We did Mt. Everest Base Camp, the three high passes, and Gokyo lakes with Nepal Hiking Team in April 2022.
I initially reached out to Ganga in April... read more 2021, remembering the positive feedback I heard from fellow overlanders while in India in 2017. I must have emailed Ganga 100 times between April 2021 and April 2022. We ended up delaying our trek from October 2021 to April 2022 due to covid, and I had so many questions. I wanted to make sure I didn't forget anything and was as prepared as possible. We hadn't traveled in nearly 3 years, and I was pretty nervous about many things. Ganga always got back to me within 24 hours, and was always patient, thorough, and polite, putting any concerns I had at ease.
When we arrived to Nepal (our flights were delayed in-transit, fortunately Ganga was able to track us since my means of communication was limited), we were greeted at the airport by Balaram. We couldn't have asked for a more kind or friendly person to welcome us to Nepal, he was perfect!
Over the next day we learned more details about the trek with a briefing from Ganga, and got to tour Kathmandu according to what NHT arranged. We enjoyed the local guides NHT arranged for us, and the sites. And of course the cuisine! We love Dal Bhat!!!
We were happy to get away from the hustle of the city, and on the amazing flight to Lukla the following morning. We got so lucky with our flights- so many times they are delayed due to weather, and we got in and out just as scheduled.
Our guide, Ram, and porter, Neema, were absolutely outstanding!!! We had gone to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2019, and everything we read about Everest Base Camp said it was easier. Base Camp was more gradual than the final push to the top of Kili, however those three high passes were something else- we had no idea how much of a challenge that would end up being. Fortunately, we paid extra to be in a group by ourselves, and could really take it slow with individual attention from our helpers. Ram and Neema made sure we were safe, often holding onto or spotting one of us through the rockiest parts of the passes, when we went downhill. We had contemplated not doing the 2nd and 3rd pass after the first one. Fortunately, thanks to Ram and Neema, we made it through all of them without getting hurt, and, were able to enjoy the true highlight of the trip- majestic views of the Gokyo lakes, at Gokyo Ri, and from Renjo La Pass. Neema handled our luggage with such ease that he usually would go ahead of us, put the bags down, and come back to help. Sometimes he helped while carrying our luggage! We truly could not have done this without Ram and Neema. We have them to thank for making this experience of a lifetime successful, and something we will cherish memories of, forever.
Wow, 2+ months later we're still in complete awe of what we accomplished. The views are out of this world. Despite it having been the greatest challenge of our lives, we want to go back to Nepal and hike Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake in the next 2 years. We will only consider Nepal Hiking Team, and already look forward to it, even though we know it will be the second greatest challenge of our lives.
