With so many routes and itineraries to take in the magnificent Sagarmatha – as she’s known in Nepal – it can be somewhat daunting to narrow down which experience is best for you. And let's be honest, with a sight this breathtaking, it's not uncommon to want to experience it more than once.

So, for those planning to see Mount Everest but still need to figure out where to start, this guide will take you through the eleven best ways to soak in the region. From a short taste tester with magnificent views to a more immersive experience – such as a three-week traverse in the Everest region – find your right trek below for an experience that will deliver memories to last a lifetime.

The ‘easy’ way: Everest Trek

This short 12-day trek is an introduction to the villages and culture of the Sherpa people; explore the colourful markets of Namche Bazaar, marvel at the famous Thyangboche monastery (the spiritual heart of the Khumbu region), and visit Khunde and Khumjung villages where Sir Edmund Hillary established the region’s first hospital and school through the Himalayan Trust.

Following established trails, you will view many of the world’s highest peaks, including the emblematic summit of Everest. The Everest Trek departs between October and May – view trip details. 

For jaw-dropping views: Everest Base Camp High Flyer

This innovative itinerary allows the typically 18-day route to be completed safely in just two weeks. Currently, this is the shortest Everest Base Camp trip available on the market and appeals to trekkers with limited time.

To reduce the trip length without compromising on acclimatisation, safety or your overall experience, we replace the return journey on foot with an exhilarating helicopter flight from Lobuche back to Kathmandu. The 14-day Everest Base Camp High Flyer departs between October and April – view trip details.

Get off the crowded yak train: Gokyo & the Renjo La

If you feel the world’s highest mountain is becoming a mainstream climbing destination, head west instead towards Gokyo Lakes. This is a truly remote area where you'll see few other trekkers. Trekking slowly through Sherpa villages and yak pastures, you will not only avoid the busier trails but also gain stunning panoramic views, particularly as you weave your way to the top of the 5,400m/17,717ft Renjo La pass.

The irony? You get to see much ‘more’ of the Everest summit compared to the views on a Base Camp trek as you take in the Himalayas from a better vantage point! The Gokyo & the Renjo La Trek departs from September to May – view trip details.

The trek that 'has it all': Everest High Passes

Experience the best highlights of the Everest region on one trek! This challenging trek will satisfy the ambitious trekker intent on crossing high passes without the commitment of any technical climbing.

The ultimate way to reach the best vantage points of the Everest region, you will experience vibrant Sherpa culture at its capital in Namche Bazaar before crossing the Cho La, Renjo La & Kongma La to gain unsurpassed views of some of the world's highest mountains, including of course Mount Everest. Everest High Passes In Comfort can be travelled in March and between September and November – view trip details.

The family option: Everest Family Trek

Take your family on the trip of a lifetime on this short trek in the Everest region, suitable for children as young as 13. Allowing generous acclimatisation time and following a leisurely pace, this trip brings together some of the must-have experiences in the Himalaya.

Think of stunning views of Mount Everest, interactions with the local Sherpa culture, a spectacular flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, and a visit to the Thyangboche Monastery – the spiritual centre of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. The Everest Family Trek departs between September and May – view trip details.

The double whammy: Everest Circuit & the Cho La

Combine our Classic Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes with a stunning non-technical Cho La pass crossing for an unsurpassed circuit trek of the Everest region.

Climb Gokyo Ri (5,483m/17,989ft) and Kala Pattar (5,545m/18,192ft) for magnificent views of Mount Everest and the surrounding Himalayan peaks, including Kanchenjunga, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori, Cholatse and the beautiful pyramid of Ama Dablam.

There is also time to visit the expedition camps scattered around the famous Everest Base Camp. Each night you will be accommodated in our private eco campsites and handpicked eco-lodges. Everest Circuit & the Cho La departs between September and May – view trip details.

Walk at a relaxed pace: Everest Base Camp & Kala Pattar for over 55s

This well-paced trek includes all the highlights you would expect from a trekking tour in the Everest region. The added value is that you'll have extra time to acclimatise whilst exploring the often-overlooked villages of Khumjung and Pangboche.

The longer duration of the tour also provides the best chances of climbing Kala Pattar for unrivalled views and photo opportunities of Mount Everest.

Sleep well at night in comfortable eco-lodges and our exclusive private eco campsites.  The Over 55s' Everest Base Camp & Kala Pattar departs in September, October, March and April – view trip details.

The classic bucket list trek: Everest Base Camp & Kala Pattar

This Everest trekking holiday is designed to fulfill the dream of many adrenaline-seekers to experience the historic route to the base of the world’s highest mountain. After a slow ascent through picturesque Sherpa villages, visiting traditional monasteries and enjoying the spectacular scenery, the trip culminates with a fine opportunity to trek to both Everest Base Camp and the nearby peak of Kala Pattar for stunning views of the mighty Sagarmatha. The Everest Base Camp & Kala Pattar departs between September and May – view trip details.

See Everest from Tibet without any trekking: the High Road to Lhasa

Take in all the incredible highlights of Tibet on this relaxed journey. Spend time in the Holy City of Lhasa, visit the Dalai Lama's Potala Palace and explore places like Gyantse and Shigatse. On this trip, you will have stunning views of Everest's Kangshung Face (East Face). Driving to the Rongphu Valley, appreciate the vastness of the North Face of Everest before heading back to the Kathmandu Valley.

There is no walking involved, and for everyone in good health, this journey provides a fantastic opportunity to experience the mighty Himalayan region and Chomolungma, as she is known to Tibetans.

Discover Everest at your own pace: Self Guided Everest Trek

Enjoy doing your own thing when it comes to travel but want the perks of a group tour? Trek to the heartland of the Sherpa culture under your own steam with the flexibility of a self guided trip where trail logistics, maps, route descriptions, accommodation, and luggage transfers are all taken care of, so you can focus on seeing Everest at your own pace.

This journey is a great introduction to the Himalaya region, where you walk through the famous villages of Namche and Khumjung, experience the comfort and solitude of our private eco campsites, and ascend trails to Thyangboche monastery to get an authentic experience of the renowned warmth of the Sherpa culture. Our Self Guided Everest Trek departs daily between October and May – view trip details.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: Great Himalaya Trail (GHT) – The Full Traverse

The full Nepal Great Himalaya Trail, the so-called “trekking’s holy grail,” is a 150-day journey across Nepal and was first available as a commercial trek through World Expeditions. It's genuinely an exploratory venture, covering 1,700 kilometres (1,056mi) from Kanchenjunga in the east via the Everest region to Yari Valley in the west, and features trails up to 6,190m (20,308ft) above sea level. All of Nepal’s 8,000m (26,247ft) peaks can be viewed along the way, with opportunities to experience remote cultures in hidden corners of Nepal.

In addition to the Full Nepal Traverse, which takes over five months to complete, the Great Himalaya Trail can be broken into seven smaller sections, from 18 to 34 days, and can be joined separately. GHT: The Full Traverse traditionally departs in late February – view trip details.

For more information and bookings, please get in touch with our team of travel experts from around the world or view the full trip details from each trip page.

Which Everest trek appeals to you? Let us know in the comments below.

It all starts so serenely; wandering along cobbled paths, gentling descending sloping stairs as we farewell Lukla and look eagerly ahead to what lies in the valleys and mountains in front of us.

A passing donkey thrust into the face of a fellow trekker in an act of karma as the universe reminds her to slow down breaks an air of anticipation. Our small group muffle our laughter.

Over the coming fortnight, we would all unknowingly forge the journey of a lifetime, each member of our team on a slightly different mission yet unified in our resolve: to see Mt Everest and her Base Camp with our very own eyes.

Comradeship

The camaraderie that grows from a journey shared is like no other. Different to that forged in the workplace, the sports team or the circle of childhood friends; we were all adventurers with a common goal and despite having no shared experiences, we were full of kindred spirits.

There are countless moments where the solace of a person who was a stranger a few days ago becomes so fitting in the context of having shared this unique experience.

Perseverance

They say you must be tough to take on the Everest Base Camp trek, which is true in part, but more so because mental resolve is overwhelmingly the deciding factor in reaching the top. Going into this trek, I knew it would test me.

I’m a survivor of cancer and while I beat my illness over a decade ago I continue to negotiate the ongoing side effects, which I see more as a dare to challenge than an impediment or reason to retreat. This made the moment when I stood at Everest Base Camp all the sweeter.

Achievement

I took in the crystal-clear view of the top of Mt Everest – which is rare during this time of year – as a big high five from Mother Nature to myself. The magnitude of the landscape surrounding Everest Base Camp, the formidable presence of the Khumbu icefall, and the dozen or so tents dotted amid the glacier were so much to take in.

To walk amid this wilderness for days upon end felt like a privilege, especially after the demand of the altitude and unforgiving weather systems. We were visitors in Earth’s freezer and she was only permitting us to stay for a short while.

The locals

Those who call the Himalayas their home have adapted to the harsh conditions.

Yaks, dzopkyo, donkeys and their herders are constantly passing us; bells gently ringing to alert us that they are here to bring more supplies that will sustain the villagers and help us and our fellow trekkers on our journeys.

School children cheerily zip down the paths at a pace much greater than our own and hotel managers wait until dark to light their fires. To them is it summer here, meanwhile we ate dinner with gloves on.

You know it’s been a good journey when you can make an entire photo album purely from livestock. The majestic calm of the yaks enchanted me; their elaborately decorated collars, their voluptuous hair, their delicate steps, and the lucky ones sporting red and white earrings.

Some would say they have more grace than those of us in our small group who hit the dirt often; of the hundreds of yaks I saw, none put a step wrong but of our nine travellers, it wasn't all gracefully sailing.

While it all sounds poetic and scenic, there was also much grunting, puffing, tears and we held off on the beers.

Camping with World Expeditions brought even more legitimacy to the journey as we refused to retreat from nature, choosing to immerse ourselves in the wilderness of the Himalayas wholly.

The Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar trek is not a journey that you can wake up and decide to take on next Tuesday – although we did meet a few exceptional nomads who were doing just that. (But even these souls met challenges, however a donated pair of fresh tweeds instantly solved a week-long crisis for them.)

This is the kind of trek that you minimise as much as you can upon approach and are astounded at the accomplishments within each moment, each hour, and each day. You have to really want it. And when you finish it, the feeling of accomplishment is awesome.

Words by Sally Dobromilsky

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I look to the left and can just see the tip of Mount Everest peering over the frozen ridge, the familiar plumes of powdered snow escaping like smoke signals from her summit.

