General Information

Arriving in Nepal
When you arrive at Kathmandu Tribhuvan Airport there are two separate visa counters, one for visitors with a visa, and another for those without. You will need to go to the counter labelled for visitors without a visa. Debarkation forms and visa application forms are both available in the arrivals hall. You will need 1 passport photo for your visa application. It is best that you have a few $10 notes and give the correct amount, rather than pass over $100 as the officials sometimes do not have the correct change. Your hand baggage will be checked through an x-ray machine upon arrival into the baggage claim area.  Sometimes your hold baggage will also be put through an x-ray machine as you leave the baggage claim area, but normally not.  Do not line up to do this unless you are instructed to do so.
Upon your arrival at the hotel you may be required to give your passport and air tickets to one of our office representative. This is so that we can process any necessary paper work. We can reconfirm your flights, if you hand over your tickets to us.

Culture
At the mention of Nepal, most people will conjure up images of the Himalayan Mountains, trekking and little more. But, Nepal is also the confluence of two great religions – Hinduism and Buddhism. This is the land where Lord Buddha was born more than 2,500 years ago and it is also the birthplace of Sita, consort of God, Lord Ram. While eight of the world’s 10 tallest peaks are here in this tiny nation, wedged between Tibet to the North, and India on the other three sides, the country should not be solely judged for its high mountains but also for its unique cultural and spiritual heritage, artistic monuments and exotic wildlife, which are reflected in the country’s 102 different ethnic groups and 93 dialects.

Climate
The cold, dry, clear winter season runs from October to March, and the warm, dry spring season from March to June. The wet season, or monsoon, lasts from roughly June to September, depending on the year. Mid-September to mid-October is the start of the dry season.

Health, Altitude and Acclimatising Vaccination & Health
It is strongly recommended that you arrange a visit to your GP, or ideally a specialist travel clinic, prior to your trip. Although staff may point you in the right direction for your inoculations, we are unfortunately not qualified to advise you on specific medical requirements. Taking along a copy of your itinerary can be helpful for doctors to identify the areas you may visit.

Altitude Sickness/AMS
Altitude sickness is rare below 8,000 feet, and serious symptoms do not usually occur until over 12,000 feet. Even then it is not the height that is important, rather the speed in which you ascended to that altitude.Most people can ascend to 2,500 meters (8,000 feet) with little or no effect. If you have been at that altitude before with no problem, you can probably return to that altitude quite easily.

Do bear in mind that because of the structure of your trek and the altitudes you are going to over measured timings, the various serious conditions of altitude sickness are extremely unlikely. We will be trekking slowly to the Drop Zone, giving your body enough time to acclimatize. By the time we are at Syangboche for jumping we expect you all to be feeling ready to Skydive Everest! The equipment that is carried within your group is designed to instantly deal with high altitude conditions should they occur in any member of the party. You will all be made familiar with this equipment and the simplicity of using it.

Hospitals/ Pharmacies
In Kathmandu there are major government-run and private hospitals. Pharmacies are widely available in all places in big town & cities. Health Posts are found in major villages like Lukla, Namche Bazaar, Khunde and Pheriche. You will be flying into Lukla to start the trek.

Drinking water
It is not advisable to drink the tap water. It is easier to buy bottled water whilst in Kathmandu, which can be bought cheaply at approximately 50 pence. Whilst on trek you will be given drinking water each day. When ordering bottled water in a restaurant, be careful to check the cap is sealed.

A Typical Day during the Trek
The day starts with an early wake-up call.You then pack up your gear and enjoy breakfast before starting your morning walk. The Sirdar will already be organised and have assigned loads to porters and/or animals, and your group will then set off on the trail at a leisurely pace, enjoying the view and stopping to take photographs. After 2-3 hours walk you stop for lunch. This lasts for about 90 minutes which gives you time to relax, or explore.The afternoon's walk is usually shorter and you will arrive at the destination in plenty of time to relax and savour the surroundings.Later in the evening dinner is served, giving you an opportunity to talk over the day's events, and look forward to another special day on the trails of Nepal.

