Everest Luxury Lodge Trek
By: Anthony Caulfield, Yorkshire, UK
The perfect holiday, challenging walking (for us), great hospitality, just perfect for a first trek to Nepal.The stars of the show were the trekking crew. I have never in my life experienced such wonderful people, Bala, Lhakpa and Ramesh. Forever friendly and cheerful, always helpful. Bala, the trek leader, gave us a real insight into life for the Sherpas and the history of the country and its religion.
First class with the following comments: The recommended map, Everest Base Camp, does not cover the full route. A better map is the Nepa map Lukla to Gokyo, 1:55000. Our Trek leader, Bala, also provided Thamserku maps of the trek and Kathmandu.
At our age, 65, we wanted to go to Nepal but didn't want to 'suffer' the hardships of camping and the usual teahouses/lodges. The Yeti Mountain Homes met our needs. Although not luxurious they are comfortable and the food is good. In some ways the level of comfort is compatible with the country and does not make you feel detached from it. Emphasis needs to be placed on the fact that luxury at sea level and luxury at altitude in a third world country are miles apart. We got what we expected, but others might be unaware of the difference. Water heated by solar panels, which has gone when the sun goes down. Electric blankets, toilet bucket flushing at the highest homes. The food was excellent throughout and the friendliness of the people incredible
By: Niigel Strauss, South Yarra, Australia
Holiday comments - Could not have expected better. How was your trip leader - A marvelous man. What I most enjoyed - The landscape, the challenge, the culture. Want to thank you for an exquisite holiday.
By: Amanda Thomson, London, UK
A great mix of accommodation and treks. Some easy days interspersed with more demanding treks. Amazing scenery.
By: Emil Dahlquist, Connecticut, USA
This trek delivered in every way - visual majesty, cultural interest, historic stimulation, and adventurous travel. The visual impact of setting with the surrounding Everest mountains had to be the main feature which I enjoyed. The trails were interesting and varied, the hike lengths were comfortable, and the relaxed nature of the days schedule were enjoyable. I thought the entire trek pace and acclimatization strategy was perfect and I had no problems with either and as far as I know no one on the trek did either. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone with a sense of adventure and interest.
By: Jackie Rookes, Leicestershire, UK
This was our first booking with KE & first trek - and we were very impressed with help given by KE staff.
By: Sarah Pryce, Worcester, UK
I have just returned from a holiday of a lifetime and wish to commend my trek leader Rajendra Rai. He ensured that we got the absolute maximum out of our trek, and seemed to know all the right people along the way who went out of their way to help us. Raj and our Sirdar and porter all worked so well together that everything went seemlessly well. Raj went above and beyond the call of duty I feel, and always put our needs first. I have nothing but admiration for his philosophy on life and will remember him with great fondness. I shall be booking further treks with you and anticipate a summer hike somewhere tough with the hope of doing Everest base camp next year.
By: David Jenkins, Letchworth Garden City, UK
Before and after booking I found the KE staff patient, helpful and knowledgeable. On one occasion I had a very comprehensive reply to my queries regardng altitude sickness and other general health matters. Yak and Yeti in Kathmandu was very good. The Luxury Lodges used on the trk were good, albeit 'luxury' in Nepal is not what you would necessarily call 'luxury' at home. People/staff and service in both hotel and lodges was excellent. I think I was lucky to have Rajenra Rai as my trip leader. He was extremely firendly with a huge smile. He seemed to know almost everyone along the trek. His knowledge was excellent, his planning and timings were well considered. He could not do enough to help. He was aware that this would have been a trip of a lifetime and encouraged us to absorb everything, take time for photographs etc. My trek was a small group which enabled us all to get to know each other well and I believe I left Nepal with a distant friend in Raj. A lovely man and excellent leader. Thank you Raj, you enhanced my trip.
By: Jane Frank, Powys, UK
Our trip leader, Pasang Temba Sherpa, was outstanding. He had so many roles to fulfill, and he did them all marvellously - trek leader, historian, botanist, anthropologist, Mr Fix-it, comedian, nurse, photographer, photographer's assistant. He fulfilled all these roles so well that if I were to go on another trek, I would look first to see which ones he was leading, and book one of those. But he always put our health and safety first, right down to checking whether we were drinking enough water. He also made the trip very personal, introducing us to his mother, his old school teacher, and his friends, so we really felt that we were properly experiencing Sherpa culture. You have a treasure there!
I wanted to see Everest but didn't want to trek to Base Camp, and being in my 60's I wanted a level of comfort. I also really appreciated the fact that there were no hidden extras. It was a real pleasure to know that every cup of tea was paid for, so we didn't have to put our hands in our pockets at all, except for the tips, and souvenir shopping
I think I found you just by googling. Liked the fact that you were UK-based, and that you're always really friendly when I call the office.
