I would like to thank Raj for his outstanding role as an educator and an ambassador of his nation. He has not only shown us the true beauty of his beautiful region but also unveiled the real truth that you can't find guide books or records. Facts as they really are and not as it is put upfront to you. I have been on 28 organised tours with various countries but my trip with Raj exceeds by far. I am afraid I won't enjoy touring any more as Raj has set standards too high for the others to keep up with.

2005-03-18
The great thing for someone like me is that I only read "what to bring" and hardly anything about what this trek was all about..... I was amazed, mesmerised by the Rhododendron forest, the flowing streams, the breathtaking mountain views, snow peaks, villages filled with friendly people. The group was also fantastic!!! I am filled with memories of singing around Raj(our leader) playing the guitar and dancing with all the talented porters. Our Sherpas Chandra and Milan were exceptional. This trip has filled my heart with memories ad harmony. Thank you, merci!
P.S Making a snowman at Annapurna Base camp was great for a Canadian missing the snow and winter.

18/03/05
Raj,
To quote "Extreme"-More than words!!! This as we have previously discussed, an experience which I should like to repeat and probable will given Alex's wish to do something like this too. Having been in the RAF. I wondered whether I would consider any challenge, voluntarily subscribed to, would or could bring me to a low part and thus I was pleased to enjoy high after high. Having no lung power was bad at ABC but being able to dance with the porters, Milan and Chandra and of course yourself was one of the very highs. Thank you very much for putting together such a great package of sights, views, people, dancing, cold(!), singing, friendships and lots of laughter! Words are never enough- but if words can say anything-THANK YOU!!!

18/03/05
Raj,
This trip has been truly inspirational for me. I will always remember the past 2 weeks Thank you very much.

Raj, This was the most awesome experience of mi life. I would like to thank you + your team very much. You are without doubt the best guide in Nepal + 2nd best Louis Armstrong I have ever heard. Take care and I will see you in Goa.

An absolutely incredible experience an all aspects, truly inspirational. Stunning views and lovely people, the food was also reasonable. I'd love to do it all over again. Thanks all.

19/03/05 Pokhara Airport. Annapurna Sanctuary.
Thank you Raj, in the first place for convincing me to come to Nepal. I was so sure that walking and trekking in the mountains would be way too difficult for me. Without your convincing advice, I would never have the courage to do a trek like this. At the second place, I would like to thank you even more for teaching me how to walk, for encouraging me during the difficult moments, making me at ease and letting me enjoy the astonishing views even though I was far behind the rest of the group. Arriving everyday at our destination and completing the whole trek has made me real proud of myself. I really enjoyed being in theses breathtaking mountains, with their lovely people and beautiful nature! Thank you so much for giving me the chance of living these past 2 weeks.

31/03/05
My trip was breathtaking, I've got memories that will last a lifetime even at times I found it tough, every time I looked up it disappeared. The trek was laid out in a great way, through villages,meeting people & understating the culture. The team that we had was the best from carrying our bags to entertaining us at night. A fantastic trip! Thanx to Raj and the team. We'd definitely go with you guys again....."CHEERS MATE" All the best.

Annapurna base camp.
What a trip and what a great team. Raj & the boys took care of our every need-nothing was too much trouble. The trek itself was awesome-good food, fantastic scenery and a chance to experience a different culture up close. Raj's enthusiasm and experience were evident within his briefings where we learnt a lot about Nepal's geography and people. A must for any traveller young and old.

Thanks Raj!!!

To Raj
This was the best travel experience I have ever had. A wonderful challenge with great comradeship between the group, the Sherpas & porters. This, together with the stunning scenery, made this a unique experience. I will recommend it with enthusiasm for any age group.
Many thanks Patricia Jones N.Z
p.s A "painless" way to lose weight while eating a lot!

WONDERFUL-The only word to describe this trip. Organisation second to none. I knew the trip would be a challenge, but with the incredible support and advise from Raj, everything worked like clock work. No doubt about it, it was tough, but the incredible scenery, the friendly local and Raj + his team made it look so easy.

If you want a trip which is well organised, where you can put your trust completely into the hands of the organiser+ know you are enjoying the local hospitality & culture at it's best this is the trip for you. Thanks.

"This is always something I have wanted to do. Fortunately my husband went along with it. It exceeded our expectations. The trip was well worth all the sweat and tears. When we reached Annapurna nothing could describe how we felt it was everything and more than we expected. Raj and the team were excellent in every aspect of the holiday. We would like to say a big Thank you to everyone also the other trekkers in our party who made our holiday most enjoyable."

Raj,
Excellent job balancing all the different needs within the group. We all come out feeling very well looked after. Good pacing, briefings and commentaries were frank and insightful and have left us with an appreciation for the culture and history of Nepal we would otherwise have been without. The ease with everything seemed to happen is a testament to how well organised and prepared the trip was, something which at the end of the long day walking we all appreciated whole heartedly. The trip really did have something for everyone and we will all go away with fond memories of the Himalayas, especially all those lovely steps!! Thanks again for everything.

"AND Dance.UH HUH! As I sit and watch Rachel and Ratan get down to some.music I realize that I have loved this whole trip and everything about it. Meeting and getting to know so many new people. The trip was organized brilliantly and could not have asked for a better team taking us in this journey. I didn't really think about how this trek was going to be about or turn out like but it has been a lot more than I would have imagined. Thank you so much for everything you have done for us. I am just sad that all this is coming to an end and I will never be here again. Definitely coming back to Nepal though. Lot 's of love."

