EVEREST BASE CAMP “Kalapatthar trekking” – 15 days
Written by Jonathan Kattenberg on March 24, 2025
Est. Reading: 19 minutes
One of the most popular treks in Nepal - tinged with the romance of being so close to the highest mountain in the world -Mt. Everest, Everest Base Camp Trek
Getting to an elevation of 5364m, Everest Base Camp trek is an achievement.
After a day exploration of the treasure troves in Kathmandu, Everest Base Camp Trek begins with the electrifying flight to the airport in Lukla, which hangs on the edge of the cliff at 2900m. While penetrating through the floral and faunal biodiversity of Sagaramatha National Park, the trial winds through the magnificent forests of rhododendron, magnolia and firs.
The gateways to scattered highland hamlets are adorned with Buddhist prayers engraved mani walls and fluttering prayer flags.
The stunning landscapes and the breathtaking views of Himalayan giants including Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu and Ama Dablam among others are frequent rewards throughout the Everest Base Camp trek. Visit to sacred Himalayan Monasteries including the one at Tengboche and encounter with the culture of native Sherpa families are astounding cultural highlights of Everest Base Camp Trek. Getting closer to colossal Everest, Kalapattar 5545m is a breather offering the best view Everest and the fantastic glacial walk to the Everest Base Camp which lies at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall make the trek absolutely worthwhile
Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft) Welcome to Kathmandu – the capital city of Nepal. You will be greeted by one of our company representatives at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) as they pick you up and transport you to your hotel. Today, you will have a chance to rest and relax after your journey to Nepal, and may also have the opportunity to meet some of the team and discuss some details of your upcoming trek. You will enjoy a group meal with your fellow trekkers.
Accommodation option based on selected package: 5-star hotel Yak & Yeti or 4-star hotel Aloft Kathmandu Thamel
Meals: Dinner
After breakfast, visit Boudhanath, Local market and Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Boudhanath stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, holds paramount importance as one of the oldest and biggest Buddhist monuments in Nepal, serving as a key point for Buddhist pilgrimage. Once a crucial layover points on the ancient trade route to Tibet, it later became a settlement for Tibetan refugees. Presently, the bustling streets and narrow alleys around the stupa are filled with colorful homes, Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, and the lively presence of street vendors. Though its origins remain unrecorded, legend tells of a humble woman and her 4 sons who, in the 5th century, undertook the construction of this remarkable stupa.
Every day, numerous Buddhists engage in a daily ritual of circling the stupa three times while chanting the powerful mantra ‘Om Mane Padme Hum’ in a practice called “kora”. Colorful prayer flags fastened to the stupa sway in the breeze, carrying your prayers toward the heavens, creating a serene and uplifting experience.
Private blessing at Boudhanath:
A "wish fulfilling puja" at Buddha involves performing a devotional ritual offering prayers and symbolic items like flowers, incense, and food to a Buddha statue, with the intention of requesting the fulfillment of a specific wish, often accompanied by reciting mantras or prayers focused on generating positive merit and aligning oneself with the Buddha's teachings to achieve desired outcomes; the key aspect is to approach the practice with pure intentions and a focus on the spiritual benefits rather than solely seeking material gain.
You will also get to immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant culture of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, also known as the “city of temples”. Situated at a majestic 1,400 meters above sea level in Kathmandu Valley, this cosmopolitan hub has been the center of Newar Culture for centuries. This city showcases the royal legacy of the Kingdom of Nepal through its magnificent palaces, gardens, and awe-inspiring temples that grace the ancient city.
Within Kathmandu city lie various noteworthy attractions including Kathmandu Durbar Square.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is an exquisite complex of palaces, courtyards, and temples including the Hanumandhoka Palace, Kumari Ghar (house of the living goddess Kumari), and Taleju Temple (throne of the Malla Kings of Kathmandu). Serving as the city’s social, religious, and urban focal point, it remains the venue for all major state and social ceremonies to this day.
