Fantastic trip with incredible scenery in a beautiful country. Getting into the real scenery... Elizabeth Williams, 2017 See more reviews
I have always had love on mountains and visiting Himalaya to see some of the highest and greatest... Ragnhildur Magnusdottir, 2017 See more reviews
If you want an adventure this is the trip for you. Beautiful mountains, rivers, forests, bridges... Allison firks matthews, 2017 See more reviews
This is a trip for the physically fit person, who has a strong mental attitude, if you are both... Len Wallace, 2017 See more reviews
I though I would be the only one finishing this trip, what with some bad food and respiratory... Lee Harrison, 2016 See more reviews
The High Passes of Everest trek was the first trip of this kind that I have done and was my 50th... Shona Marshall, 2014 See more reviews
This was an extremely tough but hugely rewarding trip. I had trained hard before I left which... Anonymous, 2013 See more reviews
It was an excellent trip, incredible beauty around and the whole scenery but it was incredibly... Anonymous, 2013 See more reviews
A tough expedition although conditions can alter the toughness considerably! Also a fairly high... Anonymous, 2013 See more reviews
Itinerary Expand all Kathmandu to Kathmandu Day 1 Start Kathmandu. The group flights usually arrive into Kathmandu in the afternoon - those travelling on them will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. The rest of the group will join us at the hotel throughout the afternoon. There will be a welcome briefing tonight. Hotel Royal Singi (or similar) Day 2 Free time to explore historic Kathmandu. Today is free for sightseeing in Kathmandu. You may wish to visit the monkey temple at Swayambhunath, one of the largest Buddhist Stupas in the world at Bodnath, or the most important Hindu temple in the valley at Pashupatinath. Various sightseeing tours can be booked and paid for locally. For more details of all of these optional activities please refer to the Optional Excursions section. There will also be a full trek briefing today. Hotel Royal Singi (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Day 3 Take the short but spectacular mountain flight to Lukla (2800m); trek to Phakding. We fly to the mountain airstrip of Lukla (2,800m), and head northwards up the valley of the Dudh Kosi (or 'milk river'). We descend from the small plateau, down into the forested valley. The trail crosses several tributary streams and we have some tantalising views before reaching the small settlement of Phakding (2,650m), where we will spend our first night. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 2,652m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 4 Follow the Dudh Kosi and ascend to Namche Bazaar. Heading out of Phakding we follow the Dudh Kosi northwards. This day's walk takes us through magnificent forests with glimpses of the mountains ahead. We cross the river several times by bridges as we pass through the villages of Benkar, Monzo and Jorsale. A final bridge brings us to the foot of the steep climb to Namche. Halfway up this ascent we may get our first glimpse, cloud-permitting, of the summit of Everest appearing majestically behind the great ridge of Nuptse-Lhotse. A last 300m of climbing brings us to Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capital and the main town in the area. Namche is a prosperous Sherpa town and an important trading centre. It has a weekly market on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning but the town bustle all day every day with trekkers, coffee shops, bakeries and stores selling all kinds of trekking and climbing gear as well as Tibetan souvenirs. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 3,440m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 5 Acclimatisation walk to Kunde and Khumjung; descend to Kyanjuma. We climb steeply out of Namche past the airstrip at Shyangboche, to the Everest View Hotel, the highpoint of our day at 3,880m. Built by the Japanese this spectacularly situated hotel with wonderful views of Everest and Ama Dablam is an ideal place for a tea break. Descending through forest we come to Khumjung, where we have lunch close to the Sir Edmund Hillary School. After lunch, we walk up to Kunde and visit the Edmund Hillary Hospital. The twin villages of Kunde and Khumjung are set below Khumbila, the rocky peak sacred to all Sherpas. For much of the walk, we have great views of Ama Dablam and other Himalayan giants. We walk back down through Khumjumg, to the monastery. Sadly it was damaged in the earthquake but is now being repaired. Inside is a small box and after paying the entry fee (which goes towards the repairs) we will be shown the only Yeti skull in the world! Descending to the main trail we spend the night at Kyanjuma (3,600m). Teahouse (sleeping altitude 3,600m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 Trek through the Sherpa heartland to the monastery at Thyangboche (3,870m) This morning we descend to the river; we cross it at the little settlement of Phunki Thangkha at 3,250m, then climb steeply through the forest to Thyangboche at 3,867m. We will be here by lunchtime and in the afternoon, we will visit the famous monastery. The sunset and sunrise on the fantastic panorama of mountains surrounding us are not to be missed - Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and Ama Dablam provide a wonderful backdrop to our teahouse. Look out for Himalayan Tahr in the forest surrounding the monastery. