Everest Circuit Trek

As always, MMA delivered on a great trek. If you are viewing this review, there is no need to heap further accolades on MMA. They are one of the best guide services and their one porter;one trekker policy is highly commendable.

The Everest Circuit trek is a highly recommended alternative to the traditional EBC trek, if you have the few extra days. You get to go up the less crowded Gokyo valley and return on the more crowded EBC route (in just two days). Going up gives you tremendous views of Cho Oyo and the 180 panorama of Cho Oyo/Everest/Lhotse/Makalu from the top of Gokyo Ri. Crossing Cho La pass can be work but is an incredible experience crossing the pass and glacier. The balance of the trip is the classic EBC route. If you have the few extra days, this trek is well worth it!

Lakpa, our guide, took great care of us and was a great guide. He seemed to know every other person we passed on the trek! Another trip of a lifetime with MMA!

Another great trek with MMA! Our guide (Lakpa) was exceptional. His knowledge of the region was amazing and he seemed to know every other guide passing in the other direction. This itinerary is highly recommended. You go up the lesser traveled Gokyo valley, highlighted by great views of Cho Oyo and from the summit of Gokyo Ri. You then travel over Cho La pass and enter the EBC side. EBC and Kala Pattar were two more exceptional highlights. This route means you only spend two days on the EBC "highway", on the way down. Note: Lukla is notorius for flight delays. When our return flights were canceled at 1 PM, Lakpa found us a helo as well as 4 other trekkers willing to share the cost! This ensured us getting back to Kathmandu, where we had prepaid a luxury hotel.

Mountain Monarch is a highly rated guide company operating in Nepal. I recently enlisted their help in trekking around Mt. Everest and I fully agree with all of the great reviews this company gets. My scheduled trek, however, was changed by a fall while descending a high pass which resulted in a broken fibula. This is where Mountain Monarch went above and beyond all expectations. From the very able guide, Netra, to the ever calming and gentlemanly disposition of the owner, Mr. Pradip, they organized a very efficient air rescue and a worry-free transport to a highly capable travelers’ clinic in Kathmandu. Supervised mostly by Mr. Pradip himself, every little detail was handled with reassurance and comfort. It is said that it’s in a time of crisis that the very best comes out in people……Mr. Pradip and his staff shone in these moments. I’m very much looking forward to joining them again in the future and highly recommend Mountain Monarch Adventures to everyone.

I completed EBC and Kalapathar Gokyo and Chola pass trek with Mountain Monarch and had a great time. They do go the extra mile to ensure that you are comfortable and safe at all times. I found Pradip to always available on the phone and totally efficient and pleasant before during and after the trip.

Nepal Everest circuit is breathtaking but be prepared to do without creature comforts. Accommodation is basic throughout although this is representative of the choice in that region. Mountain Monarch have good contacts with tea houses so availability was not a problem.  The guide that I would recommend most is Vivek who is a total gem. One of the best guides I’ve met so far and an expert in early morning Tai Chi!. Water was boiled and sterilised for us, food pretty good – mainly vegetarian with egg and a little monotonous at times. Again – representative of food in the region.

Be prepared to be overwhelmed with fantastic scenery, experiences and friends en-route.
A must do and I”m thinking of going back next year for more with Mountain Monarch!

I did spend over one month trekking in the Solu Everest regions of Nepal with MMA and their incredible guide, Chandra Prakash Rai. This is my third trek with MMA and with C.P. My experiences have always been beyond my expectations. The company is professional, reliable, flexible, experienced and always put safety first. They take care of every detail. I have observed countless other companies and their guides and I can say without any reservations that MMA and C.P., in particular, are the best. If you want an experience that goes beyond the basics, one that exposes you to the people, culture, and religions of Nepal, not just the mountains, then MMA is the clear choice.