When we began planning our dream trip to Nepal, we contacted a number of travel agencies. Mr. Nipendra Maharjan of Lumle Travels, Kathmandu, was first to respond. During months of preparation, his return emails unfailingly arrived within 24 hours and thus we developed a relationship of trust. Our 37 day adventure (February-March 2015) included a car and driver and an English-speaking guide (most days), an arrangement which provided great flexibility, along with opportunities unavailable to participants of large group tours. And compared with the cost of connecting with a large group package from the US, the price of booking a private tour with an internal agency seemed very reasonable. All financial transactions were handled in a manner to inspire confidence.
The final plan incorporated a wide variety of locations and activities, featuring romantic lakes and mountain landscapes, exciting jungle safaris, days of peaceful birdwatching, and visits to Hindu and Buddhist holy places and Nepal’s dense collection of World Heritage Sites: Lumbini, Kapilavastu, Tansen, Pokhara, Bandipur, Manakamana, Gorkha, Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, Nagarkot, Dhulikhel, Balthali, Namobuddha, Kirtipur, Bungamati, and Chitwan and Shivapuri National Parks.
By the end of our visit, we were no longer travelling with just a driver and guide, but with very good friends, whom we now knew well. We regretfully departed Nepal with a growing list of activities for another trip, which we will certainly book through Lumle.
--Dr. Diana Skroch & Dr. Joseph Stickler, North Dakota, USA
