EBC is already a once in a lifetime adventure, but we were absolutely not prepared for how truly special it ended up being! And this was all thanks to our incredible guides, Pasang Sherpa, Sauman and Birkaji.
Pasang Sherpa is the kind of person that makes you feel like he is not just your guide, but your friend. From the moment we met him, we instantly felt like we could trust him with our lives. He genuinely cares for the well-being and safety of the group, which became more evident as we got to spend more time with him. When we got sick, he was there listening to every worry, every symptom, every complaint, and knew exactly what to do and exactly what to say. Since it was a stomach bug, he encouraged us to keep going but still gave us time to rest and recover, all while constantly checking on us and even getting us the right medicines. He is resourceful and we felt like everywhere we went, people truly respected him. This is the kind of person that you want to be with for this trip. We felt so lucky to have gotten the best of the best, and also gained a friend along the way. He also had the incredible gesture of getting me a birthday cake on the last day of my trek since it was my birthday. This gesture earned Pasang an extra special place in my heart, knowing he does these kinds of things for his groups, just to make the experience that much more special.
For Sauman and Birkaji, our assistant guides, the word phenomenal feels short. It’s hard to describe how much enthusiasm, kindness and positivity Sauman and Birkaji brought into the group. They are the best people to be around, always smiling and making sure you’re doing well. I want to thank Sauman specifically for how exceptionally he behaved with my wife, who was the first to get sick and was almost unable to walk on one of the days. He carried her day pack, stopped multiple times to ensure she rested and stayed hydrated, and even suggested the best way forward to ensure her safety and well-being. He then offered the same things for me when I got sick as well. Not only did we feel safe, but we had genuine fun trekking with him, laughing at his jokes and listening to his great music. I truly believe he is not only a great guide but also a great leader.
This just shows how this whole experience isn’t just about the trek. Doing this with people who genuinely care about you, people who have your back, who take care of you, and that make you feel safe and seen, is truly what sets this experience apart, and Pasang, Sauman and Birkaji made sure to do just that.
Gopal, our porter, not only carried our heavy bags filled with photo and video equipment but also assisted us in carrying our daypacks on the last day of the trek when my wife and I were at our sickest and weakest, making me immensely grateful for his help that I will never forget.
Do yourself a favor and book your EBC Trek with ACE the Himalaya, you won’t regret it.
