Testimonials

We would without reservation recommend using Yama adventures to provide access to the pure magic of Leh and the Ladakh mountain range. Namgial Rinchen and his team right from the very first enquiry were effciient and thoughtful in organising a trek to suit our needs. They were sympathetic to our time constraints and the altitude. In particular we were concerned about food and water quality. The food was delicious and with pressure cookers, they made sure the water was safe to drink. Namgial made us feel very special in the way he organised our trek. There was no question of money, he wanted to ensure our experience was truly rewarding. This was in contrast to other tour operators we approached who were not locally based where the fee seemed more important than the service. These days ostensibly the whole world is open to travellers which makes it sometimes rare to want to return to one place. Without hesitation we are going back to Ladakh and will ask Namgial to help us escape once again into a special land where one can breath again.

Rupert and Susie Rucker, based in Singapore originally from the UK
Rupert.Rucker@schroders.com

*

We went to Ladakh in August 2007 and planned a Markka Valley trek for 8-days through Rinchen Namgial's company, Yama Adventures. Though there are many trekking outfits in Leh and it is somewhat confusing to get an idea in advance as to good prices and the quality of gear and services, Rinchen was prompt and attentive by phone and email in responding to our inquiries while we discussed various trekking options. Upon arriving in Leh, Rinchen and his staff were great about making sure we were settled and had the requisite things for a successful trek. The trek itself was spectacular, and we were very happy at the services Yama Adventures provided: very good equipment, and a knowledgeable guide, horseman, and cook. Compared to previous treks in other countries, this Markka Valley trek was luxurious and the staff were attentive and patient. We would recommend Yama Adventures to any group seeking reasonable costs and excellent quality for their treks in the Himalayas.

Ajay Gandhi and Olga Sooudi
ajay.gandhi1@gmail.com

*

August, 2007, the Baby Trek

Yamatreks rocks.  Trek in the Himalayas and you will be rewarded by vistas
words can't describe.  The six days we spent in Ladakh were the high point
of our two weeks in India.  They were some of our best vacation days ever,
and that¹s thanks to Namgial and the spectacular trekking crew he gave us: Tenlis, Prem, Tashi and Sherb. We heard about Namgial from our daughter's friend, who had spent a month in Leh.  She gave Namgial rave reviews, too.

Namgial is a wonderful teacher, as interested in his students as he is in his subject.  Sage-like, exuberant, and funny, Namgial introduced us to Buddhist thinking and observance.  As we became accustomed to Leh's altitude, he guided us through monasteries, illuminating frescoes with a flashlight and his understanding of Buddhist teachings and ritual.  With his encouragement, we sampled the monks' salted butter tea  whoa!

Take a careful look at his touring and trekking itineraries, and note how carefully Namgial prepares trekkers.  By the time you¹re on your first path, you're ready.  A day or so later, when you¹re ascending the steeper paths, you have no problem handling them.  The amenities range from comfy to fun mattresses, dining tent, toilet tent, shower set up, morning bed tea, lunch boxes stuffed with healthy meals, freshly-baked cake (no kidding!).

One evening, camping in a village on our trek, we ran out of mint for the fresh mint tea we¹d been enjoying.  Thanks to our guide, Tenlis, we found a local family with a beautiful garden.  The family sold us an armful of mint, fed us apricots from their tree, and invited us to join them for tea.  With Tenlis translating, we spent an hour visiting  we were two mothers, each with a daughter.  For an hour, we enjoyed the privilege of connecting with family as a common frame of reference, visitors who arrived via jet in an area where things haven¹t changed much for the last thousand years or so.

If you care about the environment  keep Ladokh pristine - go with Yamatreks.  Namgial makes a point of educating his trekkees to follow environmentally sound practices.

We're back in the USA, prayer shawls displayed.  We look forward to more treks under Namgial¹s supervision.  Trek and tour with Yamatreks.  And, one winter (when trekking is out of the question), we hope Namgial will make it to the USA.

Meris Powell, Darrell Prescott, Katherine Prescott



Meris Powell, M.A., L.C.S.W.
mnpowell@aol.com


Testimonial for Namgial, Yama Adventures:

I have spent two summers in Ladakh and done trekking, mountaineering, jeep safaris and many smaller trips and I have always relied on Namgials services. With him everything is working perfectly and with a great spirit. During my earlier job as a trekking tour leader for Finnish travel agency I have seen many tour operators which organize various trips. From that experience I can warmly recommend Namgial and his Yama Adventures for your guide and support, whether it is trekking, mountaineering, jeep safari or monastery sightseeing. Namgial is a humorous and very responsible person and has a good connection to Ladakh life.



Especially trekking with Yama Adventures is great. They have good quality equipment, such as original The North Face tents and very comfortable sleeping mattresses. Guides are experienced and food is delicious. Markha Valley trek and Stok Kangri summit in summer 2006 was a great experience!



Good to know: You can also let Yama Adventures to organize your sightseeing, accommodation and transports on your arrival or departure in Delhi.

Remember to bring your sun cream and your good spirit when coming to Ladakh!

Timo Räsänen
Helsinki, Finland
Please request my email address from Namgial for further inquiries!

