Chhewang Lama

I planned this trip to Nepal to celebrate my 52nd birthday, experience the country’s incredible landscapes, connect with local people, and create meaningful memories. I spent considerable time working with the travel planner through multiple itinerary revisions, explaining what mattered to me and what kind of experience I wanted. While there were some genuinely wonderful moments, I left disappointed with several important aspects of the service provided by Kimkim and the local travel planner, particularly the planning process, the lack of transparency about the trekking accommodations, and the failure to deliver some of the experiences we had discussed.

I want to distinguish my experience with the travel service from my feelings about Nepal and its people. I am grateful for the people who made my trip special, and I had some beautiful experiences. However, I also believe that a customer who invests time, money, and trust in a customized trip deserves accurate information, attentive planning, and an itinerary that reflects the preferences discussed before departure.

1. The travel planner did not fully listen to or deliver on my preferences

One of my priorities was to immerse myself in the local culture and spend time with local people in a meaningful way. I specifically communicated that I wanted an opportunity to stay with a local family or experience family life rather than simply visit tourist sites. My understanding from the discussions with the planner was that this type of experience would be included.

Unfortunately, this did not happen during the Himalayan portion of the trip. I believe there may have been a misunderstanding about what I meant by staying with a family and what the planner considered a cultural experience. Visiting a village is not the same as staying with a local family, sharing in their daily life, and having the opportunity to connect with them.

This distinction was important to me, and I had communicated it in advance. Had I understood that the itinerary would not provide the experience I requested, I could have discussed alternatives or chosen a different arrangement.

The contrast with my experience in Chitwan was significant. There, I was invited to participate in a traditional celebration in a nearby Tharu village, where the community leader welcomed me and offered rice wine. I also had the opportunity to feed rescued elephants by the river and participate in planting a tree that would eventually provide food for elephants. These experiences felt authentic, meaningful, and connected to the local community. They were exactly the kinds of experiences I had hoped to have more of during my trip.

The fact that I experienced this type of cultural connection in Chitwan makes the absence of the experience I requested for the Himalayan portion particularly disappointing.

More broadly, after multiple rounds of itinerary discussions, I expected the planner to understand my priorities and make recommendations accordingly. I do not expect every detail of a trip to go perfectly, but I do expect a customized itinerary to reflect what the client has explicitly communicated. In this case, I do not feel that happened consistently.

2. The Annapurna trek was the most disappointing part of my trip

The four-day Annapurna trek was one of the most disappointing birthday travel experiences I have had in decades. I understand that trekking in the Himalayas involves physical challenges, basic facilities, changing conditions, and circumstances that cannot always be controlled. I was not expecting luxury in the mountains, and I was prepared for a challenging trek.

My disappointment was not simply that the trek was difficult. It was that I did not feel adequately informed about the conditions I would encounter, the actual distances involved, or the standard of the accommodations. With more accurate information before departure, I could have made a more informed decision about the trek, the route, and the level of comfort I was willing to accept.

Accommodation conditions and lack of transparency

The conditions at Dobato were particularly concerning. The information provided about the accommodation indicated that hot showers and Wi-Fi would be available 24 hours a day. In reality, electricity and Wi-Fi availability were extremely limited, with electricity available for approximately one hour.

The bathroom and shower facilities were in such poor and unhygienic condition that I found them extremely unpleasant to use. The shower was essentially an option only for someone exceptionally brave, and I did not feel comfortable using it. The issue was not simply that the facilities were basic or that I had to share a bathroom. It was the condition and cleanliness of the facilities themselves.

I understand that remote mountain accommodations cannot offer the same amenities as hotels in cities. However, there is a difference between basic facilities and facilities whose actual condition is not adequately disclosed before booking. If I had known what to expect, I could have considered other routes or accommodations, or decided whether this particular trek was right for me.

There were also limited electricity facilities at Ghorepani. Combined with the poor conditions at Dobato, this made it difficult to recharge devices and recover comfortably after long hiking days.

