Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the porters at work carrying their huge loads up the mountains made our efforts seem quite paltry as we were only carrying day rucksacks. Also, the cheerful attitude of our guides who could not have been more helpful in ensuring that we had a good time and all made it Everest Base Camp.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Pasang, could not have been a better leader. From the moment he met us at the airport until he left us there at the end he worked to ensure we all had a great time and achieved our goal. He was very observant noticing who may be feeling unwell and offering support and encouragement. His local knowledge and experience ensured that we still did the trip even with bad weather at Lukla preventing flights taking off for 2 days. Above all he was great fun and a central figure in ensuring that the group gelled as a team. Pasang's team of guides, Hymanda, Nima and Soraj, were also fantastic. They greeted everyone in the morning with some cheery words and a welcome hot drink and remained cheerful all day carrying bags for people who were unwell and keeping us all going at a sensible pace. A highlight of the trip was the end night party with the fantastic dancing and singing of the guides and the yakmen, Ratna and Tanzing, finishing off our holiday in great style.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't underestimate how hard this trip is especially in the last 3 days when sleeping at altitude becomes difficult. Pack lots of throat lozenges for the Khumbu cough and as many warm clothes as you can fit in your kitbag.Take an alternative bag to carry your kit on the way home, the kitbags take some beating on the yaks and some of ours were not in a fit state at the end of the holiday for the flight home.Be prepared for extra expense - we had to fly to Lukla by helicopter in order to complete the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Meeting our guides father who was on Expedition 53 with Edmund HilaryClimbing to the top of KalapatarReaching Everest Base CampThe friends I made in the group

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lakpha our group leader was brilliant, he made my holiday special, and looked after everyone in the group.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many from my first sight of Everest, the Sherpa memorial, but for me it had to be reaching base camp with my recently married daughter and son in law.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader, Pasang, was absolutely outstanding, knowledgable, great communicator, caring, inspirational and a first class people person, that said he was supported by an outstanding team with Jetha, Pemba and Cherous being equally encouraging, friendly and efficient.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do it!, attain a reasonable level of fitness before going but remember altitude can effect anyone so take on all the advice given by the group leader and his team.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspiring moment is made by all the little moments: seeing and manage to reach the top, speach with people, looking and admiring the life of the sherpa, being there with my soul and my body.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader were wanderful human being we shared lough, joy and they really cared.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just enjoy..it is a life changing experience

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moments of my trip was the sunset on the peaks. Some evenings where just so blissful,I wanted to cry.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our GP was a young man with wisdom & life experiences be young his years. Playful, intuitive, professional, supportive ~ the list goes on.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a little extra cash so that you can buy your GP & support staff meals from time to time.

Most Inspirational Moment

there were so many if would be hard to pick out one

Thoughts on Group Leader

he was brilliant as was his assistant and the yak man

Advice for Potential Travellers

just enjoy

Most Inspirational Moment

Sunset on Nuptse.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ace!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't wait. Remember my motto..... Adventure Before Dementia.

Most Inspirational Moment

first view of everest

Thoughts on Group Leader

a very able man and a good communicator

Advice for Potential Travellers

be relaxed and prepared to accept anything.i got ill just near base camp and had to turn back but it wasnt a problem and i didnt feel in danger

Most Inspirational Moment

The first real glimpse of Everest is spectacular and watching it grow in stature as you approach is a wonderful experience. Arriving at base camp after all of the effort is also an inspirational moment, although I would highly recommend having the extra 2 days stay at base camp to recover, meet the climbers and enjoy your experience of base camp.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Lakpa, was great - happy, energetic, knowledgeable and a great person to lead the trek. We were also very lucky to have brilliant local guides - Chewang and Pemba.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I recommend the 2 night stay at base camp if you have time - it really allows you to enjoy the achievement and experience a slice of what it's like for the climbers. It also allows you to rest before the trek down! The most important piece of advice is to make sure that you go at a pace that you are comfortable with - don't push too hard otherwise you will burn out or suffer from altitude sickness. Enjoy your time walking and the fantastic views and get to know your group. Also, think about what time of year you want to travel too and what the weather is like at that time as without clear skies you won't get to see the awesome Himalayan back-drop.

Most Inspirational Moment

Of course the target, the EBC, and we have been extremelly lucky on that day, nice, sunny weather and excellent photos. Kala Pattar was more strenous than I thought but the views were again great. In general the views during the entire trip were something special. The monastery in Dingboche, I have never seen anything like it, so very different from the christian churches we are accustomed to. Stayed for the afternoon service on the return trip, that was something; especially when they sounded those long horns, first time I jumped not realizing what's going on. Namche also was a highlight of the trip and the hotel where we slept, best of the entire trip. Low light, the climb from Namche, that was really awful!

Thoughts on Group Leader

A professional, very helpful, knows his stuff, kept an eye on everything and everybody including the 3 other guides. He's a keeper, make sure you don't loose him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Hygiene is not the best and some of the botttled water may not be safe, we found small particles floating in bottled water. Make sure you have disinfectant pills and make sure you read the label, one pill is enough at 20 degrees plus but two are needed when temperature is below 4 degrees. You must allow the time for the pills to work before you drink!! prepare for cold at night, those rooms in the teahouses are awfully cold, sleeping bag min rating for minus 10, I had to buy one in Namche! there are small hospitals or pharmacies along the route even in places you would not expect them to be, that's one very positive thing. I noticed an ABM in Namche, have not tried it though. Carry US dollars in small bills for tips or donations, I had 100 dollars in one dolar bills. The food was OK, order soups or stews for additional liquid and drink tea, lots of it! sunscreen is a must plus a hat that covers your ears, it burns, have seen that on others. Resign that you may not be able to shower for several days especially if the weather turns bad. Carry wet wipes and a good deodorizer, nobody has died for not having a shower every day (there are shower facilities everywhere including at the last stop before the EBC but they are not heated inside).