Local Market Tour. There is no better way to see the everyday lifestyle of the native people than through a tour of the local markets. You'll witness the bustle of the market, with its colorful products, the haggling and watching people earn their livelihood. The Asan and Indra Chowk neighborhoods are ancient marketplaces where people used to come from far and remote areas to trade everything from salt to gold. Today the products include agricultural, industrial, garments, livestock and other items. We walk through a maze of narrow streets and witness the rush of people. The area is close to the tourist shopping district of Thamel
Accommodation option based on selected package: 5-star hotel Yak & Yeti or 4-star hotel Aloft Kathmandu Thamel
Meals: Breakfasts, Lunch and Dinner
Early in the morning, we will be escorted to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu or Ramechhap airport to board our flight to Lukla (2,800m). It will approximately take 30-35-minute reach Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla.
Sit back and enjoy the views over the Himalayas and try and sit on the left if you can. On reaching Lukla Airport, you will be introduced to other trekking members awaiting your arrival and this is followed by breakfast at the lodge.
Here, the luggage is prepared for the Porters. Shortly after this, a walk towards Chheplung begins through the stone paved trails where you make your way through numerous prayer rocks while enjoying the scenic and energetic village of Lukla.
Here you can capture some of the most beautiful rural scenery on the entire trek. This first and short hike is specifically designed for the purpose of acclimatisation. However, on reaching Phakding also known as the lodge city, you can freshen up and take a trip to the nearby Monastery (on the west side of the river and half-a-hour from the main part of Phakding to stretch your legs. This night will be spent in one of the lodges in Phakding.
Accommodation: Lodge stay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Duration: 35-minute flight and 4 Hours Trek
Note: If Kathmandu airport becomes crowded due to air traffic, sometimes the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) asks all the travel and trekking agents to take client to a different domestic airport (Ramechhap Airport) to fly to Lukla and return which is 123km away from Kathmandu. We will provide transportation and the price stays the same.
After having breakfast at your lodge in Phakding, the trail leads you towards the first suspension bridge of the trek and easy uphill through the settlement of Zapute,Toktok, Benkar, Chumoa to Monju, which is also a gateway to Sagarmatha National Park. Between Phakding and Monju you can enjoy small tea houses and shops. After short National Park formalities at the entrance to the park, the trail drops steeply to the long suspension bridge built across the Dudh Koshi River. We further cross another suspension bridge and continue the walk to the high Hillary Bridge at the bottom of the hill. After the bridge, the trail leads you uphill to Namche Bazaar agate way to Mt. Everest. This uphill trail will give you the first great view of Mt. Everest that is hidden behind Lhotse-Nuptse and other peaks like Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Kusum Khangru.
Accommodation: Lodge stay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Duration: 6-7 Hours Trek
This is the first of the three scheduled rest days which will help us acclimatize to the high altitude. Since experts believe that it is better to stay active even during rest days for better trekking experience, we are going to spend the day enjoying small hikes in and around Namche Bazaar. We hike up to Everest View Hotel to enjoy admirable views of the Himalayan vista. On our way back to Namche we also tour the Khumjung Monastery (houses a yeti scalp!) and Hillary School. Our guide can also take us to the Tourist Visitor Center near the headquarter of the Sagarmatha National Park where we can observe an assortment of things related to the first Everest ascenders, Sherpa culture and learn about the various plant and animal life in the Everest region. Overnight in Namche Bazaar.
Accommodation: Lodge stay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Duration: 3 Hours Hike
Leaving Namche, the route is unbelievably beautiful – the Dudh Kosi is far below and Thamserku, Kantega, Ama Dablam, Lhotse and Everest rise in front. Woods, rhododendron the river make this a lovely walk. The morning view from Tengboche is justifiably considered one of the most magnificent in the world. Tengboche Gompa, the cultural and religious center of Khumbu. Founded in 1912, it has been destroyed and rebuilt twice as the result of earthquake and fire forests, mani walls, chorten and suspension bridges across. It is also possible to see musk deer, Himalayan Thar and Pleasants, if you sit quietly on the pasture site in between Namche Bazaar to Phungi Tanga.
