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Ever wonder what really goes on at Everest Base Camp?
This trek is geared toward the fit enthusiast who wants to experience the excitement that lures people every year to climb Mount Everest. This trek fits in the scheme of a “once in a life time” adventure, which will not only surpass your expectations but will be unforgettable as well.
All trips to Nepal start in the capital city of Kathmandu. Waiting for your arrival will be one of our friendly Nepalese staff that will take you to the Thamel District where you’ll checked into one of the many comfortable hotels. After check-in, you’ll be shown around and an early dinner will be planned to get everyone acquainted before the real adventure begins. During your stay in Kathmandu a guided city, tour will be planned and you’ll have some free time just to shop and check out life in this magical city.
During our journey, it is likely that we will be traveling alongside world-class climbers on their way to scale the highest mountain in the world. While visiting base camp, you’ll have the opportunity to hike up Kala Pattar (18,200 ft), where many of the finest photos of Mount Everest have been taken. On the way, we’ll stay two nights in the village of Namche Bazaar to acclimatize. Namche is considered the trading center for the Khumbu region and every Saturday people walk from miles away and even from Tibet, to sell their wares here. Namche is also the hub onto which each trail converges, so yaks and people compete for space in this amphitheater style city.
Next, we hike to Tengboche, and the famous Tengboche Buddhist monastery, which is the spiritual center of the Khumbu region. The monastery sits in a meadow clearing with mountains surrounding it, a fitting place for such a spiritual Mecca. In the morning, you will awaken to the sounds of horns blowing, calling the monks to morning worship.
Along the way, we’ll visit many of the other villages and Sherpa people that live in the Khumbu region, until reaching Everest BC.
Once at Gorak Shep, the last village before taking the 6-hour round trip hike to Base Camp. We’ll take a rest day and very early before sunrise, we can hike to the top of Kala Pattar (18,200 ft) to watch the sunrise over Mount Everest.
Ask anyone, seeing Mount Everest is a once in a lifetime experience, something you’ll never forget. Experiencing Nepal, known for Himalayan peaks and incredibly friendly people, is a must do if you’re looking for a 100% mind blowing experience. And that’s just the beginning.
Day 1- Arrive in Kathmandu (4,300ft)
(Welcome Meal provided)
Namaste! Which means hello or goodbye in Nepalese. Today you arrive in Kathmandu and are met by staff members, then transported to your hotel in Thamel District. After everyone is checked into their rooms a group welcome meal has been planned to go over your instructions and schedules that are part of this trip. Everyone will be instructed on how much money to have for tipping and where to exchange money. After are meeting your guide will walk around the Thamel area with the group to make sure everyone knows their way back to the hotel and where the Internet cafes are located. After the short tour of Thamel your guide with leave the group to their own resources.
Day 2- Day sightseeing in Kathmandu (4,300ft)
(B,L)
Today everyone will take a tour of Kathmandu’s most famous temples & monasteries. After breakfast at 9:00am your guide will meet everyone in the hotel lobby. The first stop will be a tour of the Buddhist Gompa, Bodhnath, which is located in the Tibetan part of the city. This area is home to the cities Buddhist monks, Lama’s & nuns, along with religious colleges and retreats where people come from all over the world to study Buddhism. We will also visit a Tibetan rug factory, where Tibetan refugees make a living hand weaving wool rugs on immense looms. Before moving on the group will have lunch.
After lunch we will visit Pashupatinath, which is one of the most important holy sites in the valley to both Buddhist and Hindu. This is where cremations are done for Buddhists and Hindu’s then the ashes are thrown into the Bagmati River, which flows into the Ganges in India, taking the souls to Nirvana. If time allows we will stop other important sites. After our tour the group has free time to explore on their own.
Day 3- Departure for trek. Lukla (9,300ft) to Phakding (9,300ft)
(B,L,D)
Today is the day you’ve been waiting for your early morning flight to Lukla, starting point of all treks to Everest. Once we arrive in Lukla we will have lunch before starting the short 4-hour hike to Phakding. We have found that our clients do much better when they have some trekking under their belt today, instead of just camping in Lukla. Also as you’ll see, Lukla isn’t the nicest town; with narrow muddy streets and portaging animals everywhere, you’ll be happy to exit onto better places!
To start trekking we just walk out of town, following a very well marked trail from constant use. The trail today isn’t very difficult as it meanders along following the Dudh Koshi River winding through small villages and farmland. We will stop for the night at the small village of Phakding, possibly known best for its pool tables that never cease to amaze people as they walk by. During the trek we will be staying in teahouses some of the time and tents during times when the lodging becomes sub-standard.
