Jul
17
Nepal Travel advice
A variation on the ‘standard’ EBC trek. It’s more strenuous if you choose the Cho La option, whilst the Phortse option gives different views, particularly over the Dudh Khosi valley and Tengboche. In either case the scenery is magnificent !
Day 1: Fly out to Lukla early in the morning. Trek to Phakding (or, if time permits, beyond Phakding to Toktok or Monjo)
Day 2: Trek to Namche Bazar
Day 3: Rest / acclimatisation day in and around Namche. If You have enough time you can visit the twin villages of Khumjung and Khunde. which help to add more interest to your trip. Possibly overnight in Khumjung, a very different experience from the ‘fleshpots’ of Namche, and shortens Day 4 to very manageable proportions
Day 6: Rest / acclimatisation day around Machhermo: there’s a pleasant stroll on the ridge above the village, and from the prayer flags on the ridge you get a good view of Everest
Day 7: Trek to Gokyo. Stroll further up the valley if you have time / inclination
Day 9 – 11: Cross the Cho La to Lobuche and Gorak Shep
(or trek back down the east side of the valley to Phortse if Cho La is impassable or you fancy level-ish trekking rather than another ascent. In which case Day 10 would take you to Pangboche or Shomare, Day 11 to Dughla or Dingboche, Day 12 to Lobuche, Day 13 to Gorak Shep, and you’d be two days behind for the rest of the itinerary)
Day 12: Either trek to Everest base Camp, or ascend Kala Pattar: Stay at Gorakshep overnight if you intend to do both, then on Day 13 do the other one, and then descend to Lobuche – if you’re doing both it’s probably better to do Base Camp on day 12, Kala Pattar on 13 as it’s a shorter trip, and leaves ample time to get down to Lobuche
Day 13 or 15: Trek via Pheriche to Pangboche
Day 14 or 16: Trek towards Namche, via Tengboche (either to Namche or to Kyanjuma (1 hour short of Namche), or to Kyanjuma then 30 minutes up to Khumjung)
Day 15 or 17: Trek via Namche to Monjo, Ghat, or Phakding (depending on how well you are going !)
Day 16 or 18: Trek to Lukla
Allow one extra day, to be taken as / when you want
It should be noted that the same route can be hiked also in reverse direction, going first to EBC, then Gokyo. This has two distinct advantages: slow acclimatization period, days 4 to 7, can be spent in interesting villages and monasteries along the EBC trail instead of lodge clusters of Dole and Machermo with not much to do or see. Also, if the trek must be cut short for some reason (health, weather), EBC has higher bragging factor.
Cost Include
International & domestic airport transfers as per the itinerary.
2 night Hotel in Kathmandu with BB Plan.
3 meals a day during the trekking (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) as indicated by the itinerary.
Accommodation while trekking in twin sharing basis tents or local lodges / guesthouses.
All trekking related permit & fees,(Entry Permit and TIMS Card).
Professional English speaking tour leader, guides and necessary porters.
Sleeping Bag and Duffel bag for during Trekking period.
A comprehensive medical kit.
All government and local taxes.
Cost Exclude
International air fare to/ from Nepal.
Entry Visa fees – at present $25 for 15 day, US$ 40 for 30 day, and US$ 100 for three month visa on entry into Nepal.
Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu.
Insurance which covers, medical, emergency evacuation, lost, theft expenses.
Drinks: both alcoholic and bottled other than sterilized drinking water.
All food and beverages other than on the itinerary.
Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary.
Personal gear and expenses.
Tips and gratitude provided to staff.
