Everest Basecamp Q & A

What is included in the price of the challenge?

The following is included in the price of your challenge: all camping equipment including a-framed or dome tents, closed-cell sleeping mats designed to keep out the cold, a foam mattress, waterproof kit bags for personal belongings, (your personal bag will remain at the hotel in Kathmandu); all national park entrance fees and permits; vehicle transfers; cooking equipment and staff which will provide three meals a day plus tea and water, tables, chairs, and toilet tents.

What necessary items are not included in the trip price?

The following items are not included in your expedition and will be at your own expense: international flights and all internal flights; vaccination or medication costs, visa to Nepal, 2 passport-sized photos that you will need for trekking permits, lunch and dinner during your stay in Kathmandu, tips for the local support team, activities not mentioned in the itinerary, personal spending money, International departure tax (approx US$35/Nepalese Rupee 1,950) and Internal departure tax US$2.50 (175 rupees), required travelers insurance.

How big is the group?

Each Everest group will have 15-25 people trekking with you.

What type of bathroom facilities will be provided?

Toilet tents and washing facilities will be set up at each campsite. However, toilet tents will be equivalent to the most basic of outhouses. It is recommended that you bring your own bottle of antiseptic gel to use after restroom uses.

What are the regulations on luggage?

In all cases, luggage should be kept to the absolute minimum. You will not need formal clothing on your trip and should avoid bringing anything that is not absolutely necessary. For more information on what you should bring, consult your packing list. Before embarking on our trek you will be given a dry bag to hold your personal belongings; the bag you carried on the plane will be left at the hotel. Porters will be carrying your personal belongings during the trek. Porters are generally very strong and can carry up to 60 lbs. However, it's best to keep your luggage under 50 lbs as airlines generally will not allow check-on baggage to exceed this weight. Be aware that many airlines charge for any check-on luggage. Check airline websites for more information on luggage regulations.

What will our accommodations be like?

We will stay in a three star hotel in Kathmandu at the beginning and end of our trek. Rooms will most likely have 2 twin beds and may not include in-room bathrooms. For all other nights of the trek, we will be camping near lodges on the Everest trail. Tents, sleeping bags and sleeping mattresses will all be provided. Tents sleep two people; if you are traveling with someone else and would like to share a tent and hotel room with that person, please let Adventure Challenges know prior to departure.

Should we bring our own sleeping bags?

Sleeping bags, foam mattresses and closed cell sleeping mats designed to keep out the cold will be provided. It is preferred that you also bring your own sleeping bag; make sure it is a warm four-season bag with a fleece liner. If you don't have your own sleeping bag, let Adventure Challenges know so we may reserve a sleeping bag for you. It is a good idea to bring your own travel pillow or a pillowcase you can stuff clothes in to make a pillow. Pillows will not be provided.

How will my valuables be protected?

We will do everything we can to keep your possessions safe while on your trek. However, as this is a wilderness trek, it is best to leave behind all unnecessary valuables including jewelry and unnecessary electronics. You may leave jewelry, extra money or other valuables in a safe deposit box in Lukla. We suggest you keep your passport with you in a safe place during your trek. Please bring a copy of your passport, visa, two passport-sized photos for trekking permits and some emergency cash to carry with you on our trek.

What will meals be like?

During your stay in Kathmandu, you will only be provided with breakfast. You should bring about $15/day for lunch and dinner in Kathmandu. On the trek, you will be given three hearty meals a day focusing on a vegetarian menu and local flavor. Afternoon tea, hot chocolate and cookies are also supplied. Boiled water will be provided at all meals. It's recommended that you bring some of your own snacks such as chocolate, dried fruit or nuts or power/energy bars. It also is a good idea to bring energy drinks or powder such as Gatorade.

Please let Adventure Challenge know prior to departure if you have any specific dietary requirements or food allergies.

Who will be guiding the trek?