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 3,867m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 7 Trek through the Sherpa heartland and Thyangboche Monastery to Dingboche. The trail from Thyangboche leads downhill through a forest of conifers, birch and rhododendrons. The trail passes the nunnery at Deboche to cross a bridge over the Imja Khola, whose valley we now follow. The trail then enters Pangboche, at 3,900m, the highest permanent settlement in this valley. We are above the tree line now. A short climb brings us to Shomore, where we have lunch. After lunch we continue climbing to Dingboche, at 4,530m. Dingboche is a summer settlement and here the great peaks of Ama Dablam, the ridge of Nuptse-Lhotse, Tawoche and Chalotse surround us. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,350m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 Ascend Nangkartshang Peak (5100m) for views of Makalu. We spend this day at Dingboche to continue our acclimatisation. Those who are adapting well to the altitude can climb Nangkartshang Peak at 5,100m. From this hill the views are even more spectacular - Chalotse and Tawoche tower above us, Ama Dablam rears up across the valley and in the distance, we can see Makalu. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,350m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 9 Trek to Chukkung and ascend Chukkung Ri (5546m). The trail ascends the valley gently towards Island Peak and Chhukung, a small settlement at 4,730m. From Chhukung we will ascend Chhukung Ri (5,546m) and from here we can look directly across the valley to the fantastic snow and ice formations on Ama Dablam and the Amphu Labsa. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,730m) Trek Profile: 5.5km/3hrs to Chhukung, + 4km/3.5 hrs Chhukung Ri Meals included: Breakfast Day 10 Cross the Kongma La (5535m) to Lobuje. An early start for a tough and very long day as we cross our first pass. We turn away from the main valley and head up a side valley towards the Kongma La. As we ascend the scenery becomes increasingly spectacular as the ridge of Nuptse appears above us. We can see the glaciers of Kongmatse ahead and the rocky peak of Pokalde is to our left. Finally, we reach a small lake before the last steep scramble to the top of the pass. From the top (5,535m), we are surrounded by peaks and glaciers in all directions. The descent is long and steep and finally brings us to the Khumbu Glacier, a real sting in the tail as we must cross it at the end of the day to reach Lobuje (4,930m) a tiny yak pasture with a few teahouses in the summer. The sunset on Nuptse towering above us is not to be missed. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,930m ) Meals included: Breakfast Day 11 Trek to Everest Base Camp (5364m); return to Gorak Shep. Another long day so we start very early, following the Khumbu Glacier northwards to Gorak Shep (5,180m). The trail undulates by the side of the Khumbu Glacier on the rocky moraine. It will take us approx. 3hrs to reach Gorak Shep, where we have a rest and something to eat. We stock up on snacks and water as there are no tea houses from here to Base Camp. Leaving Gorak Shep we trek across the sandy flat at Gorak Shep and climb onto the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. The trail ascends the side of the glacier for a couple of hours before descending onto the rocky glacial moraine itself. The trail winds up and down through fascinating ice seracs to the area known as Everest Base Camp (5,364m), where in spring, we may see some of the expedition teams as they prepare to summit the mountain. From the Base Camp we get fantastic close-up views of the Khumbu Ice Fall. Nuptse towers above us and Pumori rears up behind us. We retrace our steps to Gorak Shep. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 5,180m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 12 Ascend Kala Pattar (5545m) for classic views of Everest; return to Lobuche. This morning we climb steeply above Gorak Shep to the small peak of Kala Pattar, 'Black Rock', at 5,545m, from where we can look down over the camps of the various Everest expeditions. This climb affords a most magnificent view of the Khumbu Glacier and above all a close-up view of the world's highest mountain. We return to Gorak Shep and retrace our steps to Lobuje. (Please note that due to bad weather we may change the order in which we do the walks to Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar). Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,930m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 13 Trek to Dzongla; optional trek up Awi Peak (5245m). Following the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier we head down the valley before turning off above the Chola Tso Lake towards our next pass, the Cho La. Above us are the twin peaks of Tawoche and Chalotse. We stay tonight in the small basic tea house at Dzongla (4,840m). For the energetic there will be a chance en route to ascend Awi Peak (5,245m), a little-known viewpoint but well worth the effort for the views across to Everest Base Camp. