TRAVELLER'S REVIEWS

My friends and I booked our Nepal-Bhutan-Tibet tour with Third Rock Adventures. When we plan we approach many agencies but finally we decide to go with Third Rock Adventures because they offer the kind of service we want– permits, guides, transportation and  very good quality akomodation. We were happy to use them as we never face problem in our entire trip. Naba was very helpful, patient and friendly. The trip planning was good--  itinery, hotel and transportation. The guideswere knowledgable and listen to our needs. We wanted to skip a few sites and spend more time at some sites and they readily agreed. No fuss. All in all our holiday was fantastic. I strongly recommend this company for Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan tour.

I did this trek with two of my friends last spring. Apart from us three there two other dudes from Australia and New Zealand. This worked well because we were able to split the cost and got a good deal. It would have cost us more had we travelled individually. Pre-trek communication was great and on point. We faced bad weather on the mountains but Deepak our guide was ready with a Plab B. He was flexible and listened to our views. Though some of us suffered to some extent from the effects of high altitude, all of us made it to Everest Base Camp. This was a great adventure. Having ticked off EBC from my bucket list of adventures I am ready for more juorneys in the Himalayas, and this time around too with Third Rock Adventures. They have won my trust and confidence. Highly recommended!

This is an ace adventure! Wasn’t keen on climbing Island Peak, but my mates talked me into it. Well thanks to them now I have the bragging rights of climbing a mountain that’s three times higher than Australia’s tallest peak. The climbing portion was strenuous, no doubt , but the guides were great help and motivated us to advance ahead. The acclimatization hikes also helped a lot. Altitude hit me hard in Dingboche and I thought that I may have to turn back. But a bowl of Sherpa broth, a Diamox and a good night’s sleep had me feeling better and raring to go. It was a tough climb to the top. For a person who had only climbed small hills, this was a big achievement. The pre-climb training and my wall climbing skills did come in handy. Thanks to Chhewang, our guide, Pemba, Dawa , Deepak and Ram for keeping me and my mates safe, healthy and well-fed. In the mountains, Chewwang or Pemba would always check on us making sure that we were feeling alright and not showing any signs of AMS. Thanks to all of you mates, we had an excellent expeience. I will be back for more adventures with Third Rock Adventures for sure.

I am not much of a traveller, but my friends managed to convince me to go on a vacation with them. Let’s say I love my creature comforts and don’t like moving out of my comfort zone. This trip was a challenge to me because I was travelling to places that I had only seen on television. I was anxious but at the same time I was ready to take this as a personal challenge. Let me say that I did the right thing by saying ‘yes’ to this trip. I met some extraordinary people and overall had an awesome experience. Bhutan was the Shangri La of my imagination - remote, pure and untouched by the vagaries of civilization. The unspoilt nature, interesting culture and content people made me fall in love with this country. Above all else the absence of western-style consumerism and the care for environment make this one of the best countries in the world. Kathmandu was crowded and chaotic. Taking a rickshaw ride round Thamel was so much fun. Got to taste some freshly brewed coffee at some of the local cafes. Tasted great and flavorsome. It was raining cats and dogs in Pokhara, so we decided to cancel our hike. Instead we explored the Tibetan refugee camp and visited a ‘Thangka’ workshop. Lhasa looked glitzier and modern than I expected. I enjoyed watching the monks’ debate and the walk through Barkhor Square. Thanks to Third Rock, our entire trip was beautifully planned. Be it itinerary, hotel arrangements or transportation, every part of the trip was very well managed. All our guides were knowledgeable and informative. I strongly recommend this company.

