Trekking in Nepal - of all the paths you take in life, make sure some of them are dirt
Oct 2018 • Family
My daughter asked me to trek in Nepal with her and she researched many companies outside of the big Australian/American resellers, hoping for a local company who could offer us a great experience at a competitive price. Nepal Pioneer Treks and Expedition provides just that. They were professional and helpful with the many questions we had prior to the trip and gave us a good idea of what to expect and what we would need. That said, nothing can prepare you for the reality of Nepal trekking and altitude and that’s where this company really shines. Binod’s years of experience, local knowledge and contacts meant that we enjoyed the best possible experience in the time we had. The plan changed many times due to weather and track conditions so their flexibility meant each day was a new adventure without any wasted time. We were trekking in our own small group of two with our guide and porter (Binod and Laxmi) - it was really good not to be just another number in a massive group which meant we had a trip personalised to what we wanted. I’m looking forward to when we can next trek in Nepal and highly recommend this company, and looking forward to another adventure with them!
T
Tegam MNew ZealandMay 21, 2018
Everest base camp trek
Apr 2018 • Friends
What can I say. What an amazing trip, beautiful place beautiful people and awesome memories. What made it all the more special was our fantastic guide binod who from when we landed had a man there at the airport waiting. Straight to our hotel. Welcome dinner and explained to us our itinerary for the trip. Once we landed in Lukla Binod was there waiting and after that is where the adventure begun. I would highly recommend Nepal Pioneers to anyone looking to go Nepal. A++ services and knowledge. Made it feel more like a journey with friends than a trek to one of the highest mountain ranges. To Binod and team, thank you.
J
James_Ngu_SGSingaporeMay 18, 2018
Everest Base Camp trek with Binod Pokharel
Apr 2018 • Friends
Did the EBC trek with Nepal Pioneer Treks and Expedition, with Binod as tour guide. Logistics and transfers were well-organized. Apart from the weather, everything else was planned and under-control. The company did a good job. Binod made a good guide - no issues communicating in English, hospitable, accommodating. Would book through this company again for future trips.
L
LindaM897CanadaMay 11, 2018
Second time is a Charm
Mar 2018 • Friends
When my second visit to Nepal presented itself the first person I contacted was Eaklal from Nepal Pioneer Treks. I trusted him with no just me, but my daughter. This was going to be her first trekking experience and I knew that we would be in good safe hands with Eaklal. I highly recommend this company, they took care of everything from the moment I contacted them. We were able to adjust our trip to our needs and desires. The Annapurna Circuit is a stunning trek, and what an amazing adventure to share with my daughter. Thank you Eaklal for guiding us through this wonderful adventure.
J
Julia FUnited KingdomJanuary 28, 2018
Everest base camp/Gokyo lakes trek
Oct 2017 • Solo
My trek to Everest base camp in October 2017, began with a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla airport, although i had a plane ticket, there wasn't a seat available, Binod worked hard to ensure that I could still get to Lukla that day, after many phone calls he got me on a helicopter flight, with five other people who had also been unable to get a seat on the plane dispite having tickets, the flight was amazing, the scenery breathtaking. I met my guide Jhamak at lukla, and we began our trek, Jhamak was kind, very patient and easy going with a good knowledge of the Everest region, he made sure that everything ran smoothly during our trek, and took good care of me, and we became friends. Unfortunately eight days into the trek when I reached Lobuche which is nearly 5000 meters I had developed a chest infection after having had a sore throat a few days before, and had to be airlifted back to Kathmandu, as I was too weak to walk. Binod met me at the hospital and helped me sort out my insurance claim, and any other problems that occurred, as this was a stressful time. Dispite the frustration of not completing the trek, I loved every minute, and had eight fantastic days trekking with Jhamak, during which i made many friends. I can't wait to go back to Nepal and go trekking again, i would definitely recommend Nepal pioneer treks if you are thinking of planning a trek in Nepal.
V
VivianCNetherlandsJanuary 24, 2018
Can't wait to go back this year!
Oct 2017 • Friends
I had done two EBC treks with Eaklal in April 2016 and Oct 2017. I honestly can't wait to go back in 2018. Eaklal is a very friendly, thoughtful and fun guild and friend. The beauty of Nepal is unforgettable with under Eaklal's planned tour.
J
jams007auAustraliaDecember 23, 2017
Mera Peak + Much More
Dec 2017 • Solo
The expedition was a once in a lifetime experience. I was booked on a solo expedition to climb Mera Peak (6476m). This turned into much more than what I expected due to an interesting turn in events. In the end, I was not entirely successful in climbing the peak, aborting climb short by 400m from peak due to my own lack of acclimatisation. I was too eager to get up there, and despite allocated rest days and adjustment periods, I skipped these. I ignored the very thing I tell everyone else - to trek high and rest low. As a consequence I simply did not have the energy to do a timely climb of the peak. In order not to risk frost bite and risks due fatigue, we decided to turn back. I think the advice I received from my guide Lhakpa during this time was invaluable and speaks volumes on focus on safety and responsible climbing. Not an easy decision to make!