Accommodation: Lodge stay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Duration: 5-6 Hours Trek
Stone steps lead down through rhododendrons, birches and conifers where, due to the hunting ban, almost tame pheasants are regularly seen. We hike half an hour down to the riverside and take a gradual climb up to the valley’s highest year-round settlement of Pangboche (3,860m/12,664ft). Here you can spot several Chortens and Mani walls and small villages as well. You can also get a close of view of Mt. Ama Dablam. In the afternoon we continue ascending to Pheriche from where a fairly moderate walk leads us to Imja Valley. Here, on climbing the last and steepest climb of the day, we finally reach Dingboche, the mountain views are outstanding.
Accommodation: Lodge stay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Duration: 5-6 Hours Trek
An acclimatization day here can be used to hike up the Imja Khola to Chhukung, a small summer settlement from where the views of Island Peak (6189), Lhotse, Ama Dablam and the fluted ice walls flanking the Amphu Lapcha pass are one of the highlights of the entire trek.
Accommodation: Lodge stay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
We continue up the wide valley beneath the impressive peaks of Cholatse and Tawache on the left. We then turn right and take a steep climb towards the foot of the Khumbu Glacier. The tea house at Duglha is a good spot to have lunch. The trail zigzags up through the boulders of the glacier's terminal moraine. At the top of this climb there are many stone cairns, built as memorials to the many Sherpas who have died while climbing Mt Everest. The path then climbs gently along the glacier, to eventually reach the cluster of houses at Lobuche.
Accommodation: Lodge stay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Duration: 6 Hours Trek
A very early start is required to reach Gorak Shep. The trail offers superb views of the surrounding mountains, especially where the path is forced to rise to cross a tributary glacier. We stop for lunch at Gorak Shep. As we reach Gorak Shep, we will be surrounded by snow-capped mountains looming all around us including the top of the world - Mount Everest. After a brief lunch and rest, we take the trail to Everest Base Camp through the once vast Gorak Shep Lake. Continuing straight ahead, we come through the Indian army mountaineers' memorials. As we reach Everest Base Camp, we cannot help appreciating the Everest climbers that take the hazardous route through the Khumbu icefall. Mountaineers’ tents stand out in bright colors against all the dull gray surroundings (especially in the spring). Nuptse, Khumbuste and Pumori are the mountains we can view from base camp. Everest actually is not visible from this juncture. By now we have met the ultimate objective of our trip.
However, the sunset view from Kala Patthar is more admirable than the sunrise view, so it is recommended that we visit Kala Patthar today during sunset. As the setting sun's rays strike the snow-capped mountains, the resulting scenery is incredible. For those trekkers who wish to continue to Kala Patthar, our guides and Sherpas coordinate our hike to Kala Patthar for an amazing sunset view today rather than tomorrow. Overnight in Gorak Shep at a local lodge.
Accommodation: Lodge stay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Duration: 7-8 Hours Trek
DAY 11: EXCURSIONS TO KALAPATTHAR (5,550m/18,204ft) 5545m Alt. AND TREK BACK TO PHERICHE (4,345m/14,295ft)
It’s a day to take a dark hike to the Kala Pattar. So, we start early in the morning. After walking upwards for a couple of hours you will reach a famous viewing point of Kala Patthar (Black Rock at 5,545m/18,192ft.), that offers the best views of Mt. Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Pumori, Ama Dablam and as well as hundreds of other beautiful peaks including that of Tibet.
The view grows golden with the first light of the day which gradually changes back to its original color. We spend some time here appreciating and taking the snaps of the breathtaking snowcapped peaks. Then we hike back to Gorekshep, have breakfast and retrace to Pheriche for overnight stay.
