Everest Base Camp & Gokyo Lakes: Nepal Trekking Holiday

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 22 reviews.

Matthew Edwards

EVEREST BASE CAMP & GOKYO LAKES

Written December 2010
This spectacular trip is well within the grasp of most reasonably fit individuals whatever the age. Got the time? Go for it.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
My most inspirational moment was reaching the top of Kala Pattar on my own soaking up the view leading up the Western Cwm to the summit of Everest. I made it just before sun-up and had the great mountain to myself (EBC had closed for business so noone was summiting either), shortly before the rest of the group brought a violoent catabatic wind with them which nearly tore us all from the ridge. Very exciting!
What did you think of your group leader?
Superb. That'll do.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I will just add a few tips – they may seem obvious but easily forgotten. - You are trekking at altitude – it’s going to be cold. - You are trekking at altitude – its going to be exhausting. - You are trekking every day, that’s right, EVERY DAY. Get used to the idea. - You are trekking in a very poor country – the toilet facilities are likely not to be up to your high standards. Also if you are very fit and used to carrying your own gear on your own, you may well find the pace frustrating, constantly walking in single file annoying and the fact that porter is carrying your stuff difficult to stomach. It can feel that, rather than trekking to the Himalayas, you are being taken there. But just remember it is often the very fit who succumb to AMS because they attack the climb too fast. Be grateful for being held back. Bistari, bistari my friend. With these caveats in mind, it is still a once in a lifetime experience and so very well worth it.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I joined my Exodus group after trekking up independently from Jiri so was quite well acclimatised to both altitude and culture. It must be pretty tough to fly straight into Lukla, a reasonable altitude of 2680m and get trekking straight away. It’s not as easy as some make out. When you reach Kathmandu, it is easy to consider the trek up to EBC to be ‘a walk in the park’. Well I suppose literally it is, but that’s not the point. By-and-large our group coped admirably with the gradually intensifying physical demands. I think we were also lucky to have a great collection of folks who all had something to contribute. In a tight and claustrophobic social environment it’s easy for tempers to fray and resentments to fester but I don’t think there was really a crossed word. On the whole the group embraced each challenge and supported each other through the tough bits. We were even more lucky to be led by Gum, Bena, Gopal and Lakpa (I hope i spelled their names correctly). Patient, professional and always cheerful. It was a great pleasure to trek with them.
Claire Edwards

EVEREST BASE CAMP & GOKYO LAKES

Written October 2010
We were 4 days late starting our itinerary because of bad weather at Lukla and the result was a seriously hardcore trek. I totally underestimated how hard it would be, but we had a fantastic group, wonderful leader and guides and many many laughs (plus a few tears!)
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Personally, it was reaching the top of Gokyo Ri and sitting with walkers from all round the world looking at Everest. I didn't make it to Base Camp or Kallar Pattar but the views from Gokyi Ri are spectacular
What did you think of your group leader?
Pasang is an absolute sweetheart - incredibly knowledgeable, but caring as well. We had a lot of laughs with Pasang (he tells terrible jokes) and he mopped up a few tears as well. It was emotional! This was my first Exodus experience and I was so impressed by Pasang and his team. They added to the experience and were a pleasure to be with.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
1. Learn how to use a squat toilet before you go - stomach upsets are common and it seems many people are unable to aim at such times
2. Be kind to your group - don't discuss your bowel movements or the number of times you have been sick over dinner or breakfast
3. Embrace your toilet habits - everyone is going to want to talk about them
4. Money-wise: budget for at least £20 per day in the lodges (you WILL want a shower, even if right now you think you won't), plus tips, plus spending money in Kathmandu
5. Make sure you're fit enough. It's tough even without the altitude.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This is a fantastic and challenging trip. I feel privileged to have been able to share the experience and would recommend it in a heart beat. We bumped in to lots of Exodus groups while we were there, which resulted in camaraderie. The company is well represented on the mountain and appears to have close networks with the lodges and tea houses.
Cathy Marsters

EVEREST BASE CAMP & GOKYO LAKES

Written April 2010
An amazing experience - lovely local people, fantastic scenary, outstanding leaders and a great group of people to trek with.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
As is often the way, the hardest days were the most memorable - reaching the top of the Cho La Pass to see the sparkling glacier beyond, plus the incredible views after climbing Gokyo Ri and Kala Pattar.
It was also a great experience walking through the expedition tents at Everest Base Camp and meeting Russell Brice there (those who follow Everest expeditions will know who he is!).
We did the Chitwan Extension after the trek. Getting completely soaked on the back of an elephant on two separate occasions in different circumstances was also a day to remember!
What did you think of your group leader?
Gum was superb and went out of his way to look after everyone during the trek. I was extremely impressed that he telephoned us after our Chitwan extension to check that we were back safely and knew all the arrangements for our flight home the next day, despite the main trip having ended three days previously and the rest of the group having gone home.
Gum was very knowledgable and keen to stress the importance of responsible tourism and Exodus's projects in Nepal. Due to him, everyone in the group treated our drinking water for the whole trek rather than buying mineral water in plastic bottles which cannot be disposed of properly in the mountains - whereas we saw many other companies just buying mineral water.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you are thinking of an Everest Base Camp trip, I would definitely recommend adding the Gokyo Lakes on if you can - the trails were much quieter and the Gokyo Lakes themselves were absolutely awesome. The Cho La Pass day was hard but almost certainly the best part of the whole trek.
We didn't spend lots of money beforehand on down jackets which we'd would never use again, despite everyone saying we needed them and we were absolutely fine - if you have several layers, a good quality fleece and waterproof/windproof jacket you should be fine. You can buy extra gear really easily and cheaply in Kathmandu or Namche Bazaar anyway if you decide you haven't got enough.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I want to go back!
matthew pratt

