The Mountain Company Traveller Reviews

On 8 August I arrived in Leh, the capital of Ladakh in the extreme NW of India, (often referred to as Little Tibet). This was the start of a 24 day visit to this little visited area for a remote 17 day trek in rocky but stunningly beautiful mountain scenery intercepted by deep green river gorges. We camped in some amazing locations accessible only to trekkers where we were looked after so well by our guides and crew.

This was my fourth high altitude trek with the Mountain Company. I recommend them 100 per cent to anyone wanting to trek in the Himalayas. As a specialist company they have detailed knowledge of the different treks available and their MD, Roland Hunter, is readily available with advice (generally based on personal experience). Once booked the pre trip information is detailed and the care on the trek itself is so well planned that one travels with complete confidence.

Had an absolutely fantastic time in Ladakh. It feels like I have just returned from a different planet: amazing mountain landscapes, plants, wildlife & culture. Almas was a superb guide; being both Indian & Australian he well understood the needs & desires of both our local team, and us clients. The local guides, cooks & horsemen were brilliant: physically tough, resilient, hard-working and good-natured - we were extremely well looked after and the food was fantastic. It all makes me wonder why I have waited so long to undertake my first Himalayan trek.

Because it was my first trek, I had oodles of basic questions to ask prior to leaving home, all of which both Roland and Almas answered both promptly and very informatively. I 100% recommend The Mountain Company.

I've done several treks with the Mountain Company over the years (first one c.2012) Prior to the trip I'm always very impressed with Roland's communication - no query is too insignificant and always gets a personal response. Once in country things run as smoothly as that country will allow - more importantly when things become more complicated you realise that Roland, the group leader and especially the local sirdars have several back-up plans in place ready to go. The equipment and food on this very remote trip were (as always) excellent. Roland offers more trips to places that other companies don't offer (I also did Upper Dolpo with the MC) and I would highly recommend taking advantage of this. On this trip at one point we didn't see another person for over a week - a very different side of Nepal from the Everest/Annapurna regions. When we hiked to the Mt Kailash viewpoint a lot of the crew came with us to check it out even though it was technically a rest day for them... They were as eager to explore this spiritually significant area as we were. To sum up these trips are definitely pricey but once you see the logistics that go into running them and get to experience the culture and landscape of these remote regions (which will modernise fast as roads get built) I believe they are more than worth it! Highly recommended!!

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My husband Simon and I had chosen to join an exploratory trek in the Far West region of Nepal with The Mountain Company after booking two other great trekking trips with the company before. Due to the rapid expansion of the road network in the Himalayas, several of the more traditional trekking routes now either follow or come very close to roads for an extended period of time, and the idea behind the exploratory trek was to develop a new trekking route which would avoid roads as much as possible. Since the trek had only been attempted once before and was located in a very remote region of Nepal, it was important to bring an open, flexible mind-set, which was part of the allure for us to join the trek. We were not disappointed! While we managed to follow the established route and all cheered when we managed to cross the high pass, surprises did pop up along the way, all of them handled professionally and calmly by our cheerful, knowledgeable guide Adrian and the local guides and staff. The landscape during the trek was varied, starting with a descend into a river valley just as about a million butterflies had hatched (amazing sight!), walks through dense, lush forests, sections following glacial rivers through wide plains, rocky paths into the mountains, and alpine plateaus with amazing vistas of snow-capped peaks all the way around. Our campsites matched the beauty of the trek, always in breathtaking locations and with plenty of time in the afternoon to take the vistas in. We passed both through traditional villages that seemed frozen in time and villages closer to roads that were a curious blend between tradition and modernity, met yak herders out in the middle of nowhere and were the main attraction in villages that had not seen a Westerner for several years. The organization of the trek was excellent as always, the food as delicious as it was nutritious, keeping us well-fueled for hours of walking (the noodle soup was a real comforter on tough days!), and the staff were always kind and helpful. I can warmly recommend booking a trip with The Mountain Company.

This was our third trek with The Mountain Company, and so far the experience has always been the same: We received great pre-trip preparation both via online meetings and useful written material before the start of the trip, followed by a warm welcome and an extensive briefing on-site. The guides are always extremly knowledgeable, both in terms of trekking in general and the area in which the trek takes place. The staff members are well-chosen: Kind and helpful, and very good at their job. If there are bumps on the road, communication is clear for the clients, and the challenges are dealt with efficiently, either by finding a direct solution or an alternative. I always feel like I am in very good and professional hands when travelling with The Mountain Company.