Accommodation: Lodge stay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Duration: 7-8 Hours Trek
After having a hot breakfast at the lodge, the trail drops easy downhill till Pangboche village. Then, the trail drops to the riverside to cross the bridge over Imja Khola and continues to climb up to Tengboche. A steep descent form Tengboche now leads you to the Dudh Koshi River. We cross the first bridge over the Dudh Khoshi River on our return trip in Phunki Tenga and having passed the village of Tashinga and Sansa, we reach Kyangjuma. Namche bazaar is an easy walk from here. The night will be spent here so that you can enjoy a hot shower, and relax in restaurants, cafes and bakeries.
Accommodation: Lodge stay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Duration: 7-8 Hours Trek
After taking a quick breakfast, the trail drops from Namche Hill to the suspension bridge crossing the Dudh Koshi River near the confluence of Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. Then we reach Monjo. After some formalities at the check post of National Park at Monjo the walk continues to Phakding for lunch. Since this is the last day of your trek, we continue our walk to Lukla. Also, most of the tracks are flat which allows you to enjoy open plains, rhododendrons and pine forests, Sherpa village, prayer stones, and flapping prayer flags with very less effort. On reaching Lukla you will be loaded with
memories made during the past few days. On reaching Lukla you can opt for some alone time, or spend your time with other crew members.
Accommodation: Lodge stay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Duration: 7-8 Hours Trek
DAY 14: FLY LUKLA - RAMECHHAP OR - KATHMANDU 45 MINUTE
Early morning after breakfasting our guide take you to the airport to board on the flight to Kathmandu or Ramechhap. Upon arrival at Kathmandu or Ramechhap airport, you will be transferred to the hotel.
Accommodation: 5-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (Dinner at Fire & Ice Restaurant)
Note: If Kathmandu airport becomes crowded due to air traffic, sometimes the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) asks all the travel and trekking agents to take client to a different domestic airport (Ramechhap Airport) to fly to Lukla and return which is 123km away from Kathmandu. We will provide transportation and the price stays the same.
> Unique participant booklet support
> Online Group training sessions on kit
> Online Group sessions on training
> Online Group sessions regarding Q&A’s
> Online individual sessions on bespoke training guidance
> Organised group training walk at agreed location with full mountain leader team
> Group kit fitting at Rab Outlet store (providing up to 50% discount on certain items) with full support and consultation on all kit
> Online High Altitude Awareness course
> Optional group altitude chamber training (max 6 clients per session and cost to be confirmed)
> All airport transfer
> Hotel accommodation – on full board basis
> Meet & greet upon arrival at airport
> All sightseeing by private AC vehicle in Kathmandu as per above program
> English speaking local guide for Kathmandu sightseeing as per program
> English guide trained in Expedition Leadership and Group management, REC(Rescue Emergency Care) Expedition & Travel First Aid, Royal Geographic Society Off-Site Saftey Management certified adhering to BS8848 Expedition and Travel Standards & BS11200 Crisis Management
> Private Buddhist puja at Boudhanath
> All entrance fees as per itinerary
> Government tax
– Airport transfer
– Local lodge accommodation on trek
- Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and dinner)
- Upto 4 litres of bottled drinking water each day
– All domestic transport as listed in itinerary
– Domestic flights Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu or Ramechhap-Lukla-Ramechhap
– Everest National Park entrance fees
- Village Development area entrance fee
- Trekking permit
– Porter to carry personal gear (2 clients 1 porter)
– 15kg per person luggage allowance while on trek
– Experienced English speaking trekking guide
> English guide trained in Expedition Leadership and Group Management, REC(Rescue Emergency Care) Expedition & Travel First Aid, High Altitude Awareness trained, Royal Geographic Society Off-Site Safety Management Certified adhering to BS8848 Expedition and Travel Standards & BS11200 Crisis Management
– Comprehensive Expedition Medical kit (including blood pressure monitor, oximeter and heart rate devices & portable altitude chamber) with group at all times.
– Twice daily medical checks on all clients
– Duffle bag (if required)
– Sleeping bag and Down Jackets (if required)
– Government tax
– Insurance of guide and porter
Cost for extra usage of vehicle, other than scheduled & mentioned in the itinerary.
