Gokyo and Everest Base Camp trek

I just completed a EBC and Gokyo Valley trip organized by this local travel specialist based in Nepal, what a wonderful itinerary. EBC is a bit of a letdown as there isn't much to see but Kala Patthar, the glaciers, the mountain pass and Gokyo part of the trip certainly make up for it. At times challenging with the altitude but worth the effort. Everything went smoothly with the company, if you are traveling solo expect tto share a room in the tea houses unless you communicate in advance specific needs or request. Most teahouses have sharing accommodations and rely on income form meals, so unless it is planned in advance sharing would be expected. Overall communication was prompt and excellent, our guide was very knowledgeable, experienced, and patient. Our group was very small, just two of us. I had a bit of altitude sickness and was unsure about being able to complete the mountain pass after EBC, I had no doubt arrangements would be made should I needed to come back sooner. The agency was also great with hotel accommodations and tours in Kathmandu. Highly recommend them, Arjum and Raj are geat to work with.

Almost everyday was a new challenge and we were pushing out limits everyday in this "mountain test". Through all the good or poor weather, we still manage to see so many scenic views. It was a super exciting 14 day trekking trip with the best guide Bishwa! He was relatable and really humorous. If I could turn back time, I would still do it all over again. :)

If you have time it worth to add Gokyo part on EBC trek. The Valley with the blue Lake - Gokyo reflect off the lake with the mountain Cho Oyo in the background is my best.

Both my guide Gopal, my porter Gokarna and the management team Raj are the best. They provided an excellent service for me and made sure my trek was enjoyable.

My guide Gopal is a very cheerful and funny person. He sang and laughed a lot during the trek. He is very caring as well. He adjusted his speed to suit my conditions and the altitudes. He is helpful and professional as well. He can name all those mountains name. Although he is a bit fat, he is fit and energetic. I really enjoy the time with him. My porter is slim but very strong. He is a responsible guy as well. Both if them speak good English and always share their experience to us. The trek is well planned and comprehensive. I do not need to worry much but just trek in the trip. Lucky to have superb guide and porter.

We had an amazing trip and this travel agency is a great company to work with. November was the right time to go to Nepal. Sitting underneath the Himalayan giants was incredible. The trails are really tough. They are steep and beat up. We only had 6 of the original 10 that made the whole trek. AMS and people who just didn't take training seriously. This is a HARD hike! Prepare and you will be fine if you don't you will get an expensive helicopter ride out. Recommend going EBC then Cho La. It was nice to have fewer people on the trail at the end and the pull up the western side of Cho La seems horrible. I was glad to be heading down. Food is good but you may want to supplement protein after Namche.

I was very disappointed of this trip... as I did not get what I paid for. But here are the facts of what happened so that you can make your own decision: (The 1 star is for the fact that I did reach base camp... very easy hike) Facts: - I paid for a package to not have to worry about anything but had to go through checking and getting boarding pass at Ramechaap counter to go to Lukla. Those were long hours in a crowded cue amongst the guides (as normal companies take care of this)trying to understand what was going on. - Flights were delayed then cancelled, I was on my own to handle that. - Next day...infinite queuing again.... No help, no support The tour company's answer: - We will see if next season we put somewhere there to handle that. Facts about trek specifications: The company promisses water. - this is not true, they wilk give you chlorine tablets and have you pay for water up the mountain as it is not safe to drink it after a certain altitude. Guide will have oxymeter: - true, my guide had one...but he had no idea of how to use it. 1 porter for two trekkers: - not true, my guide was my porter...he struggled a lot carrying my 8kg bag. And my bag was completely destroyed by how he took care of it English speaking professional : LOL (see next part) Facts about my guide: - Professional Not a bit. From the first night he sent me inappropriate messages. Things like I love you or would you like to celebrate in my room. - He behaved like a teenager, 90% of the time on his phone or talking to his friends - Absolutely no knowledge about culture, history or religion... I taught him who Sidartha was... - Once, he gave me water in which I was about to put purification tablets... another guide came to see me immediately and warn me that the water I was just given was dangerous...not to drink it. - He booked the cheapest possible tea houses as he probably gets to keep the change of the unused money. - His english is as bad as answering "yes,yes" when he doesn't know whats going on..imagine that in harsh conditions on the mountain... - No ponctuality. He'd set a very early departure as he didn't want me walking with the awesome people I met on the trek. But he wouldn't be on time. - One day I was unlucky enough to go through food poisoning. When I told my guide I was vomiting through the night he said ok. Other guides were more worried about me than him (busy on his phone) being a potential altitude sickness. Lucky the next day I was back on my feet. - Although we were meant to head to Gokyo lake after EBC the guide told me we were heading there but took the direction of going down. I believe this is due to the fact that he told me multiple times that he had no snow equipment and no spikes.... as well as the fact that he was struggling to carry my bag :/ So instead of a 14 days trek to gokyo lakes ... I went up Ebc and down in 9days The company: - He's a freelance that works for us. We will never work with him again (I'm not sure of that) -They were really sorry... but sorry doesnt repair what happened. - They offered to pay 2 nights hotel + 1/2 day driver to visit ktm ( 50us$ + 35$ = 85$)... Here are some cold facts about my experience although I believe my disappointment is obvious. Now up to you to judge if you want to take the risk of coming all the way here to not do what you paid for. Have a wonderful trek.