18
34 248
The tour starts at our hotel in Kathmandu. The group flights arrive into Kathmandu in the afternoon and those travelling on them will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. There will be a full trek briefing this evening.Royal Singi Hotel (or similar)
We fly to the mountain airstrip of Lukla (2,800m), and set off on the first short leg of our trek, heading northwards up the valley of the Dudh Kosi (or 'milk river'). We descend from the small plateau, down into the forested valley. The trail offers some tantalising views before reaching the small settlement of Phakding (2,652m), where we spend our first night.Teahouse (sleeping altitude 2,652m)
Distance in Km: 8
Distance in Miles: 5
Activity Hours: 3
Heading out of Phakding we follow the Dudh Kosi northwards. This day's walk takes us through magnificent forests with glimpses of the mountains ahead. We cross the river several times by bridges as we pass through the villages of Benkar, Monzo and Jorsale. A final bridge brings us to the foot of the steep climb to Namche. Halfway up this ascent we may get our first glimpse, cloud-permitting, of the summit of Everest appearing majestically behind the great ridge of Nuptse-Lhotse. A last 300m of climbing brings us to Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capital and the main town in the area. Namche is a prosperous Sherpa town and an important trading centre. It has a weekly market on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning but the town bustle all day every day with trekkers, coffee shops, bakeries and stores selling all kinds of trekking and climbing gear as well as Tibetan souvenirs. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 3,440m)
Distance in Km: 15
Distance in Miles: 9
Activity Hours: 6.5
Altitude Gain: 790
We climb steeply out of Namche past the airstrip at Shyangboche, to the Everest View Hotel, the highpoint of our day at 3,880m. Built by the Japanese this spectacularly situated hotel with wonderful views of Everest and Ama Dablam is an ideal place for a tea break. Descending through forest we come to Khumjung, where we have lunch close to the Sir Edmund Hillary School. After lunch we walk up to Kunde and visit the Edmund Hillary Hospital. The twin villages of Kunde and Khumjung are set below Khumbila, the rocky peak sacred to all Sherpas. For much of the walk we have great views of Ama Dablam and other Himalayan giants. We walk back down through Khumjumg, to the monastery. Sadly it was damaged in the earthquake but is now being repaired. Inside is a small box and after paying the entry fee (which goes towards the repairs) we will be shown the only Yeti skull in the world! Descending to the main trail we spend the night at Kyanjuma We climb steeply out of Namche to the Everest View Hotel. Built by the Japanese this spectacularly situated hotel with wonderful views of Everest and Ama Dablam is an ideal place for a tea break. Continuing, we trek to the villages of Kunde and Khumjung set below Khumbila, the rocky peak sacred to all Sherpas. In Kunde we can visit the Edmund Hillary hospital, and there should also be time to visit the monastery in Khumjumg, where for a small donation we will be shown the only Yeti skull in the world! Descending to the main trail we spend the night at Kyanjuma.Teahouse (sleeping altitude 3,600m)
Distance in Km: 10
Distance in Miles: 6
Activity Hours: 6
Altitude Gain: 160
This morning we descend to the river; we cross it at the little settlement of Phunki Thangkha at 3,250m, then climb steeply through the forest to Thyangboche at 3,867m. We will be here by lunchtime and in the afternoon we will visit the famous monastery. The sunset and sunrise on the fantastic panorama of mountains surrounding us are not to be missed - Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and Ama Dablam provide a wonderful backdrop to our teahouse. Look out for Himalayan Tahr in the forest surrounding the monastery.Teahouse (sleeping altitude 3,867m)
Distance in Km: 6
Distance in Miles: 4
Activity Hours: 4-5
Altitude Gain: 270
We descend through the forest to Devoche and a little further on we cross the rushing Imja Khola, whose valley we now follow. Climbing steadily the trail enters Pangboche, at 3,900m, the highest permanent settlement in this valley. Ascending the valley, we have lunch at Shomore, after which we leave the trees behind and cross a wooden bridge at the confluence of the Khumbu and Imja Kholas. A short steep climb brings us to Dingboche, a summer settlement where great peaks surround us.Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,350m)
Distance in Km: 10
Distance in Miles: 6
Activity Hours: 6.5
Altitude Gain: 480
We spend a day at Dingboche to continue our acclimatisation. Those adapting well to the altitude can climb Nangkartshang Peak at 5,100m for great views of Makalu, Lhotse, Chalotse, Tawoche and Ama Dablam.Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,350m)
Distance in Km: 8
Distance in Miles: 5
Activity Hours: 5 (acclimatisation walk around Dingboche)
The trail climbs steeply out of Dingboche past a chorten and ascends the valley gradually to Dugla at the end of the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. From here we have a short, steep climb up to Chukpo Lari, a beautiful, yet poignant place where there is a line of memorials in tribute to the climbers who have died on Everest and from where we have a beautiful panorama of the peaks lying on the Nepal-Tibet border. The trail then eases off as we follow the valley to Lobuje, a tiny hamlet with a few teahouses. The sunset on Nuptse is not to be missed.Teahouse (sleeping altitude 4,930m)
