Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing Kala Pathar and seeing Everest in all her glory, from the South Col, South Summit, Hiliary Step and the summit. I couldn't believe that I was actually fulfilling a lifetime dream. We also had the privilege of meeting our leader's father who was a high altitude porter during the 1953 expedition. I certainly shed a few tears on our arrival back to Gorakshep.

Thoughts on Group Leader

You knew the first time we met Lhakpa Tenzing Sherpa that we were in safe hands. He was a quiet and gentle man with a cute laugh. He made the trip memorable with his inside knowledge of the culture and the climbing stories of Everest since the 1953 expedition. He was understanding and very helpful when we were not feeling great due to the altitude. Lhakpa always made sure the group had their meals before he and the other guides ate. Lhakpa went out of his way to make the trip so special right up to the time we had to say goodbye at the airport. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Altitude can strike very early, listen to your body and walk very slowly. Eating is important even when you lose your appetite and it became my most hated moment of the day. Normal paracetomols didn't get rid of headaches, we found we had to take things like Anadin extra but then ran out. The trip notes say take warm gloves, what they should have said was warm, water proof and windproof gloves such as ski gloves. We had to walk in a blizzard for 3 hours and if I hadn't bought some over gloves, I would have been in trouble. We also took dollars to change up and lost out on the exchange rate. I would take sterling and change it at the hotel as everywhere welcomed Rupees rather than dollars.

Most Inspirational Moment

Either getting to Base Camp in clear conditions and enjoying a great view of the area; or being taken by surprise by the stunning scenery at Tengboche, with the amazing and unexpected views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam.  The flight into Lukla from Katahmandu was inspiring, giving great views of the full expanse of the eastern Himalayas.We were unable to get to the top of Kala Pattar due to the strong winds that day, but the view of the Everest summit from halfway up was still spectacular.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lhakpa Tensing was an excellent trek leader.  Our group was of mixed ages and abilities, but he ensured that there was a reasonable pace set throughout, both on the ascent and descent.  One older member of our group went downhill a little slower than the rest of us and Lhakpa ensured that either he or Ratna (assistant guide) stayed with this chap on his way down.  Lhakpa also pulled out all the stops to get us back to Kathmandu in time for our flights home, when we experienced 2 days of weather enforced delays in Lukla at the end of the trek.  He did brilliantly in arranging a flight out when the backlog of stranded trekkers was piling up, and other trekkers (either in other groups or independent) were paying for expensive helicopter flights!He also brought us to meet his dad at Namche Bazar - the last surviving sherpa from the 1953 Hillary expedition.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We managed to avoid stomach bugs and altitude sickness through the trek, but would still recommend taking the pre-pro-biotics with you, diarrhoea pills, diamox and anything else that gives you comfort that you will be covered should anything arise.  Anti-bacterial hand gels are also of great benefit for meal times.Bring plenty of memory cards and batteries for the camera as you will take photos all day long - at least 4GB probably.A decenty sleeping bag is also essential, as it can get particularly cold higher up (below -10 at Gorak Shep).  In winter it will be cold throughout the Khumbu Valley.Good footwear (strong, waterproof) is also essential.  Boots are definitely better than shows/trainers.  I used Meindl Softline Ultra GTX and these were perfect.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many, but the fact that all 16 of our group made Base Camp was special. Many, many other great moments, with the best for me being :-1.  Reaching Namche, realising I was in the heart of Sherpaland after a long day mainly trekking uphill.2.  Standing outside our teahouse at Tengboche on a beautiful, clear, sunny day with Nupste, Everest, Lhotse and Amu Dablam in the background.3.  My favourite - an 'optional' walk after trekking to Lobuche, which took us to a ridge from the teahouse to watch the sunset on the Nupste Wall. No colour at first, then the sun began to set, turning the Wall to yellow, then gold and eventually red.     

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sherpa Pasang was brill. He even organised taxis for us in Kathmandu to go sightseeing ! Nothing was too much trouble for him on the trek. Everything was explained to us the night before trekking. He made sure the pace was correct ( hence everyone made it to Base Camp ). Everything was sorted for us at the teahouses, packs ready in our rooms on arrival at the end of the day and collected early next morning. We even had a flask of tea at Base Camp. Of course, all of this was with the great help given by his team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you have a good level of fitness. You will stop for a breather on the treks uphill, everyone did. Therefore stick to the pace your Sherpa tells you to do. You can do it - there were four over 60 year olds in our group and we all made it.We had mainly beautiful, sunny days ( late November ), but it was cold at the trek start in the morning and freezing in the evening, so plenty of thin thermal layers ( I slept in mine plus leggings and walking socks ), a good down jacket and sleeping bag.Age is no barrier, you won't be walking fast. The food is excellent in the teahouses with a tremendous variety. Just keep loading up on the carbos.If you fancy the trek, don't think twice - JUST DO IT - if you don't, you'll always wonder - what if ?  

