I cannot thank Veita and Kerri enough for making our Gokyo Odyssey such an amazing success. It was nothing like the itinerary! We did not get a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla due to crappy weather. We did not go over the Rinjo La. We did not even get a 'normal' flight back from Lukla to Kathmandu at the end. BUT.......woo hoo!! We jeeped into Taksundo, via Phaphlu for a night. We trekked all the way to the trail just outside Lukla. It was hard, bloody hard, and the rain and mud were epic, BUT.....woo hoo! (Again). Once we made the main trail the going was comparatively easy (bear that in mind if you are doing the normal EBC trek). However, hordes, and I really mean hordes, of trekkers shared the trail with us up to Namche and then Kangzuma. Thankfully, nearly all of them went to EBC and left the Gokyo trail almost deserted. We had to carefully balance 'getting on with it', having used up four extra days trekking into Lukla, and acclimatisation, always our first priority. We did it. Well, I bailed before the top. Feeling crook with a cold and an altitude headache, I would have just slowed the whole thing down. Karma wasn't much better so we made a tactical retreat while Veita and Kerri , brilliantly supported by Kancha and Lahar, made it up Gokyo Ri. Way to go ladies! Legends. Two long days of waiting for a flight in Lukla culminated in the most amazingly, terrifyingly beautiful flights IN A CHOPPER that I have ever experienced.    Hate to say it again but, WOO HOO!!!!

Keep reading if you would like to join us for Muktinath (the easier version) in October or the Solu District (the road less-travelled) in November. The Cultural Safari in December has only one booking so far so do get in touch. This easy trip with minimal, optional trekking could be for you.

So, to 2018.  
APRIL 1 - 20 Gokyo over Rinjo La.    Nice n slow over Namche, Thamo, Thame and then the high pass.    Dorje assures me the view from Rinjo La is even better than Gokyo Ri, hard to believe!  I was in Thame with Kancha in April.  It is so lovely I want to spend three nights there.  Great trails lead out from the village and it would make great acclimatisation for the pass.  I have not done this pass before so it will be new for me.    Also, brining new friend Ekkehard with me.   He has not trekked previously but we will make an achievable itinerary.    We would return to Namche via Machermo, Dole, Phortse Tenga, and Kangzuma, Kumjung and Kunde.  Great trek over three weeks with time enough in Kathmandu for shopping and sightseeing.   I am writing the itinerary over the next couple of days so 'stay tuned'.

Flights in and out of Lukla.   Individual porters (the usual suspects) and SLOWLY!!   Price of $3750, YES, YOU CAN DO THIS.

October 21 – November 7, 2018: EASIER MUSTANG. 18 days in Nepal with two nights before and after in Kathmandu and two nights before and after trekking in Pokhara. The trek itself starts with a jeep to Tatopani and then a jeep to Kalopani next day though you could trek that day if you wanted to. From Kalopani we will make a fabulous trek to Tukche, via Larjung, then Jomsom via Marpha. From Jomsom we trek to Kagbeni, with a short side trek to Thiri in the afternoon. Next day is the hardest trek, up to Jarkot but we should be able to hire ponies. From Jarkot it is uphill to Muktinath, our final destination, but only for an hour. After visiting the holy temples, both Hindu and Buddhist, it is nearl all gentl downhill to Jhong. The villages on the north side of the Muktinath Valle were previously in Upper Mustang but are now open to trekkers. Hardly anyone walks this way and very few make an overnight stop. We will trek back to Jomsom via Kagbeni once more, time to visit the 16th century monastery perhaps. The trek back to Jomsom can be done over Windy Peak for a more demanding day out. Flights back to Pokhara were not available last year but we hope for better things this year. The jeep ride down was a bit long but we did it over one good day and were back in our hotel in Pokhara just on dusk. If you fancy trekking all the way in from Nyanpul, over Gorepani and Pun Hill, we can arrange this with an extra five days on trek and a five day earlier start date. Read the Trek Report from last season (writing now, posting soon) for a better idea of how this trek pans out. Full itinerary on this page very soon.