TRIP GRADE - Moderate to fairly challenging:
Physically quite tiring, involves approx 4-6 hours trekking along the main Everest Trail. You Trek on the First day is fairly gradual along the Dudhkoshi River, Second day steep climb up to Namche and then after, you shall have adopted with the Himalayan Landscape, we believe.

TREK TYPE
Trekking will be organized on Lodge/Teahouse based. You shall be staying overnight in the Hotels/Teahouses catering to Tourists going on Everest Trek. Dinner shall be served at the same place whereas, Lunch place shall be picked somewhere on the way in one of the Tea Houses.

Personal Security
Avoid walking alone, especially in isolated areas and at night. Keep jewellery and expensive equipment such as cameras hidden.

Accommodation and Food
Accommodation and food shall be provided in the best hotels and tea houses on the way having bathroom with hot and cold shower inside the hotel.

LUGGAGE WHILE TREKKING
During the trek, your main luggage will be carried by porter or yaks. Please keep your luggage as light as possible around 12 to 15 kgs. You simply carry a day pack with water bottle, camera, sun-screen, spare jacket etc. You can leave your valuable items at your hotel while trekking. Many hotels have a locker system and provide a deposit slip for the valuables kept under the hotel's safekeeping.

TREKKING CREW
On the trek you will be accompanied by a team of local crew whose aim is to make the trek as hassle-free and enjoyable as possible. The crew consists of a local leader (Sirdar or Headman) and a team of porters to carry all your gear. On average, there will be a ratio of one porter to every two trekkers. Sirdar speaks reasonable amount of English, good enough to explain you about the places, local culture or any sight that catches your eyes.

PERSONAL EXPENSES
Everest region is more expensive than the other regions in Nepal, as most of the goods have to be shipped by airplane and then carried to their final destination by porters.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided. You only need money for table drinks (alcoholic/non alcoholic beverages), snacks while walking (a few smaller shops are available along the trail in some areas) tips, souvenirs, hot shower (available in some places).
Tips are appreciated by your support team after the trip. The amount depends on your budget and appreciation of their work. We suggest you to allocate 5 - 10% of the total tour cost as tips.

COMMUNICATION
There are a couple of telephone facilities in the Everest region up to Namche Bazaar. Cell phones work fine up to Tengboche.
If it is crucial for you to keep in contact with your family or others, we can provide you a mobile satellite phone (rental charge on request).

Clothing  & Equipments
You need to pack everything you need for the trip in a suitable piece of luggage normally a hold all not a suitcase. You will use this piece of luggage to leave anything you do not require on the trek in Kathmandu, which will be stored at the hotel. All the kit you take to the mountains will be packed in your Large Pack and Day Pack.
Daypack (Small Ruck Sack) - This should be comfortable with a good waistband that transfers some of the weight to the hips. It needs to be big enough to take a jacket, fleece, water, camera and odds and ends. You pack your daypack in the morning and give the rest of your baggage to the porters. You should have everything you need trough the day with you, since it is likely that we don’t see the porters again before we stop for the night in a tea house.
Large pack ( Kit Bag) This should be big enough to carry all your trek kit, which will be carried by the porters, and we recommend a soft hold all for this or barrel draw string kit bag.

CLOTHING

Polyprop Shirt: This is a thermal item worn close to the skin and as an alternative could be wool.
Lightweight Shirt: It’s advisable to have a cotton shirt with colour to help with sun protection.
Heavyweight Shirt: This is to provide extra warmth at higher altitude and whilst at tea houses and on the drop zone.
Fleece jacket: If you do not already own one it is possible to buy these in Kathmandu.
Wind/rain jacket: Waterproof and breathable. Plastic ponchos or non-breathable raincoats are not suitable.
Down jacket: This is something you need to have for those cool evenings. If you don't already have a down jacket they can easily be rented in Kathmandu.
Lightweight Trousers: You will live in these. Light material, loose and dark-coloured is best. You can survive with only one pair. For example Ron Hills.
Heavyweight Trousers: Heavier weight, loose fitting trekking trousers for higher altitude and around the drop zone.
Wind pants: If your trekking pants are reasonably windproof then special wind pants are not needed. If you do bring a pair, it is not necessary to have gore-tex or similar, non-waterproof is quite OK.
Polyprop Long Johns: This is a thermal item worn close to the skin and as an alternative could be wool. Good thermals are one of the secrets to cold weather trekking comfort.
Underwear: This is not something people tend to forget, but anyway bring 4 to 7 pairs.