Despite my failed attempt, what followed was truly amazing. But before I get into that, let me stop here and say that climbing Mera Peak to 6070m was an achievement in its own right already. Firstly, I broke my personal altitude record - this is the first time I was above 6000m on foot. Secondly, The pictures and views you get from up there are in my opinion the best you can have. Apparently from the vantage point where I was, you get the same views of the major mountains as from the top. We did not get views of this grandness anywhere else on the rest of the journey. From here you are standing at a point where it seems you see everything you want to see in the Himalayas right in front of your very eyes from a majestic platform of ice Including: • Mt. Everest • Lhotse • Nuptse • Makalu
What next… do we simply turn back to Lukla and return home. That was initially what we were going to do if we were to follow the itinerary as booked. But in consultation with the company, we came up with an entirely exciting plan that far exceeded my dreams of what was possible in the time span I had. Due to the proactive work and flexibility offered, I was able to adapt the itinerary en route to a full experience of the entire Everest region. What this itinerary turned into as a result is absolutely awe inspiring, and something I want to share of a little here in this review.
Instead of turning back to Lukla, we decided to retain the altitude, allowing me to adjust longer, and attempt another peak. The means for this was a Helicopter ride to Chhukhung a town close to the peak we chose to climb. The mountain is called Island Peak (6189m). It is called this since it appears as an island in a sea of ice. I also think it looks like an island when compared to the massive Lhotse face as a backdrop that makes it look small. There were 3 attempts on the mountain that day including mine with their respective guides after getting up at 12:30am (yes you read correctly, not pm but am). I don't recall ever eating breakfast that early (dinner maybe, but not breakfast!). One attempt was from a Frenchman who summitted a couple of hours before me and we could see his headlamp descend on the ropes just as we arrived at the rope section of the mountain (over 100m of climbing by rope). The other attempt was from a fellow Australian girl from Sydney. She turned back after seeing the ladder. I have to admit, I crossed on my hands and knees! We were in the clouds at the top, which was probably a good thing, as it did not give me such a dizzy feeling standing on a tiny ice platform that in my mind would not accommodate much more than me and my guide. As we hooked onto the peak (yes, there was a sling to attach yourself to stop yourself from falling off the mountain), my words were "Praise be to the God of Heaven and Earth". It truly was a remarkable experience!
Now we had time on our hands. I have summited a 6000m+ peak, which was my goal, yet had time left to do other things. Now that we have skipped to an entirely new region with the Helicopter ride, I could explore new territory rather than re-tracing paths we have already trodden. We ended up covering another few peaks, passes and towns. Highlights have been: • Kala Patthar (5550m) - great views of Mt. Everest and base camp • Cho La Pass - a glaciated icy pass with magnificent views • Gokio - beautiful town on a lake • Gokio Ri (5360m) - a mountain overviewing the massive Ngozumpa glacier • Renjo La Pass - This on the west side is an amazing long staircase.
To this end, I am told that what we achieved is definitely not a standard run of the mill itinerary. In fact it turned out to be a customized tailored itinerary adapted to my timing and conditions. This is the first time among those I spoke with that such an itinerary has been attempted. We covered all of the above in the same amount of time that would usually be taken by a standard Mira Peak climbing itinerary.
I am grateful for the versatility and creativity of the guide, porter and company that the result was an expedition that far exceeded my expectations.
J
Joanne TAustraliaNovember 14, 2017
Everest base camp trek excellent experience
Nov 2017 • Friends
My first above 5000m mountain hiking in Nepal on Oct 2017, very good memories gained. My guide Eaklal ,a very patience person and very knowledgeable guide who accompany me along the journey . From the first day late night arrival at kathmandu, he was there early to welcome us and arrange our accommodation well and in the 13 days from lukla to ebc, he gave a lot of good advices to make sure our body in good condition so that we can enjoy the journey and complete our mission to ebc. All the arrangements of accommodation and meals were excellent ,he organised things perfectly and gave me a lot of information about the place since it was my first time been there . Along the journey ,he make me knew about this mountain more and also other mountains as well ,very joyful moments trek with him. Nepal pioneer trek and expedition definitely will be the company for my next trekking in Nepal. Eaklal, a kind person who made my trek this time full of good memories . Grateful that we choose the right company and trek with Eaklal make the trip an excellent memory experience .
