Janne Gustavson

My son, Viktor, inspired me, to a father&son-trekking in Nepal. Due to his earlier experience with Higher Limits Trek we, of course, used the same company. Viktor and Gopal (manager of Higher Limits Trek) planned the trek to the Manaslu Circuit. It is a trek with much less “tourist” than the more wellknown Anapurna- and Everest-treks. Usually an 18-days trek but due to limited time at our disposal we had to do it in 13 days. Before my experience in trekking was limited to Norway and Sweden. From our arrival to the airport we where well taking care of. A car drove us to our hotel where we checked in and installed ourself. After we had a briefing at the office with the manager who informed us about the trek. He helped us to complete our equipment by taking us to different shops where we could buy the missing things at fair prices. Later in the evening we had a meeting with our guide and the porter who both came to the office and introduced themselves. I immediately felt a great confidence with the way we where taking care of.

The next morning we where picked up by the guide at the hotel and took a taxi to the bus “terminal” and from there a local bus to Archet Bazar from where the trek started.

Going by local bus was a great experience and I wouldn´t want to have it undone although it took us almost 9 hours in a overcrowded bus to get to our starting point.

The trek itself was awesome with fantastic scenery and lovely small villages along the way. We stayed at local teahouses all the way. The guide, (also named Gopal) and porter ( Nakul) where great and took us to often to the kitchen of the teahouses ( the only warm place) where we could sit and talk to the locals ( with a great help of Gopal of course). During the trek we where informed of the traditions and life by Gopal.

The trek itself was, at least for me, a challenge, and at some time quite tough. But – I am -a guy of 57 years and not that well trained. For Viktor it was considerable easier since he is younger and very well trained.

During the trek we met only about 30 other tourist during 11 days. The last day our trek met the starting point of the Anapurna-trek and during a period of 10 minutes we met more people on that trek than what we had met during our 11 days!

I therefore strongly recommend you to do the Manaslu-trek to meet and see a more rural and “original” way of life that is not – yet – too influenced by tourists. But, be quick, the tourist are coming more and more and in 5 years time it will probably be as “crowded” as the others more popular treks. Do it with the Higher Limits Trek, and I can assure you that you will get an experience of your life!!

Don´t be afraid that it will be to tough and strenuous. Could I – You can. If you can add a couple of more days than what we had – there will be no problems whats so ever. The guide and porter will plan every day so that it suite you!

Don´t hesitate – DO IT!!!
Janne Gustavson
Email: gustavson.onsala@telia.com
Sweden
24/09/2012-06/10/2012