I can’t say enough good things about Ace the Himalaya. Prem and Sujan in the office helpfully answered our pre-trek questions promptly. Met at airport by our guide, Raj, with marigold leis.
From start to finish, Raj was there with guidance and support. Supposed to start our trek on 3/3, but flight to Lukla cancelled due to bad weather (not uncommon).
It was third day in a row of flight cancellations, so lots of people stuck in Kathmandu or Manthali- where many had opted to go to get Lukla flights. Raj explained our options: our group decided to book helicopter for next day (cost split 5 ways), and took helicopter to Lukla- amazing views of mountains and hills on way to Lukla. Later found out this was good decision as some stuck in Manthali with other outfitters had to switch to other treks as not enough time to get to EBC. Started our trek.
Other than a little rain on day 1 had pretty clear weather, though still cold. On Day 2 stairs to Namche nearly took me out (I’m short, and many stairs came up to my thigh), but Raj’s encouragement: “Drink, drink” and “Walk slowly, slowly” got me through (my advice if you’re short is to add more step ups to your training regimen!) Raj often checked in with us to make sure we had no symptoms of AMS and checked our O2 saturations daily.
Every day we would arrive at tea house to find our bags already there by our amazing porters Naryana, Sher Bahadur and Paisal. Naryana also made delicious fruit platters for us every night and filtered water for the trek- until the filter froze in Lobuche. Teahouse accommodations become more basic the higher you go up the hill: at first, rooms with private bathroom, flush toilet become shared bathroom with bucket flush toilet and outdoor sink. This shouldn’t be surprising since Gorak Shep teahouse is at 17,027 ft, and all supplies must be carried there. Views are absolutely amazing and cannot be adequately described.
Raj was extremely informative, knowing all the heights of the mountains, routes to climb, etc. He also knows everyone on the trail: he has been a guide with Ace since they started 17 years ago. Route to EBC has many amazing views: Ama Dablum-wow- and cool suspension bridges to walk over, including the double Hilary bridge. We were also able to visit Tengboche Monastery. On the base camp day, you hike from Lobuche to Gorak Shep, rest for an hour and then go to EBC at 17,598 ft.
Climbing moraine to Gorak Shep wiped me out: Raj was so helpful carrying my pack and helping to find the best route over the large boulders (he did the same thing the next day on the way back). Just took my phone, poles and snickers bar to EBC (my husband carried water), and it was still difficult, but I made it! Beautiful bowl surrounded by mountains Pumo Ri, Lingtren, Khumbutse, Lho La and the wall of Nuptse with the top of Everest and the South Col just behind it.
Great views of Khumbu Icefall and Khumbu Glacier: you walk across glacier to get to EBC. Many photos and then back to Gorak Shep for a well-deserved rest. On the way back to Lukla, my husband and I decided the last 2 days of the trek might be a little much for us: Raj got helicopter for us (shared) and even got us on a flight to Lukla the same day!
As a final example of the awesome individual attention given by Ace, my husband’s 60th birthday was during our trek. Raj bought a cake from Cafe 4410 in Dingboche (if you’re ever in Dingboche, go there), our porters secretly carried it to Lobuche, and they surprised my husband (and me) with an impromptu birthday party! Yes, Raj planned a birthday party at 16,503 ft! If you’re going to trek to EBC, go with Ace the Himalaya!
