This 20-day expedition is the brain child of Sandra Carter from Colorado (USA) and is being proudly partnered and supported by Take on Nepal. This trek takes in Everest Base Camp which is the most famous trek in the world. In addition, you’ll be climbing Island Peak and participating in an expedition which is the very first of its kind in Nepal. This expedition will be a training opportunity for an awesome team of female trekking guides who have overcome all imaginable odds (including leaving forced marriages and being survivors of trafficking) to become guides. Already experienced with guiding trekking expeditions, these women will learn new skills and expand their horizons. On successful completion, these young women will be able to add ‘mountain guides’ to their resume, expanding their future prospects and opportunities. bringing together a group of strong, fearless and compassionate women who will ascend Island Peak, one of the Himalayan giants. They will be guided by an a The team will be lead by Som Tamang, one of the founders of Take on Nepal and an experienced mountain climber and guide. (Option to do only Three Pass and Everest Base Camp Trek with group for $3890)
For more information on the background of this expedition, please read Sandra’s blog.
Elevation: 1,400 m
Distance: 7 km Drive to Thamel
The adventure begins. You’ll be met in Kathmandu by our happy and professional team members, who will transfer you to your hotel. Be warned, our friendly guides do ask lots of questions. In the evening, our guides will brief you on the magnificent trek you are about to undertake. You will be excited about the adventure ahead.
Included: Welcome Dinner
Elevation: 1,400 – 2,800 – 2,655 m
Distance: 9 km Drive
In the morning, group members will take a spectacular forty-minute flight from Kathmandu to Lukla; this will be the most exhilarating flight of your life! Lukla is located 2865m above sea level, in the Khumbu region of Eastern Nepal. You will have awe inspiring views of the terraced landscape and river valleys below. After you arrive, your trek begins straight away, with a lovely, short walk to Phakding. Words cannot describe the feeling you will have when you are there. Be prepared to be overwhelmed!
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Elevation: 2,655 – 3,445 m
Distance: 12 km Drive
Today the real trekking begins. Walk through stunning forests filled with rhododendron, alongside a river named in Nepali as the “milky river”, due to its milky colour from the flow of melting of ice. The day’s trek ends at Namche Bazaar. Namche Bazaar is incredible! A trading town, the hub of the Everest region right there in the foothills of Mount Everest. It’s like something out of a movie!
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Elevation: 3,445 – 3,550 m
Distance: 6 – 9 km
Enjoy the beauty of Namche’s village, as well as the friendliness and hospitality of its local Sherpa people, who have the most wonderful smiles. There is much to see and enjoy in this remote traditional village. You will take a short trek up to a Sherpa village named Khumjung and from there, you will return to your lodge in Namche.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Elevation: 3,445 – 3,840 m
Distance: 10.5 km
Today is a special day as you’ll veer off the beaten track and away from the hustle and bustle of the trails as we make our way to the beautiful, traditional village of Phortse. On your way to Phortse you will walk through pine forests, past stupas, and give us breathtaking views of some of the Himalaya’s highest peaks. In Phorste you can learn about the lives of the Sherpa people, many Everest summiteers live in Phortse and it is also home to the oldest monastery in the Khumbu region and to the remains of a yeti.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Elevation: 3,840 – 4,440 m
Distance: 8-9 km
Today you will notice the landscape change dramatically around us as we trek through mossy forests, cross the Imja River, past more intricate Buddhist Mani stones, and climb upwards to Dingboche. You will feel so close to the Himalayas here with Ama Dablam looking down upon you as you trekThis is around the time in our journey where you might begin to feel the effects of the altitude but that’s normal and our guides will be looking out for you, making sure that you are staying hydrated.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Elevation: 4,440 – 4,730 m – 4,440m
Distance: 5 – 6 km (4 to 5 hours hike up and back)
Today we’ll help up our bodies further acclimatize to the altitude by hiking high and sleeping low – an important part of being a safe and smart trekker! We’ll walk up the mountain ridge that towers over Dingboche with the option of continuing your upward ascent to climb a small peak, taking breaks along the way at stupas with a view, before descending back into Dingboche for a relaxing afternoon.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Elevation: 4,440 – 4,900 m
Distance: 12 km
The ascent will continue up to Khumbu Glacier, where you will pass a cemetery remembering the lives of the people who have died on Everest. It’s a very spiritual and traditional Buddhist place of respect.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Elevation: 4,900 – 5,380 – 5,125 m
Distance: 15 km
You’ll start the day heading upwards with a challenging ascent to the village of Gorak Shep (5,125) for lunch and breathtaking views of the magnificent Mount Pumori (7,160m). After lunch, we’ll walk along the famous Khumbu Glacier to Everest Base Camp (5380m), where climbers spend over a month acclimatizing and preparing for their summit attempt of the one and only Mount Everest! From Base Camp, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of the Khumbu Icefall, the seasonal tent village that is Base Camp before descending back down to Gorak Shep for the evening. It was be difficult for you to sleep tonight but things will become easier tomorrow as we head down.
Congratulations on reaching Everest Base Camp!
Elevation Information: This is one of the toughest days, mentally and physically. You will gain 400m and then lose 90m in elevation as you trek into Base Camp. The majority of elevation gain occurs as you hike into Gorak Shep. Stay focused today, it’s a special day for you.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Elevation: 5,160 – 5,555 – 4,900 m
Distance: 11-12 km
The high altitude and cold temperatures make this early morning one of the toughest parts of our trek but this mornings trek really is worth getting up for! We’ll trek up to the highest point of our journey, Kala Pathar (5555m), for stunning, unobstructed, 360 views of the highest Himalayan peaks in the morning light. Afterwards you will return for breakfast in Gorak Shep before beginning the decent through the valley, past yaks and rivers to the village of Lobuche.
Elevation Information: To reach the summit of Kala Patthar you will need to start very early, you will gain nearly 400m before making your way back to your lodge in Gorak Shep for breakfast. Your total elevation loss today will be 1,175m.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Elevation: 4,900 – 5,535 – 4,740 m
Distance: 14 km
Another early start, as today you must tackle the highest of the 3 passes (5535m). Following the Khumbu Glacier, you’ll climb a very steep hill before reaching the Kongma La Pass; you will notice the high camp for Kongma La pass. The pass consists of many cairns wrapped in prayer flags. The trail descends and you will arrive at Chhukung, a valley full of glaciers including Lhotse Nup glacier, Nuptse glacier, Ama Dablam Glacier and Chhukung glacier.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Elevation: 4,740 – 5,200 m
Distance: 9 km
The trek to Island Peak Base Camp is on a fairly steep trail. First, you climb south, then turn east to the main line of the valley. We’ll walk on a winding path below the southern flank of the moraine, from the Lhotse Glacier. Next, you continue walking on a pleasant trail along a streamside. The route to the Amphu Labtsa lies to the southeast. A crisscross route through the Imja and Lhotse glacier moraines, leads to a wide valley flanking the SW side of Island Peak. Overnight at Island Peak Base Camp.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Elevation: 5,200 m
Distance: 3 km
Commence pre-climb training today, after breakfast. Our guides will provide training on peak climbing techniques and the proper ways of using specialised climbing gear, including the ice axe, climbing boots and crampons, harness, ascender, etc. The training will also include using ropes, to go up and down. Although it is not mandatory to have prior training for Island Peak Climbing, we strongly believe some training will boost your confidence and climbing skills, increasing the chances of scaling the summit. It will also allow you to feel more confident, fully enjoying the experience. We can spend the rest of the day hiking to high camp and back, or resting for the next day’s climb. Overnight at the base camp and get an early night.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Elevation: 5,200 – 6,190 m
Distance: 12 km
Wake up around 1 – 2 am to have breakfast, before beginning the peak climb. It’s important the summit is reached before 12pm, because in the afternoon the strong winds in the high lands might become a barrier for a successful summit ascent. The trail moves up beyond the base camp for several hundred meters, before striking off the steep hillside. Initially sandy, the path soon turns to grass before becoming boulder strewn. As you climb the hill, you will see the slope narrows and the trail enters a steep rock channel. This is not difficult, but there are several short rock steps to climb before we emerge on the right side of the gully. The route then follows a ridge-line, which leads to an exhilarating and exposed traverse, onto the snout of the summit glacier. We need to rope up for the glacier, as it contains several crevasses. The guides will fix a rope, wherever necessary. A steep snow slope leads us onto the summit ridge. After enjoying the summit views, and taking pictures, we descend all the way to Island Peak Base Camp, where some of our team are waiting for us. We will then celebrate our successful Island Peak climb!
