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Posted by Gentil De Faria on 2/22/2009, 2:38 am, in reply to "independent trekking guide in Nepal"
Trekking Guide Tulasi Ram Paudel recommended by prof. Gentil de Faria
Reading the page on recommended trekking guides – www.nepal-die.de – I chose five names and wrote to each of them. I got three answers and one of them was from Tulasi. Immediately I decided to take him as my guide. From the very beginning I found him to be very friendly and helpful. He helped me to organize my trip to Nepal, especially to Annapurna Circuit. He took care of everything, park permits, and all kind of information I need, such as what to take along, what to buy, to rent, etc.
He wrote to me frequently before my embarking on that wonderful journey with him. He proved to be so confident that I did not hesitate to fix an appointment with him right in Besisahar, very far from São Paulo, Brazil.
After a quite exotic trip by bus from Kathmandu to Besisahar, I was delighted to see his smiling face asking me if I were from Brazil. The date was November 5, 2008. From that moment we stayed 18 days together. I took advantage of his companionship and made an extension of my stay to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. We said good-bye for the last time on my way to Chitwan National Park, recommended by him.
I was amazed by his deep knowledge of the whole Annapurna circuit. He knows the region, all the lodges, lodges owners, and has an excellent relationship with other porter guides. Seeing them talking together I realized that he was a leader and respected by his friends.
We had marvelous pleasant moments, and I took advantage of his solid cultural background, which includes historical, geographical, cultural facets. I profited from his ability to teach me Nepali, a language I had tried to learn by myself before leaving Brazil.
Although still in physical good shape, I am a sixty-year old man, professor of Comparative Literature. Tulasi knew how to keep me safe and took good care of me in the simplest details. After the 12th day of trekking, I was extremely exhausted in Thorung Phedi. I could barely move my feet up to climax of our trekking: Thorung La. Tulasi took all my stuff on his shoulders, and so I could finally reach the top of the mountain.
He is a very talkative and easygoing guy. We talked about everything: our families (he had a daughter of only one month!), religion, politics, cultural shock, etc. He is totally honest, respectful, courteous, patient and very kind, besides being simple and a humble human creature. He returned to me all small coins of change.
In Pokhara, where he lives, he invited me to dinner with him in his humble house. Wow, the chicken was delicious (mitho cha!).
Tulasi speaks very good English, much above the average. He is well educated and has a college degree. It is impressive that he is only a trekking guide in that far remote land
Tulasi Ram Paudel independent trekking guide
Email: tulasip@hotmail.com
Tel.: 00977 98460 58846
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