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,840m) Walk profile: 6km/4 hrs to Dzongla, + optional 4km/3-4 hrs Awi Peak Meals included: Breakfast Day 14 Cross the Cho La (5,420m) into the Gokyo Valley. The ascent of the Cho La is very steep and not easy, especially in heavy snow conditions. At the top of the pass (5,420m) we cross the icy sloping surface of the glacier - a true mountain experience - as snow peaks and glaciers now surround us. Initially the descent is very steep and can be icy as it zig zags down the moraine. The trail then becomes easier as we finally reach the lodges at Dragnag, where we stay tonight.Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,700m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 15 A short walk across the Ngozumpo glacier to Gokyo Lake. An easy day today after the exertions of the last few days, as we climb onto the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpo Glacier, which is the largest in the Nepal Himalaya. A magnificent, but quite tough walk, across the glacier brings us to the walled meadows and lodge set next to the azure blue lake at Gokyo (4,750m). There is time this afternoon to rest and take in the views or the energetic may want to explore further up the Gokyo Valley. Teahouse sleeping altitude 4,750m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 16 Ascend Gokyo Peak (5360m). A day to explore the magnificent scenery at Gokyo. There is a chance to ascend Gokyo Ri (5,360m.) which is set above the lake and enjoys probably the most magnificent mountain panorama in the Khumbu. Mountains surround us and include four of the seven highest peaks in the Nepal Himalaya: Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu. In the afternoon it is also possible to visit the fourth glacial lake. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,750m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 17 Cross the Renzo La (5,345m) to Lungden. Leaving this wonderful desolate mountain arena we climb up the steep barren rocky path to our last pass, the Renzo La (5,345m). From the top the views are truly magnificent. We can still see Everest in all its glory surrounded by Nupste, Lhotse and Makalu. Gokyo Lake is a tiny pinprick way below us and, looking over the pass are the peaks of Rolwaling. We pass Rermo Lake and continue on down to Lungden for the night. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,350m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 18 Descend through Thame to Namche. We descend to meet the trail from the Nangpa La, which leads into Tibet, and we may well meet Tibetan traders, with their caravans of yaks laden with carpets, salt and hides. Following the Bhote Kosi Valley we head south to Thame with its spectacular monastery. From Thame we follow the valley down to Namche. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 3,440m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 19 An easy day down to Phakding. An easy day today so we can spend some time exploring Namche this morning. We descend from Namche and retrace our steps down through Jorsale, Monzo and Benkar to Phakding. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 2,652m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 20 Return to Lukla via Monzo. We retrace our steps back through Ghat, Tadakosi and then have a final climb to Lukla. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 2,800m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 21 Fly to Kathmandu. We fly back to Kathmandu and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Hotel Royal Singi (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Day 22 Free day in Kathmandu. Today is free in Kathmandu for last minute sightseeing or shopping. Hotel Royal Singi (or similar) Meals included: Breakfast Day 23 End Kathmandu. The trip ends after breakfast. Meals included: Breakfast
Nepal Most nationalities require a visa for Nepal, which can be obtained in advance or on entry. If you wish to apply before departure the current visa cost is £20 for a 15 day visa and £35 for a 30 day visa for UK passport holders. The current cost of a visa on arrival is US$25 for 15 days, US$40 for 30 days or if extending your stay $100 for 90 days. All are multiple entry. The visa on arrival fee can be paid for in cash in US Dollars, Pounds Sterling or Euros. You will also need a passport photo. Application forms are available in the immigration hall (or for electronic passports there are visa registration machines which, after inserting your passport, automatically fill out a form for you). You must firstly join the queue to pay the visa fee, and then go to the relevant immigration desk to obtain your 15, 30 or 90 day visa stamp. There can be long queues for visas on arrival. Non UK nationals should check requirements with their nearest embassy (a few nationalities are not permitted visas on arrival).
