The Mountain Company

02/08/2024

Today we sent out our August 2024 e-Newsletter ✅ and you can read it on the link below. Find out about our Summer & Autumn/ Fall 2024 trips 👣, Our Reviews on Trustpilot and AITO ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, and plans for 2025 🚶🏔. Link to view the e-newsletter 👉👉 https://bit.ly/3yoAa2T

03/07/2024

Today we sent out our July 2024 e-Newsletter ✅, if you are not on our newsletter list you can read it on the link below. Find out how our uber remote Upper Dolpo and Far West Nepal GHT treks went in May/ June 2024, Updated Annapurna Circuit itinerary, Pakistan Treks in 2025 plus Planting Trees. Link to view the e-newsletter 👉👉 https://bit.ly/3W95Ouc

01/07/2024

We recommend you read this excellent article written by Natalie (known as Nat) Wilson called "Trekking in Bhutan - Taking On The Lunana Snowman" published on UKClimbing.com. Nat led our Lunana Snowman trek in Autumn 2022. FYI we have a guaranteed departure for the Lunana Snowman trek in Autumn 2024. The link is at

It may not be the toughest trek in the world, as sometimes claimed, but it's up there with the greatest. Join Natalie Wilson on this month-long journey along herder's trails high in the...

21/06/2024

In April 2024, Roland Hunter did a reconnaissance trek 👀 on the Annapurna Circuit trek 👣 in Nepal 🇳🇵. He explored the New Annapurna Trekking Trails "NATT" off the road from Marpha (a short drive from Jomsom) down to the hot springs at Tatopani.

The NATT trail mostly follows the East bank of the Kali Gandaki away from the road 🚌 that follows the West bank. This is a very scenic trail with mountain views 🏔 and traditional Thakali villages like Chimang. The highlight of this section is the day walk to Dhaulagiri Icefall (3,700m), one of the best mountain viewpoints in the Annapurna region. In practice, there are very few trekkers following this trail and Roland did not see any at all until reaching Ghasa.

We have recently updated our Annapurna Circuit webpage 🖥 based on his findings from recently walking this trail. The other change is that at the start of the trip, we now drive 🚙 to Dharapani (rather than driving to Jagat and walking to Dharapani). As it is too far to drive safely from Kathmandu to Dharapani in one day we break the journey by staying the night 😴 at the Gateway Himalayan Resort in Besisahar.

In our view, the Annapurna Circuit is still a superb trek and well worth doing 👍 . Although it is important to follow an itinerary that has been adapted to the ever-changing conditions in the hills of Nepal. We have a guaranteed departure ✅ starting in Kathmandu on October 26th, 2024 if you are interested, the link to this webpage is at 👉👉 https://bit.ly/3xrM6Ax

06/06/2024

Today we sent out our June 2024 e-Newsletter ✅, if you are not on our newsletter list you can read it on the link below. Find out about how our Spring 2024 season went/ is going, Roland's recce treks to Annapurna and Everest regions, our Summer and Autumn 2024 treks 👣 plus Roland's FKT from Lukla to EBC. Link to view the e-newsletter 👉👉 https://bit.ly/4aYFd7G

16/05/2024

📣News flash from our MD Roland Hunter 📣

After my trek 👣 in the Everest region with Billi Bierling I had a few days before I had to get back to Kathmandu. So I pondered how to fill this time? I was inspired by Kirra Balmanno's project in May 2023 of running🏃‍♀️from Lukla to Everest Base Camp 🙌. Perhaps I should give it a go too! 🤔

I was acclimatised and had recovered well from the 100-mile Manjushree Trail Race around the Kathmandu Valley at the end of March. I would probably not get this opportunity again so I quickly made the decision to go for it! 🚀

My motivation for this run was out of personal curiosity and to also enjoy the time moving fast in the mountains 🏔️. I knew the Fastest Known Time (FKT) was 11 hours and 1 minute. I thought going faster was possible but that would only be the icing on the cake 🍰.