I undertook the Jewels of Nepal and Bhutan Tour with Third Rock Adventures five months ago. I had been meaning to post a review but I was kept rather busy, until now. From the moment I arrived in Kathmandu to the moment my trip ended, the team took very good care of me. The initial email communications were prompt and precise. As I am not too good with computers (I hardly use them), I had some issues booking the trip online. But Hari ironed out the problems and made the process very easy for me. Kemal introduced me to some of the oldest Hindu and Buddhist temples in Kathmandu. I found the Nepalese very friendly and open. In the west, strangers hardly make eye contact, but in Nepal it is not uncommon for virtual strangers to meet and talk like long lost friends. I met strangers who offered their help (when I suffered from a nasty fall while on a late evening stroll alone) without asking anything in return. Bhutan was lovely and peaceful. Ogyen, my guide had a wealth of information to share. The hike to Tiger’s Monastery left me huffing and puffing, but the views more than made up for the hard climb. It is hard to believe that this monastery, which lies straddled on a huge rock face, was built by humans. Faith does move mountains and this seems to particularly true in this part of the world. Bhutanese culture is very unique and I felt privileged to have the opportunity to experience it. I do hope that the Bhutanese people will retain their culture and not let western influence change their perspective. I highly recommend this tour and look forward to many more journeys with Third Rock Adventures.

Though I liked their itinerary, I was a bit hesitant to let a company that is not based in Australia plan my trip. But I read their reviews on TripAdvisor and their website. All of their clients had something good to say about them, so I thought maybe these guys may be good at their job after all. Without further ado I booked my trip online and it was a seamless process. Hari got in touch with me and sent me a few tips on how I could prepare for my trip physically. It was pretty helpful because the itinerary included hikes in all three countries.

Flying into Bhutan was like entering a secret destination. The aircraft literally flew between mountains and entered a valley filled with what looked like cute wooden houses. Bhutan tour was amazing. It was heartening to see the Bhutanese take pride in their culture and conservation efforts. The rest of the world should learn a thing or two from this tiny Himalayan nation about safeguarding our environment and saving our planet. There was a slight drizzle during our hike to Tiger’s Nest and the view was not that clear, but nevertheless entering the sacred monastery and meeting the monks made my day. Compared to the cities in Bhutan, Kathmandu was busier and chaotic. But there was a kind of energy and the people were very friendly. I enjoyed walking through the temples and stupas which my guide Kamal informed have been in existence for more a thousand years. Pokhara was beautiful.

I also enjoyed Tibet a lot. It was a journey worth taking. The majestic Potala Palace, the monasteries with monks engaged in lively debates, the Barkhor Square etc., these were memorable sights. Thank you to all my guides and drivers - Dawa, Peljor, Kamal, Ten and all the staff of Third Rock Adventures for this wonderful holidday. I highly recommend this company. When you book a trip with them your money will benefit local businesses.

We had a fabulous trip to Bhutan. Our guide Sonam had so much information to share about the many monasteries and dzongs that we visited. As my wife is a botanist she greatly appreciated his vast knowledge about the local flora and fauna. It was clear that he was keen bird watcher from the way he explained their habits and tweets. The accommodation and food was superb. Though a bit spicy, we really enjoyed trying out the chili and cheese dishes. The hikes were comfortable and tailored for our fitness level. The hot stone bath was therapeutic and relaxing. Observing the local archers battling it out at the archery ground was fun. The dancing and singing cheerleaders really livened up the event. Wish we could have stayed for some more days. Thanks to Third Rock for planning this fantastic vacation. Anyone planning of a Bhutan trip should get in touch with these guys!