Nepal There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. There is low to no risk of malaria throughout Nepal and antimalarial tablets are not usually advised although may be considered for certain higher risk groups; you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. The risk is highest in the low lying southern ‘terai’ districts bordering India. A yellow fever certificate is only required if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or for travellers having transited for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of transmission. Dengue fever is a known risk in Nepal. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Most of our trips to Nepal go to high altitudes where there is a risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness. Our itineraries are designed to enable everyone to acclimatise to these altitudes, but you should be aware that it is still possible for you to be affected. Please refer to the Altitude Warning within the Trip Notes for further advice on AMS.
Hotel & Lodges This tour spends four nights in a comfortable hotel in Kathmandu and eighteen nights on trek in lodges (teahouses). In Kathmandu we usually stay at the Hotel Royal Singi, located within walking distance of the Thamel district. All rooms have en suite facilities and there is a restaurant, a bar and an outdoor courtyard. There is complimentary Wi-Fi in the hotel lobby and Wi-Fi codes are available from reception for the rooms. There is an Exodus desk in the hotel reception area and an Exodus representative will usually be available daily in the mornings and evenings. The teahouses are basic but adequate; please be realistic about what to expect in the mountains. We ask that you read our Nepal Destination Guide for further details about the lodge facilities. The hub of the teahouse is the dining room, usually decorated with colourful traditional rugs, sometimes with a stove or heater (some lodges charge a fee to put the heater on). Most teahouses sell snacks and other essentials such as tissues, soap and toilet paper. Almost all lodges have electricity but it is not wholly reliable and lighting may not be bright enough to read by – a torch is essential. Electrical charging facilities are generally available only in the dining room (charged at approx. Rs150-350 per hour per device). Many of the lodges use solar power so sometimes there is not enough electricity for charging. Many lodges have Wi-Fi these days – in some areas it works well but in others it is slow and temperamental. We book twin-share bedrooms throughout this trek. Beds with foam mattresses, bedsheets and a pillow are provided. Bedrooms are generally unheated and can get cold at night so you will need to bring or hire a sleeping bag. Most lodges have only one or two basic toilets and sometimes these are located outside the main lodge building. Toilets are usually Asian ’squat’ style; although many lodges have now installed ‘western style’ seated ones. Toilet paper is not provided so you should bring your own or buy it locally (please dispose of it the bin provided – do not put it in the bowl). If there is not a flush handle, there should be a container of water to pour down – if it is empty (or frozen) please either refill it or ask the lodge to. Some lodges now have hot 'showers' (charged at approx. Rs250-500 per shower). Sometimes a hot shower is simply a bucket of hot water and not a shower head. Standards of cleanliness vary especially in the peak trekking season and in winter when the water freezes at night. Please report any problems to your leader or the lodge and be vigilant in your personal hygiene regime – use soap or hand sanitizer gel before and after toilet breaks, snacks and meal times. As a general rule, the higher altitude you go to, the more basic the lodges and the more expensive food and services become. Extra Accommodation If you require any additional accommodation in Kathmandu either before or after the tour, we can book this for you (subject to availability), please enquire with your Sales Consultant. Single Accommodation If you prefer your own room, we offer a single supplement for the four nights in Kathmandu only (subject to availability). While in the tea-houses, single rooms cannot be guaranteed but if a single room is available that night, you can pay locally on a day by day basis.
