Annapurna Circuit Trek

GALLERY

DETAILS

A challenging tea-house Annapurna Circuit trek encircling the spectacular mountains of the Annapurna Massif

Viewing many 6,000m to 8,000m peaks up close along the way. Travel through Himalayan villages experiencing the cultural variety of this region from the Hindu villages of the lower foothills to the Tibetan culture as you ascend higher into the mountains, crossing the Thorung La pass at an altitude of 5,416 m (17,769 feet).

Duration

17-21 Days
Group option to fly out at Jomson, after Thorung La Pass

Passport

Required with Nepal Visa

Minimum Age

13 years old

Activity

Trekking

Accommodation

Hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara
with breakfast

PRICE BASIS

PRICE INCLUDES

Airport transfer
Hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara with breakfast
Sightseeing trip in Kathmandu
Park fees, Permits
Lead guide from US. Local Guides/Porters
Satellite Phone. Daily local weather forecasts
All lodging during the trek
All meals during the trek
Guidance months before the trip

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

Nepal Visa
International flight to Kathmandu and return ticket to your Home country
Travel insurance
Tipping to the guide and porter
Anything not included in this list are your personal expenses

ITINERARY

There is an option of walking back to Pokhara instead of flying from Jomsom (day 15 below) - you will have add three more days if trekking to Beni and then drive to Pokhara or 2 days if you want to drive back from Jomsom.

Day 1 : Arrival and transfer to the hotel in Kathmandu (4490 ft)

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met by our Himalayan Hikers representative and transferred you to the hotel. The drive from the airport to the hotel is around 20 minutes.After your checkin the group leader will set a time for your Annapurna Circuit trek briefing to discuss in regards to the trek. The evening is free but your trek leader will organise a welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant.

Day 2 : City Tour (4460 ft)

Today, you will visit Bodhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world and Pashupatinath ,the main temple for the Hindus. Here you will see Hindu holy men (sadhus) meditating, pilgrims bathing, and occasionally funeral pyres burning on the “ghats”. The rest of your afternoon is free. In the late afternoon you will be handed over with your trek pack. Departure information for the next morning will also be given. Meals included: B

Day 3 : Drive to Beshisahar & trek to Bulbule (2760 ft)

We leave Kathmandu early in the morning and drive towards Pokhara. After leaving the Kathmandu valley we follow the river to Mugling. We then continue to Besisahar where we begin our Annapurna Circuit trek. From here we walk down to the river and cross to the east side to avoid the new road which is currently under construction. Our trail undulates above the river, continuing northwards up the Marsyangdi Valley with Himalchuli and Peak 29 dominating the horizon. The trail takes us on quiet trails through rice paddies and villages for two hours until we meet the main trail at Bhulebule (2760 ft). Meals included: B, L, D

Day 4 : Trek to Jagat (4270 ft)

The trail continues up the east bank of the river passing a beautiful waterfall to Ngaddi. Here we cross a suspension bridge and then begin a steady climb through scrub forest finally arriving at Lampatta, a Manangi village with Tibetan style prayer flags. A final short sharp ascent brings us to the village of Bahundanda, perched on a ridge at 4300 ft. From the ridge we descend to the river at Syange (3730 ft) where we once more cross the river. The trail then follows the river to Jagat. Meals included: B, L, D

Day 5 : Trek to Dharapani (6100 ft)

An undulating trail leads to Chyamje, after which we cross a suspension bridge and climb through oak forest. The trail then emerges into a level valley where 'Tal', the next village is situated at the foot of a grand waterfall (5580 ft). Crossing the river a couple of times we reach the village of Dharapani at 6100 ft for the night. Meals included: B, L, D

Day 6 : Trek to Chame (8760 ft)

Beyond this village we continue our climb over a spur to Bagarchap, at 7100 ft. The name of this village means 'butcher's place' and, although the Buddhist people of this region dont hunt animals. Continuing we follow the trail through forest to Dhanagyu and climb up to Temang, where we have lunch with magnificent views of Manaslu and Peak 29. The trail then descends though fir and pine forests to Koto and Chame (8760 ft), administrative centre of the Manang district. Meals included: B, L, D

Day 7 : Trek to Pisang (10500 ft)

We now experience a dramatic change of scenery. Leaving the forests and vegetation of the alpine regions behind we enter the upper district of Manang, known as Nyeshang. At first our trail follows the river closely through a deep canyon before coming to Brathang at 9580 ft. The trail then follows the steep narrow valley through deep forest from which there are fine views of Annapurna II. We cross the river where the impressive curved rock face of Paungda Danda rises nearly 5000 ft from the riverbank, and climb to the village of Pisang at 10500 ft. Meals included: B, L, D

Day 8 : Trek to Manang (11610 ft)

This is a wonderful walk with great views across to the Annapurnas. We drop down to the main trail just before Braga and continue on the main trail to Manang. The second option is to take the shorter main trail to Manang which climbs a low pass into the valley below Pisang Peak. As we continue up the valley, it becomes increasingly barren, and eventually we reach Braga, a picturesque village dominated by a large ancient gompa. Passing carved mani walls we arrive at the village of Manang at 11610 ft. Meals included: B, L, D

Day 9 : Rest and acclimatization at Manang

We spend this day around Manang acclimatising to the altitude. Most people climb the hill behind Manang to enjoy the magnificent views of the whole Annapurna range and the enormous icefall that crashes and rumbles down from Gangapurna. This is the part of the trek where we are closest to the mountains. Across the valley the huge bulk of Gangapurna and the Annapurnas tower way above us- the sunset and sunrise over this great amphitheatre is one of the most beautiful mountain views in the country. Meals included: B, L, D

Day 10 : Trek to Yakkharka (13180 ft)

Leaving Manang we head towards the base of the Thorong La. We climb out of the Marsyangdi valley and turn northwest up the valley of the Jarsang Khola. We are above the forests now and pass through dry, alpine country, with scrub juniper and occasional clumps of birch. We spend tonight at a lodge in Yak Kharka 13180 ft. We will reach the lodge by lunchtime and in the afternoon we will have an acclimatisation walk onto the surrounding hills. Look out for the Blue Sheep that inhabit this cold, windy spot. Meals included: B, L, D

Day 11 : Trek to Thorong Phedi (14600 ft)

Another short day to aid acclimatisation. The scenery becomes more wild as we continue ascending the valley. At one point we descend to cross the Jarsang Khola, and traverse a scree slope to the lone teahouses at Phedi at the foot of the Thorong La (14600 ft). Thorong Phedi can be very cold and windy. In the afternoon we can go for a walk up to Thorong High Camp which is the last lodge and is about an hour above Phedi. Meals included: B, L, D

