Comments by: Mr. Raja & Subitha Puthoor, from USA about Kathmandu - Kailash - Lhasa tour , May 2004
----- Original Message -----
From: RPuthoor@aol.com
To: earthbound@htp.com.np
Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2004 6:29 AM
Subject: Mount Kailash - Tibet, appreciation letter
Mr. Raja and Dr. Subitha Puthoor
24 Pyrenees Court , Henderson, Nevada 89011, USA
Home 702 567 2656
Cell 702 596 7645, Fax 702 567 3797, email: rputhoor@aol.com
To: Mr. Rajan Simkhada
Earthbound Expeditions, Kathmandu, Nepal
Dear Mr. Simkhada:
We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us realize our lifelong dream of circumambulating Mount Kailash and taking a bath in Lake Manasarover. The 35 days trip that you planned and led for the two of us plus Ms. Lydia Kersbergen, Holland, was beyond our expectations. (May 16 thru June 20, 2004. Las Vegas - Kathmandu - Naylam - Saga - Parang - Manasarovar - Darchen - Mt Kailash - Tharpoche - Tingri - Mt. Everest Base Camp - Lhatse - Shigatse - Gyantse - Lhasa- Kathmandu - Las Vegas)
Your team of three Nepalese and three Tibetans worked very well together. In fact, within a few days of the journey, we were all like one big family. Our Toyota Landcruiser driver, Mr. Tsering, is one of the best drivers and mechanics that I have ever met. He made us feel very safe thru all those treacherous mountain passes. Out Tibetan guide, Mr.Tenthar was very helpful and eager to please. His attitude made up for his basic English speaking skills. Our Nepalese cook, Mr. Gambu Sherpa, made such wonderful food throughout the trip that we were afraid of gaining weight! Thanks to Mr. Gambu, we had three real fresh baked cakes to celebrate our anniversary, my birthday and our farewell. We also want to thank you for taking time off from your busy schedule and personally accompanying us throughout the journey and helping us with the three-day trek around Mt. Kailash. I don't think we would have been able to complete the three-day trek by own feet at our age without your constant guidance and help
We will definitely visit Nepal and Tibet again. We hope to do next year the lodge-to-lodge trekking in Nepal. Once again, thank you for the successful planning and leading of our once-in-a-life spiritual journey and trekking adventure.
P.S. If you want you can use us as reference
if any body want to call us or e-mail us to talk directly they are welcome!
Sincerely,
Raja and Subitha Puthoor, USA
Comments by: Lydia Kersbergen, from Holland, May - June 2004 about Tibet - Kailash - Lhasa - Kathmandu Tour
Dear Rajan,
From May 18th till June 19th your travel agency Earthbound Expeditions took us on a breathtaking journey to Tibet.
For my fellow travelers Subitha and Raja to fulfill their religious wish to make the khora around Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash. And for me to visit one of the most holy and unspoiled places on this earth. For all three of us the journey of a lifetime!
Already in making the itinerary and preparing us for this journey you showed your experience.
You planned enough time to acclimatize to the Tibetan plateau, to do Lake Manasarovar khora before Mount Kailash khora and finish it before June 2nd so we could enjoy Saga Dawa festival in Tharboche.
Including the visit to Everest Base Camp was a good idea. Some stunning views on the way up there. From there to Lhasa the roads and hotels were getting better and we became tourists in stead of pilgrims. Shigatse, Gyantse and finally three days in Lhasa offered us the highlights of Tibetan culture.
During our stay in West Tibet the Nepali crew with you as our guide, Gambu Sherpa as our chef-cook and Ram Chandra Sapkota as assistant proved of immense importance.
Without your arrangements, support and good care the trip would never have been so successful and pleasant. The equipment you provided like tents, sleeping bags, down jackets were very good.
It still amazes me how Gambu Sherpa managed to make such wonderful meals in such difficult conditions. He surprised us every day!
Of the Tibetan crew, truck driver Tashi, jeep driver Tsering and guide Tenthar especially Cijilag (Tsering) excelled. He is our nominee for Tibet’s Best Driver. After almost 4 weeks of safe driving he expressed his friendship by inviting us to his home in Lhasa.
Before the journey I did not realize that you planned our stay in Nepal so wonderful!
We really appreciated that our journey started and ended in the luxury of Hyatt Regency Kathmandu. Not only did we visit the most interesting places in Kathmandu like Durbar square, (Kumari Devi!) Pashupatinath, Bodhnath and Thamel. You also took us to Patan and Bhaktapur and we stayed the night at Nagarkot, to enjoy the fresh mountain air and the view of the Himalayas.
