Everest High Passes Trek - 15 Days

Discovery World Trekking provides free airport arrival and departure transfer on any flight for clients coming for Everest Two High Passes Trek. Regardless of the flight you take, our representative will be present at the Tribhuvan International Airport, holding a pamphlet with your name on it. They will present you with a marigold garland and then take you to your hotel in a private vehicle. This service ensures you do not feel alone in a foreign country.

 

Trek start

You will arrive in Kathmandu at Tribhuvan International Airport before 3 pm, at least one day before the trek departure date. This will allow you enough time for last-minute preparations. On trek departure day, early morning, you will take a 40-minute domestic flight to Lukla. This package includes Kathmandu - Lukla - Kathmandu flights.

 

Accommodation

Everest High Passes Trek is a long trek with 14-night stays in the trek regions at the best possible lodge accommodations. You will stay for five nights in rooms with attached bathrooms at Lukla, Phakding, and Namche (3N). Nine nights stay in standard rooms at Thame, Lungden, Gokyo (2N), Dzongla, Lobuche (2N), Gorak Shep, and Pheriche. All rooms are twin sharing basis.

Please note that two nights of hotel stays in Kathmandu before and after the trek may be required, but not included in this package. Kathmandu has a wide range of hotels for all budgets and your interest. 

You can use hot showers and Wi-Fi at lodges/teahouses by paying a small service fee.

 

Meals

The trek takes you to high elevations, where you need enough nutrient-rich food. We will serve you plenty of fresh, nutritious, and tasty food, but you will not have as many choices as you can get in cities. The higher you climb, the lesser the food choices. The food we provide is traditional, Asian, or popular Western. We recommend you at least try popular Nepali foods - Dal (lentils), Bhat (rice), Tarkari (curry), Momos (dumplings), and Chow Mein (noodles).

We will provide you with 15 breakfasts, 14 lunches, and 14 dinners during the trek. All meals in the trek regions are on a full-board basis (breakfast, lunch, and dinner / main course).

Though you will have plenty of non-veg items in trek regions, we do not recommend them for hygiene concerns. We also advise you to abstain from alcoholic, caffeinated, and hot chocolate drinks. Similarly, you should avoid dairy items. 

All personal bills (alcoholic, hot (tea/coffee), and cold drinks) in tea houses/ lodges or cafes except standard meals(breakfast, lunch, dinner with seasonal fruits) are excluded from the package.

 

Luggage

The luggage weight limit is 9 kg per trekker. We assign a porter for every two trekkers. However, a porter will not carry more than 18 kg of the combined luggage weight limit. We also expect you to bring a small backpack to carry your essentials safely. Please bring only the important things and do not overload yourself.

We'll recheck your trek luggage to ensure you have packed the right stuff during the in-person trek briefing.

 

Typical day

Every day comes with a unique trek experience, walking, enjoying the scenery, taking photos, and tasting new delicacies. An experienced, friendly, and qualified guide/Sherpa will share information about the places you will be visiting. The porters will carry your main luggage. However, we expect you to bring a small backpack with your valuables. 

The day starts with an early morning hot cup of tea/coffee. After a wholesome breakfast, we set off on the day's walk from around 7 to 8 am, depending on the duration and trail condition. After trekking for three to four hours, you will have lunch around midday on the route to the next destination. After lunch, we will rest for about an hour and then continue. 

The afternoon walk is generally shorter, about two to three hours. Once you reach your overnight lodge/teahouse, you can snack on the extra dietary food. Then you are free to explore nearby places.

You will be having dinner from around 6 to 7 pm. Before going to bed, you can spend some quality time in friendly conversations with the rest of your team. The expedition leader/guide will brief you about the next day’s plan. After this briefing, you can enjoy onboard games like Monopoly, and cards, watch available mountaineering documentaries, or read books. Most foreigners indulge in light and fun learning of the Nepalese language from our crew before heading to bed for a well-deserved sleep.

 

Electricity and water

Throughout the lodges in the Everest region, you can use electricity for your camera, mobile, or other electronic items. However, you might need to pay a small fee for it.