JIM
Just wanted to sing the praises of Yama Adventures (www.yamatreks.com)
for giving our family such a good trek in Ladakh this year. Rinchen Namgial's laid back style complements a very competent and highly attentive organization which accomodated any needs we had without stress or bother. Lots of nice little personal touches which really made the trip for us. My wife and I have climbed and trekked extensively in Nepal, Pakistan, and India in the past 25 years, and the food, equipment, and staff on our trek was among the best we have experienced. The staff took a special interest in our 13 year old and made sure he never got bored during our 12 day trek and climb of Stok kangri.

Namgial is a native Ladakhi with a deep concern for the culture and environment of Ladakh - our trip was low impact and highly interactive. Listening to Namgial's insights into Ladakhi history over a few beers overlooking Leh at sunset was a treat!

Jim Farkas
Park City, Utah, USA
tojimfarkas@yahoo.com


Testimonial for Rinchen Namgial at Yama Adventures

Namgial and the other staff at Yama Adventures were top notch and I highly recommend them. My wife and I rearranged our entire trip in India after we arrived. Yama bumped our trek up a couple weeks with no problem. The guides, cook and horseman were friendly and energetic. My wife and I are used to carrying our own gear, but were very grateful to be free of it in the high mountains. The great Himalayan beauty was enhanced by the intelligent guides who not only pointed out interesting sites, but also gave us great insight into the local culture. We were able to see Bhuddist monasteries and mountain dwellings that were many centuries and in some cases more than a millenium old. The food was unbelievable, particularly for a trip through the mountains. Our campsite was always spotless after we left, something important to us.

The Markha Valley trek was a big highlight of our two months in India. I highly recommend it.

Please feel free to contact me at: smcleary@yahoo.com

Steve Cleary
Alaska

 

Rikke Hansen & Peter Schack – Copenhagen – Denmark
Mail : pmschack@gmail.com

We arrived in Leh in June and knew beforehand that we wanted to go trekking for a week’s time and wanted to plan things after arrival. We realized already on our first day that the “trekking company scene” in Leh is a bit chaotic with more than 200 agencies around.

We tried to talk to other travelers for recommendations and went on a tour around to 9 companies to get a feel of things. We experienced on our trek quite a few trekkers with some bad experiences – mainly equipment not up to the promised standards and very importantly cooks that didn’t boil water and prepare food properly – result was that people had to abandon the trek due to food poisoning.

Most of the popular treks are offered by most companies and we found out that most trekkers and companies fast get very focused by how much you pay per day instead of looking at what you get for your money!!!!!

We went by our “gut feeling” and choose Rinchen Namgial to arrange our trek – Namgial was very serious in his approach and we could feel that he was very experienced and concerned that we should have a good trek.

The night before we took off we were very exited of what would happen – AND we had a wonderful 8 days with everything living up to expectations. As a little example Namgial had told us that food would be “basic” and it was absolutely not – we were spoiled with pancakes, popcorn and a wide variety of different and also healthy dishes! His staff were very competent and we felt well looked after on the whole tour.

We have both been “teahouse” trekking several times in Nepal and here in Ladakh it is different - you need a reliable organizer that also focus on safety during the trek and provide good equipment, staff and back-up!

We can really recommend Namgial’s company Yama Adventures for organizing a trek.

 Rikke & Peter



From Galen Murton, Program Director
Global Learning Across Borders (Global LAB)
If planning a trip to Ladakh, one can do no better than work with Rinchen Namgial of Yama Adventures.

As the program director for secondary school and college study-abroad programs, I have had the unique opportunity to work with Namgial over he course of the past several years. Whether organizing a trek in remote valleys of Zanskar, guiding western Buddhists on monastery Dharma-tours,
or running the complex logistics for groups sized two to twenty, Namgial is eminently capable and affable in all that he does. And not only that, he is also one of the most perceptive, intelligent, and fun individuals I’ve ever met. My students invariably identify the friendship which they forge with Namgial as one of the true highlights of their time in India, and he has single-handedly inspired many of my students, friends, and colleagues to return to Ladakh and greater India in order to volunteer, teach, and trek on many occasions.

The treks and climbs which Namgial sponsors feature the finest staff of guides, cooks, and horsemen that Ladakh has to offer, and he uses the best equipment available (tents by The North Face and the like). Furthermore, for monastery tours during festival season and excursions of cultural exchange into remote villages, Namgial has the personal connections and seasoned experience to customize your trip to fit all of your needs and dreams.

Namgial is fluent and articulate in Ladakhi, Tibetan, Hindi, Urdu, and English, and having grown up in a quiet Ladakhi village but educated in Jammu and Delhi, he is also completely comfortable and experienced in both Indian and western communities. His extensive trekking experience combined with a Master’s degree in Buddhist Studies makes a day with Namgial a learning experience wherever you may venture.

I recommend Namgial without reservation for any of your Ladakh travel needs, and guarantee that you’ll be impressed and satisfied with his professionalism, integrity, and wonderfully warm personality.

For any further information please contact me at
galenbmurton@yahoo.com or, please contact Namgial at:

Rinchen Namgial
Yama Adventures
PO Box 187, Head Post Office
Leh, Ladakh 194 101, India

namgial@gmail.com
0091-94191-78763 (mobile)
0091-1982-250833 (office)

Sincerely,

Galen Murton
Program Director
Global Learning Across Borders (Global LAB)

 

Sue & Nathan Cope, UK
copenat@hotmail.com

Let us begin by saying that booking our entire 2-month stay in Ladakh through Yama Adventures was one the best decisions we ever made (apart from the decision to go to Ladakh in the first place, that is).