Day 12 : Trek to Thorong-La (17770 ft) & Muktinath (12340 ft)

A long day as we leave Phedi very early the next morning for the climb to the pass. The first part of the ascent is very steep, but it eases somewhat as we approach the top, although the altitude still makes the going tough. Eventually, after numerous false summits, we reach the pass itself at 17770 ft. Ahead there is a magnificent panorama of snow-capped peaks extending northwards into Tibet, and looking back we can see several of the main peaks of Annapurna. Directly in front of us is the great chasm of the Kali Gandaki, 8200 ft. It's a very long descent that begins gently and becomes steeper, as we follow a series of switch-backs down to the grassy slopes, before easing off to a gentle descent to Muktinath (12340 ft). Meals included: B, L, D

Day 13 : Trek to Kagbeni (9190 ft)

From Muktinath we pass through landscape of bare, eroded hills with a backdrop of snow-capped high peaks. After visiting the temples above Muktinath, we cross the Jhong Khola and climb up to Jhong - a beautiful village. There is a very old monastery here dating back to the 7th or 8th century and the ruins of an old fort. The village has a small lodge where we can get a very simple lunch. Passing wind-eroded cliffs in an array of beautiful colours we continue down the valley arriving at the interesting village of Kagbeni (9190 ft). Meals included: B, L, D

Day 14 : Trek to Jomsom (8920 ft)

We start our trek through a barren, almost moon-like landscape dotted with patches of green cultivation. Man-made canals cut across the terrain, irrigating the crops and fruit trees. We lunch at Eklebhatti. We retrace our steps through a barren, almost moon-like landscape dotted with patches of green cultivation. Man-made canals cut across the terrain, irrigating the crops and fruit trees. We lunch at Eklebhatti. The trail now follows the Kali Gandaki River down to Jomosom, a large administrative centre, at 8920 ft. Heading south, the wide, windswept valley floor has little fertile land, which means a hard existence for the inhabitants of the Upper Kali Gandaki. After a few hours following the valley downstream we arrive back at Jomsom, a dusty and wind-swept town where we spend the night in a lodge to await our flight back to Pokhara the following morning. Meals included: B, L, D

Day 15 : Fly to Pokhara (2790 ft)

(Flight time: approx 40 mins) We rise early in the morning for the return flight to Pokhara where we return to the Hotel located close to the lakeside. After a welcomed shower, we have the rest of the day free to relax or do some exploring. In the evening there is option to dine out at one of the many lakeside restaurants. Meals included: B

Day 16 : Explore Pokhara (2790 ft)

A free day in Pokhara to explore, shop or just take it easy. Your trek leader will be there to assist you for further sightseeing’s in Pokhara. Meals included: B

Day 17 : Fly back to Kathmandu (4460 ft)

After breakfast we are transferred back to the airport in the morning for our return flight to Kathmandu. On arrival in Kathmandu we are met and transferred back to our starting hotel. The rest of the day is free to do shopping or further sightseeing.Our final night in Kathmandu gives us a chance to go out on the town and enjoy a final dinner (optional) with our travelling companions and new-found friends. Meals included: B

Day 18 : International Departure

Your Annapurna Circuit trip will come to an end today after breakfast. Your leader will be on hand to advise and assist with your onward travel arrangements.

FAQs

What are the accommodations like?

Your hotel in Kathmandu is Hotel Courtyard. This hotel offers very comfortable accommodations, cafes with regional and continental meals and an outstanding breakfast buffet. While on the trek, you will stay in traditional Nepali Tea Houses, hand-picked for hygienic standards, access to electricity, and beautiful views.

What is the food like on the trek?

In the Annapurna region you will be served a variety of local foods including Tibetan fried bread, soups, momo’s (steamed dumplings), daal-bhat (lentils and rice), tarkari (steamed, fried, or curried vegetables), potatoes (prepared in dozens of ways), pastas and even a version of pizza. Meats are rarely eaten although you may have canned tuna or sardines and the occasional yak stew. Breakfasts typically consist of eggs, hot porridge, muesli, toast, peanut butter and honey.

Is there a packing list?

Yes, a packing list will be provided by Miyar Adventures upon booking your trip.

Is this trip safe?

Safety is very important to Miyar Adventures and we will be in contact with each customer upon booking to discuss gear, altitude and travel safety. Weather and other related concerns are monitored before and during the trip.

What physical shape do i need to be in? Is there an age limit?

In the Annapurna Circuit there is no particular age limit. Anyone with outdoor attitude and passion for walking are fit for trekking. Nevertheless, you will benefit from good physical fitness, positive attitude and stamina. We will help you come up with a good training plan to get ready for this trek.

Do I need travel insurance?

Travel insurance is mandatory for this trip. For more information click here: Travel Insurance

Can I cancel my booking for this trip?

