The herald of the New Year 2009 will surely bring good omen for business. We would like to wish all of our valued customers and clients a very happy New Year. We are very happy to inform you that the online booking and registration for 2009 is already underway. Grab this opportunity quickly; contact us for life changing experience into the Himalayas.

Himalayan Glacier will be offering new destinations, packages and treks in the Himalayas from 2009. The stable government and peace finally restored in Nepal, tourists are now free to travel in Nepal. We have several new offerings for the coming spring season, which includes introductory tariffs for itineraries in Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan and also usual attractions of Everest, Lhasa and Thimpu.

According to legends, the marriage procession of the Lord Ram had come to Janakpur. This trend is still being continued by sages and ascetics who come down to Nepal from India to mark the celebration. Thousands of locals will get submerged for a week in observing this marriage and at the same time pay homage to Lord Rama and Sita.

The Janaki Temple where the idol of Sita and Rama still forms the greatest attraction has been bedecked with utmost ritual. The festival is being organized by Mithila Cultural Committee and was inaugurated by Tourism Minister of Nepal Hisila Yami during the first week of December.

Another match between Nepali Tiger Tops and British Pukka Chukka was a disappointing one for the home crowd as Pukka Chukka tallied 6-5 scores in their favour. The second match was played between British teams India Tigress and Air Tusker, with the former finishing with 3 goals against 2. Likewise

The Polo was participated by 8 teams: three British, one American, one Sctottish and three Nepali. The Polo is organized every year at the scenic and natural town of Chitwan. The objective behind the event is not only to attract tourists in the region but also to aid and support in the conservation effort in and around Chitwan National Park, Nepal’s first national park. Started first in Nepal back in 1982, the Elephant Polo is now famous in Sri Lanka, India and Thailand.

The declaration of a Conservation park will give a legal protection to the area and wild buck by outlawing hunting of the animals. Locals of Khairapur along with Integrated Conservation and Development Center have jointly stepped up the effort. Bardia National Park has already sent a proposal to the Department of national parks in this regard.

Around the proposed conservation area, indigenous people have been trained in fisheries, literacy and awareness programs to reduce their dependency on the conservation area.

The number of Europeans coming to Nepal increased this month. 13,939 Europeans visited Nepal during the month which is 6 % rise over last year. There were a total of 467 British tourists, recording a growth of 10 %. Similarly tourists from France, Denmark, The Netherlands and Norway have also increased. The number of American tourists in November reached 1606 which accounts for 6.8 increment over last year.

Tourists from South Asia including Bangaldesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have also recorded impressive growth.

The high mountain environment of Nepal along with dealing with the altitude, cold, somewhat primitive accomodations, and the number and variety of people along the way was somewhat overwhelming but were really the true highlight of the trip.

When I got back I talked to you about what a great job Tara had done taking over as guide and porter when Dipendra got sick. I will say again that he was one of the real reasons why the trip was a success. He did everything for us, he was great company, and I will never forget his smiling face standing on top of Kala Patthar. Much of the credit for the great memories I have of the trip can be attributed to the wonderful job Tara did keeping me safe and out of trouble. He deserves credit beyone measure for his performance.

I will also say that Dipendra was very good during the time he was with us and his ability to get us through the airport in particular was a tremendous accomplishment. It is very unfortunate that he got so sick and was not able to go the entire trip with us.

I look forward to another trek in the next couple of years. There is so much yet to see.

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Mr. Stephen Sorenson
Glade Dr Reston, VA 20191 USA

Last September we arrived to Nepal for a trek to Island and Mera Peak. This was the second time we were flying from Kathmandu to Lukla with Himalayan Glacier trekking. In September 2007, we were caught in Khare by a strong snowfall that kept us inside the tent for a week. We did not climb the mountain but this turned out not to worry us in any extent: we felt great of simply being there and when heading for Lukla again we already knew we would come back very soon.

In 2007 we felt very comfortable with the HGT team. Our guide, Bir Bahadur, was a very attentive man that was always taking care of us. Bir and his assistant, Ang Sirim Sherpa were extraordinary climbers that make our failed attempts to Mera as safe as they could be. We also enjoyed the company of our 6 porters (the two Man Bahadur, Suman Tamang, Radish Ari Kantang, Shyam, and Tirtha Thaami). And the cooker, Kiram Magar…well, our prospect of losing some kilos on the trek could not be accomplished.

Thus, in 2008 we contacted again Naba Raj Amgai and arranged the trip with HGT. When we arrived to Kathmandu, we got the surprise of meeting Bir at the airport. We were happy to have Bir as a guide again. And also Sirim was coming with us. This time, Sirim would guide us from Lukla to Kalapatthar and then to Island Base Camp crossing the Kongma La (5535 m). In this part of the travel we would eat and rest in lodges so only two porters were coming with us. In Chukung, Bir, and a team of 9 porters and the cooker, would be waiting for us to climb Island Peak. From there we would cross the Amphu Laptse Pass, trek to Mera base camp and would try to climb Mera Peak.

Our objective was thus more ambitious than that of 2007 and despite the odds of the mountains, all the trek turned out to be a great success. In the first stage of the trek, Lukla, we met Man Bahadur, our long haired porter from 2007. He knew about our arrival and came to greet us to the hotel. The following days he was enroled on a trek also in the Island Peak area. Hugs and laughs. A perfect start!