At 4.21am of May 13th, I left Lukla in the pouring rain ☔. I got to Namche Bazaar in around 3 hours in spite of delays such as waiting for a long line of horses 🐎 🐎 to cross the Hillary Bridge. The trail was a bit slippery (chiplo bhato 🇳🇵) but living in Dartmoor National Park 🇬🇧 I am used to rain and mud so I felt at home 🏠.

After Namche Bazaar I pushed on and I did not look at my watch ⌚ again. I felt like I was moving well and really enjoying my experience 😊.

I had a wonderful surprise at Pheriche where I was met by owner of who put out food, water, and coffee ☕ like an aid station on an ultra running event. Ang Chhutin is a runner too and won the Everest marathon in 2014 👏👏. She heard about my run via the Khumbu grapevine 🍇 (Colin Bruce). Many thanks to both of you 🙏.

I ran🏃‍♂️past Lobuche and Gorakshep to arrive at EBC at 2.44pm so taking 10 hours 23 minutes from Lukla. I am delighted to get the new FKT! On getting back to Lukla I was greeted by Mingma Sherpa Chairman of Pasang Lamu Rural Municipality known as the Mayor of Lukla Mingma Sherpa and Ang Phurba an elected member of local government. It was an honour when Mingma gave me a Kata scarf as congratulations 🎉. I enjoyed our discussions about tourism in the Khumbu. Keep up the good work 👍.

I would like to give a huge thanks to friends, family, and Sherpa friends who supported me along the way 🙏.

28/04/2024

Today we sent out our May 2024 e-Newsletter ✅, if you are not on our newsletter list you can read it on the link below. Find out about our Dhaulagiri Icefall and Everest recces for Spring 2024 👀 and our trips for Summer and Autumn 2024 👣. Link to view the e-newsletter 👉👉 https://bit.ly/3Qobnlg

17/04/2024

This is the video 🎥 of a panoramic 360-degree view from the Dhaulagiri Icefall viewpoint (3,600m) 🔭 on the Annapurna Circuit trek 👣 in Nepal 🇳🇵. In April 2024, Roland did a recce trek 👀 to check the trail on the Annapurna Circuit away from the road 🚌. He followed the East bank of Kali Gandaki from Jomsom to Tatopani. From Kokhethanti there is a superb day walk up to Dhaulagiri Icefall at 3,600m where you can see Dhaulagiri 1🗻, Dhaulagiri Icefall, Mount Nilgiri 🗻, and Annapurna 1 🗻. We incorporate the day walk up to Dhaulagiri Icefall into our Annapurna Circuit itinerary. Enjoy and trek on! 🙏

The link to YouTube is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1n41Wb_k_8

In April 2024, Roland from The Mountain Company did a recce trek to check the trekking trail on the Annapurna Circuit away from the road. He followed the Eas...

14/04/2024

Day 3 (April 14th. 2024) of Roland's recce trek 🚶to find the quieter trails away from the road on the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal 🇳🇵. The day started with a walk through pine trees to T**i Lake with more amazing views of Dhaulagiri 1 🏔️ (although today was more cloudy ☁️ than yesterday).

From the lake I descended to Kunjo village that has Mount Nilgiri 🏔️ towering over it. It would be a very impressive view on a clear day! I continued my plan of following the trail on the East bank of Kali Gandaki. After Jhipra Deurali, the trail is narrow and there are no villages as it winds its way through bamboo. It feels remote especially when there is a sign saying be aware of wildlife 🐯🐆🐗!

Today I was unable to follow the East bank the whole way as there is a steep section with a recent landslide. There is no trail here although interestingly it is marked on the map. From here there is a new bridge 🌉 to Ghasa on the West side. In fact this would work well for the trek itinerary as we can stay at a teahouse lodge in this village. Shortly after leaving Ghasa I crossed on a bridge 🌉 back over to the East bank and followed it the whole way apart from a short section on the road just before Tatopani. Therefore overall I have walked on the East bank 95% of the time since leaving Jomsom.