For the Cancellation Policy Click Here: Cancellation Policy

Testimonials

Aaron Mwaigwisya
Kilimanjaro Guide
Aaron was born in the city of Dar-es-Salaam and raised in southern Tanzania. He came to Kilimanjaro to work for a climbing company and truly fell in love with the area. Following this inspiration, Aaron attended the College of African Wildlife Management in Mweka, a facility built just on the slopes of Kilimanjaro. He studied Wildlife Management, and pursued further studies in Kilimanjaro guiding and wilderness medicine. Aaron obtained his advanced wilderness first aid certification and began guiding Kilimanjaro climbs, a career he has passionately continued for more than twelve years. Aaron has guided climbers from all around the world, and he speaks English and Swahili.
Jesse Neff
Local Guide
Jesse is originally from Columbus, Ohio. He went to Ohio State to study Business Administration and specialized in Logistics. After a few years in the business world, Jesse left the 9-5 to start guiding. After four years guiding, he has worked all over the west coast and east coast guiding backpacking, rock climbing, sea kayaking, and as a naturalist. He has been in and out of the Pacific Northwest the last two years
Jonah Manning
Local Guide
Jonah Manning has extensive climbing experience spanning more than eighteen years. He has climbed mountains in India, Africa and Europe. Based in Leavenworth, WA, where there is easy access to both local cragging and long alpine routes, Jonah teaches Wilderness Medicine for Remote Medical International. When not teaching or guiding, he spends his time training with local mountain rescue organizations, enjoying trail runs, and climbing and skiing. Before settling down in the Pacific Northwest, Jonah lived on a sailboat for five years and sailed solo around the world.
Anthony Orkiolla
Local Guide
He began mountaineering 15 years ago in his home state of Washington where he has climbed extensively in the Olympics and Cascades. His outdoor leadership experience primarily stems from his military background. As a former Ranger qualified Infantry Officer, Anthony has been subjected to rigorous leadership evaluations in austere field conditions for extended periods of time. He is thoroughly trained in risk management and mitigation. He is a qualified US Army Paratrooper and Master Fitness Trainer. Anthony actively climbs in all disciplines: sport, trad, alpine, bouldering and also skis in the front and backcountry. Anthony is extremely passionate about fitness and regularly seeks out endurance related challenges. Anthony has ridden the Seattle to Portland bike race in a day and ran a 10 mile foot race in under 60 minutes. Anthony is married to Tanya and they have a furry child named Sasha. All three of them can be regularly seen adventuring in the mountains together.
Tyler Logan
Local Guide
Tyler grew up hiking in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California before being introduced to rock climbing as a teenager. In the nearly thirty years since then, he has climbed extensively in this same mountain range, including Yosemite (he has climbed El Capitan multiple times) and various crags and mountain ranges throughout the West, oftentimes during winter, spring, and summer breaks while working as a high school English teacher. While rock climbing is his first passion, he also enjoys alpine climbing on glaciated mountains and is an avid backcountry skier and long distance runner (he qualified for and ran the Boston Marathon to celebrate turning 40). Since deciding to pursue work as a climbing guide, Tyler has completed more than twenty days of training through the American Mountain Guides Association, including the Single Pitch Instructor, Rock Guide, and Advanced Rock Guide courses. Tyler lives with his wife in Mammoth Lakes, California..
Ryan Tilly
Local Guide
Ryan has spent thirteen years climbing in the Pacific Northwest, across the United States, and abroad. He has completed classic ascents throughout the North Cascades, in the desert Southwest, and Mexico. Originally from Redmond, WA, he learned to climb in the Cascade Range, and is passionate about every discipline of climbing, from challenging single pitch rock routes, to long ice climbs, big walls and mountaineering. During the summer season you can find Ryan climbing and guiding on rock and alpine objectives in the Pacific Northwest. In the winter, Ryan spends his time climbing and adventuring in the southern half of the continent. Ryan is a certified AMGA Rock Guide and Apprentice Alpine Guide who is pursuing full IFMGA certification.
Anne Presecan Manning
Local Guide
Anne was introduced to the outdoors at a very young age. For more than 30 years she has developed her skills in climbing and skiing. She has worked in a verity of settings taking both teens and adults outdoors. Anne has a Master’s degree in Education and has worked as a Reading Specialist for 15 years. Currently Anne is working towards a new profession in hopes of one day being a nurse. For the past six years Anne has been involved with several mountain rescue units. She lives with her husband Jonah in Leavenworth where she spends her free time running, swimming, skiing, and climbing.
Sandeep Nain
Local & International Guide
Sandeep began his climbing career in the Pacific Northwest, and enjoys rock climbing, ice climbing, and backcountry skiing. He has climbed and guided extensively in the Cascades, having summited all the volcanoes of Washington multiple times. Some of Sandeep's favorite climbs in the Northwest are the Torment-Forbidden-Traverse, Liberty Ridge, the Coleman Headwall of Mt. Baker, and the North Ridge of Mt. Baker. Although Sandeep is known by the climbing community for climbing big alpine routes, his first passion is rock climbing. On sunny days you can find him climbing with friends at Mt. Index, trying-hard on steep crimps at Exit 38, or in the winter pulling on plastic in the gym. He enjoys projecting 5.12 routes as much as climbing long rock routes in the backcountry.
Chris Marshall
Local Guide
Chris Marshall is a year-round IFMGA Mountain Guide. He holds AMGA Ski, Alpine, and Rock Guide certification along with Level 3 Avalanche Certification. He has been guiding and instructing in the mountains since 2006. Chris earned a BA in Wilderness Leadership and Geography from Prescott College in 2005, and Masters in Experiential Education from Prescott College in 2011. He has worked as an Associate Faculty member for Prescott College in the Adventure Education department since 2007, instructing classes such as Wilderness Leadership, Avalanche Forecasting, Rock Climbing, Alpine Mountaineering, and Ski Mountaineering. Chris is at home on rock, snow, and ice, and now spends much of his time guiding in Oregon, Washington, and Japan. A highlight of Chris' personal experience is an expedition funded by the American Alpine Club to the Neacola Mountains in the western Alaska Range.
Local Guide
Tico is a full-time, year-round IFMGA guide. Hailing from upstate New York, he has been guiding for nineteen years with most of his guiding experience in the Pacific Northwest. He has also guided extensively in almost all the mountain states of the US as well as in Europe, South America and the South Pacific. With Miyar Tico leads the Northwest climbs such as Mount Baker and Glacier Peak. On home front, Tico has a five-year-old son and wife of sixteen years.
Glen Young
Local Guide & Climbing Programs Director
Glen has been working as an alpine guide for sixteen years, having led trips in North America, South America, Africa, Asia, and the South Pacific. Glen's climbing and guiding career has included seventeen climbs above 20,000 ft., including technical climbs of peaks such as AmaDablam and Kyajo Ri in Nepal and big glacier routes in Alaska. He's climbed routes on El Cap, Half Dome, and Big Walls in Zion in addition to hundreds of multi-pitch rock routes around the globe. Here in the Pacific Northwest he enjoys guiding complex alpine objectives such as the North Ridge of Forbidden Peak and the North Face of Mt. Shuksan. Previously, Glen guided white-water expeditions and taught martial arts. When not in the office or the field with Miyar he runs a nonprofit in Nepal that provides training to Nepalese mountain guides and funds infrastructure in remote areas of the Himalayas (www.karmaproject-nepal.org). Glen is an AMGA Assistant Rock Guide and Apprentice Alpine Guide who is working toward IFMGA certification, which is the highest level of certification available to professional mountain guides.