Nepal has been my favorite destination since I spent my Gap year volunteering at a small village on the outskirts of Kathmandu. This was 15 fifteen years ago and I have returned again several times to this wonderful country. After each trip I discover there is so much to take back with me. The friend ship of the Nepalese people; their simplicity, openness and genuine warmth; the inspiring trips to the mountains and exploring places and meeting people that enrich your experience not only as a traveller but as a human being. This time around I was here on business so could only squeeze in 2 days to explore. I booked Naudanda Sarangkot Hike with Third Rock Adventures after a colleague recommended this company and itinerary. The online booking was very easy. After I booked the trip, I received an email confirmation and a call from their office informing me that my guide would pick me up from my hotel in the morning. As promised Diwakar, my guide, arrived on time. After introduction he apprised me in brief about the route and condition of the trail and soon we were on our way. We began hiking from Phedi, a small village on the outskirts of Pokhara. It was a typical hill-walk with lots of greenery and the twittering birds for company. There no other hikers and apart from a few locals we were the only ones on the trsail. Fishtail and the rest of the Annapurnas stretching on the horizon looked majestic. Views of the lake were equally mesmerizing. This hike was refreshing and invigorating, just what I needed to reboot my system! If you are in Pokhra and want to see the mountains without a noisy crowd standing around you, then you should do this hike. You will get to enjoy the amazing views in peace. Enjoyed the hike immensely. Will use this company again to book more tours in the near future.

We did the Druk Path Trek and substituted the Poon Hill Trek with Kathmandu tour and day hike, as we had already done the Ghorepani trek. We actually wanted do the Manaslu circuit but the weather turned lousy and we had to abandon our trekking plans in Nepal. We changed our itinerary several times but the team at Third Rock was always understanding and flexible. The Bhutan portion of our trek was awesome. I had never been on a camping trek and the experience was incredible. Walking with the horses, dining under the open sky and sleeping in tents, it was a novel experience. The trail was nearly empty and it felt great to have it to ourselves. Breathing the pure mountain air is one of the best experiences in life. Monasteries in the middle of nowhere, the laidback lifestyle of the people, stretches of green forests and the influence of Buddhism - exploring Bhutan was worth every penny that we spent. Thanks to Sonam, Wangdi, Kamal and Ram. We had a great time. Will be back for more!

We did this trip in spring and boy, did we love it! My wife and I are ardent hikers and we tend to take off to the mountains whenever we get a chance from our busy schedule. We had trekked through the Inca Trail, Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp, Grand Canyon and the Chadar (River Zanskar) Trail. Bhutan had been in our bucket list for a long, long time. Initially we wanted to do the ‘Snowman’s Trek’ but when our Travel Consultant from Third Rock Adventures suggested this trek, we couldn’t say no. This trip combined a trek in the Annapurna Mountains with a trek in Bhutan. Since we could visit two countries in one go, we finally decided to book this trip. We rarely get to take long vacations and the option of combining two destinations in one trip appealed to us greatly. Moreover the Ghorepani Trek was also one of the treks that we wanted to do. Taking this trip was like killing two birds with one stone.

It was raining when we arrived in Kathmandu. But thankfully the weather cleared when we began trekking. The first day’s walk to Ulleri was kinda tough. Those were never-ending killer steps! This was the only tough portion; the rest of the trek was easy. The rains cleared up the sky and we were presented with some outstanding Himalayan views. It was humbling to stand so close to these great mountains! At Banthanti, a villager whom we befriended on the way invited us to his home to taste a dish made of local frog. Amy declined, but I gladly tried it. It tasted like chicken. Kathmandu was chaotic and we were glad to leave it behind. The flight to Paro was almost surreal. The Himalayan range towered above white wispy clouds and I went crazy clicking on my camera. I felt as if nature was giving us a big hug when we arrived in Bhutan. There is so much of greenery around that you automatically feel soothed and restful. Though tougher than the Annapurna Ghorepani Trek, the Druk Path Trek left us with a feeling of achievement. Some portions were challenging and we struggled especially when the weather turned inclement. It was a good thing that we had packed our rainproof gear. Through those brief spells off spring showers, we were able to keep ourselves dry. The kitchen crew and our guide kept us entertained and well-fed. Their humor and good cheer kept us in good spirits and helped us ignore the harsh weather.

All in all we had a great trip. Thank you so much to the team at Third Rock Adventures for planning our trip and introducing us to Bhutan. We have completely fallen in love with this country and we sure will be back for more adventures! This trip as well as this agency is highly recommended!

