- Our flight was early in the morning to Kathmandu and they did not show up at airport. We asked around people outside for over an hour and booked a taxi to Hotel.
- While Booking they mentioned they will be issuing sleeping bag, down jacket and duffel bag, but instead sent us to a shop in Thamel for gear. They Issued us gear that was not rated for -20C. We learned that later during the trek.
- They put an extra person to back seat of the Jeep that was taking us to Ramechhap airport. It was a 4 hour bumpy ride at 2 in the morning and fitted 4 people to 1 3 person seat. By the time we reached the airport we were in pain. This extra person was not part of our trip.
- First trekking day started in the afternoon as trekking company did not arrange cash for the trip.. so had to walk in the evening with head torches on.
- They hired a freelance guide. Not one of their employees.
- The itinerary they provided was outdated. Some of the teahouses don't even exit now.
- The services offered includes a full first aid kit. Our guide fell ill and we learned that there was no first aid kit. So we use our kits for this pain.
- As part of their offer, they must provide a sat phone. We learned later on there was no sat phone. The trekking company even gave a sat phone number since our insurance requests a number. This was just a bogus number they gave us.
- There was no Pulse Oximeter.
- The gear was very low quality. We felt cold inside the sleeping bags even at 6°C. Even the down jackets were not rated for -20°C.
- The zippers on some sleeping bags and down jackets failed mid way.
- The mountaineering boots were not warm enough.
- AS we complained about the jeep trip from Kathmandu to Ramechhap, the trekking company instead used a public transport bus to transport us from ramechhap to Kathmandu. The buss dropped us at the middle of the road and we had to fetch taxis to reach hotel. They charge us for private hire but used public bus instead.
Overall, our summit failure is partly to blame on the agency as we were cold all the way to high camp and exhausted because of that.
Below is what is published as their offering on Bookmundi.
Airport pick up and drop off, upon arrival and departure in Kathmandu (International and domestic both).
Mera Peak climbing permit fee.
Makalu Barun National Park entrance fee and Khumbu Pashang Lhamu Rural Municipality fee.
Food during the trek and climb (full board with breakfast, lunch and dinner).
All guesthouse accommodation during the trekking period and North Face, Salewa, Mountain Hardware or similar tented camp accommodation during the climbing period.
High altitude climbing leader (Sherpa guide) licensed by Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA).
Well experienced English speaking assistant guide if the group size exceeds 5+ persons.
Group climbing equipment including ropes, ice screws, snow bars, harness, carbine, eight figure etc.
Domestic flight Kathmandu / Ramechhap - Lukla - Kathmandu / Ramechhap inclusive with all taxes and transfers.
Satellite phone.
Worst case, help with all rescue and evacuation arrangements.
Sleeping bag, down jacket and duffel bag.
First aid medical kit, Oxymeter to check pulse, heart rate and oxygen saturation at higher altitude.
All applicable taxes as per the government rules and regulations.
All organisational requirements.
