Kiran Tamang

19/02/2025

This would be an understatement to say that this trek wasn't full of surprises. This was a test to our limits, our humble trekker from Germany and a non chalant guide from Nepal.

Reaching Everest Base Camp after 3 days of flight cancellations and an equally dramatic return journey that saw us covering about 54kms worth of trail from Lobuche to Namche and Namche to Surke, followed by 16 hours Jeep ride to Kathmandu isn't really recommended but as they say its not for the faint of heart. It took every bit of optimism, patience and resilience to defy the limits we placed on ourselves.

Never the less, if you would ask me, I would do this all over again. In all honesty, I have got mixed opinions regarding Everest but indeed the mountains are beautiful. For many this is a lifetime dream and I am absolutely priviledged to have my opinions and opportunity to be able to experience these majestic Himalayas shaping the memories of people who entrust me with their dreams to be on the lap of the Chomolungma.

To my friend Jan, you were an absolute trooper and I admire you for your tenacity and persverance appreciating you for your trust in my unconventional planning.

Until next time.

28/09/2024

Travel Advisory:

Due to the severe weather and rainfalls, most of the regional airports remains closed with heavy uncertainty of air-travel (cancellations and long delays) along with the risky conditions of flying.

Major highways are blocked due to landslides and almost all the road to trail heads for majority of trekking is severely impacted. Strongly advise to postpone all the trekking activities atleast till 6th-7th of October till things get back to acceptable normality.

We have had at least 66 deaths and 69 missing on the last 72 hours, majority of them due to landslides and flash floods. Hence, a strong caution is advised against starting your trek for the next couple of days.

📷 Ratopati
(Landslide buries bus and microbus with 14 fatalities 28th September 2024 in Prithvi Highway)

04/08/2024

Something special about this place, away from the masses and nestled in its own grandeur, Kanchenjunga.

Every now and then, I long to be back at this place. Seems a too farfetched this Autumn, but if you are interested, why not?

26/07/2024

A perfect escape in the form of an adventure awaits you.

Sparse trekkers whilst you have the trails all to yourself, it is perfect for travelers looking for solitude and a different experience. I particularly like arranging the treks to the Annapurna Circuit in early and late season for the aforementioned reason. For Autumn 2024, Late September to Early October and Late November to Early December is a perfect time to check this trek off your bucket lists.

With change in weather patterns, the arrival of peak winter has started to delay and though steming from the effects of climate change, this has meant that the trek is accessible possibly throughout the year. Having said that, I will be returning to the Annapurnas on early October departing at 7th and returning by October 18th. So, if the date matches for yourself or may be your friends, please do let me know.

p.s. this is a confirmed departure and I am leading rather a small group and we are happy to have additional company.

13/07/2024

Trekking in monsoon has its own perks with the beautiful hide and seek of clouds and the mountains. Usually implying less crowd and the landscape all to yourself, Annapurna Circuit Trek is an accessible destination in this season.

Given adequate research and knowledge of enroute road and trail situations, local weather updates and teashop contacts along with adequate buffer time to account for alternative routes and itinerary deviation, Annapurna Circuit Trek along with other treks such as Langtang Valley or Makalu Barun is accessible and welcomes you with open arms.

Often mislabeled as off-season, there are destinations like these which would contribute highly for "low season" movement of tourism. So if you are one who doesn't mind a little rain and 'leeches' on the trail, welcome to Annapurna.

Last but not the least, there would be inherent risks travelling and trekking in this season. Knowledge of flash floods, landslide prone areas, vulnerable trekking trails, rockfall sections, etc. should always accompany your motivation.

29/06/2024

Kanchenjunga - The Spirit of the Himalayas

The trek where it all started for me and inspired me to be in this profession. I have been incredibly luck and grateful to have seen one of the most beautiful landscapes of Nepal and yet, there is no place like the grandeur of Kanchenjunga that feels like home. When they say, 'Home is where your heart is' I often relapse on moments spent traversing the region.

And I know it is just not about nature, neither it is just about mountains. There is this inarticulable charm of this region that comes from the natives of this land. You feel like a family and you eventually become one, may be not of blood by bond of brotherhood. This region and its people welcomes everyone with smiles and open arms. In the years of trekking, this region always has a special place in my heart and in all my arduous adventures, I long to be back on this place with every chance that I get.

This post surprisingly became about myself as I started writing my emotions for the region. However, I believe, you would feel the same emotions if and when you are in this region, amidst the mountains and its people, lost and transcendent in the journey of rediscovering yourself as you embark in this trek.

p.s. the photographs were taken on the last trek of Spring 2024 by my dear friend Anya Gupta and let me tell you again, the pictures don't provide justice to what you actually see with your eyes.

26/06/2024

A beautiful conclusion of the spring 2024 on the backdrops of Annapurna with the phenomenal human beings who allowed me to shape and share their wonderful memories.

Reflecting on the travel blues, this could have been very well the most transformative that I personally felt amongst any other trek with the long discussions that inspired me to reflect within.