Day 4- Phakding (9,300ft) to Namche Bazaar (11,300ft)
(B,L,D)
After breakfast we’ll trek for about 3 hours until reaching the guard post that signifies that we are now entering the Sagarmartha National Park. Everyone needs to regroup here so that special permits that where purchased for you in Kathmandu can be shown and registered in the park service office. Armed guards block the gateway until everyone is registered, then we are allowed to pass on to the Khumbu area, home of Mount Everest. The reason for this is security is that the cost to climb Mount Everest and some of the other peaks in the park now run well over $15,000 USD. The government doesn’t want any group getting in without making sure they have paid. Also this is a main route for Tibetan traders and they need to be monitored as well. Needless to say there is a very large military base near Namche making sure everything is OK.
After the park entrance we will stop for lunch before the up hill portion of our day. Once lunch is finished we will cross a very expansive metal bridge that hangs over 2,000-ft above the river below. Crossing this bridge signifies the start of the long climb to Namche. The trail is steep and switch backed to relieve the angle but no matter you’ll be happy once it is over. At the half waypoint the group will stop for a rest before continuing on. It will take us another 1.5 hours more before reaching Namche. Namche can’t really be seen from the trail but you’ll know your getting close when buildings start being glimpsed through the trees. You will cross under a sign that says, “Welcome to Namche Bazaar” but until you walk around the ridgeline will you see this amphitheater style village.
Day 5- Namche Bazaar (11,300ft)
(B,L,D)
Today is a rest day to acclimatize to the altitude. But we will make this an active rest day with a day hike to the village of Khumde and a visit to the Hillary Hospital there.
Namche is the largest village in the Sagarmartha National Park and like the axis of a wheel all trails end and depart from here. This is also an idea place to call together a market, which is held each Saturday. People come from all over the Khumbu bringing potatoes, meat, canned food, and live animals all for sale. But the main attraction is the Tibetan traders that brave the high pass from Tibet to sell rugs and what ever else they have. The villagers in this area of Nepal are the Sherpa, famous the world over for their climbing ability at high altitudes. These are simple people with a traditional style of dress and customs all their own. If it is a Saturday while we are resting in Namche we will take in the market before we go on our day hike.
If for any reason your not feeling up to the full day hike a guide will be left to make sure your getting attended to.
Day 6- Namche Bazaar (11,300ft) to Tengboche Monastery (12,600ft)
(B,L,D)
The Tengboche Monastery (12,600ft) is our objective for today. We will begin our hike by following a long winding trail high above the Dudh Koshi River with the highest mountains in the world starting to peak out from behind each turn. As we continue on we’ll be crossing one of the many very exciting and scary bridges known to all hikers that come to Nepal. After our river crossing we will head up hill to the Tengboche Monastery, that sits on the top of a plateau like a red and white gem. We will be camping near the monastery tonight so that in the morning we can hear them blowing the horns and chanting calling the faithful to prayer. Getting up early will give us a chance to sit in on their morning prayers, which is like watching something on National Geographic before setting off for Dingboche.
Day 7- Tengboche Monastery (12,600ft) to Dingboche (14,470ft)
(B,L,D)
Today is a long hike to the village of Dingboche (14,470ft), which sits in a small glacial valley being watched from above by Ama Dablam and Taboche Peak. This is high grazing country for the Yak that are abundant in this area. The Sherpa peoples of this village live here year round in small stone homes, going to Namche when they need to add veggies to their supply of potatoes and grain. Now you will start to feel like your really getting away from civilization, and the landscape starts to take on that moonscape feel, so well known to mountaineers.
Day 8- Dingboche (14,470ft)
(B,L,D)
We will spend this day resting and acclimatizing, another active rest day. A few choices will be open to you on how to spend the day, reading and relaxing, going for a day hike up on the local hill, or a day hike to the village of Chhukhung (15,520ft). The day hike to Chhukhung is magnificent, located at the end of this glacial valley with hanging glaciers; Lhotse (27,885ft) and Island Peak (20,100ft) are looking down like giants at this small village. We will all return to Dingboche to spend the night.
No matter what you decide to do with the day the views in this valley magnificent even from the lodge.
Day 9- Dingboche (14,470ft) to Lobuche (16,105ft)
(B,L,D)
Leaving Dingboche (14,470ft) we head over to another glacial valley with Lobuche Peak (20,070ft) quietly watching us. One we cross the Lobuche River we climb to a plateau reaching the tombstones of many Sherpa and adventurous climbers from all around the world. This site has no official name, but the tombstone gravesites are a reminder that climbing some of these Himalayan peaks is no child’s game. As of 1996 a tombstone was added to remember Scott Fisher, once owner of Mountain Madness who died as many did during that 1996 spring disaster on Mount Everest.
Now we are on the dry riverbed that eventually leads to the Khumbu Ice Fall, on the way to Mount Everest. As we round a bend we enter they village of Lobuche. If you’ve read anything about Lobuche I’m sure it wasn’t good because this has to be the dirtiest villages yet. Our group will just walk on by to a camp just 45 minutes pass Lobuche village (16,105ft).
