16
25 683
The tour starts at our hotel in Kathmandu. There will be a full trek briefing this evening.Royal Singi Hotel
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. Tea-house (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. Tea-house (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.Tea-house (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. Tea-house (sleeping altitude 3,870m)
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, at 4,350m, a summer settlement where great peaks surround us. Tea-house (sleeping altitude 4,350m)
Distance in Km: 10
Distance in Miles: 6
Activity Hours: 6.5
Altitude Gain: 480
We spend the 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. There is the option to climb halfway to the peak or for the energetic it takes about 3.5hrs to the top. It’s a tough and steep climb but well worth the effort for the amazing views. We return to Dingboche for a late lunch and the rest of the afternoon is free to relax and acclimatise.Tea-house
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. We stop here for a tea break and a snack before the 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. In the late afternoon there is the option to walk up onto the lateral moraine of the Khumbu glacier and the sunset on Nuptse is not to be missed. Tea-house (sleeping altitude 4,930m)
Distance in Km: 8
Distance in Miles: 4
Activity Hours: 5-5.5
Altitude Gain: 580
Today is a very long, hard day as we leave very early, following 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 as we are now on the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. It will take us about 3 hours to reach Gorak Shep where we will have a rest and something to eat. From here to base camp and back there are no lodges so we will fill our water bottles and take some snacks for the 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, where in spring, we might see in the distance some of the expedition teams as they prepare to climb the mountain. From the Base Camp we get fantastic close up views of the Khumbu Ice Fall and we can appreciate just how difficult it is for the climbers to negotiate a route through the huge blocks of ice. Nuptse towers above us and Pumori rears up behind us. After a short photo stop by the Base Camp rock we retrace our steps to Gorak Shep. Tea-house (sleeping altitude 5,184m)
Distance in Km: 13
Distance in Miles: 8
Activity Hours: 9-12
Altitude Gain: 250
We have another hard day as 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 and retrace our steps to Lobuje for lunch and then continue on down the valley to the lower altitude of Pheriche for the night. (Please note that the walk to Everest Base Camp and the climb of Kala Pattar are both very tough. Sometimes we may change the order in which we tackle the walks depending on the group's ability and weather conditions). Tea-house (sleeping altitude 4,243m)
Distance in Km: 14
Distance in Miles: 9
Activity Hours: 10-11
Altitude Loss: 940
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 up to Kyanjuma, where we spend the night. Tea-house (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.Tea-house (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. Tea-house (sleeping altitude 2,800m)
Distance in Km: 13
Distance in Miles: 8
Activity Hours: 4.5-5
Altitude Loss: 50
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 within the Trip Notes or the Exodus notice board in the hotel in Kathmandu.Royal Singi Hotel
3 nights standard hotels and 12 nights teahouses12 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 daysStaff carry oxygen and a first aid kit on trek29 October
2022 and 25 March 2023 departures led by Valerie Parkinson, Wanderlust World
Guide Awards Winner 2021Expedition departures available in April including 2
nights camping at Everest Base CampOne-off Everest Marathon departure
available in May 2022 with the option to cheer athletes over the race finish
line or to compete yourself!
Breakfast is included throughout the trip.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 and 12 nights teahouses12 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 daysStaff carry oxygen and a first aid kit on trek29 October
2022 and 25 March 2023 departures led by Valerie Parkinson, Wanderlust World
Guide Awards Winner 2021Expedition departures available in April including 2
nights camping at Everest Base CampOne-off Everest Marathon departure
available in May 2022 with the option to cheer athletes over the race finish
line or to compete yourself!
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 refer to our activity level guidelines and walking and
trekking fitness training guide.There are 12 days of 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 trail crosses approximately seven modern suspension bridges
(twice), all of which have mesh sides but some are quite long and high and
anyone with a strong fear of heights or vertigo may find them difficult.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 - we ask you to refer to the altitude warning within the
Trip Notes.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 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.To help you better prepare for your Nepal
holiday, please also see our Nepal Destination Guide.Why Trek with
Exodus? • Over 30 years of experience 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 a 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
becomes 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 & LodgesThe twelve nights on the trek are spent in lodges (teahouses) and the three
nights in Kathmandu are in a comfortable hotel.In Kathmandu, we usually stay
at the Hotel Royal Singi, a 4-star hotel 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 throughout. 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 in 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 showerhead.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 mealtimes.As a general rule, the
higher the altitude you go to, the more basic the lodges and the more
expensive food and services become.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 three nights in Kathmandu only (subject to availability).
While in the teahouses, single rooms cannot be guaranteed but if a single
room is available that night, you can pay locally on a day by day basis.
Dingboche Tea House, Nepal
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
29th October 2022 and 25 March 2023 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 eighth 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 dzos (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. Dzos 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.
Breakfast is included throughout the trip.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: 17 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 Airways or occasionally 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: 16 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.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
TNT).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.Animals are usually used for porterage and each
carries four kitbags (where human porters are used, they carry two bags
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).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.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 £52.50 4 season sleeping bag (approx. 2.3
kgs): from £52.50 Package including a down jacket and a 4-season sleeping
bag: from £60Donations 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 manGeneral 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 £52.50*)Down
jacket (hire in advance from £52.50*) *Hire package incl. down jacket and
sleeping bag from £60
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.