Explore Himalaya congratulates Miss Wasfia Nazreen from Bangladesh on completion of her Climbing Course and for trekking upto Island Peak located in the Khumbu Region of Nepal from 17th November to 4th December 2010. After the completion of her climbing course, Ms. Nazreen climbed Island Peak (6173m) and was able to reach upto 5890m. before she had to descend due to bad weather. Her expedition and climbing course was arranged Explore Himalaya.

Island Peak Climbing

Island Peak 6173m, a stunning mountain in the Everest region could be climbed in just one day.  Challenges to conquer the peak best suits the novice climbers however, skilled mountaineers can enjoy to the fullest during the expedition of Island Peak.  The trial to Island Peak cross passes culturally unique Sherpa hamlets and lush vegetation to barren yet, dramatically contrast snowy and rocky landscapes dominated by towering peaks. Proper acclimatization during the trek to Island Peak and caring guidance by veteran Sherpa climbers makes you feel very special throughout the trek. On reaching the summit of Island Peak which is one of the vantage points for the close-up view of high peaks of the Everest region, climber excitement simply goes to the highest limit.

Autumn 2013, Mr. Clement Irbil and Mr. Rasmus Hansen from Denmark successfully made to the summit of Island Peak. Earlier to this, they conquered Pokhalde Peak . The climbers from our exclusive country partner Kipling Travel shared their experiences of the trek and Island Peak Expedition.

Standing on the top of Island Peak,!WOW!, the memory that would remain forever. We would rate our host 5 stars for providing us an incredible holiday in the mountains of Everest Region.

The trip to Nepal began perfectly. The city staffs of the company were professional, helpful, flexible and smooth. The hospitality we experienced was amazing. Hotel rooms and food were great.

The guide and the staffs during the trek were exceptionally good, highly experienced and helpful. We would specially thank our guides Temba Sherpa and Lhakpa. The expedition to Island Peak became easier and more interesting with their wonderful support.

Ms. Inger at Hotel Marsyangdi on the day before her departure back home

This was Ms. Inger eighth visit to Nepal with Explore Himalaya and was once again a delightful experience. Ms. Inger Marie R. Arildsen from Denmark has two more plans with Explore Himalaya  in the future.  She wants to accomplish the Gokyo Trek which was unfortunately cancelled this time because of bad weather and she also wants to trek to the Restricted Area in the Western Nepal. This autumn, she completed the Tumlingtar- Gokyo-Jiri Trek with Explore Himalaya. She shared her experience of the trek before she flew back home.

A landscape on the trek trail joining two Himlayan giants; Everest and Makalu

EH: How was your meeting and handling in the airport?

Ms. Inger: Excellent

EH: How was your trek?

Ms. Inger: Excellent again. I didn’t get a chance to go to Gokyo due to snowstorm. Or else, everything was great. Acclimatization was perfect. The combination of the middle hills and the mountains was splendid. You get good and broad pictures of Nepal and the people. Nepal is so much more than the treks around North of Lukla.

A breathtaking view from the breakfast table

EH: How was your accommodation during the trek?

Ms. Inger: Fine. Basic in Tumlingtar region, but exactly as promised.

EH: How was your hotel in Kathmandu?

Ms. Inger: Excellent. I like Hotel Marsyangdi.

Helicopters in the Himalayas are other options for Mountain view

EH: What do you have to say about your guide, Mekh?

Ms. Inger: Mekh did an excellent job. He is very sympathetic, honest, responsible and easy-going. He is a smiling person and gets easily into contact with the local people. To me it was important that guide also can handle quietness and can walk for long without talking. Mekh was able to do that. But, also he was a good talker when necessary and wanted. I would welcome to have Mekh as a guide again. I felt very safe trekking with him.

Short rest, Guide Mekh in green Explore Himalaya T-shirt and porter Madan

EH: A porter accompanies you on a trek, are you satisfied with his service?

Ms. Inger: Porter, Madan was very good on the first part of the trek, due to his knowledge of the places around Tumlingtar. But he was bit old and could had problems, if we had managed to get all the way to Gokyo. However, Mekh handled and took care of both of us very well.

EH: How was your itinerary?

Ms. Inger: On the long trek there must be room for changes which we had very well.  Some days were a bit long and some little short. And the itinerary could not take snowstorm into account.

Snow says, “Now it is my turn to sit.”

EH: Are you satisfied with our services?

Ms. Inger: Absolutely, I am. That is why; I have picked Kipling Travel and Explore Himalaya as my travel partner for eight consecutive times. I am very happy.

EH: Thank you so much the wonderful comments.

