In reply to robgixer:
It really depends what type of peak you are doing. Most agents in Ktm will be able to organise a peak off the Trekking Peak list, via the NMA.
Organising an Expedition Peak is another story, even more so if it's not one of the popular half-dozen or so - AmaDablam, Manaslu, Himlung, Baruntse, Putha Hiunchuli etc.
Either of these now officially require a 'guide' to be on your trip, maybe in addition to having a Sirdar. Whether the guide actually goes or does anything will be up to you and the agency.
There's no money/margin for agencies in the bare bones budget climbing expedition to a non-standard peak. They leverage off other resources for most of their trips and make margins off cooking, lodges, transport etc. So many agencies now are reluctant to do anything less than a fully guided, two-cooks, all meals BC etc.
If you want to go to a more remote, maybe unclimbed, peak then you really need to choose your agency carefully, based on good references and proven track record - regardless of what they or their website says. 80%+ of Ktm agencies will be useless for this. Best to contact the actual climbers who went to the area you want to visit and ask them direct.
Getting porters in remote areas is a real issue now, due to the economics of Nepal. Some expeds bus their own porters from proven groups in Ktm. There are fewer people in remote villages to porter and even fewer who know where to go.
Post edited at 23:13