Annapurna trek, Everest Trek & Chitwan Jungle Safari – 21 Days

Incredible Homestyle Trek - Just What I Was Looking For
After learning about Rajan and the exact place he was born in Nepal, I had to see it for myself. It was exactly what I was looking for, a low-key, very 'real' sort of feeling traveling by local bus and jeep, heading deep into the mountains and far far away from developed civilization. I was introduced to many friends and family and couldn't even believe that a place like this exists, where you can still find people living in such a pure and natural way. This first visit actually occurred last summer, and I have spent the last year fundraising and working to create an NGO. Now this summer, I returned to with a pocket full of donated money to help build the people living in this village a new primary school for their younger children. Over the span of four months I made 7 or so trips to and from the village and never tired of the experience. This is offered to everyone though its sort of like a secret item on the menu, just ask for the homestyle village trek. I highly recommend it, it was life-changing for me. It is perfect for those looking to get off of the overcrowded tourist treks like EBC and Annapurna and get some insight into how Nepal might have existed before tourism became such an industry. The people living in these areas are so wonderful, all I can say is try it out if you have the opportunity. Rajan and his guides are the most helpful, respectful, and charming people in the business. Without his connections and professionalism, nothing that I had hoped to accomplish in Nepal would have came close to fruition. Anything you need he is there for you, a true friend and wonderful person.

Extremely reliable, professional and equally warm team
I visited Nepal twice in 2010( Everest Base Camp and Chitwan National Park) and the team at Earthbound expeditions managed our visits extremely well. They knew our tastes/ budget and worked out a plan that we thoroughly enjoyed. We are returning again this summer (2011) to visit Annapurna Base Camp and we are of course relying on Earthbound services for a smooth and enjoyable experience

Great experience in Nepal
We really enjoyed the trek to Ghandrung and a great experience too. My 10 and 7 year old children, completed the whole trek on their own. Chitwan also was great, though we didnt get to see that many animals. People are nice and friendly and great food too. The only complaint we had was there is not enough awareness among local people to take care of their old temples and buildings. A special thanks to Rajan and his team for making it happen, great tips and accommodating changes we had last minute. We highly recommend Rajan and his team.

Can't wait to go back
It's been a lifelong dream of mine to see Mt Everest but had written it off due to the fact that I am NOT a mountain climber. About 7 years ago I learned that one could actually hike to the Everest Base Camp, and in June of this year I finally booked the EBC trek with Earthbound Expeditions. Originally I chose them because this particular tour was being offered at a discount with Travelzoo, but the real reason I booked with them was the positive reviews on Trip Advisor. Organization leading up to the trip was via email with Tarek, who answered all of my questions promptly. Just don't expect to get too much more than brief answers out of him - I got the impression he was very busy and also found out later he is based in India, not Nepal. In short: *Unlike some other members of our group (12 of us in total) I had no issues with my airport pick up or hotel drop off. This went quite smoothly for me in spite of the fact that I didn't exit the airport until almost 1.5 hours after we landed *Accommodations were just fine thru out the tour. I paid for the single supplement (a slight rip off when you realize that rooms are only about $2 on the trekking portion) and it was worth it for me to have my own room everywhere we went. *Our guide, Prem Tamang, was wonderful. I was sad to say goodbye to him and wouldn't hesitate to hire and/or request him as my guide on my next trip to the mountains. He was friendly and polite but also took his job of keeping us alive and well very seriously. Plus he gave these awesome group speeches every night, and quite often he had everyone in the teahouse listening along with us lol We appreciated the information he gave, and the timing in which he gave it. (not too far ahead as altitude kind of makes you a bit stupid and he knew we wouldn't remember anything if he told us too early!) His assistant (Dambar)and our porters were also a great group of guys Unfortunately the beautiful weather we had for the first week of the hike suddenly turned on us at Dingboche, and we were unable to continue on to EBC. This was EXTREMELY disappointing to all of us, but it was fairly obvious that we would not be able to safely or logically continue due to the snow. Such a bummer. My only suggestion would be for Mr. Rajan to offer more guidelines in terms of appropriate and fair tipping for the guides and porters. His offhand "base amount" suggestion at our original group meeting was taken very literally by some members of our group, while some of us felt the amount suggested was unfairly low. This caused quite a bit of discussion and tension amongst some of us and was the only sour point of the trip for me. (other than having to turn around of course!) Can't say enough positive things about this experience....it was so much more than I imagined and I can't wait to go back for Round 2!

