Sonam Sherpa Taktok
Guide
Sonam is a pleasure to be around. He brings a small guitar along and is very interested in wildlife and local cultures.
Our trek was truly fantastic.
- Mark Saunders, Kanchenjunga private trek 2018
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, Kanchenjunga private trek 2018
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
Sonam trekking with his mini guitar on the side of his pack and first aid kit
Trek and expedition memories
More trek history to come...
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2018 Ganesh Himal GHT crew with Gaye - Jamie
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2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2002-03 | 2000-01 | pre-2000