Day 10- Lobuche (16,105ft)
(B,L,D
Unlike most groups we will spend a day here in Lobuche (16,105ft) getting in some further acclimatization. To many groups this would seem like a strange approach since you’d just had a rest day, but our experience has shown that you’ll do much better given this extra time once you surpass the 15,000ft elevation mark. This will not be a total relaxation type of rest day but a day hike of about 3 hours is planned to help the acclimatization process.
Day 11- Lobuche (16,105ft) to Gorak Shep (17,345ft)
(B,L,D)
Now we start the 5-hour hike to Gorak Shep (17,345ft), crossing over the glacial moraine coming from Pumo Ri (23,500ft). Today’s hike is continually going up and down as we work our way through the glacier. The small outpost named Gorak Shep sits on the sands of a dry glacier lakebed with Everest BC another 3 hours hike over difficult glacial gravel. Directly above this small group of teahouses and huts sits Kala Pattar (18,200ft), which is really a spur coming off of the ridgeline of Pumo Ri (23,500ft). Unfortunately Mount Everest can’t be seen from Gorak Shep because we are situated so close to the mountain base, with Nupste (25,785ft) and Lhotse (27,885ft) obstructing our view, but the next morning we’ll climb Kala Pattar (18,200-ft) for some of the most spectacular views of Mount Everest found anywhere, even from only half way up! But if you’re feeling very perky we can form a group to see Mount Everest at sunset this evening.
Day 12- Gorak Shep (17,345ft)
(B,L,D)
An early morning start is needed if your interested in climbing Kala Pattar for a sunrise shot of Mount Everest. But if your interested in what’s going on in Everest BC (17,600ft) we will arrange for a group to head there instead of the climb up Kala Pattar. Which ever you choose the group will return to Gorak Shep for the night.
Day 13- Gorak Shep (17,345ft) to Pheriche (13,920ft)
(B,L,D)
Today we will turn around and start heading down the valley and will camp at Pheriche (13,920ft), which is home to the only hospital around to help climbers or people feeling the ill affects of altitude illness. This small village sits in a river valley and presents the first chance to get a shower.
Day 14- Pheriche (13,920ft) to Phortse (12,600ft)
(B,L,D)
We’ll continue down the valley and connect with the same trail you came up on. Following this down ever lower until reaching Phortse (12,600ft) a very small village that sits across the valley from the Tengboche Monastery.
****If the group wanted to revisit Tengboche Monastery we would not go to Phortse.
Day 15- Phortse (12,600ft) to Namche (11,300ft)
(B,L,D)
The trail from Phortse heads steeply down and crosses the Dudh Koshi River then goes up until reaching Mong. We will stop at Mong for lunch and then head across the valley spending the night back in Namche.
Day 16- namche (11,300ft) to Lukla (9,300ft)
(B,L,D)
Now we will retrace our steps and head down to Phakding for a break to have some lunch, before we head down the valley to Lukla.
This is our group’s last night in the Khumbu region of Nepal and our trek is finished. A farewell party is planned to say goodbye and show thanks to our friendly staff, that I’m sure you’ll agree made your trip more enjoyable. It is customary to give tips out at this time to the porters and guiding staff.
Day 17- Lukla (9,300ft) to Kathmandu (4,300ft)
(B)
We will be met at the airport in Kathmandu and transferred to the hotel, where I’m sure everyone would like to take a long hot shower. Since you will be arriving back to the hotel before noon you will be free to spend the rest of the day doing as you’d like.
Day 18- Kathmandu (4,300ft)
(B)
This is your last full day in Kathmandu and each person is free to explore the valley. If you’d like some direction on what is available to do our staff can help you get started. Most people are busy this last day shopping and getting in some last minute sights. A farewell dinner is planned for the evening.
Day 19- Departure
(B)
After breakfast you should have all your belongings out of the room and down stairs. The hotel will keep an eye on your bags until its time for the drive to the airport. Everyone should be ready to depart for the airport no later than 2.5 hours before his or her flight departure. No matter what time you fly arrangements will be made to take you to the airport on time with directions on airport procedures.
If you are not scheduled to fly out today, we can make arrangements for hotel and other sightseeing tours to fill you’re extra time in Kathmandu.
Please remember that itineraries can be changed to meet the specific needs of each group, weather concerns, or political problems.
While in Kathmandu we use clean quiet 2 – 3 star lodging conveniently located in Thamel. This location allows our guests to shop and go out for a snack without a long walk or taking a cab.
The Everest Trek has become quite busy, so we combine tenting with teahouse or home stays during our trip. Relying on the standard teahouse trekking has become a game of chance when it comes to finding a room for the night.
While in Kathmandu breakfast is provided. You’ll be responsible for lunch and dinner. While trekking three meals a day will be provided. We suggest you should still bring along personal snacks for hiking. Some of the things other groups have liked are, individually wrapped chocolate, some type of energy bar and hard candy. You can buy anything you’d desire in Kathmandu. Your drinking water will be purified for you anytime you need it. While staying in Kathmandu, you’ll need to purchase drinking water. You will need to bring some type of hydration mix to add to your water. This can be Gatorade or other sports drink mixes.