It’s really tough to put down Everest Base Camp trek into words; I will try my best. I opted to go trekking with a local company because even if you book with an international company, local company will be operating the tour. Why not book directly with a local company! I came across Third Rock Adventures’ Everest Base Camp product which was well designed. I inquired about the trek and they were quick with responses. They assisted me to prepare the trek, even suggested ways to prepare for the trek along with necessities to pack for the trek. I didn’t want to over pack. I and a couple of friends were trekking in the Himalayas for the first time so we had a lot of questions which they duly answered. The representative of the company was waiting for us on arrival, checked into the hotel and after relaxing we met our guide. He briefed us about the trek and his expertise made us more confident. Before the trek we went sightseeing; Kathmandu has pretty cool ancient architectures. After a thrilling flight to Lukla, we started the trek. Personally, I felt liberating to be in the mountains and the trek gave us a lot of time to talk, laugh, share, and enjoy each other’s company. I had watched enough videos on YouTube and was skeptical if I would enjoy the trek. After doing the trek I can surely say I loved every bit of it and doing it with friends enriched that experience. The cool breeze, the chilly wind, the sound of the river, swaying prayer flags and excitement on the first sight of Everest, I can go on with the list! Mount Ama Dablam is a beauty, and it deserves a lot more praises. The altitude really makes walking a difficult task. We had each other’s back and pushed each other to the base camp and back. It will be that memory which would be part of our group chat for long. Also, we wanted to relax a few days in Pokhara and they seamlessly incorporated our preferences into an itinerary. Amazing team highly recommend them guys!

I travlled with family to Nepal and Bhutan. Trip very good. No problem. Lumbini, the birthplace of Sakyamuni was very peaceful. My children enjoyed Chitwan wildlife safari. While hiking to Bumdra we felt tires but camping at Bumdra was nice. Tiger’s Nest was the best! Third Rock Adventures guides are excellent.

I cannot thank the team of Third Rock Adventure enough for making my trip of Nepal and Bhutan series of wonderful memories for a lifetime. It was one of the companies that I sent inquiry during my research period of this trip. It kept up with my busy schedules with several follow up emails. After a few exchanges of emails and the phone call I felt the company can be trusted enough to go on an organized tour with them. The company was knowledgeable and provided us with detailed itinerary as well. The travel expert answered my queries and promised that the trip would be as promised; it was indeed. I always wanted to visit Nepal and Bhutan but my partner isn’t too keen about the Himalayas. So if you ask me why it took so long to visit then, you know now! I am glad that she enjoyed as much as I did. My partner didn’t believe that Nepal is much more than “trekker’s paradise” until she saw Nepal’s rich culture and tradition. Lucky to see a breathtaking sunrise from Nagacot, thanks to the pouring rain of previous night. We skipped the hike to one of the oldest temples of Nepal. In Bhutan sky is bluer, air is cleaner, forest is denser and ambience is spiritual. An architectural delight, temples dedicated to Buddhist masters and extremely warm and a bit shy people. Was stunned when our guide said the dzong was built with wooden block not a single nail used! I enjoyed the stayed at good hotels both in Nepal and Bhutan. I am not a finicky eater but my partner is and she didn’t like food in Bhutan much. Talking about the drivers of Nepal and Bhutan they were very skilled. In Nepal, our driver took us through the chaotic traffic which was, to be honest overwhelming. I don’t know how they drive in the capital city, Kathmandu. Ride to Baktapour was fun though. Talking about the roads of Bhutan, there wasn’t traffic but the sharp turns and winding roads are fun. My initial panic subsided when I realized I was in able hands. The vehicles are way better in Bhutan than Nepal. Touring with a local company is a hit and miss but this one is definitely a HIT!