We found Namgial on a search engine. Booking a holiday with someone thousands of miles away is always a little nerve-racking but Namgial, in the three months prior to our departure, set our minds at ease by always replying promptly to all the questions we had (and there were lots of questions, I can tell you!)

When I think about Namgial – now that I’m back in London – my overwhelming memory is of someone who always went that one step further for us the whole time we were there. In the first week he popped up in our guesthouse almost daily to check were we drinking enough water, not doing anything too strenuous and generally doing all the right things to acclimatize. He always came to see us after each trek to get our feedback. And, most importantly, Namgial was articulate, knowledgeable and obviously cared a great deal about the culture and environment of Ladakh.

Our whole trip was organised perfectly – from the Sham Trek at the beginning, to the sight-seeing around Leh, to the high altitude trek to Tsomoriri. The teams we went out on our treks with were always resourceful and fun to spend our days with. They also did all they could to minimize the impact we had on the environment we were traveling in – quite unlike many of the other large groups who we came across who left piles of rubbish and tin cans in this once pristine landscape.

After two months Namgial was much more than someone who ran the company that organized our trip – he had become a very good friend. Saying goodbye at Leh airport at 6am was very difficult indeed.

We would strongly recommend Yama Adventures to anyone reading this. Take a look at our travelogue for more details www.yearaway.com. Don’t go with one of those big tour companies, you’ll miss out on the personal touch that made our stay in Ladakh so magical.

Sue & Nathan Cope,

***

Kate Niles
Novelist / Professor
Author of the Basket maker
E-mail: joka@frontier.net

Namgial’s gentle competence rubbed off on all of us. We were given extraordinary opportunities, such as visits to an oracle/healer, & the home stays in a remote Ladakhi village. It was clear that none of this would have been possible without Namgial’s connection and the trust he has built between people.

His knowledge of Buddhism & his intelligence are wonderful, as his humor.

Highly recommended!

 

Sarah M Decker
Colorado USA
E-mail: naislegna@msn.com

The experience that I had in Leh and Ladakh was only made possible by Namgial and his extensive knowledge of the Ladakh area. At every moment Namgial kept things lively and interesting. The accommodations were excellent and the home stay was the highlight of the trip. I would recommend this for anyone interested in having an unforgettable trip.

 

D. Linnea Decker
Colorado USA
E-mail: dorotha_decker@yahoo.com

My experience traveling though India was more then amazing. Namgial’s & Galen’s knowledge and interaction with the group made my first time in India memorable.
Everyone should have as much fun.

 

Jamie Johnson
USA
E-mail: jmjohson1@fortlewis.edu

Travelers usually don’t understand the cultures they are traveling though. They are witnesses to the architecture and the external appearances of the places and people they see. Previous travel experience I have had were like this, but Ladakh was completely different. When I was in Mangyu I felt like part of the community. I stayed with an amazing family, ate dinner with them, and had fun trying to understand one another. I helped in the local school and still had plenty of time for hiking in the Himalayas and rapping. My thanks goes to Namgial for making this possible and I would definitely recommend him to any future travelers.

 

William Pitt Root
Pulitzer Nominated
Poet/ retired professor
USA
E-mail: wprpoet@mac.com

If there is a better way to experience Ladakh than touring it with Namgial,
I cannot imagine what it might be. Namgial is a guide who soon begins to feel more like a companions who just happens to have an inexhaustible knowledge of the place, its people, and its resources. He is at ease with everyone, attentive to details, and has a fine grasp of the myriad test comprise Ladakh culture in city and village alike, and his English is as excellent as his sensibility is delightful.

 

Pamela Uschuk
Fort Lewis College
professor/creative writing
USA
E -mail: Pamuschuk@mac.com

Extraordinary would be the first adjective that comes to mind when I think of Namgial. As a guide, as a teacher, as a profound human being with great warmth and humor, Namgial excels at being a guide. No wonder National Geographic and Smithsonian have employed him in this capacity. Not once have I seen him become frustrated nor not have an answer to the many questions we have plied him with. I would recommend him without reservation to any group wanting to trek the Himalayas of Ladakh or wanting to learn in a deep way about Ladakhi culture, its varied peoples on the facets of Tibetan Buddhism. Namgial is nothing short of a genius of guides.

 

Jennifer Maples
E-mail:JMMAPLES@fortlewis.edu

Leh and its surrounding areas were undeniably more interesting with guidance and expertise of Namgail. He was extremely kind, understanding, knowledgeable, and funny as our guide throughout Ladakh. When I come back Namgail will be the person who will be my guide once again. Loved him, the experience, and the amazing scenery and people we saw. Namgail is highly recommended by myself and the group I traveled with.

 

Ben Tyson
E-mail:vinylskier@yahoo.com

Namgial is flat-out amazing. I cannot imagine doing a trip like this –approximately a week in Leh Ladakh without Namgial’s immense breadth of knowledge and hilarious sense of humor. With excellent English, confidence, and compassion he will make your trip the experience of a lifetime.

 

Lauren Mann
E-mail:jemjavv@gmail.com
USA
My trip to India would not have been complete without the trip to Ladakh. Nmagial was a wonderful addition to our group and fit in right away. His knowledge of the region was outstanding and indispensable. I have learned so much from him and had many wonderful laughs. I will miss him and wish he could have accompanied our group throughout India.

