AITO: The Association of Independent Tour Operators
Mountain Kingdoms

Mountain Kingdoms Traveller Reviews

Reviews of Mountain Kingdoms

Overall Company Rating
96%
Excellent 126
Good 8
Average 3
Poor 3
Terrible 0
Reviews Submitted: 140
Reviews Accepted: 140
Reviews Rejected: 0
140 reviews
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Colours of India - Texile Tour by Kari , 21 Mar 2025
Holiday Rating:

Memories of Gujarat

I had a wonderful time in Gujarat with Mountain Kingdoms and I am still marvelling at how much we saw and what a diverse selection of places and experiences we were given. The textiles element was superb and meeting the skilled artisan workers who produce the beautiful wood block prints, screen prints and embroideries was an absolute delight and so for me it was a tour of a lifetime. It was an extremely well balanced trip as we were also taken ...

I had a wonderful time in Gujarat with Mountain Kingdoms and I am still marvelling at how much we saw and what a diverse selection of places and experiences we were given. The textiles element was superb and meeting the skilled artisan workers who produce the beautiful wood block prints, screen prints and embroideries was an absolute delight and so for me it was a tour of a lifetime. It was an extremely well balanced trip as we were also taken to temples, mosques, palaces and markets so a terrific all round experience of the 'real India'.

Rating for tour operator:

Mountain Kingdoms were excellent.

Mountain Kingdoms responded to this review on 21 Mar 2025:

Indiaaaahhhhh ...... nothing like it is there, especially when you 'get under the skin'!! Thank you so much for your excellent review Mrs LeGros. Glad you had a fabulous time.

Quest for the Antarctic Circle by L & A, 20 Mar 2025
Holiday Rating:

QUEST FOR THE ANTARCTIC CIRCLE

Simply a trip of a lifetime, which far exceeded our expectations. Breathtaking scenery, stunning encounters everyday and mind blowing adventures on the zodiac expeditions with some incredible staff and crew. Faultless facilities and a very happy ship, what more can I say, it left us speechless.

Simply a trip of a lifetime, which far exceeded our expectations. Breathtaking scenery, stunning encounters everyday and mind blowing adventures on the zodiac expeditions with some incredible staff and crew. Faultless facilities and a very happy ship, what more can I say, it left us speechless.

Rating for tour operator:

You will find it extremely hard to better this company for any holiday or custom made adventure. Their attention to detail is second to none, and nothing is too much trouble in accommodating any personal add-ons or specific requests where feasible. We have used them numerous times and feel totally at ease with any holidays booked through them. The trips function like clockwork, which is a total credit to all the staff behind the scenes who deal with the flights, accommodation, excursions and their agents abroad too. Excellent service and would highly recommend to anyone who likes the outside expeditions.

Mountain Kingdoms responded to this review on 20 Mar 2025:

Fantastic!! You make us envious šŸ˜ŠšŸ‘Œ We are all glad you had a fabulous time

Galapagos Cruise in Style by AdamP, 19 Mar 2025
Holiday Rating:

Superb cruise around the Galapagos

This was an amazing adventure on a wonderful boat with the best guides and unbelievable wildlife. We had the time of our life.

This was an amazing adventure on a wonderful boat with the best guides and unbelievable wildlife. We had the time of our life.

Rating for tour operator:

Couldn't fault Mountain Kingdoms from start to finish.

Mountain Kingdoms responded to this review on 19 Mar 2025:

I love to hear our customers say 'It was a trip of a lifetime'. Thanks for your feedback Kirsty.......

Walking Patagonia in Style by Rick D, 18 Mar 2025
Holiday Rating:

Wonderful Experience

A well thought through itinerary, giving an great introduction to the wonders of Patagonia! The local guides were all excellent and the stay at Estancia Cristina was the highlight of the trip.

A well thought through itinerary, giving an great introduction to the wonders of Patagonia! The local guides were all excellent and the stay at Estancia Cristina was the highlight of the trip.

Rating for tour operator:

We extented our trip in Patagonia and was delighted with the recommended extension ideas and accommodation chosen for this, all enquiries were quickly dealt with.

Mountain Kingdoms responded to this review on 19 Mar 2025:

Many thanks for your excellent feedback Rick & Linda. Glad you had such a fantastic time.