Cost for any other service not mentioned under the “Cost Includes” Head Cost for Insurance.
Additional cost arising due to mishaps, political unrest, natural calamities like - landslides, road blockage, etc. In such case extra will have to be paid on the spot by the guest directly.
Payment for service provided on a personal request.
Personal expenses such as laundry, soft & hard drinks, incidentals, porter charges, tips etc.
Your safety is of paramount concern while traveling with Walking With My Bear Adventures and overseas partners. Please note that we retain the authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary; however, since this adventure entails travelling in remote mountainous regions, we cannot guarantee that we will not deviate from it. Weather conditions, health condition of a group member, unexpected natural disasters, etc., can all contribute to changes in the itinerary. The whole team will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if required.
Please note that often the Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu flight gets delayed by a few hours or may even be canceled for one, two, or more days due to unfavorable weather conditions, such conditions may arise even in the best seasons. Hence, in such cases, you must be prepared for long waits either at Kathmandu or Lukla airport, as this can happen either at the start or end of the trek or even both! We will do our best to avoid such delays, and arrange the next flight for you.
In case the flight delay/cancellation happens at the start of trip and it goes so long that it disturbs your onward travel schedule, you are free to choose an alternative trip such as a trek in the Annapurna, Langtang, or any other region. If you are not interested in the alternative trip and would rather wait for your original preferred trip, you are welcome to wait in Kathmandu for as many days as it takes to get a flight to Lukla.
However, please note that there will be no refund, if you lose time waiting at the airport and do not take an alternative tour or you only do a short trek later due to time limitation. If the cancellation happens before the trip, we will provide you accommodation and lunch in a guesthouse in Kathmandu. In case of the flight delay/cancellation after finishing of the trek, you will be responsible for all your expenses. Please also note that you will not be entitled to any refund for the services (such as hotel, transport, flight, etc.) included in the package that you would not use later.
It is a condition upon joining any of Walking With My Bear Adventures trips that all clients be insured for comprehensive expenses that might in occur due to medical issues or accidents (this includes air ambulance, helicopter rescue, and treatment costs). Please note that we don't arrange or sell insurance. However, we can provide details of reputable providers who have a track record of great services on the understanding this is not deemed as advice of provider.
This trek’s itinerary is planned with a high degree of awareness of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Experts agree that gaining elevation without proper consideration of AMS could be fatal. The higher the altitude, the less oxygen will be in the air. Therefore, our body needs time to adapt to an environment with less oxygen. During this trip, we take rest in Namche Bazaar and Dingboche which will help us acclimatize to the high altitude thus resulting in a successful trip.
We provide all clients access to online High Altitude Awareness courses as part of our package.
Equally, we can provide group altitude adjustment training for clients at a nominal cost should they desire in Leeds. For further details please let us know.
A full provided list is a guideline to help you pack for your adventure. Also understand that the items listed below will vary a little according to the season and the trek duration. The weight limit for your luggage is 33 pounds or 15 kg on the trek. Remember that your luggage will be carried by porters but you are required to carry a day-pack (with your valuables or anything important) on your own. We also suggest that you pack only what is necessary.
At Walking With My Bear Adventures, we pride ourselves on our approach, attention to detail and client care on all aspects of your adventure.
>Expedition Leadership and group management trained
> REC(Rescue Emergency Care) Expedition & Travel First Aid,
> Royal Geographic Society Off-Site Saftey Management certified adhering to BS8848 Expedition and Travel Standards & BS11200 Crisis Management
> Experienced long established overseas partners who live and work in the area.
> 1st class pre event training and support
> Twice daily medical checks on the event
> Comprehensive Expedition Medical kit (including blood pressure monitor, oximeter and heart rate devices & portable altitude chamber) with group at all times.
> Experienced in multi-day adventures and risk management
> Pre event client support inclduing online kit, training and altitude awareness training
> Online High Altitude Awareness training course for all clients.
> Pre event training day
> Qualified leaders
> Excellent client to guide and porter ratios ensuring clients have the very best support.
