Mt Everest Base Camp and Chola Pass- 17 Days
In April me and my good friend went to Everest Base Camp via Chola Pass with Himalayan Planet, a company that I had trekked with several years earlier and the same company that has been used many times by "The Summits of Hope" a great organization out of Vancouver B.C. Canada that raises money for BC Children's Hospital. Once again, Himalayan Planet delivered on all aspects of the trip. The communication prior to the trip was good, although English is their second language so you may have to ask the same question in a different way to get clarity on certain questions. In all, the communication was satisfactory prior to the trip. All of our hotel and logistical questions and bookings were attended to in advance and anytime there was any issues, they were dealt with swiftly and professionally. I would suggest that you insist on booking one of the hotels right in Thamel because although the hotel that they book you into is lovely, it is too far to walk to Thamel where all the restaurants and shopping is. Thamel is where you want to be. We were picked up at the airport and greeted with a smile and a lovely live flower necklace and taken to the hotel. We were offered a sight seeing tour the next day (included) of Kathmandu, but declined because I had done it before and we were tired from the long flights. The company owner took us out for lunch and made sure we had all of our gear and supplied us with sleeping bags and down jackets that we did not bring with us. They reviewed the itinerary and answered all of our questions and put us at ease for the Trek. On the day of the flight into Lukla we were picked up at the hotel on time in a new electric vehicle and driven to the airport along with the guide. He took care of guiding us through the chaos and got us onto the right flight. We arrived safely in Lukla and promptly met our porter who was so nice, professional and super strong, we called him "Superman". Throughout every day the team of the guide and the porter attended to all of our needs, ensuring we ate and slept at good tea houses along the way. There was one tea house that was underwhelming but when we complained they quickly found a more suitable tea house. All in all the guiding was good, the food was good and the accommodation was good for Himalayan standards. We enjoyed a lot of laughs with our guide and together we had a great time although some of the days were very challenging, such as the day we climbed over one of the highest passes in the Himalayas. The guide always made good decisions on where to stay, how fast to trek, what time to set out in the morning to ensure good views at critical spots along the way. It is important to leave early on certain days because the clouds tend to roll in in the late morning or early afternoon and if you leave too late you might miss things like the amazing view of the Summit of Everest from Kalapatar. The guides always made the correct calls to ensure we maximized our views of these magnificent mountains....arguably one of the main reasons for going there in the first place. After the Trek, Himalayan Planet continued to attend to all of our needs, taking us on another day trip around Kathmandu, showing us the main sites. taking us out for a lovely send-off dinner, giving us a departing gift and ensuring we got to the airport on time for our flight back to Vancouver. I would highly recommend using Himalayan Planet for a Trek or any of the day outings they offer; they are very well priced, friendly and professional. The owner of the company has been doing this for a very long time and works very hard to ensure that all of his clients are well taken care of and have...
Read moreHad a wonderful 16-day Everest Base Camp experience through my trekking operator Himalayan Planet Adventures. I traveled alone during monsoon season (May 28 to June 12, 2013) and still got to see amazing views of the Himalayas despite the clouds and occasional rain. The whole trek made me fall in love with Nepal--awesome scenery, friendly people, delicious food.
When I was researching on Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek packages as early as January 2013, what made me choose Himalayan Planet Adventures was the promptness and quality of communication I had with them from the very start. Naba was always quick to answer my numerous questions about the trek and he tremendously helped me in preparing for my trip and in deciding on the package I wanted.
I've always felt I was in good hands with Himalayan Planet Adventures from start to finish. Madan, my guide, and Dhan Kumar, my porter, took excellent care of me during the 12 days we were together; I feel like I've really made such good and lasting friendships with them. All my concerns during the trail were taken care of, and Madan was always making sure that I was in good health (with Naba calling us now and then to check if I was feeling any altitude sickness!). Really top quality client service; I never had to worry much. Even when I was delayed in Lukla for a day (for my flight back to Kathmandu), both Naba and Madan were making sure I had a helicopter option should my flight not push through. I even had welcome and farewell dinners with the people of Himalayan Planet Adventure, and it was nice meeting all of them in their office in Thamel.
A lot of trekkers choose to just hire a guide and a porter when they reach Nepal and then just pay for the accommodation and food along the way for 12 days. When I was computing for expenses before the trip, I found that the package Himalayan Planet offered me was much more cost-effective. It was such a good decision just to pay for everything on the spot when I reached Kathmandu; while I was on the trail, all the food, hot drinks and accommodation were already taken care of by Himalayan Planet. I didn't have to trouble myself by bringing along a huge wad of cash and paying for everything along the way.
Teahouse accommodations were basic yet good; I always had a good night's sleep. Meals in the teahouse were of great quality. The servings were huge (I could hardly finish them), and I was always looking forward to delicious garlic soup and hot drink at the end of the day. The hotel in Kathmandu that came with the package is Hotel Shanker (which deserves a separate review)--wonderful location, hotel service and rooms.
Such a great experience with Himalayan Planet; I would definitely contact them again when I visit Nepal next year for another trek! Feel free to message me for any questions about EBC and Himalayan...
Read moreA Perfect Nepal Experience with Himalaya Planet Adventure & the Amazing Guide Ananta🌹 Full day COMBINED TOURS TOGETHER
I recently returned from a trip to Nepal and had the absolute pleasure of booking with Himalaya Planet Adventure — and I can honestly say, the experience was nothing short of exceptional.
From the very early planning stages, the team showed incredible professionalism, flexibility, and communication. But what truly made the journey unforgettable was our guide, Ananta. From the moment I was picked up at the airport, Ananta made me feel like I was traveling with family — always punctual, full of positive energy, and incredibly knowledgeable about every place we visited.
In just a short amount of time, we were able to explore so much of Kathmandu thanks to the smart planning and flexibility. From the breathtaking Chandragiri Hills cable car ride to the Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), the majestic Boudhanath Stupa, the sacred Pashupatinath Temple, a unique visit to a Kashmiri mosque, and the vibrant squares of Kathmandu Durbar Square, everything was seamless.
To top it all off, we had a wonderful cultural dinner at Gokarna House, complete with live performances — a perfect way to end the experience.
I deeply appreciate Ananta warm personality, patience, and detailed explanations that made the tour not only informative, but also fun and personal. It was a perfect mix of sightseeing, culture, spiritual depth, and hospitality. BESIDES ANANTA IS A GREAT PROFESIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER WGO KNOWS WHEN WHERE AND HOW RO TAKE HIS SHOTS WHICH IS A GREAT ADDITION TO EACH TOUR💥
Thank you again to the entire Himalaya Planet Adventure head and team for such an unforgettable journey. I highly recommend this company to anyone visiting Nepal — whether for a day or a week, they will maximize your experience with care, professionalism, and heart.
Sherif, Egypt — Tour...
Read more