Traveller Reviews
Read holiday reviews and feedback by Mountain Kingdoms travellers.
Traveller reviews of Mountain Kingdoms
Overall holiday rating: 4.9
Total number of reviews submitted: 1313
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Druk Path trek and more
The Druk Path trek was very well organised throughout and we were very grateful for the sleeping bags and down jackets as it was very cold. In Katmandu Khim looked after us very well during our extra day there and the organised tour to the ghats and the Bodnath Stupa and environs was interesting. In Bhutan Bhim, our trek guide, was very good and amenable and the trek support team worked together extremely well. The cook provided amazing meals with many dishes, although I personally did not care for much of the food. However in Paro it was not possible to fit in the Festival on the same day as the hike up to the Tiger’s Nest and I would suggest it would be better to either forget the festival altogether or allow another day for it - what little we saw looked interesting. Sadly there were few rhododendrons out in the forest, just the bushes and pine trees. The visit to Punakha after the trek was particularly enjoyable and the whole group would have loved to spend another day there. Ten years ago my husband and I went on a trek to the Mgoun Massif, ascending Jebel Mgoun 4,068m, in the Atlas Mountains, Morocco. It was graded strenuous. Afterwards I decided I would not trek at that grade again, not because I could not do it; I could but I had to push myself to such an extent that I did not enjoy it. Unwittingly I have just done another trip of comparable toughness, the Druk Path Trek. Even discounting the altitude on this five day trek I feel it was moderate plus, taking the altitude into account I would rate it moderate/strenuous. Admittedly the days were relatively short but the gradients, both up and down, usually steep. Because of the icy conditions on the loop round the lake and the exposure on day three we cut this out. Had we done it it would have been a long day and Bhim told us that one at least one occasion he and the group had only arrived at the camp after dark. On returning from the trek I have looked up the grading given to the Druk Path by the company I went with previously to Morocco and they grade it moderate/challenging (4) which is what I found it.. The group could not think why we had been routed to Paro from Delhi via Kathmandu when there is a direct flight between Delhi and Paro. Doing so meant we spent a great deal of time waiting about at Kathmandu airport, which is no fun at all, and a total waste of our time. Kathmandu, once a delightful town, is now a polluted tip which I had no wish to visit.
Mountain Kingdoms' comment: Thank you for your comments. We are very pleased you thoroughly enjoyed most aspects of your trip to Bhutan. We would like to address your comments and offer some reassurance. Regarding the Paro Festival, there are three chances to attend this event
I really enjoyed this holiday
Excellent route through spectacular scenery and interesting villages. The leader was excellent, informative and helpful. Because it was such a small group we got to know the porters too. Really great experience. Also liked trekking where there weren't too many other people, especially during second half of trek.
Gentle trekking with luxury lodges
A wonderful experience showing many facets of life in Nepal
Private Itinerary - Nepal
We had the most wonderful holiday. The use of guides with local knowledge was fantastic. The quality of accommodation and food was superb. Great experience.
Cardamom Mountain Trails
The whole Cambodia experience was exceptional and provided an intimate insight into the lives of its people, the wildlife, villages, landscape, history and culture as well as its shortcomings and problems. Mountain Kingdoms and their Cambodian partners are to be highly commended on producing such a beautifully balanced trip with so much packed into a short period of time without the group members feeling rushed or overwhelmed. The hotels were outstanding and the staff and guides gracious, helpful, patient and so very friendly as were other Cambodians we met. It was touching to be often thanked for visiting their country.
Husky Dog Safari
As returning customers to Mountain Kingdoms we were delighted with this holiday. Our guide, Katrin was amazing and nothing was too much trouble for her, she worked really hard. We had very cold but clear weather and were pleased at the equipment provided. Cooked lunches in the snow and excellent dinners. The cabins soon became very toasty with the wood stoves and saunas provided a true Finnish experience. The dogs were amazing and looking after them was a great part of the holiday.
Gorillas, game, grand scenery, it doesn't get better than this.
A wonderful holiday which showcased the diversity of wildlife, birds, landscape and flora that Uganda has to offer. Savannah, rainforest, mountain, lake, all in a country the size of the UK. Almost every day had a highlight, Murchison Falls, the crater lakes, 4 out of the big 5, spectacular scenery and then there were gorillas. My personal favourites were seeing a leopard close up, Murchison Falls, L Mutanda with the Virunga volcanoes as a back drop and being up close and personal with a Silverback gorilla. If anything, this holiday was several holidays in one.
