WHEN JAPANESE MOUNTAINEER Takashi Miyahara arrived in Nepal in 1962, he came with a one-way ticket and a clear purpose: to help develop and promote the country he had fallen in love with. Although not Nepali by birth, Miyahara, now in his eighties, knows Nepal intimately. Over decades of living and working there he walked across most of the country’s 75 districts and helped pioneer Nepal’s modern tourism industry when he founded Trans Himalayan in 1968.
Trans Himalayan was among the first travel agencies established in Nepal. Miyahara soon pursued another ambition: to build a luxury hotel with views of Mount Everest. That vision became reality in 1971 with the opening of Hotel Everest View. The hotel, located at some 13,000 feet, has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as one of the highest hotels in the world.
One of the most popular offerings by Trans Himalayan is trekking to Hotel Everest View. Guests can choose to helicopter directly to the hotel or undertake a three-day trek accompanied by a certified Trans Himalayan guide and porter. Beyond Everest, the company arranges treks across the country, including the Annapurna range, Kanchenjunga, Langtang, Manang and Mustang, tailoring itineraries to suit different interests and fitness levels.
Writer Kristy Alpert alongside her guide and porter © KRISTY ALPERT
Trans Himalayan customizes each trip to match the group’s preferences for comfort and accommodation. Options range from tea-house treks—where trekkers stay and dine in local lodges along the route—to camping treks that combine lodge stays with dedicated THT cooking staff who prepare meals. For more adventurous travelers, full camping treks with tented accommodation are available.
What sets Trans Himalayan apart is its emphasis on attentive service and safety in high-altitude environments. Unlike many agencies that rely on freelance staff, Trans Himalayan employs full-time, English-speaking guides—many of whom also speak Japanese—who typically have 15–20 years of experience guiding groups through the Himalayas. “The safety and well-being of our guests is of utmost importance,” says Sonia Miyahara, sales and marketing manager at Hotel Everest View. “Our staff regularly undertake industry training in first aid and language skills to ensure they meet high standards.”
Whether travelers are seeking a comfortable, guided tea-house trek, a fully catered camping adventure, or the unique experience of staying at a high-altitude hotel with panoramic views of Everest, Trans Himalayan offers well-organized itineraries backed by experienced staff and a long history in Nepal’s tourism industry.