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Reviewed November 2017 Elizabeth Williams Trip: High Passes to Everest Base Camp Everest Base Camp Fantastic trip with incredible scenery in a beautiful country. Getting into the real scenery with an authentic experience and a great trekking challenge. Loved it! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Reaching Base camp. Whilst not the highest or hardest trek I’ve done it was tough and seeing our group of varied age and ability persevere to reach the target was amazing. Kala Pattar trek and watching the sunrise hit the mountain tops on a crystal clear morning. What did you think of your group leader? Brilliant! Helpful, friendly, knowledgable. Bikash got to know each of us and any issues or challenges we had to support us on the trek. He was good company and a great guide. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Prepare well, follow the trip notes advice, it’s very accurate. Be prepared to hire helicopters to get to lukla if your flight is delayed as once it starts to back up it’s chaos. Is there anything else you would like to add? Wonderful, highly recommend it, it’s nit for you if you want luxury but it is if you want amazing scenery and a real adventure in a beautiful country!
Reviewed November 2017 Ragnhildur Magnusdottir Trip: High Passes to Everest Base Camp High Passes to Everest Base Camp I have always had love on mountains and visiting Himalaya to see some of the highest and greatest mountains in the world had always been on my list to do and High Passes to Everest Base camp was a wonderful trip to do. We were so lucky with weather the whole trip giving us amazing scenery and view every day and despite a little struggle for me with altitude at some point during the trip I loved every minute of it. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? There were so many inspirational moment along the trip. The beauty of the mountains with a new scenery every day. All the passes and peaks we attend. The Prayer Service at the monastery in Thyangboche. All the amazing people I met along this journey, my fellow travelers, leader and assistant guides. I also found it a proud moment for the whole group to finish the trip together despite some struggle along the way. Every day was special with it’s own adventure. What did you think of your group leader? You could tell that Pasang Bomjan had love and respect for the mountains and everywhere we stopped along the way, if it was for a tea break or accommodation for the night, you could also tell that he was loved and respected. He also had real love for his culture and religion which he also shared with his group and I am just thankful for getting a little insight to this beautiful and peaceful religion I knew so little about. With his eyes on everything he also went above and beyond for his group and if it wasn't for him I don't think the whole group would ever had managed to finish the trip. Given a group of people with so many different personality, fitness level and ability and getting them through eighteen days at that high altitude where so many things can put you off demands an incredible lot of skills and insight for a group leader to have and Pasang measured up to all of them. Guarding the group safety and health nothing went pass him and he was always there if you needed him. Caring for people when feeling sick, giving encouragement if you needed motivation or support or just a warm hug and beside this all just a nice and pleasant person to be around. Some people you are just happy and grateful you met and for me Pasang Bomjan is one of them. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? This is a wonderful trip to do but because of long endurance and toughness (grated 7) it requires some fitness level, so make sure you read the trips notes through. About half of the trekking time you are also sleeping above 4500 m so be prepared you might feel it at some point. Sleeping at this altitude you also need good sleeping bag because nights get quite cold and down jacket will also be very useful. For water I prefer to use SteriPEN and for backup water purification tablets (if SteriPEN runs out of battery or breaks), but you can also buy bottle water or boiled water. Sun screen is very necessary (for me and my white skin SPF 50), lip balm with protection and hand gel (hand sanitiser). I totally underestimated amount of toilet paper I used but it is easy to buy on the way and also snacks which you can buy everywhere along the trek. If you have some outdoor gear or clothing you are going to replace for new, the local crew will be happy to give your old things second life. It is both appreciated and needed. If you like taking photos, take good camera with you on this trek. The scenery is just breathtaking. Is there anything else you would like to add? If you love mountains you will love Nepal. But Nepal is also so much more than just the mountains with beautiful and peaceful culture and religion and friendly people. Just go there with your heart and mind open, embrace it´s beautiful culture and religion and leave behind you a nice footprints wherever you travel. From Himalaya I take with me beautiful memory I will keep in my heart.
