EFFECTUATING ADVENTURES SINCE 1996
920.210.7247 | jasonkauffeld@hotmail.com | jason@journeyandgrowth.com
I appreciate your understanding that, due to time spent in remote areas, an initial reply to your communication might take up to two weeks
When emailing, please send to both email addresses as internet/browsers in different countries sometimes allow one email and not the other to work
Seeking adventure? A daring journey? A protector-companion-problem solver for your own trip? Contact Journey & Growth Specialty. We leverage experience and contacts in 65 countries to plan, support, or lead your trips and events. Talk to Jason to learn more about the time savings and peace of mind you enjoy by working with us.
In addition to consulting on trips worldwide, we offer an annual 15-day exploration of Nepal. Group size for this special trip is limited to eight. Further details below.
Annapurna Massif in Nepal
2026 Nepal
Poon Hill: 5 day trek
Oct 25 - Nov 8
2027 Nepal
Poon Hill or Langtang: TBD
Nov 3 - Nov 17
$3,555 - $4,800pp (up to $1,245 in discounts available) covers ALL your in-country adventure expenses
Your self-organized plane ticket: $900 - $1,500 roundtrip from ORD to KTM
Your visa upon arrival in Kathmandu airport: currently $30 for 15 days
Painted sign along the Poon Hill circuit in Nepal
Himalayan Trekking: five days (max elev: 10,531') / eight days (max elev: 12,687')
White Water Rafting: two days / one day on the Seti River (Class II & III rapids)
Jungle Safari: three days / two days in Chitwan National Park to search for exotic animals such as Indian rhinos and Bengal tigers
Kathmandu exploration: two days / one day immersed in this ancient valley kingdom
Humble support: it's not about the guide, it's about you
Detailed packing list and fitness plan
Enjoying a canoe camping trip in the Sylvania Wilderness
Known in Nepal as the White Sherpa, Jason focuses on immersive travel experiences that support communities: 50% of profits support initiatives such as women in leadership, an orphanage, and a school for the blind. Jason speaks fluent Nepali and Spanish. To date, clients have adventured on five continents with Jason. Jason maintains Wilderness First Responder, PADI Advanced Open Water, and Certified Meeting Planner certifications. He is always ready to play boardgames, to make a new friend, or to see what is around the next bend in the trail. Read about his three-year trip around the world.
Jason Kauffeld in Iceland, with Snæfellsjökull volcano in the background
From Paul R.:
I had the pleasure of traveling with Jason to Nepal in 2013. Prior to our departure, Jason made sure that I was well prepared for the trip and shared a packing list with me. When we arrived at the Kathmandu airport, the employees were so impressed with Jason’s ability to speak Nepalese that they wanted to have their pictures taken with him. He was like he had his own paparazzi! While in Kathmandu, Jason showed me the historic areas, found us afforable accommodations, and introduced me to the local culture. The highlight of the trip was our 7 day trek into the Himalayan mountains in Langtang Valley. Over 4 days, we hiked up to 12,000+ feet, stopping at local tea houses along the way. With Jason’s Nepalese language skills and understanding of the local culture, we were frequently invited to spend time with local families that operated the tea houses. We sat in kitchens while meals were being prepped and truly experienced the local culture. In addition to providing meals, the tea houses also have rooms for rent. Jason found us fantastic accommodations along our route! The hike was challenging and the effort was rewarded with beautiful views of mountains and glaciers. From the excitement of Kathmandu to the breathtaking views at Langtang, Jason provided a unique and special experience that I fondly remember 11+ years later!
In 2017, Jason and I traveled to Iceland together. Although I had envisioned staying at hostels around the ring road, Jason convinced me that camping would be more adventurous. He supplied the gear and lent me a warm sleeping bag as we were traveling in September. While flying to Iceland, we read an article about a hike to a natural hot spring river. When we landed, we changed our plans so that we could do this hike and it was even better than the article in the magazine. As we traveled the ring road, we stopped to hike and take pictures whenever we passed something interesting. To save money, Jason rented a manual transmission vehicle and taught me how to drive it while on the trip. Although I was gaining confidence driving in the country, I was happy to let Jason drive in the city! As we traveled the entire ring road, we visited numerous hot springs and waterfalls, saw more sheep and horses than I could count, and experienced a few geysers. Another benefit of camping is that Jason is a fantastic cook and made some delicious meals along our adventures.