I am staying in the Dhaulagiri Lodge in Tatopani with a lush green garden 🪴🌿🌱🌻. I started this morning at an altitude of 2,500m and Tatopani is at 1,190m. I walked 35km and ascended 945m ⬆️. This is a double day as our groups would do this in two days with an overnight Ghasa.

14/04/2024

Day 1 (April 12th, 2024) of Roland's recce trek of the East side of the Kali Gandaki valley on the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal 🇳🇵. The plan is to check the new trail on the side of the valley away from the road 🚍🚘 (that used to be the old trekking trail).

I had mountain views of Dhaulagiri 🏔️, Nilgiri 🏔️ and Annapurna South 🏔️. I walked through traditional Thakali villages and also a Tibetan resettlement camp at Chhairo. I saw several large monasteries and small village gompas along the way. The cash crop around here is apples 🍎🍎 and several were in blossom 🌸. Along the trail there are pine and fir trees 🌲🌲 given it an Alpine feel. I did not see any other trekkers 🚶🚶‍♀️ after leaving Jomsom! A great day of trekking 👍

13/04/2024

Day 2 (April 13th, 2024) of Roland's recce trek 🚶 to find quieter trails away from the road 🚌 on the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal 🇳🇵. Today I walked from the lodge at Kokhethanti to Dhaulagiri Icefall viewpoint (3,500m) and to Sekung Lake. The distance is 15km and ascent of 1,400m ⬆️.

This was a superb day walk and probably one of the best trails I have ever done in the Himalayas 🙌. The trail started in pine forest 🌲 then climbed up through rhododendrons in flower 🌹 then up into stands of bamboo. There were lots of alpine flowers 🌼🌸🌺 such as primula, poppy leaves and irises. Higher up into the alpine there was juniper, azalea, seabuckthorn and grasses.

At Dhaulagiri icefall viewpoint 🔭 there is an incredible mountain panoramic view! 360 degree views of the highest mountains 🏔️ in the world including Dhaulagiri 1, Nilgiri and Annapurna 1. Again like yesterday I did not see any other trekkers 🚶 and I am the only person staying at the lodge. I got back for lunch and had the typical Nepalese dish of egg and chips 🤣 although looking forward to dal bhat for supper tonight 👍.

03/04/2024

Today we sent out our April 2024 e-Newsletter ✅, if you are not on our newsletter list you can read it on the link below. Find out about our Recce Plans for Spring 2024 👀, Our Groups in Nepal and Bhutan for Spring 2024, and Camping Treks for Summer and Autumn 2024 👣. Link to view the e-newsletter 👉👉 https://bit.ly/43Kt4kD

01/03/2024

Today we sent out our March 2024 e-Newsletter ✅, if you are not on our newsletter list you can read it on the link below. Find out about When To Trek in Nepal? 🌞, Our Guide Training in Kathmandu, and our guaranteed trips for 2024 👣. Link to view the e-newsletter 👉👉 https://bit.ly/3wLME3i

01/02/2024

Today we sent out our February 2024 e-Newsletter ✅, if you are not on our newsletter list you can read it on the link below. Find out about our improved itinerary for Ladakh Sky Trail, 2024 Treks Status 👣, and our AITO and TrustPilot Reviews 🧐. Link to view the e-newsletter 👉👉 https://bit.ly/3OsXcdL

06/01/2024

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and welcome to 2024✨! We hope you had a fantastic festive break and are looking forward to the exciting experiences that await you this year. If you haven't done one of our treks yet, make this the year to try one 👍
Today we sent out our January 2024 e-Newsletter ✅, if you are not on our newsletter list you can read it on the link below. Find out about our 2024 treks in the Himalayas 🇳🇵🇧🇹 and Karakoram 🇵🇰, Our Blog article called When Is the Best Time to Go Trekking 👣 in the Nepal Himalayas 🏔, and YouTube video of the Pikey Peak Sky Race 50km in Nepal 🇳🇵. Link to view the e-newsletter 👉👉 https://bit.ly/3tENHkH