What you showed us of Nepal makes me want to come back. I’m sure that you have lots of interesting proposals (Mustang maybe?)
Last but not least I want to thank you for guiding us personally.
Your knowledge of so many topics and your humor makes you a great traveling companion. Thank you Rajan !
Lydia Kersbergen : From Holland, 18th May to 19th June 2004. <lharberink@hetnet.nl>
Comments by: Ms. Jewal Kylo from CANADA about Kathmandu - Mustang trek - Lhasa - Lumbini Tour 2004
----- Original Message -----
From: jewal kylo
To: Earthbound Expeditions- Nepal
Sent: Sunday, June 13, 2004 12:26 PM
Subject: 'Recovering from jetlag!
Hello Rajan!
Thanks for your mail. My trip overall was amazing, hopefully not just once in a lifetime, however if so, no regrets. Mustang was all I wanted it to be, spiritual, physically challenging, and I felt highly connected to the people. Your crew was great, knowledgeable, and my fave sherpa pulled me up and down all those mountains, and got me through the rough spots. Norbu warned me Tibet might be a little disappointing after Mustang, I don't think I would say I was disappointed, I would say I'm glad I had the experience of the Mustang first. The road to Lhasa is filled with potholes and for authenticity I enjoyed Sera Monastery most. Potala Palace felt like the Dai La Lama should be there and not me, and I also felt honored to see such good preservation of so many treasures. I fell in love with the Tibetan livestock guardian dogs that are black and brown, and look a bit like a sheep heard with a Chow Chow like tail. I saw that breed of dog as a small, then larger puppy, and also as an adult and thought, if for no other reason than to adopt one, I must return to Tibet or Upper Mustang one day!
The place that gave me the most peace, and that I also thought I would like to see again one day was Lumbini. It's quiet and simplicity was just what I needed, and I am grateful you suggested it. I hope you'll keep in touch about interesting trips you might be planning in the future, and I hope you stay happy and healthy. I did leave some photos of my Mustang trip at your office and I hope you received them?
Best wishes, Jewal Kylo from Canada, e-mail: gabrielsgarden2002@yahoo.ca
Comments by: Du Xvan Ha & wife from USA about India - Nepal -10 days tour
( March 2 - 14, 2004)
Date: 14th March 2004
Congratulations!
We really enjoyed the trip with Earthbound Expeditions and we are fortunate to have Mr. Rajan Simkhada with us during the whole trip.
Mr. Rajan of Earthbound - is a professional, nice and very helpful person.
• Service is excellent!
• Price is reasonable
• Tour is very well organized
• Food is good (and we could order "a ' la carte")
Dr. Du Xvan Ha and wife, from USA
Email - ptxuandu@yahoo.com
Phone: - (408) 996-8248
Ps. - Anyone who like to have more information about Earthbound, Please feel free to e-mail me or to call me.
Comments by: Nik Rubin and friend, from Malaysia about Nepal – India Tour – 12 days
Thanks to Earthbound Expeditions for organizing our adventure in India & Nepal. Within the very short-time we managed to see most of the things that we planned to see. As we have been wondered on what to expect at each places managed to visit by the agency, we have more prepared to face the reality, and everything seems to be like a great adventure and we embrace them all.
India has its one uniqueness and so has Nepal. Our stay in Nepal is more memorable as we have the pleasure of the company of Mr. Rajan who is very knowledgeable of the places and very entertaining.
Nik Rubin and friend, from Malaysia, 26 - 2 - 2004
E-Mail: strozita@telekom.com.my
Comments by: Canh Vuong and wife, USA about Nepal – India Tour – 12 days
Every thing is excellent. I booked your India - Nepal trip through internet and was not sure how I will get the service but your service is excellent and professional, more then we expected. This tour gives me excellent experience of both Nepal and India one of the best tour ever!, thank you very much Rajan, you are very honest & caring person, I hope we will have more tours with you in the future to Tibet and Lumbini. We highly recommend you to all of my friends. Keep in touch.
Canh Vuong, USA, email: canhtuvuong@yahoo.com
Phone 408 - 270 2020 , March 13, 2004
Comments by: Mrs. / Mr. Hung Trinh / Patricia, USA, about Nepal – India Tour – 12 days
Date: 13th March 2004
Dear Rajan,
My wife and I enjoyed very much this vacation tour guided by you. from home before starting the trip we did not expect this trip will be so pleasant but day by the more we experience this trip the more we are pleased by the way realize how you help us to enjoy the sightseeing, you care for your customers very much.
