Question for folks who have been there.

[Jeff Minneapolis]

I seem to get the impression from some of the posts on this board that it is silly or even undesirable to go with any of the commercial trekking companies....would some one plz elaborate?
Plz and thanks
jeff

[ketama]

Why do you advise against going alone? What are the dangers? thanks

[Stephen Pestana]

The "dangers" are reputedly Maoists/ or pseudo Maoists who are really thieves.
There have been some postings but little real evidence of it. As others have said you will always be around some people. Just team up with people you like for the day.

Enjoy
Stephen

[Jeff Minneapolis]

Thanks to all who responded. The more I read the more disinclined I am to go with a big American trekking company. Sounds as if you have a SCHEDULE to keep. Gawd, schedules and politics and gadgets are all the things I want to get away from. :) Not really being a camper the teashouse treks sound like the way to go for my partner and myself. So two more questions.
1. I realize this is a matter of preferance but what trek 1st. EBC or Annapurna Circuit.
2. Also we are a gay couple in late 40s. Does anyone know if this is a big deal in Nepal. LOL...I doubt it would come up as we both are pretty regular guys but I am curious.
Lastly I AM very interested in EBC trek but the Lukla bottle neck sounds like a bitch. I work for the airlines and the LAST thing I want to have happen is to get involved with hysteria like that.
thanks again...jeff

[Manish Matu]

Hi Jeff,

1. Both EBC/Gokyo and Annapurna Circuit are great. EBC/Gokyo are higher altitude treks (mostly above 3500m) and u get to see Everest as close as a trekker can !! Try to combine Gokyo with ur EBC trek. Annapurna Circuit has a mix of different cultures, flora, fauna ... every 2/3 days, everything changes !!

Personally, I prefer the Annapurna Circuit.

2. Being gay is NOT a problem in Nepal or Asia. In any case, public displays of emotion between ANY couple are not really the done thing here !!

cheers,
- manish

[Stephen Pestana]

Manish is right.

Dont flout your emotions gay or hetero.

Lukla is at least in March /April at the moment not a problem. Most of the info about Lukla is about the crazy days of mega tourism. Howver it is a mountain and conditions are unpredictable. many of the problems are because of nature. Actually I think they do a great job given the circumstances.

ABC or EBC depends on what you want. Annapurna is more varied, in terrain and culture.
Everest is higher and the sherpa/budhist/Hillary history more evident. Ironically if you have less time time the latter may be easier since you fly into Lukla you are amongst the mighty Khumbu .

Either way it is a winner

Stephen