08/12/2023

Today we sent out our December 2023 e-Newsletter ✅, if you are not on our newsletter list you can read it on the link below. Find out about our Autumn 2023 trekking season in Nepal 🇳🇵 plus Trip Reports for Dhaulagiri Circuit and Kanchenjunga GHT, Saribung Expedition and Bhutan 🇧🇹 Treks in 2024 👣 and Planting Trees in Nepal with Pipal Tree. Link to view the e-newsletter 👉👉https://bit.ly/47O6SHr

21/11/2023

Today we sent out our November 2023 e-Newsletter ✅, if you are not on our newsletter list you can read it on the link below. Find out about how our Autumn 2023 trekking season in Nepal 🇳🇵, our treks for 2024 👣 and Exploring Remote Pakistan🇵🇰 with Ade Summers in July 2024. Link to view the e-newsletter 👉👉https://bit.ly/40MTe4A

07/11/2023

A few weeks ago I (Roland) entered the first edition of the Pikey Peak Ultra 55km Sky Race in Nepal 🇳🇵. It was one of the best experiences I have had running in the mountains. I am still buzzing!

The trip started with a 12 hour jeep ride 🚘 from Kathmandu. It was fun to share the ride with other runners heading to Phaplu (2,413m). This is located in the lower Everest region known as the Solu Khumbu.

After the trek briefing we got an early night staying in one the teahouse lodges. We started the race at 6am the next morning 🌄. It was great to warm up by starting the route descending to the river. After crossing the bridge we started the long climb to Pikey Peak 🏔️ (4,065m).

After a while the runners spread out a bit and I fell in step with a Nepalese runner called . As it turned out from there on we ran the whole race together (along with Jangbu Sherpa on the ascent). I was very fortunate to run with Anita. Great teamwork and very grateful for the company! Thanks 🙏.

The Pikey Peak trail has it all! Incredible mountain 🏔️🏔️ views from Pikey Peak including Mount Everest and Mount Numbur (holy mountain of the Sherpas). Lower down we ran through beautiful forest🌳🌲, through the Sherpa village of Junbesi and to Thupten Choeling Monastery

The kilometres clicked by and from Ringmo village it was rather nice to follow a jeep track after some rocky technical descents earlier on descending from Pikey Peak. After detouring past Chiwong Monastery we ran past the airstrip at Phaplu before the final stretch to the finish 🏁. Yay 😊

Anita was the first 🥇 woman finisher coming 5th overall and I came in 6th. That said it was a small field of only 22 or so runners!

Thanks very much 🙏 to the organisers and to all of the volunteers helping out. It was such a privilege to run on this beautiful trail. I will be back to run it again! 🤞

04/10/2023

Today we sent out our October 2023 e-Newsletter ✅, if you are not on our newsletter list you can read it on the link below. Find out about how our Autumn 2023 trekking season in Nepal 🇳🇵 is going so far, our exciting camping treks for 2024 👣 and also our Trip Report for Ladakh Sky Trail GHT trek 🇮🇳 in August 2023. Link to view the e-newsletter 👉👉https://bit.ly/3Q5pE6Y

27/09/2023

Thanks 🙏 to The Rough Guide to Nepal 🇳🇵 (2023 edition) for the mention in their section "Specialist agents and tour operators".

They describe The Mountain Company as "Aimed mainly at experienced trekkers, this company offers some of the most exciting routes in Nepal."

We appreciate the write up 👍 and they are spot on about our camping style treks ⛺ exploring remote trails in the mountains 🏔️ of Nepal 🇳🇵. However we also arrange moderate treks including staying at luxury lodges 🏠.

This is a great guidebook 📖 and one of our favourites for pre-trip research before travelling to Nepal 🤓. Trek on 👣

11/09/2023

Today we have written the Trip Report for our Ladakh Sky Trail GHT 🇮🇳 trek 👣 led and organised by Almas Khan in August/ September 2023. You can out how they got along in the News section of our website at https://bit.ly/3LjCnjg

07/09/2023

Thanks to Almas Khan for these stunningly beautiful photos 📷.

