Testimonials

“The late mountaineer, Doug Scott CBE, personally selected Adventure Zambuling Treks as Community Action Treks’ trusted operating partner in the Himalayas since 2010. Doug said that this was one of the best decisions he had ever made.

To this day, Adventure Zambuling’s trusted founder and director, Mr. Bhai B. Tamang and Mithu/Mingma Tamang together with his Kathmandu-based office team, highly trained guides, and regular local porters, excel at taking care of clients and delivering the best and most memorable trips, forming treasured memories for life”. I joined the Doug Scott team in 2014 and ever since we have been working together with Bhai & Mingma and I am so grateful to work with them. They are not only our business partner but they are like our family. I wish them lots of success and best wisher in their future endeavours.

Denise Prior
General Manager
Community Action Treks Ltd.
www.catreks.com
+44 (0)7986 372558

I have been on a number of treks organised by Bhai Tamang over the years. The level of service given from the minute you enquire about the trek to the time you are driven to Kathmandu airport to take your flight home is exceptional. Bhai goes above and beyond to tailor your trek to your needs and is always available to you to ensure your visit goes smoothly; and he does it all with a smile. His guides and porters are experienced, knowledgeable and friendly adding to your enjoyment of the trek. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Bhai Tamang and Adventure Zambuling Treks to anyone wanting to visit Nepal.

Nicola Terry
Community Action Nepal UK
Fundraising Director

Dear Bhai and Mingma,

It is several weeks since Dave and I returned from Nepal. I just wanted to give you a little personal feedback about my experience in the care of you, your staff in the office and, of course Tej and Mingma.

To put it mildly, I could not be happier with how things went. I can hardly put into words how happy you all made me! The professionalism you all showed and the kind personal attention you all gave to my comfort, safety and enjoyment could not have been greater. I felt entirely secure in the care of Tej and Mingma in the mountains and I have seldom been happier in my entire life. I was thrilled and excited by every step on a footpath, every teahouse and meal, every conversation with Tej, every cloud and mountain, lake and tree. It has taken me weeks to come to terms with it. of course, it was a joy to meet and talk to you.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. The whole experience has had a powerful affect upon me and I will be forever grateful. I might even return in 2024 with Carrie.

Please pass my thoughts on to the rest of your staff.

Love to you and your family.

Mick

I am writing this recommendation letter for the Nepalese travel company Adventure Zambuling Treks.  Bhai organised my 21 day trip including a 16 day Annapurna Base Camp trek with my guide/porter Sukman, as a solo traveller.

I can’t speak highly enough of how organised and seem-less this trip was. I was travelling without my husband for this adventure. I felt safe and heard. From the transfers to meals and accommodation, all was provided without any stress at all.

I choose this company due to its ethical work practises and previous recommendations.

A trip of a lifetime that I highly recommend.

Warm regards
Lisa Colwell 56yo Sydney Australia

Hi Bhai,

We are now both home again and have had a little time to reflect on our trip. First of all, thank you very much for all of your hard work to make it such an enjoyable time for us. It is never easy to be certain of how smoothly things can go as problems can always occur and I am sure that you will have been keeping a constant eye on everything to be ready for problems but apart from the need to leave Lukla a day earlier than planned, we thankfully encountered no difficulties. As for that change to our itinerary, you handled it very well indeed and it made our trip go much easier than it could have. So thank you from both of us and be sure that if we hear of any friends planning a Nepal trip, we will be certain to recommend CAT and you.

For the day to day running of our trek, a huge thank you must go to Sukman and to Pulber, our porter. Both of them were a great credit to Adventure Zambuling Treks and Community Action Treks.

Sukman was very attentive, always ready to help and once he realised we were both strong and experienced walkers, he was always prepared to discuss the plans with us and to propose changes if he thought they were helpful. The entire trip felt very relaxed due to his efforts and most importantly, it was always fun. He was always smiling and ready to joke and laugh with us while never forgetting his responsibilities. We cannot praise him highly enough.

