Gorepani Poonhil Trek, December 2014

" Me and my husband were trekking with Suman in Annapurna Region and it was a fantastic holiday! Although our fitness level is very low-we have completed a Ghorepani -Poonhil Trek within 5 days, Suman always assured us that WE CAN DO IT!. As we are not very sporty and this was our 1st trekking experience in the mountains, Suman has suggested to do the trek anticlockwise. We started in Nayapul and went up north to Ghandruk; this way the trek is less steep on the way up in terms of higher meters. During the trek Suman was always very attentive to our needs and has always adjusted the pace. He also considered our wishes in terms of tea houses we wanted to stay. Suman has an excellent knowledge of the mountain peaks and Nepali culture, he was explaining us many things along the trek. I remember we were constantly asking "Suman, yo ke ho?", which means: "Suman, what is this?" :)

He has a perfect sense of humour and it was never too boring with him. Most of the time on the trek we were walking together in a party of 3 but we also had a chance to enjoy the landscape and have our 'family time'. At the end of the trek my hip got saw and Suman has adjusted a plan and found a Jeep. This decision saved us around one day of walking and it was a perfect solution in our situation. In Pohkara he suggested a place to get a good massage to fix a hip problem. Since we planed to finish the trip within 7 days now we had 2 days more to explore Pokhara. Suman guided us around the area where we have seen lots of thing on Fewa Lake including Tibetan Refugee Camp with amazing carpets shop. He also helped to arrange our safari trip in Chitwan for a very good price since he has many connections around Nepal. If you look for a reliable and skilled guide with good knowledge about Nepal and good sense of humour- Suman is definitely a right choice. "

Olga & Andrey (Novosibirsk, Russia)

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Tsum Valley, November 2014

What a great trip I had in Nepal last year! Going there I was a bit nervous as I had limited time and had to get back to work. I found out about Suman researching on internet and the recommendations of other people who trekked with him convinced me.

The next day after my arrival in Kathmandu Suman came to the guest house where I stayed and I immediately noticed his incredibly friendly and calm nature which reassured me. We took out several maps of trekking routes and discussed what would suit my skills and time limitations. I was so astonished of how knowledgeable Suman is of different treks in Nepal. Despite being a young man he has been to a lot of places. For me it was important to go on a shorter but still demanding trek which is not flooded by tourists and Suman took all this into consideration. After looking at many possibilities we decided to do the Tsum Valley trek and the same day Suman has organised all the permits and information about the transport. The next morning we were already sitting in the bus and in the afternoon our trek started.

I must say I have not a slight regret about having taken this journey. The landscape was just breath taking; I have met so many wonderful locals on the way. Suman has shown me the many monasteries of Tsum Valley, it was just amazing! The trek challenged me both physically and mentally but I always felt safe. Suman is a very experienced guide, from the first day on he observes ones skills and preferences and adjusts to it. I have learned so much from him about the area and the culture. While trekking I learned that Suman used to work as a chef before becoming a guide. As Tsum Valley is not a huge tourist destination yet and the local guest houses are still learning the business of hospitality, few times Suman has stepped in to help in the kitchen. This was a real ‘life saviour’ after a whole day trekking and arriving hungry and tired in a guest house.

During our time together Suman told me about other beautiful places to trek and I can’t wait to go. I definitely know who I will ask to accompany me :) "

Irina Boggs (New Zealand)

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Manaslu Circuit, November 2014

" My friend and I were dreaming to go to Nepal for a long time, and finally when we decided for the trip we faced a big decision- to find an independent guide. We used information provided by other trekkers in reliable forums and were overwhelmed by choice of good guides. We contacted a few people, but it was Suman, who had really professional attitude and advised us on all questions.

