High Passes Of Everest

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...

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  Fiona Eagle

  HIGH PASSES OF EVEREST

  

  Written May 2011

  An absolutely incredible trip - but tough.  The views were superb and the High Passes trek gives you the opportunity to get off the well-beaten Everest base camp trek. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  There were several... seeing the sun set over Everest, early morning views from Goyko Ri

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Pasang was a brilliant leader.  He was a fascinating person with many interesting stories to tell, but at the same time he was very well organised and patient when dealing with the group.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Be prepared to be cold at night (and the day too sometimes), get a stomach bug, experience smelly toilets, long tough days BUT a trip of a lifetime if you are prepared for the challenging conditions.

   
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  stephanie law

  HIGH PASSES OF EVEREST

  

  Written April 2011

  An awe inspiring trip that delivered amazing views, outstanding guides and physical challenges that took every last ounce of determination. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Completing the Kong Ma La pass the feeling of sheer exhilaration was fab! Seeing the sunset over everest and then popping to the local bakery for hot chocolate and cake, superb!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Pasang and his team were amazing, for one so young he had maturity and experience well beyond his years and assisted the group at every step of the way both physically and mentally supporting the group when moral occasionally dropped. The porters and assistant guides were always happy and smiling and willing to go the extra mile.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Anti bac hand wash religiously before and after EVERYTHING!!! I'm a meat eater but staying clear of any meat based food from Namche Bazarr upwards def saved me and many of my group from getting too dodgy a belly the noodles, rice and soup provided a good source of energy food with the occasional treat of egg and chips!

  The sleeping bag I hired from Exodus was clean and warm but absolutely massive and needed to be carried seperately from my bag as barely fitted in the exodus kit bag on its own let alone with the rest of my kit in it. This meant that although the porters were very accomodating about carrying it, sometimes it got a little damp and grubby en route if the weather was wet and snowy (which it frequently was)

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  This was an amazing but pretty challenging trip, I trained a fair bit before going to make sure I was at a good fitness level but nothing really prepares you for the altitude. I had been trekking and climbing at altitude several times before with no ill effect but this time at about 4500m I got hit hard by the altitude for a few days, but think making sure you have a very good fitness level prior to departure is a must!

   
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  Emma Riddle

  HIGH PASSES OF EVEREST

  

  Written November 2010

  An awesome trip: definitely tough but worth the effort!   

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  There were so many: the lakes and snow on the Kongma La, sunrise at the bottom of the Cho La, sunsets on Everest and Amudablam.  However the most inspirational points of our trip were some members of our group: one who managed to complete the vast majority of the trip despite having amoebic dysentry for the whole trip and losing a stone and a half, another who completed everything with a fear of heights and bridges and struggling with the cold.  This is a fantastic, challenging trip and it gives a real sense of achievement to complete it.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Lakpa was great, friendly, kind, a fantastic medic when required!  The assistant guides - Harry, Chopal, Bim and Arbi were also brilliant.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Be prepared for the cold.  You need a good down jacket and a good sleeping bag, forget lightweight and go for the biggest/warmest you can get/afford.  This is a hard trip and you will not manage it if you are not getting a good night's sleep every night.  Everyone on our trip was ill with altitude or stomach problems at one point or another: the guide was fantastic at looking after us but try and bring your own antibiotics/strepsils/paracetamol etc.  Be mentally prepared for a few difficult days while you are ill.  In my view, you do need experience of walking point-to-point for at least 10 days before.  Having said all that, go for it, it is a fantastic experience.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  We were in Lukla when the airport was shut for 8 days on and off: a special thank you is due to Pete Burrell and Karma who ensured that we got out of there!

   
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  Sherry Macliver

  HIGH PASSES OF EVEREST

  

  Written April 2010

  The trek of a lifetime and a wonderful way to celebrate my sixtieth birthday! It is hard work, but so rewarding. And a wonderful route to be able to get away from the busy, dusty direct EBC path 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Just every waking (and sleeping) moment surrounded by the highest, most majestic, mountains in the world, particularly unclouded views of Everest from Kala Pattar and at sunrise from Gokyo Ri.  The approach to the Cho La was stunning too

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Pasang was inspirational too.  Full of energy, a great sense of humour and a natural leader of people - both his team, and the group.  His daily briefings were always accurate and he has an encyclopedic knowledge of the mountains.  He seems to know all the other sherpas too!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Because this is a camping trip, all our water was boiled for the correct amount of time so we never needed water purification tablets and we never bought bottled water on trek.  

