TESTIMONIAL FOR DAMMARU NIRAULA
In 2004 I wa s a member of a group of nine friends from Northamptonshire , UK , on a trek of the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal . Apart from one member, we were all approaching or over the age of 60 and were all well aware of the difficulties we could encounter at Thorong La which sits at an altitude of 5,416 meters (17,769 feet).
Our group was led by Dammaru Niraula and we were most impressed by his leadership qualities. He introduced us gently to the lower altitudes and gradually encouraged us on longer and more arduous days of trekking. At Manang, he encouraged us to take a day trek up the lower slopes of Gangapurna and Annapurna III (see my photo below) and afterwards to attend an altitude safety lecture in Manang. We are all convinced that, without his careful attention to altitude safety, we would not all have completed the trek over Thorong La and some of us at least would have joined the many trekkers who are forced to descend suffering from altitude sickness. We will always be eternally grateful to Dammaru and his team of Sherpas.
Like many Nepalese, Dammaru has a very quiet and gentle nature with a keen sense of humour and fun. At first, he appears to be shy and reserved but is constantly attending to the needs of his guests, assessing their temperaments and abilities and adjusting the itinerary accordingly. After a few days in his care, you come to realize that you are in the hands of an experienced, competent and understanding mountain guide.
I cannot recommend him too highly and know that he will continue to offer excellent trekking facilities in the Himalayas .
Philip Pomeroy
Holcot, Northamptonshire, UK. |