Hem has organized our trip to Muktinath and took great care of our small group. We got delayed by weather conditions, so Hem provided all support required to update accommodation bookings, air plane tickets, etc. A rather quick hike and thorough planning was required to reach Muktinath and get back in time - so this was achieved flawlessly. Hem local Pokhara and hindu traditions expertise has made our short pilgrimage trip truly inspiring. He is a very nice person. It is a pleasure to communicate with Hem. We would certainly recommend Hem for western pilgrims.

With touroperator Shoestring from Holland we travelled with a group to Nepal. Hem Raj Bastola was the guide who together with a lot of sherpa's accompanied us for a three day trek to Poon Hill and return. Hem obviously liked to share his knowledge of Nepal's history, it's inhabitants, flora and fauna with us. He was always aware of everyone's whereabouts, looked after the group, but also took an interest in individuals who needed attention. As soon as whe arrived in a guesthouse Hem turned from guide into a "butler", helping out with serving meals, providing extra blankets when needed. Everything with a smile and a lot of humour. We felt really at ease with him. We hope you will find him "vacant" in Pokhara if you are looking for a guide to accompany you!"

I spent five days with Hem in July 2015, trekking in the hills around Pokhara and I can say wholeheartedly, that I could not have hoped to have a better guide on my journey. Hem was excellent company! Not only is he a wonderful and kind person, creating amazing poetry, but also, from the practical side of things, organizing accommodations and kindly taking care of his clients in every way possible. He was a basket of information on both the culture and the nature of the area. I felt totally relaxed and trusting with him as my guide. He proved to be a very valuable guide on more than one occasion... like on one particular day when streeming water had cut off our original route and another had to be found. And Hem did so without a blink of an eye. He knows the areas around pokhara like his own backyard, which in fact they are. I can truly recommend Hem to anyone who wants to enjoy the beautiful hills and mountains without stress and irritation. He has become a good a valued friend, and I will definitely choose him again as my guide the next time I can travel in the beautiful country of Nepal. Päivi Tikkanen, Finland