Hi fellow trekkers, we had a hoot last season but, sadly, till now, I have not had time to write up our Trek Reports. Six of us did Pike Peak, starting from Patale. I bailed at the last moment, convinced that my knees would not go the distance, and I would just be a nuisance later on. Opting for a few day walks around Patale and then a jeep over to Jumbesi to do the same, Helen decided to join me. Jeep-trekking. It really IS a 'thing'. Ekki led the ladies over the top and they were blessed with clear skies and warm days. I hear that Kancha's lodge at Lamuje is now hugely improved with a big dining hall which has an excellent woodstove. Sorry I missed it.

Helen stayed on to help Ekki and I establish a novel way of trekking to Muktinath. Jeeps! Yes, once again we drove through the pesky foothills and trekked the nice level trails above Kalopani. It was fantastic. I think we trekked five of the nine days, the highlight being a jeep ride, with a tea stop, over Dzong on the Upper Mustang side of the Muktinath Valley. Loved it.

So, despite unfinished Trek Reports, I wanted to get our upcoming plans out there in plenty of time for November. We want to do Pike Peak again, with the choice of trekking all of it, or taking a jeep over the hardest days and day-trekking around the delightful Jumbesi instead. I can highly recommend it. 

We will start around November 1 and take about 16 days. It was longer last year but we did a lot of extra stuff in the Kathmandu Valley. If anyone wants to 'stay on' we could always arrange it.

Should cost around $3600 AUD or $2250 USD. If you are comparing prices with other tour groups keep in mind that we provide one porter for EACH customer. Nobody carried rucksacks roped together in our groups. Our guys have good boots and jackets and get well-paid and properly insured. Everything you eat or drink and everywhere you go is covered. In fact, unless you plan to buy a round of rum and coke for your group or go shopping for gear, art, jewellery, handicrafts or cashmere, you probably hardly need any extra spending money.

After the Pike Peak trek, so around 18 November, we want to go back to Muktinath. This will be a jeep trek, so each day you will have the option to trek or jeep to the next village. There is a jeepable road all the way to the top, though we will trek off the road as much as possible. You will mostly be able to decide each day. Ideal for a couple or pair of friends with varying abilities. I have trimmed this Jeep Trek down to 16 days, but it is still quite expensive. An internal airfare,. jeeps most days and a porter per person for the days when we do all trek. It costs $3950 AUD or $2450 USD. Do bear in mind that we cover ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING. Each drink, taxi, permit, flight, entrance fee, etc. Plus me and Ekki of course. And your own personal porter on the days that you trek. Should be a lot of fun!

If there is any interest, and we do really need four members to make it work, we would happily run our lovely Cultural Safari from about December 12 for ten or twelve days. NO TREKKING at all. Nice comfortable minibus with lots of room, very smart hotels everywhere, a 2-night 4-star luxury safari park, some great food, superb mountain views and cultural day-trips, and, of course, the shopping!! Have you got three friends??? Make your own group!

I will write up our trip notes into proper Trek Reports over the coming days. It is snowing heavily here in Germany as I write, so there really is not very much else to do. 

Meanwhile…….give it some thought.

Cheers, Namaste and Tashi Delek, Teresa didi and Ekki.