Ace the Himalaya — Local services in Kathmandu Metropolitan City

I am writing this review before the finer points get diluted in my memory, may be it will not get forgotten so easily given the best experience I had going to EBC trek with “Ace the Himalaya” team and ofcourse our group of 11 champions on this trek! If you are planning for EBC trek, I would highly recommend signing up with this company and ask for “Ram” as your guide if he is available. Our group of 11 still feel lucky to have completed the trek without any issues even though we encountered roughest weather ever seen in Sept last week & Oct 1st week. For the record, heavy snow storm at 5K Meters with cold feet and hands, mentally exhausted after a couple of hours of walk and not knowing how far the tea-house is as its almost 0 visibility is what we got, which was supposedly an easier route to trek if weather was good as expected. Starting at Lukla(per Youtube, the most dangerous airstrip)6 days out of 12 day trek had gone really well as planned without any delays(except for our group walking at slower pace), 7/8/9 days were holding a great surprise for us with mountain weather being highly unpredictable as they say. 7th day on acclimatization day with lite snow felt really good, but 8th day with in snow storm almost felt like, should we go back to hotel or go to next destination as planned, as luck would have played its part, our group got divided into 2 groups with no communication(due to Technology not working up there).. ☹Ram gave me/us enough motivation to be able to walk through the storm without calling it quits(sometimes, it felt like its my last day being alive and may be my family will also build my memorial up in mountain).. ☹ Ram offered all kinds of help to make this trek to next destination possible without any physical injuries to us, he went out of his ways to get horse/mule help by running faster in that cold weather, which he himself had never seen it before. We are grateful to have Ram as our guide during this time and never could imagine doing this trek without him. While we were technically 1 day/1 destination away from Base camp, due to weather there were other group of hikers who decided to trek back by calling off their trip, but due to Ram/Ace’s connections we were able to secure hotel stay for the night and enabled us to complete the trek to EBC the next day! As a group we decided come what may, we want to hike to Base camp and complete the trek and may be fly back to Lukla to gain the day we lost due to weather! May be in the hindsight, we felt we shouldn’t have taken that risk of walking through snow-storm, but we were destined to see Everest in its all nature and the golden color of Everest smiling at me and bidding me goodbye during dusk time was enough to forget all worries we had during our trek! My review of mostly talking about rough days experience, but trust me guys, Ace team has selected one of the best tea-houses across the way and they offer purified water with less dependency on buying water all along the way, good and fresh food(stick to what Ram recommends), Ram’s knowledge of peak names/heights and geographical know-how of Nepal and overall talk, makes it totally worth it to spend your hard earned money on a company which is ready to stick its promise of offering the best experience. Right from our planning stage, Sujan has answered numerous questions, Prem was very clear on onboarding day in KTM to say what can be expected at hotels/treks etc. Overall, a highly satisfying, enriching and life time memories that I have been left with after this EBC Trek!!! Will I do this again, may not EBC again, may be another mountain base camp, but am I willing to try another company, hell no!! I will stick to ACE The Himalaya for all my future treks I plan to do! You are in safe hands.. BTW, after my trip, I tweeted Mr.Elon Musk requesting if Starlink infra to be setup for hikers/mountaineers to have access to internet all along the way, may be there are better ways to stay connected and not depend on satellite phone. Hope he will respond, good...