Distance in Km: 8
Distance in Miles: 4
Activity Hours: 5-5.5
Altitude Gain: 580
We leave early and follow the Khumbu Glacier northwards to Gorak Shep (5,184m). The trail undulates up and down the moraine with some short steep sections. The trail is rocky in places as we are now on the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. It will take us 3-4 hours to reach Gorak Shep where we will have a rest and something to eat. In the afternoon we climb steeply above Gorak Shep to the small peak of Kala Pattar, 'Black Rock', at 5,545m from where we can look down over the base camps of the various Everest expeditions. This climb affords a magnificent view of the Khumbu Glacier and above all a close-up view of the world's highest mountain. We return to Gorak Shep for the night.Please note that accommodation options are extremely limited at Gorak Shep and the tea house used is very basic, though the communal dining area is warm, and the food served promptly to satisfy trekkers’ appetites. Because of the high altitude the plumbing facilities can be affected and water freezes much of the time.Teahouse (sleeping altitude 5,184m)(Trek Profile: 3.5-4 hrs walking Lobuje to Gorak Shep and 4 hrs up and down Kala Pattar)
Distance in Km: 13
Distance in Miles: 8
Activity Hours: 8
Altitude Gain: 250
A short but tough walk to Everest Base Camp. We start by walking across the sandy flat at Gorak Shep and climb onto the lateral moraine of the Khumbu glacier. The trail ascends the side of the glacier for a couple of hours before finally descending onto the rocky glacial moraine itself. The trail winds up and down through fascinating ice seracs to the area known as Everest Base Camp, which in spring is full of expedition teams as they prepare to climb the mountain. We walk past the base camp rock (5300m), which is covered in prayer flags and where the normal trekking groups go to, and continue through the rocky moraine into the actual base camp. We will get to our camp by lunchtime and the afternoon is free to gaze in awe at our surroundings. We will be right below the Khumbu Ice Fall and we can appreciate just how difficult it is to negotiate a route through the huge blocks of ice. Nuptse towers above us and Pumori rears up behind us.Full-service camping (sleeping altitude 5,400m)
Distance in Km: 5
Distance in Miles: 3
Activity Hours: 4-5
Altitude Gain: 215
We spend the whole day at Everest Base Camp with time to absorb the way of life on expeditions. After a relaxed breakfast we have a walk round Base Camp and through some of the ice seracs. We will meet climbing Sherpas preparing to climb and may well be able to watch climbers as they ascend the Khumbu ice Fall. We have lunch in camp and can visit the Everest ER medical tent if it is there and if they are quiet.Full-service camping (sleeping altitude 5,400m)
Activity Hours: (walks around Base Camp)
Today is a long day as we leave Everest Base Camp after breakfast and retrace our steps to Gorak Shep and further down to Lobuje, where we have lunch. We continue on down to Dugla from where we take the right-hand trail and descend into the Pheriche Valley. Once we reach the valley bottom it is an easy walk along into the village of Pheriche.Teahouse (Sleeping altitude 4,243m)
Distance in Km: 20
Distance in Miles: 12
Activity Hours: 10
Altitude Loss: 1160
Descending through Pheriche, we cross a small bridge and have a short climb before descending to join the main Imja Khola Valley. We follow the valley down to Pangboche through an alpine meadow landscape. We drop down to the rushing river then walk through the peaceful rhododendron forests to the village of Devoche from where we climb back up to Thyangboche on the ridge for lunch. We descend off the ridge to Phunki Tenga and walk back to Kyanjuma, where we spend the night.Teahouse (sleeping altitude 3,600m)
Distance in Km: 13
Distance in Miles: 8
Activity Hours: 7.5-8
Altitude Loss: 650
The walk to Namche Bazaar takes us along a beautiful undulating trail high above the Dudh Kosi. We have some time in Namche and after lunch we descend through Namche Bazaar and pick up our outward trail again to Monzo, where we stay tonight.Teahouse (sleeping altitude 2,850m)
Distance in Km: 11
Distance in Miles: 7
Activity Hours: 4.5-5
Altitude Loss: 750
We retrace our steps to Chaunrikhara where we start the last climb to the airstrip at Lukla.Teahouse (sleeping altitude 2,800m)
Distance in Km: 13
Distance in Miles: 8
Activity Hours: 4.5-5
Altitude Loss: 50
We fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to our hotel. Royal Singi Hotel (or similar)
Today is free for sightseeing in Kathmandu (it is also a spare day to allow for any delays in the flights to or from Lukla). You may wish to visit the monkey temple at Swayambunath, one of the largest Buddhist Stupas in the world at Bodnath, or the most important Hindu temple in the valley at Pashupatinath. We offer a full range of sightseeing tours, which can be booked and paid for locally. Please see the Optional Excursions section of the Trip Notes or the Exodus notice board in the hotel in Kathmandu.Royal Singi Hotel (or similar)
The tour ends in after breakfast. Those on the group flights will be transferred to the airport in time for the daytime flight back to London.