From this direction she looks much more innocent than she really is. She’s just another mountain, but her intimidating allure draws hundreds of climbers worldwide every year.

The upside-down rainbow above fascinates me and I stand here for almost too long until I need to leave it behind and move on. I'm not there yet.

My booted feet move surely over the maze of boulders by the edge of the track; these flat feet that caused me no end of problems over the last sixty years have taken to hiking boots surprisingly well.

We are walking very slowly, the altitude and exhaustion taking their toll but none of us are going to be stopped on this day.

Every day I’ve been up here I’ve asked myself the same question: how the hell did I get here? When I would peer out of my little orange tent each morning and see the backdrop of mountains sparkling in the crisp morning air, when I looked down - admittedly rarely - from the swinging suspension bridges as we crossed deep river gorges, when I struggled to hold my breath and keep my trousers out of the quagmire that I've had to use as toilets, when I lay face down with my bloodied nose planted in the Himalayan dust, and when I congratulated myself each evening on making it through yet another day, I ask myself the same thing: how the hell did I get here?

Only a few minutes short of Base Camp I catch up with Meryl, one of the trekkers in my group who has been walking a little way in front of me all morning.

"Are you okay?" I ask, she was sitting on a rock. There are tears in her eyes and exhaustion on her face, her body is crumbling.

"Not really," she answers, "I can’t go any further. I just can’t." There isn’t much I can do for her. I am having enough trouble keeping my own spirits up.

Yangjin, our guide, comes up to us, she takes Meryl’s water bottle from her pack and hands it to her. Meryl is in good hands now, so I move on.

It is just after 11.00am when I reach the end of the ridge, it simply doesn’t go any further, and I follow the track as it veers to the right. My footsteps crunch across the last few metres, and to my left I hear another chunk of ice crack from its anchoring and hit the freezing water, its fate sealed. The mountains are silent around me, a few wispy clouds slide across their summits and pyramids of ice at their base stand sentinel.

I walk slowly into the small clearing, its rough cairn of rocks indicating I can go no further. What little breath I have left is held, then slowly released; my mind empties and just for an instant I am sure there is nothing in there to impede this sensory concoction and feeling of elation.

I made it. I have walked where Edmund Hillary walked sixty years ago on his way to the top of the world.

The pile of prayer flags on the cairn, some rather tattered, others put there recently, mark the end of the line for us. In the distance, by the edge of the icefall, we can see a few remaining brightly coloured tents belonging to this season’s climbers. It's the end of the season and many have already left, the few remaining are in the process of packing up.

We’ve been watching helicopters constantly flying backwards and forwards today ferrying those prepared to pay the money back to Lukla. There are many though who can’t afford the luxury and we’d been passing them on the track for the last few days, stopping them to ask how they’d gone.

Most of them had made it to the top. Their sunken eyes told the story, they were weary, they wore the marks of the struggle they’d gone through, but their sense of achievement was evident. Without exception they were humble and, unless we asked, they weren’t about to shout about what they’d achieved.

Our major hurdle today are the yaks, loaded with gas canisters, tents, refrigerators, and climbing equipment, taking the dismantled camp back down the mountains. We constantly stop and press ourselves into the rocks on the inside of the track to allow them to pass.

Our ears are now attuned to the distant clang of the bells they wear around their necks and our eyes search for safe passing spots long before we meet them.

From our vantage point here at Base Camp you can’t see Mount Everest, she’s hiding behind her neighbours, but there's the Khumbu Glacier that I’d come to know from watching many a documentary about Everest and those who attempt her daunting challenge.

I'm sitting on a rock at Everest Base Camp thinking about where I am and what I’ve just achieved, and tears start to prickle behind my eyes.

In two months’ time I turn sixty, no doubt there will be celebrations with family and friends and there will be food and drink and general merry making, because that’s what my family does for birthdays. And I’d have a great time.

But this moment encapsulates for me my journey through those sixty years. It shows me that whatever I’ve done and wherever I’ve been throughout my life has given me the desire, the strength, and the perseverance to succeed.

Prasant, my trek leader, walks over, bends down and gives me a hug, he realises what this means to me.

I look up from the hug and grin at Meryl who is just crossing the ridge to join the rest of us. She’s found something extra within herself, she’s grabbed onto that extra bit of strength and she’s made it.

Time to leave my rock. The solitary bit is over, there are hugs and high fives all round as we celebrate.

Jenny, my fellow trekker, clutches her mobile phone in her hand and dials the number that will connect her to her seriously ill father thousands of miles away in Scotland. She did this trek for both of them.

Photographs in their dozens will remind us all in the years to come.

We’ll close our eyes and we’ll be back here, on this sunny May morning standing here at Everest Base Camp in awe of what we’ve done.

This is an edited extract from How The Hell Did I Get Here? by Pamela Lynch. Pamela’s memoir recounts her two treks through the green foothills of the Himalayas to the grey monotone moonscape of Everest Base Camp and the time when the major earthquake hit Nepal on April 25, 2015. Purchase a copy at www.pamlynch.com.au.

About the author
From her journeys in Nepal, Pamela Lynch transformed from the shy, young mother of years gone by, to the confident trekker, author and motivational speaker of today. Pamela trekked to Everest Base Camp with World Expeditions in 2013 to celebrate her 60th birthday, a journey which became an impetus for change within herself and her outlook on life. Two years later she returned to take on a more challenging trek, heading over the Cho La Pass to Everest Base Camp.

 

Inspired to experience your own milestone adventure? View our range of Himalayan treks >

Are you planning on trekking to the base of the world's tallest mountain? Here is a great starting point.

Whether you want to know when is the best time to go, how fit you need to be or look for a clear overview of trip inclusions, find answers to our most frequently asked questions from our adventurous staff, guides and mountain experts right here. So, sit back, dive in and start planning the trek of your lifetime.

Jump to a section:
How difficult is the trek? How many hours a day do you walk?
Is it very steep?
Do you need good shoes?
Do you have any training programs for the trek?
Do many people have issues acclimatizing?
What happens in case of an emergency?
What is the accommodation like?
What is the food like on the trek?
Where can I have a shower?
Where can I charge my phone on the way?
Where is Wi-Fi available?
When is the best time to trek to Everest Base Camp?
Do I get to stay overnight at Everest Base Camp?
What is the average size of the group?
How big is the staff crew?
15kg isn't much. How do I pack lightly?
Can I take my own down jacket or sleeping bag?
Can I leave my excess gear in Kathmandu?
Is it culturally appropriate to wear shorts or leggings?
What else can I do in Kathmandu? Can I do any other short walks?
Why do I need to tip? Can't it be included in the trip price? What is the process for tipping?
Where can I exchange my money?
With so many trekking companies around, how do I choose the right one for me?

How difficult is the trek? How many hours a day do you walk?

The Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek is very achievable for people prepared to put in the work before departure. The trek is precisely that: a walk. There are no technical elements to the journey, just one foot in front of the other; the key is not to rush and to take your time.

Staff tip: “If you are positive and know you are going to trek for 14 odd days, then you can push your body. Often trekking difficulty is 70% mentality.”

Our Everest Base Camp in Comfort trek is graded moderate, meaning that you generally won't exceed eight hours of activity in a day. Some days can vary from 4-5 hours a day to just 2-3 hours; however, there will be sections where you are challenged. If you do the training, you go into the trek positive; that's more than half the battle.

Is it very steep?

For our Everest Base Camp in Comfort trek, travellers should be comfortable with occasional rough terrain but expect long steep climbs. So, some days could include ascents and descents of 500 metres or more. Remember: speed isn't important; stamina, confidence and continuity are.

Do you need good shoes?

Yes! And don't forget quality socks. Happy feet equal a happy trekker, so seek out an outdoor and gear store that will help you get well-fitted, suitable, durable and comfortable shoes that'll last in the long run.

The Australian gear experts at Paddy Pallin shared their recommendations on choosing the right hiking boots in this blog post.

Do you have any training programs for the trek?

The training you should do to prepare for your EBC trek depends on your current level of fitness and any medical conditions. We don't specify detailed training programs as it is difficult to recommend a general program that applies to everyone. We suggest that you exercise a minimum of five times per week, an hour each time, doing activities such as hill walking, cycling, running and strength work.

To get a general idea of how to prepare for a trek, this trek training guide with advice from high altitude mountaineer Soren Kruse Ledet may come in handy.

Do many people have issues acclimatising?

Altitude sickness can vary for each individual; however, we've found that including carefully timed acclimatisation days scheduled into the trek has helped trekkers acclimatise.

Nevertheless, during the acclimatisation process, you may experience some of the following symptoms:
 • Headache
 • Tiredness
 • Disturbed sleep
 • Loss of appetite/nausea
 • Shortness of breath
 • Cough
 • Palpitation
 • Swelling of the hands and face

All our group leaders have extensive first aid training, and we urge you to communicate with the group leader at all times should you believe you have any symptoms to monitor you effectively.

Some tips to consider include taking your time, trekking at a slow and steady pace, and staying hydrated are essential in reducing the effects of altitude sickness. Our trek leaders continually monitor travellers and ensure everyone is drinking plenty of fluids – continually replenishing drink bottles with clean drinking water, providing morning and afternoon tea, and offering juice for some electrolyte kick.

Read more about the importance of hydration at altitude from Dr. Ross Anderson, the medical advisor for World Expeditions.

Staff tip: “Hike high, sleep low. This saying is one our leaders and guides follow when trekking at high altitudes. Our treks are structured so that you ascend slowly, allowing acclimatisation to occur.”

What happens in case of an emergency?

There are limited medical facilities on the route, but our guides carry a full medical kit and are trained extensively on how to use it. We also carry portable altitude chambers, which are helpful if someone is suffering from AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) but cannot be evacuated due to bad weather.

Emergencies are dealt with by the guide, who must pass a medical course each year. This course is run by our UK-based doctor who travels annually to Kathmandu to run the training course.

The safety of our travellers and crew is our number one priority. If a fellow trekker in your group needs to descend, an assistant guide will go with them. We have lots of support staff on the trek, so the person descending would be well looked after and won't impact the rest of the group's experience. In a severe case, evacuation would be by helicopter.

What is the accommodation like?

You'll want to make sure you have a good night's sleep when on a trek, and our eco campsites provide the comfort, warmth and privacy for a tranquil camping experience paired with superb mountain views.