Adventure Challenge puts a great deal of thought and effort into choosing qualified and socially responsible guide companies. We ensure that our Everest guide company adheres to the requirements of the International Porters Protection Group, pays their staff a good wage, has proper trekking permits, and follows all national park guidelines. Guides are all certified and most have at least 15 years of experience leading treks in the Himalayas. Your guides and many of your porters will speak fluent English.

What will the weather be like?

Weather in the Everest region is highly unpredictable. You must be prepared for all weather conditions. There is a possibility of snowstorms and temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit at nights, so be prepared by bringing plenty of clothing layers. (See Packing List for recommended clothing).

Can you recommend any guidebooks about the region?

There are many books written about climbing Everest and the Himalayas. Lonely Planet publishes a guidebook on Nepal, along with various other guidebook companies. Other books written by pioneers, explorers and mountaineers are: Trekking in Nepal by Stephen Bezruchka, Trekking the Himalayas by Stan Arminton,Trekking in Nepal, West Tibet, and Bhutan, by Hugh Swift, and Adventure Treks Nepal by Bill O'Connor. Also recommended: any books written by Chris Bonington, especially Everest the Hard Way.

What happens if I can't keep up, or there is an emergency?

We understand that there will be a large discrepancy in participants' hiking abilities and will adjust our pace to varied speeds. There will always be a staff member at the back of the group to make sure everyone makes it safely to camp. In case of injury, sickness, or other emergency, guides will determine the severity of the injury; if it is serious, a helicopter will be called. On this trek there are two aid posts, a hospital in Kunde and a First Aid Post in Pheriche. If you experience altitude sickness, a guide or other staff member will stay behind with you to monitor your progress. If you recover, you will continue on the trek to meet the group. If not, the staff member will descend with you and ensure you receive proper medical care.

How much spending money should I bring?

You will need money for tips, additional food or drink (i.e. Kathmandu), gifts or souvenirs, departure tax and money for additional activities. As a general tip guideline, each participant should tip about $5 - $10/day. Tips will be collected by your program manager at the beginning or the end of the trip. The tips will be distributed at the final celebration in Lukla. We recommend you bring about $200-$400 with you depending on how much you plan to spend on souvenirs and snacks. It is best to bring travelers checks; Thomas Cook or American Express are the most common and convenient. Common credit cards are also accepted at many of the larger establishments and can be the most convenient option for large purchases.

Be aware that you will not be able to change money on the trail so all money exchanges should take place in Kathmandu. Whilst trekking it is suggested to have small denominations of money. It's best to exchange money at large hotels and not in airport exchanges. When you exchange your money make sure that none of the Nepalese notes are torn, as locals will not accept them. Also, request small denominations because smaller villages are frequently unable to make change. There are also many ATMs in Kathmandu.

Remember to keep your receipt when exchanging money as you will need the receipt to convert your currency back to dollars. You cannot exchange more than 15% of the original amount exchanged back into dollars.

Useful Nepalese Phrases and Words

Hello - Namaste
Goodbye - Namaste
Good morning - Subha Prabhat
Good Afternoon - Subha Din
Good evening - Subha Sandhya
Good night - Subha Ratri
Please - Kripaya
Thank you - Dhanyabad
How are you? - Tapai lai kasto chha?
You're welcome - Tapai lai swagat chha
Excuse me - Maaf garnu hola
I'm sorry! - Maile biraya or galti bhayo
I understand - Maile Bujhe
I don't understand - Maile Bujhi-na
Yes - Ho
No - Hoina
How much? - Kati
When? - Kahile
Where is?? - Kaha chha
Toilet - Charpi or Sauchalaya
What is the time? - Kati Bajyo
Do you speak English? - Tapai English Bolnu Hunchha?
I don't speak English - Ma English Jandina
Zero - Sunna
One - Ek
Two - Dui
Three - Teen
Four - Char
Five - Paach
Six - Chha
Seven - Saat
Eight - Aath
Nine - Nau
Ten - Daas