Lobsang and team

Our India crew

"... the crew was unbelievable and Brody and I are now ruined for life when it comes to trekking elsewhere!"
- Kim and Brody Wilcox, Stok Kangri and Markha

Lobsang has been the mainstay of our India treks since 2000, usually organizing and guiding but often also cooking for small groups, and also guiding our private groups. We like to work with the same regular crew although that is not always possible. Raj is our usual cook, stirring up dishes with quiet dedication. Ram Lal and his horse team are simply the best in the land and the reason we can run the craziest exploratory treks there are.

Glorious 2001 memories; Lobsang (still works with us), Tenpa (Temba; after many years with us is now in Switzerland), Sherap (Tsarap who still comes along, and works with Kim) and Punchok (Phuntsok now working with Luke)
Kim was a project Himalaya partner from 2002-2015, and Luke partnered from 2010-12 - photo by the one and only Joel

Trekkers say

We had a fantastic trek in Ladakh with Jamie and Esther. Jamie’s meticulous planning meant that everything went smoothly and Esther’s delight in spotting wildlife, with binoculars always at the ready, meant we saw loads. The wonderful team provided delicious hearty meals, great company and support. Spectacular scenery, quality outdoor living, and a 6,250m peak to boot. We would thoroughly recommend!!

Nick Badman, private Markha & Dzo Jongo 2022

There is no one like Lobsang in the mountains. I would trust him with my life. NOTHING passes him by at any level - from people's strength on the trail, what they like to eat/drink, and whether there's any tent-hopping going on!! He is without peer in the mountains - the strongest and safest pair of hands.

Alison Tucker

I would like to thank you all for your invaluable contributions to this unique experience. I think I speak for all my friends when I say that the trek was great, the itinerary very well chosen (I particularly enjoyed the segment after Nimaling and the Changthang valley), Lobsang was the bestest of all guides and his team was also quite competent and attentive. Regarding Lobsang, I was impressed by his special gift to read our needs and offer solutions even before we had a chance to verbalize anything. He also knows all the best camp sites and trails and is quite resourceful. Raj was our cook and he did an excellent job. The helpers were quite attentive and always ready to make themselves useful to us. I was also impressed with how gently Ram Lal and Sirouch treated the horses, unlike other parties that we crossed paths with on this trip.

Thanks again, Adriana

... - thanks for a wonderful trip!!!

Eileen and I had a enjoyed everything and appreciate all the planning and advice. Felt we were very well prepared.

Lobsang was a terrific guide. He is very professional and organized - I appreciated his sense of humor (glad he put up with
mine)!

Very impressed when Lobsang divided our tips openly and equally among the crew. He also included the two drivers with a smaller share. Such a strong display of leadership - guessing each of the crew would love to work with him again!

Appreciative of the strong and very competent supportive crew - they worked!

And the food was delicious!

The pace of the hiking up the Markha Valley was very good for the group. Although some might go faster or further, the pace throughout was good for the group.

Felt that Lobsang read the group VERY well.

...

John & Eileen

Lobsang Chomphel

Born in the Hanle area of the Changthang, he served 7 years in the military. On leaving he worked as a drivers’ mate before getting into the trekking business, portering and acting as kitchen assistant. He and Joel met on a trek to Tsomoriri in 1998. He is incredibly strong, sensitive to the needs of trekkers, and when the chips are down and things go awry, is always there, whether dealing with bears, rivers in flood, ‘impossible’ routes, or lost trekkers.

As well as an accomplished sirdar, he is an excellent cook (and itinerant trader) and so we can run small groups without taking excessive staff.

2017: Lobsang helping Raj in the kitchen - Jamie

Lobsang serves a delicious meal of assorted flavourful but non-spicy curries - Jamie

Ram Lal, horse whisperer - Jamie

Ram Lal, the best horseman there is - Jamie

Memories

A selection of memories of our trekking days.

Recent previous treks | 2018
2017 | 2016 |2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006
2005 | 2004 | 2002-03 | 2000-01 | pre-2000

2019 Ladakh Peaks & Passes: Lobsang, Ahmed, Mike T, Laura, Jamie, Kat, Esther, Fred

2018 Markha & Dzo Jongo Ri: Raj, Kungha, Pema, Ram Lal, Lobsang, Mandi, Kunsang, Stanzin, Bernard, Yuen, Dave, Kristina, Catie, Zoltan, Esther and Jamie

2017 star crew: Lobsang, Sunoj, Tenzin, Jamie, Kunga, Tej and Raj - missing Ram Lal

2014 Great Divide team atop the remote Pangpo La, a real achievement.
Lobsang, Luca, Tod (hidden) Demet, David, Arabella, Len, Helena, Jussi and Jamie

The team at the end: H, Lobsang, Hanna, Ram Lal, Roshan, Bridge Lal, Jamie, Nawang, Yamphel, Punsok, Ranjan and Veronica
Above leads to the Flickr link and do hit the slideshow button for a full screen experience.

