This was our second expedition with Hillary Step, having decided on a Mera Peak climb after our first trek to Mardi Himal with Hari back in Oct ’24. The trip was perfectly organized from the start, including a thorough virtual briefing a week before to ensure everything was in order.
Our senior guide, DB, was exceptional—incredibly knowledgeable about the mountains and seemingly everything else under the sun in Nepal. We also loved our porter, Utera, who was impressively fast and always ready to help. The trek began beautifully, winding through lush forests and quiet villages where we felt like we had the entire trail to ourselves.
When the trip took an unexpected turn after AMS struck at 5,000m, the coordination between DB and Hari with the lodge & insurance was incredibly assuring. Oxygen assistance and a helicopter rescue were arranged and we felt taken care of.
Since our climb ended earlier than expected, Hari and DB kindly pivoted to lead us on an alternative guided tour of the Ganesh Himal region. This was a true off-the-beaten-path experience, starting with a rugged 7-hour off-road drive. Whilst the road was precarious to say the least, we did not once feel unsafe as the driver clearly knew what he was doing. Staying at their home village of Chalish, exploring the Ruby Valley, and immersing ourselves in the local culture made for a perfect, albeit unplanned, second half of our journey.
Already missing the rhythm of the trail—the snow-capped horizons, the Mani walls, the Sherpa-run lodges, and of course, the daily diet of dhal bhat and Thukpa. Beyond the landscapes, it’s the genuine company of the team that stays. We’ll definitely be back for a third trip . Outstanding service and even better people.