We are so enjoyed and relaxed that we will tell our friends about your agency if any one wants to see Nepal, India, Tibet or just a good vacation after our days of hardworking in our homeland = USA.
Once more time thank you Rajan!
Mrs. and Mr. Hung Trinh / Patricia, USA, Phone: 408 294 8663
Comments by: Joanna and John Picchi, from USA about Trip of Nepal Annapurna circuit trek, - 27 days, Sept 25 - Oct 22, 2004
From: picchij
To: Earthbound Expeditions- Nepal
Sent: Monday, October 25, 2004 11:03 AM
Subject: Re: Rajan , Thank you!
Dear Rajan,
We did indeed have a safe trip home, enjoyed an overnight in Bangkok, and John has completely recovered from his stomach problems which he had in the last days in Kathmandu. From what I have learned today it seems like Kerry soundly trounced Bush in the 2 debates, so maybe your prayers for world peace are one step closer to being answered! I cried on the airplane seeing the hills, terraces, and mountains of beautiful Nepal disappear. We truly had a wonderful visit. I think John was a little shocked when we first arrived by the poverty, garbage, and level of confusion seen in Kathmandu but after the trek this could be seen in context, the result of lack of leadership and planning, too many people looking for an alternative to a subsistence lifestyle and wanting just a bit of the technology and opportunity we take for granted here in the USA..
Earthbound Expeditions did a first rate job in so many ways. I felt like our guide, Mahendra, was always looking out for us, answering our many questions regarding history, culture and religion, helping us appreciate what we were seeing and pointing out things we may have otherwise missed. Whenever I mentioned I would like to visit a gompa or shrine he always made certain we did. On the trail he was always watching for potential danger if the path was narrow or steep or congested with mules, goats, and porter traffic. He and Bikash, our porter, quickly learned our room preferences (quiet, on the top floor with the best view) and seemed to really enjoy getting us "the best". We kept a comfortable pace and never felt overly fatigued. Earthbound's services were very reliable and professional as well as personable and fun. We very much enjoyed the time you so generously shared with us, Rajan, touring the sights of Kathmandu and enjoying the Nepali dinner and culture evening. Your insights regarding the social and political strengths and weakness of Nepal were quite astute and contributed much to our appreciation and understanding of what we were experiencing.
Thank you for making our visit so memorable and fun! Namaste,
Joanna and John Picchi, from USA - picchij@open.org , Annapurna trek 2004
P.s I will send a reassuring note to Kyle, whom you asked me to write and am already spreading the word that Nepal is safe to travel.
Comments by: Kim Orbon from Holland about Nepal - Tibet tour - 20 days Oct. 2004
Dear Rajan,
First of all I want to compliment you with your company. You gave very good and honest advice about both trips that I made the trekking to Annapurna 12 days and the 8-day tour to Tibet. I had the best time ever!!! Both trips were very beautiful. The trekking was excellent. The guide that came with me was very friendly and helpful and he knew a lot about the nature and culture of the Annapurna area. The trip to Tibet was fascinated. Tibet is really a mystery with all the monasteries, friendly people and beautiful nature. The accommodations were very fine and the minibus was nice to travel with. I want to thank you for all your help from the beginning to the end. I am really happy that I booked both trips by Earthbound Expedition. I wish you and all your employees all the best for now and in the future. Hopefully a lot of people will experience the beauty of this country, because Nepal (and Tibet) has a lot to offer.
Many thanks. Greetings,
Kim Orbon from Holland, KimOrbon78@hotmail.com ,
Recommended by Hamro Jivan care house to us
Comments by: Judy & friend from Hong kong, Everest Panorama trek – 14 days
From: Judy Lau
To: Earthbound Expeditions- Nepal
Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 1:32 PM
Subject: Thank you Rajan !!
Dear Rajan
Thanks very much for all your quality arrangement for us at Nepal. We enjoyed the whole trip very much. Everything was fine on the flight, and we are back to work today. We will share all our happiness with our friends and relatives at Nepal and of course, we will recommend you to those who are interested to Nepal for trekking.
Namaste!
