Everest Base Camp

FAQs

• Is this trip for me?

  • ABSOLUTELY! This trek is suitable for people of all ages (minimum 18 years old). The one thing everyone will have in common is a great sense of adventure and the desire to help their favourite charity. Most people will sign up as individuals meaning you will all be in the same situation.

• How fit do I need to be?

  • This trek has been designed to be challenging and is considered to be tough, but achievable by anyone as long as you train beforehand. Remember, you are trekking for 12 consecutive days, in very high altitude and in varied temperatures – the fitter you are the more you will enjoy this challenge. Trekking training tips be can be found on the Global Adventure Challenges website to point you in the right direction.

• Where will we stay?

  • Whilst in Kathmandu, we will stay in a 3* hotel, twin rooms with en-suite washing facilities. Whilst we are on trail, we will be staying in local tea houses and lodges throughout the whole trek – these are basic, but clean and have toilets and are usually twinshare. There is also opportunity to purchase extra snacks and‘essentials’ from the lodges.

• Do I need specialist kit?

  • We will supply you with a kit list of what to take once you register to take part. Apart from some broken in trekking boots and maybe some trekking poles, you do not need any specialist kit. To save on incurring extra expense, we supply you with a kit bag, which includes a down sleeping bag, a down jacket and fleece sleeping bag liner.

• Do I have to carry my own luggage?

  • No. Participants will only have to carry a day pack (for items such as sun-screen, water, sun hat, camera, etc) and your kit bag will be carried from lodge to lodge by our porters. You will be able to leave your main piece of luggage at the hotel in Kathmandu.

• Food matters…

  • All meals will be provided on trek as well as breakfast while staying in Kathmandu, however you will need to budget for your lunches and dinners in Kathmandu. We cater for all dietary requirements so long as we know in advance – please tell us if you are vegetarian or need a special diet, just fill in the appropriate section on your registration form. Nepalese food is very varied and nutritious with plenty of vegetables.

• What’s included?

  • Return flights from a London airport to Kathmandu, internal return flight to Lukla, all transfers, all accommodation, all meals on trek and breakfast in Kathmandu, porters and professional English speaking local guides for trek, permits and National Park Fees, comprehensive first aid kit, kit bag for trek including down sleeping bag, fleece sleeping bag liner and down jacket.

• What’s not included?

  • Personal airport taxes and fuel surcharge – these are approximately £230 and payable 6 weeks prior to departure, personal travel insurance – it is strongly advised to take this through Global Adventure Challenges, visa, lunches and dinners in Kathmandu, gratuities, alcoholic drinks and your personal kit (warm clothes, trekking boots, etc).

• Can I stay in Nepal after the challenge?

  • All extensions are strictly limited, subject to availability and are given on a first come, first served basis. Those wanting to request an extension should contact Global Adventure Challenges on enquiries@globaladventurechallenges.com. There is a minimum charge of £60 + VAT for having your return airline ticket extended. Please note, the final decision always rests with the airline.

• What sort of back-up is there?

  • There will be a strong support team with a professional English speaking Global Adventure Challenges leader from Nepal, as well as local guides and porters. Full, comprehensive medical kits will be taken and satellite telephones will be used to ensure your safety and security at all times.

• What happens if I get tired?

  • There will be regular rest stops for drinks and snacks – there is no problem if you need to take more rest stops. A guide will always remain at the back of the trekking group ensuring that no-one is left alone – remember though, this is not a race! The main physical problem you may encounter is altitude sickness, which can occur over 2,500m – the maximum altitude on this challenge is 5,545m.

• Will the altitude affect me?

  • Your physical fitness will not affect your ability to cope with the altitude, however the fitter you are, the better you will cope in general whilst on the mountain. Altitude sickness is caused by decreased oxygen concentration in the blood due to the lower atmospheric pressure at high altitude. All individuals are affected differently, but symptoms can include breathlessness, nausea and headaches. Please be assured that this trek has been designed to maximise your chances for sufficient acclimatisation, i.e. the speed at which we trek, the route taken, acclimatisation days taken and the number of highly trained experts in the support team.

• How do I go about raising the sponsorship?

  • Once you have signed up you will receive a fundraising pack from your charity in order to make your fundraising as easy as possible. You will also receive a few tips and ideas from Global Adventure Challenges to help you on your way.

• I’m interested… what do I do now?

  • Places are limited and go on a first come, first served basis, so try to register as soon as you can! You will need to fill in the enclosed registration form and medical questionnaire and post it back to Global Adventure Challenges along with the registration fee, or register online at www.globaladventurechallenges.com – all payment options and costs are explained on the enclosed information sheet. Once your registration is received, Global Adventure Challenges will write to you sending you further information on what to expect from this awesome adventure! Your charity will also be in touch with you to discuss your fundraising.