Inside our standing height tents are off-the-ground beds with clean mattresses and pillows. At the campsites, you'll have composting or flushing western-style sit-down toilets, hand basins, and a windowed dining room with eco-friendly heating.

The nights in our private campsites will be complemented by nights in our hand-picked eco lodges that align with our responsible tourism practices. These lodges use a mix of cow/yak dung/solar and generators for power.

What is the food like on the trek?

You'll have a full-time personal cook and assistant on-hand to prepare a creative menu under strict hygiene standards using almost all fresh ingredients. There's always plenty to go around, and you can help yourself to seconds or even thirds!

Every day is different, but here is a sample of one day's menu on the trail.

Breakfast: Tea served in your tent, coffee or hot chocolate, porridge or a grain cereal, toast with spreads, eggs (fried, omelette or boiled) and tomatoes, boiled water.
Lunch: Juice, potatoes, cucumber and carrot salad, cheese and gherkins, chapatis, pizza, canned tuna and meats, fresh oranges and bananas, boiled water.
Dinner: Soup, steamed vegetables, rice, fried chicken, daal, spaghetti, chocolate cake, fresh apples, tea or hot chocolate, boiled water.

Unlike most companies, World Expeditions includes a full meal service as part of the trip price that lowers the risks to you and safeguards your health.

When is the best time to trek to Everest Base Camp?

The trekking season for Everest Base Camp runs from mid-September to May. October is traditionally the most popular time for this trek when the views are great and temperatures are not too extreme. But we also get many travellers enjoying the colder winter season (Dec/Jan) when numbers on the trail are lower, and skies are clearer for that Instagram-worthy photo.

We always get a lot of interest in our treks over Christmas and New Year's, as it is an exciting way to spend the holiday season and minimises the days you need to use from your holiday allowance. If you trek during the winter season, you need to be prepared with suitable clothing for potentially low temperatures. Still, we provide good quality down jackets, down sleeping bags and fleece sleeping bag liners to keep you cosy.

As you head towards March and April, the temperatures get warmer and you'll be in the thick of the activity at base camp as the big expeditions get ready to summit. While some days can be a little hazier (in the lead up to the monsoon period) with cloud build up often in the afternoon, usually, the peaks are clear in the morning.

Every month of the trekking season has something to offer in Nepal, so it can be difficult to choose when to go. You can read our in-depth post on the pros and cons of trekking for each season.

Do I get to stay overnight at Everest Base Camp?

Our Everest Base Camp trek does not stay overnight at base camp. Instead, you stay at Gorak Shep, where you walk into base camp for a day trip. To sleep at base camp requires special permits, which are very expensive.

Where can I have a shower?

Some campsites and eco lodges have hot showers at some facilities in the Everest region, which are powered by hydro or solar panels. These locations are: Ghat, Namche, Deboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, Dole, Machhermo and Gokyo. A small cost of between 300‑650 Nepali rupees is payable to utilise this service, subject to availability.

Most, but not all, World Expeditions trips in the Everest region visit one of more of these locations. Refer to your itinerary to see which campsites you'll be visiting on your trek.

Where can I charge my phone on the way?

Some accommodations have charging stations available for small electronic devices such as phones, cameras and battery packs, but will often come at an additional cost should you wish to use the power. This can range from 200-600 rupees, depending on how far you are from the power grid.

The following locations have electricity available:
 • Ghat
 • Monjo (Not at our campsite, but you can charge in nearby tea house)
 • Namche
 • Deboche
 • Dingboche (Not at our campsite, but you can charge in nearby tea house)
 • Lobuche (Solar charging facility)
 • Gorak Shep (Solar charging facility)
 • Lukla

We recommend you consider purchasing portable power banks or solar chargers for phone charging.

Where is Wi-Fi available?

You can get Wi-Fi access at Namche, Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorak Shep and Lukla. Again, some locations may charge a small cost for its use.

What is the average size of the group?

Groups can vary between 6 to 16 travellers, who are typically are a mix of individuals, couples or friends travelling together who have a shared interest in outdoor adventure and nature. Ages differ from people in their 20's up to their 70's from all nationalities. The Everest Base Camp in Comfort trek is a highly popular trip with all dates guaranteed to depart.

How big is the staff crew?

You will typically have a main guide, plus four assistant guides, a sirdar (who manages the porters), porters, cooks and camp hands that join you on your Everest Base Camp trek.

15kg isn't much, how do I pack lightly?

While we've increased the check-in allowance for our travellers from 10kg to 15kg on internal flights to Lukla, choosing between carrying an extra pair of trekking pants or a solar charger can get tricky.

Choose lightweight and quick drying clothing, stick with one good outer layer and warm jacket and balance that with enough base and inner layers. You'll be surprised to find how many days you can wear a quality base layer or a pair of hiking socks.

Staff tip: “I encourage people to ditch the many toiletries and products. Take one biodegradable soap that can be shampoo, body wash, hand wash, and laundry wash all-in-one. I used a biodegradable shampoo for this (an organic brand that was affordable from the supermarket) and it worked great. I have dry sensitive skin and I use it at home as well. Also, there’s no need for makeup or hairspray, go natural, it’s so liberating!”

While you get 20kg all up (15kg check-in and 5kg hand carry), keep in mind that your provided kit bags – which include a down jacket, sleeping bag, liner, and the bag itself – comes in at around 5-6kg and should be counted in the above allowance.

Staff tip: “Lay out your items, cull it back, then cull it back again – just because it fits, doesn't mean you should take it.”

Can I take my own down jacket or sleeping bag?

Yes. When collecting your World Expeditions kit bag, let your trek leader know that you have your own down jacket or sleeping bag and they will remove the provided gear from your kit bag.

Can I leave my excess gear in Kathmandu?

Yes. You can leave your other gear and luggage bag at our World Expeditions desk at the Radisson Hotel, which will be safely stowed away.

Is it culturally appropriate to wear shorts or leggings?

Dress modestly. For those who wish to wear shorts, make sure the shorts cover your knees. For those that are comfortable in leggings, have a long top over them.
Remember, we are guests passing through these villages. Local people may feel embarrassed, for themselves and for you, if you dress inappropriately.

Staff tip: “Just because you see other people wear a particular clothing item a certain way doesn’t make it okay. Foreigners trampling over local etiquette and making it “okay” by sheer numbers does not make it acceptable.”

A pre-departure kit is provided when you book with World Expeditions which list cultural considerations.

What else can I do in Kathmandu? Can I do any other short walks?

You can visit other places in the Kathmandu Valley like Patan, Bhaktapur, Kirtipur, Dhulikel or Chitwan (for a wildlife safari) – we can help arrange this. If you're after a walk, you can head to Nagarkot or Langtang.

Read our 10 things to do in Kathmandu blog post for some ideas.

Why do I need to tip, can't it be included in the trip price? What is the process for tipping?

Tipping is generally expected and culturally prevalent in Nepal; this includes in Kathmandu and on your trek. It is a gesture to personally thank the local people for their efforts and service.

If your group thinks that the local staff have done an outstanding job and you wish to demonstrate your appreciation, then a tip from the group would be greatly appreciated. At the end of the trek, your leader will collect what you wish to give and will distribute it fairly amongst the crew at a final evening celebration where each individual crew member is acknowledged and thanked.

On our trek, your leader and staff receive a good living wage for Nepal and are paid on completion of the trip. We don't include tipping in the cost of the trip because if we did and paid it on your behalf, the crew would not regard it as an expression of your satisfaction. A tipping guideline is provided in your pre-departure kit.

Where can I exchange my money?

There are a number of stores you can exchange money just down the street from the Raddison Hotel in Kathmandu. You can also choose to exchange your currency in Thamel.

For those leaving from Australia, you can only exchange your AUD or USD currency for Nepalese rupees (NPR) in Nepal. The Nepalese Rupee is different from the Indian Rupee, and the Government of Nepal has banned the import, export and use of 500 and 1000 Indian Rupees notes in Nepal.

It is important to note that it is difficult to convert your NPR back to foreign currency, and you will not be able to exchange NPR once back in your own country. Many places in Nepal may not allow you to change currency back, so it's best to exchange the amount you will require for your time in Nepal. A budget guide is provided in your pre-departure kit.

There are also ATMs available for use in main cities including Kathmandu, Pokhara and Namche; however, ATM fees are applicable, which may be in addition to what your card or bank provider may charge.

With so many trekking companies around, how do I choose the right one for me?

Some factors to consider when booking with an adventure company include:

 • Do the company's values, such as its sustainable travel practices and porter welfare, align with mine?
 • What are their trek inclusions? Are meals provided? Do I have the use of a down sleeping bag?
 • What are their facilities like?
 • How well do they handle altitude sickness and other medical emergencies?
 • How experienced are they trekking in this destination?
 • How do they treat their staff, crew and porters?
 • Do they represent the best value for my money?

One of the keys to World Expeditions' success in running Nepal treks since 1975 is our team in Kathmandu. Our Nepalese guides are real experts who have all worked with us for many years. Another unique aspect of our treks is that you stay in our exclusive and private eco campsites where food is freshly prepared using local produce, you sleep on a real mattress, and have a heated dining room to enjoy your meals with some of the best views.

We offer excellent value for money (with no hidden costs!) as we include virtually everything you need on your adventure. This ranges from a trek pack with a down jacket, sleeping bag and sleeping mat; meals on trek; internal flights within Nepal and much more.

Besides the Everest Base Camp & Kala Pattar trek, we have many other treks in Nepal too, such as lower altitude treks in the Annapurna region, remote treks to Gokyo Ri and the Renjo La and even a specially designed trek for people over 55s.

For detailed information, bookings, or tailored private departures, get in touch with our team of travel experts around the world.

Where to spend New Year's Eve this year? 

Ah, New Year's Eve. That auspicious evening that sets the tone for the year ahead, when we make our resolutions to exercise more, eat better and see the world. The day for which planning is everything and if you're not careful, you could end up welcoming the new year with a vague sense of déjà vu of the same old parties and the same old fireworks display.

We're here to help. Remember those resolutions from last year? Put them into action and welcome the coming new year in a place that's inspiring.

Here are five fantastic New Year's Eve ideas for adventurers and travellers, as suggested by each of our destination experts.

• 1. Gain good luck for your future travels in Peru

The original capital of the Inca empire and the gateway to Machu Picchu, UNESCO world heritage-listed Cusco abounds with amazing archaeological sites and colonial architecture.