Promising that our paths would cross again from the Alpines of Annapurna to the tropics of Chitwan, this was indeed all about and possible with and by the people that I travelled with.

17/06/2024

Hi everyone

Having trekked with multitude of people from different countries and conditions, I believe, over the years I have the experience and knowledge to impart the intricacies of trekking in the Himalayas for our fellow trekkers, outdoor enthusiasts and holiday makers who are looking up for information online but are only met by the websites fed by the trekking and travel agencies. The information is limited and it is understandably stressfull and overwhelming to embark on the trip without.

Hence I would like to answer and advise to all your questions and queries but not limited to
1. Itineraries and Cost Details
2. How to get around ? Travel and Transportation Options
Expected Price and Service
3. Issues of Connectivity/ Sim Cards
4. Things Not to Miss or Side Treks
5. Risks of Trekking in High Altitude Trekking, preventive and curative medications
6. Gears and Equipments; Whether to Rent or Purchase or Where to get them, What do you need and What can you expect
7. Weather Situation and Local updates
Recommendations of Service Providers based on the anecdotes of other trekkers
8. Overall Planning and Getting Started
9.Remote Treks or Off The Beaten Paths destinations
And more.

I have created an online appointments via Google Calendar https://calendar.app.google/uyBuBEoTH8oSw29r7
which is active from 20th June to 30th of June on different time slots, where we can discuss together and provide you the information to the best of my knowledge and experience. The online appointment shall be through Google Meet and hence, it would be extremely helpful if you mention which trek are you embarking on or interests you.

Please note that this does not entail any forms of soliciation of my services and you don't have to feel pressured at all to commit to my offers. So, feel free to reach out to me even if you have already booked your treks, I would be happy to lend you my suggestions if I believe it creates more value to your experience.
Looking forward to hearing from you.

Kind Regards,
Kiran Tamang
+9779862212123 (Whatsapp)
[email protected]

08/05/2024

Its nothing but a priviledge to be in these beautiful landscapes, pristine nature and majestic Himalayas with people you cherish and who is critically on the same level of craziness for the beauty of the outdoors with you.

This trek to Kanchenjunga was special in its own sense of complications paired with overwhelming grandeur of Kanchenjunga. They say in our line of work, "Everything will be fine, until it won't be" and I believe, it is as in these moments you have to rise to fulfill your responsibility and take accountability to safeguard the experience of the trip and wellbeing of those who are travelling with you, trusting you with their greatest asset 'Time' and 'Health'.

Having said that, it is equally important to be around with the right team of people who believes in you. Since, I have always said that, "This landscape will never change and its always about the people you are travelling with". I would like to express my immense gratitude for this wonderful opportunity time and again, immensely hoping that Kanchenjunga (Spirit of the Himalayas) bestows nothing but love, prosperity and well wishes for the people that came from oceans apart to admire her.

07/05/2024

It has been an absolute pleasure to traverse this majestic trails to Annapurna Base Camp.

Hailed as one of the most beautiful and short treks (7-8 days) that the Annapurna region has to offer, the beautiful forest trails and villages of Chomrong and Ghandruk, are the perfect place to blend in the culture of Gurung people.

The beauty of this profession is the people we meet which sometimes is as valuable as the landscape and nature. Thank you Milica Borisavljevic, Mihailo, Milo and Andrea for letting me be the part of this journey and teaching me the wonderful things about your home and your country. It has been an absolute pleasure. Until next time with love from Nepal.

09/03/2024

About time, we witness this surge to Kanchenjunga. The question of managing it sustainably should begin as of yesterday.

As one of the last remaining trekking destination untouched by roads and jeeps, the pristine nature of this destination provides one of the most authentic trekking experience in Nepal himalayas.

The number of tourists visiting Kanchenjunga area has witnessed a recent surge.

05/03/2024

Ghunsa, a beautiful alpine village lying at 3475m is the heart of Kanchenjunga trekking. This is the final permanent settlement of Sherpa ethnic communities before commencing our journey to Khambachen to Lhonak and onto North Base Camp (Pangpema). Througout the history, people of Ghunsa participated in agriculture (mainly Potato, Millet and Animal Husbandry) and trading of natural herbs.

With the introduction of Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, Ghunsa has held itself as the main tourist hub of the region. Ghunsa has its own micro-hydropower and thus, it might surprise you to see this remote village glimmering on night lights and few luxuries of the trek including freshly brewed coffee, baked cakes, cell phone communication and hot showers through electric water heaters.

While we are on it, lets meet the awesome family of Jannu Guest House where we would spend atleast 3 nights whilst on the trek. It is a small family run teahouse filled with warmth and kindness inspiring the meaning of Eastern hospitality at its best. Engaging in timeless stories of the region of Yaks and Yetis, this teahouse is now slowly being led by the 2nd generation of Ghunsa's youth who are well traversed and excited to promote the lands they grew up on.