The planner and local operator should provide realistic, accurate descriptions of mountain accommodations, including electricity availability, Wi-Fi limitations, shower conditions, and general cleanliness where that information is known. Clients should be able to make informed decisions before committing to a trip.

Trekking distances were not accurately communicated

The trekking distances and expectations also differed from what I had been told. On one of the trekking days, I was told that the distance would be no more than approximately eight kilometers. In reality, I walked around 11 kilometers, with substantial uphill and downhill sections.

My approximate daily distances were:

Ghandruk to Tadapani: 8 km

Tadapani to Dobato: 8 km

The following day toward Ghorepani: approximately 11 km

Ghorepani to Ulleri: approximately 10 km

That is approximately 37 kilometers in total.

I am not complaining about having to walk or about being challenged physically. Hiking was one of the reasons I chose this trip. My concern is that distances, elevation changes, estimated walking times, and the difficulty of each day should be communicated accurately. These details matter when someone is planning a multi-day trek, particularly when the conditions for sleeping, eating, and recovering are already challenging.

Accurate expectations would have helped me prepare mentally and physically and understand what I was committing to.

Food and recovery

Food during the trek was another disappointment. Approximately half of my food experiences were poor, with meals that were bland and unappealing. When combined with the long hiking days, limited electricity, uncomfortable accommodations, and inadequate opportunities for recovery, this affected my overall experience.

I recognize that food options are limited in remote mountain locations. Nevertheless, the overall experience could have been better managed, and I wish I had received a more realistic picture of what to expect.

My birthday breakfast

My birthday, October 1, was supposed to include breakfast at the top of a mountain or scenic viewpoint in Mulde, which was meant to be a special moment during the trek. Unfortunately, the person delivering the breakfast arrived more than an hour late, and the breakfast itself was very poor and bland.

I understand that unexpected things can happen in the mountains, but this was a particularly disappointing experience because the birthday breakfast had been presented as a special part of the itinerary. Given the significance of the occasion and the amount of planning that had gone into the trip, I had hoped this moment would be handled with more care.

Taken together, these issues significantly affected my enjoyment of what should have been a memorable birthday experience. I cannot recommend the Annapurna trek as it was arranged and delivered to me.

3. Feedback about the guide

I want to acknowledge that my guide, Gyaljan, had positive qualities. He was attentive to details, was nice to me, and made thoughtful efforts to look after me. For example, he arranged sleeves for me and provided snacks. These gestures showed that he paid attention to my needs, and I appreciated them. I do not want the negative feedback to overshadow the things he did well.

However, there were also areas where I believe improvement is needed.

First, as mentioned above, the trekking distances were not always communicated accurately. A guide should be familiar enough with the route to provide realistic estimates and prepare travelers for the physical demands of each day.

Second, I sometimes felt that the guide's anxiety was transferred to me rather than helping me feel reassured. While I was paragliding in Pokhara, he repeatedly contacted the paragliding operators. I understand that he may have been concerned about my safety, and I appreciate that safety matters. However, I had entrusted the activity to the operators responsible for it, and the repeated calls made me feel more anxious rather than more secure.

Similarly, during the journey from Chitwan back to Kathmandu, he sent repeated messages and appeared anxious about the situation. I value communication and appreciate genuine concern, but I also expect a guide to remain calm and communicate in a way that reassures the traveler, particularly when a situation is outside the traveler's control.

Third, managing limited electricity was important during the trek, but I did not always receive the guidance or follow-through I needed. For example, the guide said he would charge one of my backup batteries the following day, but that did not happen. Given the extremely limited electricity at some accommodations, practical advice about when to charge devices and reliable follow-through were important.

Overall, I appreciated the guide's kindness and thoughtful gestures, but I believe there is room for improvement in route communication, managing anxiety, professional reassurance, and practical preparation for remote trekking conditions.