I stumbled across this outfit on Facebook offering an adventure I always wanted to try - snowshoeing and snow camping. I did a little research and all I could find were 4 and 5 star reviews, fishy right?? WRONG! These folks are truly GREAT! They not only sent us a packing list, but had a gear check as well. They provided tents and other items. I rented snowshoes and poles for a very reasonable price. Our guide, Glen, was very well organized, prepared, and beyond patient. He took every opportunity to teach us about avalanche danger, snow walls/shelters, snowshoeing, and snow camping that he could. It was an incredible experience, not just educational but fun. They kept the group small, there were 6 including our guide, which was ideal. I can hardly wait to go out with them again. Highly recommended!!
Nicole
This trip was great and worth every cent! Our guide Glen was excellent. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. I was nervous about my first overnight in the snow but once I met our guide I knew he would keep us safe. It was a wonderful time and I learned so much! I will definitely be back for another adventure! Great company!
Monica
This was my first experience snowshoeing, and I had the best one. No just because of the location, but all the information and well-taught technics provided it by our guide. Super professional and knowledgeable. A great friendly company, highly recommended. Now I'm getting ready for my next trip with them; Mount Baker here I come.
Erick
Intro to rock climbing on Mt. Tooth. I had done fair amount of rock climbing and bouldering inside the safety of the gym, and I was always skeptic of rock climbing outside, until I met the owner of Miyar adventures "Sandeep Nain". He asked me to come out with him on a small outing in to a nearby mountain called Mt Tooth in the PNW. it was supposed to be a 1:1 climb and I was surprised that to make me comfortable he had bought in another lead at his expense. With a 2:1 guide to student ratio I knew I was going to be okay. Not only was it professionally and well organized, I felt Sandeep and Ben (additional lead) went beyond what was expected of them to make me feel good about climbing outside. I would totally recommend Sandeep's Miyar adventures over other bigger companies because they gave importance to my personal goals and unlike the other bigger companies out there which treats you without much respect, Sandeep and Miyar adventures took genuine interest in my limits, goals and treated me with a lot of respect. I ended up doing another course "Mt. Denali prep course" and looking forward to a few other outings with Miyar adventures in the near future. I hear their trip to Kilimanjaro is a real success, and will totally be checking it out next year.
Dinesh
I did the Intro to Rock climbing course last summer and really enjoyed it, The right kind of setup/ preparation and structure for a beginner ( with intermediate level opportunity on demand ). Miyar provided all gear and guidance and answered all questions. Safety and fun were both top priority. Looking forward to go to Kili and Himalayas with Miyar in near future.
Hitesh
A fantastic 'Intro to Snow Climbing' Did a 1 day Intro to Snow Climbing course with Miyar Adventures, led by their lead guide Glen Young and it was certainly the best introduction I could have had. The course covered a wide range of skills including snow travel safety & gear, using crampons & ice axe, and several techniques like plunge stepping, kick stepping, traversing a slope using American and French techniques, balancing & self arrest with an ice axe. Despite being a very accomplished and knowledgeable mountaineer, Glen is very down to earth and always happy to share his knowledge. He strikes the right balance of using his leadership skills to guide and manage a group and using humour to keep the day enjoyable even while learning some life saving skills. I look forward to more adventures with Miyar and Glen this year.
Pam
Mt. Baker and Mt. Rainier Summits I did a 2 day Mt. Baker and a 3 day Mt. Rainier summit with Miyar adventures. The guides, level of service, and the training provided to our group before, during and even after we bagged the peak was amazing and out of this world. I would highly recommend anyone looking for their next peak adventure to go with Miyar adventures over other well known big name guiding companies in the Seattle area.
Hameet S
Mt. Baker Instructional Climb I participated in a 5 day instructional course and summit of Mt. Baker. Glen, our guide and instructor, had a ton of experience and a wealth of knowledge. I really enjoyed learning about mountaineering techniques like rope team travel, proper footwork, self arrest, and crevasse rescue. Glen was a fantastic guide and with his help we summited Mt. Baker and are now prepared for a lot more fantastic adventures
Kyle O
I took intro to Mountaineering course by Sandeep. It was great trip. I learnt some mountaineering/backpacking skills. The hike up and the campsite had amazing views. On Friday, Sandeep did a informative mountaineering presentation and checked the gear. He let us borrow some missing gear like iceaxe, sleeping bag, puffy jackets, helmet, rope, etc. On the mountain he taught us safe glissading, self arrest, knots, side walking, walking with rope, safety and other important skills. Overall I had heck of a weekend, got to meet cool people and got a mountaineering bug which is already itching me to hike up camp muir and Mt. Adams
Amar Tamersi
I did the intro to Mountaineering course and got so much more out of it than I expected. I figured that we would just learn some basic skills and techniques, but our instructor Sandeep really went the extra mile. Beyond the lessons of ice ax arrests and general snow climbing, I learned a ton about mountaineering culture and ethics which really helped me feel comfortable climbing alongside the professionals. By the end I felt very confident in my new ability and couldn't wait to get out again. Seriously, I could not wait. The next weekend I rented gear from Miyar Adventures and was able to climb Mt. Adams on my own! I can't wait for more adventures!
Richard Buzzard
I have never done any activity on snow and I am a newbie hiker...It is unbelievable that I actually got to climb Rainier, starting from where I was. I give all the credit to Sandeep. He makes beginners like me get comfortable and build up on the skills and make their dreams become achievable...If you ever want to climb any mountain, I strongly recommend Miyar Adventures, without any doubt.
Prema Grandhi
Excellent experience with Miyar and Sandeep when climbing Rainier this year. I was not even sure if I can do it. Sandeep helped me through out the training and kept me motivated. If not for Miyar and Sandeep I don't think I would have summited Rainier.
Abhishek Chaturvedi
I have been on multiple climbs and hikes with Sandeep, including Mount Baker and Mount Rainier. He is a great lead, and it felt very safe all the time. The climbs are super fun with him, and he works hard to help you learn as much as possible. It's the best deal you can get!
Kshithij A
I climbed Kilimanjaro via the Machame Route with Miyar Adventures in Jan. 2016. Sandeep did a lot of hand-holding before and during the trip in terms of providing information and answering questions. He also took care of all the logistics and made everything hassle free. I was concerned about joining a big group but was relieved to find some quiet time on my own during the hike. My favorite thing about the hike was the local guides, especially Aaron and Sunday. They're very kind and supportive.
Liren C
Really enjoyed the experience in Kili - staff are extremely nice. The tour guides, and even the porters, are very helpful and experienced. I feel safe throughout the trip. Would definitely recommend Miyar!
Hailei Lu
