He Thought Nepal Would Be Difficult. He Was Wrong!
It all started back in 2019.
Jan and his friend Solbjørg had planned what was supposed to be a simple and comfortable journey through Nepal — exploring Kathmandu, Chitwan, and Pokhara. The flights were booked, the excitement was electric, and the adventure was finally close.
Then the world stopped.
COVID-19 cancelled everything.
For four long years, Nepal remained only a dream.
But that dream was finally realized in September 2023.
Four Years Later
When Jan and Solbjørg finally arrived in Nepal, they quickly realized something unexpected.
Nepal was not what they imagined.
Instead of feeling overwhelmed, they were wrapped in warmth, hospitality, culture, and genuine human connection.
They roamed the ancient alleys of Patan, tasted local food, explored temples, monasteries, visited stray dog shelter, stupas, and slowly immersed themselves in the rhythm of Kathmandu Valley.
From there, they travelled south to Chitwan National Park for wildlife and jungle adventures. What has stayed with them most from the safari experience was the resilience and culture of the Tharu community — the indigenous people of Nepal’s Terai region whose history and connection to the land runs generations deep.
Then there was Pokhara.
The relaxed lakeside atmosphere, the reflection of the mountains on Phewa Lake, and the thrill of flying above the city during paragliding created memories they would never forget. It felt surreal looking down at the lake, with the Annapurna range and Mount Machhapuchhre towering behind.
Their Nepal journey had finally happened after years of waiting
And they loved every minute of it.
Later, Jan wrote in his review:
“Our first trip was a tailor-made itinerary combining the best of Nepal’s culture and diverse nature. Everything from navigating the logistics of bustling Kathmandu and enjoying the beautiful, relaxed surroundings of Pokhara, to the thrilling wildlife safari in Chitwan, was planned to perfection. The transitions, transport, and daily schedules flowed completely seamlessly.”
The Dream Gets Bigger
Returning home to Norway was emotional.
But somewhere during that first journey, another idea had already taken root in Jan’s mind.
Everest Base Camp.
In 2025, Jan contacted us once again — this time he was considering either the Everest Base Camp Trek or the Langtang Valley Trek in the spring season 2026.
Eventually, he made his decision.
Everest Base Camp.
But there was one special request.
He wanted to celebrate his birthday at Everest Base Camp itself.
Simple?
Not in the mountains.
Preparing for the Mountains
The Himalayas demand patience, flexibility, and careful planning.
Flights can be cancelled for days due to weather. Altitude sickness can affect anyone regardless of fitness. Conditions can change within hours.
This was never going to be rushed.
Together, we carefully built an itinerary focused on safety, acclimatization, and flexibility.
We included,
- An extra rest day in Kathmandu upon arrival
- Additional acclimatization days in Namche Bazaar and Dingboche
- A shorter trekking progression before Gorakshep at Lobuche.
- One extra buffer day in Kathmandu after the completion of trek in case Lukla flights were delayed or cancelled.
Even before arriving in Nepal, Jan remained disciplined and prepared well for the trekking — staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol before the trek, and following altitude preparation advice carefully.
The planning mattered.
And soon, we would find out just how important it really was.
The Lukla Challenge Begins
The day finally arrived.
Jan landed in Kathmandu on a Turkish Airlines morning flight and checked into the hotel early enough to rest properly before the trek began.
But outside, Kathmandu was already experiencing pre-monsoon rain.
Anyone familiar with Lukla flights knows one thing, weather controls everything.
Flights to Lukla operate under strict visual flight rules, and even small weather changes can stop operations completely.
After hours of waiting at the airport, there was finally some good news.
The flight departed.
Relief.
But only briefly.
Due to worsening weather, the aircraft was diverted to Ramechhap Airport instead of Lukla.
Then came more waiting.
Hours passed. Clouds rolled deeper into the mountains.
Unfortunately, around 3 PM, all remaining flights to Lukla were cancelled for the day.
Heartbreak.
There was nothing anyone could do except wait and hope for better weather the next morning.
In Lukla, uncertainty is simply part of the adventure.
Finally Reaching the Mountains
The next morning brought a small window of opportunity.
This time, the flight successfully landed in Lukla.
A huge sigh of relief spread through the entire team.
The trek had finally begun.
The first day from Lukla to Phakding served as a gentle warm-up through beautiful river valleys and suspension bridges.
Because of the earlier delays, we carefully adjusted the itinerary together. Instead of keeping the acclimatization day in Namche, we relied on the additional acclimatization already planned for Dingboche and the shorter progression higher up, including a planned stop in Lobuche.
This is one of the key advantages of a private trek.
The itinerary can adapt according to conditions, health, and safety needs.
Throughout the journey, Jan’s health was monitored carefully every morning and evening. At high altitude in Dingboche, his oxygen saturation temporarily dropped to 86, but his overall condition, vitals, and recovery patterns remained strong.
By evening, he was stable again at 88 and then to 92.
The trek continued safely.
A Birthday at Everest Base Camp
Step by step, the mountains slowly opened wider.
Lobuche.
Gorakshep.
Then finally…
Everest Base Camp.
After weather delays, uncertainty, altitude challenges, and careful pacing through the Himalayas, Jan stood at the foot of the world’s highest mountain on his birthday.
A birthday cake at Everest Base Camp was absolutely mandatory.
It was one of those moments where words fell short.
Cold air and cloud wrapped around them.
Prayer flags moving with the wind, adding color to the silence.
The vast glacier fields stretched endlessly into the distance
And the feeling that years of dreaming had finally become reality.
The Mountains Were Not Finished Yet
Many trekkers focus entirely on reaching Everest Base Camp.
But experienced mountain planning also means respecting the return journey.
Descending too quickly after Base Camp is one of the most common mistakes people make.
We planned the return carefully without rushing back towards Lukla.
And that decision once again proved important.
Because when the team finally arrived back in Lukla, the weather closed in once more.
Flights were cancelled again.
Now the pressure became real.
Jan’s international flight home to Norway was approaching.
Fortunately, the extra contingency day in Kathmandu gave us flexibility and reduced unnecessary stress.
Then finally, another weather window opened.
The flight departed successfully from Lukla back to Kathmandu.
Relief.
For Jan. For the guide team. And for everyone at Elite Explorer.
More Than Just a Trek
Everest Base Camp is not simply a trek.
It is uncertainty, patience, adaptation, emotion, and reward all combined into one unforgettable experience.
One moment you are celebrating under clear Himalayan skies.
The next moment, weather reminds you that the mountains always make the final decisions.
And perhaps that is exactly why the journey feels so meaningful.
Later, Jan wrote in his review:
“After the success of our first trip, Elite Explorer was the obvious choice when it came to realizing the dream of trekking to Everest Base Camp. Trekking at these high altitudes requires flawless logistics, and this is where their professionalism truly shined.”
“The itinerary and pace were perfectly adjusted, with a strong and reassuring focus on acclimatization, safety, and well-being.”
“From the moment you land until you depart, you feel genuinely cared for, looked after, and valued as a guest.”
Nepal challenged him.
The mountains tested the journey.
The weather constantly changed the plan.
But in the end, he discovered something important, Nepal was never too difficult.
It simply needed the right people beside him.