Everest Base Camp Trek, Nepal
Factfile
A typical trekking day
Our itinerary is designed so that the walking is challenging,
yet not exhausting. We always remember that your trek is your
holiday and we try to plan each day to help you enjoy it as much as
possible, not to wear you into the ground. As much as is physically
possible, our local field staff will assist you whilst trekking,
perhaps by helping you with your daypack or helping you over more
difficult sections. You should bear in mind that it can be bitterly
cold at night - you must be adequately prepared!
Each day is different and ruled by a number of factors, such as
availability of water, trail and weather conditions, and the pace
of the group as a whole. Exact timetables and routes cannot always
be followed and would in fact destroy the free-form nature of the
trek, therefore the following schedule is a guide only.
The day begins early with a cup of tea. You pack your gear
before breakfast, which is next on the agenda. Your bags will be
packed into one of the porter loads, along with the majority of the
group equipment, and will head off along the trail.
You are usually on the trail by around 7.30am. You have a few
hours’ walk before lunch, around 11.00 or 11.30am, at any of the
lodges along the trail. The afternoon walk usually finishes around
4.00pm and you have dinner at around 7.00pm.
The lodges - also known as teahouses - are very basic huts,
which provide accommodation as well as hygienic, tasty and
nourishing food. As a general guide, 3/4 beds are arranged in
dormitories. There is a central dining/sitting room where food and
drink are served. Toilet facilities are usually outside, of the pit
variety - which is most hygienic and suitable for these conditions.
The lodges have rubbish pits and we recommend that you use them.
You can buy toilet paper at the lodges or many of the shops on the
trail. Most locals use water so there will be no toilet paper
available in the toilet - please carry your own. During the day,
ensure that toilet stops are far off the trail, all waste is buried
at least 15cm deep and all toilet paper is burnt. Sanitary napkins
and tampons should only be disposed of in the toilet hole at the
lodges. Despite the basic facilities, it is a great experience to
share, enjoying the company of local families, and evenings are
often filled with discussions, cards games or even a song or two -
most trekkers remember these evenings as one of the highlights of
the trek.
Responsible Travel
We work hand in hand with a local Nepalese owned agency,
they employ on our behalf, Group Leaders, sirdars, porters
etc. Without this employment these people would have a
subsistence living as hill farmers. Money from your stay reaches a
wide number of people - many of the teahouse owners now gain their
sole income from trekkers.
We also ask that you use environmentally sound practices while
trekking in this fragile mountain environment. Please do not use
hot showers in lodges where wood-fuelled stoves heat the water, as
deforestation is one of Nepal’s biggest environmental problems.
However, some lodges have electricity and others use solar power to
provide hot water - these are a rare delight! Be prepared to go
several days without washing, beyond using bowls of warm water.
We recommend that each trekker keeps and uses a small rubbish
bag. Burnable material can be disposed of at lodges, but other
rubbish such as bottles and batteries must be taken to Kathmandu
for proper disposal or left with the lodge owners to do so.
Do not buy bottled water on the trail, as the plastic bottles
are not recyclable. Soft drinks are available with glass
bottles being carried out and recycled. However, it is not
recommended to drink only soft drinks. A better idea is to bring
iodine tablets (available from outdoor equipment specialists) to
treat village hand pump water, making it safe to drink. All washing
should be done away from rivers and streams using biodegradable
soap. Never tip soapy washing water where it will run directly into
a watercourse.
We hope you appreciate the need for our guidelines - following
them will help to protect and preserve this beautiful region for
future visitors.
Community Project
Together with the local agent in Nepal we are helping to build a
community / sports facility that can be used by schools and
villagers in surrounding areas. This will consist of a football
pitch and centre, with the primary aim of creating a club around
sports activities and teaching practical skills that will help
communities operate as just that. The first stage of the project
has already been completed – land has been levelled to create the
sports pitch, an access road has been created and an area
excavated, which will form the ground for the community centre /
clubhouse. The next stage – which has already begun – is to
irrigate the land as the soil is very dry (water also helps local
farmers). There’s a long way to go but we hope the $5 pp
contribution made for every person travelling with us to Nepal
will help to continue this most worthwhile of projects.
Climate:
The best time to visit is generally
October/November and late February to the beginning of April. Nepal
has a generally sub-tropical to temperate climate, with
northern-hemisphere seasons. Altitude causes wide variations in
temperature. Different seasons offer different advantages for
trekking.
Post-monsoon
Mid-September to November. Usually regarded as
‘prime’ trekking time and the most popular season for a visit. The
countryside is lush and green as the rice harvest approaches. This
time of year generally has the clearest skies and mild to warm days
with cool - cold nights. Kathmandu average maximum temperature is
27-23°C, gradually turning cooler later in the season.
Winter
December to the end of February. Despite the
colder conditions, winter is considered by large numbers of
experienced trekkers as the ideal time to visit. Occasional
closures of the high passes and trails by snow are offset by the
beauty of walking in pristine white snowscapes (heavy snow is
unusual at these altitudes). Skies are clear with warm - cool days
and colder nights. Kathmandu average maximum temperature is 19°C.
As well as having clear skies offering magnificent views, this
season also has the advantage that trails are less crowded.
Pre-monsoon
March to mid-June. Haze often builds up during
the day, limiting mountain photography to the usually clear
mornings. It can be very warm to hot in the lowlands, and
increasingly warm in general as the season progresses. Kathmandu
average maximum temperature is 25-30°C. The riot of colour
blossoming from the wild flowers found in the countryside is one of
the many reasons that regular ‘Nepal hands’ trek at this time of
year.
Note:The
temperatures above reflect conditions in the Kathmandu valley. At
higher altitudes very significant temperature drops occur at night.