LOVED the Kili Climb! Very well organized, the food was amazing! FRESH fruits and veggies at every meal, and they even accommodated dietary restrictions!! GF, Vegan and dairy (just to name a few) in our group of 14! The morning ritual of GINGER TEA was my fav, for sure!!! Sandeep is a great team builder, the group or climbers were so amazing, helpful and cheery the entire time!!! I will climb with Miyar again! Wish you could experience this for yourself, it is a once in a lifetime experience!!!
Lisa Walker
Climbing Kili was a mind opening experience thanks to Sandeep, our group, and local guides. It's not just about breathtaking scenery, which you will experience. It's about the people. Sandeep and the people he works with are genuine, knowledgeable, wonderful people. I can't wait for my next trip with them! Love you guys!
Kathryn E
I took intro to Mountaineering course by Sandeep. It was great trip. I learnt some mountaineering/backpacking skills. The hike up and the campsite had amazing views. On Friday, Sandeep did a informative mountaineering presentation and checked the gear. He let us borrow some missing gear like iceaxe, sleeping bag, puffy jackets, helmet, rope, etc. On the mountain he taught us safe glissading, self arrest, knots, side walking, walking with rope, safety and other important skills. Overall I had heck of a weekend, got to meet cool people and got a mountaineering bug which is already itching me to hike up camp muir and Mt. Adams
Amar Tamersi
I did the intro to Mountaineering course and got so much more out of it than I expected. I figured that we would just learn some basic skills and techniques, but our instructor Sandeep really went the extra mile. Beyond the lessons of ice ax arrests and general snow climbing, I learned a ton about mountaineering culture and ethics which really helped me feel comfortable climbing alongside the professionals. By the end I felt very confident in my new ability and couldn't wait to get out again. Seriously, I could not wait. The next weekend I rented gear from Miyar Adventures and was able to climb Mt. Adams on my own! I can't wait for more adventures!
Richard Buzzard
I have never done any activity on snow and I am a newbie hiker...It is unbelievable that I actually got to climb Rainier, starting from where I was. I give all the credit to Sandeep. He makes beginners like me get comfortable and build up on the skills and make their dreams become achievable...If you ever want to climb any mountain, I strongly recommend Miyar Adventures, without any doubt.
Prema Grandhi
Excellent experience with Miyar and Sandeep when climbing Rainier this year. I was not even sure if I can do it. Sandeep helped me through out the training and kept me motivated. If not for Miyar and Sandeep I don't think I would have summited Rainier.
Abhishek Chaturvedi
Went on a 4-day backpacking trip to Mount Rainier with Miyar Advantures and Sandeep. It was a great experience! Sandeep was a great guide who was not only knowledgeable and helpful but genuinely fun to be around. The trip has sparked my interest in further challenges and adventures, and I think it is safe to say that Miyar Adventures is the first place I will look for my next big one!
David M.
Sandeep and all of his guides are very personable, knowledgeable, safety conscious and a WHOLE lot of FUN to climb with! I am a beginning climber/backpacker and I enjoyed climbing/Backpacking Rainier with Miyar Adventures. They prepared me well for a successful experience. In fact, I am looking forward to climbing Kilimanjaro with Miyar in December!
Lisa W.
I joined Miyar Adventures for a 4 day backpacking trip at Mt. Rainier. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Sandeep is a very knowledgeable guide that is willing to go the extra mile in order to make sure everyone in the group has a good time. I'm looking forward to joining them for another adventure in the future!
Min L.
I had the good fortune to go with Miyar Adventures for a four day backpacking trip in Mt Rainier this past August. I found the guides intelligent, accomplished, kind, patient and hard working. After talking to them about their experience and medical knowledge I felt safer than I have on any adventure I've ever been on. The food was good and the Fireball Whiskey superb! I look forward to more trips with them. Maybe even Kilimanjaro!
Kathy E.
Amazing landscape, sunny days, cold nights, Hot tea, marvelous meals, perfect Organization, attentive Team, First Yak in Life. Stunning beauty of this trek is beyond words. Guides were so professional and helpful for everything all the way. They made sure to keep you safe and well aware of the area and culture. This was an amazing journey for me and I cherish the memories everyday till date.
John Roberts
Our camping and trekking combined with the amazing views and the awesome guides, the overall experience at Stok Kangri was really a true delight. Everything about the trek was wonderful. What a way to see Ladakh and absorb its beauty for lifetime. The other Himalayan peaks around makes the perfect backdrops. Thanks to the trek leaders and the organizers for making sure that everything went through smoothly.
Sameer Grag
I have been on several climbs with Miyar Adventures (including Mt. Rainier, Mt. Shasta) and its always been an awesome experience.The leads are great and make you feel safe, will encourage you all through the climb and will make sure that everyone in the group is having a great time. Miyar Adventures is definitely my first choice when I want to go for a big climb.
Siddarth V.
I have been training with Sandeep and his group of experienced guides for more than 3 months, especially to prepare myself to summit the big one - Rainier. Many people dream of climbing big mountains and have the ability too, but sometimes just have a little doubt whether they can do it. Sandeep has this unique quality to build up that confidence in such dreamers. He makes you believe in yourself and your abilities. He is very passionate about engaging more and more people with mountaineering and rock climbing.
We sumitted Rainier last weekend, and Miyar adventures played a significant role in our climb. The practise climbs, pre-climb and glacier informative sessions, gear check meetings - were all planned meticulously and each team members questions were answered satisfactorily. I would definitely recommend going with Sandeep and his team for any adventures offered by Miyar. Note: Look out for their trip to Mt Kilimanjaro later this year. I am sure it would be a lot of fun.
Ajay M.
As a newbie to rock climbing, I took the intro to outdoor rock climbing with Miyar Adventures. Our lead instructor, Sandeep was great and so was his assistant who joined us for the course training at Gritscone. As a group of five, we were able to tackle five climbs in one day ranging from 5.5 to 5.9. This allowed each climber more opportunities to practice the techniques, work on the commands, and gain experience with various rock formations. It’s a great value esp. considering we were a small group. Sandeep is a knowledgeable climber and a genuinely nice person. We hung out for a bit after the course and had great conversations with interesting people!
Jeff Permuy.
I like the commitment, determination of Sandeep and his passion for great cause too. Sandeep inspired lot many people with his great leadership qualities. He will be role model for lot many people.
Sridhar DandapanThula
Great bhai! It needs a lot to follow your dream. Kudos!
Neeraj Agarwal
I've climbed Rainier and Baker (+several other training hikes) with Sandeep and other guides from Miyar Adventures. The climbs were made super fun, safe, and informational. With Sandeep's detailed prior planning, extensive know-how of the mountaineering practices, and long climbing experience, you know the climb is going to be safe with great chances of summit. Before all big climbs, Sandeep does an indoor session to discuss the itinerary and answer any concerns. You'll definitely learn a lot whenever you spend time with Sandeep. He has expertise in all forms of climbing: mountaineering, rock and ice. So it also makes it easy to try other activities because you already know the guide well. I've taken instructions from few other guides as well and I wouldn't doubt to state that Sandeep is the best guide I've climbed with! He'll keep you motivated and answer your questions with patience. He'd have fun stories to tell from his rescue ops, first ascents, or other hard climbs. He is ready to make adjustments based on the preferences of the group which is a key in making the trip not only successful but also enjoyable. I can't recommend Miyar Adventures enough! Give them a try and you'll be glad you did.