Our Ladakh Sky Trail GHT group in India 🇮🇳 led and organised by Almas successfully completed this trek last week. This is the 8th time that Almas has led this trek! Our Ladakh Sky Trail GHT is a camping-style trek that is rarely done by other trekking groups due to its remoteness and logistical challenges. Well done to all of the trekkers 👣 and huge thanks to Almas and his Ladakhi trek crew 🙏.

The trek went well 👍 and they successfully trekked 🚶 down the narrow river gorge section. They had over 120 river crossings from the camp at Zangla Sumdo (Day 13) until the camp at Kumara Sumdo (Day 16). After trekking for 22 days, they finished the trek at Tso Moriri Lake. I will write a Trip Report on our website in due course with more details.

Almas and his trek crew collected 17kg of rubbish left by other groups and carried this out on our ponies for disposal in Leh.

Almas will lead our Ladakh Sky Trail GHT next Summer too, please get in touch with us if interested in joining this group. Trek on!

01/09/2023

Today we sent out our September 2023 e-Newsletter ✅, if you are not on our newsletter list you can read it on the link below. Find out about our upcoming Autumn 2023 trekking season in Nepal 🇳🇵, Changes to the Bhutan 🇧🇹 visa (again!), Our uber remote camping treks in the Spring 2024 season in Nepal 🇳🇵 plus more about our busy Summer 2023 👣. Link to view the e-newsletter 👉👉 https://bit.ly/45Vvi0v

27/08/2023

Good news 📣 coming out of Bhutan 🇧🇹! The SDF/ Bhutan visa saga that has been going on for the last year has finally been resolved with confirmation recently of US$100 cost per day until 31 August 2027. This compares with US$65 pre-Covid and this was increased to US$200 last year. In 2022 and 2023, we refused to sell trips to Bhutan at a visa cost of US$200 per day as we felt it was very poor value for money 💰.

It has been a bit confusing as you might recall another SDF incentive was brought in at the end of May 2023. This was rather complicated as it depended on the number of days you were in Bhutan. Also, it was only valid until December 31st, 2024. The recent incentive is a simpler and fairer way of going about reducing the visa costs. They got there in the end but the sad reality is that Bhutan has lost two years of tourist revenue since Covid.

We welcome this decision on the SDF and it will be helpful if you are planning a trip as this gives you more certainty. Bhutan will always be more expensive than other destinations. Since it opened to tourists they have been following the high-value, low-volume approach. We think that having a visa cost of US$100 per day is about right and what we suggested right from the start!

More information at 👉👉https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/travel/bhutan-slashes-daily-tourist-fee-by-half-in-bid-to-attract-more-visitors-101693038655455.html

The other good news is that Druk Air ✈️ has signed an agreement with Turkish Airways. This means that you can fly via Istanbul to Paro and tag your bags all the way. This should avoid the need to spend an overnight stay in Delhi, Kathmandu, or Bangkok before flying in and flying out of Paro.

With these recent announcements, we are positive again about trekking in Bhutan and are excited to restart our operations in the country 🙏. Trek on!

Bhutan to halve tourist fee to $100 per night in an effort to boost struggling tourism sector.

03/08/2023

Today we sent out our August 2023 e-Newsletter ✅, if you are not on our newsletter list you can read it on the link below. Read up about the following: Bhutan treks in 2024 🇧🇹, Remote camping treks ⛺️ in Nepal 🇳🇵 late Spring 2024, K2 Base Camp & Gondogoro La 🇵🇰 July/ August 2023 group, and Autumn 2023 season 👣 in Nepal 🇳🇵. Link to view the e-newsletter 👉👉 https://bit.ly/47iYrUQ

31/07/2023

Good news👍📢! Our K2 Base Camp group successfully crossed the Gondogoro La pass (5,560m) 🏔 on Saturday, July 29th. The weather has been mixed this Summer, with some rainy days 🌧, some cloudy days ☁️ and some bright spells 🌞 too (often all in one day!).