Pulber was also excellent. He was a little quieter, possibly because he spoke less English, but again, after a few days, he too was more relaxed and ready to laugh and smile. He was also incredibly strong and quick and we were in awe of his ability to just keep going, day after day after day. It was lovely also that he chose to walk with us on our acclimatisation walks and also on our walk up Gokyo, even although he officially had a day off from carrying.

In summary we had an excellent trip and that it very much down to your work and to your choice of Sukman as porter and his choice of Pulber for our porter.

Thanks again

Regards
Andrew from UK

Please pass on my thanks the team we had were fantastic kind people who knew their jobs and performed them well. They were brilliant and made the experience one to remember, the students we need to work on!
CAT business partner Adventure Zambuling treks in Nepal (Bhai B. Tamang) Founder of Adventure Zambuling treks is one of the experienced person to organize all kind of treks, expedition and other activities. He and his team is highly knowledgeable and acquires required skills for trips in Nepal. He and his team are very flexible and they are ready at any time of the day to solve something if any problem arises. Imperial college has been organizing research trips to Nepal every year since 2015.

We are very thankful for the Adventure Zambuling treks team in Nepal for such a wonderful experience and for great succession of the trip as always.

Alison McGregor
(Imperial College)

In October/November 2019 a group of fifteen students (aged 14-16 years) and two members of staff from Egglescliffe School (Yarm, England) undertook a trip to the Solukhumbu District of Nepal with the assistance of Community Action Treks (part of Community Action Nepal) in the UK and Adventure Zambuling Treks Ltd in Nepal.

From the very beginning of the process of organising this adventure the experience and expertise of the staff at CAT and Zambuling was obvious. We were well informed about exactly what to do, what to take and what to expect at each stage of our adventure. Every eventuality was anticipated and prepared for. This meant that the students and their families could enjoy the build up to the trip with excitement and positive expectation.

From the moment we arrived in Kathmandu we were made to feel safe and valued. We were warmly welcomed and efficiently transported to our hotel. Bhai Tamang made sure that he met us in person and stayed with us until we were all settled and happy. He made sure that we saw the most fascinating and moving sites in the city, accompanied by an expert guide. While in Nepal Bhai took responsibility for every aspect of the logistics of travelling, from long distance bus journeys to travel by jeep and on foot. He and his team also arranged for good quality hotels and well organised camping throughout. We were also provided with plenty of tasty, hygienically prepared food, which got us through the rather demanding days of trekking in the hills.

In the field we were cared for with skill and patience by a team of Zambuling’s guides, cooks and porters. This team was brilliantly overseen by Pasang Dorje Tamang in whose very capable, cheerful and gentlemanly hands we were able to proceed with absolute confidence. All the guides spoke good English and were highly experienced in mountain navigation and first aid. The way in which this team responded to all the needs of our students and calmly dealt with any changes in weather or itinerary was deeply impressive. We felt safe, secure and confident at all times, knowing that the right choices of challenge and experience were being provided. We all quickly grew to like, trust and respect the whole Zambuling team.

The experience that our group had during our stay in Nepal was certainly memorable for all and life changing for most. The landscape and people of Nepal are extraordinary and our encounter with both was made richer and more enjoyable by the fact that we were in the hands of the dedicated, sincere and professional personnel of Zambuling Trekking. We will certainly use them again and enthusiastically recommend them to any other individuals or groups who intend to travel in Nepal.

Dear Keith

Doug is so pleased you had such a good time and that Bhai and his team looked after you so well. All of us here, especially Denise and Doug, thank you for your kind comments which is very good for everyone’s morale.

Would you mind if we quote your comments when putting together some publicity information? We will, of course, be guided by you whether you wish to remain anonymous?

Once again with sincere thanks for taking the time and trouble to let us know all went according to plan as we have been a little worried by the fuel situation and the impact on the groups out there. Having said that, here in the UK, we have complete faith in Bhai doing a simply fantastic job and looking out for everyone for whom he feels a personal responsibility whatever the situation.

