For the Langtang Trek, we traveled with our guide Lal Gurung. I could not have asked for a better person to guide our small family group than Lal, who was a wonderful guide and took care of all our needs and requests. After we reached Kyanjin Gompa, we completed the trekking part of our trip since we were traveling into the Christmas break. Lal arranged for a charter helicopter to pick us up from almost directly out front of the tea house and take us straight to the airport in Kathmandu after we had explored the area for a few days. The journey itself was incredible; flying through the Himalayas on Christmas Day with all of the highest peaks in the world surrounding us under crystal clear skies all the way back.

The trek itself was a tough first few days of steep climbing trails through beautiful forest and mountain valleys, then it opened up as we progressed. As the earthquake has left its mark in various areas, crossing some of the rockfalls and slides definitely brings home the lives lost and damage done in the region. Great to see all the work that has been done and is still being done on the re-building. The tea houses all had great facilities, and the local owners made the experience unforgettable. Himal at Nepal Wilderness Tours selected the perfect guide for our family and made sure the helicopter picked us up on Christmas Day. A big thank you to Lal for being an amazing guide and now friend, and to Himal for bringing us together.