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Elevation: 5,200 – 3,985 m
Distance: 12 km
Today’s walk will be much easier! Following the same route back through the wide valley of Khumbu Khola, you’ll pass through the beautiful Sherpa villages of Orsho and Somare. You can also take a different trail to visit the Gompa in Upper Pangboche, which is believed to be the oldest in the Khumbu region, or take the regular trail to reach Pangboche. Pangboche is a scenic village surrounded by Everest to its north, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, and Kangtaiga to the east, the Kongde range to the south and the Imja Tse river flowing through the wide fertile valley.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Elevation: 3,985 – 3,440 m
Distance: 14 km
From Dingboche, we retrace our steps down to the Imja Khola and up through the forest to Tengboche. If interested, we can also visit nuns at the Tengboche monastery. After lunch at Tengboche, we continue through the hillside blanketed by rhododendron and juniper trees. After crossing the bridge over the Dudh Koshi River, our trail follows the Dudh Koshi gorge descending rapidly through the pine forests before reaching Sansa. We keep a lookout for wildlife such as mountain goats, snow leopards, colorful pheasants, etc. while passing through the forest.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Elevation: 3,440 -2,655 m
Distance: 14 km
It’s a relatively easy day today which means that you can enjoy explore the village of Namche before we set off on the trail to Phakding. We’ll arrive early enough which will allow you the afternoon free to relax, do some shopping in the village, or grab a beer a well deserved beer at your lodge or in the village! It’s time to relax and unwind now as you have only 1 short day of trekking left!
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Elevation: 2,655 – 2,800 m
Distance: 12 km
Today we’ll continue making our way up and down to Lukla for our final night (tear) in the Everest region. In the evening we’ll have our celebratory dinner to reflect and toast to the incredible experience and achievements we shared with your Take on Nepal team and your group members!
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Elevation: 2,800 – 1,400 m
Distance: 30 Minutes Flight
You will take a return flight from Lukla to Kathmandu, where you can relax and reflect on your incredible experiences and achievements. This evening, you will enjoy a final, farewell dinner with your guide and group members.
Included: Breakfast
Elevation: 1,400 m
Distance: 7km Drive to Kathmandu Airport.
This is officially your final day with Take on Nepal, boo hoo! If you are departing you will need to check out from your hotel at 12pm, if you have a later flight, your luggage can be stored safely at the hotel until your departure. Our team will be on hand to take you to the airport. We always recommend if you have time to stay on in Nepal after your trek, there’s so much to see and do! If you have some spare days our team will be happy to organise your activities. A city tour is a must do and if you have a longer period of time you are welcome to visit Batase village, home of our guides and porters. Another suggestion is spending time in Pokhara or Chitwan. Nepal really is an amazing country with plenty of things to see and do.
Included: Transport to the Airport
Dates | Available | Inclusive Cost |
---|---|---|
1 April 2025 - 20 April 2025 | Available | $5690 |
The mistake many people make, is having too much stuff. There is nothing worse than carting clothing and equipment with you (at altitude) in Nepal and ultimately not having needed it. The below list outlines the standard clothing we recommend you take for trekking, in the mountains.
If you do not already own these items, we highly recommend that you purchase or hire these items in Kathmandu. They are made to a high quality and it’s always great to support the local economy. Another option is to hire a sleeping bag and jacket at a cost of approximately AUD$50 for each item for a period of 14 days.
All our team members speak English as do most people working within the tourism industry in Nepal. You will have no problems communicating in English and there is not expectation that you learn any Nepali before joining the trek. However, it’s always a sign of respect when you learn a few phrases of the language of the country you’re visiting. If you learn some of these common phrases in Nepali, your guides will be impressed!
The currency of Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee, it’s highly unlikely that you will be able to transfer Australian Dollars into Nepalese Rupees until you reach Nepal. Nepal has modern banking facilities and some of the International Banks have their own offices in Kathmandu. ATM’s are conveniently located close to your hotel in Kathmandu and credit cards are accepted in Nepal at major hotels, shops and restaurants but not on the Everest Base Camp Trek. You will find better exchange rates in Kathmandu outside the airport. Major banks, hotels, and the exchange counters at Tribhuvan Airport provide services for exchanging foreign currency.
We recommend you carry approx. $300 Australian Dollars with you when traveling to Nepal, this will cover your visa upon arrival and tips (our team love receiving tips in Dollars!).
When you arrive in Kathmandu we recommend you go to an ATM to withdraw Nepalese Rupees, for the trek we suggest you budget approx. $20-$30 per day for additional expenses such as chocolate, toilet paper, hot showers and device charging.
We consider our guides and porters to be the backbone of our company and go above and beyond to ensure they are treated with respect. All of our staff members are paid higher wages than is the industry minimum and our team members are all provided with training and educational opportunities. We view our porters as being an integral part of our team and know our consistently good feedback is because of the great work our team do.
Tipping is a way of showing gratitude for a job well done, it is not their salary, it is a bonus on top of what the team have already earned. We also want to stress that in the unlikely event that you are unhappy with the level of service received from your team, you are not obligated to tip.
As a general rule of thumb, the average tips given to your team (guides and porters) are 10% of the cost of your trek. For example, if you paid $2,000 for your trekking experience, $200 would be a kind and respectful amount to pay to your team. If you are trekking in a group this money is divided among all of the guides and porters, if you are trekking privately the tips can be given directly to you guide and porter.
We like to make the tipping fun and easy, we don’t want you to feel uncomfortable about how to tip or how much you should tip, we like to be transparent about this. If you are in a group it’s normal for the tips to be pooled together on the first night at the end of your briefing dinner, the tips are handed to your lead guide who will then go on to divide the money into envelopes to be handed out on the very last day of your trek in Lukla. The last night is always a celebration, everyone is happy and relaxed. The envelopes with the pooled tip money is given to a nominated person in your group who then presents each of the tips to the porters and guides. It’s a gorgeous way to end the trek, it brings joy to both the givers and receivers.
If trekking privately it is normal for the tipping to happen on the last day of the trek when you are in Lukla, on that evening you will celebrate your trek with the team that supported you and hand the tip money directly to your team members. Many people choose to be prepared before they start the trek by ensuring they have the money ready before they leave Kathmandu.
At the airport! When you are leaving the airport, look out for our staff holding the “Take on Nepal” sign, as soon as you see them, head in their direction, but DO NOT allow anyone to help with your bags. It’s common at Kathmandu airport for ‘helpers’ to approach tourists, pretend to be one of their party, and help with their bags in the expectation of a tip. Your Take on Nepal guides never ask for or expect tips. If anyone asks you for a tip or stands around you waiting for one at the airport, they are not Take on Nepal staff. Ignore them and keep moving towards whoever is holding the Take on Nepal sign.