Himalayan Trek & Chitwan National Park
We recently had a great trip to Nepal. Earthbound Expeditions, & in particular Rajan, went out of their way to make sure we achieved all the objectives of our trip. We added extra day trips for rafting & canyoning which together with our trek & the Chitwan National Park trip really gave us a holiday of a lifetime. Thank you, Rajan, & also Assif, our porter/guide.

Amazing EBC trek and Chitwan National Park
Excellent trip. Earthbound expeditions was organized and had a good itinerary. Guides were great, in particular Resharm. Trek itself was tough, but to be expected. It would be wise to train before hand. We had one person in the group that didn't finish for the sole fact that they were not physically prepared. You need to have a good amount of money in rupees for the trek as there are not many ATMs or money exchange places and commonly the ATMs were out of money. You can also pretty much expect to get sick in some sort of way, whether its a cold/chest infection, altitude or from food. Be prepared with medication for all of the above. Also beware of what you eat. Things such as baked beans are opened and used again only when ordered which means you have no idea how old they are. Milk, tomato soup etc is all powdered and again sometimes risky. I learned a lot of this after the fact. When you get travel insurance make sure you get additional insurance for a helicopter rescue. One person in our group needed helicopter rescue due to altitude sickness and ended up with a $4000 bill that was not covered by insurance. Chitwan was a good experience for me although some people did not feel it was worth it. The bus ride is 6 hours long and very bumpy. You are not guaranteed to see rhinos and other wild life. I was lucky to see 5 rhinos on elephant back and another one at sunset crossing the river although I know someone that went and didn't see even one. Tigers are very very rare. Me and a few others paid extra for a longer and deeper jeep safari and it didn't turn out to be worth it as we saw alot more in the morning during our elephant ride, but I guess thats the risk you take. All in all, a trip of a lifetime!!! Very recommended!

Great service, perfect itinerary
This company Earthbound is top-notch. They put together a well-organized itinerary ahead of my travel to Nepal, based on my desire to experience both the Everest and Annapurna regions. The service was great -- everyone who works from the company, from its president to the guides and porters, really want to make your time in Nepal special. I felt really taken care of, a big comfort as I was traveling solo in Nepal. Definitely manage your expectations about accommodations along Nepal's treks. Lodges at higher elevations are super simple, will get chilly at night and may not have hot water for showering. Consider it all part of the adventure! One tip: As I did want a more comfortable place to stay in Namche (you need to stay there three nights along the Everest region route), I did request an upgrade to a Yeti Mountain Lodge at extra cost, which is super luxe for the Nepal trek circuit.

Sept. - Oct. 2013, 12 Day Trekking Tour in Nepal
This was my first experience both in Nepal and trekking and it was fabulous. I got this tour through a social media deal. I was part of a diverse 15-person group and from various countries and of varying ages and fitness levels. Nepal is a gorgeous, amazing country. I'd probably give a 4.8 rating if it were possible because I did have some minor critique's - beware if you travel during rainy times & read up on how to deal with pesky little leeches and know that this culture isn't precise in the timing or scheduling of things ( you might hear: "maybe yes, maybe no"). It's funny if you can just go with the flow and being open-minded, patient and having a sense of adventure. The Nepali people are extremely kind, personable and modest. I found it very easy to converse with all sorts of people there. Our guide, Gopal Neupane, was wonderfully kind, patient, knowledgeable, fun and supportive. He took great care of all of us, especially with those who lagged behind due to altitude sickness, etc. and he was infinitely encouraging, patient and had a good sense of humor. In fact, all the staff, porters (Deepak, Mahesh, etc.)and other guides (Arjun, Rajan) for other groups, were also very kind and encouraging. These young men all work incredibly hard and have the best, positive attitudes in taking care of all our needs from ordering and serving our meals, getting our rooms, and keeping track of us along the trails. They did so much to make sure we were all enjoying ourselves, happy, and safe at all times from before we woke up until after we went to sleep! While the accommodations were "almost like summer camp" and adequate, I recommend bringing quick dry clothes and earplugs and to take all the recommendations the tour gives for what to bring seriously to ensure one is as comfortable and prepared as possible (as there are, of course, no Western style convenience stores up in the mountains!). The natural beauty of the geography, flora, and fauna (elephants, crocs) was almost unbelievable, pictures can only capture a limited portion/shadow of what is really there so I strongly anyone with the least inclination to try it. The group is large enough and has enough porters to help that one can basically go as fast as desired or as slow as needed with many breaks in between for respite, photos and even to buy snacks as needed, so its suitable for all able-bodied people at all fitness levels. Moreover, many of us got to know each other well and I feel I made some genuine life-long friends. Nepal with their ancient, vibrant capital city and those magnificent mountains are a must see and also benefits the Nepali people by bringing in revenue. I can hardly wait until I can go again to see the legendary rhododendrons forests in bloom next time.

