After completing my interview, theoretical training, and First Aid Training, this is My First Trek With Intrepid Travel as a Trainee Leader. My trainer leader is one of the senior leaders, Dipendra Neupane from Intrepid Travel, who has been working with Intrepid for the last 20 years. We met on 28th August for the documentation process and shared each other’s experiences. Mr. Dipendra is one of the best leaders at Intrepid Travel, where we can find the customer feedback section on the website.
Day 1: Welcome Meeting in Kathmandu
On 1st September, we had our Welcome meeting day at Hotel Marsyandhi Thamel. So we met each other at 11 am at the hotel lobby and planned for the day. We organized our meeting point and waited for all the group members. Around 2 pm, 11 group members were there for a welcome meeting, and the leader started the meeting. The meeting was about 1 hour long because we needed to pass on much information about the trek. Also, we set the time for the next day’s departure to Lukla.
After the meeting was done, with some of the group members, we went to buy and hire some trekking gear. And set time for dinner at 6:30 pm. We met at the lobby and went for dinner, and had delicious Dal Bhat. Then back to the hotel for sleep, and had a good night’s sleep, and was ready for the next day’s adventure.
Day 2: Fly to Lukla and Trek to Phakding
On 2nd November, we woke up early in the morning at 4 am and prepared for the domestic airport for the Lukla flight. Everyone was ready at 4:45 am and drove to the airport. At the airport, we checked in and were all set to fly. Luckily, our flight was on time, and we flew on time to Lukla. We reached Lukla at 7 am, met with assistant guides and porters at the airport, and then walked to Khumbu Resort.
At the Khumbu resort, the senior leader conducted a safety briefing, introduced all the crew members, and then enjoyed the delicious breakfast before embarking journey to Phakding. At 9:30, we started to walk to Phakding, along the way we took breaks, talked about places, and continued the trek to Phakding. As we planned to have lunch and stay at Phakding. Finally, we reached Phakding at 1:00 PM. After reaching Phakding, the senior leader gave a short briefing about the dos and don’ts, what is available, what is included, and all the services of the hotel. Set a time to order dinner for 5 pm.
After a short speech, the assistant guided order lunch, served drinks, and food then we also had lunch (Dal Bhat). Surprisingly, most of the group members also chose to eat Dal Bhat. Then we went to the room, be fresh and roam around for some time, and I even took a short nap.
Phakding, we stayed at Sherpa Lodge, which is located at the end of the village after crossing the suspension bridge. A beautiful mountain lodge and professional staff, the owner himself is involved in all the activities, and helps and welcomes visitors.
Day 3: My second day as a trainee leader with Intrepid Travel. Kathmandu to Lukla flight and trek to Phakding
As planned, we had breakfast at 7 am, and at 8 am we started to walk to Namche Bazar. Luckily, the weather was amazing and we enjoyed the views of the Mountain peak like Thamserku. Of course, the view of the surrounding nature, the river, and the villages. We took a tea break at the Chhuma. Then we stopped at the national park office for the permit register. And our senior leader briefed us about the Mountain peaks while we stopped there.
We stayed there for almost 25 minutes and then walked down to Jorsalle for lunch. We have lunch at the Panorama Hotel and lodge. After lunch, we continued our trek to Namche Bazar. We took a short break before heading up to the bank of the Dhud Khoshi River. And then climbed up to the Hillary Bridge. Climbing up was a bit tough for everyone, but the group climbed perfectly. A bit slow but steady.
When we reached Top Danda, we got a bit of rain, so we didn’t stop there for a long time. From the top danda to Namche Bazar, it took us around 1 hour. At Namche, we stayed at the Kalapatter Guest House.
Namche Bazar – The trekkers’ hub (Khumbu Hub) during the Everest Base Camp Trek, where a trekker usually sleeps for 3 nights. This is the place where you can have a good hotel, cafe, restaurants, trekking gear shops, Spa, and even a live Music Bar.
After dinner, Mr. Dipendra Neupane, senior leader, gave information about the next day, talked about AMS, talked about TIF and Sagarmatha Next, and requested all the group members to fill the Self Assessment Form, which passengers need to fill if they are feeling any symptoms regarding AMS or sicknesses. Got an opportunity to learn something new as a trekking professional.