On New Year's Eve, Cusco's Plaza de Armas (the main square) fills with revelers who gather for fireworks, music and to participate in an exciting blend of Inca and Spanish traditions. The colour of the day is yellow, a traditional Inca symbol of good luck. Wearing yellow underwear is a popular choice amongst locals!

After midnight, residents and tourists alike can be seen taking a lap of the block with suitcases, which is thought to bring travel opportunities for the New Year. A great tradition for lovers of travel to join in, who knows where you might end up next year?

Our Best of South America - Over 55s Adventure departing mid-December will spend New Year's Eve in La Paz.

• 2. Experience Japanese New Year

In Japan, New Year's Eve is an extremely important festival day, and a treat for travellers to experience first hand. At midnight, locals head out to visit Buddhist temples across the country, where a bell is rung 108 times to rid them of their worldly desires. The festival atmosphere at the temples is intoxicating, with food vendors, music, lanterns and beautiful Kimono everywhere to be be seen – it's not to be missed.

Our Kii Hanto Pilgrim Hike has daily departures towards the end of December, the perfect start to the new year.

• 3. Celebrate NYE at the base of Everest

There's nothing like winter in the Everest region. The landscape becomes a glistening snowy wonderland, with frozen waterfalls, clear days and less other trekkers on the trails. Ring in the new year high up in the mountains, where you can really fulfill that resolution to see the world.

Our Everest Circuit & Cho La and Everest Base Camp & Kala Pattar treks have guaranteed departures in mid-December which will see you spending New Year's Eve high in the mountains, near Everest Base Camp.

• 4. Tick off the peak of Kilimanjaro

If reaching the summit of Kili has always been on your adventure list, why not tick it off before the close of year? It'll definitely start the new year with a fresh perspective having traversed the highest points on the African continent!

Mt Kilimanjaro's Uhuru Peak is one of the seven summits and a bucket-list item for most fit trekkers. The Lemosho Route has a high success rate for reaching the summit due to its more gradual rate of ascent, making this route one of the best choices for those with their heart set on welcoming the new year from the top of the world's highest free-standing mountain.

Our Kilimanjaro - Lemosho Route expedition departs mid-December or early January (both dates guaranteed), so you can plan to end the year with a bang or start off on a high.

• 5. Go on a whirlwind adventure in Australia's Apple Isle

©Oscar Bedford

Here's one for those committed to that fitness resolution. Our multi-activity adventure in Tasmania takes you along world-class coastal stretches of the East Coast; cycle through sleepy fishing villages, swim in clear blue waters of the idyllic seaside town of Coles Bay, kayak beneath the imposing Hazards Range and across Great Oyster Bay, and walk to the Famous Fossil Cliffs and Painted Cliffs.

Our Cycle, Kayak and Walk Tasmania adventure departs at the end of December and will spend New Year's Eve in the beautiful Maria Island National Park.

What were some past memorable New Year's Eves that you've had? Share them in the comments below.

She’s well aware of the highs and lows that're in store when ascending at altitude on some of the world's highest peaks and it can prove to be more than just a mental or physical game. Though, one takeaway she says adventurers should always keep in mind when taking on their dream trek or climb is, quite simply, preparedness.

Being one of the handful of women in the world to have scaled Cho Oyu (8,201m) in Tibet solo and without the use of supplementary oxygen back in 2007, Allie Pepper's passion to climb ultimately led her to the summit of Mt Everest four years later.  Along the way, she's led outdoor recreation activities since 1999 and guided expeditions in South America and the Himalaya, with her passion for adventure and climbing seeing her achieve many mountaineering feats, including the successful ascent of several high-altitude peaks in the Andes and the Himalaya, three of which were 8,000m mountains.

Climbing to the highest of heights, Allie Pepper shares tales from her most challenging expedition and what she finds special every time she travels to the Himalayas.

How did you first get into climbing?

I didn't discover rock climbing until I was 23 when I started my first Outdoor Recreation course at Blue Mountains TAFE. I was finding a career path after returning from 6 months travelling in India, and even though I grew up in the Blue Mountains, I never actually went outdoor climbing until then.

Climbing in the Blue Mountains

I loved the course, especially learning technical climbing skills – I had finally found something that I was interested in and that I was good at.

I started working as an outdoor guide in Katoomba and, at the end of 1999, I went to New Zealand and completed a technical mountaineering course, which is where I discovered my passion for mountaineering.

I then had the opportunity to work on my first high altitude expedition in 2000 as an assistant guide on Aconcagua in Argentina – and I discovered there my strength at altitude. I have been climbing and guiding all over the world since.

You are the second Australian female, after Sue Fear, to summit an 8,000m peak without supplementary oxygen. What made you decide to attempt such a feat on Cho Oyu?

I spent around three years climbing and guiding in the South American Andes. I guided Aconcagua around 10 times and was working as a lead guide, and spent three seasons climbing on more technical peaks in the Cordillera Blanca of Peru. I was feeling very strong, fit and confident in my technical climbing abilities at altitude, so decided I was ready for the Himalaya.

Allie has lead many expeditions in Argentina and Peru. She's pictured here at Alpamayo in 2002.

I chose Cho Oyu because I had met a Sherpa guide on Aconcagua who was organising the logistics for an American team on the mountain in Spring 2007. He was able to organise a small Base Camp for my climbing partner, Jason and I, at a reasonable price. We had a cook and one Base Camp dining tent, and we shared the transport to Tibet from Nepal with the other team. I never considered using oxygen at the time, and Jason and I acclimatised by trekking around the Everest region before our climb. I made a good acclimatisation plan, so either we would summit the mountain, or we would turn around. Either way, we didn't plan on using oxygen and didn't have any, so it wasn't an option!

How challenging was the Cho Oyu Peak summit?

Cho Oyu was the hardest thing I had ever done at the time. It was made harder because I ended up climbing alone. My climbing partner suffered bad frost nip on most of his toes during one of our rotations up the mountain, forcing him to stay at Base Camp while I went on the summit push. It took me eight days to summit and return to Base - and no one else went to the summit the day I did.

I had to plug a lot of steps in fresh snow by myself which was very tiring, especially at above 7,500m but it was one of the most rewarding climbs I have ever done because of the difficulties and I felt a great sense of achievement.

How would you compare it to climbing Everest?

I don't know how to compare it to Everest because it was more than 10 years ago, and the pain and suffering has faded in my memory. Everest had many other challenges as I did not climb in a team, just with one Sherpa named Dawa.

Unforgettable memories forged. Dawa and Allie at Everest.

I had to carry quite a heavy pack up high and I hadn't climbed at altitude for three years before the expedition. I had planned to try climb it without oxygen but on my second rotation I realised I was not fast enough to stay warm up high. I decided, last minute, to use oxygen and had to buy and borrow the equipment from teams in the Base Camp.

I had a mask that didn't fit my face which caused me a lot of trouble on summit day. We didn't have a satellite phone at the time, so we didn't know that the weather forecast had changed when we went to the summit.

Dawa and I started in clear skies but climbed into a storm. We had 10 metre visibility and 60km/h winds on the summit ridge. It was so cold it froze my water solid as well as my snacks inside my down suit, so I didn't eat or drink the whole day.  

I was terrified as I had never climbed so high in such bad conditions; however, Dawa was confident to go on, so we did.

Thankfully, we made it to the top and back to camp that day. Sadly, a Japanese climber was not so lucky. Both expeditions were hard and took months to recover after them. I don't really know which one was harder.

Allie standing at the top of Everest in 2011.

Whether one is trekking or mountaineering, what do you find special every time you travel into the Everest region?

Of course, the views are absolutely spectacular, and no photo really does them justice. You need to be there amongst the mountains to truly experience the beauty and energy of the Himalaya.

What I find the most special about being in that region, however, is the Sherpa people, who are so kind and generous. I have made many friends there and they are what I miss the most. The Sherpa are very friendly and respectful, and if you show them respect, they welcome you into their homes with open arms and open hearts.

How do you mentally train for your expeditions?

Every failure has taught me a lot about myself and my climbing and made me better prepared for the next expedition.

I have not succeeded on every climb, in fact, I would have turned around as many times as I have made the summit – there are so many other factors that can lead to an unsuccessful expedition. It doesn't matter in the end how much I want to stand on the summit because more than anything I want to stay safe.

Allie scaled New Zealand's Mt Cook (3,724m) in 2003.

Being mentally prepared to fail is the hardest concept for most people, especially nowadays, when people are so focused on being successful and achieving their goals. This is one of the reasons why some climbers don't turn around when they should.

If you don't have years of experience to feel confident in your abilities, you need to train harder mentally. You need to push your comfort zones in your physical training to become more comfortable with suffering. Not just for a few minutes, like in Cross Fit for example, but for hours and hours. This is why ultra-running is a great sport to train for expedition climbing.

Being prepared physically and having all the technical skills needed for the expedition is going to put you in a better mental state. Sometimes a route on a mountain might involve a certain type of climbing that I am not very confident in. In that case, I need to train my weaknesses, so I am not nervous about that part of the climb and I am better prepared mentally.

When altitude sickness strikes, how would you cope?

Personally, I have only ever had altitude sickness once on a bus in Bolivia. We drove up too high too quickly and I had no idea how horrible it was until then. I started to sweat, wanted to vomit and my head felt like it was splitting open. Thankfully, we dropped in altitude pretty quickly and it went away. Since then I have a lot of empathy for people that have these symptoms.

I make sure my clients have a slow acclimatisation program when I plan expedition itineraries. We ascend slowly and steadily, to ensure that most people won't feel altitude sickness, but of course there is the odd occasion where someone in the team does. We usually then stop and spend an extra day at the same height rather than go up. Unless of course their symptoms are more severe, in which case they need to descend. This is rare on trips that I’ve led, but I have been involved in many rescues of people in other groups that have gone up too fast.

What are some highlights trekkers can experience on an Everest and Ama Dablam Base Camp trek?

When I think back to the first time I experienced this area, there are so many highlights! Flying into Lukla is always amazing as it is a short runway on the side of a steep mountain. I try to sit up the front to get the full exposure because I love it. Then there are the amazing stone houses and lodges – all built by hand, as well as Buddhist prayer wheels and Mani stones that line the trail.  I love the yaks carrying loads in and out of Base Camp that share the trail with porters and trekkers; the views, the swing bridges, your first sight of Everest, the people, the smells, food and culture. Pretty much everything!

Climbing up Kala Pattar ... is amazing and has the best views of Everest in the Khumbu. Trekkers will also see Ama Dablam, a spectacular mountain that dominates the valley, so getting close to her walls is a great experience.