Because this trek has eight days NOT trekking, and transport options are available almost every day, it is ideal for first time trekkers who are not sure of their abilities but challenging enough for experienced walkers if all the trekking options are taken up. The Anapurnas are magnificent and Muktinath itself is a magical place. Personally Escorted.  $3550 AUD which includes EVERYTHING!

November 11 - 26 Solu District Trek.   First and last couple of nights would be in Kathmandu.  We will get you out and about to see the sights, shop and maybe get lost in the old bazzaars. We would jeep in over a longish day to Pattale, Dorje's home village.  I would like to spend two nights there this time in order to acclimatise, it is 2850 metres after all.   The ride is scenic in the extreme and we will be in our own jeeps with enough room and stops as needed.   The jeep brings us up into the Solu District, Solu being the first half of the Solu Kumbu.  It is the lower part of the Everest district.   Trekking in this region is not too highor hard and we plan shortish days.  The terrain is occasionally challenging but we will make sure you have plenty of time.  I will be organising an alternative to the steep descent off Pike Peak, for those who want or need it.  The region is intensively farmed though the higher reaches are wild with beautiful rhododendron woods or treeless, windswept slopes.  4100 at the high point (Pike Peak) means altitude is not going to be a problem here.  Quite a few of our porters come from this district so there is a bit of 'visiting'.   Return to Kathmandu via an exciting mountain flight out of Phaphlu airstrip.  Trek Report from last November will be on the website soon.  The price is $2650 for 15 days, personally escorted.  Includes everything.

December 1 - 15 Cultural Safari.    This is a touring holiday which covers diverse regions of Nepal in our own vehicle for a couple of weeks.  We will start from Kathmandu, travel on a rough road down to Chitwan for two nights in a luxury resort.  We can go out on the resort's own well-cared-for elephants to spot tiger and rhino, deer and a marvellous array of birds, mostly migratory. We then travel to the birthplace of the Buddha, Lumbini. After visiting the shrine in the norning it is a half-day drive up to Thansen at 2000 m.  Fabulous views when clear. Chilly at night. Next day we drive the winding road to Pokhara where we will stay for two nights, it is warm and the hotel is lovely.  Optional half-day walk.   Outdoor cafes, massage, fresh fruit in abundance.....paragliding??   Onwards then to Bandipur.  A bit off the beaten track. A tranquil Newari village with more great views of the entire Himalayan range. Two nights here again, no need to move on every day.  dOptional half-day walk.   From there we will return to Kathmandu but drive through town and stay out at Bhaktapur.  Next day is an optional day-walk to Changu Narayan, oldest temple in the valley.  Before leaving Bhaktapur we will spend the morning strolling about the beautiful old town.  Home to Kathmandu then dinner at Bouda.  Big day out shopping next day, or sightseeing, or cultural activities.  We will sort you out with what you like best.  Airport transfers at both ends naturally.  This trip has a few opportunities to trek, lots of fantastic scenery and mountains, some better hotels, opportunities to shop and visit important historic sights.  A lot is packed into your two weeks. Full itinerary on this website soon.  Meanwhile read some of the Trek Reports from previous years. Personally escorted $2650 AUD which includes EVERYTHING. 
YOU COULD DEFINITELY DO THIS!!!

As with all our Treks, the prices include EVERYTHING, individual porters (properly paid, clothed and insured), all meals and accommodation everywhere. Your trek permit, transport and internal flight are covered. You only need cash for alcohol, personal items and of course a generous tip for your porter. Do bear these inclusions in mind when comparing prices. Nowadays some companies do not include food which is the main expense on trek. Other companies sometimes give their porters more than one bag to carry. Best news is that I come with you…..all the way, every time.

Please get in touch at at teresadb@hotmail.com or vonschwichtenberg@gmail.com if I can clarify anything further. I am in Germany for the northern summer. See you in Kathmandu.
Cheers
Teresa didi.