All meals during the trek are either cooked by our wonderful staff or in teahouses by the owner. You’re most likely wondering what meals will the like while trekking. Below we’ve listed some of the items served.
Breakfast: Oatmeal, eggs many different ways, pancakes, toast, jelly, peanut butter, rice pudding, coffee, tea, coco.
Lunch: If camping our staff with prepare a hot lunch on most days. On longer days our staff will prepare you a pack lunch. When using teahouses we’ll stop in a convenience teahouse and order off the menu for lunch. Some items are; tuna, egg, ham and cheese sandwhichs, veggies, fruit, crackers, canned meats and french fried potatos, soups and macaroni stir fry.
Dinner: This is the largest meal of the day and our cooks go all out to serve up something impressive. Dinner starts with a light soup, main dishes are; spaghetti, chicken, chinese style food, Nepali food, cheese macaroni, stir fly vegetables and potates in everyway thinkable. We always follow dinner up with a dessert like, cake, apple pie, fruit, puddings and then coffee, coco and tea.
 In country transfers
Domestic flights, w/airport taxes
Welcome meal upon arrival
B/B Hotel in Kathmandu
Accommodations during trek, either tents or teahouses
3 meals daily during trek
Guided Kathmandu sightseeing tour, w/entry fees
Government certified English speaking Nepalese guide
Reliable portage staff
Assistant guides and other staff as needed
“First Need” water purifiers for group use
Group medical kit
Sagarmatha National park permits
Nepal Visa $40, can be purchased upon arrival
Airport departure tax (Rs1695 = $25)
Lunch & dinner in Kathmandu
Soft drinks, snacks, alcoholic beverages, or any extra meals outside of the three meals provided during the trek
Anything of a personal nature, laundry, phone calls, e-mail etc
Evacuation, travel or medical insurance
Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal
Nepal has only one international airport. This is a modern airport with daily flights from Bangkok and other counties. If flying from the east coast you have a couple of choices, either going through Heathrow, LAX, or a direct flight to Bangkok from JFK.
If you can’t book the first date for arrival, it’s better to come earlier, or one day later. You will be responsible for any changes that incur an increase in cost. If you need assistance with your travel plans, please contact us.
Nepal Visa Procedure
During your last flight into Kathmandu, the crew will hand out Nepal visa application forms. Fill the form out and have it ready with, passport size photo (b/w or color), passport and $30 USD in exact change. Please make sure your passport will not be expired at least 6 months once you’re to arrive home. You’ll also need to have at least 3 blank pages in your passport.
Arrival and Departure Information
Please bring this sheet with you to the start of your trip. The information below is what should be expected once you arrive and during the departure of your trip home. Of course everything is subject to change but this is the norm. If you have any questions or complaints during your trip its your responsible to voice them.
Day 1 (Arrival Day)
In-flight; during your last connection flight into Kathmandu, the airline will hand out Nepali Visa application forms. Fill them out completely and have one passport size photo and $40 USD ready to turn in with your application.
Now that you’ve flown half way around the world, you reach Kathmandu, Nepal. You exit the plane and enter the line that says “Tourist Visa’s” or “Non-Visa”. If you don’t have your Nepali Visa yet you should go to the “Tourist Visa” line have your Passport, paperwork and photo ready to hand the agent. The fee as of July 2008 is $40 for 30-day & $100 for 90 day visa. There is no other choice but a 90-day visa if you’re staying longer than 30 days at the airport. Please remember to carry USD for these transactions and make sure to have exact change.
Important Passport information; your passport should be good for 6 months after the date you plan to exit Nepal and have at least 4 empty pages.
Now with your passport stamped you head down a flight of stairs to an x-ray machine then into the baggage claim area. The luggage area is like most airports except the carts to put your heavy bags in are toward the exit door. Get your cart and bags and proceed outside. Once outside you’ll see hordes of Nepalese holding signs and calling out for your business. Please look for the sign with your name on it, or if your in a group arriving at the same time, your group will be given a name to look for, i.e. EMS Everest Group. Our staff will be looking for you so don’t panic; sometimes it takes a couple of minutes for everyone to get together.
Once our staff has located you or the group, you’ll be escorted to a waiting vehicle, which will take you to the hotel. Please at this transition time (from the airport to the waiting vehicle) don’t give anyone money or handouts. Many street people live on the airport grounds and begging is a way of life and can start fights among them for your money.
Once at the hotel you’ll be escorted to your room. You should check to make sure your room is acceptable and clean. If you don’t find things acceptable please tell the hotel right away and it will be taken care of. Even if you just don’t like a room near a street let the hotel know and you’ll be changed to a room your happy with. Many people just put up with a bad room and are unhappy; remember we can’t help you if your not telling us what’s unsatisfactory.