  The cooking was superb, plentiful - we never needed to buy supplementary food or energy snacks - varied and cooked from fresh ingredients. The cooking team travelled ahead and invariably produced a cooked lunch as well

  A good quality sleeping mat - the ground is hard and punctured lesser-quality mats

  I was glad of my Camelback -it only froze on two nights and was easy to thaw in the morning.  It made it easy to drink enough water on the move

  Do as much of the optional peaks as possible - they are designed to aid acclimatisation 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The Exodus team were tremendous.  They were well-equipped, friendly, courteous, cheerful and always eager to help.  It was good to see the Exodus solar ovens at the lodges we passed.  I felt proud to be part of an Exodus group and I should have liked to visit the orphanage in Kathmandu if we had time

   
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  Gordon Green

  HIGH PASSES OF EVEREST

  

  Written November 2009

  It was billed as Tough... and with fantastic views. It was all and more than I expected - including the Toughness! If anyone is a keen hill walker and wants to have a jaw dropping trip in the fantastic scenary around Everest, then this is the one! I loved the trip; the organisation and leadership were first class.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Getting to the top of Kala Pattar was especially pleasing. Only a few of the group made this top. The effort of getting there was rewarded with fantastic views down to Everest Base Camp, the Khumbu Glacier and the Khumbu glacier.

  The last pass, Renzo La, offered the final views of Everest and openned up whole new vista, eventually leading down to Thame. It was after crossing the Renzo La that I realised just how hard (but well rewarded) this trip was - I was exhausted and exhilerated at the same time!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Pasang was superb! He had a wealth of knowledge, his leadership skills were first class, and, he was able to inspire and lead the group in such a way that I never felt I was being organised. His team totally complimented him and made the whole experience unforgetable.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Be prepared to push yourself and reap the fantastic rewards for doing so. This is a tough trip, but, the payback for the effort is an unforgetable experience.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Make sure you take a very warm sleeping bag - it really does get very cold at night.

  As soon as the sun reaches the ground near to the tents - get in it! The change from cold to comfortable is instantaneous!

  Be prepared to be teatotal for the duration of the trip! Alcohol and altitude not mix! 

  Eat, eat, and, eat...... as much as possible - you'll need all the energy you can get!

   
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  Andrew Ritz

  HIGH PASSES OF EVEREST

  

  Written November 2008

  If you want stunning scenery this is the trek, you get right into the middle of things here, at times surrounded by peaks on all sides - "awesome" indeed. You have to put in the effort mind.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  5 in total. Getting to the top of the 2 5000m+ peaks, and crossing the 3 5000m+ passes.  We weren't rushed when we got to the top and had ample time to soak it all in. Sit back, take it all in, take some photos, sit back some more, take more photos. When you have made the effort to get to these places, you will be rewarded............enjoy!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Lakpa was another local Exodus gem. I've yet to know a bad one (and I've had 5 trips there now). He dealt with all our problems, never getting flustered; was helpful at all times, gave out numerous bits of information, stuck to us like glue from start to finish (well almost ! ).

  I've been lucky in that in all my Exodus treks,  the local guides and leaders have been just fantastic.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  • It gets cold alright, especially from when the sun goes down. I noticed the difference from the moment I landed at Lukla (and that was morning sunshine). So if you feel the cold be prepared. The cold is different from the UK mind; it doesn't have that dampness that we get.
  • Take it steady at all times until acclimatised (the leaders will keep you under control anyway), and then continue to take it easy.
  • Be prepared mentally, it's hard work and slow going, but the slowness is to your benefit, stick at it.
  • Its a lot busier than you might think, especially during Sept/Oct/Nov (clearest times), the Khumbu Valley heading towards Everest Base Camp was becoming "people central". Much quieter in the other valleys though.
  • Getting to the Nangpa La (border crossing with Tibet) was a long day indeed, with 13hours+ of up and down morraines and glacier walking. It was dark when we set off, and darker when we got back. Not everyone makes it. Its as much mental as physical, so be prepared.
  • Be open and honest with everyone (especially the leader regarding illnesses etc - they are walking knowledge bases with group trekking altitude experience 2nd to none)
  • A humble attitude is worth having.
  • Do try to take along some spare kit that you will be happy to leave behind for the crew. You will see they deserve it(and more).

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The group (fellow trekkers) were a great bunch, which helps. The leader, guides, porters, staff are just the best. You get looked after so well (especailly given the conditions), that it becomes quite humbling.

   
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  Natalie Reid

  Trip of a lifetime!

  

  Written November 2007

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  For me, it was inspirational start to finish, however sitting atop of Gokyo Ri, taking in the magnificent views of Everest and Makalu (to name but a few) was spectacular.  Sitting on a perfectly positioned rock ,watching the clouds roll by, concealing everything one minute, only to reveal such stunning natural beauty the next.

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  Jangbu, our group leader was great, he was re-assuring, spoke good english, had excellent knowledge of the area we were walking, he and the rest of the crew made the trip spot on!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  If it's your first time on a trip like this, (as it was mine), then you may not know that you can take extra luggage which can be left at the hotel for your return.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Some days were hard, but the exhilaration and feeling of accomplishment made every minute worth while.  If you feel like quitting don't!

   

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