Prateek Sharma
If you are interested in doing any climbing or hiking but need a guide , I highly recommend Miyar Adventures...Sandeep is a wonderful person and you will actually learn (and practice ) climbing and crevasse rescue techniques in addition to the trip/climb ...it is definitely beyond a just a "get you to the summit" experience. He genuinely cares and brings in other excellent guides for bigger groups. My husband and I recently successfully made it to the summit of Mount Baker with Sandeep, two other guides and a group of friends and we had a fantastic experience. He and the guides he works with are very knowledgeable so I had confidence in their abilities to lead us but they are also very friendly and fun so that overall trip was enjoyable. I will definitely climb with Miyar Adventures again!
Monica Henry
Climbing Rainier was an incredible experience and a life changer for me having spent the previous 5 years recovering from a traumatic brain injury. Sandeep, prepared me. -- star 1 Training -- He got me to the summit -- star 2 Encouragement -- Even with high altitude sickness, he got me down again -- star 3 and 4 Safety, Knowledge -- I received an absolutely amazing experience I will never forget resulting in lasting friendships and the return of a confidence that I wasn't sure I'd ever have again -- star 5 -- Thanks Sandeep!
Ari T.
I've been on several trips with Sandeep, from day hikes to mount Rainier climbs and have always had an enjoyable time. I can say by experience that he genuinely wants his clients to have a safe, enjoyable and educational experience, no matter who they are. Safety has always been the top priority on his trips and as far as education and fun, I've always gotten more than expected out of them. His level of patience and ability to lead is really unmatched, and he demands the same standards of his guides. I would definitely recommend Miyar for anyone who wants a real, hands on climbing or wilderness experience!
Lawrence P.
I joined Miyar Adventures for a 4 day backpacking trip at Mt. Rainier. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Sandeep is a very knowledgeable guide that is willing to go the extra mile in order to make sure everyone in the group has a good time. I'm looking forward to joining them for another adventure in the future!
Min W
This was my first time technical/glacier climb under great guides assistance & summited Mt. Baker & can't wait for more to come, see you soon ;)
Zuzana Svitek
What an awesome experience to go on climbing Mt. Rainier with Miyar Adventures. Sandeep and his team of guides ( Kirk, Alexis, Joe, Ben, Chris, Jasmin ) did an awesome job to lead the multiple rope teams trough snow skill preparations and guiding through safely on glacier journey. The amount of efforts put into multi-month preparation, pre-trip meetings, accessibility to gears for rent and attention to details with food/weight/personal gears were all instrumental in almost all of us (in a group of 24) able to summit Mt. Rainier and have wonderful memories. We knew we were in best company and safe hands with prior experience with Miyar Adventures led climb to Mt. Baker and few other preparation trips. And guides calibrated their approach from novice climbers to experienced climbers to push enough to have an enjoyable experience. I highly recommend to go with Miyar Adventures on amazing trips they have lined up around the Puget Sound Area and internationally.
Harshit Shah
Climbed Mount Rainier with Miyar Adventures. What an incredible experience! I hadn't hiked for 9 years, but was able to train for Mount Rainier under Sandeep's guidance. Thanks to Miyar's guides (Alexis, Chris, Ben) the final climb to summit felt so safe and non-strenuous. During our climb RMI group crossed us just after Camp Miur and I could hear people already panting and breathing heavily. After sometime I saw few people from RMI group returning back as they couldn't keep pace. However with Sandeep and his team of guides, all of us summited without any pressure. Sandeep and his team have many years of mountaineering experience, and they know how to make it not only safe but also enjoyable.
Anand Sarda
Had the chance to attempt a Shuksan climb last week with Sandeep and bunch of other folks. Despite the bad weather, I had a lot of fun and learned a bit. Sandeep and his other guide (Kirk) were really professional. Both of them were super helpful all along the trip. They were continuously guiding folks who needed guidance, especially me. I would highly recommend them and I hope to climb again with them soon.
RaghuRam Nadiminti
Went on a 4-day backpacking trip to Mount Rainier with Miyar Advantures and Sandeep. It was a great experience! Sandeep was a great guide who was not only knowledgeable and helpful but genuinely fun to be around. The trip has sparked my interest in further challenges and adventures, and I think it is safe to say that Miyar Adventures is the first place I will look for my next big one!
David Magana
I was part of a group that summitted Mt. Baker in early August this year. Overall, it was a great experience. I went into it not knowing what to expect from a guided climb (my past few had been unguided) and was pleasantly surprised. I was concerned that I'd be bored, but was happy to find that they did a great job juggling our group's varying skill levels, and I walked away feeling like I had learned and progressed as a climber. Ben and Anthony are both very knowledgeable (you can always learn from guides, it just depends how much time they have to teach!) and I found myself getting a bunch of new experiences even just in the 24 hours that we climbed. I was also impressed by their abilities to read us and judge when clients needed encouraging or advice. They did a great job managing us, and I remember the moment that my attitude turned from "this isn't going to happen but it's still experience" to "holy crap, we have a shot!" After toughing it out through some rain, blustering winds, and low visibility, the skies cleared up and we had our chance. Thanks to Ben and Anthony for the positive attitudes and guidance that weekend! I'd definitely join them again in the future.
Eve Jakubowski
Ben and Anthony were fantastic. Two things stood out to me: their ability to juggle various levels of experience, and how good they were at encouraging team members who needed it. Long story short, I didn't know what to expect from guided trips (most of my experience was unguided) and was concerned it'd be a pampered trip where they did all the hard work and I wouldn't learn anything. But they managed to cater to each individual, and I left feeling like I had improved as a climber and definitely learned a few things. I'm sure if you want the pampered trip, they'd do that too, but I was over the moon about cutting snow blocks for the tent and setting up v-threads. They were also very good at reading people, being patient, and knowing who to encourage when and when to maintain a positive atmosphere in case climbers were getting nervous. It was a great experience, and best of luck to them in the future! I'd definitely trust them to take me up another peak in the future. Maybe I'll get to cut more snow blocks.
Eve Jakubowski
Sandeep and all of his guides are very personable, knowledgeable, safety conscious and a WHOLE lot of FUN to climb with! I am a beginning climber/backpacker and I enjoyed climbing/Backpacking Rainier with Miyar Adventures. They prepared me well for a successful experience. In fact, I am looking forward to climbing Kilimanjaro with Miyar in December!
Lisa Walker
I am new to mountaineering, and Sandeep made the learning experience FUN, safe and informative. He goes the extra mile to make sure you are comfortable and get the most from the experience. I climbed with two of his EXCELLENT guides on Mt Adams, and with Sandeep on Mt Rainer. I look forward to Kilimanjaro this December. A TOP NOTCH company!