You can either buy packed mineral water from local lodges and en-route shops or carry a small water bottle and buy boiled/filtered water from teahouses. Please remember that you might not be permitted to carry plastic bottled water in certain trek regions. If you want, we can provide water purification pills for you.

You should not drink water from the rivers, taps, and wells in trek regions because the water might not be potable.

Communication

On the Everest Two High Passes Trek, you can use internet service at the lodges/teahouses you will be staying in. You can contact your family and friends from there. But once we reach high altitudes, we will use phones to communicate. Discovery World Trekking's head office remains in contact with all its trek teams at least once via the trek lead to ensure treks are progressing as planned. 

You can buy a local sim in Kathmandu, but, based on the network, the mobile signals may not be strong enough. 

 

Tipping

Nepali culture accepts tipping. However, tipping is at the trekker's discretion, and it should reflect the service quality. We advise you to tip the guides and porters at the end of the trek and do so collectively. 

 

Trek End

On the last day of your trek package, we will take you to Lukla Airport early morning. You will return to Kathmandu on a flight, lasting for around forty minutes. Your flight will be a relaxing one as there will be no more distances to trek. After arriving in Kathmandu, you can spend your time however you like. Later in the evening, we will organize a farewell dinner for your team.

 

Feedback

After completing the Everest Two High Passes Trek, we will organize a farewell dinner at Kathmandu. After the dinner, we will present you with a trek achievement certificate. It is also a great time to give us your feedback so that we can fine-tune our services. 

 

Useful info

We recommend our clients add a few days extra to their trip. There is a chance that the flights from Kathmandu to Lukla and Lukla to Kathmandu may get behind schedule due to air traffic or bad weather. In such cases, we reschedule the flight to the next available flight. We do not want you to miss your international flight back home due to these delays. In case of delays, you can choose to take a helicopter flight, but it costs you USD 500 to 1,000.

The itinerary listed above is a general guideline and might need modifications due to factors outside our control like - unstable weather, unavailability of lodges, etc. However, the need for itinerary modifications is very slim. 

In the event of an itinerary adjustment, your trek leader will ultimately decide on the best rerouting after consulting with the group members and keeping in mind the interest of the party as a whole. You cannot hold us responsible for these delays or the consequences due to these delays.

Trip extension

After completing High Passes Trek, if you stay a couple of days extra in Nepal, we can organize fun activities for you. You can explore sites in and around Kathmandu Valley, go for a Chitwan jungle safari, paraglide, raft, or canoe. 

 

Departure

On the day you return to your home country, we will pick you up from your hotel and then take you to Tribhuvan International Airport. We hope you had a good time in Nepal and return for more exciting treks.

The weather is the crucial factor you need to consider when deciding to trek to the Everest region. People complete Everest Two High Passes Trek throughout the year, but certain seasons are more favorable considering the ease and views you can enjoy. 

During the spring and autumn, the sky is crystal clear from dusk till dawn, the rainy weather stops, and thick sun-blocking clouds fade away. The magic of clear azure skies provides the most spectacular vistas, and the cool weather comforts your body. 

During winter, the heavy snowfall at high altitudes and frigid temperatures will make the treks challenging. Similarly, the summer season coincides with the monsoon in Nepal, which means the paths will be wet and slippery. However, some thrill-seekers want to complete Everest High Passes Trek during these months precisely because of these challenges. 

January to February: This time is the coldest, especially from early January to early February. There is heavy snowfall in the mountains, resulting in low temperatures. Though the daytime may be warm and admirable with clear skies, the nighttime gets extremely cold. Treks are difficult but not impossible. Discovery conducts safe High Passes Trek during these months as well. However, if you are allergic to extreme colds, you shouldn’t be trekking during these months.

Temperature: 15°C to -15°C. 

March to April: It is one of the best seasons to hike in the Everest region. The weather is very favorable this month. You will get stunning views of the Himalayas ranges and glaciers. March, being the beginning of the spring season, the weather starts to warm up. All flora and fauna dormant throughout the winter bounce back to life in the sun-kissed temperatures. Temperatures start increasing from the mid of March, and with clear skies, snow mountains look their very best. Many trekkers trek Everest High Passes trek during these months.