2013 Zanskar Traverse
Punsok, Ram Lal, Harish, Lobsang, Filip and Laura; Jamie took the photo

2013 Lungsur Kangri expedition
Paul, Marischka, Garry, Lobsang, Ranjan and Olivier; Jamie took the photo, and Ashby was on walkabout

2012 GHT Kanji Canyons exploratory
L-R: Jamie, Sitar (Rithar), Lobsang, Sophie, Esther, Tenzin and our six horses plus the tough mule

2011 Zanskar Tribute for Joel
L-R: Lois, Jamie, Lobsang, Steve, Ram Lal, Peter Sih, Kunsang, Sonam, Sam Palsmeier, Punsok

L-R: Louise Dunlop, Peter Sih, John Soos, Nakul, Lois, Steve, Catherine, Christine, Robin Boustead, Sam Palsmeier, Luke Smithwick (red, back), Richard Nacin
And on the right: Lobsang in white t-shirt, Yangzon, Nima Lhamu

The puja to remember Joel, and to send his spirit off, in Manali - Jamie

Harish, horseman helper

2008 from the left: Champ behind Nina, Leigh, Loren, John, Robert, Emma, Pema, Murray, Ali, Lobsang, Corrine, Paul, Tenpa, Kunsang, Guido - Joel Schone

2008 Traverse team on the Pin Parvati, L-R: Ben Schone, Katherine, Stanzin, Curt, Lobsang, Alan, Carolyn & Greg (in front) Alfredo and Doriana

2008: Prasad, Tenpa, Tsampel, Kunsang, Singge, Norbu, Sander and Corrin - Joel Schone

2008: Susanah, Mallory, Marylene, Genevieve, Stanzin, Francesca
Front row: Singge, Lobsang, Audrey, Ezia, Jess and Mike

2008 on the Kang La, L-R: Wilson, Paul, Lucy, Adam, (Lobsang front) Peter, Alan, Marta, Dave, Stanzin, John, Sonam

And in the Jumlam: Lobsang, Lucy sitting, Stanzin, John, Paul, Alan, Dave, Peter, Wilson, Marta sitting

L-R: Scarlett, Lobsang, Kit, Susan and Paul

2007: David, Dan, Amy, Lobsang, Leigh & Tom, Singge in front (check his story out - you will cry, I promise) - photo by Joel

2007 L-R, back row: Ley, Megan, John and Glen
Middle row: Norbu, Tenpa, Kunsang, Phunsok, and in front Stanzin and Lobsang

2007 Lobsang, Sunil and Martin - photo by Joel

2007: Nick, Daniel, Gaye*, Lobsang, Peter, Martin (behind) and Romany - Joel

2006 back row: Rein, Bengt, Stephen & John, Marv, Harry.
In the front: Lobsang, Kim, Joel, Tenpa, June and Punsok.

2005

2004: Lobsang, Eric, Andriya, Brian and Rana (cook)

2001 in Kathmandu

2000

2000 on top of Tengkoma in Nepal; Lobsang, Joel and 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

What others have said

With over 30 years in the hospitality and hotel business, I know having the right team is all important; you have that team, and their work is a reflection of your [Joel's] leadership.

 Richard Chapman, GM, Sheraton Bangkok

 I have done a lot of expeditions throughout the world, and this is hands down the best trekking food I've ever had.

Arabella Slinger

Thanks again for a great trip. You are the "best in class operator" for the Indian Himalaya and your trips have a high "value quotient". ... Your trips are worth it.

Fred M, Caravan; a Mountain Passage

[Peter's camera] fell on the path, slipped on the icy snow and started to bounce down the mountainside. There was nothing we could do. We could only watch it as it bounced about 10 times or more down the 150m or so to the bottom where we could not see it any more. This bouncing camera case kept replaying in my mind for the rest of the day as we climbed to the pass (2.5 hrs of puffing and resting and puffing again)...

When we arrived [at camp] Lobsang, the Ladakhi/Tibetan guide came up to us and opened his rucksack and pulled out....Peter’s camera case with camera and lens intact and all still in working order. We have never been so flabbergasted in our lives. It took us a full minute before we came to our senses and thanked him and then we sat for the next half an hour just looking at it and trying it out and looking at it again and asking Lobsang how he found it. Joel had told him below the pass (on the other side to the camera) about the incident and Lobsang had returned up over the pass, down the other side on his own route through the snow, following the line of the gulley into which the camera fell and found it. In effect he had climbed the pass twice that day and still arrived at the camp before us! We really had an amazing team.

We walked an average of 6-7 hours a day and when we arrived at the campsite the horses and mules had usually already arrived, the kitchen tent was set up and the cook (Tenpa, a real genius) would have tea, or any other hot drink you liked, ready and snacks.

Susan, Zanskar Spring

Come trekking with us!