Lisa Walker
Sandeep is possibly the best person (Miyar and guides) in the business to take you on the mountains. Anyone who has trained with him to summit Rainier over the years can tell you how much he cares about his peeps. Talk to him and he can always find a way to make it happen. I have been trying to climb Rainier for few years with personal constraints (need to be always available, can return anytime, 24*7 sat phone access etc) and many times I had to return mid climb from big ones like Baker and Rainier. It was really easy to talk to the guides about this situation. I never once felt unsafe on the mountains. This is a big deal given how much we learnt when it comes to snow skills and glacier training. Be safe and go with Miyar!
Vivek Garg
I was part of the group that summited Mt. Rainier on 7/20/15 led by Miyar Adventures and its guides. I had a great experience training and finally climbing with Miyar and Sandeep Nain. Miyar Adventures has an experienced team of guides with most guides being a part of some or the other mountain rescue group (as an added perk, you can just sit and listen to these guys tell stories). I felt that all the guides shared common mountaineering principles which is very important in case of a mishap. Sandeep and his team believe that "getting to the summit is optional, but getting back to the parking lot is mandatory" - safety first, mountain is not going anywhere. Another thing that I particularly liked about the guides was they set strict timelines and also inspired discipline in us to adhere to those timelines. As pre-climb training, we did a lot of hikes around the area and also climbed Mt. Ruth. Sandeep would try and accompany us on our training hikes as much as he could and answered any dumb and dumber questions that we had with patience and precision. You always learn something new when you talk mountaineering with Sandeep Nain. The Mt. Ruth climb was a very good precursor to Mt. Rainier in terms of learning and practicing the basics of snow and glacier travel. Both the Mt. Rainier and Mt. Ruth training climbs were very meticulously planned. The gear distribution was done well before the actual climb so that any changes were easily accommodated. Sandeep and Ben gave us a detailed briefing about the itinerary and risks before the climb and were available to clear any doubts during and after the session. The guides Sandeep Nain teaches you, inspires you, and pushes you to your limits and lets you redefine them, I highly recommend giving Miyar Adventures a try for your next backpacking/mountaineering/climbing adventure. You will thank me!!
Rajat Dua
A friend once remarked, "if you have any questions about your mountain climbing abilities, the person you need to talk to is Sandeep from Miyar adventures." It can't be more precise than that. I met Sandeep through "asha for education" with an interest to climb Mt. Rainier. My first hike with Sandeep was up tiger mountains. A small and easy hike but I reached the top a solid 30 mins after the rest of the group. That got me thinking if I should back off from climbing Rainier. But Sandeep didn't let me do so. He was confident that I could climb Rainier with some training, when I myself had very few reasons to believe so. The next 4 months, we had training hikes almost every weekend organized by Sandeep which were so much fun to call them "trainings". And fast forward to today, I'm home cherishing the feeling of having summited mount Rainier. This would not have been possible but for Sandeep and his team. Guides are super knowledgeable and amicable, the trips are very well organized, any questions about gears, health, trip details etc, answers are just an email or call away. The extent to which Sandeep and his team go to make a trip, an enjoyable experience and more importantly safe is quite admirable. Looking forward to joining Miyar adventures for more such 5-star experiences in future.
Saraswathy Srinivasan
I was part of a group that has done several climbs with Sandeep as a leader. Sandeep takes great care of his clients and knows when to push you and advise you on areas where you need to work. Sandeep takes great care to ensure safe climbs and a fun time for the participants! Go with Miyar if you want to be challenged and grow in a safe environment!
Filipp Demenschonok
I have been training with Sandeep from Miyar Adventures for the past 6 months for a fundraiser Mt.Rainier climb. I have never done any activity on snow and I am a newbie hiker. So I had my reservations when I started training. So starting from how to get better at hiking to improving my snow skills, being my sounding board, whenever I expressed any doubts in my mind, and pushing me a little harder every time so I can get some confidence that I can accomplish this, he has been an great guide. It is unbelievable that I actually got to climb Rainier, starting from where I was. I give all the credit to Sandeep. He makes beginners like me get comfortable and build up on the skills and make their dreams become achievable. The way he organized the whole climb from picking food, group gear and personal gear for everyone, to picking great rope leads for glacier travel for us to lead the way, he has done a phenomenal job. He is very efficient about trip planning and ensures everyone summits and gets back home safely. If you ever want to climb any mountain, I strongly recommend Miyar Adventures, without any doubt.
Prema Grandhi
Loved the experience training and climbing for Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker. I highly recommend going via them. The climb was very well managed with experienced guides. Sandeep assisted me and guided me for several months while training.
Ravi Jaiswal
I climbed Kilimanjaro with Sandeep, it was an amazing experience. The trip was really well arranged, and we did not need to do much planning-wise. Sandeep was super friendly and helped us train for the climb, with the visas, vaccinations. He even brought some extra "just in case" jackets for the climb - which I ended up borrowing :) The mountain guides were awesome, the food was exceptional. It was a great trip and I look forward to my next trip with Miyar
Priya Janardhanan
I've known the owner of Miyar Adventures for a few years and he's one of the best climbers I know. He's helped with other climbs I've been a part of even before forming the company and definitely knows his stuff. He also works hard (really hard) to keep costs down compared to other larger companies. I took the Denali Prep course in Summer 2015. Our Denali guide presented how to rig a sled and we did real crevasse rescue in a real crevasse. I had had some training in related areas, but I still learned a ton every minute from our guide. The course is still ongoing and I'm looking forward to the student-led climb! Can't wait to try Denali and a winter ascent of Rainier! I have friends that did Kilimanjaro and the accompanying Safari. While I didn't go, everyone said it was great and well organized.
Rob Miller
Loved the Denali Prep Course offered through Miyar, and the awesome guides that we had. They were extremely knowledgeable, experienced and helpful. They made sure that every one of us received individual attention and got the chance to learn everything that we were supposed to learn. They answered all our questions, gave very useful advice on various things, and had a great attitude/were very patient, both with us and the weather :). I had a great experience with them! And most importantly, I felt very safe climbing with them. The crevasse rescue practice was done very safely with plenty of anchors, and during the summit push, the guides were skilled enough to make the call to turn back due to the conditions being bad - which turned out to be a good decision, since a whiteout came in soon after we turned back. Regarding the course itself, everything was very well planned and went smoothly. The course was structured and paced very well. I loved the flexibility in scheduling, and appreciate the trouble that Miyar (especially Sandeep) took in order to be flexible! I learned a lot through the course and it was a great experience!
Akshay Kulkarni