Temperature: 18 °C to-12 °C 

May to June: It is also an ideal time for trekking, just before the rainfall. The monsoon starts in Nepal at the end of June and lasts till the middle of August. The mix of spring and summer makes the trek much more enjoyable during these months. 

Temperature: 25°C to -5°C. 

July to August: The rainfall hits its peak at altitudes below 3500 meters. Due to heavy rainfall flights to Lukla before the trek start and flights from Lukla after the trek end may get canceled. 

However, confident trekkers do trek in the Everest region during this time. True, the hikes get challenging, but they are not impossible. Discovery World Trekking will organize safe High Passes treks for you. The spectacular views of waterfalls and uncrowded treks compensate for your effort. 

Temperature: 27°C to 5°C

September to October: Favorable weather brings in large numbers of trekkers to the Everest Passes Trek. The monsoon slowly ends, and a perfect trekking climate sets in. The temperature goes up to 20 degrees in the daytime and falls to 5 degrees at night. This season is when trekkers enjoy trekking the most, thanks to clear skies that provide amazing mountain views. We recommend Everest Passes Treks in these months for most trekkers. In addition to clear and cool weather, two main festivals - Dashain and Tihar - also fall during these months, adding a festive mood to the whole nation. 

Temperature: 20°C to 5°C

November to December: As winter begins, snowfalls begin in the Himalayas region, and it eventually gets tough to trek. Nights get much colder. November treks are possible with clear skies and stable temperatures, providing great mountain views. From December, the temperature starts to get frigid, and heavy snowfalls begin.

Temperature: 15°C to -14°C

Trek difficulty 

As challenging as it is, the Everest Two High Passes Trek is equally rewarding. You will hike for 5 to 7 hours, depending on the trek distance and the number of breaks you take. The trail consists of steep ascents/descents along rocky and stone-paved paths.

An average fit person can complete this trek. However, the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy the hike. Former trek experience or regular exercise is an advantage, but it is not required. 

This trek, however, is not recommended for individuals with sensitive medical conditions like heart or lung diseases. If you suffer from such medical conditions, consult your doctor before booking this trek.

Trek safety 

Your health and safety are our foremost priority. We carry all standard equipment and gear. At high altitudes, we monitor your blood oxygen saturation levels. Altitude sickness is more common among trekkers who try to rush their way. If anyone is rigorously affected, the only remedy would be to descend immediately. In such a case, your trek guide will decide whether to continue the trek or begin descending. Altitude sickness is more common among trekkers who try to rush their way. Hence, you will be acclimatizing in - Namche Bazaar and Gokyo. Further, we will travel as a group.

 

Discovery team

During your Everest high passes trek, our trained and well-experienced guides/Sherpas will accompany you to make your journey pleasant and comfortable. All our guides are government-licensed with years of trekking experience.

Porters will carry your luggage, but your luggage weight limit is 9kg. We assign one porter for two trekkers, and they will not carry more than 18kg of luggage. However, if required, we can also allocate one porter per person.

Our crew members are locals born and raised in the high Himalayas. So, they are perfectly comfortable at high altitudes. 

All our staff members are valuable to us, not only do we pay them well, but we also take care of their insurance, clothing, food, and lodging during the trek. All our guides and porters receive medical care when ill or injured. We try our best to keep our staff happy because we believe that only a happy person can make others happy.  

Our trek teams consist of members who have

• Completed intensive wilderness first aid training
• Fluency in speaking English and another major language
• Government-authorized trekking guide certificate
• Conservation and biodiversity training
• Rock climbing experience

 

Visa

All foreigners except Indians require a visa to enter Nepal. SAARC (Bangladesh, Maldives, Bhutan, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) and Chinese citizens receive a free visa.

Citizens from most countries will get an on-arrival visa. For an on-arrival visa application, you will need a passport with at least six months of validity, a passport-size photo, and a visa application fee. The current cost is USD 50 for 30 days, which you can pay in cash at Tribhuvan International Airport.

