DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu
It is a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic, beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences that stay with you for a long, long time. A representative and driver from our office will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. The representative will help you check into your designated hotel. At the hotel, you will be briefed about your daily activities.

Day 2 Sightseeing in Kathmandu
Kathmandu, the historical and cultural heart of Nepal, has been a popular destination for tourists ever since Nepal opened its doors to visitors. The city presents a wonderful mix of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence in the Valley. Patan and Bhaktapur, its two major neighboring cities bear immense historical, cultural and religious significances. There will be a half day guided tour to the famous and biggest Hindu shrine of Pashupatinath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal Boudhanath, the 15th century palace of 55 windows and Swoyambhunath. At eventide, you will be briefed about your trip. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 Fly to Lukla and trek to Phakding [2656m]
The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla takes 45 minutes. A hair rising landing on a steep mountain runway, brings us to the village of Lukla [2900m]. After meeting the crew, we start your trek. You head up the Dudh Koshi Valley on a well-marked trail to Phakding.

Day 4 Trek to Namche [3450m]
From Phakding, we cross and re-cross the rivers on high suspension bridges. Beyond Monjo is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park. The park was set-up to conserve this fragile mountain environment. We then ascend steeply to Namche and along the way, if the weather permits, catch the first glimpse of Mt Everest. Namche is the main trading village in Khumbu and has a busy Saturday market - a meeting place for the Hindu traders from the lowlands and the Tibetan yak caravans that have crossed the glaciated Nangpa La. You then reach the Namche bazaar.

Day 5 Trek to Khumjung [3786m]
Ascending from Namche Bazaar, we pass the airstrip at Syangboche and the Japanese-built Everest View Hotel. From the hotel, there are magnificent views of the valley and Everest. We walk to the picturesque village of Khumjung with many old traditional houses as well as a gompa at the top end of town. At the nearby village of Khunde, is the famous hospital built by Sir Edmund Hillary, an important center of health care in the region.

Day 6 Trek to Thyangboche [3864m]
Heading east, we pass a large Chorten and then descend to a bridge across the Dudh Koshi at Phunki Tenga. From the river, the trail ascends through a forest of pine and rhododendron, before arriving at Thyangboche Monastery. The views here are truly awesome, from the beautiful Ama Dablam to Lhotse and Everest at the head of the valley. The gompa has been rebuilt since a tragic fire in 1989 destroyed it. The monastery is well worth a visit.

Day 7 Excursion to Pangboche [3908m]
Today’s visit include an excursion to Pangboche Monastery and the nunnery at Deboche. The monastery at Pangboche, founded in 1667, is the oldest in the Khumbu region. The magnificent views of Ama Dablam are the highlight of today's walk.  

Day 8 Trek to Namche [3450m]
From Thyangboche, we head back down through the forest to Phunki Tenga with its water-driven prayer wheels. With the Everest and Lhotse receding at the distance, we make our way back down to Namche and descend further to Chumoa.

Day 9 Trek to Lukla [2900m]
Our final day's trekking follows the Dudh Koshi back down to Lukla. This last evening in the mountains presents an ideal opportunity for a farewell party with the Sherpa guides and porters. We get to sample chang (local beer), try some Sherpa dance steps and end the trek on a merry note.

Day 10 Fly to Kathmandu
After an early breakfast, we head to the airstrip for our return journey to Kathmandu. Later, you are free for independent activities. You stay overnight in a hotel.

Day 11 Depart Kathmandu
The Nepalese support team will take you to the airport for your flight home. If you prefer to stay longer, you can go for short tours such as jungle safari at National parks, rafting, Tibet tours, mountain biking etc.

GENERAL INFORMATION

TRIP GRADE - Soft Adventure trek
This trek is only of about a week. You generally don't go above 4000 meter. Each day you can expect to walk for around 4 – 5 hours. They are a perfect introduction to trekking in Nepal. The activity level is fairly easy but don't expect it to be all easy going, there will still be some hills to climb as well as the well-known 'Nepali flat' – a little bit up and a little bit down.

TREK TYPE - Tea House or Lodge trek
Includes: Accommodation in Lodge, guide, porters and all meals

ACCOMMODATION
Trekking in the Everest region does not need tremendous logistics in terms of accommodation as you will find plenty of clean and friendly lodges along the trail. We stay in single rooms where possible, but often you will have to share. Facilities in tea houses are limited but good enough to offer you a comfortable stay and hygienic meals. A few have electric lights and all have a spacious dining room-lounge. We will accommodate you and your group in local lodge available each day. We send a porter ahead of us to book the required rooms for the group (rooms cannot be booked in advance). Please remember that some of them are very basic and a sense of adventure is necessary.

