Bend a knee guys..... I did it !! ;-)

It all started in June 2018. We were on a boys trip, It was late in the night (or was it really early morning). Overlooking that dark expanse of the Dubai sea, we did exactly what a heady mix of alcohol and mid-life crisis demanded from us - We decided to go epic - We decided to go to Everest Base Camp!!

Back in Pune, a quick ask around and almost with no exception, we were directed to Adventure Pulse.

I met Sauraj and Sam at their Pune office. The discussion lasted for more than an hour and i was hooked. They took me thru the whole journey starting at Lukla surrounded by the dense forest, then along the gushing river Doodhkosi and then Imza, over the picturesque suspension bridges, buddhist flags greeting us at all places while slowly climbing your way up to the Tengbouche monastery, leaving the tree line below all the way up to dry land of no vegetation to the final stretch of Base Camp.

There was definitely no turning back for me now!!

We booked with them, bought a good pair of trekking shoes(I bought Columbia) and started our training. They helped us through this phase too. Their regular newsletters prior to the trip were giving us all the detailed descriptions of the trek to build up the excitement as well as preparations. Also, detailed list of stuff to buy and realistic advice on quality and brands to go for was quite helpful. We have a tendency to go a little overboard, hence their advice on what to splurge on and on what not to kept our budget in check.

As with all plans, we trickled down to only 2 of us at the end. So, it was all set for I and my brother to start on our first adventure trek.

We reached Kathmandu airport and as informed, we had a pickup. We were taken to this nice hotel(Apsara Boutique hotel) on Thamel street. Thamel street is a buzzing place with tourists and mostly trekkers. It is lined with trekking shops and an excellent place for fakes of The North face and Under Armour. So, incase if you have a few stuff left to buy, no frets, you can buy it from here. But i did not find this place any cheaper than Decathlon so no point in purposely coming here to shop. :-)

Same evening, we had our briefing and we met our fellow trekkers - all 24 of us. A fun mix of people from different spheres and walks of life who came together for this exciting journey.

We started our journey that night by road to go to Ramechhaap airport. We reached there morning at around 5.30 to check our baggage into the weirdest check-in counter, i had ever experienced. It was a shuttered shop on a dusty road side. Behind this road was the airstrip where we entered the smallest aircraft I had ever seen. It was around a 17-18 seater with non-pressurised cabins. The journey was scary as hell as well as exhilarating. The adventure had begun!! :-)

We reached Lukla where we met the rest of our crew of guides and sherpas. These guides over the period of next 11 days became our good friends, partners in fun and the first ones to respond and help with anything and everything we needed on the trek. They served us food and water everyday. They carried our bags if the need ever came up. My heartfelt gratitude and a loud shoutout to Lakpa, Viru, Pasang, Kazi and Garjan!!!

The trek which started from Lukla took us through the most scenic landscapes as well as the most treacherous terrain we had ever walked on. Nepali flats and Dal Bhaat power were the two most famous phrases which we heard everyday. We even made sure to buy a t-shirt with our trek mantra of "Dal Bhaat Power, 24 hour" written on it :-)

8 days of climb and 3 days of descent, with diminishing oxygen were not just made bearable but made enjoyable by Sam and Sauraj. They were always very clear and motivating in their briefing. It prepared ourselves for the next day's trek with real expectations. We knew what to expect and we knew how to handle them. They have a flair with words and in that difficult terrain, words are the ones which keep you going.

The arrangements at every destination were good. The food, you can choose what you wanted to eat and it was quite tasty at most places. We did not fall sick nor were we ever left hungry, so food was hygienic and in plenty.

Special mention of their precise planning and management - We had a group of 24 with the youngest at 16 and oldest at around 61. Some were fast and some were slow. But still there was always at least one guide with every group of people. Nobody did ever feel lonely or lost, however fast or slow you might have been. You will always find a guide a little ahead or just behind you at all times. And, that for me was very essential during those steep and long treks.

And last but not the least, a special shoutout to Suchit, their young new recruit who impressed us all with his impeccable service standards. Many a days, he would accompany the last one in, sometimes that would mean coming in the dark. But he would with all patience make sure that the last one comes in safely and in good spirits. Hats off to his dedication and patience!!

Thanks Adventure Pulse for a wonderful experience and surely its just the start of the many more we will undertake with you !!