Now that everyone has found their room and everything is, as they’d like, the group will head off to the money exchange office, which is very close to the hotel. You will need to exchange at least $200 in American currency to get started. Put $100 USD worth of rupees away for tipping later in the trip, this should leave you with $100 USD exchanged to 7000 rupees. The exchange rate fluctuates but has held to 70 rupees per USD.
Now that you have some money it’s time to check out the sights, getting familiar with your surroundings. Not many people know it but Kathmandu is about the best place to shop, with literally hundreds of shops selling Nepali, Tibet and Indian merchandise and other stuff from around the world. Also the prices can’t be beat. Many clients actually need an extra bag to get all their goods home. Also, Thamel is loaded with Bakeries and other incredible restaurants. This is also a good time to email home at one of the many Cyber Cafe’s. The group is free to roam, or if you need a rest you can return to the room
At 7:00pm the group will meet in the hotel lobby and a welcome dinner will be provided in the hotel restaurant. The reason for this dinner is so everyone can get better acquainted and instructions will be given for the following days ahead. The group leader will discuss the itinerary of your trip and you are free to ask questions. During the instruction lecture your guide will advise everyone on what time to be ready for the city tour tomorrow and what time to be ready for the trip the following day. Please pay close attention and write these times down incase you forget. Usually all tours start at 9:00am and trips start anytime depending on mode of transportation to their start and departure times vary from 6:00am to 12 noon. After dinner everyone is free to do, as they like.
Day 2
This morning starts with breakfast at the hotel. Breakfast is included during your hotel stay and the dinning room is usually open 6 – 10am and is buffet style.
You’ll need to be finished with breakfast early because your trip guide will arrive about 9:00am and will either take you on a city tour, or he will introduce you to your City Tour Guide. The City Tour Guide will take the group by vehicle for a tour of the Buddhist Monasteries and Hindu Temples of Kathmandu Valley. Lunch and all entry fees will be provided during today’s tour. The tour should end around 3:00pm back at your hotel.
You will be responsible for your own dinner tonight and are free to check out all the eateries. After you return to the hotel for the evening you should make sure everything you want to take on the trip tomorrow is packed and all the stuff you’d like to leave at claim check in the hotel is ready to leave with the front desk the next morning. If your departure is extremely early the next morning you might like to check everything in that is staying that night.
This might also be a good time to get a safety deposit box at the hotel for important ID you don’t want to take on the trip. You can leave your passport in the box, but should always carry a photocopy. Other items that you won’t need are; credit cards, drivers license, return airline tickets, etc. You should carry some US dollars or Travelers Cheques in case of emergencies, or if you want to purchase something special during the trip. Usually most people get by with the $200 USD they cashed in on the first day until they return to Kathmandu. The only things you’ll need money for on the trip is snacks, telephone calls, laundry, sodas, beer and other personal items.
Departure Day for Trek
Today is our departure and you should have breakfast early, check in your extra luggage, secured a safety deposit box and are ready to go as soon as the vehicle arrives to take you either to the airport or the departure drive to the start of your trip.
Return from Trek
The day you return from your trip could mean that you’ll reach Kathmandu at anytime that day. You will be checking back into the same hotel, retrieving our luggage from storage and getting back into your safety deposit box. Everyone is free to enjoy lunch or dinner at their leisure and will be on their own that evening.
Final Full Day in Kathmandu
Most people wake up late this morning enjoying not needing to really go anywhere special today. You enjoy a nice breakfast and then are free to plan the day. Most groups have put together a plan on how to get the most out of their last day. Now that the group is more familiar with being in Kathmandu they don’t really need our help and enjoy discovering things on their own today.
If everyone isn’t running around we always try to get the group together for a final farewell dinner and everyone pitches in to pay for the guide’s dinner.
Departure for Home
Today is departure day and not everyone will leave at the same time or even this day. You should be packed and come down to have breakfast. Since check out time is 12:00 noon from the hotel the staff will watch your bag until its time for your departure to the airport. Everyone most be at the airport no later than two hours before departure and maybe sooner if the season is a busy one.
Departure Procedure at the Airport
Make sure you have your luggage, airline tickets, passport and 1100 rupees for airport departure tax. Once the cab drops you off at the terminal for departures you go directly inside where you’ll need to show the guards your tickets before entering. No one will be allowed inside the airport unless they have a ticket for that day.
Proceed directly to your right to the counter that says, ”BANK” this is where you pay 1100 rupees for the airport tax. Once you have your tax receipt take all your luggage to one of the x-ray machines, once through you can proceed to your airlines counter for check-in. Caution – you cannot check-in at the airline counter without the airport tax receipt, so get this before going beyond the x-ray machines.
Once you’ve checked-in you will proceed up stairs to the Emigration Check-Through. You will need to fill out a form supplied at the counter stating how long you’ve been in the country. This Check-Through is to make sure you don’t owe any extra visa fees and have been in the country legally.
