I researched a lot of tour companies that did this particular Gokyo-EBC trek before landing on Ace the Himalaya. The information they provide on their website is very clear, comprehensive and easy to navigate. But importantly, they team was super-responsive to my initial, and later, final planning inquiries. They were also pro-active in letting us know about important information we’d need such as travel insurance, completing the online view form, etc. It was a very seamless experience with the pickup / dropoffs and everything was taken care off at the hotel/s we stayed in at Kathmandu.
Both our trek guide (Kumar) and porter (Ratna) were just incredible. While we started as a group of 12 tourists and 4 guides, my friend and I split up with the rest after Namche Bazaar to pursue the Gokyo – Cho La Pass – EBC route. Kumar and Ratna were with us the entire time, super-responsive to any requests or concerns we had, and did everything they could to make our trek comfortable and safe. When we went up Gokyo-Ri, Kumar suggested that i keep it light, and so offered to carry my (relatively heavier) camera along with the first aid kit as we ascended to the summit. Ratna did the same for me on the trek to EBC. Kumar set a good, comfortable pace for us the entire journey, making sure we stopped frequently to rest, even if we felt we could keep going for a little longer. At the tea houses, both he and Ratna made sure we were taken care of before they took a break for a meal and rest. They also arranged for extra pillows / blankets whenever we needed them.
When i fell ill with an infection at Gorakshep, Ratna accompanied my friend up to Kala Patthar while Kumar attended to me. Working with their office, they also quickly arranged for a helicopter ride from Gorakshep to Lukla where i could see a doctor. The Ace team then quickly arranged for a heli ride back to Kathmandu from Lukla. On Friday morning we were in Gorakshep, and by Friday evening, we were back in Kathmandu!
We thoroughly enjoyed our trekking experience with Ace the Himalaya, and if we plan any future trip to the region, we will definitely call on them again. The certificate and scarf were a nice touch at the end, along with the celebration dinner with the team.