26 Aug 2023
Our 3 university-age grandsons and I (78-yr-old grampa) took a private trek with Bal Kumar Tamang and Sabin Khadka in May/June of 2023. Our porters were Tek and Som. We trekked about 40+ miles from Lukla Airport to Everest Base Camp EBC). Bal was lead guide and Sabin got his Lead Guide certification soon after our trip. Tek and Som each carried two of our four duffle bags every day. I worried about weather because we were at the close of the trekking season and at the beginning of the monsoon season. But ... our weather was spectacular. We had drizzle on the 2nd day and then usually clear days following. We celebrated at EBC, left some small stones etched with our names that our daughter had given us, and took the helicopter back to Lukla.
Bal and Sabin know their stuff and led us up and down every day. I say "down" because the trek is not a steady up to EBC. We had lots of downs into valleys - and then the resultant repeated "ups" that meant our total elevation gain was far more than the difference in elevation between Lukla and EBC!
Our two main goals were "success" and "safety" and we met them both. I was the oldest person Explore Himalayas had taken to EBC. Bal and Sabin set excellent pacing each day, widened our understanding of the wonderful country and the Everest area, and quickly became our friends. They demonstrated their skill, knowledge, easy relationships, and humor.
I have one lament. The last day planned for an early morning trek up Kala Patthar at 18,192' for the sunrise and great vistas. Our trek to/from EBC made for a fatiguing day and we elected NOT to get up early for another 6-8 hr trek. In retrospect, that was a mistake and I hope Bal and Sabin and other guides will recommend NOT deciding that option on the basis of day-before fatigue at high altitude.
I cannot compare Explore Himalayas to the other trekking companies, of course. I can - and do - give them an "A" for their excellence.