1.) What is the best season for trekking?
The best time for trekking is in the pre-monsoon springtime (March, April, May) and the post-monsoon fall (September, October, November). However, if you wish to avoid the crowd in these seasons and prioritize clear sky and view of the wide variety of flora and fauna we can make arrangements. However, winter (December, January, February) is colder and in summer/monsoon (June, July, August) rain might be an issue.
2) Is there an age limit for Everest Base Camp trekking?
No, there is no age limit for Everest Base Camp trekking but, you need to be in good physical shape and have positive attitude. We also suggest you to prior to the excursion though we suggest you to please see your doctor and obtain necessary permission and advice, as well as medications for travelling in extreme altitude prior to the excursion.
3) Do I need to bring additional medicine for the trekking?
It is always better to consult your doctor. However, we suggest you to carry simple medicines such as Ibuprofen, Codeine, Paracetamol, Strepsils, anti diarrhea tablets and diamox (for high altitude sickness).
4) I’m a single traveller, will I be charged a single supplement?
Most of our trips do not have a single supplement. This means that the accommodation is on a twin share basis and, if you are travelling on your own, you will be sharing a room with another Sherpa Holidays’ traveller of the same sex. Some tours have an optional single supplement or rarely a mandatory single supplement.An optional service that may be available is called “My Own Room”. This service allows solo travellers to request their own private room while on tour. The cost and the details vary by trip, so please refer to each trip summary page for details.
5) How is Sherpa Holidays able to offer such competitive prices?
Our unique style of off the beaten track, face-to-face travel is the only way to really experience a destination, but it also serves to keep the costs down. We spend your money providing an authentic experience, instead of on lavish hotels and expensive western-style meals. We pass these savings on to you with our low prices. Another thing you’ll notice are the inclusions. While we don’t include everything, we do throw in the major highlights of a destination, the things that everyone goes to see. On every trip page we show you the ‘Included Highlights’ of your trip, things that many other companies charge locally for. We leave many other activities as options, to provide you the freedom and flexibility to choose what you want to do on a daily basis.
6) What kind of arrangement will be provided during the trekking?
A teahouse trekking arrangement will be made for you for the Everest Base Camp trekking whereby you will be able to stay at local lodges and have wholesome food and comfortable bed throughout your trekking journey. This form of arrangement also allows you to carry less baggage; you can hike at your own pace and enjoy the Everest panorama on your own schedule. It is also an eco-friendly way of trekking whereby trekkers can have more contact with the locals.
7) What are the meals on the Everest Base Camp trekking like?
During trekking, you will be served meals in the teahouses. Typical meals are rice, pasta or potato dishes along with vegetables and egg/chicken/meat dishes. Other items mostly served as break fasts include porridge, muesli and toasts with peanut butter and honey.
8) What arrangement is being made for the safe drinking water on trek?
We are aware on the protection of fragile environments while organizing trekking and climbing trips. We discourage in buying the plastic bottle mineral water as currently there are no provisions for disposing of these. We do provide properly boiled drinking water on all Everest region trips where our staff properly boiled drinking water on Kerosene for you. We recommend that you collect the safe drinking water from local station or teahouse in Annapurna region.
9) Is there any drinking water available on trek/tea houses?
During trekking, lodges serve bottled, boiled and filtered water, which is generally safe and have to be paid for. Because of environmental reasons however we encourage our guests to use iodine and other purifying agents to treat water before drinking. Bottled mineral water is also available everywhere.
10) What kind of clothes do we require for the trekking and is it possible to purchase it in Kathmandu before the start of the trip?
What you want to wear depends on you but we suggest you to wear warm clothes during the Everest Base Camp trekking. A down jacket, thermal longs and top, comfortable trekking trousers, t-shirts, fleece, windproof jacket, hat, scarf, and gloves might be useful. There are numerous trekking shops in Thamel area of Kathmandu where you can get all of these items in both local and branded stores alike. Our staff may also accompany and assist you if required.
11) Do I need to bring any bags for trekking? If yes, what kind?
During trekking, you will be on a long journey for which you will need two bags to keep your belongings. A rucksack/duffle bag and a day bag for personal items.Sherpa Holidays will provide you with a duffle bag which you can use throughout your entire journey and even afterwards. These bags are durable and hence perfect for any kind of trekking journey. While the duffle bag will be carried by the potters, you will have to carry a day bag on your own. A day bag is a small backpack that has enough room for everything you will need on a day hike such as lunch, water, extra clothing and perhaps a few personnel items like camera, battery chargers etc.