3 nights standard hotels, 12 nights teahouses and 2 nights full-service
camping14 days point-to-point walking with full porterageGroup normally 4 to
16 plus tour leader and local staff. Min. age 16 yrsAltitude maximum 5545m,
average 3900mTravel by private minibus and 2 internal flightsBetween 5 and 8
hours walking per day, with some longer days17th April 2022 led by Valerie
Parkinson, Wanderlust World Guide awards Winner 2021
All breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners are included.In the teahouses
breakfast will comprise of a choice of bread (a slice of toast, chapatti or
Tibetan bread), a choice of egg (boiled, fried or omelette), and a choice
between either muesli or porridge each day. Hot tea/coffee will also be
served. On specific days, there will not be a choice for breakfast and either
a trekkers breakfast (egg, hash brown, baked beans and toast) or a pancake
with jam/honey will be served - these options are not available in all
teahouses and so we have only included them in locations where they can be
guaranteed.Lunch will be taken at a teahouse en route - sometimes one of your
guides will go ahead with the group's order to make it more expedient. Dinner
will be in the same teahouse that you sleep at (this is custom in Nepal as
teahouses base their room rate on it).Although most lodges have almost
identical menus, they are reasonably extensive and offer a varied selection,
ranging from traditional Nepalese dhal bhat to pizza and apple pie. Dhal
bhat is the staple diet in Nepal and comes in many different forms but
generally comprises some curried lentil dhal and meat or vegetables, some
rice, and a pickle/chutney. Another popular snack is momos; a type of
Nepalese dumpling, fried or steamed, filled with meat or vegetables.Although
meat is available in the teahouses, we advise against eating it on trek. The
meat has often been carried in the heat from lower altitudes for several days
before reaching the lodges and can cause stomach upsets or illness. Germs can
also be spread by handling dirty money - we recommend using hand sanitiser.
If you have a gluten free diet, then we strongly recommend you bring some
extra food and snacks with you to supplement the food on trek as there will
be little variety available for you, particularly for breakfast. Even many of
the soups are powdered and contain gluten. Gluten free breakfast options will
be limited to vegetable fried rice and a choice of egg, and on specific days
only, a trekkers breakfast (without the toast / with an extra egg) will be
served. Breakfast options for vegans will be limited to a choice of
muesli/porridge with water each day, and on specific days only, a trekkers
breakfast (without the egg), or vegetable fried rice will be served. If you
are lactose intolerant as opposed to vegan then the same will apply although
you will also have a choice of egg each day. If you buy imported food and
drink whilst on trek you will spend more than the suggested amount.Drinking
WaterStaying hydrated is important when undertaking any physical activity but
particularly so at altitude where it is generally recommended to drink at
least 3-4 litres per person per day.We strongly encourage you not to buy
bottled water on trek as this contributes to the growing problem of plastic
pollution in Nepal.The teahouses sell boiled water for approx. Rs150-300 per
litre (the price increases the higher you trek) which should not require
treating. This is also perfect for a bedtime refill as it can double up as a
hot water bottle.Alternatively, all teahouses will provide cold water free of
charge, if requested. Although this should not be drunk untreated, we
recommend that you bring a reusable bottle with you and use an effective form
of water treatment. There are a wide range of products available these days
which are more effective than the traditional purification tablets - we
recommend talking to an outdoor retailer for the latest advice as
technologies are improving all the time: make sure to check the product’s
performance in cold/freezing conditions and consider battery life (lithium
batteries are best in cold conditions).Handheld UV filters such as a
‘SteriPEN’ are very effective, can treat 1 litre of water in a couple of
minutes and the water is ready immediately – look for lightweight lithium
battery models and remember that you will need to bring a wide-mouthed bottle
(e.g. Nalgene) for use with these devices.There are also an array of water
filter and purifier bottles on the market but be wary of their weight,
bottles with a small capacity and the products performance in freezing
conditions. Exodus has partnered with Water-to-Go, a filtration system that
eliminates over 99.99% of all microbiological contaminants from any non-salt
water source – please visit Water-to-Go for more information. Exodus
customers can claim 15% off your first order, and better still, 15% of the
purchase value will be donated to the Exodus Travels Foundation. Please note
that if the water freezes it will clog up the filter – in this event,
defrost before use by sitting the filter in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes.