Sleeping bag
Down-filled bags are the best to bring. If you have a 3-4-season bag then you can get a fleece sleeping bag liner in Kathmandu, they are cheap and reasonable priced. Quite good sleeping bags are inexpensively available for rent in Kathmandu.
Sleeping bag liner: Cotton, silk or fleece. Cotton or silk ones can be made in Kathmandu but are more easily bought from home. Fleece ones are readily available in Kathmandu.
Inflatable sleeping pad: You will be sleeping on Beds/mattress in the tea houses but if you do have your own Thermarest or similar, then bring it. It will be useful for sitting on whilst on the drop zone.

Trekking Boots
For a comfortable trek you need comfortable feet. Good boots have: good ankle support, plenty of toe room for long descents, a stiff sole to lessen twisting torsion, and are light because with every step you lift your boot up. Look at the inner lining - leather is good and Cambrelle is even better, a material that eats smelly feet bacteria. Good lightweight trekking boots or light all leather boots are perfect. Boots must be lightly worn in before trekking and this should include some steep hills to show up trouble spots.

EQUIPMENT
Sunglasses: These need to have a high UPV protection.
Water bottle: Should be one litre or more in capacity, take boiling water and be leak-proof.

PERSONAL
Reading Material : One or two with high swap ability. Kathmandu has some great second-hand bookshops. We can recommend Pilgrims bookshop in Thamel.
Toiletries: We provide toilet paper. Bring a small lightweight trekking towel, or even better a sarong. In Kathmandu the hotel supplies towels. Sun screen and lip care with sun protection: The sun is strong at altitude, especially after snow, so go for one with a high sun protection factor
First aid kit: You should bring any personal medicines that you need.

EXTRAS
Snacks and nutrition: You will feel your best with plenty of good food and keeping hydrated. We provide the food and the water. The last two ingredients are wholesome snacks and vitamin tablets. Chocolate and chocolate bars are readily available in Kathmandu. Bring vitamin tablets from home.

Responsible Travel
As a team member of the expedition, we expect you to take every reasonable precaution to minimize or avoid any negative impact the expedition may cause – from the environment to the people, places and communities that you will encounter. We also expect you to share this exercise with each and every one of the expedition team, and possibly the local population, educating them where necessary to some of the following points.
• Ask permission for photographs of individuals or sensitive areas
• Respect holy shrines and places of worship
• Don’t encourage beggars
• Respect local customs
• Don’t flaunt wealth
• Don’t make promises you cannot keep
• Learn about local culture and get involved
• Dress conservatively
• Ensure money is put back into the local economy as much as possible
• Buy provisions in country where possible
• Don’t pay too little or too much
• Maintain good business-like relations at all times
• Remove excess packaging
• Don’t ignore others waste
• Minimize use of potentially damaging materials
• Use local disposal facilities if suitable
• Don’t make open fires unless in an emergency or you are using dead wood
• Don’t waste water unnecessarily
• Use biodegradable soaps and shampoos if possible
• Don’t pollute water supplies with human waste
• Don’t trample flowers or vegetation
• Don’t take cuttings
• Stay on main tracks to prevent erosion
• Don’t collect rock samples

RESCUE / EVACUATIONS
In case of a serious sickness or a casualty, which we hope 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.

INSURANCE
Before joining this trip, we recommend you to take a travel insurance which should cover cancellation, medical expenses, helicopter evacuation and emergency repatriation. There are good hospitals in Kathmandu where you can get good care.

Contacts - Nepal
Mr. Suman Pandey
Explore Himalaya Travel and Adventure
Amrit Marg,
Bhagwan Bahal Thamel,
Kathmandu
email: nepal@everest-skydive.com
Tel:  +977 1 4418 100 or 4418 400
Fax: +977 1 4412 888

Emergency Mobile
+33 6 34 26 70 97
Wendy Smith (Europe)
Email: jump@everest-skydive.com