The three weeks before the hike, I had a back injury and was apprehensive about my fitness level (not good) and safety (as always on solo trips). Having just made it to Pokhara after almost 4 days of travel, I met Manoj, my guide and porter, and just hours later all my worries appeared to be gone. During our consultation, he was knowledgeable, always prepared, and went above and beyond to ensure that I was comfortable. He made me feel extremely safe and taken care of at all times. During my poon hill trek, I turned it into a five-day trip, and he made sure I had the best rooms in every tea house, as well as the best food. I was introduced to Nepalese music, I was shown what locals eat, as well was encouraged to push through the tough hikes. A BIG THANK YOU TO MANOJ! In my opinion, this is one of the best hikes you can do in Nepal if you want to experience some true Nepalese culture at the same time.