Bire - Bir Bahadur Tamang
Guide and cook
After working in the gulf states, Bire returned to Nepal and quickly moved up from trek sherpa to cook and then guide and is now one the core guiding staff for Project Himalaya. He has worked at 6400m on Everest and trekked the Kanchenjunga region many times, among numerous treks, and has joined me on the occasional trek since 2010, especially custom or challenging treks.
Bire is caring and considerate, easily going along with the plan yet will step in if he sees anything amiss and has perhaps the best English of all our local guides. He was also an exceptional cook, so perfect for helping out in the kitchen while lodge trekking.
Bire Tamang in Upper Mustang
Bire was guide on these treks (and more):
STAFF: Bire was the best guide we ever had. He planned the days according to circumstances and our capacities and wishes. He never rushed and, if the path was clear and safe, let us walk in front to choose the speed and enjoy the privacy. He accompanied us on extra walks and did not let us feel, it was extra work for him. We always followed his friendly advice (wear a hat, if it starts to get cold to avoid headache, no more showers further up with cold water after sunset… ). There was not a single thing he could have done better. We could understand his English well and he ours. We always felt absolutely safe. And on top he is a very friendly, warmhearted humorful person.
And we also liked the friendly porter, Tess. As it was our first trip to Nepal, we had too much stuff, but he never complained. He was very attentive. When we were looking around for something (my husband, gloves, chili sauce on the table, whatever) he almost always guessed, what it was and helped.
Office in Katmandu: well organized and reliable.
THE TRIP was absolutely marvellous. Without relevant technical difficulties (some landslides and rockfall areas, a bit slippery on the last day, but Bire was always there to help), beautiful landscape and mountains also apart from Kanchenjunga. We enjoyed every single day. The treks going up were sometimes just half day for reasons of height acclimatisation, but except for Amjilosa there were always good options for walks in the afternoon. And as a result of the conservative schedule, we did not have any problems with the height, not even headache.
LODGES: A small compartment with two beds and sometimes a shelf. Dining rooms were always nice and heated in Ghunsa and further up. In Lhonak and Ramche toilets were frozen, I could not use them. In Ramche we had mice in the room and they stole a pair of woolen socks, but we did not mind, the owners of the lodge were extremely hospitable and it was our fault to leave a plastic bag with the packaging of protein bars in the room.
FOOD: Food was much better than expected, especially in Phale – I watched the preparation of [delicious] momos in Ghunsa, yak steak in Kangpachen and the best sherpa stew in Selele. They often had only few ingredients, but it was solidly cooked and tasty. And Bire always had a nice desert on top for us, often even fresh fruit.
ALL IN ALL: We will be back soon...
- Barbara (and Harald), 2022 Kanchenjunga North-South
2020-2021 - the covid years - and I must thank our previous trekkers for generous support while Bire and others were out of work. Bire was thankful and truly the support made a large difference to his family's life.
The trek was GREAT! Bire and the team of porters were outstanding. I would/will trek with Bire again! ...
- Mike Timpson, 2019 Kanchenjunga North-South
Our trek was truly fantastic.
- Mark Saunders, 2018 Kanchenjunga private trek
Many thanks to you and your team for a great trek and Himalayan experience. The pre-trip organization and planning was very good and the help and advice provided by Jamie in New Zealand, both from his web site and personal contact, was excellent.
The prompt help provided by you and your Kathmandu Staff when Liz got sick and needed hospital treatment before the start of the trek was really appreciated by us. The situation would have been far more difficult for us to deal with without your assistance.
On the trek, the two guides Bire and Sonam were always looking after our interests, keeping us safe and providing information about the locations as we passed through them. Bire was particularly careful to select good quality Tea Houses with clean kitchens and often took over the cooking himself if the standards were not high enough. Sonam proved to be a man of great tolerance. I was usually the slowest walker and Sonam would follow behind me singing quietly with his amazing voice. He never pushed me to go faster and my slow pace must have been frustrating for him.
Liz and I developed a great respect for the three porters Kepa, Lukpa and Pur Lakpa. Their strength and ability to carry heavy loads over rough ground was amazing. They were friendly and attentive to us, often taking over guide responsibilities if Bire and Sonam were not available. Kepa was a very good cook and often assisted Bire or took over alone. With their pleasant personalities these three, along with the guides, soon became friends.
The Kanchenjunga Trek itself was hard work but definitely worth the effort. The variety of scenery, ecological zones and ethnic diversity was quite different to previous treks we have done. Unfortunately, the unseasonal weather, which rained or snowed on us most afternoons, limited the opportunity to spend longer hours between tea houses. The only way to overcome this would be to schedule in more rest days to stay at selected villages.
Thanks to all involved for a most memorable trek.
Dave and Liz Murray, 2018 Kanchenjunga private trek
Dear Jamie
This is just to say a very belated thank you - we had a great trip, so thank you for arranging and all your input. Our team were brilliant, cheerful, fun and so hard working. The food was excellent - far better than my expectations. The scenery was spectacular and every bit as good as we were expecting. ... [I am] Sure I will do another one at some point.Nick B, Simon Q and James H, Kanchenjunga private trek 2016
Trek and expedition memories
Here is a taster of some of the trips Bire has helped with, both as guide and as cook.
Recent previous treks | 2018
2017 | 2016 |2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006
2005 | 2004 | 2002-03 | 2000-01 | pre-2000
2018 Ganesh Himal GHT, Bire was the best cook!
The team and crew for our epic 2018 Upper Mustang to Dolpo trek
2010 heading over the Saribung La - Jamie
2010 Bire in Upper Mustang - Jamie
2010 Saribung team with Bire as sherpa - Jamie
Recent previous treks | 2018
2017 | 2016 |2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006
2005 | 2004 | 2002-03 | 2000-01 | pre-2000
2011-2015 expeditions | 2000-2010 expeditions | 2004-2010 expedition dispatches