12 )Do I need to bring any personal equipment like sleeping bags, down jackets, walking poles etc?
If possible, we suggest you to bring your own equipments. However, sleeping bags and down jacket will be provided to you by us. With regards to trekking poles, if you are used to walking with it then take them with you, as you will probably find them useful especially on the way down. They are not essential though and the walk is manageable without them. It is mostly a personal preference. If you prefer to take the poles with you on the trekking then you can either bring your own pole or buy it from numerous options available in Kathmandu itself.
13) Can I take a suitcase?
You can bring a suitcase with you but it’s subject to normal airline restrictions. You can leave it at a hotel in Kathmandu. We will provide you the duffle bag which you can use for the trekking and return when your trip is over Your trekking bag (rucksack) must weigh no more than 15kg (day bag not included); Remember, travelling light is much less of a hassle, so do not bring things you can do without.
14) Is it possible for me to store extra clothing that I will not need?
Yes, if you have a bag of extra clothing for when you return from the trekking, you will be able to store it safely in Kathmandu. The storage facility is provided by most hotels and lodges in Kathmandu or you can also store it in our office for the duration of the trekking.
15) What are the modes of carrying our gears?
Your rucksack (duffle bag) will be carried by porters. But the day bag, where you store personal stuffs will be carried by you. However, if you are uncomfortable during trekking then we can also make arrangements for the guide/porters to carry your day bag as well.
16) What problems can arise on high altitude?
Our itinerary has been specially tailored to prevent any kind of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) while moving up to higher altitude. Normally, altitude sickness starts from 3,600 meters/11808 feet and above. You will be trekking at a relatively slower and gradual pace as part of acclimatization process. In the higher elevation there is less oxygen in the air and this is more so while crossing high passes. Our expert guides will advice you on how to avoid AMS and treat it when/ if required. . Extensive medical kits are carried on all our trips. In addition, Portable Altitude Chamber (a life saving device) is being carried as a safety backup on high altitude treks and climbing expeditions. All our trekking group leaders / guides are well trained in Wilderness First Aid Course who are competent to diagnosis it and to act accordingly on the very spot.
17) How fit do I need to be?
Fitness is perhaps the key factor in the trek. Most people of average fitness for their age could complete the adventure trekking in Himalayas. On all holidays, physical preparation is useful and a flexible, open-minded approach is essential. You can take your time, set your own pace and enjoy the most fascinating surroundings. Most first-time trekkers are concerned that they won’t keep up. They soon discover that a steady and moderate pace will have them in destination well before they would have expected. Trekking is not walking competition, but walking holidays in own pace. However, the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy it, and you will have enough energy for extra activities.
18) What Safety arrangement is being prepared for the trek?
Safety is our Top Most Agenda while organizing trips in Himalayas. All our trekking group leaders / guides have undertaken the Wilderness First Aid Medical Course and years of experience have taught them to deal with any adverse situations from diarrhea to Acute Mountain Sickness. We carry Portable Altitude Chamber (hyperbaric bag) along with a comprehensive medical kit. We plan adventure travel trips so that safety and comfort are not compromised.
19) What happens if I am no longer able to continue trekking? What happens if I need to leave early? Our guides will make required efforts to obtain the necessary transportation and reservations to get you home as quickly as possible if for any reason you need to depart early. However, you will not be entitled to any refund for the services (such as: hotel, transport, flight, etc.) included in the package that you would not use later.
20) What happens in case of emergency?
In the case of a serious sickness or a casualty, which we believe will not happen; you shall be rescued by a helicopter. Since you are entirely liable for all the expenses incurred in evacuation please make sure that it is covered by your insurance before assigning for it or be prepared to pay on your own after getting back in Kathmandu.
21) What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?
We have different cancellation and refund policies for different trekking, mountaineering and cultural tour packages. Please visit our terms and conditions page.
22) Are there any communication facilities available while we are on the mountain?
