We recently completed the Luxury Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal with Highland Expeditions and it was breathtaking – literally and figuratively! The EBC is a challenging adventure but Highland Expeditions maximized our chance of success and enjoyment. The owner, Passang Sherpa, provided excellent pre trip guidance and instruction and responded immediately to questions. From the moment we were greeted with garlands at the Kathmandu airport, we knew we were in good hands. The pre trek stay at the Marriott and the half day sight seeing in Kathmandu allowed us to rest up and introduce ourselves to our new trekking companions/family. The helo flight to Lukla was a mini adventure, but is by far the most reliable way to access the EBC. Our guides, Akash, Kalendar and Jeet were top notch and good natured, adjusting to our quirks with aplomb. The lodging was top end for the EBC (Mountain Home Lodges at Phakding, and Namche Bazaar; Rivendell lodge in Debouche), but the choices at Lobouche and Gorek Shep were necessarily limited. The provided down sleeping bags and parkas were top quality. Electric heating blankets kept us cozy for the first several nights, and hot water bottles were provided for the sleeping bags when electricity was no longer available. Boiled drinking water was provided at every meal so purchasing disposable plastic water bottles was unnecessary. Every day on the EBC is a jaw dropping experience, but our personal highlight was the pre- dawn climb of Kala Patthar (18000 feet elevation) to witness the sunrise over Sagarmatha (Everest). We were very appreciative of the helo trip back to Kathmandu from Gorek Shep; allowing us a bird’s eye view of the spectacular 40 mile trail we traverersed over the preceding 8 days. This trip of a lifetime was made possible by Highland Expdenitions’ excellent itinerary and supervision. You could not be in better hands. Namaste.