 

Molly Wiebush
E-mail: badgersinmyhead@gmail.com

Namgail has been an awesome guide. He is excellent at explaining what we are seeing, and he is hilarious. He has definitely made this trip an amazing experience.

 

Caitlin Thurrell

E-Mail: cthurrell@gmail.com

In May of 2007 I traveled to Ladakh with a group of students from America. Rinchen Namgial and Yama Adventures facilitated our trip; I think I have never felt so well taken care of. We reached Leh early in the morning, descending from the airplane to the runway and out into the cold, thin air. A rocky desert landscape rose and plunged in muted colors to either side, gray, snow-capped mountains cutting the horizon to the front. The sky was impossibly blue, a color of crayon boxes, arching above into a bowl of definite form and dimension—these spectacular facts of the landscape are still my most vivid memories of Ladakh, beauty magnified a hundredfold by the days spent trekking, completely immersed in it. Namgial met us at the airport, and took us to our guest house. Accommodations in Leh were all we could have asked-- there were soft warm beds with thick blankets, and hot showers; for the next two days we slept and ate tremendously, acclimatizing and (gently) exploring the capitol city.

We spent nine days trekking through the Markha valley, rising to begin early and making camp in time for hot tea in the afternoon. Stenzin and Stenzin, our guides, kept a perfect pace, allowing us to challenge ourselves, but always sensitive to the needs and limits of the group. They were thoroughly competent, and more, delightful to be with, from card games in the evenings, to a snowball fight on the descent from the Kangri pass, to a surprise gift of Munch bars at the top of the same (who would have thought that so much happiness could lie in five rupees of chocolate!). Our cooks Norbu and Lahkpa made every meal a feast—a variety of dishes, both local and western—and woke us with tea or hot water in the mornings. The tents were snug in the cold spring nights, each easily sleeping three, and the dining tent was a spacious and comfortable place to spend evenings in the camp.

The pony man singing to his horses as he saddled and loaded them in the mornings; miles of intricately carved mani walls along the trail; cold, clear water running by our tents; the delicious warmth of a sleeping bag—all of these things are unforgettable. But most of all, I will remember the kindness and care of the people we worked with through our trek. I cannot speak highly enough in recommendation of Namgial and Yama Adventures.

 

From Mary Margaret Bradbury
Portland, Maine U.S.
E-mail: mmbrad@maine.rr.com

My trip to Delhi and Ladakh with Yama Adventures was a wonderful experience. Summarized below are my thoughts on specific aspects of the trip.

Initial organization and planning: Namgial was very responsive and patient with all of our questions about possible itineraries. I really appreciated his willingness to make changes in our itinerary once we arrived. Specifically, I think changing the starting point of our Markha Valley trek to allow us to spend our first night at Rumbak really helped us acclimatize for our climb over Ganda La.

Guides: Peter Sonam, our guide in Delhi, was terrific. Always smiling and upbeat (even on the hottest day in Delhi), he was punctual, reliable and personable. Our trekking guides, Lobsang and Stenzin were equally upbeat and pleasant to have around. We had no problem communicating in English with either of them and were easily joking, laughing and enjoying one another's company by the end of the trek. Lobsang also did a commendable job taking care of one of the people in our group that had trouble with the altitude.

Equipment: Our camping equipment all seemed in good shape. The 4 man North Face tent was very roomy and comfortable for two of us and the cushiony sleeping mats provided were fantastic.

Food etc.: The food on the trek was incredible and much better than expected. Prem, Noorbu and Karma did an outstanding job serving a variety of high quality meals. Eggs and porridge in the morning, a hot lunch of stir fried veggies and chapati, dinners of wonderful soup, rice, veggies, meat and fruit. Our horsemen, Dorje and Sonam, also seemed to take great care of their horses and always safely delivered our bags and camping gear to the next camping spot - unlike another group we met along the way whose horses had gotten 'lost' in the night and the group was unable to get their bags to the next camping area.



Lodging and Transportation: The lodging at the Likir house was basic but better than I expected and quite comfortable. The lodging at the Spic and Span hotel in Leh was also quite comfortable and had a great view of the surrounding mountains. The hotel staff and the dining room staff could not have been more attentive and pleasant. The vehicles we used carried our group of 6 comfortably and we were grateful for the air conditioned car in Delhi. We were pleased that the vehicles were all reliable.

Overall: The value of the service from the initial organization and planning to the last drop off at the airport was outstanding. I especially appreciate the fact that there were no 'hidden expenses' or charges for additional items that weren't included in the original price of the trip. I would like to specially thank Namgial for showing us around Thiksey, Alchi, Temisgam and Rizong. His incredible knowledge of Buddhist practices and history greatly contributed to our understanding of the Ladakhi people and Tibetan Buddhism.


From Alice Grant
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
bluesky10@maine.rr.com

During our recent time in Ladakh, my friends and I frequently commented on how fortunate we were to have chosen Rinchen Namgial to arrange the trip. We wanted to hire a local guide, but wanted to make arrangements before arriving in Leh, so were pleased when an acquaintance recommended Namgial and his company, Yama Adventures. Namgial answered our questions via email and we easily arranged a slightly customized version of the Markha Valley trip. Namgial was a wonderful guide to the monasteries of Ladakh, and his wealth of knowledge of Buddhist philosophy and symbolism added greatly to our visit. The itinerary was flexible enough to add a spontaneous visit to a school and change some stops along our trip to Temisgam. When it looked like someone might not be well enough to start the trek with the others, Namgial had alternative options.