With best wishes
Anne Manger
COMMUNITY ACTION NEPAL
Registered Charity No. 1067772

I have used Adventure Zambuling Treks on seven occasions since 1999 and cannot recommend them enough to anyone wishing to trek or climb in the Himalayas. Bhai and his team offer the best service, great communication, value for money, equipment, experienced guides, reliable porters and very importantly a keen eye for safety.
Major Stephen Marsh (British Army)

Hi CAT and Adventure Zambuling Treks,

I’m recovered from my journey back from Kathmandu last week, and wanted to let you all know how pleased I was with my trek around Manaslu.  Our guide Pasang Tamang did a brilliant job of keeping the show on the road every day, and the group was cheerful the whole trip.  He seemed to know someone everywhere, which opened a few doors on how people live up the valleys.  He kept me informed on the flora (identifying fruit trees, crops, wild caxxxbis et al) and fauna (spotting monkeys, blue sheep, and a pair of snow leopards crossing a snow field below us.)  Pasang and I agreed that conditions on the mountain would have to be perfect for us to have a go, and on inspection the conditions were far from that with a massive wall of ice hanging at one side of the top of the access gulley and a cornice overhanging at the other side.  Gessman Tamang the climbing Sherpa was disappointed we could not give Larke Peak a go, but pleased our decision may have saved his life when we learned that 4 hours after we passed by the mountain instead of attempting it, a wall of ice at the top of the access gulley fell off, avalanching the gulley and beyond.  Our porters Pasang Dawa and Gurung were uncomplaining even through the worst of the unexpected snowfalls on the way down from Larke La.  Mr Bhai B. Tamang did a great job of providing support, including relaying messages for CAT to keep Myra informed, bringing forward the egress transport / hotel booking, and personally taking me to the airline office to change my flights home.  In addition, when our jeep taking us to Aarughat had a problem 3 hours into the start of the trip, he immediately sent out another one, without waiting to find out if the first could be fixed (good call – it was not fixable at the roadside).  It was good to meet Denise at Dharmasala, and very interesting to hear of the Medex group’s history.  I met Phulmyra at the CAN Health Post in Lihi, and I was very impressed with her work on treatment and health education, as well as her knowledge and personal standards.
Thank-you very much for such a good service, trekking with such a good bunch,

Regards, Ian

Namaste, to all at CAT and Bhai in Kathmandu,

We are now a week home from our trek to Annapurna and would like to thank all of you involved in making this an amazing experience for us to treasure forever.  From our first enquiry of our “combination trek” with Captain Tek to our farewell to Bhai at Kathmandu airport on Friday 6th November, it couldn’t have been more perfect.

The trek itself was marvellous but made all the better by our lovely guide, Jangbu Tamang and our porter Furba Tamang.  They couldn’t have been more helpful and together with their knowledge of the area and expertise we felt very safe and looked after at all times.  We really connected with them and felt they gave us a truly authentic Nepalese experience.

Bhai greeted us at Kathmandu Airport with garlands and despite the fuel crisis never failed to make everything run smoothly.  His committment to our wellbeing was second to none.

We are now enjoying the magnificent photographs taken and wish we were back there!  Once again, thank you all at CAT.

With very best wishes,

Keith and Gill Urry

TREKKING IN THE ARUN VALLEY

Our luck was in. As bed tea arrived at about 6am we unzipped the tent to a very cold, clear morning with a light covering of snow. We were camping at Daware Phuk, the high point of our trek in the Arun Valley and the Makalu – Barun Conservation Area. It was a breath-taking setting: an expanse of high meadow used by yak herders during the summer was backed by rocky slopes covered in rhododendron bushes and fell away abruptly into a cloud- filled valley. In the distance the Kanchenjunga range loomed out of the cloud. We knew that the clouds would roll in later in the morning and obliterate the view so we were keen to get going. After breakfast we set off slowly up the hillside behind the camp site, breathing hard at the altitude of just over 4000 metres. After about an hour we reached a col which gave spectacular views of the Makalu range. This was why we had come to Nepal – to see the high peaks of the Himalayas at close quarters. Snow-covered peaks and rocky ridges were spread out in front of us against a stunning blue sky. Our guide Karna pointed out the main peaks and other features including the Shipton La, on the route to Makalu base camp. We stayed on the col for about an hour, taking photos and marvelling at the view before the clouds started to build up and we made our way back to the camp site. For most of the rest of the day we were engulfed in cloud but it didn’t really matter. We had achieved our goal.