Annapurna Base Camp in Style by Cleo7, 23 Feb 2025
Holiday Rating:

Fantastic introduction to Nepal

Completely fell in love with Nepal, scenery wildlife and especially outstanding kindness and hospitality of Nepali people. Gentle trekking and luxury lodges Annapurna mountain kingdoms UK February 2025

Completely fell in love with Nepal, scenery wildlife and especially outstanding kindness and hospitality of Nepali people. Gentle trekking and luxury lodges Annapurna mountain kingdoms UK February 2025

Rating for tour operator:

very good responsive especially when my husband had to go into hospital for 2 nights. Recovered rest of trip well. But Mountain Lodges of Nepal the local tour operator completely outstanding. Will use them again.

Mountain Kingdoms responded to this review on 23 Feb 2025:

Yes, such a wonderful country isn't it. Many thanks for your feedback.

Mountain Kingdoms responded to this review on 23 Feb 2025:

Glad we lived up to expectations. We have been using the lodges you stayed in since Duncan & Rachael built them in the early 1990's. All our clients love them!!

Hidden Valleys of Bhutan by WendyLou, 4 Dec 2024
Holiday Rating:

Impressive overview of life in Bhutan

We experienced homestays, a local festival, overnight camping and a rich introduction to Buddhism and to Bhutan's culture and landscapes.

We experienced homestays, a local festival, overnight camping and a rich introduction to Buddhism and to Bhutan's culture and landscapes.

Rating for tour operator:

My second time with Mountain Kingdoms. Excellent administration and information in advance of the trip. Knowledgeable and professional local guides/drivers.

Mountain Kingdoms responded to this review on 04 Dec 2024:

Many thanks for your review! Bhutan certainly is the most wonderful place.

Mountain Kingdoms responded to this review on 04 Dec 2024:

Again, many thanks

Definitive Cultural Tour Tibet by Doug & Yvette, 4 Dec 2024
Holiday Rating:

Interesting trip, let down by poor performance of tour operator

Iā€™ve been a member of Free Tibet for over 20 years and keen to visit, as recommended by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. No regrets about going, but be warned that the sites visited are almost all monasteries and their temple halls: fantastic, but you do get templed-out after a while. We were also disappointed by several aspects of the trip that were in the control of Mountain Kingdoms: 1. Their trip description promised ā€œBest available hotels ...

Iā€™ve been a member of Free Tibet for over 20 years and keen to visit, as recommended by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. No regrets about going, but be warned that the sites visited are almost all monasteries and their temple halls: fantastic, but you do get templed-out after a while. We were also disappointed by several aspects of the trip that were in the control of Mountain Kingdoms: 1. Their trip description promised ā€œBest available hotels in Tibetā€, but the hotel in Lhasa was 2-star and for five of the six nights we were in a very tired, grotty room that wasnā€™t even of that standard. We didnā€™t expect (or want) 5-star, but this was very poor. 2. There were only three of us on the trip, so we travelled in a small van with cramped seating in the back row. Worse than that, the passenger windows didnā€™t open and were made with frosted glass ā€“ which gave a blurred view of the world outside. 3. Our trip was ā€œDefinitive Cultural Tour of Tibet with Shoton Festivalā€, and the festival day was given as 4 September. On the evening before, I asked our guide about the festival next day and we were told that there were going to be no festivities, as the authorities had banned them after rowdiness the year before. That sounded highly unlikely, so I checked on the internet that evening and discovered that Shoton had been held on 4 August. It turned out that Mountain Kingdomsā€™ local agent had been aware that heā€™d provided the wrong date for Shoton sometime around the end of July, at latest. He decided not to own up to his error as he thought customers might cancel if they found out ā€“ which is exactly what we would have done. Mistakes happen, but what was really annoying was being lied to, and that wasnā€™t the only occasion when we were treated to untruths. If youā€™ve a particular interest in Tibet, please do go. But if you want a much more diverse and interesting trip that includes fantastic Buddhist temples, then I suggest you look at one we did a few years ago: start in Amritsar (Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, Wagah Crossing), then to Dharamshala (Tibetan government-in-exile and home of the Dalai Lama), then up through Himachal Pradesh (Hindu temples and great mountain scenery) to Leh in Ladakh (Little Tibet). Around Leh there are several Buddhist monasteries that perform extraordinary Cham dances during festivals, and I assume most of the tours that follow this itinerary will take in a festival. If you do go on this tour, itā€™s worth arriving in Chengdu a day or two early: itā€™s one of the nicer mega-cities in China and itā€™s less than an hour by train to Leshan, where thereā€™s the Unesco-listed Giant Buddha. If youā€™re in Chengdu and feeling bold, try the Sichuan Hot Pot!

