During the Inca Trail last year, the idea of hiking to Everest Base Camp matured. I contacted Passang from Highland Expeditions during December and was impressed by the speed and accuracy of the provided information.
After the exchange of some mails I booked the trip for the second half of September, just after the monsoon.
Phunu Sherpa picked us up at the airport, and once in the hotel Passang, the owner of the company, was also present to greet us. Immediately the next day we flew to Lukla and our 9 day hike started. Phunu was a great guide, with an incredible knowledge and experience of the Sagarmatha National Park, which is the park you’re walking through during the next 9 days !
This trek is really a ‘once in a lifetime experience’, but do not underestimate … it’s not a walk in the park but rather a physically tough ride. Walking above 5,000 m is demanding a lot of your body. But the apotheoses at the end with the visit of base camp, the view of these huge mountains you can almost touch and the sunrise the next morning from Kalapatthar, is unforgettable.
A part of the luxury version are the better lodges, especially during the first 4/5 nights of the trip. But also the return at the end of the hike, after reaching base camp, with a helicopter was an amazing experience.
Hiking in such an amazing area requires respect for nature ! This is exactly where Highland Expeditions stands for. A professional company with an important respect for nature and local people.
Want to add EBC Trek to your bucket list … I can only suggest Highland Expeditions.