EVEREST BASE CAMP & GOKYO LAKES

Written November 2009
lhakpa was amazing, we experienced lost luggagee, extreme food posining and altitude sickness, and lhakpa and his guides helped us through it all. from introducing us to his family to carrying our bags, he was everything and more a guide should be, perfection is the only apt word.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
cho la pass
What did you think of your group leader?
see above
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
its tough
Is there anything else you would like to add?
do it, do it, do it
Kulraj Bhogal

EVEREST BASE CAMP & GOKYO LAKES

Written December 2008
A fantastic trek. Anyone who is considering doing the classic Everest Base Camp trek, with a little bit more time, and pushing the boat out to cross Cho La, you can trek both the valley leading to Gokyo and that leading to the Everest base camp.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Crossing Cho La was the longest and hardest day but the views are spectacular. Tremendous sense of achievement making it up and over the pass.
What did you think of your group leader?
Bam Magar is an excellent guide. At all times we were kept briefed on that and the next days' treks. He was always very friendly, fun and professional. At all times he knew how everyone in the group was doing and clearly a huge amount of management was going on with the assistant guides, sirdar and porters behind the scenes to make sure the trek went smoothly and we could just focus on putting one foot in front of the other. Bam at all times answered our wider questions on trekking in Nepal. He was delighted to share his knowledge of the country and what it had to offer. An amazing set of stories from his trekking and mountaineering experience was shared.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Dust mask highly recommended to help keep the dreaded dry cough at bay in the cold air. Guides will recommend when this is sensible to wear. Trekking poles will help on the decents and the icefield to cross on the Cho La day.
The 'snowfield' to cross on the Cho La day is more like an icefield/glacier. Some of my group and myself felt crampons would have added to the safety/enjoyment of this part of the crossing. It was however understood that adding crampons for a two hour section in context of a 15 day trek perhaps overkill. Trekking poles help a lot, but anyone who gets a bit jittery walking on ice can always bring some cheapo ice spikes that just rubber band over one's boots. Most people make do just going carefully over Cho La, or as the Nepalese do tying rope to one's boots which guides will happily do for you.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I appreciate that one of the constraints of these types of holidays is balancing the length of the trek and the amount of time people are ex their home: too much length and people who need to get back to work will be discouraged. However I feel given the length and expense of the trip an extra day in Gokyo I would have appreciated. Many of my group managed to climb Gokyo Ri in the morning and after lunch walk to the 5th lake. This was too much for me, I only managed the former. Doing both in a day is a lot, an extra day would have meant both could have been achieved comfortably.
Alan/Carol Thomas

EVEREST BASE CAMP & GOKYO LAKES

Written November 2008
This was a personal ambition fulfilled and we were not disappointed. The organisation was excellent and was only surpassed by the scenery!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
On such a long trip the moments roll off the tongue and they differ each day that passes. Without doubt the Gokyo Lakes are stunning and the views from the summit of Gokyo Ri are really underestimated. On the clear day we had, we saw so many of the worlds highest peaks I had to ask the leader to write them down!
In addition the staff and the nepalese people you meet are so wonderful and happy it becomes infectious.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader Pasang, guide Nima and assistant guide Lama were excellent. One member of our small group suffered AMS and was sent back with Lama. A new itinery was quickly arranged for him and we met up later in the trip with little of the excitement and enjoyment lost to all. Pasang and Nima were very knowledgable and were always there to assist in every and anything you required. It is safe to say without them the summit of Kala Pattar would have been a step too far!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The day of the Cho La Pass must not be underestimated. We consider ourselves to be experienced walkers/trekkers, but nothing could have prepared us for this. Trip ratings with a D element carry some technical aspect to them. This trip does not have any technical (ie crampon/climbing skills) requirement but it obviously carries a C/D rating because this day, 1) starts very early (4am) in order to reach the summit before conditions underfoot become difficult, 2) is an exceedingly long day (our group took 9 hours from start to finish), and 3) as the trip notes state, the lodges at each end are basic. One needs to be absolutely sure of ones fitness to comlete this day. In addition, not only is strength of body required but strength of character is just as important especially in the dark and cold of the valleys.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Go for it !!!
Nicholas Antram

EVEREST BASE CAMP & GOKYO LAKES

Written April 2008
A really rewarding, tough trek to see the highest mountain in the world!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The Chola Pass is an unforgettable part of this trek, the landscape goes bonkers, tough uphill climbs to snow and ice and then incredible views of Cho Latse And Ama Dablam. One of the best days you will ever have.
What did you think of your group leader?
Lapkha our group leader was knowledgable, patient and professional and got nothing wrong. Plus we met his grandfather in law who was a Sherpa on the 1953 expedition!