3 nights standard hotels, 12 nights teahouses and 2 nights full-service
camping14 days point-to-point walking with full porterageGroup normally 4 to
16 plus tour leader and local staff. Min. age 16 yrsAltitude maximum 5545m,
average 3900mTravel by private minibus and 2 internal flightsBetween 5 and 8
hours walking per day, with some longer days17th April 2022 led by Valerie
Parkinson, Wanderlust World Guide awards Winner 2021
For those confident of their physical fitness, this is a challenging grade
trek (level 5) with a chance to walk to Base Camp and ascend Kala Pattar,
from where we get superb close-up views of the highest mountains in the
world. Please read a description of our Activity Levels, found on our
website. You may also find our Fitness Training Guide a useful
reference.There are 14 days point-to-point walking with full porterage
throughout - you need only carry your daypack. You should have some previous
trekking experience and if you do not partake in regular exercise or
hillwalking then you should do some physical preparation beforehand. The
maximum altitude on this trek is 5,545m and the average is approximately
3,900m. Ample time is given for acclimatisation, but altitude is a factor and
must be considered - please refer to the altitude warning within the Trip
Notes for further information.The trail crosses approximately seven modern
suspension bridges (twice) over rivers and valleys. All of these have mesh
sides but some are quite long and high and as such anyone with a strong fear
of heights or vertigo may find them difficult.These expedition departures
offer the exclusive opportunity to spend two nights camping at Everest Base
Camp itself - there is always the possibility of snow at Base Camp and it
will be cold in the mornings and evenings and below freezing at night. We
will arrive at Base Camp early afternoon and then have the rest of the day
and the following day to explore. Set at 5,400m at the foot of the Khumbu Ice
Fall, the setting is spectacular. Huge ice seracs surround the camp and the
peaks of Pumori, Lingtren and Khumbutse tower above us. We have chosen dates
when many expeditions attempt Everest and the Base Camp area will be bustling
with activity as groups prepare to make their summit attempt. We will be
staying close to an expedition team and will be able to soak up the
atmosphere, excitement and trepidation of Base Camp life. We should even be
able to watch teams climb up through the notorious Khumbu Ice Fall. We will
not be allowed onto the Khumbu Ice Fall (only climbers with permits are
allowed actually onto the Ice Fall).This trip includes one or more domestic
flights – please refer to the ‘Transport’ section of the Trip Notes for
information about the safety of flying in Nepal.Walking distances and hours
stated within the itinerary are given as approximates only. Timings stated
exclude lunch stops and will vary depending on the pace of your group.Please
Note: Anyone suffering from a cold or infection will be asked to stay at the
lodge in Gorak Shep to avoid infecting a climber at this crucial time.To help
you better prepare for your Nepal holiday, please also see our Nepal
Destination Guide.Why Trek with Exodus?• Over 30 years’ experience of
organising treks in Nepal.• ‘Ask an expert’ – talk to Exodus office
staff who have done the treks themselves.• Experienced English-speaking
local leaders who are qualified in first aid and trained in recognising and
dealing with altitude sickness.• One of the highest staff to client ratios
on trek - 1 staff member: 4 clients. • All staff (leaders, guides and
porters) are fully insured and paid a fair wage.• Carefully planned ascent
rates and itineraries with built-in acclimatisation and contingency days. •
Staff carry oxygen and first aid kit.• Self-assessment AMS cards used to
monitor every client at altitude.• Established protocol for Lukla flight
delays – see below.Internal Flight DelaysPlease note that adverse weather
conditions at Lukla airport occasionally mean that flights to/from Kathmandu
cannot operate. We include an additional day at the end of the itinerary to
allow for this, but on occasion, persistent bad weather may delay the start
of your trek or your return to Kathmandu.Should there be a lengthy delay at
the start of a trip we will aim to provide a shortened Everest trek, but if
adverse weather conditions continue and the main objective of the trek become
impossible to reach, an alternative trek to another region of Nepal will be
offered. When fixed-wing planes are unable to fly, but helicopters to Lukla
are available, clients may choose to travel by helicopter; in this event, the
price per person will be approximately US$500-600 per person, of which Exodus
will cover half.Should there be a significant delay at the end of your trek,
we will endeavour to get you on the first fixed-wing flights to Kathmandu
available. Should helicopters be able to fly, we will consider paying for
these on a case by case basis to enable clients to meet their international
flights. In the case of persistent adverse weather, Exodus will re-book
international flights for Flight Inclusive clients, but please be aware that
clients booking on a Land Only basis will be responsible for re-booking their
onward travel and for any associated costs.