Having spoken to our leader, Mal Thomas@mal_in_the_mountains over the weekend on the satellite phone ☎️, it sounds like there was quite a bit of snow ❄️❄️ on the descent of the pass. This is unusual for the end of July as our previous groups have always encountered dry conditions as they abseiled/ rapelled down the pass.

I also heard that our K2 Base Camp & Concordia group have finished their trek 🚶 down the Baltoro having arrived in the village of Askole today. Mal and his Gondogoro La team drove from Hushe village to Skardu 🚙 today and the Concordia team will drive from Askole to Skardu 🚙 tomorrow. Both groups should meet up tomorrow at the Concordia Hotel in Skardu, inshallah 🙏!

Well done 👏👏 to both groups for achieving their objectives of trekking to K2 Base Camp ✅ plus for some crossing the Gondogoro La ✅. Once we get a debrief from Mal and obtain feedback from the group then we will write a Trip Report in the News section of our website. Trek on!

26/07/2023

We heard good news today that a new UK-based airline called Himalaya Jet is planning to fly direct from UK, France, and Germany to Kathmandu starting later this year. Promotional fares in October start from £499. It will be interesting to see how this goes and their level of service however these fares are incredible value (about 50% compared to flying Qatar Airways). Plus a direct flight will save time compared to having a layover at a Middle Eastern airport. More information at

A new UK based airline HIMALAYA JET has announced it will offer £499 promo return fare from UK to Nepal starting in Dashain!

17/07/2023

This morning our K2 Base Camp group flew ✈️ from Islamabad to Skardu in northern Pakistan 🇵🇰. As you can see in the photos the Indus River flows next to the town of Skardu and it is a stunningly beautiful place 💚

In the past, we used to drive 🚌 the Karakoram Highway (known as the KKH) to Skardu taking two days. It is a spectacular drive but prone to delays from landslides. These days, due to operational improvements the Skardu flight is more reliable and less likely to be cancelled due to bad weather.

When the group landed in Skardu this morning, they would have noticed how different the landscape is from Islamabad. As the Gilgit-Baltistan region (formerly known as The Northern Areas) is further north beyond the Himalayan range including Nanga Parbat 🏔️ it is in a rain shadow so gets much less precipitation. It is a dry and arid place with splashes of green in the valleys where there is irrigation from the snow melt flowing down from the mountains. However, it is certainly possible to get rain 🌧️, and when it does flash floods can occur due to the lack of trees and vegetation.

As usual, some of our trekkers will walk🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️ back down the Baltoro after reaching K2 Base Camp and the others will cross the Gondogoro La 🏔️ to Hushe village. Our international leader is Malcolm Thomas and our Pakistani guide is Bashir.

So far all is going well and our K2 Base Camp group will drive 🚗 to Askole village tomorrow. The jeep track is narrow in places as built into the steep sides of the Braldu river gorge. If all goes to plan tomorrow then they will start walking on Wednesday morning.

I hope they have a great trek in the Karakoram mountains, inshallah! 🙏

03/07/2023

Today we sent out our July 2023 e-Newsletter ✅, if you are not on our newsletter list you can read it on the link below. Read up about the following: Planting trees 🌳🌳 in Nepal with the Pipal Tree charity, Autumn 2023 & Spring 2024 trekking 👣 seasons in Nepal 🇳🇵 & Bhutan 🇧🇹, and Roland on Instagram 📸. Link to view the e-newsletter 👉👉 https://bit.ly/44qZOOW

07/06/2023

Today we sent out our June 2023 e-Newsletter ✅, if you are not on our newsletter list you can read it on the link below. Read up about the following: Trekking in Bhutan 🇧🇹 is back! Tweaking dates for optimal conditions & Treks 👣 for Autumn 2023 and Spring 2024. Link to view the e-newsletter 👉👉https://bit.ly/42qmbCQ