“I can’t recommend Jonathan and his team of guides highly enough after our incredible journey across the Edale Skyline. From start to finish, their professionalism, organisation, and unwavering support made the experience both enjoyable and seamless.
At no point did I have to think about health and safety, because it was clear they had it covered. Their expert guidance and attention to detail meant we could fully immerse ourselves in the challenge without worry. Beyond that, they kept the group motivated, lifted spirits when needed, and ensured everyone felt supported every step of the way.
If you’re looking for a team that truly has your back and makes every adventure both safe and memorable, Jonathan and his team are the ones to trust.” Emma Easton - Business Owner (LinkedIn testimonial)
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“Jonathan recently led our 17 day school trip to the Indian Himalaya. Jon was brilliant throughout from meeting with the students and parents pre-departure right through to getting everyone safely back to British soil!
Jon consistently ensured the health and safety of the group, conducting dynamic risk assessments and working closely with our in country guides to enable us to thoroughly enjoy the experience. He was great to work with, lively and fun – getting involved with activities and developed a great rapport with all the group. Jon also led the reflective sessions with the students encouraging them to consider the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and their own personal experiences. These were lively exchanges and the students all willingly participated.
Jonathan came into his own on the trekking and camping part of the trip, he was reassuring when the students were apprehensive, and motivating when they needed a little extra encouragement. He was very knowledgeable about walking and camping at altitude and monitored the health and wellbeing of the whole group diligently. I hope that we have the opportunity to work with Jonathan again in future as he was an excellent leader for this kind of trip.” Angela Prickett - head of Sixth Form St Micheal’s School (LinkedIn testimonial)
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“I was part of a team who travelled to Kilimanjaro and we had the fortune, and pleasure of having Jonathan as a UK guide working with the local guides. The mountain was exceptional offering experiences I will never forget and these will forever be in the knowledge of what Jonathan enabled for us as a group.
From the outset Jonathan was engaging, supportive and as excited as we were to be climbing. At the same time he brought focus, diligence and attention to every detail of our trip. Clearly behind the scenes there had been a lot of preparation with specific focus on safety and wellbeing over the duration trip, not just on the mountain.
Jonathan took time out to get to know us individually and as a group, and established daily routines of health and vitals observations prior to and during the trip, so we all had the comfort and confidence that we were safe and acclimating well.
Personally I owe a great deal to Jonathan for how he handled the unfortunate reactions I had to altitude while on the mountain. I felt confident at all times to alert him to my concerns as they arose and when the symptoms worsened overnight Jonathan switched into a different gear and was incredible in coordinating the wider team of guides, porters and UK based emergency medical teams to ensure that I was given the best care possible. His calm approach, clear communication, attention to detail and leadership were incredible to witness. I will be forever grateful for his focus on keeping me safe and getting me to a safe place as quickly as possible.
I enjoyed every minute of the time I spent with Jonathan on this trip. Professionally he has set the bar for mountain leaders very high and personally, he is plain and simple a great person. I am already in the dreaming phase for my next adventure and can't wait to get out on the trails with Jonathan again.” Ben Sargison - Senior Sales Manager (LinkedIn testimonial)
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“I was recently guided by Jonathan and his team across the amazing Edale skyline along with 14 other women. The hike was meticulously organised, well briefed, well communicated in advance and on the day and all group members wellbeing was taken care of. It was a tough hike but Jonathan kept us good spirited, motivated and focussed on finishing as a team. If you need a walking challenge, Jonathan is your man!” Anna Masheter - People Development Professional (LinkedIn testimonial)
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“I was lucky enough to be involved with a team event on the Edale Skyline Challenge! Well organised by Jonathan and his team - Claire & Mark. They supported everyone with different abilities but still achieved an overall team experience. Great and challenging event with some welcome banter to get us through those tough moments! If you need a enjoyable, safe and challenging event then Jonathan comes highly recommended!” Penny King - Business Director (LinkedIn testimonial)