4. The porter deserves special recognition

I want to make a point of recognizing the person who carried my bags during the trek. Pram was excellent. He seemed very knowledgeable about the area and the mountain trails, was efficient and fast, and appeared to know the quickest routes through the terrain. He also seemed like a genuinely nice person.

His work made a positive impression on me, and I appreciated his competence and contribution to the trek. I would like this feedback to be shared with him and his employer, because good work deserves to be recognized.

5. Promised trekking gear was not delivered as expected

During the meeting with the planner at my hotel in Kathmandu, I was told that a hat and raincoat would be provided. In the end, I had to purchase my own raincoat and a down jacket. I never used the down jacket, so I will now have to give it away.

I did receive a hat from Responsible Trekkers, but the overall arrangement was not clearly explained to me, and the promised items were not handled as I had expected.

If the equipment was unavailable, if the arrangement changed, or if I misunderstood what was included, I would have appreciated a clear explanation before the trip. Instead, I ended up spending additional money and purchasing equipment that I did not ultimately need.

This is another example of why clear communication during the planning stage matters. Travelers should know exactly which items are included, which items they need to purchase themselves, and whether any arrangements have changed.

6. The $100 returning-customer benefit was never explained

I also expected to receive a $100 benefit for being a returning Kimkim customer. However, I never received a clear explanation about why it was not applied.

If there were conditions that I did not meet, I would have appreciated someone explaining those conditions. If the benefit should have been applied, I would have expected it to be reflected in the booking.

My concern is not only about the $100 itself. It is about transparency and customer service. As a returning customer, I should not have to chase an explanation for a benefit I reasonably expected to receive. I would appreciate a written explanation of the eligibility requirements and why the benefit was not applied to my trip.

7. The positive experiences deserve recognition

Despite these disappointments, I did have some wonderful experiences, and I want to recognize the parts of the trip that were handled well.

Hotel Tibet in Kathmandu was an excellent choice. I loved its cozy atmosphere and the warmth of the staff, who made me feel welcome and almost like family. I was very happy with that accommodation.

Sapana Village Lodge in Chitwan provided some of the most memorable experiences of my trip. The invitation to the traditional Tharu village celebration, the welcoming attitude of the community leader, the opportunity to feed rescued elephants by the river, and the tree-planting experience were meaningful and memorable. I also appreciated the lodge's connection to community initiatives and the work associated with the Sapana Project.

The Nanee in Bhaktapur, where I stayed on my final night, was another excellent choice. I enjoyed the quieter atmosphere, exploring Durbar Square in the rain, discovering a local coffee shop, and experiencing a side of Bhaktapur that felt less hectic and more personal. I was also touched by the gift of a white Ganesha in a little lucky paper box. It was a lovely final memory of Nepal.

These experiences demonstrate that the trip had real strengths. I am grateful for the people who welcomed me, the thoughtful gestures I received, and the opportunities I had to learn about local culture and communities.

8. My broader concern about Kimkim's planning and service

This trip has also made me reflect on my experience with Kimkim over the past couple of years. I have become increasingly concerned about the consistency of the service and whether the local planners are truly listening to customers and translating their preferences into suitable itineraries.

I understand that Kimkim works with local travel specialists and that local knowledge is an important part of the service. That is one of the reasons I have used a platform like this. However, the planning process should result in an itinerary that reflects the customer's priorities, with realistic information about accommodations, activities, distances, and costs.

In this case, I spent considerable time discussing and revising my itinerary. I explained the type of cultural immersion I wanted, yet the family experience I requested was not delivered in the Himalayan portion of the trip. I was not adequately prepared for the actual conditions at the mountain accommodations, and I received information about distances that did not match what I experienced. There were also unanswered questions about promised gear and the returning-customer benefit.

Had I known the actual conditions of the trek and the accommodations in advance, I might have chosen a different route or a different level of trekking comfort. The issue is that I was not given the information I needed to make that choice.

