Trek the Himalayas (TTH)
Trek the Himalayas (TTH) – Disappointing Experience on Markha Valley Trek
I had high expectations when I booked the Markha Valley Trek with Trek the Himalayas (TTH). However, my actual experience fell far short of what was promised, and I feel it’s important to share this so fellow trekkers are better informed.
1. No Qualified Trek Leader, Trek Outsourced
Our group was led not by a certified TTH trek leader, but by a local guide. While he was experienced and familiar with the trail, he lacked the leadership role and training TTH had committed to. The trek was clearly outsourced to a freelancer, with no TTH staff member present throughout. This is a serious breach of trust, especially when trekkers pay premium prices expecting safety and guidance.
2. Misinformation & Itinerary Compression
A major issue was the merging of two days of trekking into one, resulting in a 23 km trek day that was physically exhausting and not communicated beforehand. Camping arrangements were changed to homestays, with our agreement, this shift saved TTH operational costs (no mules, cooks, or kitchen staff) but deeply affected trek quality.
3. No Briefings or Safety Protocol Demonstrations
There were no daily briefings, safety instructions, or basic team engagement activities. Not even a formal orientation at the base camp. These are critical components, especially in high-altitude treks.
4. Poor Food Arrangements & No Cook
With no dedicated cook, we were asked to “adjust” to homestay meals. This was not what we paid for.
5. No Summit Day Banner, Excuses & Cover-Ups
On summit day, there was no banner to mark the achievement. We were informed the TTH team “forgot” it, while also being told their actual trek leader never arrived in Leh. This kind of logistical oversight and contradictory responses reflect poor planning and mismanagement.
6. Cancellation Refund Denied Under False Pretenses
One of our participants, had to cancel due to unavoidable security conditions. TTH refused to refund her citing 100% advance payment to local vendors. But ironically, they managed to make last-minute changes to our trek logistics — revealing their inconsistent and profit-driven practices.
7. Value for Money – Not Delivered
TTH claims to charge more than local guides due to the quality and safety they provide. In our case, we got none of the advantages of a professional company, but all the compromises of a cut-rate, locally arranged trek. Ironically, they dropped prices for the same trek soon after, which reflects both poor demand and declining reputation.
Final Thoughts
The mountains are beautiful, and our fellow trekkers helped make the journey worthwhile — but TTH failed on professionalism, transparency, and basic service delivery. I would strongly urge others to clarify in writing who will lead the trek, what arrangements are being made, and what backup support is provided — especially on moderate to high-altitude trails.
A company’s real test is not in sunny conditions, but in how it delivers under challenges. Sadly, TTH failed that test on our trek.