When high in the mountains, October/November night-time
temperatures usually fall to around -10°C, whilst
in December to February they will fall further to around
-20°C. Just as at home, unusual weather patterns
can impact on these approximate figures.
Summer
July/August. Up until relatively recently a
lack of flights into Lukla made it very difficult to access the
Everest Valley at this time of year. However the relative
prosperity of the Khumbu region has changed this and there are now
daily flights. The weather in the Everest Valley at the end of
July/August is usually good for walking and although cloud and rain
can be experienced, it is not the monsoon conditions of other parts
of Nepal. This is without doubt the quietest time of year to
trek in the Khumbu.
Baggage
For your comfort we recommend you travel as
light as possible; many airlines impose a maximum weight limit of
20kg – we advise you to take a lot less! Please be practical and
travel light - we recommend 15kg max.
One main piece - a soft lockable bag – travel
pack, or rucksack. This is carried for you by porters whilst
trekking. Hard suitcases are not practical for this trip.
While trekking or walking for any distance,
for comfort we recommend a larger daypack or small rucksack with a
comfortable harness and waist belt (30-35 litres capacity is ideal
for carrying a fleece and raingear or change of clothing, water
bottle, camera and guidebook.)
Stuff sacks
Please bring a spare lightweight bag if you
wish to store surplus baggage in Kathmandu while on trek
Clothing and Footwear
Although western standards of dress are
becoming more accepted, Nepalis remain very traditional in what
they wear. Out of respect (even though you may see travellers
dressed otherwise) both men and women should dress conservatively –
no sleeveless/halter-necked tops please. Whilst shorts are
acceptable they should be modest and reach to just above the knee.
Below is a suggestion of what you might find useful to take on this
trip. It is not an exhaustive packing list. If you need further
advice, please call us or consult your nearest specialist outdoor
clothing and equipment store. The following items are
essential:
Strong walking boots (well
broken-in)
Thermal underwear
Trainers for relaxing around
camp
Waterproof trousers
Woollen hat, gloves and scarf
Waterproof jacket
Sun-hat and
sun/snowglasses
Warm mid-layer (i.e. fleece)
Lightweight trousers (not jeans!) and
shorts
Equipment:
Bandana - the trail can be dusty
Torch or head torch
Water bottle (1 litre
minimum)
Gaiters in winter
Personal First Aid kit and sewing
kit
Toilet tissue
Sunglasses, sunscreen and
lipsalve
Money belt
4 season sleeping bag and sleeping sheet
Toilet tissue
Bio-degradable
soap
Trekking pole
Anti-bacterial gel for ‘washing’ hands
(available from most leading chemists)
Plastic bags (bin-bags) to line your
trek-bag/rucksack
Iodine (for purifying village hand-pump
water)
Top Tips!!
Layers, layers, layers – the weather is
changeable so you can expect to experience four seasons in one day.
Make sure you have plenty of warm layers which you can shed or add
as required.
Just in case your main luggage goes missing en
route, It’s a good idea to wear your walking boots on the plane.
Everything else is replaceable but a pair of comfortable, well
worn-in boots are not.
Please note:Some
of the above clothing and equipment can be easily rented in
Kathmandu / Pokhara (waterproof jacket, sleeping bags, torch,
etc.). Whilst quality does vary and you must choose carefully the
cost is usually reasonable. Renting avoids having to
purchase equipment and carry it when it is not needed. Your Group
Leader will assist you in arranging equipment should you need
it.
Some interesting reading:
Himalaya – Michael Palin
Ascent of Everest – John Hunt
Living in the Clouds – Eva Kipp
Tenzing: Hero of Everest – Ed Douglas
Shopping for Buddhas - Jeff Greenwald
Some useful phrases:
Namaste – Hello, Greetings
Dhanybhad – Thank you
Hajur – Excuse me, pardon
Tapainko naam ke ho? – What is your name?
Mero naam George ho – my name is George
Vaccinations
The following are recommended:
Hepatitis
A , Polio, Typhoid, Malaria, Tetanus,
Diphtheria
NB: Yellow Fever vaccination is required if
travelling via an infected country.
Vaccination requirements change
periodically so we advise that you check with your nearest
specialist travel clinic 4-6 weeks before departure to get
up-to-date information.
Permits
Although trekking permits
are no longer required, this situation could change at any time and
with no notice. As a result, we suggest you bring 2 passport-size
photographs with you.
Local costs
16 breakfasts are included. You must pay for
all other meals yourself. While on trek you are unlikely to spend
more than £10 per day for meals, soft drinks, chocolate etc.
Vegetarian food is available although choice might be somewhat
limited. In Kathmandu you will probably spend around £12 per day
for meals, drinks etc. Approximate costs are given for guidance
only, and may vary widely according to type of establishment.
Coffee/tea..................................................
UK£0.25
Soft
drink..........................................................£0.40
Medium
beer...................................................£1.50
Local snack
lunch..........................................£3.50
3-course
dinner*............................................£7.00
*reasonable mid-range tourist class
restaurant
Currency
Nepalese rupee. The ideal currency is UK
pounds - it is advisable to take travellers’ cheques for security,
although a certain amount of cash is always useful, particularly
small denomination notes that are clean and untorn. Credit cards
are becoming accepted more widely in hotels and restaurants now.
Though ATMs (cashpoint machines) exist in Kathmandu, they cannot be
relied upon.
Quick Links:
everest base camp trek -
introduction
everest base camp trek -
itinerary
everest base camp trek - map
everest base camp trek - dates &
prices
everest base camp trek - booking
enquiry
everest base camp trek - before you
go
Ref: Everest Base Camp, Nepal (EK) -
AC0009
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