What’s your favourite part of Nepal?

Getting out of the city and onto the trail! After months of training, planning and organising, then shopping in Kathmandu for my expeditions, I just love getting into the mountains and hiking on the trail.

Everything becomes a lot simpler and life starts to slow down. For me, this is the least stressful part of the trip and the most enjoyable.

Taking in the amazing scenery as they set up camp at the base of Lhotse.

What's your next goal?

My goal in terms of 8,000m mountains has always been to climb as high as I can without supplementary oxygen. After my trip with the Everest Base Camp trekkers, I plan to attempt this again, but I don't want to talk too much about which mountain until I have finalised logistics, so watch this space!

Feeling inspired? View our Nepal treks and start living your Himalayan dream >

Our team in London received a fantastic and positive trip review of our Everest Base Camp & Kala Pattar trek. Completed in April 2018, the feedback that Scott R. wrote us is even better than we could have come up with ourselves and made us blush a little. Thanks much for your trip review Scott, and we hope that it will help others understand this Everest trek a bit more.

Hi,

I just wanted to drop you a brief note to say thank you, both to you and the World Expeditions team, for organising one of the most incredible experiences of my life to date.

I successfully climbed to EBC and Kala Patthar. Flying back to the UK last Tuesday.

Your carefully planned itinerary meant I was able to fully immerse myself each and every day.

Nepal is a phenomenal country. Beautiful in every aspect, but none more so than the people themselves. The crew assigned to lead our group was truly first class (Rinzin et al). I cannot thank them enough for the level of organisation, attention to detail and due diligence.

The trek itself was staggering. Mind-blowing. We were blessed with beautiful sunny skies every day, and your carefully planned itinerary meant I was able to fully immerse myself each and every day without feeling any of the adverse effects of altitude.

In addition, our group consisted of some of the kindest, friendliest people I have ever had the pleasure to meet. So much so that my next trip will be to Sydney to revisit them all!

The trek was my first experience of high altitude.

Sunrise over Mt Everest from Kala Pattar

The trek was my first experience of high altitude. I’ve come away delighted, with my confidence instilled and a newfound passion to boot. I would like to return to The Himalaya to climb other peaks and wouldn’t think twice about consulting World Expeditions in the future.

It truly was one of the most incredible things I have ever done, and I can’t thank you enough.

Thank you thank you thank you!

Best wishes,

Scott

Read More

>> Learn more about the trek that Scott's trip review is about

>> Find other Everest trips

>> Find more feedback on World Expeditions trips

Scott's most memorable moment: standing on the summit of Kala Pattar with a close-up of Mt Everest

You’ve probably seen the circulating meme outlining the three rubrics of mountaineering: never underestimate a climb because it is always further, taller and harder than it looks. These maxims will ring true on any mountaineering expedition especially when emotions run high during a summit attempt.

We sat down with Australian high-altitude mountaineer, Soren Kruse Ledet, who shared his tips on how climbers can best approach mountain peaks and ways to cope in overwhelming situations.

Rule 1: It’s always further than it looks

Audacious treks on remote trails can place you under variable weather conditions for up to eight to 12 hours a day; and depending on the region and grade of the trip, some expeditions will involve travelling on snow and ice. So, it can be particularly challenging when also carrying up to 12-15 kilograms of gear.

Adverse weather conditions when trekking, hiking and camping in remote areas is to be expected, so your level of fitness and comfort is important during the feat of expeditions. However, Soren says that being realistic about your capabilities and your goals is much more critical.

“So much of what you do isn’t just physical, it’s psychological as well,” he explains. “You don’t want to necessarily talk about the summit from day one. For a leader, what’s important is that everyone acclimatises right, then you slowly, gradually build it up, otherwise, it becomes too difficult and too psychologically daunting.”

What’s the best approach?

Travellers should fortify climbs and try not to get ahead of themselves emotionally. While reaching the summit calls for celebrations – with a pic or two doing the famed Hillary pose, it’s important to remember that you are only halfway through your expedition. The true celebration is when you’ve finally made it back down because that’s when you are safe.

“On a lot of the climbs, and probably more so on the introductory mountaineering trips, team members tend to forget a little bit about all the pain and suffering; all the hardship they get in the first place, and the fact that they must get down safely from the summit,” says Soren.

Staying focused is key as most injuries and accidents happen on the descent. “People are tired, people let their guard down, and ultimately, a summit doesn’t matter if you end up falling and injuring yourself … so you want to make sure everyone gets back down and that’s when you celebrate and look back.”

RELATED: 5 beginner climbs to get you into mountaineering

Rule 2: It’s always taller than it looks

Reflecting on a trip he took to Tibet back in 2005, Soren remembers one traveller’s reaction in particular. He was en route to Cho Oyu with a group of fairly experienced climbers and once they hopped out of the truck he noticed the blood drain from one person’s face, floored by the enormity of the peak.

“I knew then and there that he psyched himself out of it,” recalls Soren. “I thought to myself, he'll probably never really go high on the mountain because psychologically he was beaten already.”

What’s the best approach?

Regardless of whether it’s Everest or Mera Peak, dividing the mountain into sections can make the expedition feel more manageable.

“Say you get to Base Camp, that’s one summit; then you get to High Camp, that’s another one; and then hopefully you get to the actual summit, but take it one day at a time,” advises Soren.

Also, when entering high altitudes is it common for people to experience mild symptoms of AMS or altitude sickness, such as a loss of appetite, mild headaches, and disruptive sleep. All World Expedition mountaineering itineraries are created so travellers are given enough time to acclimatise.

As an entry-level trip, Mera Peak, for instance, provides several acclimatisation days building up to the crown. The 23-day trip gives hikers nearly two weeks of gradual ascents on the mountain before they attempt the summit. It is when your symptoms worsen that you should communicate to your leader how you are feeling during the expedition.

READ MORE: The Importance of Hydration at Altitude

Rule 3: It’s always harder than it looks

One can train and prepare themselves as much as possible for a mountaineering trip, but preparedness comes with experience. How one behaves in foreign and hazardous environments can be a defining moment when attempting a summit.

“Most people do really well, and nine times out of ten the weather is ‘brochure weather’. In other words, conditions are generally favourable,” says Soren, “But it's hard to prepare for bad weather, it has to be experienced.”

What’s the best approach?

Being practical about what you can achieve and attending introductory climb courses can make all the difference. Mountaineering programs at World Expeditions offer beginner skill-based courses, which give newcomers a solid foundation to learn basic mountaineering skills and alpine techniques from experienced experts.

The hands-on training trip takes the classroom outside where you are given the opportunity to undertake some exciting ice climbs on frozen waterfalls.

Our programs develop students’ skills in safe ice and rock climbing, abseiling, rope work, ice axe and crampon techniques, crevasse rescue and navigation.

There are even opportunities to take on a summit after you complete a course, such as the Alpine Introduction Course and Gran Paradiso Climb, where you put your skills to the test by attempting a climb of Gran Paradiso (4061m), Italy’s highest peak.

READ MORE: Summit Success on Peak Lenin

For all our mountaineering trips, World Expeditions offer an extensive gear list to follow and before commencing a climb, a safety exercise is practised ensuring travellers are prepped and safe.

“People react to stress and pressure in many ways and when you're on a mountaineering trip you are often out of your depth, you are certainly out of your comfort zone. Some people deal with that quite well and some people not so well … and the ones not coping need a lot of support and help, which we offer,” says Soren.

Not for the faint-hearted, travellers who embark on mountaineering trips plan to push their boundaries, but it is crucial not just to prepare yourselves physically but also mentally.

“It’s about being realistic – plan for the worst and hope for the best.”

ABOUT THE EXPERT
Soren Kruse Ledet has been leading World Expeditions mountaineering trips for nearly 20 years and has completed over 50 expeditions in Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, Central Asia, and Patagonia – to name a few. He has summited many Himalayan peaks as well as completed a six-month traverse of Nepal.

Thinking of taking your hikes a step up? Browse our most popular mountaineering expeditions.

Her website reads, “Sharon’s story is not about extraordinary people – her story is about the extraordinary that exists in every individual and team.” Sharon Wood is the first North American woman to climb Mount Everest and the first woman in the world to climb it by a new route without Sherpa assistance.

Two decades later, mother of two teenage sons, founder of a private school, president of her own company, professional climbing guide and public speaker; Sharon still leads a life rich with risk, challenge and change.

We’re delighted that Sharon will be leading our special Women’s Everest Base Camp departure this spring. Fascinated by her insights into the remote mountain experience, we took the opportunity to ask a few questions.

Your father took you on your first technical climb when you were only twelve - was the whole family interested in mountain activities?

Not really. My dad was the keener. I was the youngest of three siblings, and I was always eager to accompany my dad on his hiking and ski excursions. He did not like technical climbing and was quite worried when I started in earnest at the age of sixteen.

In 1977, you joined an all women’s expedition to Mont Logan that was instrumental in your mountaineering career. Do you think the “gender gap” in climbing, if it even exists, is coming to a close?

Mount Logan was a very lucky break for me. I am grateful to the five other women who invited me on that trip when I was just nineteen-years old. We were all new to altitude and the low technical challenge of our route was the right gradient for our experience level. With that said, and having led several women’s mountain excursions and skills courses, I think the dynamic empowers some women to step forward, be more assertive, and feel more comfortable.

When you reached Mount Everest’s summit on May 20, 1986 with Dwayne Congdon, you became the first North American woman to climb Everest. What did it change for you on a personal and professional level?

Our success on Everest catapulted me into an accidental career as a professional speaker. I have spoken to over a thousand audiences by now ranging in size from six to six thousand. They say public speaking is our number one daily fear, death is sixth on the list. I agree, but the speaking has provided an amazing window to places and lives I would have never known. In terms of personal changes, I’d say the thirty plus years of reflection has made me a better and more appreciative friend. I’m grateful for the abiding friendships with my twelve teammates on our Everest Light team. Everest also had a very dramatic effect on my perspective. There were a lot of times during our expedition where I wanted to give up because I was too tired, or too scared but I recognized then that I was my own greatest obstacle. Now, when I’m faced with a challenge and am deciding whether to step up or step back, I’ll ask myself, “What is the worst thing that can happen to my by trying this?” and, “Will I regret not trying this in twenty years time, and be plagued with wondering whether I could have done it for the rest of my life?” To fail without trying is unacceptable.

What are the biggest lessons you learned on the mountains?

