Archives: FAQ

Proper acclimatization is key for altitude sickness management. The trek is generally safe with adequate preparation, but awareness of altitude-related risks is crucial.

Yes, tea houses and lodges are available along the route, offering accommodation and meals. Nepal Sanctuary Treks selects the best lodges, and meals and accommodation are included in the itinerary.

Please find the comprehensive packing list for Everest Base Camp Trek:

Footwear:

• Walking boots. A pair of water-repellent boots with ankle support.
• Gaiters. A pair used to keep boots dry if walking through deep snow.
• Walking socks.
• Yaktrax
• Trainers or trail shoes. Can be used in and around the lodge in the afternoons/evenings.

Clothing:

• Waterproof jacket and trousers (Gore-Tex or similar).
• Trekking trousers.
• Long sleeve shirts (not cotton).
• Micro fleece.
• Mid to heavyweight fleece.
• Sleeveless or body warmer type fleece.
• Thermals or base layer for top & bottom (merino wool or synthetic).
• Fleece pants.
• Medium weight down jacket (e.g.: Nuptse jacket by The North Face).

Handwear:

• Fleece gloves.
• Warms mittens and/or gloves.

Headwear:

• Wool or fleece hat.
• Sun hat.
• Bandana or scarf.
• Head torch. Bring extra batteries.
• Sunglasses.

Personal Equipment:

• Sleeping bag (Note: it is possible to rent this in Kathmandu for about $1 per day).
• Day packs large enough to carry water bottles, a camera, lunch, and extra clothing.
• Stuff sacks for keeping your gear dry and organized.
• Two water bottles (Nalgene wide-mouth bottles are the best).
• Sunscreen and lip salve with a high SPF.
• Water purification tablets (Pristine, Biox Aqua, or Aqua Mira).
• Favorite snack food.
• Trekking poles (optional).
• Camera with spare batteries and memory cards.
• Insurance certificate.
• Earplugs (optional).
• Baby wipes
• Hand sanitizer
• Face Mask

Traveling:

• Bring a small combination padlock to secure the bag.
• Travel clothes. You will need casual clothing for air travel days and time spent in Kathmandu.
• Toiletry bags include toilet paper, soap, towel, toothbrush, etc.

Personal first aid kit:

Note: we provide a comprehensive group first aid kit, but please bring personal medications and other items you might use regularly, such as:

• Any personal medications.
• Malaria prophylactic tablets.
• Blister treatment (Compeed patches are the best).
• Rehydration powder, e.g. Dioralyte.
• Analgesics (paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin).
• Plasters and zinc oxide tape.
• Throat lozenges.
• Diamox (helps with acclimatization).

EBC Trek considered a strenuous trek that requires a good level of fitness, a good training plan prior to your trip will make the trek that much more enjoyable. Depending on your individual fitness level, a few weeks to a few months of prior training should be enough to get you into shape for the Everest Base Camp Trek.

Starting from Lukla, you’ll be walking an average of 15 km a day for around 5 – 7 hours. Whilst some days will be far easier than others. Typically, the trek starts from 2,600m, Lukla Airport and reaching a high point of just beyond at Kala Patthar (5,500m). For acclimatization, the itinerary includes rest days which would give you enough time to acclimatize yourself with the altitude.

Since you completed the process online, you will receive a submission receipt with a barcode. Please print this receipt and bring it with you when you visit the visa fees collection counter. Make sure about the type of visa you will need (15 days, 30 days, or 90 days) and make the payment accordingly. We recommend you bring the exact amount in US currency of the current visa fee while paying at the visa counter.

Next, you should head to the Immigration Desk, taking along your online application form, payment receipts, and your passport. Hand over these documents to the immigration officer to initiate the visa processing procedure.

You can use either NCELL or NTC prepaid cards until you get to Pangboche. However, after Pangboche, the internet and mobile signal become less reliable. Also you can use paid WI-FI available in teahouse lodges. Once you go past Pangboche, Everest Link becomes operational, and you can buy it for NPR 700, valid for one day.

The process of applying e-SIMs in Nepal is a bit complicated and currently unavailable in the airport.

Both Ncell and NTC telecom companies provide free prepaid SIM cards to international travelers upon arrival at the airport. You can obtain them with a copy of your passport and a passport-sized photo.

Yes, two permits are necessary: the Sagarmatha National Park Permit and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Permit, which are arranged by Nepal Sanctuary Treks.

The best times for the trek are the pre-monsoon season (March to May) and the post-monsoon season (September to November), offering more stable weather conditions.

The Everest Base Camp Trek usually takes 12 to 14 days, encompassing both the ascent to and descent from the base camp.

Do you cancel tours?

We do cancellation of tour only if there is a political close announcement or protests. We do not cancel our tours if it rains or snows. We might consider cancellations if we expect a heavy thunderstorms or downpour. However, we will notify you in advance via email or by phone.

What should I wear?

Normal hiking shoes with more traction to tackle the difficult downhill slopes of the valley is good for hiking.

