Everest Base Camp Trek - 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 109 reviews.

Stuart Barr

EVEREST BASE CAMP

Written October 2012
A trip of a lifetime, stunning scenery, some of the friendliest people I have ever met who have so little but give so much!! One off the bucket list. AWESOME
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
So many to be honest but here's a taster. The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla..... an emotional rollercoaster. Our first view of Everest. The valley walk and climb up to Namche Bazarr & our last beer! The village of Thyjangboche, the monastery and a sunset that was just incredible across Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. A truly special and spiratual place that will always be a part of me. Chukpo Lari a memorial to all the climbers who have passed on Everest. Finally the final trek to Base Camp and the climb to Kala Patthar. The scenery and views are breathless, excuse the pun!!
What did you think of your group leader?
Passang was a true leader!! Leading from the front, back or middle of the group. EXTREMELY KNOWLEDGEABLE, highly respected and could not have led or looked after us any better. Thank you.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Bladder packs are fine until you get to Gorak Shep. Take diamox!! Enjoy
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We will be back one day to do the Annapurna Circuit.
Darren Gilbride

EVEREST BASE CAMP

Written October 2012
Amazing eventful trip, beautiful country
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Finally getting to the top of Kala Pattar
What did you think of your group leader?
The group leader was very friendly
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Make sure you have insurance, on our trip two people were airlifted off the mountain
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We were lucky to have three doctors in our group who were able to assist the two guys that got ill whilst trekking otherwise there could have been a fatality. The responsibility to get air support is placed solely on the group leader and if they make an incorrect call its a couple of years salary that they are responsible for therefore there is a reluctance to call in support.
It should be stated at the start of the trip that the individual is responsible for any evacuation costs and not the group leader as then there would not be that reluctance to call an air ambulance.
Saying that, you would never expect two of your group to need to get airlifted
Exodus Response
Thank you to Mr Gilbride for his comments. Please be assured that our leaders in Nepal are never financially responsible for any emergency evacuation, by helicopter or else. Safety is paramount to Exodus and our leaders are aware when to call air support yet the costs are by no means their responsibility regardless of the circumstances.

- Exodus Staff
Deirdre Beckett

EVEREST BASE CAMP

Written October 2012
This was a fantastic trip and I would recommend it to anyone who is reasonably fit and enjoys adventure
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The most inspirational moment was reaching base camp, and seeing the grandeur of the mountains together with the ice formation, glaciers and frozen rivers.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader, Persang Bomjang, was superb. He was everything you would want in a leader. He said at the beginning that he and the leadership team were there to look after us, and that is what they did throughout. He had 14 years of experience leading trips in Nepal, India and Bhutan. He knew everything there was to know about the trekking, effects of altitude and surrounding geography. We were given a briefing each evening relating to the next day, so that everyone could prepare themselves well. He made sure that everyone drank sufficient water which was crucial for the altitude, and was well informed with regard to potential health issues.
Anyone who has him as their group leader in the future need have no concerns.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
1) Follow the advice regarding fluid intake
2) Take a fleece sleeping bag liner, it makes a real difference
3) Have a rucksack which can hold water bottles on the outside, so that you can access them easily
4) Take Diamox to offset altitude sickness, the side effects are very minor
5) Makes sure you always have a supply of loo paper
6) Warm gloves, preferably with liner gloves are essential at the top
7) Be prepared for fairly basic living/toilet conditions as you get to the higher altitudes
8) Take a balaclava

Is there anything else you would like to add?
An amazing experience! You do not have to be super fit. If you can walk in the UK hills and mountains, this will be ok. What you need is mental stamina to keep going.
The altitude is the greater challenge, meaning that you get short of breath when trekking above about 4000 metres. Walking slowly, as the guides recommend, is part of the answer.
We had a great group, everyone coped with the challenge, and the scenery was unforgetable!
Andrea Connell

EVEREST BASE CAMP

Written September 2012
An amazing experience trekking through some stunning landscapes, and experiencing a whole different culture.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Reaching Base Camp, with everyone on the trek. A great feeling to have got there, made the struggle worth it.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our leader was faultless, always on hand to offer advice, his knowledge of the area and local culture. The whole team were great, cannot think of anything they could have done better.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't underestimate the physical challenge of this trip. I think I was a little complacent before it having summited Kilimanjaro the year before. The day to day walking on this is tougher, it's longer and there's a lot more ups and downs. Exhaustion got to me rather than altitude so try and prepare as well as you can, but sleep is a key thing to try and catch up on during the trek. Having said that, it was one of the best experiences I've ever had. Take lots of tissues, and cough sweets - most of us ended up with coughs and colds. You can buy pretty much anything you need out on the trail, but do take some nice snacks with you to keep you going when you have a tired moment. You can keep clean, you have to pay for showers but so worth it.... Eat as much as you can - the food is basic but good.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I met some great people and we managed to have a laugh even when things got tough. I was on a solo departure, which I was really nervous about but no need to be. Everyone in the same boat and you quickly get to know each other. If you are even thinking about doing this, just do it and get it booked! You won't regret it :-)
Jon Amphlett