The crew accompanying us on our Markha Valley trek was very reliable and enjoyable to spend time with. Some other groups did not seem quite as well equipped and our horsemen ended up helping out some trekkers whose horses ran off during the night. Prem cooked up delicious meals, including lots of vegetables, hot lunches packed to eat on the trail, and even a cake on the last day. Our guide, Lobsang, took care to keep tabs on the hikers at the back of the pack and make sure everyone was doing well. For someone used to camping, this is a fairly luxurious trip (dining tent with tables, tea at your tent door in the morning, horses carrying the loads, people cooking for you, thick sleeping pads…), but not quite to the point of embarrassment.

In Delhi, Namgial made arrangements for Peter Sonam to meet us at the airport, take us sightseeing, arrange our flight to Leh and do the reverse on the way back. We had complete confidence in Peter – very efficient and amazingly energetic. The guest house in Delhi, the Likir House, is a lovely, friendly oasis associated with the Likir monastery in Ladakh. We also stayed at a great family guest house in Temisgam, with wonderful home cooking, including a chance to try tsampa and butter tea. In other words, Namgial will put you up in a nice place.



Ladakh is a beautiful place of awe inspiring gorges and mountains, quiet villages surrounded by laboriously irrigated barley fields, fascinating monasteries, and friendly, welcoming people. I plan to go back someday and when I do, I will certainly arrange my visit with Namgial and Yama Adventures.


From Chris Wriggins
E-mail: cwriggins@earthlink.net

I have recently completed the Markha Valley trek in Ladakh with Yama adventures and would like to recommend Namgial and Yama wholeheartedly to anyone interested in a Himalayan trek. From our first meeting at the Delhi airport with Sonam to the scarves Namgial presented us with as we departed in Leh, we were well taken care of with personable style and good humor. We stayed at a very nice Tibetan style hotel in Leh and spent several days acclimatizing to 11,500 feet and touring Buddhist monasteries on day jeep trips. Namgial was very well informed about every aspect of Buddhism and could explain the meaning of the many elaborate paintings and rituals we saw in his excellent English. His graceful style was very responsive to everything we asked for and made the understanding of a very different culture that much easier.



The trek, which includes a couple of high passes of 16-17 thousand feet, was sometimes strenuous but again we were well taken care of with ponies to carry the heavy gear and cooks to serve good Indian style food, bed tea in the early morning, and a guide who was very familiar with the trail. The cooks and guides were all competent and fun, and one evening we each put on a songs and dances for each other in the dinner tent. All in all, Namgial was a great trip guide, and I wouldn't hesitate to reccomend his excellent organizing skills and Yama adventures for a Himalayan trek.

Sincerely, Chris Wriggins, architect, and veteran of 10 treks over the years



From Frank Siringo
rubadubcreations@gmail.com

Namgial and Yama Treks are the only way to go. The gear they have is top notch, the tents are North Face, and it is all in solid condition. The food that is prepared by the crew is nothing short of amazing. Sometimes you can't believe you are in the Himalayas eating some of the dishes they prepare. The crew are knowledgeable, kind, and always willing to share about the life, culture, and geography of Ladakh. Namgial is a great leader, speaks beautiful English, and has tons to teach about Ladakh and Buddhism. He is a true trekker, and one that you will have trust in as soon as you meet him. I had such a great time on the Markha Valley trek, and it was mostly due to Yama and Namgial. Thanks!

 

From Melissa Dittmann
16 E. Stillwater
Beverly Shore, IN 46301 USA
E-mail: helloworldmd@yahoo.com

Envision yourself in Ladakh: surrounded by the Himalayas, the legendary Roof of the World, the mountains that make all others look like molehills, what I’d call the most awe-inspiring and exquisite landscape I’ve ever encountered. In the midst of the mountains, surrounded by the overwhelmingly friendly and welcoming people of Ladakh. Immersed in this people’s unique and fascinating culture, so integrated with Tibetan Buddhist traditions.

How could this experience possibly be made better?

Why, through the excellent guidance and insights offered by Rinchen Namgial-leh, of course! Namgial went well above and beyond the duties of your average trekking guide, and through his well-informed insights into the local culture and landscape, his personal dedication to our group, likely the best command of English I encountered among the non-native English speakers across India, his generosity, kindness and all-around accommodative attitude, he made what would have been a interesting and enjoyable experience traveling in Ladakh (a place already so wonderful that I think a person would consciously have to work at not having a good time) an exceptionally enjoyable and always fascinating outstanding and unforgettable experience.

So, as far as the specifics of my month in Ladakh through Yama Adventures (as one of the student participants of the Pacific Village Institute North India trip in the spring of 2006), my group did two treks interspersed with time around Leh and a homestay in Phey. For someone (like me, an anthropology student and long-time nature enthusiast) interested in seeing and learning about both the local Ladakhi environment and the culture that pervades this part of the Himalayas, Namgial put together a perfectly balanced travel experience, integrating wilderness and culture.

