Everest Base Camp Tour in Nepal

So we're back from our trip to Gokyo and Gorak Shep (Base camp), will do a write-up some time soon, just have to sort a gizillion fotos first Overall, was awesome, I managed to survive going vegatarian for 3 weeks (although we had a braai on the day we arrived back in SA ). The scale of those mountains are just mind blowing - but to get back to the topic - we used a tour operator called "Snowy Horizon Tours". We were VERY impressed with their service and price. Cost us $2800 for the trip (for two people), which basically included everything (food, lodging, permits, tickets etc.)we needed for the 3 weeks.

Very impressed with their honesty as well - I paid them cash (only did a transfer for the deposit) for the outstanding amount (new system implementation at work made for some uncertainty as to wether we could go or not)and overpaid by $200 - the representative advised me on my error and gave me the cash back. Also, we were delayed for two days due to bad weather in Lukla and they managed to organise us a fight on a chopper to Lukla at no additional cost (normally $3000!!!!!)

The guide was very well informed, helped to make the whole experience so much better. Those porters are amazing, I'll post some pictures in my write-up. I thought my 20kg backpack was heavy - wait till you see how much those guys carry

Really looking forward to your write up and how the country and the tourism is coping after the recent natural disasters.

ingmac wrote: Really looking forward to your write up and how the county and the tourism is coping after the recent natural disasters.

Ditto!

Hi All. One of my friends invited me to go with him on a hike to Everest base camp around September. Sounds like the trip will be around R10'000. Including everything even a sleeping bag, down jackets and duffle bag with a porter. I was super excited until I did some research and the trip seems quite dull with too many people doing the hike.

I was on the Amphi once over Easter weekend and there were too many people so it felt less "epic". If we go to Everest on the wrong time it sounds like it can be like that as well.

Can anyone who has been in the area please comment? Would you recommend this trip?

Nepal is not a wilderness area, it is a heavily populated area and relies on tourism heavily. There will always be a lot of people around you, less now than before the earthquake but do not let that worry you as the other tourists can help make the trip interesting chatting to people from different countries doing the same or similar trip as you. The Nepalese people there are friendly and helpful. The scenery is top drawer and the clarity of the air makes it even more so. The price quoted, however, seems very low and in my opinion very suspect. Check on a few websites to get an idea of prices and make a decision.

We did a trip to from Lukla to Gokyo, then over Cho-La pass to EBC and back to Lukla end of Sep beginning Oct 2015. (trip report to follow soon, I've finished the write-up (it's possibly even longer than Gaz's langest one, if that's possible - just need to upload it and the 100 or so images).

Here's what we found:
1)Fickle weather on 21 - 25 Sep, we were stuck at Lukla for a couple of days. Fortunately our tour operater managed to get us a chopper lift to Lukla as they were going out to rescue a customer suffering from AMS.
2)Nice and quite trails all the way to Gokyo and over Cho-la pass.
3)By the time we got onto the EBC highway the trails become MUCH busier, it was quite frustrating for us used to the Berg's solitude. Especially high up with limited accommodation the tea houses were very busy and noisy. Toilet facilities became a bit of an issue.
4)The annual marathon from EBC to Naamche Bazaar was moved from April (due to the earthquacke) to start on the same day we started our return trip, contributing partly to the higher number of vistors. Without this event I'm sure it would have been quiter.
5)The scenery was totally amazing.

If you go with the right mindset and take the above into consideration it's a worthwhile experience.

Lastly, the cost does seem low. I paid R60k for me and Sanet for about 3 weeks, which included fligths, all accom, transport, food 3x per day etc. This was with 1USD = 13,81ZAR so by now it would cost higher. Scrutinize the package in detail, I also came accross some of those but then they exclude things like transport, food etc, which add quite a bit to the cost, especially as one goes higher towards EBC. We used a company called Snowy Horizons (Owner = Rishi) but he has now closed down this local company and started a new internationl one, not sure of the name of his new company but if you are interested I can obtain it for you. I can wholeheartedly recommend him, he went the extra mile for us on a couple of issues without any extra cost to us (like the chopper ride, and when I gave him too much cash ($200) for the final payment he pointed this out and returned me the overpaid amount, etc. etc.)

Riaang wrote: it's possibly even longer than Gaz's langest one

Wow, looking forward to that

I'll have to do a 20 day hike to reclaim that record

Thanks for the replies guys

But I don't think I'm going anymore. As soon as we needed to pay the deposit the group was very quiet.

If you are keen to go here is the link. You can go and read the fine print to see what is included and what not. As far as I understood it, everything was included except food. I still think it was a very good deal.

www.groupon.co.za/deals/ga-outfitter-nepal-treks-expedition-p-ltd-13