Now you are finished and will wait in a lounge for your flight to be called. The lounge does have a restaurant, snack bar and restrooms.
Trip Level (1-5)
This trip is rated Strenuous (5) due to the higher altitudes reached, (average altitude 11,000-ft.); most people experience little or no affects of the altitude, except for a slower hiking pace. You will be hiking for 6 – 7 hours per day over varied terrain. The pace is moderate, with rest stops planned along the way. You should be an experienced hiker, and in excellent health and fitness.
Innoculations
Many foreign countries have no immunization requirements to obtain a visa. The following list is what the U.S. government recommends you be inoculated against when traveling to the countries we offer. Take this list to your doctor, he/she can advise you on which vaccinations from this list are necessary for you. You can also check with our staff to see which vaccinations are necessary for the specific area you will be traveling to.
Tetanus/ Diphtheria: A vaccination is vital if you’ve not had one in the last ten years.
Infectious Hepatitis A & B: Infectious hepatitis (or hepatitis A) is a disease of the liver that drains you of energy and can last from three weeks to a few months. It is spread by drinking infected water, and by using utensils or eating food that has been handled by an infected person.
Meningitis: This inoculation is recommended for all of our trips. There have been some cases of this disease among western tourists.
Typhoid: This is caught from contaminated food and water, and the inoculation is recommended for travel.
Polio: A booster of either the oral or injected vaccine is required every 10 years to maintain your immunity from childhood vaccination. Polio is a very serious, easily transmitted disease, which is still prevalent in many developing countries.
Spending Money
Usually $500 USD will get you through this trip. You will be paying for your Nepali visa upon arrival, which will come to $30 USD, along with airport snacks while in transit. You will also be responsible for your lunch and dinner while staying in Kathmandu and your drinks while in any hotels. Check the daily itinerary for which meals are included. A general guide for meals is $25 pp should get you through a day of meals, unless you drink alcohol and soft drinks.
Tipping of Staff
Each person should plan to tip the trekking staff. If you set a side $100 USD, this should be enough to tip all the staff. Each member of the group will put in the kitty their $100. Your EMS guide will explain the tipping scale, if you want to give away items of clothing or a larger tip to an extra special staff member that is fine and should be done discretely.
Travel Insurance: Medical, Trip Interruption and Cancellation
We strongly advise all our travelers to purchase travel insurance. Make sure that the company you choose provides emergency medical, trip interruption and cancellation coverage. Please remember that if you cancel your trip with us and don’t have cancellation insurance, you’ll be subject to our Refund Policy and this could mean that you won’t be compensated if not insured. You should purchase your insurance once you sign up for the total trip price including flights.
We are proud to be a provider of AIG Adventure Travel Insurance. Please let us know if you’d be interested in having us send you a quote.
Calling & E-mailing Home
While in Kathmandu you can use the local internet cafe’s to write or call home. We don’t suggest you bring a laptop because there are plenty of internet locations. It is best to tell your family that they can expect a call or e-mail once you depart on the trek. Remember at times you’ll be in very remote locations and loved ones should not expect calls, or e-mail. We do have a satellite phone for safety, but not as a phone service. Once you sign up for the trip instructions will be given for your family in case of emergency. However, remind them it might take several days for any news of an emergency to catch up with you. Therefore, it is best to have a family talk about this before you sign up.
Early Departure from Itinerary
Since trips travel to many different locations, any change from the itinerary might not be possible. If you have an emergency, we’ll assist you with necessary transportation and reservations to return home. Any changes will be charged accordingly since this will mean that you diverted from the original itinerary. We do have local staff at our disposal to assist us with any arrangements.
Emergency Contact Numbers
Once you’ve booked your trip with us, we’ll send you by e-mail or snail mail, all contact information in the country you’ll be visiting. These contacts should only bee used if the situation is a real emergency. Make sure your family is aware that even with an emergency it might take a day to track you down.
Single Supplement Fee
Anyone traveling alone and isn’t willing to share a room in Kathmandu, or tent during the trek will be required to pay a single supplement fee. Single supplemental pricing depends on the direct lodging costs and other costs (more staff) to carry extra tents. During most teahouse treks in most cases we can not provide single rooms. These lodges want to get as many people into the rooms and won’t allow one person to have a room that could sleep two. At times we’ve even offered more for the room and the owners didn’t care, so please let use know if you’re not willing to share at anytime with anyone.
If you join a group departure and aren’t coming with another traveler, we will do everything we can to match you up with another traveler on the same trip, but in the event that no suitable match is found, you must be prepared to pay the single supplement fee.
This list includes the minimum clothing necessary to travel on this trip. Each person is restricted to a 28 lb. luggage limit (which includes your sleeping bag) for the trek. Remember that cotton isn’t the best choice in clothing of any kind for a trek, because it robs your body of warmth and dries slowly.