We took 29 days for the round trip. We walked slowly and did not have any altitude problem. Sirim was a real treasure (in Montse words) and was a pleasure to talk and spent time with him. When we climbed Gokio Ri (5480 m), he surprised us in he top with a breastfast of tea, cookies and… a fresh apple! He guided us also through the Chola Pass (5380 m) to Gorak Shep where we climbed Kalapatthar (5545 m). Good weather and a close view of Pumori, Lhotse, Nuptse and Everest.

In october 11 we climbed Island Peak (6189 m) with Bir. Its was his 34 time in this summit¡ After 15 days of trekking we were right into the scheduled plan and with a perfect weather. Two days after, we crossed Amphu Laptse Pass (5845 m), the highest pass in Nepal and on october 17 we camped in Mera high camp. There we rested one day and on the 19 Bir, Sirim, Montse and me climbed Mera Peak (6466 mts on the GPS) in 3 hours! We were well acclimatized and feeling plethorics. From the top we could see again Cho Oyu, Everest , Lohtse, Makalu and Kachenjunga among other giants. Weather, fantastic as usual.

We were sad of moving down from the highs. We camped in Khare and then we trekked to Lukla through the Zetra La. On october 24 we were back in Kathmandu.

We want to thank Bir, Sirim and the other people in the team for these days, Also our gratitude to Naba, who put attention to all our questions. HGT and our guides put all the conditions for a safe trip for us and the team. Our porters were provided of adequate sunglasses, clothes, boots and crampons. Naba even arranged an hyperbaric chamber for our trip!.

Who knows, maybe in 2009…or 2010…

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We prepared also one selection of pictures that you can found at Google Picasa.
The address is:
http://picasaweb.google.com/gatoygata2/MontseAndJoaquinInSolukhumbuNepal2008
Joaquin and Montse
Spain
Oct 2008

Trekking in the Himalayas has always been a dream of mine. Finally this year it became a reality. It’s nearly a month and half since I got back from Nepal but it is still fresh in my mind. I never get tired of telling friends and family about the trip, and of course showing the photos!. After receiving a recommendation from a friend I contacted Himalayan Glacier Trekking and received a phone call from Naba the next day. I was very impressed by this response and all the follow up emails over the next few months as I got ready for the trek. No matter how trivial my emails were there was always a helpful answer to my questions.

I arrived in Kathmandu a couple of days early but Naba and his team had taken care of everything. pick-up, hotel and sightseeing. The highlight of these ‘rest days’ being the city tour. Our guide had a seemingly endless knowledge for the sites we visited!

Being the only one in my group I was slightly apprehensive before heading off on the trek. Any worries were forgotten as I met up with my guide Bhiaras and porter Razu at the airport in Lukla. The landing is an experience in itself! For the next nine days we climbed steadily up through small villages and stunning scenery. This was slightly longer then some other groups I met along the way. I feel this was one of the reasons the trek went so well. There were never any issues with altitude or fatigue. Bhiaras paced the walk just right so I steadily acclimatized and never felt tired. Carefully watching what I was eating and giving me advice and what was best as we gained height.

On the route down we decided to walk a little extra each day and get back to Lukla in 3 days, arriving a couple of days before my scheduled flight. Somehow Bhiaras managed to get me on the first flight leaving the next morning. This is the kind of service HGT can offer above other companies…they have all the best contacts!

I cannot speak highly enough of Bhiaras, his expertise helping me make it to Base Camp and Kala Patthar. Razu was also excellent, heading off early some mornings to make sure we got the best rooms available. They were an excellent team and it was a pleasure to walk with them. They may have started as my guide and porter but definitley finished as friends! Their knowledge of the area and stories made the days fly by.

I will certainly be visiting Nepal again and trekking with Himalayan Glacier Trekking in the near future. This company is first class in every aspect and I simply cannot fault them.

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Lastly if you would like any other photos from the trek I have put them online at

http://web.mac.com/marcpaterson

Many Thanks

Marc Paterson

Hong Kong, Dec 08

Kapil was always cheerful & positive, it was also great to hear him & the others singing on the trek as we tackled all those steps and uphill climbs.

This was our first trek to Nepal and Himalayan Glacier made it all run smoothly & the experience was fantastic. We would definitely travel with Himalayan Glacier again and recommend them to all our friends and fellow travellers.

We also loved the Shanker Hotel. It was a piece of paradise before and after the trek. The staff were great & the food delicious!

Thank you once again for making our trip to Nepal such a fabulous experience that we will always remember and treasure. We hope to make it back one day and would love Kapil our friend to guide us on another trekking adventure with Himalayan Glacier.

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Best wishes,

Rob & Mandy Mitchell
Wollongong
Australia

Everest Base Camp Trek | Khumbu Trekking | Everest Base Camp Trekking

Further, your services and friendliness was truly outstanding. and i would especially like to thank my trekking guide Bimal for all he has done for me on my trek. Bimal was constantly kind and helpful and i always felt like my interests, comfort and safety were his first priority. he took as good a care of me as my mother would.

Thank you all for a trip i will fondly remember for the rest of my life. Nepal was the best vacation of my life. I hope to come back soon and I will call you when I do.

Sincerely,

Albert Rosano
Short Hills, NJ, USA