Ms. Inger: You are welcome.

So tranquil, so beautiful

Mountains in the Himalayas during an ideal weather

Photo Credits: Ms. Igner Marie R. Arildsen

Mr. Lacey Gerard and Ms. Heidi

Ms. Heidi Sendorovitz form Denmark and Mr. Francis Gerard from Ireland had a wonderful trek to Everest Base Camp this autumn. After the completion of their trek, they shared their experiences of Everest Base Camp Trek with Explore Himalaya. Here, we have an interview with Mr. Lacey and Ms. Heidi. The trekkers through our exclusive country partner Kipling Travel departed back home very happily.

Highland landscape on the trial to EBC

EH: How was your trek?

Heidi: Trek was Fantastic. For us it was totally new. First time to Nepal and first time to do anything like this is a challenge. When you cope with the challenge you feel great. Everything we saw and everyone we met, it was all fantastic. We really really enjoyed the trek.

Lacey: Totally different relating with the experience before. I spoke to somebody, who said wheels haven’t been invented here which is true. Once, you get to Lukla, there are no cars, no machines. People walking uphill with things on their back made us very excited because it was totally different to the things we used to see. It was challenging, physically and psychologically. Physically it was uphill climb and we were told that to get to that altitude is an achievement. I agree that. Psychologically, before we got that far we never considered seriousness of altitude sickness . It was challenging too, in terms of accommodation. By our standards, sometimes tea houses were very primitive and that was something to cope with. The trek was really very adventurous.

Colorful prayer flags on the way

EH: During the trek you might have met the natives of Khumbu region, how do you have to tell about them?

Lacey:  Those we met them on the path and in the tea-house were generally very friendly. It was a pleasant atmosphere. We felt very safe. It was a nice place to be with basically nice people. It was very peaceful. It was also great because, every day was a brand new day with new experiences.

EBC trial, wonderful floral biodiversity

EH: Weather condition was not that favorable while you were on trek, how did it make a difference on your trek?

Heidi: Yes or no.  When we started the weather was crystal clear for four days, it was the way it was supposed to be. Then, the bad weather came for 2 and half days. That wasn’t fun as you are in the middle of the trek and you don’t know when it is going to end. But, the weather was fine again. It was great. The weather made the trek even more challenging. Icy mornings and bright days it was enjoyable.

Time for photo shoot in the Himalayas

Trekkers the EBC neighborhood

EH: How did you feel when you got to Kalapattar?

Heidi: We felt very tired (laugh) but great. We were fine.

EH: If you have to pick one betweenKalapattar and Everest Base Camp which would you pick?

Heidi: We stayed a night at Lobuche and next morning we made to Gorakshep where we had our lunch there. After the lunch we made to Kalapattar which was superb. We returned back to Gorekshep and then next morning we made to Everest Base Camp. If we have to pick one, we would pick Base Camp and we both agree on that.

Highland Sherpa hamlet in the lap of Mountain giants

EH: Why?

Lacey: We were watching the spectacular views of the mountains for the fourteen days. Once we got to Kalapattar the Mountain View was incredible but not spectacularly different to those we saw for fourteen days. On the other hand, the walk to the Base Camp was spectacularly different because of the glacier, which was completely different. The difference between the holiday here and in other places is that, here you have a goal. Throughout the trek, Everest Base Camp was our goal and achieving that goal was a wonderful experience. This wasn’t a normal holiday. Every step we walked, took us closer to our goal which made this holiday very special.

Heidi: Yes, on the way out to Base Camp it was spectacular to walk very close to Khumbu Glacier which was the best experience of the trek.

Leaving the footprints in the Everest region

EH: That means you are totally satisfied with the holiday?

Lacey: Yes very much. We felt we were very well taken care of. Dhan, our guide did very good job in the mountains and Jeeten and other staffs in the city took very good care of us. We are totally satisfied.

EH: Do you have any plans to come back to Nepal in the future?

Lacey: Honestly, this holiday has been precious. For example, after the delicious lunch if I am offered the lunch again, I would say “no” because I am full. But, tomorrow I would definitely like to have it. Similarly, this holiday has been great and it takes time to let it go. But sooner or later, we could want a similar holiday in Nepal.

Towards Kalapattar 5545m

Closer to the Base Camp of world’s crown Everest

Ice everywhere

Finally mission accomplished

EH: If you have to describe this holiday in one word, how would you describe it?

Heidi and Lacey: Fantastic

EH: Thank you for the wonderful interview.

Ms.Heidi, happy to be there

Photo Courtesy: Ms. Heidi Sendorovitz and Mr. Lacey Gerard