From the moment we arrived at Kathmandu airport, we felt like we were visiting friends. Karna warmly welcomed us with marigold lays, drove us to a charming hotel and in the morning we started visiting the Kathmandu Valley with a knowledgeable guide. Prior to starting the Annapurna Trek, we saw all the mandatory historical and cultural sites, with all the rides and meals organized for us. I read that roads, and flights inside of Nepal are unpredictable, and it was a great relief, not to have to worry about delays, because somebody else took care of everything. For example, our flight to Pokhara was delayed, which could interfere with our itinerary, yet Jayram, our guide, organized transportation to make up for the lost time, so that the next morning, everything was back on schedule.
The trek itself was beautiful, gradually ascending through Himalayan valleys, until we arrived at the Annapurna Base Camp. Every day, the views were spectacular, each day, unique, and different from the previous one. Our guide and porters, Kishor and Vijaya, took care of us, as if in every lodge they were welcoming us in their own homes. In the end, I don’t know what made the biggest impression on me: the grandeur of the mountains, the clarity of the sky or the care of the Nepali people. Overall, it was a great cultural adventure."