Spectacular Nepal trek!
I enjoyed every minute of my trip to Nepal, thanks to Rajan Simkhada and Earthbound Expeditions. I have travelled extensively but never written a review, however; I am so impressed with Earthbound Expeditions that I’m compelled to share my experience with this company whose excellent reputation is obviously well-deserved. A very special thank you to our fantastic guide, Resham, who made our trek so thoroughly enjoyable with his friendly demeanor, wise judgment and exceptional knowledge of the area. Every aspect of our trip was handled so personally and professionally from start to finish which ensured a wonderful experience for my friend Judy Ann and me. I am absolutely effusive about the quality of our trip which was superb in every way. The Thamel Eco Resort in Kathmandu was a delightful place to stay with a friendly, professional staff, excellent food and gorgeous garden. Our city guide, Kumar, was excellent and provided a comprehensive tour of the major sights with in-depth knowledge and fascinating facts. On our trek in the Everest region, Resham took care of us like we were members of his family! The teahouses we stayed in were carefully selected to ensure the highest quality accommodations and sanitary conditions. Resham was always on top of everything and catered to our every need with kindness, compassion and always a smile. Resham went “above and beyond” to guarantee our comfort, safety and happiness every step of the way. Thank you, Resham!!! The cooperative weather allowed us to spend time in Chitwan National Park which Judy Ann and I really enjoyed. The Jungle Safari Lodge was a beautiful and peaceful place to relax and continue to enjoy nature. Riding an elephant through the jungle and canoeing past crocodiles in the river was awesome! Thank you for suggesting this additional trip and for making the arrangements, expertly, as usual. Rajan and Resham, I will be forever grateful to you for your unsurpassed expertise in handling this memorable lifetime experience. I miss the beauty and culture of Nepal and I will definitely return someday. In the meantime, I have been recommending Earthbound Expeditions to everyone I know! I MISS YOU AND THANK YOU FOR AN AMAZING TIME!!! Jennifer Offill California, USA

Good Service
I just returned from a trip organized by Earthbound Expeditions. Have to compliment them as being professional, organized and attentive. My trip involved, hiking, Chitwan Park, white water rafting and Mt. Everest fly. At all time the Earthbound team were available to answer any queries I had. In general, the accommodation was to an acceptable standard. I have no qulams in recommending them to organise an unforgettable holiday in a truly magical country.

Check Them Out First!
Booked a trip after researching with different tour companies. Wanted to get a full Nepal experience in and ended up going with these guys. So glad I did! My friends left everything up to me so I had others to no disappoint as well and we were all very pleased with our tour and service we received. Dealing with Rajan was a pleasure. Very quick to respond to e-mails, very helpful and informative. Met (and dined) with him while in Kathmandu and both my friends I traveled with say they will be booking again with him when they come back to Nepal for EBC. We booked a 10-day tour of Nepal, starting with sightseeing in Kathmandu, followed by a 3-day trek around the Annapurna mountain range, and another 3 days spent doing jungle activities in Chitwan National Park, ending back in Kathmandu. Our guide Ratna was excellent as well. I had read other reviews and heard good things about Ratna beforehand on here and he did not disappoint! Our porter Kiran was also fun to have around. New to the field and rather young, he was able to carry our light (to him) load. At dinner, we would try to help him with his English. After our trek, I had gotten a stomach flu while in Chitwan, and Ratna stayed by my side, bringing me tea and company while my friends were out exploring. My friends did not enjoy the tour bus ride back to Kathmandu from Chitwan but I, on the other hand, found it quite the local experience! There were some doomed vehicles that had gone over the cliff at a couple of spots on the route and that seemed to worry other travelers that we could be next, but we made it back safe and sound with stories to tell. If I ever find myself back in Nepal, will definitely book with Rajan and Earthbound again. Won't bother looking elsewhere. :)

