Alex Buri
Growing up in the backcountry of north-western Canada, I gained a love for the outdoors from an early age. I spent 12 years traveling throughout Asia, exploring the various Himalayan regions of India, Nepal, and Tibet.
After founding TrekkingPartners.com in 2011, I started helping travelers find other like-minded people to adventure with. Now, with kimkim, we're excited to help travelers put together travel experiences that are unique to each of their interests.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"I can give advice and recommendations for anywhere in India and most regions in Nepal. I'm more familiar with the longer trekking routes, but have done many of the shorter, local treks around Nepal, Ladakh and Sikkim. Would be happy to help people looking to do the same. I'm also familiar with British Columbia's northern backcountry, if you're headed in that direction."
How did you get involved in travel?
"My first travel experience was volunteering in remote Cambodia during university. After that, I continued on to southeast Asia, Tibet, Nepal, and finally India where I spent 7 months wandering throughout the Indian subcontinent. Over time, it became clear that the most meaningful travel experiences were those that came about through the help and recommendations of others. In 2010, I started a website called 'Wandering India' to help facilitate such connections. In 2011, I started another site in Nepal for connecting like-minded travellers that didn't want to travel alone. Lately, I've connected with a great team in Palo Alto to continue helping people find a better way to travel."
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"My memories of visiting a new country or culture for the first time are hard to forget. Otherwise, it tends to be the experiences that come about unexpected that are the most memorable. To pick one, it would be visiting Tibet in March of 2006 with my girlfriend, hiking to the northern flank of Mt. Everest together, and then hitch-hiking our way back to Kathmandu from Tingri (after a long day of watching jeeps fly by us, a friendly Germany couple forced their driver to stop and pick us up)."
Featured trips & expertise
Nepal's Main Trekking Regions
The Everest and Annapurna regions are the two most popular areas for trekking, but there are a number of other regions that hold some of the best treks in Nepal. Both regions are best visited in spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), though winter treks (December-February) are possible on some routes in these areas. Summer/monsoon (June-August) trekking in these regions isn't recommended, as the trails can get quite wet and slippery and mountain views obscured.
Nepal's Monsoon Season: Best Tips & Advice
Starting around mid-June, peaking in July and August, and winding down in early September, the monsoon brings rain, humidity and an increase in temperatures across most of Nepal. True — mountain views are often obscured by cloud, temperatures get uncomfortable, it rains daily, and yes, there are leeches. But this is still a great time to trek and here are our best tips for going about it.
Dream Job: Global Travel Specialist
Do you love travel? Are you ambitious & entrepreneurial? Do you have experience as a travel planner & organizer? Are you ready to have the year of your life? If the answer to the above questions is yes, then read on, because this may very well be the job you’ve waited for all your life.
Inca Trail Permits for 2018
Only a limited number of people are permitted to hike the Inca Trail each year. If you have your heart set on this classic trek to Machu Picchu, be sure to book your trek months in advance to get permits for your desired dates.
Inca Trail & Ausangate Trek - 14 Days
Discover three of Peru's top destinations: Cusco, the Inca Trail, and Ausangate, in this comprehensive, unforgettable tour. Wander through cobblestone streets, mountain trails, and lush forests to experience the best sights the region has to offer. From Incan ruins to the highest Andean peaks, this tour gives a taste of both Peru's rich history and breathtaking scenery.
Sailing in Croatia: Everything You Need To Know
With over a thousand islands and a thousand miles of coastline, Croatia is one of the best places in the world to go sailing. You’ll spend a week island hopping, swimming and snorkeling in the blue Adriatic sea, and visit ancient Greek and Roman towns where you can enjoy a cycling, wine tasting or sea kayaking tour.
Recent trip reviews for Alex
Family trip to hawaii, Hawaii - Jan 13 - Jan 19, 2016
I used kimkim for a family trip to Hawaii. Kimkim was particularly useful to help me cut through the noise and get the information I needed. Most importantly, they saved me a lot time in my planning process.
Was a pleasure working with you, Edouard! Hope to have the chance again :)