Namgial’s obvious well-seasoned professional experience combined with a wealth of knowledge and contacts enabled him to arrange for homestays, visits to monasteries and other cultural/historical sites, local experts in various fields to lecture to our group on a number of issues facing Ladakhi society, in addition to the outstanding treks. The overall organization of this month-long student group excursion was great and well structured, while also remaining flexible so as to accommodate for individual interests in addition to group consensus. Namgial’s goal of best serving the group while considering and catering to the diverse interest of each individual was remarkable, another instance of above and beyond.

My personal favorite part of all this was the homestays: in my book, the way to travel because of the insights into local lifestyles that are hard to get at a general guesthouse. Each member of the PVI group (10 students in all) lived with a different family during our several-day stay in Phey. Also, during the shorter “baby trek” my group undertook, each morning would find us heading out into the exquisite Himalayan environment and every evening would find us accommodated in the homes of families in the valley villages along our route. All of this was very well prearranged by Namgial.

And, of course, the trekking: the attraction that draws most foreign travelers to Ladakh. In this regard, I can’t imagine a trekking experience better than the one Namgial arranged for our group. In addition to having Namgial himself as our trek leader, the other staff members of Yama Adventures were exceptionally competent, helpful and friendly. This group of guys did an amazing job keeping our health and spirits up along the trail, caring for the posse of pack horses, and preparing masterpiece meals. Another admirable aspect of the Yama Adventures trekking was that in addition to caring about each person in the group, they also showed great care towards the environment we were trekking through, making for a light-on-the-landscape nature-conscious trek.

Among Namgial’s countless qualities, he has the most charming/amusing way of telling someone, “You did a goood job!” Well, Namgial did more than a good job. He did an above-and-beyond outstanding job. So thank you! Thu ji che nang (thanks in Ladakhi language)!


From Derrick Rieveley
4102 Yuculta Crescent
Vancouver, British Columbia,
Canada
v6n 3r5
E-mail: derrickriever@hotmail.com

A place that is full of mystery that never has a disappointing turn is a place I found well on my Yama Adventure. It started in Delhi for me when met by a Yama Treks employee at the airport. From then on I remained under trusted hands until my departure. The equipment we used made me feel safe in a sometimes unpredictable environment. The food was never disappointing and was constantly a welcome surprise. Never did I think it was so possible to see such beauty in my surroundings! Something I would and never could forget! In particular the head of the organization showed himself to be extremely trustworthy and fully capable of taking a group of trekkers under his care!

 

Trip to Nubra Valley
From Ian Rieveley
Hertford, Hertfordshire
England
Ianrievley@hotmail.com

I had a fantastic trip with Yama treks in Ladakh. Namgial and his staff
were very helpful throughout the trip. Yama treks helped me solve any
problems that arose over the course of the two week trip. We were guided
through the Nubra valley by a very competent English speaking guide who was
also a Buddhist monk! It was great to meet such kind and knowledgeable people
through Yama treks. The trip went smoothly from our arrival in Delhi to our
departure to London. Namgial and his staff have given us a good insight
into Ladaki culture that has given me a better sense of the area and people.
I would highly recommend Yama treks for any Himalayan adventure. Their
professionalism was outstanding. Ian Rieveley



Stok Kangri via the Markha Valley

The trek with YAMA ADVENTURES turned out to be an excellent choice. Five of us did all our booking to India independently but used Namgial to organise our trek from Leh to Stok Kangri via the Markha Valley. After 3 nights' accommodation at Melarapa Guest House (highly recommended) and acclimatisation in Leh we joined the horses for the walk over the 4900 Ganda La before dropping down into the Markha Valley. Weather in October was superb - wall-to-wall blue sky with only the occasional cloud (and a brief snowstorm at the top of the valley). We had 6 staff and 12 horses (and a foal which was just along for the walk) to carry all the equipment including comfortable mattresses (not to mention the hotwater bottles). Temperatures at night were cold - but not as cold as Nepal in November, probably down to around -10C. Daytime temperatures were perfect for walking. Tchinley was an excellent guide right to the top of the mountain (20140 ft) and the food cooked by our Nepalese cook was SUPERB - at least 5 delicious courses every evening. After the trek Namgial also organised our trip to Agra including accommodation. Since we returned from India we have been extolling virtues of a horse trek in Ladakh (and Namgial's organisation in particular) to all our friends. We also travelled by air to Aurangabad to see the Ellora and Ajanta caves. Overall India (especially Ladakh) was a fantastic destination for an October holiday. Check my website www.johnspiveyphotography.co.uk for photos.

John Spivey, John Vose, Bill Dean, Geoff Cound and Steve Harris (October 2005)

 

From Beatrice Orsini

I wrote many mails to different travel agencies, asking for trekking, and since the first answer Namgial has been different from all the others, I mean that he wrote me a detailed plan of the trekking itinerary, he wanted to know if I had experience on trekking in altitude, then he suggested me to start the trek from a different point, the one I decided for my end, this due to weather, that was going to get colder and colder.

So it is easy to understand why I choose him: first he showed me that he had good knowledge of the area I was going for trekking and second he was always available for every question. Then, when I met him, my impression was further confirmed. He took care of me also before leaving for the trek, even though it wasn't his duty, he wanted to see my stuff for the trek, if they were enough good, otherwise he would have provided for me.