Hotels & LodgesThis tour spends three nights in a comfortable hotel in Kathmandu, twelve
nights in lodges (teahouses) and two nights full-service camping at Everest
Base Camp. In Kathmandu we usually stay at the Hotel Royal Singi, located
within walking distance of the Thamel district. All rooms have en suite
facilities and there is a restaurant, a bar and an outdoor courtyard. There
is complimentary Wi-Fi in the hotel lobby and Wi-Fi codes are available from
reception for the rooms. There is an Exodus desk in the hotel lobby and an
Exodus representative will usually be available daily in the mornings and
evenings. The teahouses are basic but adequate; please be realistic about
what to expect in the mountains. The hub of the teahouse is the dining room,
usually decorated with colourful traditional rugs, sometimes with a stove or
heater (some lodges charge a fee to put the heater on). Most teahouses sell
snacks and other essentials such as tissues, soap and toilet paper. Almost
all lodges have electricity but it is not wholly reliable and lighting may
not be bright enough to read by – a torch is essential. Electrical charging
facilities are generally available only in the dining room (charged at
approx. Rs150-350 per hour per device). Many of the lodges use solar power
so sometimes there is not enough electricity for charging. Many lodges have
Wi-Fi these days – in some areas it works well but in others it is slow and
temperamental.We book twin-share bedrooms throughout this trek. Beds with
foam mattresses, bedsheets and a pillow are provided. Bedrooms are unheated
and can get cold at night so you will need to bring or hire a sleeping
bag.Most lodges have only one or two basic toilets and sometimes these are
located outside the main lodge building. Toilets are usually Asian
’squat’ style; although many lodges have now installed ‘western
style’ seated ones. Toilet paper is not provided so you should bring your
own or buy it locally (please dispose of it the bin provided – do not put
it in the bowl). If there is not a flush handle, there should be a container
of water to pour down – if it is empty (or frozen) please either refill it
or ask the lodge to.Some lodges now have hot 'showers' (charged at approx.
Rs250-500 per shower). Sometimes a hot shower is simply a bucket of hot water
and not a shower head.Standards of cleanliness vary especially in the peak
trekking season and in winter when the water freezes at night. Please report
any problems to your leader or the lodge and be vigilant in your personal
hygiene regime – use soap or hand sanitizer gel before and after toilet
breaks, snacks and meal times.As a general rule, the higher altitude you go
to, the more basic the lodges and the more expensive food and services
become.For the two nights camping, mattresses are provided, and you will
sleep in tents pitched on the glacial moraine. There will be a dining tent
with chairs, toilet tents and full camp staff. All food and hot drinks,
snacks and water are provided whilst camping.Most lodges in the Everest
region offer Wi-Fi. - below Kyanjuma you have to pay for it in each lodge
(approx. NPR500 per stay). Above Kyanjuma you can buy an Everest link data
card for about NPR2000 that should work in all the lodges above Kyanjuma.
Sometimes the Wi-Fi may not work because of the poor network coverage or
power cuts.Extra AccommodationIf you require any additional accommodation in
Kathmandu either before or after the tour, we can book this for you (subject
to availability), please enquire with your Sales Consultant.Single
AccommodationIf you prefer your own room, we offer a single supplement for
the hotel nights in Kathmandu only (subject to availability). While in the
tea-houses, single rooms cannot be guaranteed but if a single room is
available that night, you can pay locally on a day by day basis.
The group will generally be between 4 and 16 people. We have representatives
in Kathmandu who will look after your transfers to and from the airport and
will be around to answer other questions you may have about your trek.
There is an Exodus desk and noticeboard in the Royal Singi Hotel in
Kathmandu. The desk is manned morning and evening.The departure starting in
Kathmandu on 17th April 2022 will be led by Valerie Parkinson who has been
leading treks in the Himalaya for over 35 years. Valerie was the first
British woman to summit Mount Manaslu, the world's eights highest mountain.
She will share her mountaineering experience, including talking about her own
Everest summit expedition and Everest North Col Expedition with you along the
way! Valerie won Best Tour Leader in the prestigious annual Wanderlust World
Guide Awards in 2021. All other departures will have an English-speaking
Nepali Tour Leader throughout the trip who will be assisted by Nepali
Trekking Guides. All Exodus leaders are highly experienced and as well as
Exodus leader training courses they are all trained in wilderness first aid.
The trekking guides are licensed by the Trekking Agencies’ Association of
Nepal (TAAN) and also receive additional training through Exodus. On all of
our Nepal treks, there will be one member of trek staff for every four
clients - this ratio may change if for any reason a guide has to stay behind
with a member of the group. The leaders are assisted by additional guides and
as many porters or dzo’s (cow-yak hybrids) as necessary to carry the
kitbags. All your main gear is carried for you and you only have to carry
whatever you require for that day's trek. Dzo’s carry four client's kitbags
each and porters carry two – kitbags should be restricted to 10kg maximum.
Porters are given porter clothing for treks above 4,500m (windproof jacket
and trousers, boots, socks, gloves, hats, sunglasses). All the trekking staff
are insured by our local partner in Nepal.
All breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners are included.In the teahouses
breakfast will comprise of a choice of bread (a slice of toast, chapatti or
Tibetan bread), a choice of egg (boiled, fried or omelette), and a choice
between either muesli or porridge each day. Hot tea/coffee will also be
served. On specific days, there will not be a choice for breakfast and either
a trekkers breakfast (egg, hash brown, baked beans and toast) or a pancake
with jam/honey will be served - these options are not available in all
teahouses and so we have only included them in locations where they can be
guaranteed.Lunch will be taken at a teahouse en route - sometimes one of your
guides will go ahead with the group's order to make it more expedient. Dinner
will be in the same teahouse that you sleep at (this is custom in Nepal as
teahouses base their room rate on it).Although most lodges have almost
identical menus, they are reasonably extensive and offer a varied selection,
ranging from traditional Nepalese dhal bhat to pizza and apple pie. Dhal
bhat is the staple diet in Nepal and comes in many different forms but
generally comprises some curried lentil dhal and meat or vegetables, some
rice, and a pickle/chutney. Another popular snack is momos; a type of
Nepalese dumpling, fried or steamed, filled with meat or vegetables.Although
meat is available in the teahouses, we advise against eating it on trek. The
meat has often been carried in the heat from lower altitudes for several days
before reaching the lodges and can cause stomach upsets or illness. Germs can
also be spread by handling dirty money - we recommend using hand sanitiser.
If you have a gluten free diet, then we strongly recommend you bring some
extra food and snacks with you to supplement the food on trek as there will
be little variety available for you, particularly for breakfast. Even many of
the soups are powdered and contain gluten. Gluten free breakfast options will
be limited to vegetable fried rice and a choice of egg, and on specific days
only, a trekkers breakfast (without the toast / with an extra egg) will be
served. Breakfast options for vegans will be limited to a choice of
muesli/porridge with water each day, and on specific days only, a trekkers
breakfast (without the egg), or vegetable fried rice will be served. If you
are lactose intolerant as opposed to vegan then the same will apply although
you will also have a choice of egg each day. If you buy imported food and
drink whilst on trek you will spend more than the suggested amount.Drinking
WaterStaying hydrated is important when undertaking any physical activity but
particularly so at altitude where it is generally recommended to drink at
least 3-4 litres per person per day.We strongly encourage you not to buy
bottled water on trek as this contributes to the growing problem of plastic
pollution in Nepal.The teahouses sell boiled water for approx. Rs150-300 per
litre (the price increases the higher you trek) which should not require
treating. This is also perfect for a bedtime refill as it can double up as a
hot water bottle.Alternatively, all teahouses will provide cold water free of
charge, if requested. Although this should not be drunk untreated, we
recommend that you bring a reusable bottle with you and use an effective form
of water treatment. There are a wide range of products available these days
which are more effective than the traditional purification tablets - we
recommend talking to an outdoor retailer for the latest advice as
technologies are improving all the time: make sure to check the product’s
performance in cold/freezing conditions and consider battery life (lithium
batteries are best in cold conditions).Handheld UV filters such as a
‘SteriPEN’ are very effective, can treat 1 litre of water in a couple of
minutes and the water is ready immediately – look for lightweight lithium
battery models and remember that you will need to bring a wide-mouthed bottle
(e.g. Nalgene) for use with these devices.There are also an array of water
filter and purifier bottles on the market but be wary of their weight,
bottles with a small capacity and the products performance in freezing
conditions. Exodus has partnered with Water-to-Go, a filtration system that
eliminates over 99.99% of all microbiological contaminants from any non-salt
water source – please visit Water-to-Go for more information. Exodus
customers can claim 15% off your first order, and better still, 15% of the
purchase value will be donated to the Exodus Travels Foundation. Please note
that if the water freezes it will clog up the filter – in this event,
defrost before use by sitting the filter in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes.
For airport transfers, we use a private minibus. Flights to and from Lukla
will usually be in a Twin Otter or Dornier plane. This point to point
trekking holiday requires customers to walk between each overnight stay under
their own steam. Other forms of transport may be available along the route
(horses, jeeps etc) but Exodus is not able to take responsibility for the
safety or the cost of any transport that customers choose to take even if
provided with the assistance of our leader or staff.Flying in NepalMany of
our treks in Nepal use domestic flights to reach the trekking areas. The
mountainous terrain is often subject to changeable weather which makes flying
conditions complex. In addition, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Nepal
does not operate to the same standards as those of western nations. The EU
chose to highlight the poor safety record in Nepal in December 2013 by
including all Nepalese registered airlines on the EU ‘banned list’
preventing them from flying in EU airspace. While no Nepalese-registered
airlines currently fly within the EU, the EU instigated this ban to highlight
the risk of flying in Nepal to EU citizens. Flying within Nepal is therefore
a known risk and we encourage you to consider this carefully before booking.
