How Much Foreign Currency Should I Take?
Almost everything is included in the trip price so only the exclusions apply here. There are daily snacks, soft drinks, gifts, hot showers, charging, incidentals and the visa upon arrival cost. So we would recommend approx $175USD worth and a separate $50USD for the 30 day tourist entry visa or $30USD for the 15 day tourist entry visa.
Nepal Tourist Visa
$50 USD for 30 days or $30USD for 15 days. There is now an online version of the form which can be completed here: https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/ please note it is the Tourist Visa not the Trekking Permit that you are completing. You can also apply to have the Visa entered into your passport at your local Nepal Embassy (please allow ample time for this).
For an address in Nepal please either enter use your local outfitters office or the hotel you are staying in.
**Please bring 2 x Passport Sized Photos 1 For This Immigration Tourist Visa and 1 For The Trekking Permit (we organise the Trekking Permit once we are in Kathmandu)
Our Trek Porters
All our Treks support Porters Progress through donations made by VLM Adventure Consultants at source. However we do ask that each client consider being able to make two gestures at the end of the expedition; one is to donate a small item of clothing to our actual porter team (might be a beanie or a pair of gloves etc) and also a $10USD contribution to the tips they receive. Can we also ask you to read the Sherpa Fund link. https://www.gofundme.com/f/himalayan-guides-sherpa-fund Thank you.
International (Ex Region) Flights
Ex Region Flights will be purchased by individuals, companies or schools. In Region Flights (Kathmandu to Lukla and Return and optional Helicopter sectors) will be organised by ourselves as part of the expedition.
Insurance
Our recommendation is to the use the following service for insurance for the trip if your school/family/company policy does not cover trekking up to 6000m.
Application Form
https://www.alpenverein.at/britannia/membership/Membership.php
Queries About Meals and Accommodations
The main dinner meals are mainly rice or pasta based with local sauces and meats and vegetables. There are always meals like omelettes etc on the menu but fully westernised meals are not always available. So clients who aren't comfortable with "meals whilst travelling" may find this out of their comfort zone. That said, you can enjoy typical Nepali food, different ethnic cuisines and sometimes many types of international cuisine (Tibetan, Continental, Italian, Indian, etc.) from pizza and Chips to apple pie! You can even enjoy hot chocolates, variety of breads, variety of drinks, and snacks. Breakfast of a day will be provided from the teahouse/lodge menu where you spend your night. Lunch will be served on the way to the next destination, dinner and breakfast in the teahouse where you will spend the night. Accommodation will be dorms in teahouses, very basic accommodation which is the norm along the route to EBC. That said, we work with our in region outfitter/agency to ensure we use the best tea houses known to be well established.
Trekking Equipment
There will be two separate sets of equipment for the expedition. The kit you will carry on your back each day and the kit that will be portered to our next stopover location. It’s important you bring the right kit, to remain safe and comfortable. We limit your total baggage to 20kg, you’ll be expected to carry about 5-7kg of that in a daypack. (12-15kg kitbag + 5-7kg daypack). Late Sept/October is the start of the dry season; the weather is warmer, the air is clean, visibility is perfect and the country is lush following the monsoon. In Sept & October, early evening temperatures are from –5c to–10c. We will issue a full kit list and where to find the gear (some of it you may already have) once it is confirmed you are on the expedition. We will advise on every bit of essential gear, so don’t go buying it before we give you the advice! We have issued the Kit List as part of the applicants letter.
Showers and Doing Your Own Laundry
Where possible we arrange for "hot" showers and laundry bowls of warm water. In general the teahouses charge a few USD for each showers (to pay for gas or electric) and our porter teams will arrange the laundry bowls.
Charging Camera and Phone Batteries
Each teahouse will have some sort of charging opportunity. This often involves paying a period of time in advance and leaving your device plugged in at their reception desk. There will not be sockets in your rooms. This service will again be a few dollars per charge but will depend on your device (e.g. a tablet will be more than a phone or camera battery)
Altitude
We are aiming to trek to a maximum altitude of 5350m perhaps to 5550m if we summit Kala Patar on the EBC trek and 4150m on the ABC trek. It is difficult to prepare for altitude apart from general fitness, appropriate increase in altitudes, hydration and fueling combined with resting. The group will monitor themselves with pulse oximeters. There is no rushing. If we have to we will delay people in their altitude gain. Our number one priority is safety and everyone must be patient with the plan so that we maximize everyone’s enjoyment and achievements. Should you wish to view our policy on altitude management please request it via email.
Diamox
We do not promote the use of Diamox just because you are going to trekking altitude. It is however the most tried and tested drug for altitude sickness prevention and treatment. On most treks, gradual ascent is possible and prophylaxis tends to be discouraged. Certainly if trekkers do develop headache and nausea or the other symptoms of AMS, then treatment with acetazolamide is fine if they do not respond to day to day pain relief, rest and rehydration. So you wish to request a prescription of Diamox from your doctor please feel happy to do so, we will need a copy of the Doctor's prescription and we will carry the drug and administer it for you. 7 days prescription will be adequate. Should you wish to view our policy on altitude management please request it via email.
Fitness & Training
This is a question on everybody’s mind when attempting to trek to Everest or Annapurna. As a gauge if you can walk for 3-6 hrs a day (with breaks!) with approx 5kg in your daypack then you’re ready, the rest will come with the steady pace of the expedition. However fitness and acclimatisation often don't go hand in hand. Combine your walks with some basic stair work (with or without the daypack). Utilising both gym equipment and the great outdoors will provide more balanced exercise. You should try to accomplish at least half of your workouts outside. This could include walking, running, and cycling, but above all should be fun so you keep it up all the way through to the expedition.
Organisation
Or “personal admin” as we call it. Perhaps on an expedition like this it is just as important as fitness. Being able to listen, look after your kit, stay organised and follow advice will allow you to be comfortable and complete the days easier. Fitness and the ability to deal with the altitude alone will not get you there!