Day 4: Hike up to Everest View Point and The Sagarmatha Next
I woke up early as usual at 5 am and looked outside the room, and saw that the weather was fantastic. I show a clear view of the Mt. Khongde and Namche Bazar. All the group members were there for breakfast at 7:00 am and had breakfast, and then hiked up to the Everest View point and the Sherpa Museum. Luckily, we had a stunning view of Mount Everest and other Mountain peaks. After reaching there, our leader explained about the mountains, the museum, and the culture and tradition of the region.
Spent around an hour there and then hiked up to the Sagarmatha Next. It took us around 1 and a half hours to reach Sagarmatha Next, where we watched a movie about their project in the region. Then their representative gave a short speech regarding the organization and how Intrepid Travel and the Intrepid Foundation are working with them. And even climbed Mt. Everest via VAR in between 3 minutes, it was absolutely amazing to do so. Also, had delicious coffee, and some of the group members bought souvenirs from there. Then we walked down to Namche Bazar for lunch and had a free afternoon.
In the evening, as usual leader gave the information about the next day fill in the self-assessment form. Our assistance guides ordered breakfast and said goodnight to all the members.
Mountains we saw from the Everest View Point are Khumbila, Taboche, Nuptse, Lhotse, Everest, Peak 38, Amadablam, Thamserku, Kusum Kangaroo, and Khongde. While climbing up to Sagarmatha Next, we can see on the left Dhudkunda Peak, Thame Peak.
Day 5, Namche Bazar to Photrse
As usual walked up at 5 am in the morning and then was ready next adventurous day to go to Phortse. Usually, I used to go to Tengboche when I do the Everest Base Camp Trek, this is the Intrepid itinerary which I followed. Breakfast time was at 7 am, so all the group members were ready and served breakfast on time also did the other paperwork. Then started to trek, the weather was perfect, everyone enjoyed the beautiful views, and continued the journey.
We stopped at Kyanjuma for a tea break for around 25 minutes and again continued walking to Mongla for lunch. Our assistant guide, Bipin, ordered lunch at Kyanjuma with the members and called Mungla for lunch. Mr Dipendra does that to save time and make the journey smooth. When we reached Mungla, lunch was almost ready, and within a few minutes, lunch was served, and again, we were ready to continue the journey.
After lunch, we descend almost an hour before crossing the bridge and start to climb up to the Phortse Village. We took a short break before climbing up, and while we were climbing up, we saw a beautiful Masked Deer. Then we continued to walk and reached the Thamserku Guest House Phortse.
Phortse is a small but beautiful village where a trekker can be close to the local people and their lives. People are working in the field collecting potatoes and other grains. This gave me a beautiful experience of how people work in the Mountain Villages.
In the evening Leader gave me an opportunity to explain about the next day, and I did what I knew. When I was telling the things, all the group members were listening to me carefully, and then they appreciated me at the end. This was my first time giving a daily briefing as a trainee leader for the Intrepid Travel passengers.
Day 6, Phortse to Dingboche
Wow, when I woke up and looked outside, I saw perfect weather for trekking. As usual had breakfast at 7 am and filled out the self-assessment form, and then started the Trek to Dingboche. All the group members were enjoying the great view of the Himalayas and the surrounding areas. Along the way, our assistant guide Surya stopped at a rock climbing spot and explained about that place.
The weather was perfect, so we all enjoyed the view and nature, and along the way, took several breaks before stopping for tea at the Upper Pangboche. After the tea breaks, we continued to walk for lunch and stopped at Somare for lunch at the Pasang Lodge. It took around 30 minutes to eat lunch there because lunch was already ordered from Pangboche.
The journey to Dingboche from Phortse was one of the longest days of this Trek. But the group dynamic was amazing, so that it didn’t take that long to reach Dingboche than usual. We reached Dingboche at 3:30 pm, and the leader gave info about the hotel facilities. And the assistant guides ordered dinner.
Dinner was served at 6:30 pm. After dinner, the only lady assistant guide, Ranju, gave info about the next day. That is what I really appreciate about the leader, Mr. Dipendra Neupane; he gave an opportunity to everyone who teamed with him, and I was lucky to get him as a trainer leader during my first trip with Intrepid as a trainee leader.