We suggest you refer to the following sources.- The current travel advice
for Nepal issued by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office- The Air Safety
Network entry for NepalIn response to concerns over this safety record,
Exodus arranges for independent air safety experts to visit Nepal on our
behalf to assess the suitability of the available carriers on an annual
basis. We then restrict our use of airlines to only those approved as part of
this audit process. In emergency situations, we will need to use helicopters
and we also have a list of approved helicopter carriers. Please consider all
of the information above when deciding to book this holiday.
Travelling flight inclusive from London: 19 daysThe group flight from London
is an overnight flight departing the day before Day 1 of the
itinerary.Flights from LondonWe normally use the scheduled services of
Turkish Airlines or Oman Air (depending on availability). As flight timings
and schedules change regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist
sales staff or your agent to confirm up‐to‐date timings. Please note
timings may change at a later date and cannot be confirmed until
approximately two weeks before departure.Internal flights during the trip are
with a local airline.Travelling land only: 18 days starting and ending in
KathmanduYour trip normally starts at our hotel in Kathmandu in the afternoon
of Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are
provided in the Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two weeks
before departure.Please pay attention to the Internal Flight Delays section
of the Trip Notes.
The cost of a taxi is likely to be about £6/US$10 should you decide to make
your way independently.
The main trekking season in Nepal is from October to mid-May when daytime
temperatures at most altitudes are generally comfortable for walking, the sky
is clear much of the time and rain and snow are occasional occurrences.
Daytime temperatures will vary from 15ºC to 35ºC in the Kathmandu Valley to
around 10ºC at 3,600m and progressively lower the higher we go. Different
seasons offer different advantages for trekking but in order to observe the
expedition parties at Base Camp, we operate Expedition Departures in
Spring.Post Monsoon/autumn: Mid-September to November. This is the main
trekking season in Nepal. Day temperatures in Kathmandu are approximately
above 20ºC. Skies are usually clear and days on trek are sunny and mild with
clear mountain views. Nights will be colder with temperatures dropping as low
as to minus 10ºC at the highest altitudes.Winter: December to end
February. Despite the cooler conditions this is an ideal time to trek in
Nepal. Skies are usually very clear especially in December and the mountain
views are at their best. Nights will be very cold with temperatures down to
minus 15ºC to minus 20ºC at the highest altitudes but days are pleasant and
sunny. The trails are also much less busy at this time of year. In Kathmandu
maximum daytime temperatures are 19ºC.Pre-monsoon/spring: March to
May. Both day and night temperatures will be warmer in general but often a
haze will build up in the afternoons. It is very hot in the lowlands and
temperatures rise to 35ºC in Kathmandu. Flowers bloom in this season and
this is one of the reasons people chose to trek in spring.Snow can be
expected on any departure, usually at the higher altitudes.Please remember
that in any mountain area the weather is never wholly predictable and you
should be prepared and equipped to deal with any differences in weather
beyond the conditions described above
It is essential that you have suitable clothing and equipment for your trek
to protect from the elements and trail conditions. Please download our
Everest Region kit list HERE for reference. Please ensure that you follow the
advice for the time of year you will be trekking and for your tour (trip code
TNTA).There can be unseasonal snowfall on any trek. You may want to bring a
pair of Yaktrax (mini-crampons) or similar if you have a pair. If your leader
thinks there may be snowfall they will recommend carrying a pair for safety.
It is possible to buy them in Kathmandu or Namche cheaply.Please note that a
sleeping mattress is provided for the two nights camping.All luggage for the
trek should be packed in a soft duffel bag / Exodus kitbag. Many people find
it easiest to pack the duffel/kitbag inside a wheelie case which can be left
in at the hotel Kathmandu free of charge with anything not needed for the
trek, whilst the duffel/kitbag will be carried by your porter on the
trek.Each porter carries two kitbags or where animals are used, they carry
four kitbags each, therefore please respectfully limit your kitbag to 10kg
maximum per person. There is also a weight restriction on the flight to and
from Lukla of 10kg checked baggage plus 5kg hand luggage. If your check-in
luggage exceeds this, there is an excess luggage charge (approx. £1 per
kg).We recommend bringing at least one standard passport photo with you just
in case of need as although they are not currently required for your trekking
permit or to obtain a visa on arrival (provided you use the electronic visa
kiosks), regulations can change at short notice or the kiosks may be out of
order (in which case a photo will be required).Equipment hireThere are many
equipment shops in Kathmandu where you can buy much of the above clothing.