He always replied emails quick and before you come to Nepal you not necessarily understand that getting an internet connection (or even computer with internet in a internet cafe) is not that easy as in the 'western world' and also costs a fair bit of money. As we were interested to do an off-beaten trek we 1st decided to to the Annapurna Circuit and Nar Phu (restricted area), but upon arrival we heard Suman's stories about the beautiful and more remote Manaslu region (with less tourists) and decided to go there. This was the best choice ever!

Although my flight had 24hrs delay, Suman has managed to organised us TIMS cards, Annapurna Conservation Area pass and all necessary permits for Manaslu (which is a restricted area). Suman had a very busy day running around organising all the papers and tickets, but he never complained. He used to say 'It is my duty'. By the end of the trip we tried to teach him that it is his job and we are just clients, who do need a guide and not a servant :) Well it worked out in our case very well and towards the end of the trip we developed friendship and not customer-client relationship. Regardless of what you look for- a professional guide or a person who will take care and 'serve' you- Suman is the one who can manage both, we just prefer to treated him as a professional and equal :) I must admit that Suman speaks good upper intermediate English and is knowledgeable about nature and animals, he knows secret trails in the woods (used by locals) where you can spot many animals. One day, just before Lho village, all tourists we saw took a left 'marked route' and we went to the right using the 'local tail'. There we saw many birds, a squirrel, monkeys, tahrs and maybe even a blue sheep (it was too far so we are not very sure) - this was truly stunning experience.

To make this long story short I must say that due to catching the cold, I got pretty sick and Suman has helped me to carry my luggage for a few days although he was employed only as a guide and not a porter-guide. In the village of Sama (2 days before crossing the pass), we met a tourist, who happened to be a doctor, who inspected me and said that I have HAPE and started to develop pneumonia. As the health post was closed for the winter, and we did not had right medication or time to wait and cure, the doctor advised not to cross the Larkya La pass but to go down asap. After having a group discussion next morning, Suman called my insurance company (who needs to approve the evacuation in advance before getting a helicopter) and organised the helicopter to Kathmandu. After a few hours I was safely delivered to the International Hospital in Kathmandu and was treated there for about 4-5 days. I was happy to have a support from such reliably and trustworthy person like Suman and now I can definitely say that I can trust him my life :)

Even thought the trip did not went as planned, I was happy to have all the experiences despite the evacuation. I guess I will have to return some day to Manaslu and finish this route with Suman and my friend."

Jana (Germany)

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Treked around Nepal, 2007

" I would very much like to sincerely recommend my porter-guide to other tourists. He was a real discovery! Last year was my first arrival to Nepal. It took me 20 days to make "Three-passes" trek of Everest region plus Lukla-Tumlingtar trek. Eastern Nepal left me very strong impression. It is laid back, I felt, things had not changed much for centuries. So, this year, I decided to do again something genuine, and opted for Kanchenjunga, as it is not so touristy as Everest or Anapurna. Beware, if you are planning a remote area, like Kanchenjunga , it takes some preparation , no agency will be able to find a proper guide for you within 10 min, as not so many guides are knowledgeable of that area. Suman Lama was highly recommended by the agency arranging all paper work. It was big luck, as Suman became a real friend of mine.

This pal is very hard working, so he was never out of job. When he had no offers as a guide, he worked as porter or cook, this way he had accumulated large experience of many areas, not only classic Everest and Anapurna but also Dolpo, Kanchenjunga, Langtang-Gosaykunda, Nar-Phu, Mustang and Manaslu, despite his young age. I saw so many mountain guides in my life, but this one is really particular, totally reliable, super friendly, psychologically stable, strong, good stamina, he sincerely cares about you as you were his family. I’m not exactly easy client, as we made every day 2 days program, but Suman never complained, he can shift to any tourist, however quick or slow you are, he will make you feel very secure even passing through the deep snow in the thick fog. Due to him, I managed it all: Kanchenjunga North, Sele La pass, and South base camp. Then we made Gosaykunda- Tarke Gyang in 5 days left. "

Anna (Moscow, Russia)

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