MEALS & DRINKING WATER ON A TEA HOUSE TREK
On our lodge based treks we provide standard breakfast, lunch and three course dinner, tea or coffee will also be included with each meal. Your guide will help with menu selection and ensure that you get the best value meals possible. Although the food is usually plentiful and delicious, you should be aware that the menu is not normally extensive. Most teahouses offer a variety of rice and noodle dishes, as well as soup and seasonal vegetables. A variety of cereals, bread and egg dishes are generally available for breakfast. There will also be plenty of snacks available such as biscuits, chocolate and soft drinks and in some areas you will find fresh fruit in season. You can buy packaged water (bottled mineral water) from local lodge and shop en route or you can also ask your guide to fill your water bottle with boiled water and treat with water purification pills.

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 tea house 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.

GROUP SIZE
We bring together a small group of like minded people to give them a memorable and insightful travel experience with an invaluable opportunity to interact with each other in a fun-filled environment. Our travel group generally comprises of maximum 12 members. We need a minimum of 2 participants to run our fixed departure dates. For private trips, no minimum and maximum apply.

If you would like to travel independently or with your friends, families and colleagues, you are invited to choose any of the trips at your convenient time frame for any number of people (min 1 max 100 at a time).

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.
On this fixed scheduled trek 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. As a suggestion, we advise you to allocate 5 - 10% of the total tour cost as tips.

FLIGHT / LAND TRANSFERS
The starting point of the trek is in Lukla which is connected by a 45mins flight from Kathmandu. We will arrange the transportation from your hotel to the airport (Kathmandu). On your return to Kathmandu our bus will take you back to your hotel.

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).

TREKKING EQUIPMENT
For trekking in the Everest region, you will need walking boots, sleeping bag (4 seasons), waterproof jacket and trousers, fleece jacket, warm hat and gloves, sunglasses, water bottle, sun cream and day pack.

Comprehensive list of equipments will be provided once you book your trip.

TYPICAL DAY ON TREK
Each morning after packing our bags and a hearty breakfast, we set off on the day's walk. After walking for 3-4 hours we stop for lunch at around midday. The afternoon's walk is generally shorter and we usually arrive at our destination in time for afternoon tea. The remainder of the afternoon can be spent exploring the village, doing a bit of washing or simply relaxing with a good book. On some days we will arrive at our destination by lunchtime and the entire afternoon will be free. After dinner, the evening will often be spent playing cards and reliving the day's adventures, before retiring for a well-earned sleep.

MEETING AND GREETING IN KATHMANDU
You need to pass on your International flight details to us for a 'meeting and greeting' service at the Airport. You just pass on the Customs and come out of the Terminal building where you will see someone standing with a placard with either 'Explore Himalaya' or your own name written on it.

CLIMATE & BEST TIME TO GO
The best seasons to trek to the Everest region is Autumn (from mid-September till November end), and Spring (from the beginning of March until mid-May). Temperatures will drop considerably as you trek higher every day. The nights are cold (between -10 C to 5C) but the days are sunny and hot (between 10C to 20C). The mornings are usually clear, with clouds building up during the afternoon, disappearing at night. Trekking during the monsoon is not recommended, as the visibility during this time of the year is limited. Trekking during the winter is possible, however, it is much colder than Autumn and Spring.

March, April, October and November are the most popular and favored months for traveling. Please choose the date that is convenient for you.

PEOPLE AND CULTURE
Sherpas live in the upper regions of Solu Khumbu. They emigrated from Tibet about 600 years ago. The Khumbu region has provided a strong group of able bodied, hardy and fearless Sherpa porters and guides. Sherpas practice Tibetan Buddhism, which is also known as Lama Buddhism.

FESTIVALS
Losar is celebrated in the month of February by the Sherpas. ‘Losar’ means New Year in Tibetan. Buddhist monks offer prayers for good health and prosperity at monasteries. People exchange various goods and gifts among them. Families organize feasts and perform dances.

Dumje is celebrated to mark the birthday of Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava).The celebration takes place in June and lasts for six days. It is celebrated in a big way in the villages of Namche, Thame and Khumjung.

Mani Rimdu is a festival that celebrates the victory of Buddhism over the ancient animistic religion of Bon. This festival is celebrated in the monasteries of Thyangboche, Chiwang and Thami. At Thangboche the celebration takes place during the November- December full moon.

ITINERARY CHANGES
Depending on the prevailing situation, itinerary can be modified to some extent after consulting with your guide. However, the date of trek completion should always coincide with the original itinerary.   

You should keep in mind that this is an adventure trip into the remotest region, where many unforeseen events may contribute to the need for a change in itinerary. In such cases, we or your guide will suggest the best alternative similar to your original.

TREK DURATION
We ensure liability as per indicated in the itinerary and list of services. If the holiday is cut short or completed earlier than the projected period upon client’s wish, we shall not be responsible or make refund against unutilized days or services. Clients need to pay extra for Hotels/services incurred in Kathmandu or elsewhere in such cases.

VISA
All visitors except the Indian nationals must hold passport and valid visa. Visa can be obtained at the Nepalese diplomatic missions and consulates abroad. Visa is also issued at the entry points. It can be extended at the Department of Immigration, Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu. Children under 10 years need not pay any visa fee. People willing to get entry Visa at the air port or any of the land entry points are required to fill a visa form with passport photograph. So, please download form from the link below an get ready while you are passing through the immigration Point.

