he is very kind and very charismatic, if you need your time, he’ll give it to you, he’s also great at playing cards, i can assure you, you won’t win.. hahah

My wife and I chose the 5-day Mohara Dana trek with Raj and his friend and porter, Chin, after a colleague of mine did the same trek with Raj a few years ago.

It did not disappoint; in fact, I think it’ll prove to be the best thing we did on our 3-month trip.

Raj is a local to the Tikot village you’ll visit on your last evening, and he knows the trail like the back of his hand (another guide had to ring Raj a few times as he was lost and needed directions). Plus, he knows all the teashop and lodge owners really well, and it’s this community element of the trek that separates it from other more touristy alternatives.

When my wife was feeling unwell midway through the trek Raj even kindly moved his schedule around a bit to give us a rest day so we could complete the trek a day later than originally planned.

Can’t recommend it enough.

Raj was a great guide. We spent 5 days together on the trail and he was always so patient, helpful and friendly. He knows many people along the way and all of the best teahouses to stay and eat. This was a very difficult trek for me and I know I couldn’t have done it without him. His communication before the trip was great and he was always on time to meet and for pickup. I would recommend Raj for anyone who is traveling to Nepal.

Without worry, I would send my 65 year old mother to hike with Raj. Or, my 15 year old cousin. Raj is kind, smart, and funny. He allowed me to connect authentically to the individuals whose homes I was passing through (himself included), and I am so thankful.

At one point during our trek up to Mohare Danda, ending at Raj’s home village of Tikot, I was sure that I’d seen a carnivorous plant. He nicely explained that the plant was a lily and can be fermented and dried to make gundruk, a tasty side dish. Later that day we saw its shriveled stocks lying in the sun. The same day, we saw women gathering “winter worm summer grass,” which is a moth larvae that is parasitized by a fungus and becomes a fruiting body for the fungus. They were gathering it because of it’s high value as a traditional Chinese medicine. Without Raj, I would have missed these details and so many more.

If you’re considering traveling to Nepal, do it! And, use Raj as your guide. You’ll enjoy the most incredible views and get to know many good-humored, thoughtful people.

Raj took my family and some friends on an eco trek and was great company, showing my husband all kinds of Nepali songs. He was a wonderful voice as well as being a great guide. A really lovely person that I would trust to take me and anyone I know anywhere!