote and traditional villages and monasteries in Ladakh, trekking where few trekkers go, and lots of wild-life en route.

15 Aug-14 Sept, 31 days -- expedition-style -- Kim & Lhakpa -- US$3480

Arunachal Pradesh; the last frontier

Joel takes a small group to explore this hidden kingdom.

2009 Sikkim and Nepal Autumn

The west is best, we explore while we can, and in the best season while popular trails sag under weight of trekkers.

Thinley's Dolpo & Shey Phoksumdo Trek - Nepal *exploratory

Our second exploratory trek in Inner (upper) Dolpo promises to be as exciting and spectacular as last year's! Join us, with Thinley's nephew as guide, for our 2009 exploratory trek through Dolpo, purely Tibetan, taking the three pass Lower Mustang route out.

26 Sept-26 Oct, 31 days -- expedition-style -- Kim & Lhakpa -- US$4580

Kanchenjunga Sikkim; the Zemu & Green Lake route

At last the time to introduce our trekkers to this stunning approach to Kanchenjunga.

Manaslu Classic - Nepal

Joel's return to Manaslu on the classic route.

Kanchen Gola Wild *Exploratory - Nepal

The 7th (!) and probably last 42 day Kanchenjunga special, we trek the Milke Danda to Topke Gola and Olangchung Gola (double Gola!) on that trail that has eluded us twice, check out Kanchenjunga North Base Camp and probably attempt a 6000m peak and/or photo-hunt snow leopard.

18 Oct-28 Nov, 42 days -- expedition style -- Jamie McGuinness -- US$2950?

Everest High Passes Trek - Nepal

The best, virtually all, of the Everest region; we cross the Cho La & Renjo La passes (with a Kongma La option), explore the spectacular Gokyo lakes region, climb Gokyo Ri and Kala Pattar, visit Everest Base Camp, the Chukhung & Thame valleys, relaxing in cozy Sherpa lodges en route.

5-29 Nov, 25 days -- teahouse trekking -- Kim Bannister -- US$2580 -- book early

Kamzang Christmas Trek

We'll run  our usual wonderful winter Christmas trek in a new location. Details to come ...

Prices are ex-Kathmandu or ex-Delhi etc, ie you have to buy your international flight tickets.

Dates are the date you must arrive in Kathmandu/Delhi and the date you are free to fly out of Kathmandu/Delhi. You can of course arrive earlier or leave later.

Minimums For many trips the minimum number that we run the trip with is three trekkers. All treks normally run.

Previous trekkers and people who book two major trips in a row get a 5% discount, providing there are at least four bookings. In general for Tibet trips there is no previous trekker discount.

Caring for our staff We have great staff, and we really care about them, as they care for us. Our Nepal porters are fully kitted out for high altitude treks following the letter and spirit of the IPPG guidelines.

Tipping our crew is optional, but allow approx 5% of the trip cost as a guideline. The western guides don't take tips.

Teahouse trekking means staying in local lodges; Nepal only. All trekking accommodation, and all meals and hot drinks are included. Alcohol, mineral water, soft drinks, snacks and toilet paper not included. Porters/yaks carry your personal gear leaving you with a daypack.

Expedition-style trekking means sleeping in tents. A cook and helpers cater for us with 3 course meals and post-trek snacks, and porters/yaks/ponies carry the lot organized by a sirdar. You trek with a daypack. Couples share a roomy tent, everyone else gets a single roomy tent.

All treks include airport transfers, sightseeing, hotels and guesthouses. City and town meals not included.

*Exploratory treks The golden age of exploration dead? Never! These are a set of 'back of an envelope' treks that would warm Tilman's heart. There is nobody else on the planet who organizes treks quite like this. They are rough, demanding and wild; a positive, can-do attitude and smile required.

*Friends treks for previous trekkers and their friends only.

 

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