There were good moments during this trip, but I also feel that I made the best of circumstances that could have been prevented or better managed through more attentive planning and transparent communication. A traveler should not have to discover important limitations only after arriving at a remote destination.

I would encourage Kimkim to review how the local planner handled my preferences, how the itinerary and accommodation descriptions were communicated, and how promised arrangements and returning-customer benefits are tracked and explained.

9. What I would like Kimkim to address

I would appreciate a response addressing the following points:

Why my request for a meaningful stay or cultural experience with a local family in the Himalayan portion of the itinerary was not fulfilled, despite discussing this preference during the planning process.

Whether the descriptions of the mountain accommodations, including the stated availability of hot showers, Wi-Fi, and electricity, accurately reflected the conditions that travelers could expect.

How the trekking distances and daily physical demands were estimated and communicated, given the discrepancy between the distance I was told to expect and the distance I actually walked.

What happened with the promised hat and raincoat arrangements and why the equipment expectations were not clearly explained.

Why the $100 returning-customer benefit was not applied or explained, and whether I was eligible for it.

Whether this feedback will be shared with the local planner, guide, porter, and relevant local operator so that both positive contributions and areas for improvement are acknowledged.

I am not writing this review to suggest that every part of a trip can be controlled or that mountain travel should offer the comforts of a city hotel. I chose Nepal because I wanted its landscapes, culture, people, and trekking experiences. I understand that travel involves uncertainty, and I am willing to adapt when circumstances change.

What I expect, however, is honest information, thoughtful planning, and a genuine effort to deliver the experience that was discussed and agreed upon. When a customer communicates preferences in advance and invests in a customized itinerary, those preferences should guide the recommendations and the final arrangements.

I am grateful for the beautiful memories I made in Nepal, especially in Kathmandu, Chitwan, and Bhaktapur, and for the individuals who went out of their way to help me. At the same time, the shortcomings in the planning and the Annapurna trek were significant enough to affect my overall experience and my confidence in the service.

I hope Kimkim takes this feedback seriously, provides clear answers to the outstanding questions, and uses it to improve the quality, transparency, and consistency of the service it provides to future travelers.

We had a most memorable trip thanks to Chhewang and Rikjin. The trip was well organised and left us feeling highly confident that each day would deliver us something exciting with no stress at all.

Nepal is a beautiful, safe country, and the Nepalese people are charming.

Above all, Chhewang and Rikjin are easy-going and great people to spend time with.

Rikzin and Sonam provided excellent service in our brilliant holiday. From the views of Annapurna to the Jungle safari, we were well looked after. Communications were quick and efficient and I would certainly recommend this tour and management team. thanks again for a brilliant holiday.

A great trip to Nepal!
We just completed a 12 day trip to Nepal. I had been planning the trip for several months and Kim Kim, specifically, Chhewang, helped us along every step of the way! He listened to what we wanted to do and set us up with a great itinerary. We have never done an organized tour before. We were referred by friends, and we are so glad we chose this route for our trip to Nepal!
The first few days were spent in Kathmandu, which is a wonderful city. Pick up at the airport, and all transportation provided by Kim Kim was flawless. After Kathmandu, we were off to Pokhara for a trek. The drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara is the only part of the trip we would change. The roads are horrible and crowded. The ride of about 200 km, took about 8 hours. The views were good, but the time would have been better spent by flying. Pokhara is beautiful, and we could have done a couple more days of exploring there on our own. The trek was great and some of the most beautiful things we have ever seen! We are 60 and 68, and in decent physical condition. This pushed us as far as we wanted, and we are so glad we did it. What made it most enjoyable was our guide, Pema. He was absolutely the best! Just a wonderful person and so helpful and informative! He is now truly a friend for life! After the stay in Pokhara we were off to Chitwan National Park. Again, a wonderful experience! Made even better by our guide Suren. We saw many things and enjoyed the accommodation very much. After a few days there, a flight back to Kathmandu for a day or so and then a ride to the airport. Overall, a 5 star tour and experience.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Manaslu

Kathmandu

This hotel is visually beautiful! Amazing gardens and flowers. The staff is great and the location worked well for us. They hosted 2 weddings while we were there and it was so beautiful to see the traditional dress and ceremony from our window! The rooms are slightly dated, and the wifi was a little spotty. We also decided to go out for breakfast after having it at the hotel once, not because the hotel’s wasn’t good, but it was average.

