About Us

A brief history of Nepalese Encounters

1970 — Durga Datta Pahari gave rest to backpackers travelling overland on the hippie trail. As trekkers increased, so did the demand for guest houses — and Durga Guest House was born, later renamed Hotel Mandala.

1993 — Durga Datta Pahari’s son, Narayan, graduated in civil engineering and began travelling in Europe.

1994 — Narayan’s travels inspired the rebuilding of Hotel Mandala, with private bathrooms, large sunny gardens and modern facilities.

1996 — To raise the quality of service further, Narayan went to Australia to study tourism.

2001 — After returning from Australia, Narayan founded Nepalese Encounters Tours and Travel (Pvt.) Ltd., a travel service for foreign visitors and Nepalis alike.

Today we organise treks, tours, adventure activities, hotel bookings and air and bus tickets across Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan from our office in Lakeside, Pokhara — next to Hotel Mandala, which the family still runs.

Why social give back and responsible trekking?

Trekkers have been enjoying and exploring the Annapurna region for more than five decades — but what has changed in that time? Has local life been influenced positively? Has deforestation stopped? Are people still migrating to the cities? Have the flora and fauna been conserved?

Nobody will answer these questions unless we answer them ourselves, so let’s join together, hand in hand, now. The answer is responsible tourism and social give back, and we focus on both in every trek. We are all learners: travellers can learn from local people, and local people from travellers. Whether we are tourists or locals, we are all in the same boat.

Tips for responsible tourism in the Annapurna region

1. Cut down on imported soft drinks such as Coke and Fanta — most of that money leaves the local economy.
2. Stay in lodges that use bio-gas or solar power for heating and hot water.
3. Hire local guides and porters.
4. Drink filtered or boiled local water, or water bottled in the Annapurna region.
5. Buy handicrafts and souvenirs made locally in the Annapurna region.

Our future projects

Nepalese Encounters is putting these ideas into practice to make the Annapurna region better for all of us. Our projects include an e-library for schools, hospitality training for local business people, bringing plastics left in the Annapurna region back for recycling, greening the trekking routes, and moral and financial support for young and under-privileged groups.

Want to be part of it? Get in touch — we’d love to hear from you.