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment was being part of the team installing solar cookers along the trek. To see the difference our fundraising could make to the lives of everyone living in the mountains was an honour.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ngima was everything you would want in a group leader. His love for his country and for life in general was infectious. When things got tough (and they almost certainly will) Ngima was there with words of encouragement and the ability to turn tears into a smile. He took his job seriously and I felt that our safety was his number one priority, but this did not stop him from having fun. We all felt that our trek would not have been so enjoyable without him as our leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take the warnings seriously. This is a hard trek, not just fitness wise but also because of the altitude. Go away with the knowledge that it will be tough but a good sense of humour and determination will help get you through. It is worth it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Even though this trip was over christmas, I had no major expectations of having much of a christmas, especially given we were at 4,000m, the night time temperatures were about -10 C and the accommodation and food were limited accordingly. How wrong could I be. A superb group of people we enjoyed christmas decorations, a christmas tree, swapping xmas presents, music, drinks dancing and just fabulous fun. All repeated again in Lukla before our final flight to KTM. I had a fantastic time..

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader led the group extremely well.. He was extremely consultative and only pressed a specific point or course of action when it was supported by reasoned logic. Extremely non-confrontational he led almost as a friend rather than a leader which I think is great credit to his skills.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you go in December / winter time be prepared for the cold. The hut communal areas only get warm once they light the stoves which may not be when you want it !. The rooms obviously have no heating and are extremely cold. The best tip is to make sure you have one or two aluminium sigg type drinks bottles which you can fill with hot water before you go to bed and use as hot water bottles. It helps enormously. You need a good quality sleeping bag (per the notes) and thermals..

Most Inspirational Moment

There are so many… The mountains you see are indescribably beautiful, the Sherpa people are some of the warmest and friendliest I’ve ever met and there were so many amazing places… Tengboche being perhaps the most visually stunning!Reaching Base Camp and Kala Pattar felt amazing and it was only thanks to the great Leadership of the Sherpas that this was possible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ngima Gellzen Sherpa was fun, caring and extremely well organized. He got everything spot on throughout the 3 weeks that he looked after us. I cannot speak highly enough of him!Also to have such an experienced guide like Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa, who has climbed 3 of the 8,000+ metre peaks already at only 26 years old, was a real bonus!Mustn’t forget Gyalzen Tammang, our Yak man from Lukla. He too worked very hard throughout the trek and looked after our gear really well!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Whatever you do, read every review on the Exodus Web site, Study the Trip notes like you’re taking an exam and read at least one guide book on Himalayan Trekking. Find the time to do all this and you will have the right kit, the right routine and the right frame of mind to fully enjoy your trek. If you don’t you can end up with the wrong expectations of what you will experience, not to mention some illnesses that can really change the whole trip for you! You don’t have to be fit to do this trek, but it makes a massive difference to how much you get to enjoy it. It is however essential to listen to every piece of advice a Sherpa gives you! They know what they’re doing and do make your well being their absolute priority.

Most Inspirational Moment

Of course reaching Base Camp and Kala Patthar was a great feeling however it  was wonderful to see the sheer delight and amazement on the faces of the Porters as the first pot of water on their new solar cooker that we had just assembled at the porters lodge in Tangbouche started to boil.They were so appreciative that they served us with the boiled potatoes and tea that they had just cooked.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was very attentive and supportive and assisted in anyway he could-I don't believe I would have made it without him!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Early December is a great time to go and make sure you are reasonably fit!

Most Inspirational Moment

The Himalayas at high altitude are spectacular and will never be forgotten, I returned with Prayer Flags which are now flying high in France where I live most of the year.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Pasang was the leader and is a lovely guy - happy smilling and considerate to all and he got the whole party to Base Camp.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure you have basic level of fitness and warm clothes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The leader was competent and enthusiastic.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Exodus doesn't include meals with this trip; you need to budget around £350 for food and drink. There was also a charge for tips, levied at the end of the trek and amounting to around £50. Equipping yourself with the gear in the recommended kit list can be time consuming and expensive.