Many of our trekkers have a day or two in Kathmandu before they head to the mountains. Our wonderful guides will always offer to take you on a tour of the city, this is often 4-5 hours of their time. If you choose to do this we recommend you pay for their lunch and also what would be the equivalent of one hours wage for you as a generous tip, this for most people is approx $20-$30. Keep in mind that tips make a big difference to the lives of our guides and porters, this money always goes to good use, generally towards caring for their families. Your generosity has a wonderful roll on effect in Nepal. Generous tips result in happiness all round. You will leave Nepal knowing you have rewarded the people who have made your experience what it was and your team will feel gratitude for your kindness.
Your guide will make you aware of any other cultural traditions you need to know, during your trek. Please do not hesitate to ask your guide lots of questions. Our guides appreciate you showing an interest in their country and you will leave Nepal full of interesting information.
In Nepal the standard voltage is 230 V. The standard frequency is 50 Hz. The power sockets that are used are of type C / D / M. Below you find pictures of these power sockets and corresponding plugs.
Bring your phone chargers. Although Australian plugs are not exactly the right size or shape, they will fit in most sockets.
It would be handy to have an adapter for Kathmandu, they can be easily purchased for a couple of dollars in the shops surrounding your hotel.
You won’t require an adapter for the trek as your devices will be charged at the trekking lodge, they is a cost of approx. $3-$5 for a device to be charged.
You are at the lowest possible altitude when you are at sea level, the higher you go the less oxygen there is in the air and when you’re hiking at a high altitude such as the Everest Base Camp Trek the body can react to the lower amount of oxygen in the air. This is altitude sickness.
The main symptoms of altitude sickness are:
You can take a few very important steps that will drastically reduce your risk of getting altitude sickness, these are:
Your trek to Everest Base Camp should have a couple of acclimatisation days built into the itinerary. On these days you will trek to a higher alitutde and then go back down again, this helps the body adjust to the altitude. Garlic Soup: The Himalayan people swear by Garlic soup, it’s served at all tea houses!
The steps you need to take if you get altitude sickness include:
No Vaccinations are required for entry into Nepal. Many doctors recommend hepatitis A, typhoid and meningitis inoculations. You should already have immunity to tetanus, polio, mumps and measles. Malaria tablets and injections for Japanese B encephalitis are recommended if you are planning to spend a longer period below 1,000 metres during the monsoon. Medicines are sold in small pharmacies everywhere. You will not need a prescription, but it helps if you know what you need! Rabies is a problem in Nepal. Steer clear of dogs and monkeys. If you are bitten, immediately seek treatment.
Flu is no more prevalent in Nepal than elsewhere, but you might consider getting a flu jab before you leave just to reduce the risk of spending several days sick during your holiday.
More people get sick in Kathmandu than anywhere else in Nepal. Nepali food is usually fine and you can probably trust anything that’s been boiled or fried in your presence, although some people are more susceptible to meat dishes than others. All but the cheapest tourist restaurants usually have acceptable salads, fruit juices and lassis these days. Bananas are small but available everywhere. Even the poorest Nepalese attend carefully to hygiene because they cannot afford to be sick.
The pollution in Kathmandu is a surprise, and gives some people, especially asthmatics, respiratory infections within a few days of arrival. Many people wear disposable filter masks, or scarfs that cover their mouth and nose, although most people are just fine for the time they are in Kathmandu. If you are experiencing depressed respiratory function, get out of the Kathmandu valley to the pristine air of the rest of the country.
Bring a pair of thongs for showering, being comfortable in shared bathrooms and bedrooms, and avoiding scabies and hookworm. Never drink water from the shower or bathroom, and always brush your teeth with filtered water.
The feedback provided to us regarding the food is always positive. Meals are included in our all inclusive trek option, but we don’t choose your food, you will decide what to eat for your breakfast, lunch and dinner from the menus provided in each lodge. The food options along the way are healthy, nutritious, filling and most importantly tasty!
Pringles, desserts, soft drinks, alcohol, chocolate and fruit are available to purchase along the way. This food is not included in your package, you will have to pay for these items yourself. The prices are expensive. Due to the remoteness of the region, a tube of Pringles could set you back $10.
There are some villages along the trek where you will find bakeries and little coffee shops, in particular Namche where you can enjoy a Guinness in the worlds highest Irish pub!
BREAKFAST
You will be deciding what to eat for breakfast the night before. This allows the kitchen to be prepared for the morning rush and it also means that you won’t have a long wait before heading out for your big day of trekking.
LUNCH AND DINNER
The lunch and dinner menu is the same on all menus but not to worry, you’ll have plenty to choose from!
Nepal is one of the world’s more crime-free countries, but it would be unwise not to take a few simple precautions. The main concern is petty theft. Store valuables in your hotel safe, close windows or grilles at night in cities to deter “fishing and use a money belt or pouch around your neck. Some public bus routes have reputations for baggage theft. Pickpockets (often street children) operate in crowded urban areas, especially during festivals; be vigilant.
If you’re robbed, report it as soon as possible to the police headquarters of the district in which the robbery occurred. Policemen are apt to be friendly, if not much help. For insurance purposes, go to the Interpol Section of the police headquarters in Durbar Square, Kathmandu, to fill in a report; you’ll need a copy of it to claim from your insurer once back home.
The worst trouble you’re likely to run into is one of Nepal’s all-too-common civil disturbances. Political parties, student organizations and anyone else with a gripe may call a chakka jam (traffic halt) or bandh (general strike). In either case, most shops pull down their shutters as well, and vehicles stay off the roads to avoid having their windows smashed. Demonstrations sometimes involve rock-throwing, tear gas and lathis (Asian-style police batons), but nobody is interested in you: leave the area if you anticipate political agitation. Indian-style hustle is on the rise in Kathmandu. You’ll get a dose of it at the airport or any major bus station, where hotel touts lie in wait to accost arriving tourists. They also cruise the tourist strips of Kathmandu, offering drugs, treks, and, increasingly, sex. For the most part, though, Nepali touts are less aggressive than their Indian brethren, and if you’re entering Nepal from North India, where aggressive touts have to be dealt with firmly, you should prepare to adjust your attitude. Ignore them entirely and they’re likely to ignore you. If that doesn’t work, most touts will leave you alone if asked nicely, whereas they’ll take a rude brush-off personally.
We constantly hear people telling us that they are not fit enough to trek to Everest Base Camp, and on the other side of the coin we sometimes have people join our groups who don’t believe it necessary to train for this trek, that is a mistake. Preparing for this trek is crucial to your success and is also important to the success of the group as a whole. You don’t need to be as fit as an athlete to undertake this trek, but you do need to dedicate up to 10 hours a week to training in the 3 months leading up to the trek. The fitter you are, the easier and more enjoyable the experience will be. To get prepared, we recommend you stick with the training plan we will provide to you, to ensure the best possible outcome for you for the trek.
Below is a guide to training for this multiday, 130km, mostly uphill trek to Everest Base Camp.
This is something you have psyched yourself up to do, it’s been on your bucket list, you’ve seen photos of the Himalayas and you’re not putting it on hold any longer…you’re doing this! Strength of mind and self-belief is a crucial factor in achieving your goal to reach Everest Base Camp. Once you’ve paid your deposit and locked it in, it’s time to start preparing. Ideally, you will have somewhere between 6-12 months to prepare, with 3 months at a minimum.
Be realistic and honest with yourself. Can you easily run a half marathon or are you more of a couch potato? Don’t fool yourself into thinking you don’t need to prepare for this trek, you do, you owe it to yourself, your guides and porters and your fellow trekkers. Know that you need to be fit enough to walk approx. 13 km a day, 20km a couple of days and do so at altitude. The 2 acclimatisation days are not rest days, on these days you will need to walk up hill and then return down to a lower altitude. This is a challenge; you need to prepare for it with the belief that ‘you’ve got this’.
