The First of all, Tour manager Mr Laxman has been very very kind, patient and helpful, always smiling and given me a great support. Thank you so much for all your help.
However, My experience with the Sharpa guide was a nightmare.
He was grumpy and cold. blaming me for everything and becoming little aggressive attitude too. other trekkers and lodge owner saw the attitude of my guide and asked me if I was ok.
I have reported to Mr Laxman. He did his best to help me.
But the situation were getting worse every single day. It was horrible.
At the end, I was afraid and very uncomfortable with him. one very kind trekker realised the situation, then He decided to come back to Kathmandu with me.
(All Trekkers, Other guide, Local people has been very very kind. I continued this
Trip just becasue I met beautiful people along the way. Also, Nepal is very safe place for female to travel alone!! I’ve been unlucky about a guide! )
Everything started at the Day1 already.
●He does not communicate with me. He tells me the name of mountains but nothing else….. No smiling. I try to be positive everyday, try to smile and laugh. But he keeps his poker face.
●I didnt book the Porter but I was struggling with a heavy bag on the way to the destination that day.
The Guide suggested me to book the porter, and I needed to decide as soon as possible
as the porter were coming from other town. I agreed with the price he told me,
then we continued to walk to the destination. when we arrived, he suddenly told me
the price he offer was a mistake. He told me to pay more.....
I felt tricked. thought He is mugging me off... (the porter were his father in law.... )
●one morning at the Dimboche, We were going to hike up to lobche that day.
I was not feeling too great in the morning, Ive spoke to the guide , I was not really sure I can walk… I felt I needed one extra day to fully recover myself. As I had a bag of 13kg and I felt exhausted. But the guide said ”don’t worry when you are tired I will help you to carry some of my thing in the bag. And if you really exhausted I will carry your bag” It was very nice of him, because he is already helping me to carry by sleeping bag and crampons. I asked him “are you sure? you are already helping me with sleeping bag and crampons” and he said ”Don’t worry. I will help you”
I trusted his word so started to walk.
After the lunch, I was not feeling very well. Super exhausted.
I asked him if he can help me to carry some of my thing in the bag and ha said
”No I can not. My shoulder is pain and I already carrying your sleeping bag and crampons and it’s heavy!” Like that!!!!!
I ccouldn’t understand what was going on for a second.
He told me I need to start walk as soon as possible becasue it will be windy….. (I had literally sat for about 30minute)
It was one of the most difficult day.
It was cold, heavy, I was exhausted and unwell…. And He was walking ahead of me,
I couldnt see where he was. No body were around me. I was alone…. Then started to snow…..
I was stuck in Yak traffic and he said
“If you wait everytime yak comes then it will be night time” in mean way.
I was destroyed mentally, physically..
Thankfully it was suuuuper nice lodge. And amazing owner and many fun rekkers.
I had great evening at the lodge with them…
●He forgot my sleeping bag at the lodge:
it is ok to forget something. We all make mistake. But his attitude were horrendous.
When he realised he forgot it, He point at me, saying with very aggressive manner
Saying ”I gave it to you! Last night” like that for few times.
(He didn’t give it to me. I clearly remember, becasue I was talking whole night with lodge owner as the one Japanese guy went missing few days ago, and me and the owner were discussing about the details about this guy to report to the Japanese embassy.I have checked with lodge owner and he also said my guide didn’t approached me that night. )
Some other trekker saw my guide attitude.They approached me and asked me if I was ok.
●oneday I had high-altitude sickness , we were going to lobche from EBC but I couldnt move anymore and it was already passed midday. I asked the guide how long does it take to go to lobche and it seems impossible to make it that day. (He told me we will reach at 8pm…!!!)so I asked the Guide if I can stay one extra night at Gorakshep instead . Then he got very upset saying “YOU SAID YOU WANT TO STAY AT LONCHE LAST NIGHT! NOW YOU NEED TO PAY THE CANCELATION FEE!!” Like that…. Very mean way. I don’t know if he really think I could walk to lobche….. I wanted to cry that moment. so I called the lodge owner to cancel the stay. The lodge owner said “at the mountain, anything can happen. Your health is the most important. Don’t worry about your cancel, just take care of youself” like that. At that point I burst into tears.
That was it. When I went back to the lodge in Gorakshep,
I met other trekkers who were going back to lukla by Helicopter
I decided to go with them.
I was feeling unwell. But more than that, I could not imagine myself walking with this guide anymore. I had enough… mentally exhausted too. I was very sad.
It was my dream to go to Gokyo Ri too.
When I back to Kathmandu, Laxman listen to me very patiently.
Let me stay at his hotel for few days. I appreciated it.
But I will be very honest here, I wanted to guide fee back.
Becasue lodge were nice, Adventure Bond team were amazing, Hotel were so clean and fabulous, Food were delicious. Everything else were so lovely apart from the time with the guide.
When we want to trek on mountain must be physically fit and prepared ourself. Also Mental status does affect our performance BIG TIME! And this experience with the guide did NOT help me on that side.
anybody going to Trek in Nepal.
Be very careful who you are going to walk with.
the trail is extraordinary,,, and to be able to fully enjoy it,
if you feel the red-flag, do not hesitate to speak up.
I really hope nobody else experience same as me.
It is a once in a life experience.
I really hope this feedback help you in anyway.
Best regards,