How to Choose a Trekking Company in Nepal: The Honest Guide

How to Choose a Trekking Company in Nepal: The Honest Guide From a Company Owner

By Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday

Yes, I run a trekking company. Yes, I want you to book with us. But more than that, I want you to have a safe, honest, and memorable trek in my country — even if you book with someone else.

Nepal has over 3,000 registered trekking companies. Some are excellent. Some are terrible. Some are scams operating from a rented desk in Thamel. Here is how to tell the difference.

The 7 Things to Check Before Booking

1. TAAN Membership Number

The Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) is the industry body that certifies legitimate operators. Every real company has a membership number. Ask for it. Verify it on taan.org.np.

Ours is #1586. If a company cannot give you a number, walk away.

2. Government Registration

Every legitimate company has a government registration number issued by the Department of Tourism. Ours is 147653/072/073. This proves the company is legally registered to operate treks in Nepal.

3. TripAdvisor and Google Reviews

Check reviews on independent platforms — not the company's own website. Look for:

• Volume: 100+ reviews suggests a real operation. Under 20 is a red flag
• Recency: Reviews from the last 6 months show the company is actively operating
• Specificity: Real reviews mention guide names, specific trail details, and real situations. Fake reviews are vague and generic
• Negative reviews: How the company responds to complaints tells you more than the praise

We have 196 TripAdvisor reviews (4.9/5) and 107 Google reviews (4.9/5). Read them yourself — the details tell the real story.

4. Direct Communication

Message the company on WhatsApp or email. A good company responds within hours with specific, helpful answers. A bad company gives generic replies or takes days to respond.

At The Everest Holiday, you chat directly with me (Shreejan) on WhatsApp: +977 9810351300. I answer within 30 minutes during Nepal business hours. You are not talking to a sales team.

5. Price Transparency

A trustworthy company tells you exactly what is included and excluded BEFORE you pay. No surprises. No hidden fees at the trailhead.

Red flags: "We will discuss the price when you arrive in Kathmandu" or refusing to provide a written itinerary with inclusions.

6. Guide Qualifications

Ask: Are your guides TAAN-certified? Do they have wilderness first aid training? How many years of experience do they have?

Our guides hold TAAN certification, wilderness first aid, and altitude sickness training. Most have 5-15 years of guiding experience. We can tell you your guide's name before you arrive.

7. Safety Protocols

Ask: What happens if someone gets altitude sickness? Do your guides carry pulse oximeters? What is your evacuation procedure?

Any company that cannot answer these questions clearly should not be guiding you above 3,000 metres.

Red Flags — When to Walk Away

• No TAAN number or government registration
• Price is significantly below market rate (if EBC costs $500, something is wrong)
• Asks for full payment upfront before you arrive
• No reviews on independent platforms
• Cannot name your guide or provide their qualifications
• Vague about inclusions — "everything is included" without specifics
• Operates from a Thamel shop with no permanent office
• Pressures you to book immediately

Book Direct vs Through an International Agent

International adventure travel companies (UK, US, Australia) charge $2,000-3,500 for the same EBC trek that costs $1,072-1,799 direct from a Nepal company. The trek is identical — same trail, same teahouses, same mountain.

The international company adds 20-50% margin for their London or Sydney offices, marketing, and staff. Then they subcontract to a Nepal company anyway — often the same companies you can book directly.

Booking directly with a trusted Nepal company saves you 30-60%. The guide quality is the same. The safety is the same. The mountain does not care who processed your booking.

What Makes The Everest Holiday Different

• Three generations: My grandfather helped Himalayan expeditions in the 1960s. My father held senior positions at the Nepal Tourism Board. I grew up on these trails
• Direct contact: You talk to me, the CEO, on WhatsApp. Not a sales team
• 10% deposit: The lowest in the industry. Most companies charge $350-700 or 20-30% upfront
• All meals included: Some competitors exclude meals — adding $360-470 to your real cost
• Charity impact: Every booking supports 70 children at the Nagarjun Learning Center
• 318 verified reviews across TripAdvisor, Google, and Trustpilot

But do not take my word for it. Check our TAAN number (#1586), read our reviews, message me on WhatsApp, and compare. If you find a better option, take it. Nepal wins either way.

Chat with Shreejan: +977 9810351300
Browse treks: www.theeverestholiday.com

Trek With a Purpose.