19 Oct 2023
Roshan created an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience. My fiance and I did the 7 Day ABC Trek with him. He was nothing short of absolutely professional and excellent.
He’s been trekking professionally for 10 years, and you can tell that he is truly remarkable at what he does because of his focus on your hospitality: he is incredibly consistent at anticipating your needs and meeting them, even when you’re not expecting it.
I personally believe his love for hospitality comes from his background as a hotel manager – his entire career has been built around serving people, and he brings that customer-first mindset into trekking.
His TripAdvisor post says he is just a guide, however, that’s incorrect. Let me list out all the roles that Roshan plays for you when you go on a trek with him:
+ Translator: He speaks the best English of any Nepali I’d met. He translates for you when you need to speak with a local in a village, guest house, or on the road. Your words won’t be lost in translation.
+ Logistics Expert: He will pick the path that is best suited for you. He’ll tell you which path is shorter and more difficult, or longer and easier. If you fall behind, he will readjust the logistics plan for the trek to you. He learns your pace and adapts to you.
+ Accommodations Planner: When treks get busy, you may not have a place to sleep – you don’t need to worry about this with Roshan. He will call ahead and reserve a private room for you. He himself will give you the private room while he sleeps in the shared room. He cares about your comfort and accommodation above his own.
+ Negotiator: If you want to buy something on the road, he will negotiate for you to get you the best price. He told us where to get the best deals, when to wait for better ones up ahead, etc. He dislikes when tourists are ripped off because it reflects badly on his country.
+ Waiter: He will take your order for you and translate it to the kitchens on the road. He ensures that you finish your meal before he starts to eat. This is an example of how consistently he puts you first.
+ Entertainer: If he sees you have difficulty with the trek, he will tell stories and riddles to pass the time and keep you going. He wants you to enjoy yourself.
+ Culture Expert: Roshan will tell you stories about how Nepalis live and work, their traditions and values. He plays an active role in helping you understand his world more deeply.
+ Fauna Expert: He will point out plants and trees to stay away from or look at. For example, certain plants that are prevalent on the trek like nettle (which sting if you touch it), he will tell you where to be aware of it.
+ Guide: This is the role you are explicitly paying for. He will tell you where the correct turns are, where the paths get more difficult. He will meet with you before to go over the trek, elevation each day and where you will sleep throughout the week. He is highly organized.
My fiance and I would trek with him again in a heartbeat. He was world-class. He even offered us a room at his house to experience a true Nepali home – he does this for everyone. I wish there were more people like Roshan in tourism.