We have seen people of all ages and sizes successfully reach Everest Base Camp, fitness is not dependent on size, it is strength that matters most. We know everyone is different, there’s no one training plan that will work for everyone. We can discuss where you are at and where you need to be on your fitness journey. Our team can assist you in formulating the best training plan for you and will always be on hand to provide advice or support. We’ve done this trek multiple times, we know exactly how hard it is and we are not afraid to tell you what you need to do to be successful on this epic adventure
Get started. To prepare your body for walking up to Everest Base Camp, you need to walk uphill as often as you can. Get your boots, find the closest uphill track or mountain and start going up that hill, this will allow leg muscles to strengthen. The more uphill trekking you can do the better. In the 3 months before your trek start date we recommend that you plan to walk for distances over 15 kilometres at least 2-3 times a week, these 5-6 hour walking days will prepare you physically and mentally for the trek to Everest Base Camp. Although a porter will be carrying your main pack, you will need to carry a daypack, when you are trekking at altitude, 5kg can feel like 10kg, for this reason we recommend that you load a pack up to weights above 10kg and start hiking uphill carrying this weight. This allows for resistance training, the building of muscle strength, all the while improving your overall fitness level. If you live in a city or in an area without hills or mountains, go to your closest gym and set the treadmill on an incline to provide you with training for uphill walking, this training won’t provide you with the practice of walking on rocky and unstable ground but it will improve the strength of your leg muscles.
This training is not as fun as walking up mountains but it is just as important. Cardio training is all about increasing and decreasing your heart rate; all the while you will be developing your lung capacity. Cardio training also increases your endurance. There are many different cardio training options available, choose one that you will enjoy as you should be enjoying your training regime for Everest Base Camp. 3-4 cardio workouts every week in the 3 months leading up to the trek will hold you in good stead. A 5-10km run is great, you could also choose activities such as bike riding, dancing, swimming or even skating. If you integrate cardio workouts into your training plan you won’t find yourself puffed out on the trek. Your body will be better able to cope with the altitude.
If you incorporate some strength training into your training plan you will be very well prepared for the trek. Although you will need more lower body strength for the trek, upper body strength training will come in handy, as you will be carrying a daypack everyday. Strength training also has the added benefit of improving your balance and coordination, as you trek closer to base camp you will be walking over very rocky terrain, having good balance and coordination will make this element of the trek easier for you. The great thing about strength training is that it can be done at home or out in the gym and doesn’t require the same time commitment as the other elements of training. Squatting will build your leg muscles, push ups and pull ups will build up your overall strength and allow you to push on in trek for longer. Weight lifting will improve your upper body strength. Incorporating strength training into your fitness plan 1-2 times a week will go a long way to improving your overall fitness level.
Your first view of Nepal will be from the airplane window as you land at Kathmandu airport, and it’s a view not to be missed. It takes in the mountains that surround the Kathmandu valley, the terraces used for farming that cover the hills, small villages and isolated farms, as well as the smog covered chaos that is Kathmandu. Unfortunately, this view is only visible from one side of the aircraft, and which side depends on the approach the aircraft takes when landing. Flying in from Europe, the view was visible from the left hand side of the plane, flying in from Australia it was visible from the right. But don’t take this as gospel — the pilot may decide to change landing direction for one reason or another. The only advice I can give regarding the view is to ensure you have a Window seat, and to hope for the best regarding the landing direction. You will have views of the Langtang Himalayan Range, Gangala Himal and the Mount Everest region.
Where you sit on the plane is important for more than just the view. Passport control at Kathmandu airport is antiquated, like something from a black and white movie from the 1950s. The staff are old, the facilities are ancient, and the pace is glacial. Only a small number of international flights arrive each day, and it takes them a good hour and a half to process the visitors from each one. Sit as close to the front of the aircraft as possible so that you are one of the first off the plane. And when you disembark, do not stop for a toilet visit until you clear passport control. That early toilet break could easily add an hour to your time standing in line. Most airlines allow online check-in 24 hours prior to departure. You should avail of this to book a Window seat as close to the front as possible.
You will need a visa for Nepal, but this can be purchased on the ground as you approach passport control. The official link below will provide you with information on your arrival at the airport:
https://www.immigration.gov.np/page/arrival-departure-information-1
Make a note of the hotel you’ll be staying at in Kathmandu, as this will be required for both forms — your Take on Nepal information pack should have provided you with this.
As you disembark the aircraft, make sure you keep your boarding card, and the associated luggage sticker that is usually attached to it. Passport control often ask for your boarding card, and after you collect your baggage and head for the exit, another official may stop you to compare your luggage number/bar code with the one attached to your boarding card. Kathmandu airport is the only airport where I’ve encountered this final check.
There is a currency exchange booth to the left as you leave the baggage reclaim area. You may wish to change a small amount here, just to have some local currency in your pocket. I’d recommend changing no more than $50, as they are generally more expensive than money changers in the city.
The airport is small — tiny by international standards — smaller than a mid-sized train station in many countries. This means that before you know it, you’ll be outside, in the open air. In most airports, those waiting for passengers do so inside the airport — not so in Kathmandu, where they are forced to wait behind a railing immediately outside the arrivals exit.
You walk out the door and in front of you will see a line of people waiting. Some will be holding up hotel signs, some will have people’s names, others will be taxi drivers looking for fares. Ignore them all and look for the Take on Nepal sign, complete with the colourful logo you’ve seen on the website. At least two Take on Nepal guides will be there to meet you and your flight. It doesn’t matter if you arrive late, or what time of the day or night it might be — your guides will be there waiting.
As soon as you see them, head in their direction, but DO NOT allow anyone to help with your bags. It’s common at Kathmandu airport for ‘helpers’ to approach tourists, pretend to be one of their party, and help with their bags in the expectation of a tip. Your Take on Nepal guides never ask for or expect tips. If anyone asks you for a tip or stands around you waiting for one at the airport, they are not Take on Nepal staff. Ignore them and keep moving towards whoever is holding the Take on Nepal sign.
Once you’ve reached the Take on Nepal guides, they will load your baggage into a waiting vehicle for the trip to your hotel. They may wait for another passenger or two, as it’s common for more than one trekker to arrive on the same flight. The trip to the hotel is all covered as part of your package, so you should never have to pay anyone or tip anyone from when you step off the plane to when you reach your hotel room.
On all of our treks we choose to stay in tea houses, they are in fact small lodges but have been named by the Sherpa people as tea houses as they are also used to serve trekkers tea and food. The tea houses are often compared favourably to Swiss Chalets but it would be unfair to expect the same level of service and facilities in the remote Himalayan mountains. Some companies use tents along the way, when you see the tents and experience the cold climate I can assure you that you’ll be very happy to be staying in tea houses. The trekking companies using tents do so to save money, we believe in supporting the Sherpa families who own and operate the tea houses. We love the interaction that happens between the local families and trekkers. The tea houses are an inviting sanctuary, a place to rest and reflect on the day that has just passed and to enjoy great company and a hearty meal before resting for the night. Read on for more information about what to expect of your accommodation during your Everest Base Camp Trek.
The central meeting point of the tea house is the dining room. The dining room is where trekkers hang out after a days trekking, this is where you will have your dinner and breakfast, it’s also where you will debrief and be briefed by your guides about the following day. Many of your fondest memories of the trek will be created in these dining rooms. All of the dining rooms follow a similar style throughout the entire trek, their interiors are lined with wood panels, they have a pot bellied style fire in the centre of the room (fueled using Yak poo!) and photos of expeditions or images of the mountains.
Be prepared for the most basic rooms you are ever likely to encounter! Always keep in mind that the bedrooms are just for sleeping, the rest of your time will be spent on the trails and in the dining rooms. The rooms are small, just big enough for 2 single beds. The beds will have sheets on them, a pillow and a blanket. Be warned that the bedding is not changed every day, we recommend have a little slip to go over the pillows. You will have your own down sleeping bag for the trek, and this is all you will need in the way of bedding.
