reviews
Read holiday reviews by Mountain Kingdoms travellers.
This was a very enjoyable trip combining the cultural highlights of the famous Silk Road cities interspersed with the slightly more relaxed pace of moderate walks in two different mountain areas, where the local families hosting us were very welcoming. The standard of accommodation and quality of the meals was better than we expected. We would recommend going out a day early as the pace of the trip over the first few days is pretty full on.
Uzbekistan is an amazing country with stunning old cities, fascinating history and a great variety of scenery. We saw all the best bits: flat deserts, snow capped Himalayan peaks and beautiful architecture. This a great trip, combining culture and nature, with good accommodation and a great group of fellow travellers.
A very interesting country with warm and friendly people. There are plenty of tourists at the main sites, so being in a small group is a big advantage. Having a free day in Khiva and Bukhara gives you the chance to soak in the atmosphere, as well as having a breather in what is a busy schedule. I went on the optional trip to Shakhrisabz from Samarkand, which gives you a chance to see a different side of the country in Langar, but is a long day. Shakhnoza is an excellent guide and the drivers, hotels and food were very good. Bottled water is supplied constantly if you don't wish to use the Water- to-Go bottle.
I have never trekked before and choosing the Three High Passes was just an incredible experience. It was tough no doubt, but the scenery is absolutely stunning! Harry at Mountain Kingdoms helped us with all our questions prior to booking and ultimately facilitated our trip becoming a private tour as there was just the two of us. In Nepal, Prakash looked after us really well and our guide Pemba and porter Ngawang made the trip something special. Crossing the passes and summiting Kala Pattar are days I will never forget.
This was an amazing experience and it was a real privilege to visit Bhutan. Mountain Kingdoms organised everything extremely well - hotels, transport, holiday extension and the trek itself. It was the Bhutanese people though and guide who made our holiday. They are welcoming, gentle, encouraging and supportive. The weather on the trek was unexpectedly poor (snow and hailstorms) but we always welcomed to a dry, comfortable camp with hot drinks and good food. Karma was very knowledgeable and his team were always good-humoured.
The tour had a well chosen itinerary with extra days at each location for exploring and shopping. The sites we visited were wonderful - exactly what I'd hoped for, with inspiring, ancient and monumental buildings. The tour leader was knowledgeable and enthusiastic, providing all the historical and cultural background you could wish for. The hotels were comfortable and well-located, in all the city centres. All meals were included, except for the three free days, and were of a good quality, varied and with very generous servings.
Marvellous trek to Everest Base Camp. Truly astonishing natural scenery.
An Unforgettable Bhutan Experience with Tinley and Chimmy! Our trip to Bhutan was simply outstanding, thanks to our wonderful guide Tinley and our brilliant driver Chimmy. Every detail was thoughtfully handled — from being serenaded by novice monks to sharing tea with an 85-year-old monastery guardian. Tinley adapted treks to suit our love of longer walks and made sure we experienced real Bhutanese life through simple but welcoming homestays. Yes, there were some long drives, but the breath-taking landscapes made every mile worth it. The food was tasty, spicy, and authentic — and our camping meals should of been Michelin-starred! Tiger’s Nest Monastery was the perfect grand finale. Highly recommend!
This was a full-on introduction to Bhutanese culture, cuisine and countryside. The majesty of the mountains and fertility of the valleys provided beautiful walking opportunities, well pitched to challenge active older people as well as younger. Every day we learnt more about the history and Buddhist culture of Bhutan from a guide dedicated to filling our time with as much of interest and beauty as we could manage. The uniqueness of Bhutan and the friendliness of the people gave us a full range of memories and impressions to carry back home.
My second trip to Bhutan with Mountain Kingdoms, and again a fantastic one! A well-planned itinerary and a wonderful guide and driver led us through parts of the country that have not seen too many tourists, and we were intrigued by the beauty of the landscape, the cultural richness and, most of all, by the kindness of the people who live there. Highly recommended!