An excellent holiday, the best I've had for a long while!
The itinerary was excellent. We saw and did so much in the 2 weeks - birds, animals, varied and amazing scenery, plus the highlight was sitting about 2 metres from a gorilla. Most days was packed with activity, which I really enjoyed as I want to see/do as much as possible when I travel.
We had a great time!
The trip overall was most enjoyable and Uganda is a destination that pleased beyond expectation.
Very Gentle Walking Laos
A bit too much Gentle and not enough Walking but a very enjoyable tour of Lao PDR with the same excellent level of organisation and customer service we experienced on our first Mountain Kingdoms holiday.
Fantastic trek in the Annapurna foothills
Wow what a holiday we loved every second of it. We have to admit that there were more steps than we thought but our family party of four all mid sixties plus managed it well. Everything exceeded our expectation and all ran smoothly like a well oiled machine. Hotels, lodges and staff were fantastic. A special mention must go to the porters who not only carried the luggage of two people but were so attentive in keeping us safe and helping us all when the path became a little more challenging. We cannot recommend the holiday enough and it has given us the appetite to choose another adventure now with Mountain Kingdoms.
Gentle Walking Bhutan
Thank you for a fabulous holiday, my husband and I enjoyed every minute and have many precious memories. We look forward to planning our next trip!
Excellent trekking out of season - Private Departure
We opted for a mid December start for our private trek to Annapurna Base Camp, so well beyond the peak trekking season. What a good choice this turned out to be! We understand that the paths, though certainly not deserted, were much quieter than in peak season. The tea houses and lodges were also quiet, enabling us to soak up the atmosphere and environment in relative peace and quiet. Our initial concerns about the cold did not materialise, partly because it was sunny virtually every day and also because the equipment provided by Mountain Kingdoms (sleeping bag and inner, down jacket, soft pillows and hot water bottle) were all good quality and warming. With the thick blankets provided at each location and wearing our thermal underwear/thick socks at night at higher altitudes, the danger was being too hot at night rather than too cold. The itinerary is excellent and enables plenty of time to be spent at the lodges and tea houses on arrival, soaking up the atmosphere and views. This was aided by it being a private journey as we could go at our own pace each day. This is not a difficult trek because the paths are extremely well maintained with much of the route being on slate/smooth rock. Accommodations were good, including the tea houses and the food was plentiful to keep us trekking.
Torres del Paine Circuit - Private Departure
This is an amazing 8 day trek in the national park. The scenery was spectacular. The flora was amazing and the trip was a bird lovers paradise. Well paced and well supported. The ECO camp is a real treat. The staff very helpful. Highly recommended!
Northern Norway experience
Northern Norway in winter truly is a magical winter wonderland. I was lucky enough to see the northern lights three nights running and they really do dance across the sky! Driving my own husky team was the icing on the cake.
Amazing Wild Mustang Adventure
All of Mustang is amazing, but few people get to explore the string of villages to the north of Lo Manthang, or to exit the kingdom down the east side of the Kali Gandaki river. This trek takes you to some pretty remote places and camping and pack animals are needed to get you there. In particular the walking down the east side is much dryer and less inhabited. For me this was part of the attraction. There are some real gems of places to find; the very remote village of Samdzong all on its own in the middle of nowhere, the oases of Yara, Ghara, Tange, and other hamlets too many to mention. There some absolutely incredible fluted cliffs, worn down into strange shapes by the hand of time, and peppered with ancient cave dwellings. If you are looking for something really wild - this is it!!
Wonderful walking holiday
This was an immensely enjoyable trip, with superb walking, stunning alpine scenery, abundance of wildlife, cultural interest, and great food – all packed into five days.
Overall a wonderful experience
It was a very enjoyable holiday, we had a great time.
Fantastic trip
This is a lovely trip, offering a good walk but with enough easier stretches to allow time to look around and admire the great views and lovely landscapes. A comfortable bed each night and really excellent food make this a perfect week’s walking holiday.
Private Departure - Golden Trails of Burma and Bhutan
Overall an excellent trip which was well organised. The guides were knowledgeable and took great care of our welfare and contributed greatly to our enjoyment of the holiday. The drivers were also very good and drove carefully on difficult roads. We learnt a great deal and now have a much greater appreciation for the 2 countries.