Mount Everest Travel Forum

Hi,

I'm thinking about making a treking trip to the Mount Everest area. There sure is a lot of useful information on the Internet. Some say the area is safe and there's been no threats or events with tourists and other say the exactly opposite.

Is there anyone who has a line on this?

Is there certain treking companies you should avoid?

How big is the risk of getting robbed? Of course you'd want to carry a decent camera to capture the experience but at the same time you don't want to put yourself at risk.

Thanks in advance.

Heisan!
Only on the ground while trekking between Jiri roadhead and approaches to Lukla are you likely to meet any maoist rebels and extoritionists, an by overflying them you dodge the dodgies... If you fly to Lukla from Kathmandu you will have no problems with enocuntering troubles in terms of maoist extortion. And during trekking from Lukla and up you will meet some of the nicest people on earth. As for crime/robbery, just take normal precautions; don't flaunt your posessions and don't leave a nice camera unattended. In Khumbu and elsewhere in Nepal you will probably find that those people to be weary about are perhaps not the locals, but fellow travellers...
As for companies to avoid, I cannot tell you, but rumors about bad expereinces quickly spreads. Look around in Kathmmandu for what's on offer, use a company with local Khumbu roots if you can.
Saagar

Thanks for the response and all your advice.

"Look around in Kathmmandu for what's on offer, use a company with local Khumbu roots if you can. "

We'll probably be booking the entire trip advance using the Internet since time will be limited and we want to make sure to get the most out of the trip.

Are the local companies also available on the Internet or is it ust major international ones?

I checked your page and found you were from a stone throw's distance south of here. In that case, I'd recommend you to get in touch with Läs och Res who should be able to give you some reliable commercial information. Äventyrsresor is also located in Sweden and can prop you up - at a cost. If cost is not the matter, both companies mentioned are eco-tourism principle oriented, ensuring that local expertice and services, companies are used. Choosing a company over the internet is never easy, but I have no doubt that local companies that offer the Everest area big time on the internet (they do) have good local networks and probably a Khumbu origin. Many Sher-pas in the tourism business have relocated or commute to Kathmandu. Otherwise, almost everything from yaks to flights and shoe laces and sun cream can be orgainsed within a minute in Kathmandu. But do not accept offers on the street. Walk in a door of a seemingly good travel agent. Olav