REPORT OF MEMBER FROM FALL 2006 TREKOctober 20, 2006 Peter, My wife and I wish to write and thank you and your entire staff for a wonderful trek around the Annapurna Circuit. We truly had an adventure of a lifetime and it was made particularly special by the excellent service provided by your great company. Our guides and porters were all great fun and extremely knowledgeable. They tended to our groups every need throughout the entire trek and they never stopped looking out for our personal safety. In the months prior to our trek my wife and I monitored the reports of the political problems taking place in Nepal with great interest. The United States government has been posting very strong warnings discouraging travel to Nepal. I must say that at absolutely no time during our three week visit in Kathmandu and around the entire Annapurna Circuit did we ever feel unsafe or unwelcome. The Nepali people were always kind, warm and very friendly. Even the government officials at the police check points were all friendly and welcoming once the appropriate permits were presented. The Maoist we encountered did not cause us any problems. The first checkpoint asked for the payment of their special "tax" from our guide and thereafter they never gave us any cause for concern. Should you have any prospective trekkers that have concerns about the situation in Nepal, please do not hesitate to give them my email address. I would be happy to relate our experiences to them and help to alleviate their concerns. When we first started searching for an outfitter to handle our visit to Nepal, the Internet provided a wide range of options. My wife read the materials on your website and she was most impressed by your deep care and concern for your staff. Seeing the years that your many staff members have been with you and the financial aid fund that your have establish to help with their medical and children's educational expenses was the factor the made us choose you for our trip. Incidentally, thank you for forwarding to me the information on your Nepal Aid Fund. We plan to join the many other happy trekkers you have served over the years by making a contribution. We look forward to seeing you and your delightful staff again on our next Asian trek. Namaste, Kate and Tony Schenk (Florida) email: tonyschenk@aol.com Addendum from Peter Owens: The special Maoist tourist tax collected in fall 2006 on the Annapurna, Everest and Langtang treks was Rs 100 ($1.40)/person/trek day. This amount is already included in the trip cost for the trek. It will be paid by the guide of the trek and is NOT collected from the trek members. US citizens ARE NOT charged any more than other countries in our experience in the fall of 2006. HOME PAGE |
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