Reviewed November 2017 Allison firks matthews Trip: High Passes to Everest Base Camp Trekking to Everest Base camp If you want an adventure this is the trip for you. Beautiful mountains, rivers, forests, bridges and great guides that look after you and show you the wonderful mountains and tradition of the Sherpa traditions. Everything is catered for and your day is planned you are encouraged with every step you make our guide was exceptional and help me to achieve Base camp . What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Reaching base camp What did you think of your group leader? Our group leader was exceptional he was your Freind mother father doctor and mentor all at the same time especially when the high altitude begins to keep in without him I don't think I would have made my goal of Base camp it was his encouragement and advice that got me there a true credit to him Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Just listen to your guide and enjoy the whole experience Is there anything else you would like to add? I would do it all over again with our group leader and exhodus
Reviewed November 2017 Len Wallace Trip: High Passes to Everest Base Camp High Passes to Everest Base camp - Awesome!! This is a trip for the physically fit person, who has a strong mental attitude, if you are both of these then its one of the best trips you can do. The views and scenery are the best in the Himalayas. The flight to Lukla is not for the feint hearted but is an experience you will never forget! 18 days walking, with 9-10 days around 5000m+ is hard work, but with preparation and the right equipment then its definitely do-able. Out of a group of 14, 100% completed the 3 passes and made it round, which was a great effort. However only 2 did all 5 peaks plus the 3 passes. I would recommend this trip to people who have walked at altitude before and are fit and mentally tough. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? All 5 peaks and 3 passes are incredible, not to be missed if you are feeling strong and healthy. My personal favourite views were Gokyo Peak, Chukkung Ri, Awi Peak (as its so quiet and has great views) and the Renjo La pass. Also the flight to and from Lukla is something everyone should experience. What did you think of your group leader? Pasang and his team (including Sujit, Kami and Giradie) were faultless, great local knowledge, inspirational leadership, very helpful and reassuring about health issues, altitude and generally supporting the team through the many ups and downs we all experienced (there were so many more ups by the way). Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Read the trip notes, its a great trip, but not for everyone, 18 days in a row is very tough but also very rewarding. The following items I found to be really helpful: Sawyer water filtration system, cold/flu meds, throat/cough sweets (everyone got a cough at somepoint), down jacket and sleeping bag, diamox, hand gel, walking pole, good head torch, dry bags/stuff sacks, toilet roll/tissues, solar battery recharger, buff or face scarf for dust/sun protection. Things i should have taken: lip balm/sun protection for lips, olbas oil/vix (sinuses get blocked easily due to dust). Is there anything else you would like to add? A great trip, really friendly group of people to travel with. I recommend it, but its really suitable for those people who are experienced, have previously been to altitude and are fit and mentally tough. If you are these things, you will enjoy it so much more than if you are not.
Reviewed May 2016 Lee Harrison Trip: High Passes to Everest Base Camp HIGH PASSES TO EVEREST BASE CAMP (TNG) I though I would be the only one finishing this trip, what with some bad food and respiratory issues, only 2 out of seven of us finished this trip. Apart from the points I have mentioned earlier I would like to stress that this trip is marked "TOUGH" that means you have to put some training in or you will struggle to complete this trip, your weekend country walks are not going to cut it. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The inspirational moment for me was summiting the first pass, I then new I would be able to complete the trip fully and of course the Blue lake at Tokyo Ri summit. What did you think of your group leader? I found Gele B to be helpful and straight forward, his English is a little difficult to understand sometimes but overall he was good toward with. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Careful what you eat, get some training in and importantly bring a good dust mask for the smog in Kathmando and the dust out on the mountains. Is there anything else you would like to add? Apart from my traveling companions I enjoy the trip very much and would defiantly try something similar.