There are telephones (landlines) in most of the villages along the trekking routes from which you can make international calls. Mobile Phone services are available throughout Nepal and even at the Everest Base Camp but the quality of the reception varies from location to location. Internet facilities can be found in only a few villages. However, these facilities can be expensive. Our guides will carry mobile phousesmost of the tea ones which also can be used by you when/if necessary.And Wi-Fi facilities are available in all the tea houses these days.
23)What if I arrive early or depart late?
Can you arrange extra night lodging;We are happy to make arrangements for additional lodging and airport pickups and drops. Our staff can also recommend side excursions and restaurants for the extra time. Please contact us if you need to make any additional enquiry.
24) What type of adapter will I require in order to plug my electrical equipments?
Nepal’s Electricity is 220 Volt and 50 MHZ (50 Cycles per Second). The Electric Plug is two or three round prongs, but not flat prongs as found in use in the United States or in other countries. If your electronic items use 110 Volt 60 MHZ electricity, you will need a voltage convert.
25) Will I be able to charge my batteries during trekking in the Everest Base camp?
Most of the tea houses/ lodges have electricity whereby you will be able to charge your iPod or camera batteries. Please note that lodges/tea houses will charge you some extra money for the services. The fee may vary from 1 USD to 3 USD per hour.
26) What insurance do the trekkers need to get?You need general travel insurance and trip cancellation insurance, as well as rescue insurance. Read your policy’s fine print to make sure it covers you for trekking or climbing, depending on what trip you have booked, and that it covers you for helicopter evacuation.
27) Should I tip often during the trekking?
Tips are not mandatory. However, if you wish to tip to show your gratitude, it will be welcomed. Tipping can be in USD or Nepalese Rupees (NRS). Upon arrival in Kathmandu, it is good to carry small denominations of USD for small tips to driver, hotel staff, etc. However, hotels/restaurants in Kathmandu, already charge you with 10 % service charge. Tipping is an accepted part of trekking although it is completely personal matter. The amount depends on your budget and appreciation of their work. Budgeting up to 10 % of the trek cost as tipping could be a guideline.
28) Can domestic flights get cancelled or delayed?
Yes, domestic flights may get delayed or cancelled for any number of days due to unfavorable weather conditions. If the delay occurs at the start of your trip and disturbs your schedule, you are free to choose an alternative trip. But, if you are not interested in taking an alternative trip and wish to wait for the flights to resume instead, we will provide you accommodation and food in a guest house in Kathmandu. Hence, as long as you plan to stick to the original trip schedule we will be responsible for additional accommodation/ food. But, if you choose to change the dates of your trip and lengthen it then you will solely be responsible for your expenses.
29) Are there ATMs available during the Everest Base Camp trekking?
ATM services are available only in Namche Bazaar and Lukla. However, the services might not work or run out of cash. Therefore, we suggest you to carry small amount of money to buy snacks etc during the trekking.
29.Does the trip offer the Best Value? Any Hidden / Extra cost?
Sherpa Holidays has no overhead expenses on overseas offices. This means we can offer top quality service and facilities at a competitive price to exceed your expectation. No hidden or extra cost. Trip cost includes from your accommodation, local flight , private transportation, tours, trek permit, National park or conservation fees to all meals ( all breakfast, Lunch, Diner) while on trek, link to cost includes and excludes. In every detail, we set the highest possible standards, from safety to the high quality / type of gears and food provided to meet the international standard. We balance of exploration and relaxation, comfort and adventure at its best.
30.How much weight do we carry on the trek?
You will be carrying your day pack with warm clothes, drinking water, snacks, sun block, camera etc you need for the day. Generally it will be light around 3 – 5 Kilos.
What does grading moderate mean?
According to trekking standards and experience, treks are divided into four types- Easy, Moderate, Difficult and Strenuous. The challenge in terms of both technicality and geography increases as we move higher in that order. Thus, Easy treks could be suitable for all while Strenuous and Difficult treks are meant only for those who already have a certain number of experiences in trekking.
Furthermore, Grading will help you choose trekking and climbing that best suits your fitness level and experience. Please keep in mind that this is only a general guide. A variety of factors, including weather may add to the challenge. Everest Base Camp trekking is suitable for those who are moderately fit. Moderate trekking will require at least 5-6 hours of walking every day, crossing 4000 m above high altitude passes and long & exhausting walks through rough trails, rocks and boulders. Therefore, you will require physical and mental fitness, positive attitude and readiness to face high altitude. Previous hiking or camping experience is preferred.
