If you value your safety and life- avoid at all costs
If you’re a solo traveller—especially a solo female, please reconsider using Sherpa Expeditions. I felt completely let down, misjudged, and ultimately unsafe on my Annapurna Base Camp trek. For context I have travelled 48 countries and done many tours in my time. Whilst the basic logistics of the tour were smooth. Sherpa lacked the cultural immersion and basic safety that was advertised.
In short, Sherpa Expeditions lacked in duty of care. I was flown down from ABC with severe SEPSIS, 62% oxygen saturation and dehydration after multiple days of trekking and limited assistance or care from my guide. My concerns- My guide watched me fall unconcious and walked away. Leaving me passed out on a concrete ledge 1.5m high. A medical evacuation was not called for 24 hours after i was in a critical condition. I spent 4 days in hospital and both nepslese and my home country doctors have advised I am lucky to be alive.
*Update*
- I was asked 3 times by different Sherpa staff to remove my review. (I assume others who have tried to write an honest review received a similar experience and were scared into removing it).
- I received multiple strong worded whattsapp text messages from staff members, my porter and guide.
- I received an unprofessional email from a staff member who was not involved in my trek. Where multiple false claims and inaccuracies were made towards myself. This was after my guide had already accepted some personal fault and responsibility. Making the company look very silly and unprofessional.
- Rather than accepting any fault for walking away on someone unconcious- the company representative took an approach to deflect, place blame
- I was sent 169 questions for an internal investigation. Many of the questions were to me manipulative and very unrelated to my concerns. Mostly inferring that my sepsis infection was due to my fitness levels 😂 thankfully my fitness helped me survive
- I queried what my responses were for and who they were going to be provide- no response.
-request for refund/compensation-ignored
-my guide did take some personal accountability and apologised
The long story
There was a complete disregard for duty of care from my guide, Dewa. no apology or ownership of the mistakes made,l.
My porter, was the only one who showed concern, effort, or care.
From the very beginning, I was boxed in as the “incapable girl.” I wasn’t provided any information, cultural insight, or even basic trekking guidance. I learned more from other trekkers and their guides than I did from Dewa. Every break I took was met with huffs and eye rolls, and there was zero verbal encouragement or support. While I appreciate they carried my day bag this was the bare minimum.
The state of the first aid supplies was appalling:
The oximeter had no batteries. Enough for 2 attempts.
No purification tablets (as advertised)
No basic first aid offered, no health checks, no concern. Only when I spoke up in fear in front of his peers/ messaged the boss were there small acts shown
Day 4: Somehow, I made it to ABC in critical condition. There was no care—just constant negative commentary from Dewa. I was struggling to stay upright, and he offered zero encouragement or verbal support. When I said I needed to descend urgently, I was made to wait for him to finish breakfast.
Even then, with drips in my arm after being admitted to hospital Dewa made comments like “there are nine more deserving patients at ABC waiting for evacuation”, a completely inappropriate and dismissive statement.
I booked this trek expecting adventure, challenge, and cultural immersion—not medical trauma, not being able to trust my guide and a complete disregard for my wellbeing. There is always a risk on a trek in a third world country. However, sherpa advertise themselves on culture, safety and customer service
If you value your health, safety, or basic dignity, I urge you to reconsider booking with Sherpa Expeditions. Especially if you are a solo or solo female traveller. My experience was not just disappointing—it was dangerous.