How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Through my active long life of travelling (I am 73) I have never come across a more professional tour leader. He was a caring intellectual person, taking care of each and one of us in terms of our well-being. Moreover, he was an excellent source of informaton about Nepal, its history, politics and culture. He simply was optimal.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

They should be careful in following Explore's advice when it comes to clothing and all equipment. This 11 days march is really challenging. Participants should be prepared for really tough uphills, and increasingly simpler accomodation as they move upwards. Perhaps, also people should be mentally prepared for NOT being able to reach Base Camp (in our group of six, two did not manage)

Do you have anything else to add?

Before departure for the Everest Base Camp, my wife and I had already booked another Explore trip (Tuscany). So far we have just turned dedicated Explore-fans, and are recommending Explore to all our Norwegian and international friends. Right now we are studying the Brochure, and planning for years ahead. We are really grateful for having discovered Explore!

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Sudarshan is and always will be a legend.  He couldn't do enough for us and Nepal was seen as magical through his eyes.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Prepare well physically and definitely heed the kit advice.  Never fun to be cold at night.  Although you can always find stuff on arrival in Kathmandu if you've forgotten anything.

Do you have anything else to add?

Every day the scenery changes, it becomes more and more rugged and more and more spectacular.  But the smiling faces of everyone you meet is still the same!  Still there, still willing you on to your goal.  I consider it a priviledge to have trekked in this part of the world and feel very lucky to have managed to get to the base of the worlds highest peak with such a lovely bunch of people.

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Sudarshan - wow, what a man!! So knowledable, there wasnt alot he couldnt answer! He had previously won tour leader of the year and quite rightly so! Su and the sherpas were outstanding, so attentative, and wothout their help we wouldnt have made it. Forever grateful to them all for a fabulous 2 weeks.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Take a logbook so you can look back on a truly amazing trip. The whole trip is one big adventure - the highs and the lows!

Do you have anything else to add?

Go on this trip for a trip you will never forget, with some of the most amazing, kindest, hardworking people you'll ever meet.

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Excellent

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

"Know what you are letting yourself in for, walking wise. Too many people attempt it without the relevant experience or knowledge of life on trek. Short, low level walks in the UK do NOT prepare one for walking at altitude. Forget about your Western home comforts, sanitation & cleanliness and be prepared to take the rough with the smooth. Read the trip dossier thoroughly as too many people do not take in some of the vital information within this.
IF YOU ARE NOT UP TO A CHALLENGING TREK LIKE THIS, DO NOT ATTEMPT. Too many try it who are not up to it."

Do you have anything else to add?

"Take lots of photos, take your time to look around and enjoy the magnificent surroundings, take a supply of Diamox, plenty of loo rolls, wet wipes, hand gel. Some gear & clothing can be bought in Kathmandu at a fraction of the cost of in the UK - make sure your boots are already broken in, don't buy them in Kathmandu!
EXPLORE PLEASE NOTE - in view of my comments above I believe YOU should be vetting clients by asking them for detailed information about what treks and walks they have previously done."

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Our tour leader was good, organised and very informative prior to each day of the trek so that we were prepared of what lay ahead of us. He was also good in dealing with members of the group that suffered from Altitude sickness, very knowledgeable, supportive and encouraging as well as keeping a watchful eye on us all to make sure we were all OK during the trek.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

"The trek is challenging, but if you have prepared beforehand with fitness (ie running, walking etc) you'll be fine.

Just take the trek steady, your group leaders will set a steady pace and take regular breaks and this works well. "

Do you have anything else to add?

"The scenery is breathtaking, and you have to pinch yourself to remind where you are and what you are doing. It is a great achievement, you'll meet some fantastic people, stay in some friendly and hospitable tea houses.

Most of all it's a fantastic experience, a great achievement and well worth doing."

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Su was amazing. Very intuitive to our needs and how we were coping.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Walking poles are essential. You cant manage without them. Take plenty of loo roll and tissues, they are very expensive at high altitude.

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Su was excellent, extremely efficient, knowledgeable and totally supportive in all our needs and difficulties.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

"Prepare mentally as well as physically for this trip, walking 12 days continuously is an effort in itself.
Always follow the tour leader's advice and instructions as this is a dangerous environment not to be taken lightly."

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Excellent, considerate, calm, measured and a pleasure to be led by.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Firstly a sense of humour is paramount! Remember any dis-pleasure is short lived...none of the hardships will last forever...remember where in the world you are and how fortunate you are to be there!

Do you have anything else to add?

"A quality lodge with a decent loo and a hot shower two of three times on the trek would enhance this trip immensley.
3 nights of standard tea house followed by 1 of superior would be fantastic.    
"

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Absolutely amazing, sub human a wonderful person!

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Train and take the minimum kit!

Do you have anything else to add?

This was a life changing experience,  am now looking for my next challenge!

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Incredible, Su's care, attention to detail and constant smile added a really priceless dimension to the tour. I am sure there was a multitude of work going on in the background that we never ever saw however the service was seamless.  

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

That a degree of fitness is required... along with an open mind, its an experience but then I guess the type of person that would book this tour would probably have done their reasearch anyway!?

Do you have anything else to add?

In this instance as I am completing this from a slightly different angle, a very privledged angle. I would just like to say once again, thank you for the most amazing opportunity, I feel truly blessed to have walked where so few ever venture in their lifetime.

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Our tour leader Sudarshan had previously one "Tour Leader of the Year" with Explore and he truly was an amazing guide. I've done my fair share of tours and Su was a shinning example of how things should be done. He was informative, funny, kind hearted, humble, yet firm. He could answer all questions about the mountains, the people, the flora and fauna. Whether he was a leader or not, he'd be a great person to go on holiday with.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Train, train, train, the fitter you are the more you will enjoy it. You don't need to be able to run a marathon but you do need to be able to walk one at least. Train with a pack on to! Buy good boots, good ear plugs (those tea house walls are very thin) and get yourself a pair of binoculars (it's the easiest way to get to the top of those peaks).

Do you have anything else to add?

This is an amazing experience. It's a lot of hard work. It's not a holiday...its much better than that!

Trip highlights were being flown into Lukla by helicopter and reaching Everest Base Camp. Our guide and Sherpas were wonderfiul; helpful, supportive and full of useful local information.My advice would be to make sure you pack for dressing in layers as the weather changes very quickly.

This tour cannot be done justice with words or a camera lens; it has to be experienced to be believed! My tour leader, a former tour leader of the year winner was kind, caring, incredibly knowledgeable, a great leader and became a great friend. He brought the tour to life through his stories of personal experience in Nepal. The scenery is just stunning and ever changing, starting in the lush, fertile valleys, and trekking through and above the tree-line on to a mars-like landscape, all the while flanked by towering, dramatic snow-topped mountains. Team this scenery with a culture of incredibly friendly, humble people, from sherpas helping you along the way to local villagers and farmers this tour makes for an all around experience. Summiting Kala Pattar and taking in the 360 degree view of the highest and most dramatic mountain range on earth, is a moment that will stay with me forever. ( EB - 11th July 2008)