Everest Base Camp Trek Logistics

Paperwork | Travel Arrangements | Visa & Entry | Lodging | Physical Conditioning | Gear | Expenses & Tipping

Paperwork

Please take the time to read the entire Logistics section in full. If you have questions, feel free to call the Alpine Ascents office or email us. 

Please return the requested paperwork, (application and flight itinerary) as soon as possible. This information assists us in procuring permits and making final hotel reservations.

⎕  Application
⎕  Flight itinerary
⎕  Passport Copy
⎕  Trip Evacuation Insurance Confirmation (required)
⎕  Two Passport Photos (scans are fine)

Trip Insurance & Evacuation Coverage

We highly recommend trip insurance as there are many unforeseen circumstances that can occur leading up to a trip. Evacuation coverage, however, is required for this trip. Evacuation insurance is not ‘insurance,’ as one must usually contact the insurance company prior to evacuation, and the insurance agency will make payment to directly to those conducting the evacuation.

Please click the link below for more information. Note: you can also get trip cancellation insurance through this provider.

https://partner.globalrescue.com/alpineascents/index.html

Hotel In Kathmandu

Hotel Yak & Yeti
P.O. Box. 1016, Durbar Marg, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: 977-1-4248999, 240520 Fax: 977-1-4227781/4227782

For those requesting double room accommodations every effort will be made to pair you with another climber. A Single Room Supplement Fee will apply if a match cannot be made or there is a last minute cancellation. This will help keep our overall program pricing down since unlike other companies we do not charge more for smaller groups.

Trek Lodging
For the lodging during our trek we lodge in Sherpa village tea houses, many of them remote, giving us a rare look into both traditional and monastic communities. We access these villages through our long time Sherpa friends with the belief that a sharing of cultures is paramount in our understanding of the world. While the environs are often primitive by western standards, they are balanced by the warmth and tremendous support of the Sherpa people. Please note that while we hand pick the lodges, the Khumbu is a remote area and  accommodations/toilet conditions are very basic.

Single Room Supplement for Kathmandu :
For those interested in a single room for an additional fee, we can reserve single rooms in Kathmandu only. Other lodges may have single rooms available but cannot be reserved ahead of time. One can pay the additional fee upon arrival to the lodge directly but it is best to plan on shared rooms in the Khumbu. Fees for single rooms vary by village but your guide will let you know cost and availability upon arrival at each lodge.

Physical Conditioning

Trekkers are expected to be in excellent physical condition. Being physically prepared for the rigors of the mountains is one of the
key aspects to an enjoyable, safe and rewarding experience for the entire team. Please read the training information on our website:

https://www.alpineascents.com/everest-base-camp-trek-training/

Gear

Please review the annotated gear list below. We certainly understand that you may have personal preferences and have tested gear and gear systems in the field, but encourage you to contact us with any significant variations from the gear list.

https://www.alpineascents.com/treks/everest-base-camp-trek/gear-list/

Our gear lists are updated regularly, but some brands and models do change. You are required to bring every item on the list. We are happy to work closely with you on finding the proper gear. Please note that we flying in small planes with limited space so please adhere to the gear list as much as possible.

Alpine Ascents does not require trekkers to bring any food. That said if you want to bring up to a 1lb plastic bag of your favorite power bars and drink mix, you are welcome to do so.

On The Mountain

Physiology Of Mountaineering

Dehydration, hypothermia, frostbite, and altitude illness are all important health conditions to be aware of while climbing. Please read our overview of these physical factors:

Food & Water

We are all aware of the potential monotony of expedition food and Alpine Ascents makes every effort to make expedition food as enjoyable as possible. We work hard to have a diverse menu but this can be limited by availability and remoteness of region. A sample menu of the types of food that you might expect to eat on the expedition can be found at: https://www.alpineascents.com/pdf/info/nepal-menu.pdf

Tap water is not drinkable in Nepal. At mealtimes, we will provide you with hot drinks (such as hot water, tea or other local drinks) that have been boiled and are safe to drink. For drinking water on the trail and in the lodges other than at mealtimes, we will assist you in filling your water bottles and you can purify that water with the steri pen (best method) or water purification drops/tablets that you are asked to bring (see gear list).

Health Tips

You may want to consult your physician for advice on treatments for gastrointestinal upsets that you may encounter on your trip. In the past, climbers have relied on antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin. Your doctor may recommend medications such as Lomotil or Imodium to stop diarrhea, and Compazine to prevent nausea.