We’ll go over your equipment in equipment before departing for your trek. You will be able to leave your travel clothing behind at the hotel.
Hiking Boots- One pair of medium weight hiking boots, well broken in and waterproofed and proven not to give your feet any blisters. Don’t bring old worn out boots that don’t have good soles, or broken shoelaces.
Gaiters- Make sure your gaiters fit over your hiking boots and are full length and waterproof.
Camp Footwear - One pair of sneakers or Teva-style sandals
Socks- 5 pairs of socks made of synthetic materials or wool blend. Next to the skin, some people like thin polyester or polypropylene socks to transport perspiration from the foot to the outer socks.
Down booties- One pair of down booties to wear at night or around camp (Optional)
Long Underwear (top and bottom)- 1 pair, made of CoolMax, polypropylene, or other synthetic (no cotton blends
Underwear- 5 pair, synthetic (no cotton blends)
Bra/Sports bra- two, synthetic (no cotton blends)
Shirts or Tops- one short and two long sleeve shirts
Fleece Pullover and Pants- 200 weight Polartec® or Powerstretch® tights and top
Jacket- One warm jacket with Down, Hollofill or similar high loft insulation. This layer fits underneath your rain and wind parka.
Fleece Jacket- One / a lighter fleece jacket to be worn during the day, or for layering
Hiking Pants- Two pair. Some people like the kind that you can zip the legs off. These are good for warm afternoons. Please, no jeans.
Shorts- One pair
Gortex/Waterproof Rain Parka and Pants- This is considered the outer layer (rain gear). The parka should be waterproof with hood and pit zips. The pants will go over fleece pants or long underwear, and must be waterproof (side-zip style is optional).
Gloves- 1 pair of liners/1 pair of warm gloves. Make sure that your gloves liners can fit inside mittens or other heavier gloves.
Mitts w/double liners- For climbing Kili, heavy wool, pile or synthetic lined Gortex over mitts are preferred. Make sure you have room for your synthetic gloves inside your mitts.
Hand Warmers- Two sets of chemical hand warmers
Headgear, a.k.a. Hats- During the day you’ll need a hat with a brim to protect your face from intense sun, and at night a fleece or wool hat for warmth.
Balaclava- For high altitude trips, A head layering system works best: first a Capilene balaclava, then a neck gaiter, and finally a baseball hat or fleece hat.
Sunglasses- Two pair / One pair with dark lenses, the next pair should be glacier glasses, with side shields. All treks that travel over 10,000 ft. or mountaineering trips require glacier glasses, this is a very important piece of equipment. The eye is particularly vulnerable to the brilliance of mountain skies and reflections off snow. Sunglasses must be worn at all times during the day. When purchasing sunglasses, try them on and look in a mirror: if you can see your eyes while wearing them, choose another pair. Glasses should have no more than 8% light transmission and make sure they have 100% UV protection.
Headlamp- One / Bring extra batteries and bulbs. Headlamp must be bright enough to see at night or incase of emergency. Small flash light is useful.
Water Bottles- Two bottles/We prefer wide mouth 32oz Nalgene brand. Camelback type hydration system, only for hikes, not on mountain, the water tube will freeze.
Bandanna- Two / since there isn’t a lot of toilet paper to go around we can use your Bandanna to blow your nose. Also is good to hear as a neck over for sunburn, and over mouth for dust.
Sunscreen and Lip Protection- One tube of sunscreen and two chapsticks, both SPF 30 and not older than 6 months/You should carry these with you during the day.
Insect Repellent- One bottle of insect repellent cream in a tube.
Baby Wipes- Amount depends on time traveling. One large container will last 3 weeks. Make sure these are stored in a zip lock plastic bag, they sometimes leak.
Camp Towel- One, large/This will be for drying after showering. The brand I use is called "Pack Towel," and can be purchased at EMS. These must be washed before use, so check out the instructions.
Hydration Mix- Plan water doesn’t replenish the electrolytes lost while sweating, working hard hiking, or during very hot weather. It can also get pretty boring to drink for three weeks. You should purchase something like Gatorade, to put into your drinking water while on trek or safari. Gatorade can be purchased in small one-day packets.
Toiletries- Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, dental floss, lotion, fingernail clippers, etc. Try to find organic brands that won’t hurt the environment. Women must remember to bring sanitary napkins or tampons. Your toiletries should all fit into a small kit. Don’t bring large bottles of shampoo or other items, you can purchase small size bottle specifically for travel use. If you’re traveling on this trip with a friend, it is then possible to share things like toothpaste and sunscreen.
Toilet Paper- Hotels will have toilet papers, but during the Kili phase, you’ll need a roll or two of paper. Keep in zip lock bag.
Ear Plugs- 2 pair / Good for blocking out barking dogs or a snoring tent mate.