Coming from Delhi, I had some stomach problems, and he didn't force me to leave for the trek, thinking to something else in case I couldn't leave. Luckily, after 1 day I was ok and I left for Zanskar trek from Lamayuru to Darcha. I was alone, I had a guide, a cook, 4 horses and a ponyman: wonderful and helpful staff, we were like a small family. I have to spend a few words about Prem, a wonderful and polite cook, five stars cook, he prepared so tasty dishes...and also incredible cakes at 4000m..!!! Food was plenty, and very good was the quality: I'm from Italy and I could eat the same good quality pasta "Agnesi" I usually eat in Italy. Then, for breakfast, muesli, cornflakes, pancakes, chapati, jam, honey and milk, coffee,chocolate….

When I got back, Namgial was friendly as the first day, even if he already got the money :-)...I mean, that he's a very good hearted person, he wants to make his job as best as he can, he wants the client is satisfied, and money is not the main purpose of his job. So, these are only a few words of my experience, but one thing I can surely say is that YOU CAN REALLY TRUST IN HIM.

from BEATRICE ORSINI -ITALY-
my address:Via Rossini 5
40066 Pieve di Cento (Bologna)

 

From Sarah Stewart

My experience with Yama Adventures was outstanding! As co-director of the North Indian program run by Pacific Village Institute, an American NGO, which leads three-month educational programs in Asia, it was very important to me that my students be safe, enjoy their time in the Himalayas, as well as learn about the environment in which we would be trekking.

Namgial, owner/co-founder of Yama Adventures, was wonderful to work with. His patience and concern when planning our seven-day trek was above and beyond the call of duty. Namgial took the time to consider each individual member of our group in terms of their ability, skill level, and personal needs in order to plan a trek perfectly suited to our particular group.

Nightly, we were shocked by the masterpieces that the cooks and horsemen presented on the dinner table. It is true that anything tastes better when eaten in the mountains after a long day of trekking, but the quality of the food was more than I ever expected. My students often commented that we didn’t eat half as well while in Leh town, and it was true!

On top of having a competent, attentive, and very friendly staff accompanying our group, we were fortunate enough to have Namgial as our guide. Over the course of the week, each student (and leader) developed quite a close personal relationship with Namgial. As a result of his extensive experience in the mountains, he was able to explain many natural phenomena of the Himalayas and wildlife behavior. He was also able to identify the remnants of a carcass killed by a snow leopard, various animal tracks, as well as noises and calls made by other Himalayan dwelling creatures. More importantly, however, Namgial has the amazing ability to motivate people, and to keep their spirits high regardless of how they are feeling physically. He was incredible with the students. Whether he was making us all laugh around the dinner table, informing us of the wonders of the mountains, explaining the philosophy of Buddhism and the Ladakhi culture, or just chatting, Namgial was an indispensable part of our group.

In addition to being a reliable and comprehensive trekking company, Yama Adventures is ecologically aware, and an environmentally friendly trekking organization. While this idea is fairly innovative compared to the approach of most Himalayan trekking companies, Yama Adventures takes care to collect all garbage, especially tins, and leave the villages and campsites exactly as they were found - pristine and beautiful. Currently, I am in the process of planning an eco-trek during October with Yama Adventures. As one of the last groups of the season to head out at the end of October, Yama Adventures is helping to plan a “clean-up” trek around lake Tso Moriri.

For anyone who is searching for a Himalayan trekking company, I highly recommend Yama Adventures. Namgial is wonderful to work with. You can count on having a personalized trek, some of the best food in Ladakh (no exaggeration!), and a reliable and experienced staff, who are friendly and fun to be around. In addition, Yama Adventures will help you as a trekker to minimize your impact on the land.

Thank you Namgial for all of your help, and thank you to Yama Adventures for helping Pacific Village Institute experience the Himalayas in a way we never could have without you!

Sarah Stewart
Co-Director: From Brahma to Buddha: Cultures of the
Indian Himalayas and the Ganges River
Pacific Village Institute, USA

 

Letter from Gavin Turner - Leader from the Pacific Village Institute and the Lake Side School.

It is with great confidence that I recommend Namgial to anybody planning a journey in Ladakh. On two occasions now I have taken student groups to Ladakh, and Namgial has acted as our Ladakhi coordinator for both programs. I have been very impressed with Namgial's professionalism. He has excellent organisational skills, he is reliable, honest, intelligent, and attentive to details. He is also a great person. I and all of my students have found him to be caring, genuine, and fun to be with. Whether you are planning a trek through the mountains, or you are wishing to organise a student program in Ladakh, I can think of no better person in Ladakh to look after your plans than Namgial.

Gavin Turner Australia
gavinturner@gmail.com
mail:travellingbea@yahoo.it

 

Markha Valley-Kangyatse- Stok Kangri Trip
21st June - 5th July 2005.

Feed back from Dr. Becky Bradley
University of Menchester UK
David Bradley (Engineer)
e-mail:mrdavebradley@gmail.com

Overall
An extremely enjoyable trek with the added bonus of successfully climbing two 6000m peaks. We will look back on this trip with some great memories. The team of Shiva, Sambu and Thinley plus the 2 Tibetan horsemen treated us very well.

 Food
Sambu was an excellent cook. The meals were varied, fresh + healthy with plenty of vegetables. Best trekking food we’ve ever tasted! The food & drinks were always served with a smile day or night, by the ever-helpful Thinley.

Guide
We got on well with Shiva. It was great to have a guide that spoke such a good English. He was very polite, considerate + patient with us + his knowledge of Sikkim & India really added to the overall experience of the trek.