Our trek had started from Tumlingtar about nine days previously. Initially we followed the main Makalu base camp trail, gradually gaining height as we went through small villages and towns such as Khadbari, Bhotebas and Num, their streets flanked by colourful displays of fruit and vegetables, clothes and shoes and all manner of household goods. We follow the main Makalu trail through Num and descended steeply to cross the Arun River by a suspension bridge. An interesting trail led through farmland with terraced fields until we reached the village of Jimmigaon. We left the main trail of Makalu Base camp and heading ascend to Jimigaun. We set up camp in the school grounds and were delighted to discover that an enterprising villager was opening a shop where we could purchase a much-needed beer or two.

The following day started well as the trail wound up and down through farm land and forests of birch and bamboo, crossing numerous small streams on rickety wooden bridges and logs. After lunch, however, we encountered some problems finding the right trail. This trek had not been undertaken for a good few years and in places the trail had become indistinct and overgrown, particular in places where it was not used regularly by local people. This all added to a feeling of adventure and exploration but after a very steep, long descent to cross the Iswa Khola and a slippery ascent out of the valley we were glad to set up camp at dusk near a small group of houses just outside Nurbuchaor.

For the next couple of days we walked along high ridges through magnificent rhododendron forests dripping with mosses and lichens. Beautiful flowers of all colours bordered the trail and birds called in the trees. At breaks in the forest we got excellent views of the surrounding mountains. We camped on the hillside at Taklung and the following day reached Daware Phuk (Dugure). Finding water here was quite difficult as the streams were dry but eventually a good source was found a little way from the campsite and we were able to pitch the tents and have a relaxing afternoon, giving ourselves and some of our clothes a much needed wash.

After a couple of nights at Daware Phuk we retraced our steps to Taklung and, on a day of almost continuous rain, we made our way to a meadow on a ridge not far from Walung. We were somewhat disconcerted to discover that, as darkness fell, the porter carrying the tents had got lost! The rain had brought out leeches, impressive in both their size and numbers, so we were not looking forward to having to sleep in the dining tent. After about an hour or so the errant porter was found and we spent an interesting evening ejecting leeches from our tent before settling down for the night.
The long descent to Walung through beautiful broad-leafed forests took us past a couple of Gompas festooned in brightly coloured prayer flags. On entering the village we made our way to the health centre and monastery where we received a traditional Nepali welcome. After lunch the lama gave us a tour of the monastery and we visited the health centre to learn about the work being done to improve the health of local people, particularly women and children.
Our return journey to Tumlingtar took us steeply down to the Arun River. The trail here was a bit difficult to follow in places and took us down a rather difficult and eroded gully to reach a lunch spot by the turbulent rapids of the river. Walking along the west side of the river was a very different experience to our first couple of days on the eastern side. There was no driveable road until we reached Chewabesi but we enjoyed the narrow trails through the forest with glimpses of the wild river beneath us. We saw monkeys high in the trees, huge spiders suspended in their webs in the trees and even a snake. Along the river the rice harvest was in progress and we began to encounter long mule trains laden with sacks of rice and other goods. We had three more riverside camps, at Pekhuwa, where we pitched our tents outside another health centre, at Sankhuwa, a prosperous-looking farming village and, lastly at Satighat, not far from Tumlingtar.
We had had a brilliant trek. It wasn’t our first choice – we had wanted to go to Langtang but this was impossible after the earthquakes. But we felt that it was a good introduction to trekking in Nepal, combining many different types of landscape, allowing us to see daily life in rural Nepal and taking us high into the mountains. We were well off the main trekking routes and met only local people who were delighted and interested to see us, particularly the small children.
We reached Tumlingtar only to discover that, due to the fuel shortages, there were no flights back to Kathmandu. So we went by road, a bone-shaking, hair-raising journey – but that is another story.

We are very pleased to our Nepali staffs, Guide, Cook, Sherpas, Kitchen boys and porters. They are very strong and very helpful. Many thanks to Adventure Zambuling treks pvt.ltd and guide karna who always cared during our whole trekking in Nepal.

Regards:
Ann White.