Trekking Poles- One pair telescopic poles with baskets at the bottom
Waterless Hand Cleaner/Sanitizer- One small bottle to carry with you during the day. Most people assume that they’ll get "the toilet two step," because of the food, or from the water. However, much of the time, it was your own hands that made you go running for the bathroom.
Camera- If you’re thinking of purchasing a new camera, try to buy one that takes double A over the counter batteries, not rechargeable ones.
Books, Tape Player, Journal, Cards, etc.- On all treks there will be time to read, listen to music, and reflect on your day. Because of weight allowances make sure whatever you bring is lightweight and won’t break. All extra gear will be left back at the hotel.
Sleeping Bag- High quality with hood rated to zero degrees F. If you don’t already own a sleeping bag we suggest purchasing a down bag because of weight.
Large Cargo/Duffel Bag w/TSA approved lock– One large 6000 cubic inch bag. All your gear should fit inside this bag. Make sure your bag has been waterproofed or treated, with no holes, or broken zippers.
Day Pack w/rain cover- Your daypack should have some type of internal support to help carry the weight. The best size backpack is a 2500 to 3000 cu in. There should be places to strap on your trekking poles and for your water bottles. Your pack must fit you correctly and feel comfortable with a weight of 10 - 15 pounds. We suggest you go for a hike with some weight inside your pack to make sure it fits properly. If you don’t have a back that you think will work, visit your local EMS store for help with choosing a new pack. The experts at EMS can help you with purchasing a new pack. EMS also has “women” specific backs that fit a woman’s body.
Compression stuff sacks- These help to maximize space. I usually use three stuff sacks: one for my hiking clothing, technical clothing and socks and underwear. In addition, this protects your clothing from getting that popped bottle of shampoo all over everything.
Trash Bags- Four 32 oz. 3 ply garbage bags. These can come in handy to cover your daypack during a downpour or for dirty clothes. In addition, you can put your stuff sacks into a bag to keep things dry.
Money Belt- to wear under your pants
We will have gauze, tape, aspirin, medicated soap, antibiotic ointment, antacid tablets, some antibiotics, painkillers, eye treatments, anaphylaxis kit, Imodium, and Diamox. Because of liability problems, prescription drugs will only be dispensed in emergencies. We suggest you bring the following medical items. Please discuss this with your physician.
** These drugs are recommended by Peter H. Hackett, M.D., in his American Alpine Club publication "Mountain Sickness Prevention, Recognition and Treatment."
Intestinal disorders: Compazine**, 25mg rectal suppositories: for severe nausea, vomiting. Imodium to decrease diarrhea and cramping. Tetracycline, Cipro or Bactrim antibiotics: for initial treatment of severe diarrhea. Activated charcoal has proven to be an effective first stage treatment.
Cuts and scrapes: It's wise to bring a supply of "Band-Aids" to treat those abrasions that sometimes occur.
Infections: Antibiotic ointment for cuts and abrasions. Erythromycin or Amoxicillin tablets for skin or soft tissue infections.
Blisters: It is wise to bring your own small supply of blister treatment items to insure that you avoid letting any blister get out of hand, "Second Skin" and moleskin are recommended
Headaches: Tylenol and Tylenol with codeine** to help relieve possible altitude headaches. Nothing stronger than codeine should be taken for fear of masking potential severe altitude problems while on the mountain.
Insomnia: Halcion** 15mg tablets. In high altitude, mountaineering restlessness is not uncommon and sleep is very important. Halcion is a light sleeping pill, we do not recommend using any sleeping pills above 15,000 feet. We have also found Melatonin to be very helpful for jet lag.
High Altitude Sickness: Diamox** (Acetazolamide) 250mg tablets to be taken twice a day from arrival in Arusha. This drug is widely used in high altitude mountaineering and is highly recommended.
Carry-on for the flight
Here is a list of things you should bring on the plane with you. If your bag is lost in transit, you’ll need a few basics to get by. You can put these things into your backpack and tighten down all the straps to make it smaller and check in your large cargo bag, or you can bring a rolling carry-on and see if all with fit. Hiking boots should be worn on your flight. Many international flights provide you with socks, or slippers to walk around the plane in, for the flight. You can take your boots off once on the plane and place in the overhead compartment.
2 pair of hiking socks
2 pair of underwear
All prescription drugs and headache medicine.
Decongestant – Sudafed works well to keep your sinuses open on long flights.
Change of clothing, pants and shirt
Headlamp
One pair of dark sunglasses
One water bottle
Tooth brush w/paste
Reading materials
I-pod or other media player
Pre-Departure Checklist
Remember your US passport
Bring correct change for your visa $50
At least two passport photos
Cash – Bring small bills, some one-dollar bills for carts at airport and tipping.
Dentist – Make sure you don’t have any dental problems before heading out.
Give the itinerary to your family with contact numbers that will be provided.
Make sure to be well hydrated before your flight.
Emergency Insurance information
Plane tickets
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