Authenticity & Character

Great architecture and gardens.

Location

Close to restaurants and shops.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Somewhat dated in bathroom and spotty wifi

Aabas Pokhara

Pokhara

The perfect spot in Pokhara! After our trek this was a welcoming place. The bed was super comfortable, the shower was perfect and good wifi. Breakfast was great and the staff was amazingly nice and friendly. Location allowed us to find restaurants, shops, massages, and great views.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Easy to walk to services and restaurants

Staff

Desk and restaurant staff go out of their way to help and made us feel comfortable

Cleanliness & Comfort

Great bed!

Jungle Villa Resort

Khargauli

Just a beautiful location! We had a private villa overlooking the river. Great views for sure! Bring binoculars. The food is great and there was plenty of it! The team members at the hotel go so far out of their way to be sure your stay is great and comfortable. The only hitch was the spotty wifi.

Authenticity & Character

Right on the river and near an old Nepali village

Location

Close to the park for wildlife and bird viewing

Staff

Attention to detail and amazingly kind and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Explore Kathmandu ; Swayambu Nath, Patan Durbar Square & Pashupatinath Temple

Nepal

Kathmandu is a must see city! So much history and culture. This tour allowed us to get up close to the largest stupa in the world and the crematory was an experience we'll never forget. The views from the high temples and the monkeys also are a must see.

Quality of Experience

We asked for a cultural tour, and this was perfect.

Food

Nepali food is one of the best things ever!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The Kim Kim drivers and guides are among the very best. So knowledgeable and friendly.

Transport

Great vehicles and drivers.

Meeting with guide and Exploring Phewa lake

Pokhara

Pokhara is beautiful. We chose to forego the lake and just walk around the town.

Exploring more of Chitwan ; Jungle Safari Activity

Chitwan National Park

This was a great stop on our tour! This resort is right near the park and offered beautiful views and food. Our villa looked over the river and provided perfect access to see birds and wildlife. Bring your binoculars! The canoe ride and the opportunity to watch local artisans do traditional dance was were both highlights.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Suren was our guide and he was amazing! He could spot birds and animals with ease and was a wealth of information and knowledge. Our driver, Zazu, was equally skilled. Overall a great trip. The staff at the resort always went above and beyond!

Transport

Explore Chitwan ; Jungle Safari Activity

Chitwan National Park

The park is beautiful and we saw many animals and birds. Hopefully, we’ll see a tiger next time

Quality of Experience

The people always make the experience. These folks are just great and helped us every step of the way.

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Drive to Kande [ 1 hour] ; Hike to Australian Base camp [ 2 hours ]

Nepal

Loved this stop on the tour! The hike was on stone lined or cement trails and steps. It is a lot, but so beautiful!

Quality of Experience

Truly a once in a lifetime opportunity for us.

Food

Tea house food was simple, but like everything else in Nepal, simply delicious!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

This experience wouldn’t have been as good or memorable without our guide Pema. He was so patient and kind and knowledgeable! He is also a great photographer and took many photos and is preparing us a great album. He certainly made the trip for us and we will refer him wherever possible.