Rating for tour operator:

As described above. Very unapologetic when we contacted them after we got back home; blamed it all on their local agent. Claimed the festival date had changed - which wasn't true, it was the local agent who'd come up with an incorrect date. When we threatened legal action, they claimed we could take action only in an English court (we live in Scotland) - this also was untrue. We entered our review on their website, but it never appeared; the only reviews of the trip are from 2007 (two), 2015 and 2016.

Mountain Kingdoms responded to this review on 03 Feb 2025:

Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry that parts of your trip did not meet expectations and appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.
1. The Kyichu Hotel in Lhasa was chosen for its Tibetan ownership and excellent location near Jokhang Temple. It has received positive reviews previously, and we have not previously had complaints. It is also given a 4 Star rating on Trip Advisor from 217 reviews. We regret that your initial room was disappointing, it is unfortunate that you did not raise this at the time as a change could have been arranged through the guide, or the hotel management, or via our 24/7 emergency line.
2. We are sorry the transport fell below your expectations, whilst we are pleased to see you enjoyed Tibet.
The transport provided was a modern minibus with ample three row seating. This was confirmed by yourself as 3 + 3 + 2 (driver Guide in front) Tinted windows are common in Tibet, for the comfort of passengers, due to intense sunlight at high altitude.
3. We sincerely apologise for the Shoton Festival date error. Our Tibetan partner failed to inform us of the change, and we only learned of it when you contacted us from Lhasa, which we are grateful for. We took full responsibility and issued you with a refund of Ā£1,700, which you accepted in full and final settlement.
While we regret your disappointment, we are pleased you enjoyed much of your two-week tour, including the hotels in Chengdu and Shigatse. We value your feedback and will use this to continue to improve our services.

Annapurna Sanctuary by Ruth K, 29 Nov 2024
Holiday Rating:

Annapurna Sanctuary Trek

Great experience. Everything about the holiday was good. Great support team for transfers to and from airports, excellent guides on the trek. Itinerary was different to other tour operators going anticlockwise instead of clockwise on the trek - best way round in my opinion.

Great experience. Everything about the holiday was good. Great support team for transfers to and from airports, excellent guides on the trek. Itinerary was different to other tour operators going anticlockwise instead of clockwise on the trek - best way round in my opinion.

Rating for tour operator:

Responsive, knowledgeable, tailored my trip for me, allowing me to add days before and after the trek. Although I did not use them, they also offered me extension packages to help me use my extra days efficiently.

Mountain Kingdoms responded to this review on 29 Nov 2024:

Wonderful.... glad you had a great time.

Mountain Kingdoms responded to this review on 29 Nov 2024:

Glad to hear you enjoyed dealing with us. The thing we produce is happiness. That what it is all about, and so it should be from start to finish. All the very best

Everest 70th Anniversary Trek by Geoff, 28 Nov 2024
Holiday Rating:

Long Hillary Trek to Everest Base Camp.

Excellent trek with great support from Mountain Kingdoms

Excellent trek with great support from Mountain Kingdoms

Rating for tour operator:

Mountain Kingdoms.

Mountain Kingdoms responded to this review on 28 Nov 2024:

Thank you for your feedback

Mountain Kingdoms responded to this review on 28 Nov 2024:

Many thanks for returning your Post Trek Questionnaire direct to our office Mr Watson. Read with interest, and glad you enjoyed this tough trek

Silk Road to Samarkand by J.L, 24 Nov 2024
Holiday Rating:

Beautiful and very interesting

We did Silk Road to Samarkand, Uzbekistan and it was just wonderful! We saw so much...so many beautiful buildings and the guide was wonderful with the knowledge she had. The food was also wonderful....a smaller lunch maybe! There was great shopping as well in the different cities we stayed in.....from the street traders.They had lovely stuff. It was a busy two weeks but so memorable.

We did Silk Road to Samarkand, Uzbekistan and it was just wonderful! We saw so much...so many beautiful buildings and the guide was wonderful with the knowledge she had. The food was also wonderful....a smaller lunch maybe! There was great shopping as well in the different cities we stayed in.....from the street traders.They had lovely stuff. It was a busy two weeks but so memorable.

Rating for tour operator:

Mountain Kingdoms are great.Extremely reliable and worth every penny! Very easy to contact and very helpful with any questions one may have. Will go with them again hopefully.

Mountain Kingdoms responded to this review on 24 Nov 2024:

Yes, it's a different world out there in central Asia. Wonderful things to see and experience. Glad you enjoyed the adventure Joan

Mountain Kingdoms responded to this review on 24 Nov 2024:

Thank you very much, and we look forward hopefully to seeing you again!!