The Annapurna Trek was amazing! Absolutely stunning scenery and beautiful rural communities. The trek was well paced, informative, solid leadership and excellent environmental awareness. Very polite, considerate and hardworking team. Amazing team. Thanks Raj, Pawan, Chandra, Rajin, Hari, Dilli and Pasang for an excellent trip!

15/04/05
We've had a fantastic time on the Annapurna Sanctuary trip-fantastic group and most importantly an excellent leader, Sherpas and porters Thanks !

Inspiring and humbling scenery to see the Himalaya up close has been a great privilege. The efforts of guide, Sherpas and porters has also been fantastic & leaves us indebted to them- without them it would not be possible.

Thanks for a informative and memorable time. I have got so much from this trip. The whole team just couldn't do enough for us. I will be back.

What an amazing experience ! I have learnt so much in such a short space of time. I wish I could do it again straight away-even with all the walking ! Raj was an incredible leader - and a good friend - his wisdom, sense of humour and encouragement helped us get the most out of this amazing experience. The Sherpas and porters were all excellent - proper sound geezers ! They were very understanding when I was too hungover to walk ! Everyone has to come here, stay up late, drink rum with Raj every night, smoke at 4000m and sing all day to get through any pain ! The best weeks of my life

The last 12 days have been an experience I've never had before. The views have been magical, especially at ABC, but also the friendships made. Chandra and Pawan and the porters were amazing and Raj was a great leader. Aching knees, sore feet, blisters and manky toes aside, this trip is one I don't think I will forget in a hurry ! Thank you

We set out a month ago for the "trip of a lifetime" and this trip has definitely measured up. Thank you so much for everything from introducing us to the "Mustang coffee and "Mars roll" to protecting us from the Maoists! Thank you for sharing your amazing , incredible, beautiful country with us and for sending us home so much wealthier than we were when we arrived.

Raj & the boys, thanks for making a dream come true. Always in our hearts.

Lee & Lynda
Bristol, England

Raj,
I arrived here as an apprehensive amateur. Thanks to you and your crew I have had the most amazing experience. Your country is varied and exhausting. I have grown as an individual thanks to your guidance and the overall experience. Many thanks

Raj,
Despite my constant mooning about phantom plastic bags rustlers, leeches and "flattish" walks, I've actually had a wonderful time! Thanks for a great introduction. I hope to return in the future......

Raj,
My knees are bloody sore! Leeches, high climbs, Maoist banditos, guitar playing Sherpas - what can I say - an unforgettable trip! The most incredible mountain scenery I've ever seen and better company than I could have hoped for. A word for your future trekkers
"Friends, trekkers and fellow pissheads, lend me your ears" From my experience this trek was fantastic!

"Thanks Raj for such a great trek with lots of fantastic memory. Best wishes."

Thanks Raj and supporting team members. My quest to Annapurna is to find a sacred coded. Yes I found this symbol at Annapurna base camp. My left leg is artificially sensed not by brain power, but by eye sight. I personally thank all the adventurous team for their support due to my money belt being stolen in downtown Bangkok. As you will find out in the near future my name is not Dennis but Davakis.

Raj,
You've crafted a broad blend of hiker's challenge, Nepali social history & mountaineering love into a fascinating trek of discovery. Your expert guidance on many fronts enriches my understanding of the people, the background and the physical environment of the Annapurna Sanctuary. Thanks for your insight & guidance throughout this fascinating journey.

Goldilocks & the 4 bears 19/11/05
Amazing trip. Thanks for your guidance + insight on the fascinating odyssey. Great adventure. Magnetic mountain scenery. Unforgettable experience. Zoom Zoom!!

19/11/05
I had such a fantastic time - I don't want to go home! The scenery has been so beautiful & varied making the hard work varied, making the hard work well rewarded. The team of guides + porters were fantastic and so multi talented making the trek even more unique + memorable. I loved every minute of it with so many highlights it's impossible to choose a "best bit". Annapurna is such a special place - I feel privileged to have explored a small part of it. Thank you Raj for such a fantastic time.

19/11/05 I came here full of trepidation and unsure of my ability to reach ABC. Raj's quiet, calm attitude helped me overcome my fears. The whole experience was one I will never forget. The team of Sherpas and porters were kind and helpful. The scenery, atmosphere and experience is one that will stay with me forever. I can't wait to come back to Nepal again. Thank you Raj, Pawan, Amos and all the guys.

Had a fantastic trek-more than I could have imagined. Far too many"ups" though!!! Your team made the trip unforgettable.

3-12-2005

Raj
The trip and guidance have exceeded my expectations, an awesome 2 weeks. You and the boys made it an unforgettable experience. Many thanks.

3/12/05
Raj,
I expected to come to Nepal and be overwhelmed by the scenery but I also found that I was overwhelmed by how friendly and helpful the people were, especially you and the guys. I've had an experience that I will never forget and it's made me keen to return to the mountains again in the future. Many thanks for everything. "Block it"

Thanks to you + all the guys for a wonderful 2 weeks. Very well organised + an awesome trekking route too. Thanks.

Yo Raj
Thanks for an awesome tour. I had an amazing time and couldn't have wished for a more knowledgeable and fun tour leader. The scenery. The scenery out here is insane, an experience I will never forget. Thanks again Raj and I hope to see you soon.

Raj
Awesome bash. Words can't do it. Bring on Everest that baby is next/

"Raj, thanks so much for your help in getting me up the first hill and your fantastic leadership thru the trek."

Raj Absolutely top trip, sensational scenery and Raj's input really made it very enjoyable and memorable. He has a great team supporting him, all of whom have a great sense of humour. I can't wait to come back and have a go at Everest Base Camp.