Don’t get me started! Simply put, the mountains taught me to trust and like myself, which was no easy feat. The mountains test, expose, teach, astound and humble us. In my books, and I may be a little biased, there is no better arena to explore our relationship to self, others and the ground beneath our feet. It is an environment where you may not always get what you want, but you’ll get lessons in spades. More than anything, I’ve learned that challenges, which capture our imagination and are beyond our reach, give us cause to rise to our potential. And, I believe each time we rise we become a little less confined by our limitations and more defined by the possibilities.

Do you have any preparation tips for someone interested in a high altitude expedition?

I have many tips, too many to list, but I’ll give a couple for now. Pee bottles, for one – we’ll talk. Most of my tips are based around comfort. I believe the more comfortable you are the better you will acclimatize. A layered clothing system, which allows you to peel off layers or put on layers without having to redress is important. This applies to psychological comfort as well. It’s not a race, it doesn’t matter how fast you can run or walk at sea level, what matters is pacing yourself to the new normal at altitude which is VERY slow and steady. We climbers call altitude the great equalizer. It is not the fittest who will best acclimatize, it is she who adapts who will best acclimatize.

You are now a public speaker in North America - why is it important for you to inspire the next generation to get out there?

I speak to a broad demographic ranging from school children to seniors, corporate to not-for-profit. Actually, it is important for me to inspire all ages. My passion is in helping people close the gap between what they think they can do and what they can actually accomplish. It’s not about talent, or strength, it’s about finding the courage to begin - to try, and the resources you need to support you, which is often the hardest stage of taking on a challenge.

What advice do you have for people hesitant to break out of their comfort zone?

I believe self-compassion is essential in terms of recognizing one’s personal comfort zone. I encourage individuals to start where they are at, get out of the comparison trap and acknowledge their own courageous steps. As well, I believe a doable gradient is essential rather than something unrealistic. I do NOT believe in pulling dreams off the shelf. The challenge has to be something you respond to, that captures your imagination and interest. I like to gently prod, and support, give examples of my own propensity to doubt and fear and testify to the value of breaking free of our own self-imposed limitations and through to a more liberated life.

Trek in Nepal with Sharon Wood in 2018

Offering women the chance to engage in an active travel experience in a safe, supportive, and encouraging environment, the Women’s Everest Base Camp Adventure with Sharon Wood will add inspirational stories and deepen traveller’s knowledge of trekking in the Himalaya’s to this already amazing experience. The carefully devised itinerary allows plenty of time for safe acclimatization in addition to experienced guides, crew, and porters.
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Michael “Mick” Parker was an accomplished Australian mountaineer who climbed extensively in the Himalaya and Karakorum. Mick summited five of the fourteen eight-thousanders and was on the cusp of becoming quite well-known in the mountaineering world when he died in 2009 at the age of 36. Michael suffered from a pulmonary oedema in the process of climbing Makalu in 2009. While he made it back to Kathmandu safely, Michael passed away from an unrelated cause of asphyxiation the following evening.

Mick was remembered for his generosity and would often go out of his way, not to just help family and friends, but also strangers. One tale of generosity was published in ‘The Sydney Morning Herald’.  In 2007 Mick rescued an Irish climber in the middle of a whiteout on K2 forgoing his chance to reach the summit.

In 2015 The Michael Parker Foundation, was established to uphold Mick’s legacy of generosity and educate and ease the hardships of disadvantaged children in Nepal, Northern Pakistan and Australia.

The first step to achieving Mick’s vision is to construct and outfit a hostel in the remote village of Suspa Kshamawati in northeastern Nepal. With the assistance of the World Expeditions Foundation, this project, already underway, will eventually be able to provide shelter and protection for dozens of Nepalese school children, but the Foundation has no intention of stopping there.

Here we interview Rob Prior, Board of Trustees for the Michael Parker Foundation to tell us more about the incredible life of Mick and the work of the Michael Parker Foundation.

Tell us more about Mick Parker?

Mick Parker was a very gifted and driven climber, with an ability to acclimatise at altitude with little difficulty, this allowed him to climb mountains without ever using oxygen which is accepted at the elite level of mountaineering as the "proper way" to climb.  As well as this he demonstrated a concern for the education of children particularly in the rural areas of Nepal. He was also known to sacrifice his own success on mountains to assist others. In fact he saved the life of an Irish climber on K2 on his own. Reading the book Spirit High will demonstrate many instances of his generosity both in Nepal and in Pakistan.

Mick was an accomplished mountaineer; can you tell us about his journey into mountaineering?

Mick's first climb was Mera Peak in Nepal, soon after that he climbed Aconcagua in the Andes (leaving the guide behind) he then climbed Kezi Sel and attempted Kongur in far West China. Not in order, he climbed Ama Dablam, Broad Peak, Choy Oyu, Manaslu, Gasherbrum 1 and Makalu. He had made other attempts on 8000 meter peaks and was beaten either by avalanche and snow conditions or wind. They include - Everest North ridge (wind), Dhaulagiri- twice (avalanches), Kanchenjunga (wind) and at previous times both Manaslu and Makalu (snow and wind). Mick was on K2 when he rescued another climber. Michael climbed to more than 8000 meters on most if not all the aforementioned mountains.

The mountains of Nepal captured Mick’s adventurous spirit, but something else in Nepal captured his heart, can you tell us more about Mick’s commitment to the people of Nepal?

On returning home after many of his expeditions he would relay to his parents (particularly his mother) that when he finished with climbing he wanted to go back to the mountains and try to do something to help educate the children. He was already in the habit of carrying and distributing pencils and notebooks into the back country while on climbing trips, where even black boards were unknown. After he died in Nepal, his family decided that they would carry out what he wanted to do with his life. The Michael Parker Foundation was established.

How did the Michael Parker Foundation become associated with the World Expeditions Foundation and the Kshamawati Suspa Secondary School in the Dolakha district of Nepal?

We were finding it difficult to find a trustworthy way of getting funds into Nepal. We contacted Ian Williams, director on the board of the World Expeditions Foundation, and a friend who I personally have known and respected for some time. Ian recommended the school as a project and provided us with finer details as to their need and the quality of their leadership. The trustees of the MPF accepted that Kshamawati Suspa Secondary School was a worthwhile project to direct MPF funds. We must thank WEF for handling the transactions since that time.

Is the MPF committed to the Kshamawati Secondary School long-term?

Our plans are to assist the Kshamawati Secondary School to complete the dormitory building, so that students from surrounding villages can reside at the school during the week, making the most of the education opportunities at the school and avoiding the long daily walks to school. Then we will need to examine what else may be required at the school. In the long-term we will search out other projects, maybe further away from the towns in more remote mountain communities.

How can people learn more about Mick and the MPF?

To learn more about Mick or help contribute to The Michael Parker Foundation project you can:

• Purchase the book Spirit High, written by celebrated biographer James Knight. Spirit High tells the story of Mick’s inspiring life and, most importantly, roughly $10 from every sale of Spirit High will be donated directly to The Michael Parker Foundation, helping them to continue the work that Mick never had time to complete.
• Donate directly to The Michael Parker Foundation

By training and empowering local people on our treks in Nepal, we are able to provide positive employment opportunities and secure incomes. At the same time, you as a traveler benefit through the authentic experience and knowledge that a Nepali guide imparts.

From the feedback that we have received from previous trekkers, we know that our Nepal trekking guides really make a difference on your trip and so we wanted to introduce you to Sanjay Kumar Lama, who has been leading trips in the Tibetan and Nepali Himalayas since 2009. Some of you may have had the pleasure to trek with him in the past, while others may meet him on a future trekking holiday.

Can you please tell us about yourself?

I am Sanjay Kumar Lama and I am originally from Phidim, in the Panchthar district of Eastern Nepal. For the last 23 years I have been living in Kathmandu though. My mother and three sisters live in my hometown of Phidim and in my leisure time, I visit them and my friends.

I like to follow sports, music, study; I enjoy cafe life and love to travel with friends in the various parts of the country or overseas.

How did you become a trekking guide?

After completion of my graduation, I went on a small trip to Pokhara with some of my close friends which was fantastic. I became interested in exploring the beauty of nature and then I decided to become a professional trekking guide.

Later I applied for the role of trek leader with World Expeditions in Nepal. The company hired me as a co-leader for a few years and I then received first aid training by Dr. Jim Duff, KEEP and other Nepali doctors. I have now been leading groups as a trek leader since 2009 in the various sectors of Nepal and Tibet.

As a Nepali guide, what are your responsibilities on a trek?

I have the huge responsibility of looking after travellers and crew during the trip. Some aspects of this are safety, health issues, communication and coordination, assessing the weather condition, taking care of accommodation and the variation of food. Besides that, as a Nepali guide, I give explanation and information about different ethnic groups we meet and their culture, history and religion. We inform people about the landscape of the Himalaya and its flora, fauna and the mountains.

Basically, my main responsibility is to make sure everything is in the right place to run a trip smoothly and easily so that everyone can enjoy it to the fullest.

We trek with minimal impact on the ecosystem and the safety of the clients and the crew is my prime responsibility during all treks.

What do you like best about your job?

The best thing about my job is exploring the beauty of nature and to travel from one place to another, while playing sports and card games with the trekkers.

I particularly enjoy the last night of the trip when we usually have a celebration, which is the moment that makes us all happy and relaxed. I then get an opportunity to explore the diversity of different types of people. I can experience a little of their lifestyle, culture, and I enjoy when trekkers explain about their travels to different places. The whole team and all of the clients join the celebration and enjoy the party.

I enjoy talking with clients and learning about where they come from, their jobs, families and traditions from all over the world, even though I have not visited their home countries myself.

Due to the seasonality of my job I can do any extra activities in the off season, like socialization, study, and travel in Nepal or overseas.

What is your favourite place in Nepal?

The Gokyo Ri has the best viewpoint that I have seen, because of the views of the Gokyo Lakes, Ngozumba glacier and also 360° views of the snow-capped peaks along with Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Makalu and Lhotse.

The Annapurna circuit is one of my favourite trekking routes due to the diversity in culture and ethnic groups, but also of the wide variety of flora, fauna and the landscape. The views of the Annapurna, Manaslu and Dhaulagiri ranges are one of my favourites as well.

What, in your career as a trekking guide in Nepal, is your best memory ever?

Being a trekking guide in Nepal is wonderful. It is one of the best job options in adventure sports in Nepal. A trekking guide requires essential criteria like leadership skills, responsibility, honesty, dedication, professionalism, confidence, knowledge, communication, patience, efficiency, tolerance, sensitivity as well as physical fitness and first aid knowledge.