Reviewed November 2015 Elizabeth Lyle Trip: High Passes to Everest Base Camp Everest High Passes What an amazing trip something I'll never forget. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Reaching the passes and peaks and I loved getting to Everest Base Camp What did you think of your group leader? Our leader was Gele, he's inspiring and knowledgable of the area. We felt completely safe in his care. His English was excellent and he genuinely cares about our success. He is a credit to exodus. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Take a steripen to sterilise your water it will save you a lot of money. Be fit as this trip is not for the faint hearted and to be fit means you will enjoy the experience all the better. Is there anything else you would like to add? This trip for me was simply wonderful, Nepal is an amazing country and the beauty of the Himalayas will stay with me forever. The organisation of the trek from tea house to tea house was flawless and it meant we never had to worry about anything. Loved every minute of it.
Reviewed December 2014 Shona Marshall Trip: High Passes to Everest Base Camp The trip that delivered on all fronts! The High Passes of Everest trek was the first trip of this kind that I have done and was my 50th birthday treat to myself. Although I had never experienced altitude before, and had limited walking experience, I felt that I was fit enough and determined enough to take on the challenge of what is described as a 'tough' trek. Our guides stressed the need for a steady pace in order for us to acclimatise properly and be able to cope with many hard days spent at over 5000m. I never felt any of the symptoms of altitude sickness due mainly, I believe, to proper hydration. Along with the other 14 in the group (average age 51.9), I made base camp. Only 6 of us (ave. age 56.8) managed all 5 peaks and 3 passes, so I am justly proud of accomplishing that! The main reason that so few of the group managed all peaks and passes was down to illness, although 2 in the group weren't really fit enough and seemed to want to use the trek as a weight-loss exercise! I also went to Chitwan for 2 nights at the end of the trek. This was a thoroughly relaxing way to end my holiday. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Reaching the top of the Kongma La pass was a very emotional moment for me. There were a couple of steep scrambles up to the top, something which I had never experienced before. The feeling of accomplishment was incredible, a very empowering moment, and this being the hardest pass, I knew that I would be able to complete the whole trek. At Chitwan, bathing the elephants was fantastic, a childhood dream come true! What did you think of your group leader? Shailesh Tamang was great! His enthusiasm for the mountains and his pride in his country and people was something very special. His priorities for the group was safety and being able to complete as much of the trek as possible. He coped very well with the few cases of illness (chest infections and sickness/diarrhoea) and with a couple of the group who were much slower than the rest. The rest of his team showed great patience with us all and were always cheerful and positive. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Read the trip notes thoroughly. There are many long, hard days of trekking and you will enjoy the trip far more if you are fit. Drink plenty of water to help with acclimatisation (3-4 litres per day) and avoid tea/coffee. Is there anything else you would like to add? Reaching base camp was something that I have always wanted to do, but this trip offered so much more. If you enjoy a challenge and being pushed out of your comfort zone, then spend a bit of time getting in good shape before you go and you will really get a great sense of achievement from this trek.