The quality does vary and cannot be guaranteed so you should choose
carefully.The following equipment can be hired through Exodus - the equipment
is good quality and will keep you warm but it is bulky and you should take
this into account when packing due to the weight limits for both porterage
and domestic flights. Hire equipment should be requested and paid for in
advance of travel but will be provided locally in Kathmandu. Approximate hire
prices are as below:Down jacket (approx. 1.8kgs): from £63 4 season sleeping
bag (approx. 2.3 kgs): from £63 Package including a down jacket and a
4-season sleeping bag: from £72Donations for porters, children and the
elderlyIf while packing, you find a spare bit of space in your bag then you
may be interested in donating to one of Exodus' projects. Exodus supports a
Porter Clothing Bank in Kathmandu, as well as children in local schools in
Kathmandu and various villages, and an old people's home in Kyanjin Gompa in
the upper part of the Langtang Valley. If you have any old walking gear this
can be donated to porters, and similarly, any warm clothing or blankets would
be appreciated by the old people's home - please leave these items with your
leader or at the Exodus desk at the Royal Singi Hotel. Books, stationery,
games, warm clothes/underwear etc. suitable for children aged 5-18 years
should be taken to the Ambassador Garden Home in Thamel and given to Prakash
Lammichanne. Contact No: +977 1 4700724.
You can either bring your spending money to Nepal in cash to exchange or use
a combination of cash and card withdrawals from ATMs. Most major currencies
(including Pounds Sterling, Dollars and Euros) can be exchanged in Nepal but
notes must be in good condition – torn, tatty or marked notes will not be
accepted. However, Scottish or Irish Currency cannot be changed in Nepal and
nor can travellers' cheques.There are money change facilities at Kathmandu
airport both before and after immigration – whilst exchange rates are
generally good here, it’s worthwhile checking the fees. You sometimes get a
better rate for changing larger denomination notes. Most large hotels also
offer a currency exchange service (including the Royal Singi Hotel) and there
are also countless money changers in the Thamel area of Kathmandu. Remember
to keep your exchange receipts in case you want to change any Rupees back
into hard currency when you leave Nepal. You will need to take out enough
money in Kathmandu to last for the duration of your trek – to cover meals,
drinks, tipping and other incidentals. It is a good idea to carry some spare
cash on the trek in case of an emergency. Carrying a large amount of cash is
unavoidable so we suggest splitting it up into a few different places - but
remember to keep track of how much you have stashed where.It is possible to
buy things like beer, soft drinks, chocolate, toilet paper etc. from the
teahouses en route. Spending habits are subjective, so it is impossible to
give an exact amount of spending money required, however as a rough
guideline, we recommend between GB£300-500 (approx. US$390-650)per person in
total (inclusive of tips, expenditure on the trek, and meals in Kathmandu).
Imported drinks and snacks are relatively expensive. Your expenditure will be
towards the top end if you buy boiled water rather than treating cold water,
and depending on how many hot showers you take, if you pay to charge
electrical devices, drink alcohol, use Wi-Fi on the trek, and so
on. Optional ExcursionsA number of optional tours and activities are
available from Kathmandu.Prices for a half day sightseeing tour start from
£25 (approx. US$40) per person, based on a group of 6 and above. For all
trips, return transport and a qualified sightseeing guide are included. The
price does not include lunch or entry fees. Please enquire with your leader
in Kathmandu, who will be able to provide further information.An optional
Everest sightseeing flight is available on your free day (weather permitting)
from around GBP165 (USD215) per person (the price may be subject to change).
Anyone taking an internal sightseeing flight in Nepal should pay attention to
the statement 'Flying in Nepal'.
Tipping is very much part of the culture in Nepal and although entirely at
your discretion, it is usually expected. Often people would like to tip in
recognition of good service but are unsure how much would be appropriate in a
foreign country - for this reason, we have listed guideline amounts below
(these are intended as a guideline only and you may see fit to give more or
less depending on the service that you have received).For the tipping of your
trek staff and your tour leader, we suggest passing an envelope for each
staff member around the group so that everyone can put in what they feel
comfortable with anonymously. The following are guideline amounts received
by each staff member from the group as a whole... Tour Leader: Rs30,000 -
35,000 (usually tipped on the last night in Kathmandu)Your trekking
crew (tips are usually given on the last evening of the trek in Lukla):Head
Trekking Guide and Assistant Guides: Rs20,000 - 25,000 for each guideTrek
Porters/yak men: Rs10,000 for each porter or yak manStaff at Base Camp
(cooks and camp staff): Rs4,000 for each staff member General tipping
guidelines: Hotel Porters: Rs100 each time for each roomTeahouses and lunch
stops on the trek: it's customary to round your bill up to the nearest Rs50
or Rs100Restaurants: 10% of the bill if good service
Travel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request, Kathmandu
only)Visas and vaccinationsSleeping bag (hire in advance from £63*)Down
jacket (hire in advance from £63*) *Hire package incl. down jacket and
sleeping bag from £72
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.