Leave No Trace

Alpine Ascents International practices Leave No Trace principles on all expeditions. We believe that given the proper information most people will do all they can to help protect and maintain the environment. Before your climb, please become familiar with Leave No Trace:

7 Principles of Leave No Trace

As guides, we spend time teaching the environmentally appropriate Leave No Trace principles and practices. There is nothing more rewarding than working hard to get high into the mountains, reaching a pristine campsite, witnessing incredible views, and having the feeling that no one has been there before.

Conversely, there is nothing more disheartening than working hard to climb a mountain, reaching a site and encountering trash, food waste, and toilet paper. Please read the seven LNT principles, and call the office if you have any questions about what you can do to plan ahead.

Communications

Public Wi-Fi: Lodges in route to Base Camp will have Wi-Fi available via the Everest Link Network. This is probably the best way to communicate, using Whatsapp or other communications apps. Pre-paid scratch cards available in KTM and on the trek offer the easiest way to pay for Wi-Fi usage. Our hotel in KTM has Wi-Fi.

Cellular service: For those of you who want to use cellular service (spotty at best) there is some coverage throughout the Khumbu. Most American plans do not work in Nepal but it is possible to buy a sim card in Kathmandu and have cell service were available. Again, most climbers and trekkers use the wi-fi at our lodges. If you wish to get sim card we can assist with purchase in Kathmandu

Cybercasts

We plan on cybercasting your trek. We hope to have a report posted on the cybercast page of our website every 1-3 days. We encourage you to show family and friends who want to follow the climb. Let them know that the lack of a current cybercast does not indicate a problem with the team. Please let us know if you would not like to be listed in these posts.

Tune into the cybercast here!

Personal Expenses & Tipping

With regards to personal expenses, bringing some cash in conjunction with using ATM in Nepal is generally best (limits on withdrawals are about $200). We will work with you in Nepal to change money to Nepalese rupees for the trek and assist with locating ATM machines Credit Cards are fine at bigger hotels. Smaller places in Kathmandu may or may not accept credit cards, but charge a fee when they do. In the Khumbu, credit cards are generally not useful (some places in Namche accept credit cards). Note that money changers in Nepal will not accept dirty, old, or wrinkled bills.

Money: Most trekkers change $500 into Nepalese rupees in Nepal before departing on the trek. This is for bottled drinks, purchases along the trek and shopping. Trekkers generally take an additional $500-$1000 (including ATM use) for expenses, some tips and emergencies.

Drinks: While we provide boiled water throughout the trek to drink at meal times, some trekkers will choose to buy bottled bottled drinks like beer, soda, or water. These drinks are expensive in the Khumbu; a liter of bottled water can cost $2-$3 (~4 bottles/day) or so along the trekking route.

Sundries: In addition to souvenirs, people might also choose to spend money on wifi access where its available (from $5-$10 a day), charging of phones/electronic devices (from $2 to $5 per charge) and hot showers which can be purchased at some of the teahouses for about $5.

Departure by Helicopter: It is usually possible to depart early from the trek at Dingboche (or nearby Pheriche) by helicopter. The heli will take you to Lukla where, if early enough you can board an onward flight the same day. Helicopters for later departure or inclement weather may also be possible from Lukla to Kathmandu.

Typical cost from Pheriche to Lukla is $700, but based on number of passengers. Typical cost from Lukla to Kathmandu is $400, but based on number of passengers. This would allow climbers to leave 3-4 days prior to the scheduled date but can only be booked during the trek based due to weather concerns.

Early Departure/Evacuation

If you need to leave the expedition early, you are responsible for all incurred expenses (evacuation fees, transport, extra hotel nights, etc). A comprehensive trip insurance plan is recommended, which can cover these costs in the event that they occur.

Tipping
It is customary for Everest basecamp trekkers to tip about $300 for the Sherpa Staff. (Guide will collect and distribute). Alpine Ascents guides can accept and will greatly appreciate tips. It’s always hard to recommend a specific amount as we believe tips should be based on level and quality of services, as well as an amount that meets your budget. Please consider the information below to be merely a guideline. Amounts are at your discretion and should be based on your level of satisfaction and ability. Alpine Ascents guides greatly appreciate tips, a suggested amount is 7-12% of the trip cost.