Transport

Hike to Nayapul [ 3 hours ] ; Drive to Pokhara [ 1.5 hours ]

Nepal

Wake up to the sun rising over the Himalayan mountains…priceless. The views are stunning. The trek down took more out of us than the trek up. The way down is mostly a stoned lined path and stone steps. This was a long but beautiful day!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The cars are always there to meet us and the people are always so helpful

Transport

Australian Camp Trek to Deurali

Nepal

The rhododendron forest, wow! Coming from North America we didn’t even know these trees existed. Bright red flowers and other amazing flowers and vegetation! Pema was so great about pictures and explanations. So great! Also hiked past a small mountain school for orphan children. A nice pit stop to see how well they were being treated and taught.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide makes the trip and ours, Pema, was amazing!

Trek portion of trip was fine.
Travel portion of trip was from hell. Every connection to and from the start of trek was terrible. The flight to and from KTM and Nepalgunj was delayed both ways by about 4-5 hrs. The air travel in Nepal is certainly third world class.
The booked flight from Nepalgunj to Dunai was cancelled both ways, resulting in a horrible jeep ride for 12 HRS each way.
I understand in talking with my guide that this flight is probably cancelled 75% of the time. This flight should not be in the itinerary of the trip, or at least some mention that it is likely to be cancelled and a 12 HR jeep ride is the only option. If I knew that I would probably be taking a 12 jeep ride on any leg of the trip, I would not have booked the trip.
Chhewang is aware of my position. This will be my last time to visit Nepal.

We could not have been happier with our experience with Responsible Treks, Chhewang and Gyaljan. Our initial planning for our trip was all through communications with Chhewang who listened to our requests and desires and put together an itinerary that truly exceeded our expectations. All communications were very timely. We wanted a combination of city life in Kathmandu, trekking in the Annapurna area and safari in Chitwan. All the elements were fantastic. Our city and trekking guide, Gyaljan, was both very knowledgeable as well as fun to be with. He made sure all of our accommodations and needs were met and was able to make adjustments as needed. We felt like we were in great hands. He was able to make the extra effort to make sure we maximized our experience. All the accommodations were top notch, though more rugged during our trek which was expected. We highly recommend Responsible Treks, Chhewang and our guide Gyaljan.

If I could give 10 stars I would!

I wasn't sure what I wanted to do for an 11 day adventure so I asked Chhewang to put something together. I knew I wanted to see Everest and wild life and we worked together to create the perfect itinerary. The process was easy and the communication was perfect. Whenever I had a question or concern, it was addressed immediately.

We were picked up at the airport by Rikzin and he was our guide for at least half the trip. The airport is hectic and it takes a while to get the visa, but once you are through, your guide will be ready to pick you up.

Weather is unpredictable and we had to make a few changes on the fly; but, there was nothing we couldn't switch around. Some of the hikes were difficult for my traveling companion and we were able to get those modified.

Everyone was kind, in contact with us using Whatsapp, and empathetic to our needs. It was indeed a trip of a lifetime and we were taken care of like royalty.

Make sure you tip! No one asks but these folks work their butts off! Show them some love!

Gyaljan, our guide was super knowledgeable and also fun. He really was fantastic. It was also great to meet and spend time with Chhewang who helped us to plan out the trip we wanted. Our last night at the traditional Nepali dinner & dance was such a nice way to end our visit. Swayambunath and Changu Narayan temple were both really special spots thanks to Gyaljan sharing so much info and stories, both Buddhist and Hindu. The aarti ceremony at Pashupati was great to experience. And one of the biggest highlights was our hike on our 2nd day and having a delicious lunch outside at the farmhouse!

We had an incredible experience in Nepal. It was obvious that all details were considered thoughtfully - the meals, hotels itinerary, local connections. We especially enjoyed our local guides Ric and Boss, also Chewwan and others, who went out of the way to ensure we had what we needed and enjoyed the adventures. Everyone we interacted with was professional, personable, and genuinely invested in the tour. We had a very positive experience and would do this and many other trips with Responsible Treks in the future.

What a great trip! Chhewang took care of every detail and made good suggestions. When there was an issue with a hotel, he rectified it immediately. I highly recommend using Chhewang to help plan your Nepal trip.