take life higher
INSIGHTHIMALAYA
Khangtaiga & Thamserku, Everest Valley - photo by Philemon Rai
Insight Himalaya Treks (IHT) IHT was founded by ex-British Gurkha Officer Jagdish Rai who was determined to create a trekking company which prided itself not on volume, but on its high standard of service. Insight Himalaya Treks is a leading trekking company today because we have been setting standards of personalized service in the field of trekking in this region for the last 20 years. Many IHT clients return to the Himalayas again and again. In the last two decades Insight Himalaya Treks has had the privilege of serving the British Army, British ex-servicemen’s associations, The London Zoological Society, the BBC, army generals, writers, explorers and countless bird and plant lovers. Our specialities: off the beaten treks, special interest nature treks, photography and filming expeditions, trekking peaks, adventure training treks, school parties and family treks.
Descending to Madi Khola Valley, Siklis Trek - photo by Binod Rai
Nepal A diverse variety of landscapes occur within Nepal, at altitudes ranging from 70 m to 8848m. They form ecosystems that sustain flora, fauna and life forms of amazing heterogeneity and number, i.e. over 800 species of birds, over 600 species of butterflies and some 6,500 species of seed plants. Nepal contains the best of the world’s highest mountain range, as a third of the Central Himalayas and eight of the highest mountains in the world, lie within its borders. And that’s not all! The very warm and friendly Nepali people will make a trip to Nepal unforgettable. Their smiling faces and warm hospitality will always make you feel at home, whether you are among palaces or temples or in a remote mountain valley. The home of the Gurkhas and the Sherpas welcomes you with open arms.
photos by Neil Eschenfelder
Amazing Kathmandu One of the highlights of visiting Nepal is time spent in the wonderful capital, Kathmandu, where all your trek holidays start. Situated in a green and fertile valley with a pleasant climate, it has wonderful ancient palaces and temples, and festivals and events year ‘round. You can easily spend several days here visiting numerous World Heritage sites, losing yourself in the amazing back streets of the old market, pampering yourself with an ayurvedic massage, trying out eastern cuisines in world class restaurants or shopping for everything from carpets to jewellery.
Basantapur, Kathmandu - photo by Alexey Ananchenko
Trekking with us To trek with Insight Himalaya Treks is to go on a walking journey to undisturbed and spectacularly beautiful areas of the Himalayas with an experienced and reliable team.The journey can last from a few days to several weeks, and include lush river valleys, villages, high mountain ridges, alpine meadows and sacred lakes with breathtaking views. Although people of all ages can undertake our treks, most of them require moderate physical fitness. You won’t be pressed for time, though. We schedule more than enough time for stopping, resting, photography or other specific interests, or just happily gazing! All your heavy luggage is carried for you; all you carry is your camera, binoculars and a water bottle. Our camps are always extremely comfortable. We provide large Vango tents for sleeping with warm sleeping bags, extra thick luxury series Thermarest mats and pillows. There will be shower and toilet tents, and a special mess tent with tables and chairs for dining. For cold evenings at altitude we provide thick down jackets and hot water bottles.
“I want to thank you and the whole staff for the gorgeous experience I had in Nepal. Absolutely everything was perfect. I was never worried and felt perfectly at ease with the land and the people” Maria Godino, Rome, Italy April 2009
Day hike above Dingboche, Everest Valley - photo by Philemon Rai
Off the Beaten Trail Treks At Insight Himalaya Treks we specialize in camping treks that stay away from the very popular trekking areas and take you to some of Nepal’s most beautiful and undisturbed areas. Many ancient routes which for hundreds of years have joined villages and Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage sites are now our trails for off the beaten trail treks. The treks offer a good mix of middle hill walking, a taste of the local culture and high alpine trekking. Our high quality equipment and caring staff will ensure your comfort and enable you to achieve far more than would be possible on your own, without depriving you of an authentic adventure. You can choose the level of difficulty that is right for you, from introductory to strenuous, with varying amounts of time spent at high altitude.
Best time to trek Spring: March to May For rhododendron and magnolia forest in bloom Autumn: October to December For clear mountain views, harvesting in the fields and Dashain festival
Pakhabas ridge trail, Panch Pokhari Trek - photo by Philemon Rai
A day on the trek A day on the trek starts with a hot drink in bed and a warm bowl of washing water. You generally wake up around 6 a.m. as you would have had a long night’s sleep and the dawn usually offers fabulous vistas of the Himalaya. A hearty breakfast follows shortly. Leaving the camp to be packed up by our trek crew, we head off for a full day (5 to 7 hours) of activity, trekking or experiencing first hand the culture, tradition, plants and birds of Nepal. The kitchen team and porters will overtake us on the trail and serve a hot lunch, almost always in a scenic spot. Around 3 p.m. we can often spot the tents of our camp in the distance. Tea or a hot drink is served when we arrive, and even hot showers are available. With everyone ready to retire early after our exertions, the three-course dinner is served early.
Leaving Pheriche, Everest Valley - photo by Binod Rai
Caring and Experienced Trek Crew We can only ensure top quality service because of our very reliable, experienced and caring trek crew. Whether leading you on the trail or helping you over a challenging section, no task is too difficult for our dedicated staff who will always be there for you. Our guides and trek leaders are first aid trained and experienced in high altitude medicine. Trek Leaders have satellite and mobile phones for emergencies and helicopter evacuation.
“We are all safely returned from a wonderful trek and send thanks to you and the Nepali team for exemplary organisation and management. We had complete confidence in the team on the ground who fed and ‘housed’ us perfectly. They also dealt with unexpected events with calm efficiency and judged pace and when to provide a helping hand with tact and courtesy” Richard Thomas, Winchester, UK May 2009
Dawa helps a client descend from Bharang, Panch Pokhari Trek - photo by Philemon Rai
Meals on trek A highly trained and experienced cook and very competent kitchen boys will look after our culinary needs. Retrained twice a year, they are well briefed on the importance of a balanced diet and hygiene while creating new and exciting meals. They boil and filter all drinking water, which is obtained from mountain springs. Our mixed cuisine of Nepali, Asian and Continental dishes is a much loved and much discussed highlight of every trek!
“The meals were better than any 5 star hotel, which we all thoroughly enjoyed – and with all the exercise each day we never lost any weight we ate so well – I could not believe everything was cooked on those two rings” Camilla Davies, Mid Wales, May 2008
Why IHT? Founded by a Gurkha Officer Has an excellent safety record after 20 years of organizing treks in the Himalayas Specializes in customized off the beaten trail treks Provides high quality trekking equipment. Serves well balanced, hygienic and freshly cooked trek meals Offers hot showers and seated toilets on all treks Employs experienced and caring trek staff Employs proficient English speaking Nepali trek leaders with knowledge of flora, fauna and the local culture Cooks trek meals on kerosene or gas stoves, ensures minimal environmental impact, transports all non-biodegradable waste to proper disposal sites Supports the underprivileged in Nepal with solar lighting and scholarships.
Campsite at Tara Hill, Siklis Trek - photo by Binod Rai
Trips Beyond Nepal Insight Himalaya Treks has been offering exclusive treks and tours to Tibet for the last ten years in partnership with a local Tibetan agency. For treks to Western Tibet and Kailash via Simikot we use our own trek equipment and Nepali support staff while for Lhasa tours we depend on local Tibetan guides from Lhasa.
View from Tsaprang Citadel, Western Tibet - photo by Vladimir Stolyarov
IHT Head Office: GPO Box 3851 Kathmandu Nepal Email: insight@wlink.com.np Canada Office: Email: phil@insighthimalayatreks.com www.insighthimalaya.com