There are no bathrooms as such in the tea lodges, there are toilets and then a communal sink or two outside of the toilets. For the first few days of the trek you will have flush toilets but as you gain altitude the toilet situation worsens, you may have to use squat toilets or if Western style toilets are available you will be flushing using a jug of placed in a big barrel of water next to the toilet. For trekkers trekking in the colder months, this barrel of water may freeze leaving it impossible to flush the toilet. In the interest of ‘keeping it real’, we are giving you worst case scenarios! Toilet paper is not provided in the teahouses, you will need to bring this with you.
The food provided by the Sherpa lodge owners is amazing! You will be well fed and satisfied by the large choice of food on offer. Go to our blog on meals during the Everest Base Camp Trek for more in depth information on this. Pay close attention to the information on food we recommend avoiding during the trek.
The tea house won’t provide you with hot water, before rolling your eyes remember that you will be high in the Himalayas, they boil water by either using gas bottles which have to be helicoptered into Lukla and then carried up by a porter to the lodge, the other means of boiling water is by burning wood or Yak Poo, again this requires physical labour. However, paying approximately $4 for hot water in your bottle is well worth it. For the exact same reason you need to pay extra for a hot shower, most trekkers during the trek will take on average 2 hot showers, some people will go without for the duration, the showers are often in outhouses and in the cold climate it can become too much of a chore. After this trek you will have a whole new appreciation of hot showers. The tea houses also charge for phone and camera charging and most offer the option to purchase wi-fi. The costs of luxury items for sale in the tea houses are higher that what we are used to paying in Australia but we always recommend not to deny yourself something that will bring you happiness, Pringles taste amazing above 4000 metres!
Imagine yourself waking up to the early morning noises of trekkers waking up, dishes clanging, people preparing for their day ahead. You wiggle out of your sleeping bag, reach over to the window to wipe away the condensation and you are met with the most breathtaking view you could ever imagine, day after day! This is what will happen during this trek. Most days the clouds start to come in at around 2-3pm, which means that you may not get a sense of what the views are going to be like the following morning. Awakening to the most breathtaking and awe inspiring views every morning is sure to guarantee you a special day ahead. Gratitude is a word we often hear during the trek, it’s these very views that give us that feeling. A cup of tea, breakfast, lunch or dinner in a cosy dining room with mind blowing views of the Himalayas will never become tiresome. After all, that’s what most people are there for – these unbelievable views.
This is a difficult question to answer, as it depends on personality. Some people love the thrill of flying into Lukla and crossing high suspension bridges, but others have to overcome many fears to make this experience a reality.
From my own personal experiences, I tend to be the latter. I’m not a risk taker and I worry a lot. Having flown into Lukla airport and trekked the Everest Base Camp Trail, I can say my fears were unfounded. I enjoyed the flight and found the trek to be the most incredible experience of my life. After crossing the first suspension bridge the rest did not bother me, in fact, I started to look forward to them!
Whenever you trek with us, you will be surrounded by a team of professionals who know what to look out for and will constantly be keeping your wellbeing at the forefront of their minds. Our guides will always put your mind at ease and will act quickly in a situation where you may be feeling uncertain. You’re in safe hands!
When you trek with us, you are most definitely helping the people of Nepal. As one of the only companies hiring young women, you will be supporting our very important work of ending early marriages and human trafficking. We pay above award wages and treat all our team members as family members, we want a happy and productive team and we believe we have achieved that.
We enrol and fund the costs of training for our team members, we also provide our team with accommodation in Kathmandu in order for them to continue their education, we constantly encourage and support our young team to continually advance forwards in life. Our porters are all guides in training, we want them to strive for better and we do our best to assist our team to reach their goals. This is not done by any other trekking company in Nepal.
Our team will share the culture and traditions of Nepal with you, leaving you feeling connected to not only the spectacular mountains, but also to the people of Nepal, who will leave an imprint on your heart. Take on Nepal co-founder Som Tamang, is the founder and president of the not for profit organisation, Friends of Himalayan Children Inc. (FHC). FHC works in remote villages to provide educational opportunities to thousands of children and a safe and nurturing home to 50 young children. Take on Nepal is committed to giving back to Nepal on many different levels. By choosing us as your preferred trekking company, you will be too.
All our leading guides undergo a training course to receive their license. We do not allow our clients to trek without an experienced, licensed guide leading the way. Our guides also do first aid training and will be offered every opportunity to attend mountaineering, hiking and biking courses wherever possible.
Take on Nepal believe that a well-trained team of professionals, will guarantee positive outcomes. We are also one of the only companies that fly our young trainee guides into Lukla, to begin their journey as trainee guides/porters. Most companies hire their team at Lukla as it reduces their flight expenses.
We feel this is an unfair title. When researching statistics related to the airport, it’s easy to see why this is an exaggeration. Over the past 40 years, there has been only one fatal plane crash. During peak season, up to 30 flights take off and land to/from Lukla, on a daily basis. The airlines are very careful not to fly, unless the conditions are perfect. For this reason, we recommend you always allow a minimum of 2 days free at the end of your trek, before returning to your home country. This will ensure you do not miss your return flight.
The title “most dangerous airport” was given due to the altitude at which the planes land, the surrounding mountains and also because of the length of the runway. It is a short runway, with a steep gradient to allow for flights to land safely. We are sure that you will find it to be an exciting and exhilarating experience!
Our treks can be customised for large groups, small groups, couples and also individuals. The costs outlined on our website are based around groups. If you are trekking as an individual or couple, there may be a small additional cost.
Yes! We’re more than happy to adjust the itinerary to make your dream trek a reality. Some people choose to have additional days trekking, while other people are short on time and the itinerary needs to be adjusted to fit in with the time frame allowed. Our expert team can provide you with advice. If you have additional days to spare, we recommend that you join one of our city tours. Kathmandu has a lot to offer!
There are small tea houses and lodges along the trails, that sell some necessities. We highly recommend that you have everything you need, before commencing the trek, that way, everything you purchase along the trail will be additional luxuries (such as fruit, biscuits, pringles and soft drink). Prices along the trail are very high and this is out of necessity. We fully encourage you to buy luxury items along the way, in order to support the local economy.
Take on Nepal are very proud to be one of the only companies hiring and training a team of women. We work alongside some of the most vulnerable women in Nepal, providing them with opportunities that are unheard of within Nepal. Our young women guides are trailblazers, paving the way for other young women who wish to break free from the cycle of early marriage and poverty.
When we first started bringing young women along as trainee guides and porters, lodge owners and trekking guides were shocked, and would sometimes disapprove of what we were doing. Attitudes are slowly shifting and now if a woman guide/porter is not working with our group, we are asked about their whereabouts.
Nepal is a male dominated country. Female education is not valued and the expectation is early and more often than not, pre-arranged marriage. Our work with young women in Nepal begins in our co-founder Som Tamang’s home village of Batase. Through the humanitarian not for profit organisation “Friends of Himalayan Children Inc.” we ensure the girls in the village are given every opportunity to attend school. We break down barriers that stop young village girls from achieving their full potential. If the girls attend school and show motivation towards work opportunities, we support them to continue their education in Kathmandu, whilst also providing employment as trainee guides and porters with Take on Nepal. Hiring young village women is something that as a company we are most proud of.
The months before the monsoon – February, March and April – are peak trekking months, as are the months after the monsoon – October and November. Most of our group treks occur in April and October, due to optimal weather conditions. At Take on Nepal we always want our clients to have the best possible experience, so to help you plan the best time for you trek, please read on.