I had a great experience taking the Denali Prep Course with our instructor Glen. The course was very thorough and Glen did a great job of teaching us complex systems in a simple way while sharing a wealth of real world mountaineering experience. We covered everything from how to tie your boot laces so they won't freeze to a comprehensive review of the recommended Denali climbing itinerary. Glen was amazingly hospitable and was very flexible in tailoring the class to work well with our location and current weather conditions. All together it was a fantastic experience that I would highly recommend and I feel much more prepared for the challenges that Denali will present.
Jeff Crow
Glen was a true professional and provided a totally personalized experience. Glen's teaching style allowed each of us to walk away with significantly improved mountaineering knowledge and skills. A good example on the trip happened when I soaked my boots. Glen didn't miss a beat and used it as a learning experience for the group on how to balance tasks when one person has a temporary handicap. The training was delivered in such a positive, customized, and professional way that learning came easy. By the end of the training, we felt stronger, more capable, and equipped to challenge Denali. Thanks, Glen!
Steven Waller
Climbed Kilimanjaro with Miyar a few months ago. It was an awesome trip. Everything was very well organized, and we didn't have to worry about a single thing. In fact Sandeep went out of his way to make things go smoothly. He was available months in advance to provide/discuss trip details and answer any questions that we had. He was also very flexible about the trip plan. And finally, he was willi...ng to organize training hikes for us as well, although that didn't work out due to the conflicting schedules of the group members. He made sure that all the group members met and got to know each other beforehand, which I think was really helpful. The trip itself (climb, safari, the group I went with) was one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling experiences of my life.
Akshay Kulkarni
I joined Sandeep on a climb to the highest free-standing mountain in the world - Kilimanjaro in Africa not quite knowing what that meant or what was involved and gained more than what I could have ever imagined. It was a rather long climb and the last day was very tiresome for me. Sandeep continued to encourage me when I was tired and truly exhausted and felt like I could not move an inch. Thanks to that, I did end up summiting and got safely back down to basecamp. I truly appreciated how the climb was coordinated by Sandeep with the guides and porters and it was really pain free for the clients with great food and all conveniences one can expect on a mountain. The pre-planning and gear check sessions all helped me immensely and thought the price was by far the best I had observed for the services provided.
After having been part of climbs with other leaders, I think Sandeep's climbs are very accommodative to a wide set of climbers with varied skill set and preferences. I highly recommend his climbs and would definitely join on future climbs to some of the most beautiful places in the world.
Kavitha
Kilimanjaro was my first mountain excursion outside of the US. I was equally excited and nervous. Sandeep and Miyar Adventures set up the most phenomenal trip I could have imagined! The plan fell perfectly into place upon arrival: hotels were lovely, food was delicious and the mountain guides were marvelous. Sandeep left nothing out when coordinating all of this. He was also available for the months prior to the departure to meet and make sure we had the correct flight plans, gear and clothing, vaccinations, passports, visas and any thing else we might need. Lastly, Sandeep set up local hiking treks prior to our big trip to ensure that we are all physically ready for the trip and so that we may meet one another before the big climb. I know this is a long review, but I wish I could write even more! I felt so comfortable in the hands of Sandeep and Miyar Adventures the entire time! There is nothing that could have gone better and I will certainly be booking another trip with this company soon!
Danielle Stadler
I took the Intro To Outdoor Rock Climbing Course August 24th and had a great time! The instruction given by Sandeep Nain was well organized and detailed. Our infield curriculum included review and practical applications of climbing gear, climbing knots, climbing commands, belay techniques, climbing ethics and of course safety, which Sandeep emphasized throughout this one day course. Our group then had the opportunity to do 5+ top rope climbs on routes varying in difficulty, great work out! On top of meeting some great people we finished the day with a dip in the river! You can't beat that! I highly recommend this course.
Thomas Conway
I took intro to Mountaineering course by Sandeep. It was great trip. I learnt some mountaineering/backpacking skills. The hike up and the campsite had amazing views. On Friday, Sandeep did a informative mountaineering presentation and checked the gear. He let us borrow some missing gear like iceaxe, sleeping bag, puffy jackets, helmet, rope, etc. On the mountain he taught us safe glissading, self arrest, knots, side walking, walking with rope, safety and other important skills. Overall I had heck of a weekend, got to meet cool people and got a mountaineering bug which is already itching me to hike up camp muir and Mt. Adams :)
Amar Tamersi
I had done some rock climbing 20 years back but did not have confidence of getting onto the rock again. I did not like the climbing walls in the gym with their big rounded holds which almost feel slippery. I had almost given up on climbing when I found about Sandeep's Intro to Rock Climbing Course. Knowing about his Rainier climb leader role, I knew it will be a great learning experience. I did the course on Sept 7th. Starting with the basics, Sandeep made it so easy that in a short time we were not only ready to try harder routes but were also ready to belay the fellow climbers under his guidance. Even though we were climbing in a pretty safe environment, he made sure that we follow the safety measures and wanted us to make it a habit. He says all of us are ready to pass the belayer certificate test at the local gym. I better attempt that before I forget the basics :).
Jyoti Gawade
I had a really wonderful experience with Sandeep during his Intro to Mountaineering class. First off, he was very flexible and receptive to what the people taking the class wanted to get out of the experience. For example, he gave us the option of choosing between two different locations, based on whether we wanted to spend more time hiking or more time learning new skills, and he regularly checked in with us to assess whether we were understanding and interested in everything he was teaching us. He was extremely patient and happy to answer any question we might have for him about mountaineering or any other outdoor activity. He has an impressive amount of experience, which made me feel not only safe but also like I could learn a lot from him. I also appreciated Sandeep’s personal touch of inviting us into his home before the trip and hearing all his stories of past outdoor adventures. It was clear he has a real passion for what he’s doing. My one critique is that the pre-trip meeting, especially the gear check, was a bit disorganized, but I would attribute that to Miyar being a newly established company. I expect Sandeep will quickly develop a smoother routine for that. Overall, I would definitely recommend Miyar to a friend.
Lexie Carr
I did the intro to Mountaineering course and got so much more out of it than I expected. I figured that we would just learn some basic skills and techniques, but our instructor Sandeep really went the extra mile. Beyond the lessons of ice ax arrests and general snow climbing, I learned a ton about mountaineering culture and ethics which really helped me feel comfortable climbing alongside the professionals. By the end I felt very confident in my new ability and couldn't wait to get out again. Seriously, I could not wait. The next weekend I rented gear from Miyar Adventures and was able to climb Mt. Adams on my own! I can't wait for more adventures!
<font color="#f1592a">Richard Buzard </font>