reviews
Read holiday reviews by Mountain Kingdoms travellers.
All the Japanese people were unfailingly friendly, helpful and polite.
The scenery and nature of Patagonia plus the helpfulness of all the people we met made the holiday so special for us. All the flights and travel arrangements worked as planned. The accommodation and food were first class and not forgetting the Argentinian steaks and wine! The Estancia Cristina has the top billing from us. Together with the rest of our itinerary it was really a trip of a lifetime. Thanks to Mountain Kingdoms for all the arrangements, you were a pleasure to deal with.
There are regular guides, and then, there's Rey, our highly qualified naturalist guide, who always spotted in a tree, long before any of our group, 'anything that looks unusual or shouldn't be there' (his words). Monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and particularly birds, he found them all for us, and, with his 'scope and tripod set up, we could view, and photograph or video via our phones, all the wonderful creatures that make Costa Rica a wildlife paradise. We enjoyed walks in the volcanic areas too.
We enjoyed the variety and comprehensive experience of Japan, it's history and culture.
We loved the Bhutan experience: the people, the scenery, the trekking, the culture.
A wonderful holiday. It was a perfect blend of tour and trek, culture and countryside.
Well planned, ample time for acclimitisation. The 3 guides were fantastic especially Kami who looked after us so well, knew so much and was very entertaining, he was also expert on medical matters and provided treatment. He was always supportive and reassuring and Poomba and Lakbar couldn't have been more helpful (carrying my day pack when I had flu). The lodges were comfortable with great staff. Yes the teahouses at higher altitudes were primitive but they are the only option as it is so remote.
I wouldnt call the trip a holiday - I think its best described as a unique experience - seeing a little bit of Bhutan's wonderful life and how structured their country is. Certain elements of the trip will live with us forever.
The Manaslu Circuit trek was, in short, just fantastic. Gorgeous! Beautiful! Challenging! The support team really made the trip. The lead guide, Santosh, provided us with unexpected opportunities to learn about the local culture. All of the guides (Santosh, Man, Nam Kha, and Suresh) were incredibly attentive and supportive. They were immediately "on it" if they noticed someone needing assistance. Not to be forgotten, the porters were always cheerful and were very much appreciated.
A wonderful introduction to the beautiful Annapurna range and a fascinating insight into the village life of the Gurung people. The lodges are superbly situated and the solar-powered hot showers and cuddly hot water bottles ensure a good night's sleep. For those new to trekking in Nepal though, the stone steps up and down the hillsides are not to be under-estimated!