Day 7, Acclimatize day at Dingboche
After breakfast, the acclimatization hike began, and all the team members were there for the hike. Unfortunately, the weather was not good and we were not able to see a great view of the mountains and the surroundings. Usually, when I lead a group, I used to take the group to the Nagarkyang Peak. But intrepid travel doesn’t take till there, they just hike till 4800m and back to Dingboche. Same way we followed this time as well.
After reaching 4800m stayed there for some time and then descended to Dingboche. Ordered lunch, ate lunch, and have a free day for everyone. Everyone gets time to wash clothes and shower.
Day 8, Dingboche to Lobuche
When I woke up, the weather seemed bad, with cloud cover whole Dingboche valley. Slowly weather became a bit better when we started our trek to Lobuche. Our assistant guide, Ranju, led the team today together with Surya. The vistas were not that clear, although walking on the clouds was also fun. Around 2 and a half hours later, we reached Thukla, where we stopped for a tea and soup break.
After the tea and soup break, we ascended the Thukla pass and spent around 30 minutes at the Thukla memorial park. All the group members were excited to see the memorial park, and everyone visited that beautiful place. However, the mighty views of the mountains were not there. From the Thukla pass it took around 1 hour to reach Labuche.
After we reached Labuche, everyone ordered lunch and checked into the room. As per our plan, we hiked up and enjoyed the glimpse of the Khumbu glacier, and made a tiktok video as well. One of the assistant guides, Mr. Bipin, gave info about the Khumbu Glacier with the help of the leader, Mr. Dipendra Dai. After spending some time, we decanted to Labuche. In the evening discussed about next day’s plan, and the leader took charge and gave the details plan for the next adventure day to be at Everest Base Camp. And then spent over night at Lobuche.
Day 9: Trek to Labuche – Gorekshep – EBC – Gorekshep for the first time as a trainee leader from Intrepid Travel
As per our plan, we woke up very early in the morning at a quarter to 5 am. Because we ordered breakfast for 5:30 am. Everyone was extremely excited as well as very nervous to be at the EBC and today trekking and sleeping at Gorekshep, 5180m above sea level. Before we embarked on our journey, after breakfast leader sent a loud and clear message to every passenger and team member about today’s plan.
We started our trek at 6:15 am in the morning, usually I never start a trek that early in my trekking career, this is also something new thing I learned as a trainee leader with Intrepid Travel. Again today, Mr. Surya led the team, and I walked in between as usual and observed the way of Intrepid. The team was divided into two groups because one of the group’s members was a bit slow to walk and the other was very fine to walk. And I walked with both teams and walked more with the leader to see how to handle things.
The team reached the Gorekahep at 9:30 am, ordered lunch, checked into the room, and was ready to trek to Everest Base Camp. After lunch, we continued the trek to EBC, and we reached Everest Base Camp at around 12:30 pm. We spent quality time there, took group and single photos, and returned to Gorekshep. We were backed at Gorekshep around 3 pm, after everyone was there group leader checked everyone’s oxygen level, and those who had a lower oxygen level were suggested to go down to Lobuche. And two team members were decanted to Lobuche with Bipin and one of the carriers.
In the evening, Leader Dipendra talked about the safety, AMS, and what will feels like while sleeping at such a high altitude. Then plan for the next day, and ask who wants to climb Kalapathar (Killer Pather), all the boys who stated there want to hike up to Kalapathar the next day. Set them a meeting time and point, the time was at 4 am and the place was at the dining hall. Assistant guide Mr. Surya is going to lead them. After planning everything, we all went to sleep and set an alarm for 3:30 am.
Day 10, Hike up to Kalapather and descend to Pheriche.
As planned, we woke up at 3:30 am and checked how everyone was feeling, and whoever was ready to hike up to Kalapather. All five boys were ready to hike up to Kalapather, and our assistant guide Surya was also ready to lead the team. He led the team, and everyone successfully climbed to the top and returned to Gorekshep on time.
We had breakfast at 7:15 after backing the Kalapather team, and then we descended to Pheriche via Labuche and Thukla. While down, the weather was not good, cloudy and chilly, so we didn’t stop many times along the way. Had a tea break at Labuche and lunch break at Thukla. Of course, stopped at those places where we felt like stopping to stop and drink water (Sip Sip). Around 3 pm, we reached Pheriche.
