I did the Everest Base Camp Trek with Nepal Hiking Team recently in late March, 2017. I was already familiar with NHT as I had the pleasure of doing the ABC trek with them earlier and as the opportunity arose for me to do the EBC Trek, I definitely did not hesitate or require a second thought before choosing Nepal Hiking Team again. I was immensely satisfied with the services last time, and I expected no less this time around as well. Narayan was my guide last time and because of our immediate likeness, I asked for Narayan again. He was my trekking guide this time around too. It was so good to see Narayan again when he came to pick us at the airport. It was a client-provider relationship the previous time, but this time it was like a friends' relationship.
Narayan was very hard working and informative throughout the trip, no change from last time. If anything is within his control and capabilities (except the weather!), he will do it for us. He even brought apples and oranges for us, serving us the fruits before dinner to the envy of other trekkers. His work and his company is greatly appreciated. The porter that Narayan engaged was Balaram, a humble and fit 51 year-old man.
Mr. Ganga also provided very good support from his office throughout the trek. This was evident when my fellow trekker got hit by diarrhoea nearing the end of the trek. He liaised with the insurance company to arrange for the emergency evacuation helicopter. My fellow trekker turned patient, Mr Teo Chye Huat also comments on the attentive service provided by Mr. Ganga and Narayan. He says that since we've been to Annapurna Base Camp Trek, he cannot help but make a comparison. There are less vegetations, rivers, wooden bridges and ascending and descending stone steps. But you can see more yaks and jobkes than donkeys. The porters (not the ones that carry your stuff) carry more huge irregular stuff than those in ABC. You'll be amazed.
The terrain is more rugged. There are more snow mountains to see and the lodgings are much better than those in ABC.
I had minor difficulty in completing the last stage from MBC to EBC at 4,310m, but I had none when I was from Gorekshep to EBC which is above 5,140m. I wonder if it is because that it is a second trip for me. But the trek from Gorekshep down to Pheriche the next day was a tiring one.
One last thing on the porters. If you Google Nepal trekking porters, you can see all kinds of stuff that the other porters carry along this trek, zinc roof, huge mattresses, doors and even sinks. We cannot do anything for these type of porters, including those who wait everyday at the exit of Lukla airport hoping for a job when each flight filled with trekkers arrived. Hence dear trekkers, I appeal to you to tip your porters generously.
Nevertheless, the memories from this trip will last a lifetime. Thank You once again Nepal Hiking Team.