A T-shirt and a pair of shorts or tights are enough during summers. In addition please bring your sunglasses and sunscreen to avoid from sunburn.

During winter, we recommend our clients to wear an extra layer besides to what they would normally wear.

Is there water available on Hike?

We will carry our own bottles and fill up them. We advise that you carry your own water bottle to avoid purchasing plastic bottles. However there will be small tea houses on some locations of the trails selling mineral water bottles.

Is it possible to store belongings at the place we start?

Our pick up van will have the bag storage. However, we recommend you to take care of your belongings and not to store any valuable items in the bag storage.

Is it possible to take photos along the way?

Yes, you can bring your camera to take the pictures. The hike guide will also take pictures along the trails. You can ask your guide if there is a definite place you would like to take picture. Later the pictures captured by our guide will be sent to you via email.

Do you have pick up service?

We offer for our private tours an optional hotel pick-up service. The hotel or apartment building should be on or close to the tour route. Please let us know your complete hotel or apartment address during the tour reservation process and we will check if we can meet you at your hotel/apartment.

What is booking and payment procedure?

All tours are booked and paid for through our online booking system on our website or you could pay at the local registration places mentioned on the guide.

How long does the hike take?

It depends on the length of the hike (how many kilometres / miles) you choose. This information is available in the tour description.

Is there any age limit for the hike?

It is the responsibility of you as a participant to ensure that you are fit enough to participate in the tour. Children under the age of 18 are the responsibility of their parents or guardians.

In what language the hike be?

Tour will be guided in English and Nepali.

Clothing
1    Waterproof Jacket and Pants both ventilated (pit zips, side zips, etc.)
1    Down jacket
1    Windproof Soft Shell jacket and pants for windy/cold days.
1    Fleece top and pants
2    Thermal tops
1-2    Thermal long johns depending on how much you feel the cold
4    Pairs of Coolmax Liner socks
2    Pairs of undies for cool/cold weather
2    Pairs of undies for warm/hot weather
2    Pair walking trousers
2    Loose fit trekking shirts with pockets
2    Lightweight synthetic T-shirts
1    Broad-brimmed sun hat
1    Warm hat and gloves
1    Polarizing sunnies with 100% UV protection
1    Buff or trekking Scarf

Footwear

1    Pair waterproof walking boots that can take crampons
1    Pair sandals to let feet breathe in the evenings and for washing

2    Pair of Warm Weather walking socks (e.g. Bridge dale Light Hiker)
2    Pair of Cool Weather walking socks (e.g. Bridge dale Trekker)
1    Pair of Cold weather walking socks that can also be used as bed socks

General Gear
1    Sleeping Bag rated to -15 Celsius / 3 Fahrenheit
1    Sleeping sheet and pillow (you will be given a pillow if you prefer)
1    Inflating sleeping mat (you will be given a mat if you prefer)
1    45-ish liter pack for trekking
1    Pair of Trekking poles
1    Head torch and spare batteries
1    sunblock
1    lip balm with sunblock
1    Mozzie/fly repellant
1    toiletry bag with essentials (no hairdryers!!)
1    pack towel
1    Neck pillow for plane/bus trips if required
1    Camera with back-up batteries if needed
1    2 to 3 liters of water bottles or bladder system depends on how much you normally drink

Waterproof compression bags for storage in the tote bag
1    Reading material/diary spare pens
1    General repair kit
1    Tent for appropriate conditions
1    Tote Bag for the spare gear you do not carry
1    Pillow or stuff sack for clothing
1    Medical kit

Water purification tablet
Note: we provide a comprehensive group first aid kit however please  bring personal medications and other items you might use regularly such  as:
Any personal medications
Blister treatment- Compeed patches are the best
Plasters
Multivitamins plus iron supplement
Analgesic- paracetamol, ibuprofen, and aspirin
Throat lozenges
Diamox (optional)- helps with acclimatization, can buy in Kathmandu

Optional
1    Chair kit for a sleeping mat
1    Shorts for bathing/swimming in rivers
1    Closed-cell foam mat
1    Sarong for bathing, around camp on hot days.

1    Anti-bacterial hand gel

Miscellaneous
Sunglasses

Toothpaste, Toothbrush

Mini Towel

Toilet paper

Soap

Hard Wear

1 crampon for each group member

Clothing
1    Waterproof Jacket and Pants both ventilated (pit zips, side zips, etc.)
1    Down jacket
1    Windproof Soft Shell jacket and pants for windy/cold days.
1    Fleece top and pants
2    Thermal tops
1-2    Thermal long johns depending on how much you feel the cold
4    Pairs of Coolmax Liner socks
2    Pairs of undies for cool/cold weather
2    Pairs of undies for warm/hot weather
2    Pair walking trousers
2    Loose fit trekking shirts with pockets
2    Lightweight synthetic T-shirts
1    Broad-brimmed sun hat
1    Warm hat and gloves
1    Polarizing sunnies with 100% UV protection
1    Buff or trekking Scarf

Footwear

1    Pair waterproof walking boots that can take crampons
1    Pair sandals to let feet breathe in the evenings and for washing