04/03/2024

Talk about the first experience of walking across the suspension bridge, seeing the cascading Marsyangdi river gushing down with all its rage.

Fun fact: Nepal has over 10000 of these kind of suspension/trail bridges. These are the pivotal infrastructure that makes our rugged landscape accessible for villagers and visitors alike.

Our journey diverts from Chyamche to catch this section of the trail (Annapurna Circuit) before reaching the village of Tal, officially entering Manang district. Might I tell you about the pesky leeches that you encounter on the trail. The trek in late monsoon has its fair share of excitement. Lush greenery playing hide and seek with rain clouds and lovely people that you meet along the way.

29/02/2024

Exploring Ghorepani; a majestic stop over as a part of Annapurna Sanctuary and our final day amidst the Annapurna Circuit trek before heading back to Pokhara.

As a hillstation, Poonhill is a perfect spot to summarise the entirety of Annapurna trek by soaking in the grandeur of the beautiful Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, where we spent nearly 10 days walking on the laps of these majestic wonders of Nature.

Nowadays, jeep service available from Tatopani has attracted large no of domestic tourists to this previously known gem of Annapurna Sanctuary giving us the mixed feelings of whether to position this destination within our itinerary. However, the mesmerizing views makes it a beautiful conclusion to our chapter of Annapurna Circuit.

26/02/2024

As you see the timeless marvel of nature that unfolds in front of your eyes, you manifest the most rewarding experience of your life. Enduring the extremes, your mind stays focused on the steps ahead and for a brief period of time, you forget about your past and you would not worry about your future. You would be living deeply in the moment and for that instance, its only one more step that matters.

In uncommon of ways, your mind is free, filled with serenity. For that moment, you are only with yourself and your happiness. That is why, it is as much a spiritual journey. Nature heals you in unconventional ways.

Annapurna Diaries
Kiran

23/02/2024

An impromptu invitation to attend the wedding ceremony in the village of Ghunsa. We embarked on the trek to North Base Camp joking about the wedding ceremony that was taking place in the village and how awesome would it be to attend the event.

None the less, as we cut short out 4 day time into 3 as we skipped a rest stop and directly pushed to Lhonak followed by the trip to Pangpema, we descended down quite weary from the cold and long hours we had endured. As we got into the relatively warmth of Ghunsa, all of us were looking forward to the hot shower and coffee & cakes. That's right, the lone coffee and cake house famously known as Dzongla Family House sells the most delicious of Chocolate and Coffee cakes along with freshly brewed coffee. Even better, the wedding ceremony was of the owner of this teahouse and kindly invited us.

What followed was a small glimpse of hospitality that the Eastern Nepal is known for. Being the last group of trekkers for the region, the evening started with some 'Tonbga' a fermented millet wine and culminated into the cocktail of beers, whiskey and rum. Culturally, this was a profound experience as we observed the rituals and dances of local Sherpa people where the whole village participated. This was indeed once in a lifetime experience. Could not have asked for more. Until next time Ghunsa, now you know, where my love for Eastern Himalayas stems from. It feels like a home away from home.

22/02/2024

Enroute Mt. Jannu (7710m) View Point, an excellent acclimitisation hike from Khambachhen (4180m) to View Point (approx. 4600m). Part of Kanchenjunga Massif, Mt. Jannu is 32nd highest mountain in the world and known as one of the most technically challenging mountain to summit.

The first summit of Mt. Jannu was by the British expedition of 1962 led by Lionel Terray. The locals believe that the true peak of Mt. Jannu can never be conquered as its the abode of Spirit of the Himalayas and more importantly the ancestral spiritual path for Limbu community. Ginettee Harrison from UK became the first woman to summit Mt. Jannu in 1998.

This is an special day amidst Kanchenjunga Circuit trek, as we traverse up along the Jannu Glacier moraine to reach the view point and the symbolic temple of Phaktanglung. This day prepares us to adapt for the day to follow in Lhonak (4800m) and next to North Base Camp (Pangpema) of the majestic Mt. Kanchenjunga. There are not any teahouses enroute so packed lunch along with energy bars would help us tremendously as it could take one as long as 4 hours to reach the viewpoint and additional 2 hours to come back.

Join me in this epic adventure to the nearly forgotten existence of Eastern Himalayas of Nepal and know the stories of these wonders of nature and creation.

20/02/2024

Fabled as one of the most beautiful trekking routes in the world, Annapurna Circuit is a beautiful trek traversing from Sub-Tropical to Alpine nature, giving you an amazing experience to be immersed in the diverse landscape of Nepal.

Aside from the wonderful panorama of the Annapurna Himalayas, the trek passes through picturesque villages who have affectionately transformed itself onto thriving cluster of teahouses. Enroute the trail passes through the largest apple orchard of Nepal where you would find the modernised approach of attracting new age trekkers with its affectionate apple based bakery products and apple wine. From its attempt at luxurious hospitality to rustic teahouses, this circuit is a classic fiesta for the trekkers worldwide.