STEVE AND CHRIS HAMACHI Huntington Beach, California U.S.A.

Dear Hari. Namaste!

We had a wonderful time in Nepal and Tibet. It was a rewarding experience discovering the culturally rich cities of Nepal, the majestic Himalaya Mountains and sacred monasteries of Tibet. This wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for your dedication to provide the very finest trek and tour service anywhere. We thank you Hari for your support and the support of all team members for an incredible job in making this happen.

As long time Sierra Club members, we love trekking in the mountains which drew us to the Himalayas. Nepal was the natural gateway. We were happy that a reliable and environmentally conscious company like Himalayan Eco Treks and Travel could host our adventure. Everything went seamlessly…China visa; customs and security clearances; lodge and hotel accommodations; provisions for our vegetarian diet; camping and trekking equipment; banking and money management; special tour activities; and flight confirmations—including coordination with the Tibetan trek/tour team. All we had to do was enjoy and have a good time. All necessary camping gear and trekking equipment were provided. Menus for breakfast/ lunch and dinner were well thought out, and included lots of fresh locally grown vegetables—chinese string beans, baby bok-choi, and potatoes to name a few. The landslide enroute to the China border, and the earthquake encountered in Nylam caused delays. But, it turned out adding excitement to our tour—as we ran to the border crossing in the rain to make customs clearance by minutes, and making a mad dash to evacuate the internet cafe during the quake! We brought back many beautiful memories; the warm welcome dinner you hosted at the UTsave Restaurant with great authentic Nepalese cuisine and cultural entertainment; the many Hindu/Buddhist monasteries and temples; the panoramic vista overlooking Kathmandu Valley; the warm camp fire chats and the cold windy trek to Everest Base Camp; the freezing night at Rombuk monastery; the sights and sounds of Kathmandu; and serenity of Tibet mountain villages and farms. Mostly, we’ll remember the wonderful men, women, and children we met along the way…

Our Tour Guide—Mr. Sharan Bhuju. We can’t say enough about his incredible knowledge of the history and religious culture of Nepal. He brought us to the holy place of Hindu Ghat ceremonies, and taught us about the deep roots of Hinduism and Buddhism and their peaceful co-exisistence. He introduced us to culturally rich city of Bhaktapur with its 7th century origins, and its religious and architectural heritage. He gave us an educational tour of the ancient squares and temples—with their beautiful carvings and sculptures. He lead us through the quiet Newar village where one could experience daily activities…of men and women, and children. He showed us the ”Golden Spout”—an ancient underground water source channeled to pool sites in the city of Bhaktapur to beauti¬fully “sculpted brass elephant heads” where they are still in use today. As he lead us through the street of Kathmandu, we felt the heartbeat of the city—shops/ merchants, and the rush and sound of cars, motorcycles, horns, and people. Sharan was always friendly and greeted us kindly every morning. He’s a consumate professional with excellent language and communication skills. He coordinated with the drivers to get us to our destinations in a timely manner. And, gave us a taste of traditional Nepalese cuisine. We appreciate the dedication and support he’s given us.

The Tibet Trek/Tour Team Members: Our TrekLeader/Guide—Mr. Dukar tashi; Driver—Mr. Chuchong Khab; and Cook— Mr. Sonam made our trip to Tibet fun and exciting. They were all excellent in the performance of their duties—strieving to provide the best trek/tour service. They were kind and considerate throughout our journey. Dukar tashi’s knowledge of Tibetan Buddism, Hinduism, and Sikhism is remarkable. He gave us insight on the beliefs and philosophies as we toured many sacred temples with him. He always gave assistance when climbing steep monastery steps, and offered help on the Everest Base Camp trek. He coordinated permits, tickets, security checks, and got us to places on-time. We enjoyed every minute because of his humor, laughter, and smile. He was a friend and companion—a constant source of fun—singing on long drives throughout Tibet. Chuchong Khab was good natured throughout our tour of Tibet. He displayed excellent driving skills and showed confidence through the very challenging mountain roads—never exceeding the limits of passenger comfort. He made us feel safe and comfortable throughout the trip. What could be so great as having your own chef while camping in the Himalayas? Sonam—was not just the head cook during our trek, but a fine friend as well. We all celebrated the birth of his “baby girl” during the Everest B.C. trek. He was all smiles ”ear to ear”. The first one up every morn¬ing, he greeted us with a cup of lemon tea or sweet tea. Breakfast consisted of fresh bread, eggs, or omeletts served with fruit cocktail and juice. For lunch, it was delicious hot vegetable noodles or Tibetan mixed vegetable. Steamed rice was on the dinner menu with a fried vegetable/fish dish or specially prepared vegetable momos. We were spoiled, and it all tasted great!!!

The highlight of the tour was our invitation to your beautiful home—meeting your parents, older brother, and family. Your mother is truly a wonderful endearing person. We enjoyed the festive meal and special dishes you prepared with her, and your sister-in-law. The catfish dish was delicious, as was the specially cooked rice. It was a very special occasion—one we will always remember. You’ve been a gracious host and tour director. We appreciated all your kindness and hospitality. We thank Sharan, and Santjeet for all their support. We will enjoy the beautiful blue scarf and black Bhaktapur mountain hat.

We hope to return to Nepal and Tibet someday. We will definitely recommend Himalayan Eco Treks and Travel to all our friends and family. Thank you for all the fond memories…

We wish you and your family well, and especially your father.

Sincerely,

Steve and Chris Hamachi

Huntington Beach, California USA