Annapurna and Chitwan Safari
Wow-what can we say! Earthbound excelled themselves - will be organised with great guides. Nothing was too much trouble, looking after individual's needs in a truly professional and caring way. The views and people were just fantastic.

Nepal - well done the first time!
To the people who made this a very successful & unforgettable one..Sunil, our city guide, Shreeram Adhikari & Ashish our very entertaining mountain companions, Ram, our jungle guide, to Rajan, our tour coordinator who worked beyond & above the call of duty. To all the staff of Thamel & Pokhara Eco Resorts who made sure we are well-fed, woke up on time, looked after our needs. To the friends we made along the way, Thank you, mercí, Danke, dank u, Dhanyabad very very much from the bottom of our hearts.. Earthbound Expeditions, keep up the excellent work! We will be back for more!

Amazing trekking with Pravin from Earthbound Expeditions
I went on 5 day Poon Hill trek in the Annapurna region as part of a 12-day trek/Chitwan package with Earthbound Expeditions in April and had a wonderful time. The scenery was beautiful with spectacular views throughout and low difficulty level of hiking. The best organized and most enjoyable trekking experience among any of my guided trekking experiences abroad so far. Our group of 12 was quite varied in age, but everyone bonded and had a wonderful time trekking, eating together and lodging at the guesthouses along the trail. Our guide Pravin was very organized, gave informative daily briefings, answered all of our questions, and made sure everyone was taken care of and accounted for on the trail even with our different ability levels as well as ensuring we were well taken care of at meals and for our overnight accommodations. Pravin and our 4 porters were very helpful, cheerful, friendly and encouraging the entire trek and made the group feel like a big family. We started as a group of strangers but ended feeling like a group of friends who I hope to see again. This was truly the trip of a lifetime!! I would not hesitate to return and trek with Pravin again in the future in Nepal

Mountain and Tiger 12 day Tour
Since I am 60 years old my wife and I were a little nervous about the physical demands of this tour. I followed the training recommendations and was rewarded with a fantastic trip. I won't repeat the other reviews which are so positive that one would expect they might be fake. Trust me this organization babies you the whole way leaving you to enjoy the hike, the food, the scenery, and the wonderful people. Here are some tips. Go in October which is sunny and warm. Take the rafting option. Use hand sanitizer often. Bring power bars. Bring aqua tabs and flavored electrolyte tablets. Bring flip flops and microfibre towels. Use zip lock bags to separate your items. Bring an emergency poncho as well as a thin waterproof jacket. I would allow two days n Katmandu prior to the tour and take a day tour of the city but leave the day the tour ends. The tiger hunt part of this tour was especially interesting as we stayed in a nice resort in Chitwan park and actually herded a nasty rhino on while riding the elephants. If you like an adventure -- take this tour. We paid $900.00 USD each

The Best in the Business!!
This is our second trip to Nepal with Earthbound Expeditions. If you are looking for the best value and the best experience you can have in Nepal whether you are trekking or touring - choose Earthbound! We spent five glorious weeks this time trekking the Annapurna Circuit; going overland from Kathmandu to Lhasa via Everest Base Camp; and visiting the fabulous Chitwan National Park. All of our plans were executed flawlessly and perfectly thanks to Earthbound. Our guide, Gopal, and porter Kaji on the Annapurna Circuit were simply the best! Our overland trip to Tibet was awesome and winding down with a few days at Chitwan was the perfect way to end our adventure. Thanks to Rajan and his incredible staff we had another spectacular tour. We are returning to Nepal for a "three-peat". The beauty of the Nepalese people and the Himalayan mountains take your breath away :) Try it with Earthbound Expeditions. You'll see what we mean.