Equipment
The equipment provided on our trek was fine. It was nice to have such a big North Face tent for the two of us! Becky was also very appreciative of the sleeping bag lent to her by Namgial (it was cold at the base camp). We found that the rope provided for the ascent of kangyatse was too short for adequate belaying (25-30m single rope required). Also there was no first aid kit for the Guide, which we believe to be an essential requirement, especially for mountaineering trips.

 

From John T

I am pleased to pass along my observations of the Singalia Ridge/Goecha La Trek we went on in October.

PRELIMINARY PHASE
Darjeeling/Pelling
Two nights in Darjeeling and a night in Pelling, all above 7000 feet,
definitely assisted acclimatization. I was a little disappointed with the Windamere Hotel. The rooms were small and the Hotel doesn't have that British Raj atmosphere it is supposed to. Maybe if the weather had been better it would have been more fun. The food was good. Darjeeling is an interesting place, but I was definitely ready to leave when the time came.

SINGALILA RIDGE
Uttrey to Yensub (six nights)
I recall three long days on the exposed Singalia Ridge with hail, sheet, rain and snow. We climbed up to 14000 feet, but had no obvious altitude problems because of careful acclimatization. Bad weather on the Ridge made for real alpine conditions and hard going. The weather prevented great views of the high mountains to the north, but the snow squalls were quite exciting and atmospheric. Also, I'd never camped on snow before. (If God had meant Texans to sleep on snow, He'd have made bullshit white...) There were very few people on the Ridge except a couple of groups and a few Yak herders.

MARCHING EAST
Yensub to Dzongri (four nights)
Half days. Much up and down, but generally above 12000 feet. Poor trails. Very few trekkers or anybody else. High camps. Better weather. Great views.GOECHA LA

Prek Chu Valley (four nights)
From Dzongri there are a lot more trekkers, although nothing like the Solu Khumbu or Annapurna areas in Nepal. This is the only part of the trek with back tracking. Great mountain scenery. I question the need to get up at 4AM to get to Goecha La. Walking in the dark is dangerous. The last three days of this trek are long and the last day has a dangerous descent through the mud to the river.

GETTING OUT
Yuksum/Kalimpong
The Tashi Gang Hotel is good for what it is and the Himalayan Hotel in Kalimpong is the best on the trek.

GENERAL IMPRESSIONS
Excellent crew, good cook. Nobody got the runs or URI, more than I can say for the other four treks I've been on.

A good portion of this trek is on high ground, 12000 feet plus, but the stages and acclimatization are good.

Some really long days on the Ridge which is very exposed. In summary, six long days, nine half days. We did not have a rest day. And fourteen nights under canvas is a long time.

The mountain scenery is tops. Reminds me of Annapurna Sanctuary trek in that regard. Note that Sikkim is much more humid that Nepal (at least on the days I was there), so you can count on being in the clouds from, say, 1-2PM 'til after sunset.

India feels different from Nepal and security does not appear to be a big issue, at least on trek.

The trails on this trek are generally bad, except for the first two days. This is clearly a wilderness trek. No villages. But unspoilt country and great views!

John T

 

From Eric Karlstrom and Barbara Lacey

My lady friend (Barbara Lacey) and I (Eric Karlstrom) feel extremely fortunate to have had Rinchen Namgial of Yama Adventures as our guide on our trek through the Markha Valley of Ladakh in September 2004. As a local Ladakhi, his expert knowledge of the area's trails, terrain, wildlife, culture and religion, his fluency in English, and his unfailing kindness and consideration make him a truly exceptional guide. Based on his personal experiences and his university training, he is equally comfortable translating for Western university academics, guiding wildlife film-makers, and discussing the fine points of Buddhist philosophy. Namgial took no shortcuts on our trek: The equipment and organization were top-notch and the meals were exceptionally tasty, healthy, and varied. Our adventure in Ladakh was truly blessed by the time we spent with Namgial and we would give him our very highest recommendations to all.

Dr. Eric T. Karlstrom
Professor of Geography
California State University, Stanislaus
Turlock, California
Email: estrom@toto.csustan.edu
Dr. Barbara Lacey,
Email: Barblacey@comspeed.net

 

From Ross Williams

I stumbled across Yama Adventures through a Google search looking for organized treks in the Markha Valley. I was wary of committing myself to an "unknown" operator of "unknown" quality. I corresponded with Namgial, the proprietor of Yama Adventures and was impressed by his patience in answering my questions about his equipment and services, as well as impressed by his very competitive pricing. Still, I did not commit myself until I arrived in Ladakh and had a chance to meet Namgial, and again he was very patient in meeting me a number of times and answering my questions. I am happy to tell you that my experience of the Markha Vlley trek with Namgial and Yama Adventures was a pleasure from start to finish. Namgial speaks excellent English and has a deep love and knowledge of Ladakhi culture, history and geography which he was eager to share with me. The equipment, meals and organization were of a very high standard for this kind of trek, and we regularly had to help other groups with information and guidance as they were much less prepared and poorly equipped! I have no hesitation in recommending Namgial Rinchen and Yama Adventures as a provider of quality trekking tours in Ladakh, and am happy for you to contact me to confirm this advice.

Ross Williams
Psychologist, Newcastle, Austrailia
Email: ross9953@yahoo.com.au

 

Email: namgial@yamatreks.com and/or namgial@gmail.com