VISA APPLICATION FORM

Gratis visa for 30 days available only for tourists of SAARC countries
Multiple entry 15 days - US$ 25 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry 30 days - US$ 40 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple entry 90 days - US$ 100 or equivalent convertible currency

Tourist Visa Extension
* Visa extension fee for 15 days or less is US $ 30 or equivalent convertible currency and visa extension fee for more than 15 days is US$ 2 per day

* Tourist visa can be extended for a maximum period of 150 days in a single visa year (January - December).

VACCINATIONS
As vaccination requirements change frequently, we suggest you to consult your doctor at least 2 months prior to the beginning of your trip. We recommend protection against malaria, tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis and polio.

FIRST AID KIT
We supply a medical bag with standard medicines prescribed by trekking doctors. Since our staffs/guides are not qualified for suggesting medications to western clients, we would request you to use the medicines upon your own risk. It is safer and more reliable if you have your own medicine kit and not depend on what we have.

ALTITUDE       
The trail on A Week Below Everest does not go too high i.e. not above 3985m, so chances of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) are very low.

Though, Altitude Sickness has the potential to affect all travelers from 2500m and higher our itinerary is planned in such a way that you make very gradual ascend, spending some days at a low elevation to build necessary acclimatization before walking up to Pangboche at 3985meters (the highest point on this trek).  When you are at high altitude, your body needs time to adjust to smaller quantities of oxygen in the air at 5500m/18,044ft; the air pressure is approximately half that of sea level, i.e. there is half the amount of oxygen.

RESCUE / EVACUATIONS
In the 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 during the 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 to Kathmandu.

INSURANCE
Before joining a tour, 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.

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL
The beautiful environment of the Himalayas is also an extremely fragile one. At Explore Himalaya, we are extremely conscious about the environment and aim to minimize the detrimental impact on the environment as much as possible.

As deforestation is one of the greatest environmental threats, we do not have camp fires and use kerosene as cooking fuel. We also discourage trekkers from using wood-fuelled hot showers in lodges along the way. Many lodges, however, now provide solar hot showers, a far more eco-friendly alternative.

Garbage disposal is another major problem. Some of the busier trails are at times strewn with litter and garbage thrown by irresponsible trekking groups. Our staff members are well motivated towards eco-friendly practices. We carry the non-biodegradable garbage, apart from that which can be safely and easily burnt at the campsite. Our aim is to help protect and preserve this beautiful environment for future generations of trekkers to enjoy.

TRIP EXTENSIONS
- Everest Base Camp.
- Island Peak located in Chukkhung valley.
- Chitwan safari after your trek.
- Kathmandu to Beijing by land cruiser and train.
- Cultural tours, Rafting or a trip to Pokhara.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Explore Himalaya works with the motto ‘Development through Tourism’. Keeping in line with this motto, Explore Himalaya Community Service Project (EHCSP) was conceived to empower underprivileged, marginalized, poor and minority segments of Nepal.

Since its inception, EHCSP has been incessantly facilitating and advocating for school education, health, community development, forest conservation, agriculture, culture preservation and fund raising. Explore Himalaya encourages its clients who besides trekking and climbing the Himalayas are also interested in contributing for the development of Nepal.

CARE FOR PORTERS AND STAFF
We ensure that all porters and all other staff going into high altitude conditions are provided with adequate clothing and equipment. We are the first ever company to supply high-altitude (climbing above 14,000 ft.) porters with crampons. But since this trip does not entail climbing at high altitude, we ensure that the porters are adequately clothed.

We run the trek according to the guidelines of the International Porter Protection group (IPPG - www.ippg.net).

BOOKING CONDITIONS
1) It is a fundamental condition that you acknowledge that this is an adventure tour. This requires some flexibility. The day to day itinerary is taken as a guideline only. We cannot be held responsible for any delays caused by international or domestic flights, strikes, Government regulations, weather or natural casualties etc. In such cases, Explore Himalaya shall be responsible for providing suitable alternatives which could be decided upon mutual agreement. If an agreement cannot be made, Explore Himalaya shall be only responsible for refund after deducting expenses already incurred.

2) Your booking will be confirmed by email once we have received the deposit of USD 300 and the signed copy of booking form and contract.

The balance is due no later than two months prior to departure. If you book a tour less than 2 month prior to departure, you must send the full payment within 7 days of confirmation by us.

3) If you cancel, the following scale of charges will apply:
DATE OF CANCELLATION (CHARGE INCURRED)
2 months before departure - Loss of deposit (US$ 300)
29 days to 2 months before departure - 30% of total trip cost
10 to 28 days before departure - 60% of total trip cost
Less than 10 days before departure - 100% of total trip cost

BOOKING PROCEDURE
If you still have any queries regarding this trip, please don't hesitate to contact our office staff. We will respond to you within 24 hours. You can book a trip by e-mailing us at enquiry@explorehimalaya.com or by phone: 977-1-4418100.

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