EVEREST BASE CAMP

Written September 2012
A brilliant, challenging and very rewarding trip, good for at appreciating the shear scale of the Himalayas.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing Everest from the top of a very cold and snowy Kala Patthar.
What did you think of your group leader?
Really excellent. A great and experienced guide, really good company and a helped gel the team together.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Bring enough money. You will probably spend more than you think at the Tea Houses.
Folow the advice of the guide and drink plenty of water.
Keep going!
Paul Green
EVEREST BASE CAMP

Written May 2012
This was my second Exodus trek to EBC. Another brilliant trek, excellent guides and sherpa's.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Actually camping and experiencing EBC with other climbing teams. Summiting Kala Pattar, and Nantkarshang, both over 5100m mountains.
What did you think of your group leader?
Val Parkinson - what can I say that hasn't been said already? Her enthusiasm for the Himalaya is infectious, Valerie is never to tired or otherwise occupied, to answer questions and talk about her experiences. She clearly cares about the Sherpa staff we had with us, and is clearly very popular with the Nepalese lodge owners, who all know her by name; the three sherpa's - Chewang, Lapka and Yuba were superb, and great company.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Lots - go slowly, you will get there; drink plenty of water, at least 4 litres a day. Last time I did this I didn't drink enough and struggled.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The holdalls provided are not fit for purpose, mine ripped before I had booked it into Heathrow. The strap came away and tore the fabric. Why not have some bags made to the same standard as Mountain Equipment holdalls, saw loads on thetrek, have one myself, never let me down.
The luggage label for life - isn't. Mine broke, as did nearly everyone else's.
We saw lots of other trekkers, identifiable by their hats, T-shirts, etc, all with their travel companies logo's emblazoned on them; how good would your trekkers look at Base Camp all wearing an Exodus T shirt.
Also, a distinct travel label for hand luggage would be good, as fellow Exodus travellers can identify one another at the point of departure.
Tracey Fordham
EVEREST BASE CAMP - Expedition Trek 11 - 30 April 2012

Written May 2012
Having dreamed of trekking to Everest Base Camp one day, the chance not only to do so but to sleep there for 2 nights was the main reason for selecting the Expedition Trek. I was not disappointed and would recommend it to anyone. The extra cost is more than worth it for the experience of a lifetime.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were so many moments along the trek that it is hard to pinpoint any particular element of the trip. Anyone who has avidly read any of the books about Everest and her neighbouring peaks or the stories of expedition groups attempting to summit these ranges will be in their element as the trek to Base Camp takes in some of the key areas mentioned in so many of these books. For me, Tengboche Monastery and Namche Bazaar were particularly moving to visit and the fact that we followed the same route Hillary and Tensing took to Base Camp made it even more poignant especially with next year being the 60th anniversary of their summit.
The trek is by no means easy and there are some difficult and steep passes to conquer on the way but this makes the arrival at Base Camp even more of an achievement. There is so much to see along the way, and as you pass through or stay at the various settlements and teahouses you gain a real insight and understanding of Nepalese life and a respect for the local people.
What did you think of your group leader?
We were lead by the amazing Valerie Parkinson, who not only happens to be the Exodus Asia Base Manager, but more impressively, the first British woman to summit Manaslu without oxygen and, in her 50th year, ascended to the South Summit of Everest (8761m).
I had been lucky enough to meet Valerie on two previous occasions at Exodus slide evenings - both after her return from Everest - and knew that if I was going to do this trip, that it should be with Valerie not only to hear her accounts of her time in the mountains but because I knew that I would be in good hands.
Having Valerie as our Leader made the trip even more special as she recounted tales of her many trips in Nepal and India in addition to the amazing story of her time on Everest and Manaslu. There were one or two health issues along the way which she dealt with quickly and professionally with minimum fuss or impact on our holiday experiences. Nothing was too much trouble and she and her team looked after us from the moment we arrived to the day we departed.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you are planning to do this trip:-
do the training beforehand - the trek is not easy, there is difficult terrain to deal with along the way, steep climbs, steep descends, narrow passes and high suspension bridges. On average, you will be walking about 6/7 hours per day and you will be tired by the end of it. Hill walking or steep stair walking would be good to get your leg muscles developed sufficiently.
make sure your boots are broken in and you have the right equipment - it will be hot lower down but it will get very cold further up - don't skimp on the technical clothing. There is a weight allowance which applies to your kit bag on trek (you can carry as much weight yourself in your day pack as you like although I would keep this to the bare essentials - 7 hours of a heavy pack is not fun!) - making sure you have the right technical gear means that when you do have to wear your socks for 3 days straight (oh yes you will!!!!) they will not stink the place out when you take them off!
if you can, get your visa before you go - it saves a long queue at Kathmandu airport
don't forget your sun screen and sunglasses - you will need both of these for most of the trek and in particular at Base Camp where the sun's glare is very strong
pack at least 2 Buff scarves - the terrain gets very dusty along the way - it may not prevent the Khumbu cough but it might help it a little and it will also be invaluable in Kathmandu to stop you inhaling all the car fumes!
go with an open mind and heart - Nepal is an amazing country with the most kind hearted, generous, hard working people - get to know your sirdar, climbing sherpa and the other local team members (including the Yak boy!). Not only will you find out more about the Nepalese culture and way of life but will enhance your holiday experience so much by chatting to them.
keep smiling - there will be times when you question whether this really is a holiday but persevere - you would never return from a fortnight in Spain with the memories, sense of achievement or new friends that you will from this trip.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Enjoy it! I wish I was coming with you!