I have both good and bad memories so far of the trips. The best memory of my career was to witness the spectacular views of the Himalayas and Tibetan plateau from the plane when I was flying to Lhasa from Kathmandu to begin the High Road to Lhasa trip in 2010.

I have done many trips under very different circumstances and I have gone through for example variable weather conditions in wilderness settings, seen a lack of fitness and, with both clients and crew, mountain sickness (AMS). Some situations can be challenging to deal with, but I have proven to manage these well.

Working as a leader in Nepal is a way of making a living and I have the opportunity to explore whilst having lots of fun because of my job. It is very interesting to work with people from all around the globe with different backgrounds. It has also allowed me to travel to Australia and New Zealand.

How can travellers best support the remote villages they trek through?

People should best contact a charity (Community Project) that can provide information on how to best help those people who are in need. World Expeditions run a number of charity travel adventure holidays in Nepal which are a big support to the remote villages that the clients trek through.

Our projects help support education of children, health, safe drinking water etc. Travellres are directly involved in renovating and building the schools or hospitals in the remote village they trek through.

[red. Learn more about the World Expeditions Foundation]

What is your number 1 advice for people who are considering a trek in Nepal?

Make your trip to Nepal through a renowned company and make sure to support local tourism.

Is there anything else you would like to say?

World Expeditions is one of the best and well-known companies who operate trips across the globe. They give leaders like me an opportunity to serve you to make your adventure dreams come true. You won’t just go on a holiday, instead you support all the stake holders wherever you go on a trip. Be well prepared before doing any trip.

Be responsible travellers and enjoy the adventure of being alive.

Leaders in the Field

World Expeditions has always held the view that our operations in all parts of the world should be managed and operated by people of the host country. By training and empowering local people, we are able to provide them with positive employment opportunities and a secure income, while our travellers benefit through the authentic experience that they are able to impart. We are very proud of the calibre of our staff and guides, read much more about them if you wish.

Retiring from his position at the Service late last year, Paul Connelly had set himself a goal to achieve with his newfound time: improve his fitness and health and see a bit of the world along the way. Taking up a challenge – whether personal, professional or for a charity – was not alien to him and so he compiled his own personal bucket list to keep him occupied. The first point to tick off was to trek to Everest Base Camp and see the wonders of the mountains in this area of the Himalayas. And with that goal in mind, Paul’s Everest Base Camp review starts…

I was daunted by the number of companies that were keen to take you trekking and all had slightly different ways of achieving the goal of getting to Everest Base Camp at 5336M above sea level as safely as possible. After a good bit of research, I decided to go with World Expeditions. They seemed to have everything I was looking for: a good reputation, a fair and ethical policy for looking after the porters and Sherpas, provided all of our food, and were sensitive to the environment that we would be travelling through. So, I booked via their London office and was a regular voice on the phone asking all sorts of questions in an effort to be as prepared as possible. I have to say I was delighted at the support and advice I received prior to the trip, which filled me with great hope for the actual trek itself.

I was daunted by the number of companies that were keen to take you trekking.

I opted to go late March, early April as I was hoping to see the teams prepare to make the summit of Everest, which is usually achieved from May each year. After three flights, I arrived safely in Kathmandu where I later that evening met my group, another 8 people, all under the watchful eye of Binod Llama our head guide and his team comprising of porters, Sherpas and cooks who would be with us every step of the way. We all got to know each other on a day of sightseeing in Kathmandu before we left the next morning on the first flight out to Lukla.

Paul taking in the views on his Everest Base Camp trek

Below I like to share my Everest Base Camp reviews on specific topics:

Mountain Flights

After the briefest of safety demonstrations and a lump of cotton wool for our ears, we were off on a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. Soon we were greeted with the most magnificent views of the Himalayan mountain range as we weaved in and out of the many mountain valleys that encountered. One of our team is a commercial pilot and kept drawing our attention to the almost constant stream of alarms from the cockpit which apparently indicated how close we were flying to the mountains.

In the Himalayas, the weather is a constantly changing phenomenon and en-route clouds had covered Lukla airport meaning that we could no longer land there. Instead we ended up in a military base and were surrounded by the Nepalese Army who were taking part in their morning fitness drills. After a 2.5-hour delay, Lukla was a welcome site to see on the side of the mountain. Shortly after a brief stop for lunch consisting of spiced potatoes, cabbage and carrots with some mango tea we were finally off to our first destination of Ghatt at 2600M. The sites and views were already amazing with us all looking at each other and saying WOW just about every time we rounded a corner and saw the view ahead.

Private Eco Camps

Each day, we were wakened around 5.30am by our Sherpas with the customary mug of hot, black tea and a bowl of washing water, always with a smile on their face and always happy to help.

One of the things we quick found out was that when it was sunny, it meant nice and warm temperatures on the trails during the day. However, the minute the sun goes down it very quickly turns freezing cold. Fortunately, the sleeping bags that were provided by World Expeditions were great for the climate and on that first night in the mountains, I had one of the best sleeps I have had in ages.

For this time of year, we had an unusually cold night, which required us to stay overnight in one of the teahouses along the trail. The stay made us all glad that we opted for the tent option for our stay and we are all of the same opinion that, given the option, we would rather use a tent.

The mantra here is to 'hike high, sleep low.'

Rest (or Rather, Acclimatisation) Days

The mantra on our Everest Base Camp trip is to 'hike high, sleep low'. This meant that on one of our first days, lunch was followed by an acclimatisation walk up for a few hundred meters.

We had two more rest and acclimatisation days on the trip. The first included a 2-hour walk up to a hotel at 3880m and as it was a clear day we were greeted with the most amazing views of Everest, Ama Dablam and the surrounding mountains, which is a sight that is hard to beat. Watching the clouds sweep off of the summit of the world’s highest point is amazing and something I will remember forever. On day 4 of the trek, I definitely feel I am higher as I am beginning to feel lightheaded, and food does not offer the same appeal as it did previously.

On day 7 there is a second rest and acclimatisation day at Dingboche. As we have learned by now, rest doesn't actually mean resting as we still have to climb higher up to 4600m and rest up there for an hour or so before heading back to camp. After lunch, we did get some rest on a stunning day with the most amazing mountain views and the cleanest, if not thinnest air I have ever breathed in.

The Food

The area that we walk through on the Everest Base Camp trek, has extremely fertile land so it is well populated with farmers growing their own vegetables. Meat is scarce so our diet would be made up of mainly vegetables, rice and pulses but we were well fed throughout the trip, even though it did get harder to eat the higher that we climbed.

We were well fed throughout the trip, even though it did get harder to eat the higher that we climbed.

Our food, despite the altitude on the later part of our trek, remains fantastic and is prepared each day for us by our 2 ‘kitchen boys.’ Our Sherpas Binod and Sorran are constantly monitoring us for signs of Acute Mountain Sickness and make sure we don't eat anything we shouldn’t.

The Support Team

At night in the dining hall conversation often turns to how everyone is feeling, and it is clear further on in the trip that a number of our group are beginning to suffer. Everyone in our group, except me, is now taking Diamox which is an over-the-counter medicine used by many to help with symptoms of altitude.

Our porter team, who lug the majority of our bags up the mountains for us, are a friendly bunch of guys who are among the hardest working people I have ever seen and are also among the strongest people I have ever seen.

As a roundup, the trip was amazing, over the course of 2 weeks I lost a stone in weight, gained new friends from around the world and got a thirst for going on more adventures. It only goes to show that retirement doesn't mean that we are at the end of things but for me, hopefully I am just at the start.

View other treks that take in Everest Base Camp with World Expeditions here.

Several weeks ago, we introduced you to Peter Griffith who was preparing for his Everest High Passes trek. Early November he returned from this trip that also included an Everest Base Camp Trek. Reviews from Peter of the trek have been very positive and we wanted to share his experiences and feedback with you via this way.

Read on to find out about the best meal on Everest, according to Peter, what it’s like to be trekking with a group of unknown people from around the world, and of course for an update on his fundraising efforts!

1. What would your high passes and Everest Base Camp trek reviews be?

The higher passes trip on Everest was perfect for me, a really good choice. It ticked all the boxes for me and exceeded my expectations.

2. What do you think about your Nepalese guides?

The Nepalese guides on our Everest High Passes trek were truly incredible. They kept us safe and helped anyone who was struggling as they really wanted us all to finish strong. I cannot praise them enough!!

3. What do you think of trekking on Everest with an international group of unfamiliar people?

Initially that was my main concern, as I am not really a people person, but they were a great group to trek with. We had lots of laughs and banter. We all gelled really well and had different strengths, which made it a great experience to for example be at Everest Base Camp together.

4. What item were you most happy with to have brought along?

My hiking poles. They really helped your knees, especially on the descent. If I had to review what I had missed most while trekking, it must have been my bed. I was so glad to be home and in my own bed again!

5. What meal you had on the trek would you review best?

Chilli chicken in Namche Bazaar on our return was definitely the best food I had on the trek. As firstly it was so delicious, but it had also been quite a while since we had fresh meat and it was prepared nice and spicy, which I love.

Overlooking Gokyo Lakes in Nepal

6. How did the fundraising for your charity go?

Fund raising went well, I raised over £800 so the charity should be able to do some good things for our veterans, they were in contact all through my trip and posted updates on their social media sites. I even received a donation from a couple on another World Expeditions that I met along the way. I had dinner with them and they had noticed my Care After Combat flag on my day pack.

7. Ahead of your trip you did quite some preparations, did it pay off?

Yes, the preparation I did ahead of my Everest High Passes trek did pay off! I was the least experienced trekker in our group, so mammoth for a first challenge. I am very proud that I completed, and without any altitude medication!

8. Was the mental or physical challenge easier to deal with on your trek?

For me the mental challenge was easier to deal with on the Everest trek, but really they go hand in hand. You will not succeed in completing the Everest High Passes trek and making it to Everest Base Camp without both strengths.

Physically the trek was an extreme challenge in my opinion. Day after day, just putting one foot in front of the other, for up to 7 hours. Because of the altitude it was just so hard. Some days we starting trekking at 4am, to get over the passes before daylight and take in the best views.

9. What did you learn about the way of life in the Himalayas?

Nepalese mountain people were all warm and welcoming. I find it amazing how truly happy they all seemed, considering they live in such extreme conditions. It is a totally different way of life to living in UK, but I think travel is good for us all to see how other people live.