After reaching there leader checked everyone’s condition, met with the two members who came there earlier. And most importantly, he gave time to one of the members who felt a bit sick while down in Pheriche. The leader spent a good time consulting with him and motivated him that he is feeling weak because of the overexhaustion and dehydration, and let him get good sleep and rest.
In the evening, after dinner, he (Leader) gave an opportunity to assistant guide Bipin to show and develop his skills in meeting and planning. With the help of the leader. This is the best part of him (Dipendra Neupane), giving opportunities for everyone. And then he told about the next day’s plan and made a plan for the purpose day. Requested all the members to contribute to collecting the trash on the way back to Tengboche the next day.
Day 11, Pheriche to Tengboche
After breakfast, we started our trek to Tengboche, as per our plan to collect trash, and divided trash bags among the 3 people. One bag I carried myself, and two bags were carried by our assistant guides, Bipin and Surya. All the group members participated, and we collected almost 40kg of trash along the way. It was our purpose day during the Everest Base Camp Trek.
Today was a comparatively short day, so we planned will eat lunch at Tengboche. When we reached Tengboche, almost everyone ordered Pizza for lunch. We also ate Pizza for lunch. In the afternoon, everyone visited the Tengboche Monastery. Me and one of the team members spent almost an hour at the Monastery. After that, we all went back to the Hotel and spent over night at the Tashi Delek Hotel.
Day 12, Tengboche to Chonmo
As usual, we started our trek to Chunmo after breakfast; today, we ate breakfast 30 minutes earlier than on other days. The weather was not so good, but our walk was perfect so that we reached Namche Bazar around 12 pm and ordered lunch, and everyone got some time to explore Namche Bazar. Of course, we took a tea break and short breaks along the way.
After lunch, we descended to Chunmo it was the same way back, so everyone was on their own pace in between guides. Surya, Ranju, and Bipin were in the front, and Dipendra was in the back. I was some time in the front and some time in the back with Dipendra as well. Around 3:30 pm, we reached Chunmo. All the group members checked in and then spent a good time there.
In the evening after dinner, we planned for the next day. And everyone was very happy to end the trek the next day.
Day 13: Chunmo to Lukla
When we woke up as usual, and ate breakfast as we planned. It was raining outside, so everyone prepared and wore rain gear and started to walk to Lukla. We stopped at Manju for tea and then we planned to go to Lukla for Lunch and, if possible to fly to Kathmandu. Luckily, we got the third flight of the day, and we directly walked to Lukla Airport and said goodbye to everyone (assistant guides and porters)
BUT…. After a long wait, we are unable to fly today, and then back to Khumbu Resort.
Then our party started together with everyone. We planned to eat together (Members, Assistant Guides, and Porters). It was very fun last night, everyone danced and finished the trek. Still, we were worried about the next day’s flight to Kathmandu.
Day 14: Fly back to Kathmandu
As per our flight schedule, we went to the Airport at 5:30 am in the morning. We waited, waited, waited, but were unable to fly till 12 noon. So we decided to go for lunch, so again we went back to Khumbu Resort for lunch. After lunch again out waited again at the airport. Luckily weather was a bit clearer, and we hurriedly ran to the aircraft, and we flew to Kathmandu, Hurray.
After returning to Kathmandu, our leader Dipendra talked with all the members for the last night’s dinner together. And set a time for 7 pm, at 7 pm everyone was there at the lobby and went for dinner at KC’s Restaurant. At the dinner, everyone was happy to eat meat after 14 days, so most of the group members ate steaks. I also ate steak, and it was very delicious – Yammy.
After dinner, we went back to the hotel and summarized the trek, and were happy to end the trek.
It was my very first trek with Intrepid Travel as a trainee leader. During the trek, I learned many things and how Intrepid leads the group. Thank You, Yelamber Rai Sir, Temba Lama Sir, Bala Krishna Tamang (Milam Sir). Specifically, Yalamber Sir and Milan Sir, who guided me through interviews, training, and other days as well. And very big Thanks go to Mr. Dipendra Neupane Dai, who led me and showed me, and shared his knowledge and skills about guiding. And thanks to the assistant guides Mr. Surya Baralily, Bipin Joshi, and Ranju Magar, who helped me during the entire Trek.