I and girlfriend wanted to take a break from our hectic schedules and bask in the beauty of nature. What better way than going trekking in Nepal! Since we aren’t much athletic we ended up doing this easy Lang-tang trek. We drove and walked through the forest filled with rhododendron blooms before the majestic views of mountains greeted us. Climbing the steep ascend and getting to see the beautiful view was wonderful. Kyanjin Gompa is a great vantage point to view Mount Langtang and it also has great places to stay. We saw a lot of Tibetan influence. Kyangjin gomapa is a beautiful place and I didn’t want to anywhere from there. Can’t say enough about amazing views and very warm and friendly locals. The pasta with local yak cheese was delicious. Words can't be justice to the mountain views from Thulo Syabru; it's breathtaking. Our guide told us that Red Pandas live here but sadly we couldn’t spot any. This will remain one of the most cherished memories since I went with my girlfriend but came back with a fiancé. Yes, I proposed her and she said ‘Yes!’

I had done trekking in Nepal during my college days. So, I was looking forward to explore other aspect of Nepal and this time I returned Nepal with my wife and children. My wife is inclined towards architecture so she was delighted to visit the durbar squares. Walking in those streets felt like we were in a different era. Kathmandu is filled with UNESCO world heritage sites and it’s picturesque. Felt Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath were just out of a travel channel. Pokhara is more relaxing than Kathmandu and I really love the city like many other tourists. Also found out that it’s a popular city among Nepalese as well. Boating in the calm waters of Phewa Lake is one of my favorite activities of this trip. Our next destination was Chitwan. My little ones enjoyed an encounter with elephants as well as the elephant ride. Kids were amazed to see animals and birds so near. We had wonderful family time and felt that we were in able hands. The driver deserves a special mention who drove us through the winding roads alongside the river.

I did the Annapurna Circuit trek of 16 days with a bunch of my friends. It was challenging no doubt thus my eyes are shining with the joy of this accomplishment. The stunning views of the trek are to die for and being on the top of Thorongla Pass is incomparable. Huge shout out for our guide and porters without whom we couldn’t have done this trek. The team encouraged us when we were tired to move further and helped us to be comfortable in our own pace. A good sense of humor and jokes we perfect to deal with a whining group like ours!

We went trekking to the famous Poon Hill and Gorepani. Early mornings were awesome to click pictures of mountains but it couldn’t do justice to what I saw in front of me. The incredible views of Annapurna range is worth all the pain. We walked with a head torch in the darkness and saw an amazing sunrise. Enjoyed the spectacular views with a cup of hot chocolate; was pleasantly to surprise to see a shop selling hot beverages in the vantage point of sunrise. You really got to do this trek to understand what I am saying. Can’t stop gushing about the beautiful Himalayas and the experience.

Lately, we did Manaslu Circuit Trek and we are happy with the level of care and support we received from the company. This trek is for those who want to enjoy what trekking was decades before classic routes became commercialized. You will see locals working and carrying out daily activities which haven’t changed much. While trekking your companions enriches your journey and we were blessed to have great guide with a sense of humor and porter. It was a gamble to be trekking with a local company that you came across online and it paid off really well.

As a child, I used to go hiking with my father and years later upon hiking with my office colleague I realized how much I love it. Ever since that, I made a conscious effort to go on trekking holidays and this time it was Annapurna Base Camp. The serenity of the mountains has a calming effect on me. Trekking peacefully amidst lush hills, meandering river marveling at the diverse landscape, rich mountain culture and tradition. We had cloudy, rainy and sunny days; experienced all. I have seen best sunrises during this trek so I doubt if I would like anything less than that! Awesome and Unforgettable experience. There is a big question if you should take a guide and potter. Personally, I like to bask in the beauty of the region and let someone take care of food and accommodation. Also, anything can go wrong in the mountains so I believe the guide is for those difficult days! Health and safety come first.