My first travel experience was with Jason to Trinidad and Tobago in 2010. At that time, I had limited travel experience. Jason and his family welcomed me and made sure I was safe and cared for. Jason made sure I was prepared for our adventures throughout the two islands and introduced me to the local beaches and cuisine. Favorite memories include hiking in the jungle, getting startled by a large hummingbird, snorkeling with large sea turtles, enjoying a carnival parade, and being introduced to Trini cuisine and culture. I highly recommend traveling with Jason!
From Joe H.:
Coffee made, 5:08 now. Ah, the pleasure of settling back into the world I know. Yes, the hot shower, the bathroom that I know how to navigate, my favorite chair. How great to have such comfortable aspects to a life.
And how great to leave them all behind for a while and experience the inevitable awkwardness of being in a place where the culture, the language, and the everyday habits are different and, to a degree, unreal. The dogs sleeping in the street, the traffic (foot, bike, car) that seems to operate according to herding instincts that are unknown to me, the sounds of the language, the gentility of the people, the apparent (to my eyes and ears) lack of irritability and stress, the willingness to connect. The openness of your families to this stranger, which included Chinu calling me at the airport. I have memories swirling in my head, given some attachment to reality by the many pictures and videos that we have.
Feelings, the true stuff of life. I found myself smiling and occasionally even laughing out loud for no apparent reason except for the entire experience still swirling inside me and occasionally surfacing on my face.
And you, Jason. You do indeed have superpowers and I can truthfully say that in a long life like mine I've never met anyone who occupies your dimensional space. You are out there, buddy. Your cultural experiences are so vast and they are simply part of you; I had no previous idea of their breadth and depth. You have great character and little to no ego that I can see (and I had plenty of time to see it) and this makes being around you for days and even weeks a great experience. I love the way that though you have thousands of stories you don't lay them on thick; it's never about you, it's about the story that's relevant to this thing that happened, and you're simply sharing it. Your willingness to talk to anybody and everybody has helped restore some of the positive feelings I have toward people in general that have been tested a bit of late. I'll remember you talking to the guy in the car next to us in traffic. I thought I did that a lot, but there's more room for me to grow. I am happy that we've become friends and I look forward to continuing that, and I can't think of a nicer thing to be able to say, especially at this time of my life.
And the trip. I don't have a single complaint. I felt supported and "guided" in a good-natured way. Though I certainly didn't fit the profile of an ideal organized client, I never felt judged or lectured; you let things develop as they did, and you made every effort to include me in your families, for which I will be ever grateful. I certainly had experiences that would not have been possible had you not been part of them. I also, importantly, occasionally had some privacy, and that was actually an important part of the experience, as it's hard to be "on" all the time in a different culture (or anywhere, for that matter).
Anyway, I wanted to share some of this with you and will look forward to talking with you when you get back.
From Jean C.:
Genuine, bright and cosmopolitan come to mind when recommending Jason! He is an excellent communicator and has a wicked sense of humor. He values diversity and is an excellent cook – ask him about his pumpkin oatmeal recipe! Warm and fully present, Jason is all about team and creative solutions.
From Tom G.:
Jason is a talented and passionate meeting professional that I have had the pleasure to have known for several years. A natural communicator, Jason easily connects with anyone he meets, and strives to provide the very best in solutions and customer service.
Jason thinks beyond the ordinary, bringing a vision honed by his international experience.
Plus he is an awesome dancer!
From Patrick N.:
Jason Kauffeld has a good understanding of communities and the issues they face. He is an entrepreneur, creative with a businesses sense of how to make those ideas happen. He is a good leader, who has also taught others how to be a leader in their communities.
air (internal flights) & ground & water transportation in Nepal
14 nights lodging in mountain tea houses, river camps, & hotels
meals and snacks, including evening tipples
licensed & insured trekking guides & porters
permits and entry fees
English-speaking naturalists and jungle/river/city guides
spa visits for massages of your new trekking muscles
taxes, fees, laundry, and tips
bartering lessons in the bazaars (a 2024 client saved thousands of dollars on gongs!)
$300pp savings when you sign up with a partner and you both choose double occupancy
8% savings when you book 6,7, or 8 spots
8% discount for Epic employees
4% discount for veterans, first responders, and educators
1% discount for true believers in the Oxford Comma
Jason Kauffeld with a wolf-hunting eagle in Mongolia
I appreciate your understanding that, due to time spent in remote areas, an initial reply to your communication might take up to two weeks
When emailing, please send to both email addresses as internet/browsers in different countries sometimes allow one email and not the other to work