10. What would you like to say to other people thinking about trekking in Nepal?

Do not give it a second thought! Get your trip booked with World Expeditions wherever you decide to go, my feedback has been praising. In the Himalayas, if you want to experience something amazing in one of the world’s most beautiful and breath-taking surroundings, you will not be disappointed, get preparing!!!!

Other people have also given their feedback on our Everest High Passes trek and if you like to find out about our other Everest Base Camp trek reviews you can have a look at the trip of your interest in this Everest Base Camp trekking overview.

Peter joined our Everest High Passes trek and you too can take up this challenge in the months of March, September or October. To find out about the exact dates, have a look at the trip description or get in touch with our team of travel experts around the world.

Florian, a 31-year-old attorney from Zurich, Switzerland, likes being in the mountains. So much, that he spontaneously decided to do the full 152-day Great Himalaya Trail (GHT) in Nepal with us earlier this year. His advice for anybody contemplating to join this trek: “Don’t overthink it, just book!”.

Here’s a unique insight into life on the (Great Himalaya) Trail brought to you by Florian.

When I got back from the GHT, I went to climb some 4,000ers in Switzerland. Everything felt so small, almost like a miniature model!

You live in Switzerland, have you always been drawn to trekking in the mountains?

I always liked the mountains and started to hike and ski at an early age. I wouldn't say that I do much sport, I just like being in the mountains, I also like photography and going trekking is a great combination of these hobbies. In Switzerland, I do mostly day trips or stay in a hut one or two nights, but I haven’t done longer treks. The first serious trekking was 10 years ago, when I hiked up Kilimanjaro. Since then, I have been to Nepal, Tibet and Ecuador. Having the Alps close by is nice, but of the course the Himalayas are a totally different dimension. When I got back from the GHT, I went to climb some 4,000ers in Switzerland. Everything felt so small, almost like a miniature model!

A trip like the Great Himalaya Trail isn’t something that you’d do every year, what’s the story behind you taking up this adventure?

I only learned about the Great Himalaya Trail last October on a trip to Tibet. One of the participants and our guide had done the GHT in 2013 and talked about it. When I got back to Kathmandu, I bought some literature and maps and decided that 2016 would be the perfect opportunity for a longer trip. I had been to Nepal twice before and knew that I was going to come back to this beautiful country anyway some day. So I figured, why not do the GHT before I have seen too much of Nepal to make it a "new" experience. Also, I'm glad that we could help employ at least some people after last year's earthquake and show that it's possible to trek through Nepal despite the damage (which is quite devastating in some places, but also very concentrated).

World Expeditions has a lot of experience with this trip and the crew will go to a super-human effort to make everything work!

What were your expectations of this Himalaya trekking trip?

As I booked rather spontaneously, I didn't think about it too much beforehand. I expected to spend time among the really high Himalayan mountains of Nepal and I didn't get disappointed there. I was a bit surprised about section 7, which at times is almost tropical (hot and humid even above 2,000m).

What surprised you the most on the Great Himalaya Trail?

Since I had been to Nepal before, I had an idea of what to expect and didn't really get surprised. But what surprised most people I have talked to since getting back, is that such a long trek does not get boring, even though the days all look almost the same: Wake-up tea, breakfast, walking, lunch, walking, setting up camp, washing, afternoon tea, dinner. But the scenery offers something new on most days and even though Hilsa, on the Tibetan border, seems a long way at the beginning, you have a clear goal.

What is the most memorable moment you had on the GHT?

It's impossible to identify a single moment. Every time I think about it, a different moment comes to mind. It's such a long trip and you experience so many great things along the way... Be it a spectacular view of 8,000ers, a magnificent camping spot, a clear night with countless stars (something you really don't get to see in a densely populated country such as Switzerland). When I selected the pictures for this interview, I thought a few times: I want to see or do that again.

While I don't really miss the tent now, it was always nice to see our little yellow houses at the end of the day.

What was the group spirit like?

Luckily, we were a rather big group of "full traversers" this year. So when somebody had a bad day, there were other people in a better mood to put things into perspective. Trekking in a bigger group also helps you avoid getting tired of each other on those long link sections where it's just the full traversers. And of course there's the Nepali crew who are always cheerful, no matter what the conditions. It was also great to get new group members every couple of weeks who joined us for just one section of the Great Himalaya Trail [red. there are 7 sections on the Great Himalaya Trail in total]. I think this sort of adventure tends to attract people who can handle the occasionally adverse conditions on a trekking, so we didn't have any real dramas...

What was it like to be camping for 5 months?

Since I've only been on one (short) camping trip before the GHT, I was a bit worried about the camping. It's important to bring a thick, robust mat (more than once, we had to camp on rocks.). But you get quickly used to it and the different challenges the weather brings (frozen zippers, broken tent poles, sauna-like temperatures, etc.). I never had any problems sleeping, but you want to bring good earplugs or listen to music in the evening. Many nights were rather loud due to howling and barking dogs... On the first few sections of the trail, you are pretty much limited to the bowl of warm water you get twice a day for washing. Towards summer, it was also possible to jump into a river a couple of times. While I don't really miss the tent now, it was always nice to see our little yellow houses at the end of the day.

How tough is the Great Himalaya Trail?

I actually expected much worse! Out of the 140 days or so of hiking, maybe 10 were tough with regard to distance, terrain, etc. Another 10 were tough in terms of weather (rain, hot, cold, etc.). The rest of the time, the daily walks were not too challenging, perhaps 3 hours in the morning and another 2 after lunch. The bigger challenge is on a mental level: Dealing with the fact that you have to continue walking the next day, no matter what the weather. And accepting that there will be no hot shower and dry bed once you reach camp. We were a bit surprised that the sections at the beginning were "easier" than sections 4-7 in terms of walking time. The less challenging the terrain, the longer you walk (and we thought after section 2 that the worst was over now...). It's amazing to see how fit you get over time. First, you can't even keep up with the porters. After some sections, you often reach camp before them. And towards the end you might even be able to catch up with the kitchen crew, the fastest of the fast! So if you're reasonably fit and don't get injured on the trail, the GHT is an achievable goal. On a technical level, it certainly helps if you have some experience with climbing and abseiling, preferably also in cold conditions. This will take a lot of stress off the high pass-crossings. And be prepared for a lot of rock-hopping and balancing...

If you would do a similar trek like this again and could only choose one item to bring, what would it be?

Probably my warm sleeping bag. No matter how tough the day was, once you're all warm in your sleeping bag, everything is forgotten.

While selecting the pictures for this interview, I thought a few times: I want to see or do that again.

How would you describe the GHT in 5 words?

The experience of a lifetime!

If there was one advice that you could give to people who are considering doing this 150-day trek in the Himalayas of Nepal as well, what would it be?

Don't overthink it, just book. Theoretically, very many things could go wrong. But World Expeditions has a lot of experience with this trip in Nepal’s Himalaya and the crew will go to a super-human effort to make everything work!

Want to have the same adventure of a lifetime as Florian had? You can! The 150-day Great Himalaya Trail departs each year in February. For dates and details, why not have a look at the Himalaya trekking adventure’s page. And if you like to get more details on the Great Himalaya Trail full traverse, our adventure travel consultants are on hand to give you all the information you require. You can find them in our travel offices around the world and reach them by phone or email.

©Text & Images by Florian Wegmann

Allow us to introduce you to Peter Griffiths. Fifty years old, married to Julie and together they have a son Ryan age 18 and a 14-year-old daughter Jess. The family lives in Bishops Waltham, Hampshire, in the United Kingdom. Peter spends most of his time running his own company, undertaking projects, custom building home cinemas and also all soundproofing projects, for both residential and commercial properties in the Uk and overseas. About himself, Peter says: “I have a relatively active lifestyle through my work, and enjoy active holidays with my family. I have always enjoyed walking and we spend quite a lot of our spare time walking in the South Downs or coastal walks on the South Coast of England.” In exactly one month, Peter will join us on the Everest High Passes trek in Nepal’s Himalaya and we sat down with him to hear about his preparation for the trek and how he choose to do this Everest trekking holiday.

Peter preparing for his Everest trekking trip

1. What made you decide to go on an Everest trekking trip?

"I decided on the trip to Nepal, because the culture and way of life have always appealed to me, along with the cuisine. I was fortune enough to spend some time with the Gurkhas while training with the army in the Brecon Beacons mountain range in South Wales.

2. How did you choose the Everest High Passes trek and what expectations do you have of it?

The Everest High Passes trek appealed to me as it was graded ‘challenging’. I wanted to push and test myself.

I expect to be challenged both physically and mentally, whilst trekking through some of the most breath-taking scenery in the world with people from all different walks of life.

3. How are you preparing for your Everest trek?

My preparation for this Everest trekking trip has included shedding over 2 stone in weight, building a gym in my basement and walking numerous miles weekly over varied terrain. My fitness routine has gradually increased with more cardio and longer walks with steeper hills. I am both physically and mentally prepared, and I think being an ex-solider has helped me with my preparation.

4. We heard you are raising funds for the charity Care After Combat?

That’s true, Care after Combat is a UK-based charity helping veterans settle back into civilian life. They have found adjusting to life on Civi street difficult and some get into trouble, for example they turn to alcohol and drugs to get by. I have seen first-hand how some ex squaddies struggle and I want to try and help and hopefully make a difference. It is a really good cause and a relatively new charity in the UK.

5. Are there ways we can follow you during your Everest trek?

Yes, you can follow me! I will be wearing a Go-pro (my wife kindly bought me one, just to check that I am actually trekking and not lying on a beach for 21 days!!!!). So I will send pictures back home when I can and post on my platform about the trek.

6. What, do you think, would be the most challenging aspect of the trek for you?

For me the challenge will be leaving my family to go on this adventure. They have been so supportive and they encourage me continuously, which I really appreciate.

7. And what is the one thing of this trip that you most look forward to?

For me I look forward to the personal challenge, both physically and mentally. If at the same time I can raise some donations for Care after Combat that will be a very good feeling, and a feeling of success for myself and that I am doing something for others.

Thank you so much for your help, kindness and generosity."

Peter, we wish you a fantastic Everest trekking trip ahead and would love to hear from you upon your return!

Curious to find out what Everest trekking holiday Peter will be joining next month? Find out more about our Everest High Passes trek and download the trip notes, or get in touch with our team of travel experts around the world for a personal consult.

Peter has informed us that if you are interested and would be kind enough to donate to his cause, because most of us do know or know of a veteran, you can visit his charity page for more details.