Ganesh is an excellent organizer – quick to respond and flexible to update the itinerary. He is also very familiar with ABC weather and terrain. Rossan (or Ross), our guide, is friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable about the hike and hiking conditions. Ross was also open to our suggestion to hike to Sinuwa instead of Bamboo as planned. However, the MVPs were our porters – Raju and Bir, who lugged our excess baggage, always positive, caring and ready to share. They provided us fruits which were well plated – very attractive to look and even delicious to eat. We also had a fun time learning local card games with them – Ross, Bir and Raju.
Moreover, I hurt my ankle during the downward trek and Glorious Himalaya was able to provide a Jeep to pick us up at our lunch place instead of at the entrance. In this area, excellent client service!
The tea houses we stayed in from Gandruk, to Chomrrong, to Bamboo, Deurali, ABC and Jihnu Danda were in good/excellent conditions given that it is on a mountain range – adequate lighting, decent toilets and all served really good food after a hike. I have heard of hikers who paid more than what we did but staying in worse teahouses, but this could be due to economies of scale – it’s easier to provide for 4 ppl than 2 or less. Prices hike the higher you go – eg Dhal Bhat can cost more than 600 rupees at ABC. We only didn’t get hot showers at Gandruk, Chomrrong, Deurali and ABC, but it didn’t matter for the latter 2 cos it was too cold to bathe.
Views along the trek was excellent and the walk to ABC was simply amazing. I enjoyed every bit of it. It was cold at ABC (-1 deg in the AM), but the sunrise was worth it. However, the day we hiked down from ABC to Sinuwa the weather changed quickly – it was foggy and there was evidence of rain (we didn’t encounter it) – which made trekking colder, slow and messy.
Glorious Himalaya provided transport to and from the airport, to and back to Kathmandu as well as Pokhara. The days not spent hiking were spent on cultural/educational experiences in Kathmandu and Pokhara – eg the International Mountain Museum at Pokhara, or the Pashupati World Heritage site.
Overall, a very pleasant experience hiking to ABC, and a very good experience with Glorious Himalaya. Will recommend.
