Everest Base Camp, Cho-la pass and Island Peak attempt – honeymoon of our dreams
Aug 2016 • Couples
After the amazing Annapurna region trek in 2014, we wanted to return to Himalayas as soon as possible. And what would be better reason than celebrate our marriage on top of the world!
We planned about 15 day trek for August/September 2016, which was off season and meant that we were practically the only tourists on the mountain (except of few adventurists from Ireland, Canada, Argentina and family from Israel). For us this was great as for us trekking in Himalayas is an therapeutic experience and walking with only a nature around you is just what we wanted.
Trip, as the previous one as well, was greatly organized and we were happy to return to the care of our friend Eaklal who now guides less but makes sure that guests are well welcomes and all goes smoothly throughout the trip. Our guide Lhakpa Sherpa was truly a professional as well and we felt 100% safe every step of the way knowing that he knew what he was doing! What I really also like about Pioneer Trek and Expedition crew is that even though they make sure that everything is 100% OK 24/7, they let you to decide about your level of privacy. They don’t push company but if you want to hear they stories about local life and learn more, they are always happy to spend more time with you outside of the treks too.
Everest Base Camp trek was rather easy and we had a lot of time to rest and enjoy views and Chola pass was at times challenging but a great experience in safe hands. Due to occationally bad weather we could not make more passes and this time unfortunately could not reach the highlight of our trip: Island peak, but I am grateful for the decision not to ascent in dangerous conditions and the professional approach of Lhakpa to it! My husband is tempting to climb Island peak now in April 2017 with better weather conditions, while I stay home focusing on pregnancy.
Even with new wings in our family we will not stop coming back to Himalayas to Eaklal and team! As said, my husband is already coming again to finish what we started and inspired by 3 kids family (youngest 6 years old) we met trekking to Everest Base camp, we are eagerly waiting for our kids to grow enough old so that we can come as whole family again. Till then, I am sure my husband will be a regular visitor!
Best Regards, Tytti & Tomek Pawliszyn (Warsaw, Poland)
p.s. Yes, it’s not 5 star hotel for honeymoon but it brings you together in totally different level (literally), makes you stronger together and yes, tests that fresh marriage of yours … We say that if we manage to 100% enjoy our honeymoon when not sleeping mostly in same beds, not necessarily showering for days and changing socks every 4 days – we can survive anything! So highly recommended!
P
Peter_Dk01CanadaMarch 06, 2017
Wonderful experience and great support from Nepal Pioneer Treks
Jan 2017 • Couples
My partner and I had originally thought about doing the Everest Base Camp trek on our own. After some more research we decided a guide would be helpful but we didn't want to go with one of the large 'group' organizations and instead opted for a small local guide. We came across Nepal Pioneer Treks (NPT) through Tripadvisor and over the internet. Not knowing much about them it was a bit of a risk when asked to pay a portion of the fee up front. We've done a fair bit of travelling on our own but had never been to Nepal. We booked a few things, like the hotel in Kathmandu on our own and the rest was up in the air! We put almost all of the trip in the hands of NPT!
After landing in Kat, we met with Binod and Eaklal the next day. We were pleasantly surprised. Both are true gentlemen and very easy to get along with. Needless to say the rest of the trip to EBC was great (tougher than we expected) but when challenges came up we talked with Eaklal and he made the changes along the way.
We were impressed with his knowledge of the mountains and the names of ALL the peaks! Eaklal didn't crowd us but was always there when we needed help with ordering our meals or arranging for water. The porter 'Sandip' was also excellent. I had alot of heavy camera gear and Sandip was absolutely great in helping with the photo gear or carrying our other equipment.
We finished our trek early, so then Binod and Eaklal helped us with additional travel plans; booking buses, flights and lodges along the way. They were never more than an email away when we wanted to rearrange our plans!
Overall, our loosely planned trip turned out to be a well executed journey due largely to NPT! Thanks Binod, Eaklal and Sandip!
L
LindaM897CanadaFebruary 16, 2017
Breathtaking Adventure
Jan 2017 • Friends
My partner and I just finished the Everest Base Camp Trek in January 2017. Our guide Eak Lal was very knowledgeable and patient. Pioneer Treks were flexible with our trip plans and they were able to make changes to accommodate us throughout our trek. Eak Lal took care of every detail, the fresh fruit and cookies each day were a real treat. Eak Lal was able to show us many views of Everest along our trek. We did this trek off the regular season (winter) although its harder, we enjoyed the fact that the trails weren't crowed.The EBC trek is absolutely stunning, the views and the experience is a must do for everyone. Nepal Pioneer Treks can personalize the trip for you, as they did for us. After we returned from EBC we decided to add the Chitwan National Park, also a great tour that Nepal Pioneer Treks were able to arrange for us. Eak Lal and Binod became our guides throughout our stay in Nepal, we highly recommend them.