2    Pair of Warm Weather walking socks (e.g. Bridge dale Light Hiker)
2    Pair of Cool Weather walking socks (e.g. Bridge dale Trekker)
1    Pair of Cold weather walking socks that can also be used as bed socks

General Gear
1    Sleeping Bag rated to -15 Celsius / 3 Fahrenheit
1    Sleeping sheet and pillow (you will be given a pillow if you prefer)
1    Inflating sleeping mat (you will be given a mat if you prefer)
1    45-ish liter pack for trekking
1    Pair of Trekking poles
1    Head torch and spare batteries
1    sunblock
1    lip balm with sunblock
1    Mozzie/fly repellant
1    toiletry bag with essentials (no hairdryers!!)
1    pack towel
1    Neck pillow for plane/bus trips if required
1    Camera with back-up batteries if needed
1    2 to 3 liters of water bottles or bladder system depends on how much you normally drink

Waterproof compression bags for storage in the tote bag
1    Reading material/diary spare pens
1    General repair kit
1    Tent for appropriate conditions
1    Tote Bag for the spare gear you do not carry
1    Pillow or stuff sack for clothing
1    Medical kit

Water purification tablet

Note: we provide a comprehensive group first aid kit however please  bring personal medications and other items you might use regularly such  as:

Any personal medications
Blister treatment- Compeed patches are the best
Plasters
Multivitamins plus iron supplement
Analgesic- paracetamol, ibuprofen, and aspirin
Throat lozenges
Diamox (optional)- helps with acclimatization, can buy in Kathmandu

Optional
1    Chair kit for a sleeping mat
1    Shorts for bathing/swimming in rivers
1    Closed-cell foam mat
1    Sarong for bathing, around camp on hot days.

1    Anti-bacterial hand gel

Miscellneous
Sunglasses

Toothpaste, Toothbrush

Mini Towel

Toilet paper

Soap

Hard Wear
1 crampon for each group member
1    harness for each group member
1    ice axe for each group member (or trekking pole if non-technical)
2    large slings >2m
2    medium slings 1.5 – 2m
1    medium to a large ice screw
60m static rope 8 – 9mm
2    screw gate karabiners for each group member
2    single prussic for each group member
1    snow stake/medium to a large dead man
4    spare screw gate karabiners

1    Safety Helmet

othing
1    Waterproof Jacket and Pants both ventilated (pit zips, side zips, etc.)
1    Down jacket
1    Windproof Soft Shell jacket and pants for windy/cold days.
1    Fleece top and pants
2    Thermal tops
1-2    Thermal long johns depending on how much you feel the cold
4    Pairs of Coolmax Liner socks
2    Pairs of undies for cool/cold weather
2    Pairs of undies for warm/hot weather
2    Pair walking trousers
2    Loose fit trekking shirts with pockets
2    Lightweight synthetic T-shirts
1    Broad-brimmed sun hat
1    Warm hat and gloves
1    Polarizing sunnies with 100% UV protection
1    Buff or trekking Scarf

Footwear

1    Pair waterproof walking boots that can take crampons
1    Pair sandals to let feet breathe in the evenings and for washing

2    Pair of Warm Weather walking socks (e.g. Bridge dale Light Hiker)
2    Pair of Cool Weather walking socks (e.g. Bridge dale Trekker)
1    Pair of Cold weather walking socks that can also be used as bed socks

General Gear
1    Sleeping Bag rated to -15 Celsius / 3 Fahrenheit
1    Sleeping sheet and pillow (you will be given a pillow if you prefer)
1    Inflating sleeping mat (you will be given a mat if you prefer)
1    45-ish liter pack for trekking
1    Pair of Trekking poles
1    Head torch and spare batteries
1    sunblock
1    lip balm with sunblock
1    Mozzie/fly repellant
1    toiletry bag with essentials (no hairdryers!!)
1    pack towel
1    Neck pillow for plane/bus trips if required
1    Camera with back-up batteries if needed
1    2 to 3 liters of water bottles or bladder system depends on how much you normally drink

Waterproof compression bags for storage in a tote bag
1    Reading material/diary spare pens
1    General repair kit
1    Tent for appropriate conditions
1    Tote Bag for the spare gear you do not carry
1    Pillow or stuff sack for clothing
1    Medical kit

Water purification tablet

Note: we provide a comprehensive group first aid kit however please  bring personal medications and other items you might use regularly such  as:

Any personal medications
Blister treatment- Compeed patches are the best
Plasters
Multivitamins plus iron supplement
Analgesic- paracetamol, ibuprofen, and aspirin
Throat lozenges
Diamox (optional)- helps with acclimatization, can buy in Kathmandu

Optional
1    Chair kit for a sleeping mat
1    Shorts for bathing/swimming in rivers
1    Closed-cell foam mat
1    Sarong for bathing, around camp on hot days.

1    Anti-bacterial hand gel

Miscellaneous
Sunglasses

Toothpaste, Toothbrush

Mini Towel

Toilet paper

Soap

Hard Wear

1 crampon for each group member