Whatever time of the year you choose to trek, it’s important that you’re fully prepared for the adventure ahead of you. You will need to pack appropriately for the climate in which you will be trekking.
Make sure you wear an old, trusted pair of reliable and comfortable trekking boots or shoes. If purchasing a new pair, do so a minimum of 4 weeks prior to departure, to allow time to break them in properly. It is so important to avoid the possibility of getting blisters, something as simple as that could negatively impact on your trek. We recommend you wear woolen socks when trekking, as they keep your feet warm and dry.
The currency of Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee. While it is highly unlikely you will be able to transfer Australian Dollars into Nepalese Rupees, until you reach Nepal – major banks, hotels, and the exchange counters at Tribhuvan Airport* provide services for exchanging foreign currency. *You will find better exchange rates in Kathmandu than those outside the airport.
Kathmandu has modern banking facilities and there are ATM’s located conveniently close to your hotel. Additionally, some International Banks have their own offices in Kathmandu. Credit cards are accepted in Nepal at major hotels, shops and restaurants, but not on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek.
While your trekking fee covers most of your costs (including meals, accommodation, permits and the flight in and out of Lukla), the purchase of any “luxuries” along the way on the trek – such as coffee, chocolate, sweets, alcohol, hot showers, toilet paper, device charging and souvenirs – are not covered. We recommend you budget approximately $20-$30 Australian Dollars per day, to comfortably cover these types of expenses. You will need this in Nepalese Rupees, which can be withdrawn from an ATM on your arrival in Kathmandu.
In addition, we recommend you carry approx. $300 Australian Dollars with you when traveling to Nepal, which will cover your visa upon arrival and any tips.
We’re different to most other trekking companies, in that our porters are often female (to empower and provide employment), and we set the limit at 15kg for our female porters. Our recommneded load for male porters is 20kg unless they choose to carry more, we don’t encourage this but some of our porters are used to carrying heavier loads; we don’t allow any team members to carry more than 30kg’s. 10kg is plenty for your trek and you would also be carrying your personal daypack, which generally weighs 5kg.
On all our treks we choose to stay in tea houses, they are in fact small lodges but have been named by the local people as tea houses, as they are also used to serve trekkers tea and food. The tea houses are often compared favourably to Swiss Chalets, but it would be unfair to expect the same level of service and facilities in the remote Himalayan mountains. Some companies use tents along the way, when you see the tents and experience the cold climate, I can assure you that you’ll be very happy to be staying in tea houses. The trekking companies using tents do so to save money, we believe in supporting the local families who own and operate the tea houses. We love the interaction that happens between the local families and trekkers. The tea houses are an inviting sanctuary, a place to rest and reflect on the day that has just passed and to enjoy great company and a hearty meal before resting for the night. Read on for more information about what to expect of your accommodation during your Take on Nepal trek.
You will have reliable Internet access in most places. Many lodges on our trekking routes have Internet access, but you must purchase usage. On other treks it varies, but overall, coverage in Nepal is reasonable but slow. Our team has access to satellite phones during treks, to call for support in the event of an emergency.
Yes, please famialise yourself with our detailed terms and conditions and our cancellation policy. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have. We’re always happy to help!
If you’re in doubt about whether or not you would be able to undertake the trek, we recommend that you visit your doctor for a health check. Overall good health and determination, combined with good coordination and balance, will all work in your favour.
We constantly hear people telling us they are not fit enough to trek to any of the base camps, and on the other side of the coin, we sometimes have people join our groups who don’t believe it necessary to train for this trek, and that’s a mistake. Preparing for this trek is crucial to your success and is also important to the success of the group as a whole. You don’t need to be as fit as an athlete to undertake this trek, but you do need to dedicate up to 6 hours a week to training in the 3 months leading up to the trek. Below is a guide to training for the multi-day, base camp trek.
Your safety is our number one priority. Our professional guides are skilled and experienced when responding to emergencies. Take on Nepal have a comprehensive risk management document, that ensures most possibilities have been carefully addressed and plans put in place. Our guides are all trained in First Aid and through their experience and knowledge, know when to call a helicopter for an emergency evacuation. With Take on Nepal, you are in safe hands.
You are at the lowest possible altitude when you are at sea level, the higher you go the less oxygen there is in the air and when you’re hiking at a high altitude such as the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, the body can react to the lower amount of oxygen in the air. This is altitude sickness.
You can take a few very important steps that will drastically reduce your risk of getting altitude sickness, these are:
The steps you need to take if you get altitude sickness include:
As a female, Nepal is generally very safe. Many of our team members are female and much of our work centres around empowering young women and girls. Most, if not all of our treks, will have a female staff member on board, who will give you strength and inspiration as you trek through the mountains of Nepal.
Nepal is one of the world’s more crime-free countries, but it would be unwise not to take a few simple precautions. The main concern is petty theft. Store valuables in your hotel safe, close windows or grilles at night in cities to deter “fishing” and use a money belt or pouch around your neck. Some public bus routes have reputations for baggage theft. Pickpockets (often street children) operate in crowded urban areas, especially during festivals; be vigilant.
If you’re robbed, report it as soon as possible to the police headquarters of the district in which the robbery occurred. Policemen are apt to be friendly, if not much help. For insurance purposes, go to the Interpol Section of the police headquarters in Durbar Square, Kathmandu, to fill in a report; you’ll need a copy of it to claim from your insurer once back home.
The worst trouble you’re likely to run into is one of Nepal’s all-too-common civil disturbances. Political parties, student organizations and anyone else with a ‘gripe’ may call a chakka jam (traffic halt) or bandh (general strike). In either case, most shops pull down their shutters as well and vehicles stay off the roads to avoid having their windows smashed. Demonstrations sometimes involve rock-throwing, tear gas and lathis (Asian-style police batons), but nobody is interested in you: leave the area if you anticipate political agitation.
Indian-style hustle is on the rise in Kathmandu. You’ll get a dose of it at the airport or any major bus station, where hotel touts lie in wait to accost arriving tourists. They also cruise the tourist strips of Kathmandu, offering drugs, treks, and increasingly, sex. For the most part though, Nepali touts are less aggressive than their Indian brethren, and if you’re entering Nepal from North India, where aggressive touts have to be dealt with firmly, you should prepare to adjust your attitude. Ignore them entirely and they’re likely to ignore you. If that doesn’t work, most touts will leave you alone if asked nicely, whereas they’ll take a rude brush-off personally.
You will trek for between 4 and 7 hours every day. Our treks are moderately paced, it is not a race. We want you to enjoy the experience and to learn about your surrounds from your guide.
Most accommodation during your treks will be in trekking lodges; the lodges provide basic sleeping facilities and tasty meals. Local families usually operate the lodges. Your evenings will be spent chatting to your guides, porters and fellow trekkers. Unless you have paid an additional charge for a single room, you will share your room with 1 or 2 other trekkers of the same gender. Couples will share a room of their own. Again, the lodges are basic; do not compare them in your mind to any accommodation you have stayed in in Western countries.
Meals are included in our all inclusive base camp trek options, but we don’t choose your food, you will decide what to eat for your breakfast, lunch and dinner from the menu in each lodge. The food options along the way are healthy, nutritious, filling and most importantly tasty! Here’s a small sample of the meals that you will encounter along the way:
You will decide what to eat for breakfast the night before. This gives the kitchen time to be prepared for the morning rush; it also means you won’t have a long time before heading out for your big day of trekking.
The lunch and dinner menu is the same on all menus, but not to worry, you’ll have plenty to choose from!
Please note: Pringles, desserts, soft drinks, alcohol, chocolate and fruit are available to purchase along the way. This is not included in your package and you will have to pay for these items yourself. The prices are expensive. Due to the remoteness of the region, a tube of Pringles could set you back $10. There are some villages along the trek where you will find bakeries and little coffee shops.