K
Kal204PolandFebruary 08, 2017
Absolutely outstanding!
Oct 2016 • Friends
I did the Everest Base Camp trek for my 30th Birthday last year. I had my 65 year old father with me and four friends. From the moment we arrived at Kathmandu airport, to when we arrived on the mountain and back we were very well taken care of every step of the way. Eaklal and his team were very helpful and friendly and had everything planned very well. No matter your fitness level, they accomodated for everyone. The accomodation was warm and clean and the meals fantastic. All the tour guides and Sherpas had exceptional knowledge of the areas we trekked, including a lot of local knowledge which I found better than any of the other tour operators we meet along the way.
Thank you again Eaklal and team for making my 30th birthday so memorial... We will be back next year for another!
S
StefanSWDenmarkJanuary 15, 2017
A wonderful trip to Everest Base Camp
Aug 2016 • Friends
It was my first trip outside of Europe, when I in 2010 arrived in Nepal to do the Everest Base Camp trek. My friend and I started trekking to the camp on our own, when we suddenly ran into some difficulties without a guide. We met a couple of Canadians, who Eaklal was helping and he took us under his wings as well. It changed our experience, because Eaklal was extremely coordinated and was able to tell us things which we would never know, doing it on our own. It was a trip of a lifetime.
Unfortunately, I got altitude sickness further up, and Eaklal was able to help me get a safe passage down the mountain. Something that I have always been grateful for.
I give him the very best recommendation. It is hard to find a better person than him :)
P
Paul TAustraliaDecember 11, 2016
A major part of the trip of a lifetime
Jan 2016 • Friends
After taking 4 months off to travel South East Asia as a 25 year old with a couple of friends. One of my only concrete stops in an otherwise fluid trip was to the Himalayas. I did my research and decided to beat the traffic and go in winter. So we went the first week of January. There are a lot of companies out there that seemed a little pushy or fraudulent when liaising on line. So i thought it was best to just rock up to Nepal and wing it. Unless you are a control freak I find this is the best way to travel. I met with several tour guides/companies and ended up going with Eaklal from Nepal Pioneer treks (formally under a different name)
We couldnt have asked for a more honest, down to earth and tolerant guide.
I didnt want to get lumped with a whole bunch of randoms and was happy to pay the extra to have an exclusive expedition with the four of us and then the local company. They were extremely flexible on where we went and what we did. Eaklal was honest when it came to what gear we needed and what was involved. Including skill level. We all had some idea and some gear that we had brought but otherwise he hooked us up with a great hire company for the rest.
We did a 3 week trek through the himalayas, focusing on getting to Everest Base camp and doing a few other mountains while up there. One of my mates got altitude sickness at about 4200m so we left him to recover in a trusted guest house. And Eaklal made sure to get reports several times a day on his condition while we continued on.
I have no doubt we were a handful but he grinned and bared it. And motivated us (very inexperienced) to achieve our goal. His porters that Eaklal picked were major characters and brought a lot of fun and laughter to the trip.
Although the national park does most of the talking. Going with the right guide/company will make all the difference. Someone you can trust. That can offer a genuine local experience and support a local family business.
Would highly recommend having a chat, or even meeting face to face with this company before making a decision on what company to use for one of the most amazing parts of the world. And something you will never forget.
J
Julius UUnited KingdomDecember 10, 2016
Breathtaking and challenging guided tour through Annapurna Himalayan Range
Oct 2016 • Friends
Eaklal and his staff were incredibly helpful with their knowledge of the Annapurna circuit, Kathmandu, the culture, the people and the best places to eat and drink! After our brief stay in Kathmandu getting to know the Nepal Pioneer staff we were on our way to Besishahar to begin our trek around the Annapurna circuit. The guide and sherpas were always accommodating and friendly making sure you were safe, eating well and drinking plenty of water. They will also encourage you to give your best effort on some very difficult hikes especially through Thorong La Pass when we became very ill with AMS. After a long day of hiking they will join you in some fun card games where you will get to know more about the people in Nepal and their way of living. The Nepalis are some of the most friendliest people I have ever known. I definitely want to come back to attempt the Everest Base Camp trek with Nepal Pioneer Treks in the next few years.
S
Sandip PIndiaDecember 02, 2016
EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK
Apr 2016 • Solo
This was my first time trekking in Himalayas to the Everest Base Camp and was the best trek I had experienced. This was solely due to detailed planning and organization of Eaklal and his Sherpa. Eaklal went out of his way to ensure I got the necessary comforts and places I wanted to see and climb.
