Nepal – HIKES & HAMSTRINGS

Recommendation: Nepal Eco Adventure

Interested in booking a trekking tour in Nepal? Perhaps the majesty of Everest Base Camp calls your name, or the Annapurna Circuit has always been on your bucket list. If you’re looking for prompt and attentive correspondence; very experienced and personable guides; and a team with a high level of service who makes your health and safety their main priority, then I definitely recommend booking with Nepal Eco Adventure. You will not be disappointed.

I only have great things to say about Nepal Eco Adventure. I posted the following review on tripadvisor and trekbooking.com, so I thought I’d include it here on my blog:

Me and two friends decided to trek to Everest Base Camp over Christmas. I contacted Chhatra and he was professional, knowledgeable, and very quick to respond. He was able to accommodate our group for the dates we wanted at a great price, and was able to advise on logistics and gear. All safety concerns were addressed beforehand, so we arrived in Nepal ready for an amazing adventure.

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New Year’s in Kathmandu

New Year's Eve street party in Thamel, Kathmandu — New Year’s Eve street party in Thamel, Kathmandu

Post written January 3: It’s been a relaxing few days. After a morning flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu, and a short stop at Swacon to obtain my discharge papers, it was back to the Royal Penguin Hotel 2 in Kathmandu to meet up with the group. They all looked freshly showered and out of ‘trekking’ mode. With hugs all around, it was great to see them.

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Everest Base Camp: Time to Look Forward

This trek was not a failure. I have to remember that.

Post written December 29: I’m particularly hard on myself.

I’ve gone thorough the range of emotions, from elation to utter dissatisfaction. I recently saw EBC photos from the group. The scenery was incredible in the ways I had hoped and expected. I was super thrilled that they had accomplished that feat. But then I felt beside myself again, saddened by the fact that I needed to turn back. Dan had left a University of Guelph Alumni t-shirt with the words “Ricky and the Sparkling Momos”. It’s so cool that the shirt now hangs in Gorakshep… but not cool that I never reached base camp.

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The 16th Pokhara Street Festival

Post written December 29: Today was my day to relax… and relax I did.

First, I discovered Himalayan Java close to the hotel… and I’m now writing this during my 3rd visit to this coffee shop. In fact, it’s been the same people working here all day, and they laughed when I walked in for the 3rd time. I guess I just like my nice coffee shops… clean, modern, and overlooking Phewa Tal, the lake in Pokhara. It’s not a bad way to spend the day. I’ve been eating oatmeal cookies while sipping on various drinks: coffee, honey lemon tea, and now lemon ginger tea.

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Pokhara and Australian Camp

Post written December 28: After a relaxing and uneventful day in Kathmandu, I awoke early to catch my 9:30 am flight to Nepal’s second largest city, Pokhara (820 metres). Located 200 km west of Kathmandu, it’s a touristy place near the Annapurna mountain range, and often acts as a base for those venturing out to complete the Annapurna Circuit or other treks in the area. The flight was a quick 20 minutes, and before I knew it, I was walking along Phewa Lake and breathing in cleaner air.

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