I was so invested in building my career that I had not taken a vacation for almost three years. Working for a real estate firm in Wall Street without a break left me burnt out and struggling with insomnia. That’s when my family and physician told me strongly that it’s high time I took a break. With no fixed destinations in mind I trawled the internet looking for inspiration. I randomly chose a few tours and treks and sent a few enquiries. The first reply that I received was from Third Rock Adventures. I had enquired about their Everest Base Camp Trek and they sent me a detailed response. They explained clearly about the physical and mental challenges that I would face on the mountains and how I should train my body before taking this trip. They also offered a couple of easy options (treks). But after reading the experiences and watching vlogs of those who had done this trek, I decided I wanted to do this particular trek. Though I had sent enquiries to some international travel companies too, I finally went with Third Rock because they sounded sincere and genuinely seemed to care about what I wanted.

Getting to Everest Base Camp, I tell you was not easy. But it was worth all the sweat and physical hardships. It was worth flying thousands of miles to do it. It sounds clichéd but the mountains are really beautiful. The trek brought me close to nature and reminded me about the beauty of small things; like how comforting it is to feel the breeze and sit under the shade of a tree on a hot day. I would say the highlight of my trip was not reaching EBC but the journey itself, the people I met on the way and the places we crossed. The contentment and happiness of the local people that I met on the trail has made me revaluate my life goals. Thanks to Third Rock Adventures for organizing this inspirational trip for me. A shout out to Deepack and Giri too, my guide and porter on the trial without whose support and encouragement I wouldn’t have made it to base camp. A five star to this company and its people!

Everest Base Camp trek was once in a lifetime experience. The trek wasn’t easy but the spectacular views made it a rewarding trip. The view of Everest from Kalapatthar was overwhelming. We were blessed to have a pretty much decent weather. It was nice to have someone handle all the logistics and I could just enjoy the trek and soak into the beauty of the region. Thank you to the team of Third Rock Adventures for making my trip memorable.

I am not keen to trek so wanted to do something beyond that. So this tour itinerary was exactly what I was looking for. The spiritual experience of the cultural heritages in Kathmandu was amazing. We had a scenic drive to Pokhara alongside a meandering river and stopped to raft; couldn’t have asked for more. Sunrise from Sarangcoat was beautiful; Pokara had a calming effect on me. Had an awesome time in Cheatwan National park. Got to do canoeing ride in the water with crocodiles. We saw birds, deer, interacted with baby elephants in the breeding center. During the elephant ride, we got to see rhinos and deer very closely. Elusive Tiger was nowhere to be found. Nevertheless, it was an enriching experience.

Just returned back from an awesome Everest Base Camp trek. We were family of four and it was once in a lifetime experience of trekking to Everest. We took a risk of trekking with a local company and it paid off really well. The team took care of us well from the day we arrive till departure. The trek to Everest base camp was simply amazing and watching the gorgeous Everest in front of your eyes is overwhelming. Oh man! Everest shines like gold when sunrises over the mountains. Special mention goes to the Mt. Ama Dablam which keeps your mesmerized while trekking to Everest.

I wanted a wholesome experience of adventure activities in Nepal so I felt this itinerary was apt for me. Tresuli was a few hours drive from Kathamndu where we had a wonderful time rafting. As a novice in the rapids it was thrilling and exuberant. Pokhara is an incredible place to do paragliding on a good day. The hike showed me the village side of Nepal which I only heard. Amazingly warm and nice people. I had an awesome time with my pilot definitely try other things on my next trip to Pokhara. I enjoyed the jungles of Chitwan and elephant bathing but sadly we couldn’t spot the tiger. Can’t gush enough about the hospitality of locals of Chitwan; their dance made me join them as well. I had a fulfilling experience of multi day adventures in Nepal I couldn’t do bungee this time but will be back to try it!

What a wonderful trip to Bhutan couldn’t have asked for more. It is a different world in itself. Abundance of natural beauty lives Bhutanese and happiness is given a priority. Buddhism is found in every aspect of Bhutan and they treasure their culture and tradition. The dzongs are an architectural marvel. Traditional dresses aren’t worn just to show tourist! A visit to Bhutan isn’t enough so will definitely be returning for longer period.