Judy Lau and Team
School of Continuing and Professional Education, City University of Hong Kong
1/F Jockey Club Environmental Building, 77 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong
Tel:2302-4361 / 2735-3720 , Fax: 2735-7586, Email: cejudy@cityu.edu.hk
Comments by: Frederike Hollander from Hollad, about Nepal Trip – 10days
From: "Frederike Hollander" <Frederike.Hollander@wxs.nl>
To: "Earthbound Expeditions- Nepal" <earthbound@htp.com.np>
Sent: Sunday, April 18, 2004 2:09 PM
Subject: We are back!
Dear Rajan,
Yes Madhukar got his sweater! it was very nice of you to send it.
And I enjoyed my stay in Nepal very much.
Thank you very much for your very well organizing talents and taking care!
You are doing really a good job, trustable and reliable.
I really hope the situation in Nepal will get better soon and wish you very good business. We keep in touch. Wish you love and peace,
Lohita from Holland - www.madhukar.org
Comments by: Shirley Pang from Hongkong about Nepal-Jomsom Trek – 12 days
From: "shirley pang" <shirlpang@hotmail.com>
To: <earthbound@htp.com.np>
Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 5:53 AM
Subject: Re: Greetings from Nepal
Dear Rajan,
Thank you very much for all your arrangements with our trip which was so enjoyable and hassle free. It was fortunate for us too to avoid the Maoists on the trek which we most worried about.
The flight was punctual and flied on time. The bonus was we catch the sight of Mt Everest while we left Kathmandu. Though with some cloud we could take some photos of the Himalayan ranges above the cloud. So make sure you sit on the left side of the plane when you leave Kathmandu.
We shall keep in touch and very likely we shall re-visit Nepal again and walk the Lukla trek. Please send our thanks to Miranda ( Your Hk manager) for all her information and advices, and thanks the guide and porters which help to make our trip so comfortable along the trek.
By the way I have forgotten to ask for the email address of the two girls who we met in the Villa Everest Restaurant. Would you please give them my email address so that we could keep in contact and share the fun of the trek. Thanks again and best regards to you all.
Shirley Pang and family - from Hong Kong
Comments by: Wolf and friend from Hongkong about Nepal- Annapurna Trek – 12days
From: "wolf" <wolf@webinhk.com>
To: <earthbound@htp.com.np>
Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2004 11:46 AM
Subject: Namaste!
Dear Rajan,
Greetings from Hong Kong! How are you? Busy at your business? Don't forget to take a rest la. We are fine but feel tired as we do not have enough sleeping time. We started working on Monday (work from 8:00am to 11/12:00am)... so tired..
Since we have been so busy at work, we didn't have time to take the films to produce, so unable to send you some pictures (incl. those taken at your home).. Don't worry, we manage to do this in the coming days.. by then we will tell you which website the pictures being uploaded.
We always think of the trip in Nepal, so wonderful, so exciting, so many smiles, food is so good & cheap. of course thinking of you, Mahendra and Kim... your faces are always in our mind. We highly recommend this place to our friends.
Okay, stop here because we have to leave for lunch la. bye
Regards
wolf & Iris - from Hong Kong
Comments by: Joan and friend from Hongkong about Taste of Nepal Trip - 10 days
From: Joan
To: earthbound Expd Nepal
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2004 8:50 AM
Subject: Re: greetings from Nepal , thank you
Dear Rajan,
Namaste to you too!
Everything's fine for us. The trip is a memorable experience. Both of us agree the MOST enjoyable part of it is the trek to Poon Hill. Wish we could have stayed longer in the mountains! Special thanks to your staff at the Kathmandu office - they are most friendly and helpful.
We did bump into Iris and Wolf for several times in Kathmandu - Thamel is such a small place!
Again, thanks for all your thoughtfulness and hospitality.
All the best in 2004,
Joan & Tong - Hong Kong , Annapurna trek withs us Jan 2004
Comments by: Jacqueline van Steenbrugge and Teus Vertooren from Holland [ Kathmandu - Kailash-Lhasa Trip 2004]
From: Jacqueline van Steenbrugge
To: Earthbound Expeditions- Nepal
Sent: Sunday, August 22, 2004 1:26 PM
Subject: Re: Recommendation letter of Kailash trip !
Dear Rajan,
Namaste!
Now, Jan and I made the recommendation letter. This is to show anyone who are interested to visit Kailash , Lhasa with Earthbound Expeditions!