It is becoming quite common for families to trek together. Children aged 9 and upwards have trekked comfortably to Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp, and why not take your parents too! Age should not be a barrier to undertake trekking in Nepal, as long as family members are fit, healthy and have a positive frame of mind, it is a possibility. We can tailor a trek specifically for the needs of your family, as we do recommend adding a few extra days on to the trek.
All our leading guides undergo a training course to receive their license. We do not allow our clients to trek without an experienced, licensed guide leading the way. Our guides also do first aid training and will be offered every opportunity to attend mountaineering, hiking and biking courses wherever possible.
Take on Nepal believe that a well-trained team of professionals, will guarantee positive outcomes. We are also one of the only companies that fly our young trainee guides into Lukla, to begin their journey as trainee guides/porters. Most companies hire their team at Lukla as it reduces their flight expenses.
All of the Take on Nepal team members speak English, as do most people working within Nepal’s tourism industry. You will have no problems communicating in English and there is no expectation that you learn any Nepali before joining the trek. However, it’s always a sign of respect when you learn a few phrases of the language of the country you’re visiting and your guides will be impressed! Some of the most common phrases in Nepali are as follows.
All our staff members are provided with training and educational opportunities and are paid higher than the industry minimum. We know our guides and porters are the backbone of our company and our consistently good feedback is because of the great work they do. Tipping them is a way of showing gratitude for a job well done. Please note your tip is not their salary, it is a bonus on top of what they have already earned.
As a general rule of thumb the average tip given to your team (guides and porters) is 10% of the cost of your trek. For example, if you paid $2,000 for your trekking experience, $200 would be a kind and respectful amount to tip your team (and our team love receiving tips in Australian Dollars!). If you are trekking in a group, this money is divided among all of the guides and porters. If you are trekking privately, the tips can be given directly to your guide and porter.
We also want to stress that in the unlikely event you are unhappy with the level of service provided, you are not obligated to tip.
We like to make tipping fun and easy. We don’t want you to feel uncomfortable about how to tip or how much you should tip and that’s why we like to be transparent about this. If you’re in a group, it’s normal for the tips to be pooled together on the first night at the end of your briefing dinner, the tips are handed to your lead guide who will divide the money into envelopes to be distributed on the very last day of your trek in Jinhu Dhanda.
The last night is always a celebration, everyone is happy and relaxed. The envelopes with the tips are given to a nominated person in your group, who then presents each of the tips to the porters and guides. It’s a gorgeous way to end the trek, it brings joy to both the givers and receivers.
If trekking privately, it is normal for the tipping to happen on the last day of the trek when you are in Jinhu Dhanda. On that evening you will celebrate your trek with the team that supported you and hand the tip money directly to your team members. Many people choose to be prepared before they start the trek by ensuring they have the money ready before they leave Kathmandu.
Many of our trekkers have a day or two in Kathmandu before they head to the mountains. Our wonderful guides will always offer to take you on a tour of the city, this is often 4-5 hours of their time. If you choose to do this, we recommend you pay for their lunch and also what would be the equivalent of one hour’s wage for you as a generous tip, this for most people is approx $20-$30 Australian Dollars. Keep in mind that your tips make a big difference to the lives of our guides and porters, this money always goes to good use, generally towards caring for their families. Your generosity has a wonderful roll-on effect in Nepal. Generous tips result in happiness all round. You will leave Nepal knowing you have rewarded the people who have made your experience what it was and your team will feel gratitude for your kindness.
At the airport! When you are leaving the airport, look out for our staff holding the “Take on Nepal” sign, as soon as you see them, head in their direction, but DO NOT allow anyone to help with your bags. It’s common at Kathmandu airport for ‘helpers’ to approach tourists, pretend to be one of their party, and help with their bags in the expectation of a tip. Your Take on Nepal guides never ask for or expect tips. If anyone asks you for a tip or stands around you waiting for one at the airport, they are not Take on Nepal staff. Ignore them and keep moving towards whoever is holding the Take on Nepal sign.
You will be able to purchase bottled water all along your trekking route. As a general rule, the cost increases the more isolated you are. We highly recommend you take water-purifying tablets with you, or a water-purifying pen. These can also be purchased in Kathmandu. During your trek, it is crucial that you drink plenty of water, if you don’t, the risk of becoming unwell is much higher.
More people get sick in Kathmandu than anywhere else in Nepal. Nepali food is usually fine, and you can probably trust anything that’s been boiled or fried in your presence, although some people are more susceptible to meat dishes than others. All but the cheapest tourist restaurants usually have acceptable salads, fruit juices and lassis these days. Bananas are small but available everywhere. Even the poorest Nepalese attend carefully to hygiene because they cannot afford to be sick.
Many people find the pollution in Kathmandu a surprise and some people, especially asthmatics, can suffer respiratory infections within a few days of arrival. While many people wear disposable filter masks, or scarfs that cover their mouth and nose, most people are just fine for the time they are in Kathmandu. If you are experiencing depressed respiratory function, get out of the Kathmandu valley to the pristine air of the rest of the country.
Bring a pair of thongs for showering, being comfortable in shared bathrooms and bedrooms, and avoiding scabies and hookworm. Never drink water from the shower or bathroom, and always brush your teeth with filtered water.
Travel Insurance is compulsory if you wish to participate in the program. We will require a copy of the insurance certificate and you must also bring a hard copy of your insurance certificate with you to Nepal. You need to ensure that the travel insurance purchased insures for helicopter evacuation above 5500m.
No Vaccinations are required for entry into Nepal. Many doctors recommend hepatitis A, typhoid and meningitis inoculations. You should already have immunity to tetanus, polio, mumps and measles. Malaria tablets and injections for Japanese B encephalitis are recommended if you are planning to spend a longer period below 1,000 metres during the monsoon. Medicines are sold in small pharmacies everywhere. You will not need a prescription, but it helps if you know what you need! Rabies is a problem in Nepal. Steer clear of dogs and monkeys. If you are bitten, immediately seek treatment.
Flu is no more prevalent in Nepal than elsewhere, but you might consider getting a flu jab before you leave just to reduce the risk of spending several days sick during your holiday.
The mistake many people make is having too much stuff. There is nothing worse than carting clothing and equipment with you for 2 weeks (at altitude) in Nepal and ultimately not having needed it. The list below outlines the standard clothing we recommend, for trekking 14 – 15 days in the mountains.
Your packing list should include the following equipment:
If you do not already own these items, we highly recommend that you purchase or hire these items in Kathmandu. They are made to a high quality and it’s always great to support the local economy. Another option is to hire a sleeping bag and jacket at a cost of approximately AUD$50 for each item for a period of 14 days.
Jeans, Jumpers / Sweaters, Dress Shirts, Dress Shoes, Dresses or Hair Dryers.
There are two elements to this, what type of bags you need for your trek and what to pack in those bags. We understand that when packing to come to Nepal, you may be doing activities other than our trek. As such, it does not matter what type of bag you travel to Nepal with, use what is comfortable and easy for you. For the trek itself, our team will provide you with a Take on Nepal duffel bag, when you arrive in Kathmandu. We ask that you pack everything you need for your trek into that duffel bag, which will be carried by your porter during the trek. Please note we allow 15kg limit for this bag. It may not sound like a lot, but it is more than enough. We don’t allow our porters to carry more than 15kg. If you have overpacked, you will need to pay an additional amount of money directly to your porter.
During the trek you will also be carrying your own daypack, which you will bring with you and/or purchase in Kathmandu. This will contain any items you may need during the day, such as phone, water bottles, sunscreen and snacks. Please note you must take your passport with you on the trek, it’s required for your national park permits. You will not be able to access your duffel bag during the day, as the porters walk ahead of you, so please make sure you have everything you need in your daypack.