The Far West Nepal Exploratory GHT trek is a +20 day trek to a very remote region of western Nepal. This area is rarely visited by westerners and you are likely to see very few other trekkers. The landscape is varied and you'll pass through forest, high alpine desert, river valleys, villages and mountain passes meeting only a few local yak and goat herders. The trip included crossing the Nying La pass at 5400 meters (which only very few people ever does!) and visiting the Mount Kailash view point on the border with Tibet. Later the trek passes through villages with visits to very old Gompas (Buddhist temple) with impressive wall paintings. The trek is remote and includes a good amount of travel but is well worth the effort !

This was the third trip we went on using The Mountain Company as operator. We will definitely come back again! As always the trek was extremely well organized and the guide as well as the local crew were excellent. The cook was very good at providing varied 3-course meals in the middle of the mountains including both pizza and chocolate cake besides the more traditional Nepali/Indian dishes of dal, rice, curries etc. All the food was of high quality and there were plenty of it to go around. The Mountain Company is well worth considering for any treks to the Himalayas as they treat their local crews well, have excellent safety measures and do a big effort to finding routes and itineraries which are away from the many roads being build in the region. By including trips to remote regions where fewer trekkers go they are also spreading the impact of tourism both in terms of over-crowding, ecological strain and boosts to the local economy. Not everything has to go to the Everest region! We highly recommend the Mountain Company.

Another amazing trek with The Mountain Company (TMC). The Far West Trek is a new trek through a very remote region of Nepal. Though some of the trails are very rocky and some long trekking days, the remoteness and the beauty of region are worth the effort. Also, meeting villagers and seeing their way of life in this remote region was a special cultural experience. Throughout the entire trek, Ade, our western guide, and the Nepalese crew ensured we were well looked after. You are never left on your own if you happen to be trekking at a slower pace. The crew member ensures that you take your time and offer a hand if and when you need it. The chef cooked us delicious and nutritious meals, and we even got apple pie and cake.

This is my seventh trek with TMC and will continue to trek with them. This is because Roland, owner/director, put safety of the crew and trekkers his priority. This is evident in the planning of each trek with built-in contingency day(s) if and when required. Roland works with the local Nepalese crew and ensure they have all the right gear (clothing, footwear, equipment) to do their job. He responds to all questions and concerns in a timely manner.

A tent-based trek through the remote and culturally diverse Upper Dolpo region of Nepal, crossing several beatiful high altitude passes and ending in Jomsom, in the Mustang area of Nepal

The tour operator's organisation was excellent from start to finish. with the trek planned in as much detail as could be expected for such a remote and difficult area. The team they employed on the trek were all hardworking, cheerful and professional, and managed the trip without fuss or any apparent difficulty.

Vast landscapes, ancient monasteries and tiny remote villages, a twenty seven day trek through the Upper Dolpo region of north west Nepal, culminating in crossing the seldom traveled Ghami La pass into the Upper Mustamg region. A glimpse of a fast disappearing ancient Tibetan culture set amongst sights such as Phoksundo lake.

Roland provides very detailed notes on all aspects of the trek and promptly answers any queries. Right from being picked up at Kathmandu airport, all aspects of this trek were covered including the complex regional permits and travel arrangements.. Nat the group leader and all of the Nepalese crew couldn't be bettered. this is the second long remote area trek that I have done with the Mountain Company.

This has to be one of the top treks in the Himalayas. It is long (4 weeks, 350km), high (average altitude 4,000m, max altitude 5,700m) and challenging (most days over seven hours walking, two rest days). But the international leader and the local guides took care that I could manage. It is very rewarding. Every day was different as we passed through forests, next to lakes, over high barren boulder strewn passes, through arid valleys and wading rivers. We visited a number of temples, all very different, and met and chatted with some of the monks. We were excited to see paw prints of snow leopard, to hear a cuckoo at over 4,000m and to gaze at soaring eagles and vultures. The new exit via the Ghami La adds to this trip, being very remote, using a route that is rarely taken even by the local herders and traversing terrain that is stunning in its beauty and isolation. This is well worth the extra cost for the additional Mustang permit.

This was my third trek with the Mountain Company. Roland Hunter runs a very good company with strong ethical values. He pays particular attention to safety, risk assessment, care for the crew and trekkers and respect for the environment. He takes a personal interest in every individual and goes the extra mile to ensure satisfaction. Nat Wilson was our international leader. This was my second trek with her. She is very experienced, has high standards and is caring to both trekkers and crew. A great team.

I had a most amazing camping trek in Dolpo, Nepal organised by the Mointain Company. This was over 4 weeks in a remote part of the country at high altitude

The Mountain Company is a serious tour operator specialising in treks in Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan and North India. It is an impressive outfit with a commitment to safety and health, high quality sustainable travel and, importantly, ethics in the way it cares the crew locally. I have nothing but praise for Roland Hunter and staff and associates in Nepal. I felt inspired by its ethos and way I was looked after generally. I’ll certainly return.