Ace the Himalaya 14 day Everest Base Camp Trek I can’t say enough good things about Ace the Himalaya. Prem and Sujan in the office helpfully answered our pre-trek questions promptly. Met at airport by our guide, Raj, with marigold leis. From start to finish, Raj was there with guidance and support. Supposed to start our trek on 3/3, but flight to Lukla cancelled due to bad weather (not uncommon). It was third day in a row of flight cancellations, so lots of people stuck in Kathmandu or Manthali- where many had opted to go to get Lukla flights. Raj explained our options: our group decided to book helicopter for next day (cost split 5 ways), and took helicopter to Lukla- amazing views of mountains and hills on way to Lukla. Later found out this was good decision as some stuck in Manthali with other outfitters had to switch to other treks as not enough time to get to EBC. Started our trek. Other than a little rain on day 1 had pretty clear weather, though still cold. On Day 2 stairs to Namche nearly took me out (I’m short, and many stairs came up to my thigh), but Raj’s encouragement: “Drink, drink” and “Walk slowly, slowly” got me though (my advice if you’re short is to add more step ups to your training regimen!) Raj often checked in with us to make sure we had no symptoms of AMS and checked our O2 saturations daily. Every day we would arrive at tea house to find our bags already there by our amazing porters Naryana, Sher Bahadur and Paisal. Naryana also made delicious fruit platters for us every night and filtered water for the trek- until the filter froze in Lobuche. Teahouse accommodations become more basic the higher you go up the hill: at first, rooms with private bathroom, flush toilet become shared bathroom with bucket flush toilet and outdoor sink. This shouldn’t be surprising since Gorak Shep teahouse is at 17,027 ft, and all supplies must be carried there. Views are absolutely amazing and cannot be adequately described. Raj was extremely informative, knowing all the heights of the mountains, routes to climb, etc. He also knows everyone on the trail: he has been a guide with Ace since they started 17 years ago. Route to EBC has many amazing views: Ama Dablum-wow- and cool suspension bridges to walk over, including the double Hilary bridge. We were also able to visit Tengboche Monastery. On the base camp day, you hike from Lobuche to Gorak Shep, rest for an hour and then go to EBC at 17,598 ft. Climbing moraine to Gorak Shep wiped me out: Raj was so helpful carrying my pack and helping to find the best route over the large boulders (he did the same thing the next day on the way back). Just took my phone, poles and snickers bar to EBC (my husband carried water), and it was still difficult, but I made it! Beautiful bowl surrounded by mountains Pumo Ri, Lingtren, Khumbutse, Lho La and the wall of Nuptse with the top of Everest and the South Col just behind it. Great views of Khumbu Icefall and Khumbu Glacier: you walk across glacier to get to EBC. Many photos and then back to Gorak Shep for a well-deserved rest. On the way back my husband and I decided the last 2 days of the trek might be a little much for us: Raj got helicopter for us (shared) and even got us on a flight to Lukla the same day! As a final example of the awesome individual attention given by Ace, my husband’s 60th birthday was during our trek. Raj bought a cake from Cafe 4410 in Dingboche (if you’re ever in Dingboche, go there), our porters secretly carried it to Lobuche, and they surprised my husband (and me) with an impromptu birthday party! Yes, Raj planned a birthday party at 16,503 ft! If you’re going to trek to EBC, go with Ace...

Exceptional Everest Base Camp Trek with Ace the Himalaya: Outstanding Support from Raj Kumar and the Team

I recently embarked on an Everest Base Camp trek with Ace the Himalaya. Although we couldn't complete the full 14-day trek due to altitude sickness, our experience was unforgettable, thanks to the incredible support from our guide, Raj Kumar, our sales operators, Sujan, our porter, Dipa, and the CEO, Prem.

The trek itself was stunning, offering breathtaking views at every turn. From lush green forests to picturesque villages and towering snow-capped peaks, the beauty of the Himalayas was truly awe-inspiring. Our journey started in Pakdhing, where we immediately felt the warmth and professionalism of Raj Kumar. His extensive knowledge about the local culture and environment made our trek educational and enriching. As we trekked from Lukla to Pakdhing, Raj shared fascinating insights about the region, ensuring our journey was both informative and enjoyable. Dipa, our porter, impressed us with his cheerful demeanor and quiet strength. He managed our gear effortlessly, always arriving ahead of us with a smile.

Moving on to Namche Bazaar, the vibrant gateway to the high Himalayas, Raj's expertise became even more evident. He guided us through the challenging ascent, constantly encouraging and supporting us. The panoramic views from Namche Bazaar were simply breathtaking. In Namche Bazaar, Raj introduced us to the lively town, taking us to local landmarks and sharing stories of the Sherpa people. His attentiveness to our acclimatization process was reassuring, as he constantly checked on our well-being.

Our trek to Tengboche was both breathtaking and demanding. The path took us through stunning rhododendron forests and across roaring rivers, with the majestic peaks of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam always in view. Unfortunately, upon reaching Tengboche, I began experiencing severe symptoms of altitude sickness. Raj's guidance was crucial as my condition worsened. Demonstrating his deep understanding of altitude sickness and emergency protocols, Raj swiftly arranged for an emergency evacuation coordinating with Sujan from the office. The next morning, they organized a helicopter evacuation to Lukla, where I could receive immediate medical attention. Raj stayed by my side throughout the process, ensuring I was comfortable and well-cared for.

Ace the Himalaya provided an exceptional trekking experience, highlighted by the outstanding support from the team.

The breathtaking beauty of the trek, from lush forests to towering peaks, made every step worthwhile.

Ace the Himalaya not only provided an exceptional trekking experience but also went above and beyond to assist with my travel insurance reimbursement. They helped me gather and provide all the necessary documents, making the process smooth and stress-free. The company's commitment to their clients' well-being and satisfaction was evident in every aspect of their service.

Thank you, Ace the Himalaya, for an unforgettable adventure. Special thanks to Raj Kumar for being an outstanding guide. Raj's expertise, kindness, and professionalism were invaluable, especially during our medical emergency. Also special thanks to Dipa for his incredible support during the trek, to Sujan with all his support with the administration, and to the CEO, Prem. I highly recommend Ace the Himalaya to anyone considering the Everest...