Citizens from certain countries - Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, and Afghanistan - may not receive the visa on arrival. So if you are a citizen of these countries, you will need to contact your local Nepalese embassy.

For more details, please visit www.immigration.gov.np.

Trek booking 

Discovery world trekking is a Nepal government-authorized, licensed, and bonded trek and tour operator, providing its service for over a decade. We are members of the Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN) and the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). 

Therefore, you can book Discovery World Trekking trips with confidence. We require 10% of the trip cost as an advance to confirm the booking. You can pay by bank transfer, western union, or online through our website. You can pay the rest of the trip cost in cash, using a bank transfer or credit card after arriving in Kathmandu. In addition, we will also email you the payment details - including the modes of payment available.

Please email us your other documents - passport copy, passport-size photos, travel insurance policy, and arrival and departure flight details within a week of booking the trek. 

You can book this EBC trek here. 

Currency exchange 

Nepali Rupee (NPR) is the local currency. (1 USD = ~ NPR 130).

You can exchange most foreign currencies through local banks and legitimate money exchanges in Kathmandu and all over Thamel. Legal money exchanges display their ongoing exchange rates visibly to the public.

Despite the security advantage of traveler's cheques, we recommend cash exchange to avoid hassles like a lengthy process and high bank commissions. 

You can withdraw cash (in Rupees only) from one of the many ATMs in Kathmandu and Thamel. Several of these ATMs are open 24 hours a day. The maximum withdrawal amount is 35,000 Rupees for a 500 Rupees processing fee using a foreign card.

If you use the money exchange facility at banks or financial institutions, they will charge a service fee of 4 percent or more. Trek regions do not have banks or money exchanges, so you need to exchange your currency in Kathmandu - based on your trek expenditure estimate. People in trek regions only honor Nepali currency.

Extra personal expenses

Discovery World Trekking covers most expenses during the trek. However, meals and accommodations in Kathmandu are up to our valuable clients themselves. Kathmandu has all kinds of hotels/lodges to cater to all budgets and preferences. 

In addition, you will need to bring personal spending money to cover the visa process fees, travel insurance policy purchase, snacks for the trek, hot (tea/coffee) and cold drinks, tips for the trekking crew, souvenirs, etc. We recommend bringing cash (dollars) that you can change to rupees in Kathmandu. Please remember that trek regions only accept Nepali currency.

 

Travel Insurance

This trek is challenging as it comes with the risk of high altitude trekking- including potential altitude sickness and other high altitude risks.

So, travel insurance is compulsory for this trek. All trekkers must provide a copy of their comprehensive travel insurance policy certificate to Discovery World Trekking before starting the trip. The policy must cover medical and emergency repatriation- including helicopter rescue and evacuation expenses at high altitudes (up to 5,550m).

We can recommend insurance companies to help you, but we do not sell insurance policies. Our recommendations are based on our previous clients' experience. 

We request our valuable clients to send their detailed insurance information within a week of trek booking. In emergencies, we will use the insurance policy and informational documents you sent us for quick and effective rescue operations and transfer for emergency medical help. 

Last-minute booking

Discovery World Trekking offers a special last-minute booking provision for the Everest High Passes Trek. Under this provision, you have to clear 100% of the trek payment 24 hours before the trek departure date.  However, please note that though we try to conduct treks at any time, in case of last-minute booking, you cannot hold us responsible for delays due to circumstances beyond our control, such as bad weather, lodging unavailability, etc.

Group & private trek

We organize the group as well as private treks. The bigger your group is, the more discount you will get. However, you will not be able to get any discounts for the groups we form. We can lead and handle all group sizes. Each group will consist of a group leader/guide, a porter for every two trekkers, and an assistant guide for a group size of 12 or more.

Responsible Travel

We strongly believe we need to protect the environment from the adverse effects of tourism. So, Discovery World Trekking works together with the Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP) to organize eco-friendly trips. We try our best to balance the expectation of travelers and locals in the trek regions. 

 

Notes

The Everest High Pass trek includes fixed departure dates from Kathmandu but we can accommodate your requests and schedule. If the trek date does not suit you, let us know. We will reschedule the trek at your convenient date.