Reviewed December 2013 Anonymous Trip: High Passes to Everest Base Camp HIGH PASSES OF EVEREST This was an extremely tough but hugely rewarding trip. I had trained hard before I left which meant that I actually enjoyed every step, now matter how tough it was. My head was up all the time, which is important with the amazing views on offer. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Each summit was a personal achievement and the views incredible, each one inspiring me on to the next. What did you think of your group leader? The group leader was good fun but occasionally the constant "ha ha" was inappropriate and somewhat false. He was very young and with experience will grow in maturity I think.However, he guided us well over the difficult passes. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Train hard - you either suffer before you go, or you suffer on the trail! A bit dramatic? Not really. Because I had got a great level of fitness before I left, it meant that even when I had a throat infection thru one the High Passes I was able to continue and enjoy the day, something I would not have been able to do if I was out of shape. I was training 6 days a week in the last 6 weeks before departure (my normal training was 3-4 days a week before that). And I variety of running/circuits/High Intensity and endurance training. Well worth the effort. Age is not an issue - fitness is. Don't turn up unfit or you could ruin it for everyone else.I wore calf recovery sleeves every day when we'd finished. They really work. Is there anything else you would like to add? Take a water bottle that can withstand boiling water. I had a water system that didnt so I had to buy bottled water. Take your Nalgene bottles (dont leave behind like I did!).I was advised by a reputable retailer that my -5 comfort level sleeping bag would be sufficient for a tea-house trek. It was NOT, I had to beg blankets every night. make sure you have a warmer bag with you.Smart wool socks can last up to 6 days - dont take too many.Bamboo clothing is amazing too - the tops also last many many days, so do the knickers but I'll keep those details to myself. This is really helpful when you have a 10kg weight limit.I took loads of chocolate etc but you can buy this everywhere, i wouldnt take it all again if I went back.Take your book, there is quite a lot of down time, I sacrificed my kindle for weight and wish I hadnt.I took Yaktrax Extreme, which are slightly more expensive, but we had so much snow and ice on the trail but mixed with rocks. the traditional Yaktrax (coils) couldnt take the rocks and broke. The Extreme handled it all really well.
Reviewed December 2013 Anonymous Trip: High Passes to Everest Base Camp HIGH PASSES OF EVEREST It was an excellent trip, incredible beauty around and the whole scenery but it was incredibly tough. No matter who you are and how do you feel prepared, all the fat and energy in the body gets burnt first few days and you are left always hungry in between each meal since the food can hardly cover the energy outcome. Its not just the walks but also the constant frost (when starting early mornings well in the teens ...) only with the exception of day light (we had an ideal weather with blue sky all the time though), lack of running water and most likely also oxygen ... What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The High Passes are definitely the most fabulous place to walk ... What did you think of your group leader? All our leaders were excellent and always on guard to make sure everybody was alright (which wasn't often quite easy to achieve - everybody of us had his difficult moment during the trip) Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Take this trip only after several much shorter stays in comparable altitudes - what is probably most difficult is the length of the trip with basically fortnight stay between 4800 and 5200 metres above the sea level.
Reviewed December 2013 Anonymous Trip: High Passes to Everest Base Camp HIGH PASSES OF EVEREST A tough expedition although conditions can alter the toughness considerably! Also a fairly high level of fitness is required although this will not help with the altitude sickness which the majority of people will suffer with in various severities. Do not believe exodus account of " experience of hill walking in Scotland" this is a massive undersell as we had 5 out of 8 people who have regularly done this and we all agreed that there is no comparison between them. I am a very fit guy who trains approx 10 hrs a week running and weights and although physically not the hardest thing I have done mentally it is. Do not attempt this trip without considering the risks and if you have any doubts about your fitness as you do not want to be a burden on the rest of the group. Ps yak tracks are a necessity not as trip notes say possible extras. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Most inspirational time was reaching the bunk house after being the first group this season to cross the kongma la and then the glacier after 10hrs of walking sometimes in thigh high snow. . What did you think of your group leader? The group leader was excellent with a thorough knowledge of the terrain and was quick to spot signs of sickness. Without him less people would have succeeded. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Do not assume that altitude will not affect you as you have done kilimanjero etc as people did on our trip. You are trekking at over 5000 m for over a week not just a few hours and then coming down! Start with diamox at 4000m and stpp taking after the last pass this is approximately 11 days worth so side effects should be minimised. Is there anything else you would like to add? Fantastic experience but not without risks which exodus don't mention but your guide will emphasise to you!
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