"From 11 July until the 7th of august 2004 we went with a group of 14 people to Nepal and Tibet. Earthbound Expeditions organized the trip for us. They did a very good job. They were caring, flexible and reliable.. They carried out the programmed as planned. First we traveled to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. We stayed in good tents in nice campsites. The food was marvelous. We had experienced drivers and solid 4-wheel drive cars.
During the trip some of the group suffered from the high altitude. The crew of Earthbound Expeditions reacted efficient and good on what was needed to cure them. Because of their care we all able to continue the trip.
After the Kailash we went to Lhasa and then back to Kathmandu. We stayed in nice hotels. It was an experience of lifetime, thanks to the great care and organization of Earthbound Expeditions; we will recommend this company to any one"
P. S. We are planning to visit Sikkim and Bhutan with them next year in 2005.
The group leaders : From Holland : Jan van der Stappen and Jacqueline van Steenbrugge
From: t vertooren
To: earthbound@htp.com.np
Sent: Monday, September 13, 2004 12:21 PM
Subject: Thanks to Earthbound Expd, Rajan !
This e-mail is for those who are interested to join Kailash - Lhasa tour,
Traveling with Earthbound Expeditions in (western) Tibet is traveling with a feeling of safety. Especially in that part of the world where they do not have all those safety services we western people are so common with. Earthbound Expedition was very keen on prevention for the food, drinking water, cars and also for the altitude sickness. Yes, it hit me and it hit everyone who is not used to travel on such altitude. But slowly I, and the others are used to it. They never forced a situation for the sake of their own. Speaking for my own. I could make it without taking drugs like Diamox. That brought me the feeling having a very relaxed time in this remote part of the world. Traveling western Tibet and climbing Mount Kailash ( Dolma - La) was a kind of adventure that makes me feel good because they saw it as their duty to guard us without overreacting. And although we were with a group of fourteen, which meant so many different people with all their different wishes, nevertheless everyone off us was satisfied about the quality of life.
One thing you should know ! They know very interesting places even the well-known travel guides do not describe. That's another reason for you to consider traveling with Earthbound Expeditions!
And: you're going for a trekking, don't forget to strengthen your physical condition.
Teus Vertooren, Project-manager, Mental hospital Rotterdam / Holland Age: 54 e-mail: t_vertooren@hotmail.com
Comments by: Rhonda Follrath Beijing - Xian - Lhasa - Kailash - Lhasa - Chengdu trip Sept 28-Oct 16, 2004
From: "Rhonda Follrath"
To: <earthbound@htp.com.np>
Sent: Monday, October 18, 2004 9:42 AM
Subject: Re: Thanks Rajan?
Dear Rajan,
Namaste! I am in Tokyo and on my way home. Everything went smoothly for the rest of the trip after you left us in Lhatse. We had a nice tour in Lhasa and met up with some old friends in Beijing. Thank you for everything you did for us and for putting up with some of my friends!! We did all love it though. Absolutely no problem for the recommendations, as we enjoyed the trip so much. I am more than happy to help. I will also get in touch with the friend I told you about who owns an adventure travel company. Maybe she can send some trips your way. Back to work now... Thanks again for everything.. Glad you made it home, OK.
Rhonda with her 5 friends, From USA, Beijing - Xian - Lhasa - Kailash - Lhasa - Chengdu trip Sept 28 - Oct 16, 2004
Comments by : Maria Mini who did Lhasa - Kailash trek, October 2004 & Mustang Tiji Festival trek 2005 with us
----- Original Message -----
From: maria mini , To: earthbound@htp.com.np
Sent: Monday, October 17, 2005 6:57 PM
Subject: Thank you!
Dear Rajan,
I want to thank you so much for the great trekking, both in Tibet – Kailash, October 2004 and in Upper Mustang during the Tiji festival on May 2005.
It has been a great experience trekking with you and your wonderful staff. The organization was perfect and I got treated like a queen, especially when it came to "food"! Thanks to the cooks I always had delicious meals and warm water whenever I needed. The tents were always ready at our arrival after our daily walks, so it gave us a very good feeling and a sense of security.
I definitely will suggest anyone who wants to have a beautiful and unique experience on the Himalayan Mountains to contact "Earthbound Expeditions" trekking agency. Rajan is very kind and helpful to everybody and he would suggest the best to you.
Thank you so much again for your kindness and the great work you has done for both trekking.
Maria Mini - Lugano – Switzerland'
P.S. If anybody wants to contact me please send an e-mail to mariamini35@hotmail.com
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