With recent experience in the Annapurna and Khumbu areas of Nepal, I must state the facts of travel in this region. <BR>The thousands spent on a trip booked in the US or lesser amounts when booked in Nepal will get you the same primitive conditions--stable-like sleeping rooms, filthy toilets and barely edible food. Vast sums of money are being siphoned by travel offices, with the end of the line teahouses charging $1.50 per "double room" and not caring if a minimum of cleanliness is practiced. Tour groups of fit and unfit members march in single file, not able to rest as needed, all coughing and sneezing with the same URI. <BR>In short, the enjoyment of the mountain views becomes secondary to "getting home in one piece".

hello Mr. Lee !!! <BR>That is why you should use an agency that you or your friends are not familiar with, I have had a wonderful time in Nepal and true the conditions are not 4 star. If one arrives in Nepal with low expectations and having booked a cheap/budget one might be impressed with what they get, go with a smaller agency or just one person and ask for recommendations to avoid a bad trip !!

What can you expect if you are traveling in a 3rd world country?! Your descriptions are correct, but, if "you can't stand the cooking, then stay out of the kitchen!". I enjoy Nepal and I don't expect or wish the comfort of a five star hotel!!!!!!! I suggest you stick to places like Las Vegas or Singapore.

No kidding. I remember hearing a group of tourists complaining about aggressive vendors in Cairo and Istanbul. We had sailed to Egypt, Cyprus, Turkey, and many of the Greek Isles. <BR> <BR>The guy said, "If you just took Istanbul and Cairo out of the trip it would have been great." I thought to myself that if they had just stayed in the US they probably would have had a great time. <BR> <BR>So why travel? If you want the world to be Las Vegas, go to Las Vegas.

I, too, had the most amazing trip to Nepal. Of course, I realized that I was travelling to a third world country and knew what to expect. Even the toilets didn't get me down -- it was great!!!

We loved Nepal - including the "primitive" conditions. The only part that we did not like were one or two of the people in our group who complained constantly about having to walk up hills! So pick your travel companions carefully!