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Min Thapa Magar
Managing Director and Founder
Thanahau, Nepal
Years Trekking in Nepal? - My
first time trekking I worked as
a porter for a British group on
a camping trip around Annapurna,
about 22 years ago. As a young
man, I worked as a porter for
many years carrying heavy loads
up and down the mountain side.
After being a porter, I started
to work and as a cooking
assistant, assistant guide and
after improving my English and
getting experience on many
treks, I became a guide. After
11 years as a guide I decided to
open my own trekking agency. Now
I am happy to be working with an
international community and
lucky to have friends from all
over the world.
Favorite Trek? - Although the
Annapurna area has changed a
lot, it is still my favorite
trek. As you slowly work your
way up through many different
villages, rivers and jungles you
are able to see a wide range of
diversity and people. Eventually
you reach your highest point,
the Thorong La Pass. After that
you pass into another world,
with ever changing scenery and
villages. Beautiful landscapes,
hot springs, temples and
monasteries along the way make
you feel like you are in a
magical place.
What else to do in Nepal? - I
love to get off the trekking
routes and head to more remote
places. In Nepal you can reach
far away places by both plane
and helicopter. Not all people
are able to trek for weeks, so
for others, I enjoy taking them
to places which they wouldn't
think they could ever get to.
Even renting a plane and taking
a flight around the mountains,
can be a once-in-a-lifetime
experience to share together.
Jim Booth
Chairman
England
Years trekking in Nepal? I
have been to Nepal about 25-30
times. Many years ago, I came to
Nepal to lead a group of British
Army on an expedition to Mount
Everest. I have also worked for
many years side by side with the
British Gurkhas. I have been
lucky to climb many mountains
and wish to climb many more
Favorite trek? I am more of a
mountain climber than a trekker,
but definitely the Everest
Region is my favorite area.
What else to do in Nepal?
Nepal feels like home to me and
I have made many friends and
family along the way. I love the
Nepali people and their culture
and also have involved myself in
their communities through
different social and charitable
activities.
Zachary Barton
Marketing Director
Calgary, Canada
Years Trekking in Nepal? Now
I'm going on eight years. My
very first trek in Nepal was
around Annapurna in 2003 with my
father. Like most trekkers, I
over-packed and paid for it by
having to carry too many extra
kilos around for days. But the
clean air, fresh water and
outstanding views of the
mountains made up for
everything. Drinking local Apple
Brandy to stay warm while we sat
around the fire, staring out at
the star-filled sky...
Favorite Trek? - To pick just
one trek is impossible for me.
Everywhere I have gone has been
an amazing adventure I will
never forget. However, I would
have to say the trip we made up
to Gosaikhunda, the holy lakes
up at 4300 metres was an
experience which truly changed
me in some ways. I don't know if
it was the lack of oxygen or all
the pilgrims there worshiping
different gods, but I found
myself transported into a
different world.
What else to do in Nepal? -
Many, many things to do in
Nepal, but if I had to pick one
other activity, it would be
rafting. Spending the day
rafting through nothing but
jungles, sleeping on the side of
the river, dancing and drinking
all night... not a bad way to
spend your time!
Bart Demarest
Marketing Director
Bruges, Belgium
Years Trekking in Nepal? - How
many has it been now? I also
don't know... Since I came here,
the years seem to be flying by.
Favorite Trek? - I lived in the
Annapurna region for two years,
working in a medical post and
had the opportunity to travel
all over the area. The main
circuit is beautiful, but my
heart stays with all the smaller
villages and viewpoints that I
have visited. There are so many
unknown places to go see,
including Gurung Hill, which is
by far the most beautiful place
in the world to watch the
sunrise and catch a view of the
Annapurna range.
What else to do in Nepal? - In
Nepal it seems like on ever
mountain top, down every small
street and at the foot of every
great tree, there is a temple.
In Kathmandu alone, you can not
walk for more than one minute
without hearing a ringing bell,
smelling incense or seeing
someone bow down to God. Culture
in Nepal is not something stuck
in a museum or book. Culture
here is alive and can be found
everywhere you look. They say
that there is more than 365
festivals a year in Nepal,
meaning that everyday you have a
chance to experience the ancient
rituals and celebrations of the
local people.
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