When choosing your daypack, it’s important that it is very good quality as you will be carrying it for up to 6 hours a day. It needs to be a 25L to 35L day pack with good padding on the shoulders. If you choose one that clips around the waist, that will help to take some weight off your shoulders. You’ll carry up to 5kg in your day pack, so make sure it fits you properly and you have trained with it on. At a high altitude and 5kg can sometimes feel like 10kg!
Any additional items you have brought to Nepal that are not needed during the trek, can be safely kept in the bags you travelled to Nepal with. They will be stored at your hotel in Kathmandu: they will not come on the Annapurna Trek with you. All of the hotels we use have safe storage facilities.
In Nepal the standard voltage is 230V. The standard frequency is 50Hz. The power sockets that are used are of type C / D / M. You can bring your phone chargers and although Australian plugs are not exactly the right size or shape, they will fit in most sockets.
It would be handy to have a power adapter for Kathmandu and they can be easily purchased for a couple of dollars in the shops surrounding your hotel. You won’t require an adapter for the trek, as your devices will be charged at the trekking lodge. The cost to charge a device is $3-$5 per device.
We organise all this for you. All the costs are included in the cost of your trek.
All seasons have their pros and cons, but as a general rule, the best time to trek in Nepal is from February to May, when the temperature has warmed after Winter. September through to December is also a fabulous time to trek, during these months the clouds start lifting after the Monsoon rains of June and July, which often leaves you with spectacular views of the Himalayas.
Your first view of Nepal will be from the airplane window as you land at Kathmandu airport, and it’s a view not to be missed. It takes in the mountains that surround the Kathmandu valley, the terraces used for farming that cover the hills, small villages and isolated farms, as well as the smog covered chaos that is Kathmandu.
Unfortunately, this view is only visible from one side of the aircraft, and which side depends on the approach the aircraft takes when landing. Flying in from Europe, the view was visible from the left-hand side of the plane, flying in from Australia it was visible from the right. But don’t take this as gospel — the pilot may decide to change landing direction for one reason or another. The only advice I can give regarding the view is to ensure you have a Window seat, and to hope for the best regarding the landing direction. You will have views of the Langtang Himalayan Range, Gangala Himal and the Mount Everest region.
Where you sit on the plane is important for more than just the view. Passport control at Kathmandu airport is antiquated, like something from a black and white movie from the 1950s. The staff are old, the facilities are ancient, and the pace is glacial. Only a small number of international flights arrive each day, and it takes them a good 1.5 hours to process the visitors from each one.
Sit as close to the front of the aircraft as possible, so you are one of the first off the plane. And when you disembark, do not stop for a toilet visit until you clear passport control. That early toilet break could easily add an hour to your time standing in line.
Most airlines allow online check-in 24 hours prior to departure. You should avail of this to book a Window seat as close to the front as possible.
You will need a visa for Nepal, but this can be purchased on the ground as you approach passport control. The official link below will provide you with information on your arrival at the airport: https://www.immigration.gov.np/page/arrival-departure-information-1
Make a note of the hotel you’ll be staying at in Kathmandu, as this will be required for both forms — your Take on Nepal information pack should have provided you with this.
As you disembark the aircraft, make sure you keep your boarding card, and the associated luggage sticker that is usually attached to it. Passport control often ask for your boarding card, and after you collect your baggage and head for the exit, another official may stop you to compare your luggage number/bar code with the one attached to your boarding card. Kathmandu airport is the only airport where I’ve encountered this final check.
There is a currency exchange booth to the left as you leave the baggage reclaim area. You may wish to change a small amount here, just to have some local currency in your pocket. I’d recommend changing no more than $50, as they are generally more expensive than money changers in the city.
The airport is small — tiny by international standards — smaller than a mid sized train station in many countries. This means that before you know it you’ll be outside, in the open air. In most airports, those waiting for passengers do so inside the airport — not so in Kathmandu, where they are forced to wait behind a railing immediately outside the arrivals exit.
You walk out the door and in front of you will see a line of people waiting. Some will be holding up hotel signs, some will have people’s names, others will be taxi drivers looking for fares. Ignore them all and look for the Take on Nepal sign, complete with the colourful logo you’ve seen on the website. At least two Take on Nepal guides will be there to meet you and your flight. It doesn’t matter if you arrive late, or what time of the day or night it might be — your guides will be there waiting.
As soon as you see them, head in their direction, but DO NOT allow anyone to help with your bags. It’s common at Kathmandu airport for ‘helpers’ to approach tourists, pretend to be one of their party, and help with their bags in the expectation of a tip. Your Take on Nepal guides never ask for or expect tips. If anyone asks you for a tip or stands around you waiting for one at the airport, they are not Take on Nepal staff. Ignore them and keep moving towards whoever is holding the Take on Nepal sign.
Once you’ve reached the Take on Nepal guides, they will load your baggage into a waiting vehicle for the trip to your hotel. They may wait for another passenger or two, as it’s common for more than one trekker to arrive on the same flight. The trip to the hotel is all covered as part of your package, so you should never have to pay anyone or tip anyone from when you step off the plane to when you reach your hotel room.
Yes! If you are physically fit, if you love the outdoors and if you have a positive attitude, you will make it. Altitude sickness or injury can end your trek, but this only affects a small percentage of people who trek. Being amongst the tallest peaks in the world is a feeling that cannot be described in words and we recommend that you undertake some basic fitness training, prior to your departure, to ensure it is a positive experience for you.
You can go it alone, but we can assure you it would be a vastly different experience. Our guides bring with them knowledge and experience; this becomes a bridge between the two cultures. You are guaranteed to learn so much more about Nepal and the terrain through which you are trekking, when you are guided. You are also providing employment to people who rely on tourism to survive, they are passionate about their work and we are sure your guide will soon become a friend to you.
In the mountain villages of Nepal, opportunities for women are few. Many young girls have little or no education, and marriage at an early age is still common. Take on Nepal and Friends of Himalayan Children Charity have been working to change this, for many years.
As Take on Nepal has grown, we’ve begun hiring young women and girls from Batase, first to work as porters and then as guides, roles that up to now have been seen as exclusively male. For young village girls, early exposure to paid work as porters and the experience of interacting with Western women, is an eye opener. It provides them with a glimpse of other possible futures, futures far different from the lives their mothers lived and to the lives they may have thought they were going to live.
The trekking industry in Nepal is a male dominated environment. Women guides are unheard of, which is surprising when you consider that a huge proportion of Western trekkers visiting Nepal are women. Spend a few nights staying at various lodges on the trails and you will see that 60% of all trekkers are women, many coming from European countries. At Take on Nepal, we’re all about empowering women, giving the village girls the opportunities that their brothers have and opening their eyes to the possibilities of a larger world.
This is highly recommended as the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy the experience. We offer a helpful training program for you, once you have booked, and we’re always on hand to answer your questions. Our team will support and encourage you throughout your trek. Our treks are paced to allow plenty of time for you to reach your daily destination. However, if you choose to undertake the trek without prior training, you will be fine, as long as you have great willpower and plenty of stamina to get you through the tough times.
Expedition 2020 is going to be the start of the project to start training more women and girls climb mountains and be able to guide. This process will not only train them in the technical skills in mountaineering as in the ropes, rescues, first aid, and climbing techniques but also how to work with clients on the mountains and to help them grow in their confidence that women too can have a place in this mountain world. The other hope that I have for this expedition is that it will help bring more people into these remote villages and educate them about the very real threat of Human Trafficking here. Hopefully, in the future we will be training the girls in the villages, so they will not be sold into sex slavery. In addition, we can help those who come back from being trafficked, and give them a chance at having a stable job and make a life for themselves.
1 April 2025 - 20 April 2025 |
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