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Iryna
Everest is a peak that everyone has heard about, even those who are not interested in hiking. The mountain that everyone who has ever put a backpack on his shoulders has thought about and dreamed of seeing.
To visit Nepal and not to see Jomolungma (from Tibetan "Mother of the Universe") is almost the same as to visit the Carpathians and not to see Hoverla. Especially breathtaking view of this mountain giant opens at dawn from the observation deck Kala Pattar, when the harsh rocky slopes are flooded with golden sunlight.
We offer you to trek to Everest only with a local guide, without the accompaniment of a team leader. It is cheaper and possible for any dates convenient for you, but requires more organization, experience and knowledge of English.
As in the classic programs, we take care of all the organization and reservations, and our consultants will help with the preparation for the program, selection of air tickets and equipment.
If you have no knowledge of English and no experience in trekking, choose a trek to Everest accompanied by a Ukrainian-speaking Kuluar teamleader to ensure a perfect holiday under careful supervision and without a language barrier.
If the consultant has confirmed the group, we do not cancel the dates, even with a minimum number of participants.
Our Nepalese partner will meet you at the airport in Kathmandu on the first day of the program, take you to the hotel, help you change money, if necessary, buy equipment, choose a cafe, and conduct a city tour. All partners are proven by years of cooperation.
Proven by years of cooperation local guides will accompany the group on the entire route, will make your trip as safe and unforgettable as possible! From whom better to learn about the peculiarities of the country, if not from the Nepalese themselves?
We have a list of proven lodges and we try to book only the best. Where possible - with private facilities in the room. In Lobuche we spend the night in the Pyramid Hotel - with hot shower and unlimited tea. At this altitude - it is really a luxury!
In Kathmandu we stay in a good hotel, understanding that you will want maximum comfort after the trek.
The consultant who will advise you before the trip has been to Nepal herself and will tell you about the details from personal experience!
More than 12,000 participants have already gone to the mountains with the Kuluar and 97,8% were satisfied.
Immediately upon landing at Kathmandu airport you will be met with Nepalese noise and unique flavor. Therefore, after passing through customs and receiving your luggage, head to the exit, where you will be met by a local representative of the Cloister (you will recognize him by the flag). You can exhale and relax. He will take you to our hotel and help you check in. After a short rest, we advise you to walk the streets of Kathmandu to immediately plunge into the atmosphere of Nepal. If necessary, our representative will tell you where to exchange money, find a good cafe or buy equipment for the trek.
In the morning at the appointed time you will be met at the hotel by a representative of the Kuluar and transferred to the airport. The main task for today is to pray to the Nepalese gods of flight weather and get to Lukla.
There you will be met by a local English speaking guide with a team of porters. After the first breakfast in the mountains we start our trek to Everest. Today our goal is the tourist village Phading 8 km from Lukla. The road runs through rhododendron forests. Later we will see the first majestic peak Kusum Kangaroo (6367 m) with snow cap and steep rocky slopes.
In the evening, at the request of the group, the guide can take you to a local Buddhist monastery for puja.
This day is full of emotions and unforgettable impressions. After all, the trail winds from one bank of the Dudh Kosi River to the other. And the only way to pass this route is on the famous Nepalese suspension bridges, which tickle the nerves well (but it's only the first days), swinging over a deep precipice. In cloudless weather today we will see Everest for the first time. However, from a distance it seems not so big. We will finish the route in the mountain "metropolis" Namche Bazaar - the last place of more or less familiar civilization where you can drink real coffee or sit in a restaurant. But before dinner we will definitely walk around the neighborhood for better acclimatization.
The main rule of successful acclimatization - walk higher, sleep lower. And keep moving. That's what we will do. We will take a walk to a new height for us to the high-mountain Japanese hotel "Everest view hotel", see how lazy tourists living here by helicopters live. We will also visit the village of Kumjung with stone fences-labyrinths, which became famous for the museum with the only exhibit - Yeti's scalp. If there is time and weather - we will definitely climb to the Hillary monument at an altitude of 4000 m. For the night we will return to Namche Bazaar.
Views of the incredible peak of Ama Dablan will accompany most of today's journey. And if at first a few hours will be a relatively flat road (as far as possible in the Himalayas), then we will have to go down to the already familiar Dudh Kosi river, and after crossing the bridge to gain the same height to reach the village of Tiangboche. It is famous for its monastery, which is very respected among Sherpas and all local residents. We will try to get to the evening puja.
The next two nights will be spent in the village of Dingboche at an altitude of 4360 m. At first the trail winds through the rhododendron forest. But then it gradually disappears and the bare slopes of the Himalayan peaks open to our eyes: harsh, inaccessible and at the same time fascinatingly charming. In the coming days we will not see more vegetation, and we plunge into the mountain landscapes.
Depending on the general condition and wishes of the group we have two options to spend today interestingly. We can ascend to the base camp of the popular six-thousander Island Peak, above which the vertical gray wall of Lhotse rises. Or make a radial to the small peak (by Nepalese standards) Chukung Ri, from which we can admire the views of Ama Dablam and the whole valley around it.
Tonight we spend the first night at an altitude of 5050 m. And in what a significant place - in the scientific laboratory "Pyramid"! It is warm, there is a hot shower, phone charger, good internet, delicious food and unlimited tea. To be honest, some participants are looking forward to this overnight stay more than the base camp itself. However, no matter how good it is here, after checking into the hotel, we will take a traditional walk around the area, because here you can see the moraine of the Khumbu glacier along with the peaks of Nuptse and Pumori.
Here comes the moment for which we all came to Nepal. Today we will visit the base camp of Everest. In spring it is full of life, because it is the peak season of climbing the highest peak in the world. In autumn the camp is completely deserted. But in any case, the scale of the surrounding mountains and the Khumbu Icefall will leave a memorable trace in your memories. for the night we go down to the village of Gorak Shep (our highest overnight stay) and prepare for another difficult and impressive day.
We wake up still in the dark. After all, our goal is to climb to the top of Kala Pattar before the sun rises to see how the greatest peak of the world wakes up from the dawn sunlight. At first glance, Kala Pattar (5648 m) may seem like a small hill against the giants of Pumori and Everest. But do not trust the first impression, you will have to make a lot of effort to reach the top.
After descending from the mountain we will have breakfast and a long descent down. We will try to reach the village of Pangboche (3900). In case we can also spend the night a little earlier in Feriche (4200).
We return from the mountains to the reachable civilization with a hot shower, a variety of food and delicious coffee. There is no need to go for acclimatization, all the planned peaks have already been reached, so you can relax and rest in the lodge. Or finally take a walk around the village. When will you visit here again?
Along the already familiar path with many suspension bridges we return to Lukla. On the way we meet trekkers who are just starting their journey. And our route is gradually coming to an end.
We will try to depart from Lukla in the morning without delays in favorable weather. If everything goes well - the rest of the day we have a free program. You can lie in a hotel in a soft clean bed, or go to the noisy streets of Kathmandu in search of the best souvenirs.
Day of deep acquaintance with the culture of Nepal and sacred places of Kathmandu. Together with a local guide we will visit the main shrines of the capital - Swayambhunath monkey temple, Pashupatinath temple complex, the world's largest Bodnath stupa.
In case of unfavorable weather on the previous day, we use today as a reserve day to return from Lukla.
We took the maximum possible from this trip: we saw the highest peak in the world, the dream of many climbers, made our own, no less important, climbs and collected a lot of impressions and photos in the treasury of our travels. And, perhaps, you have already started to plan the next route to this beautiful country. So it's time to go home to share your emotions with your friends.
If you want to get to know Nepal from the other side, we recommend after the mountain track to plunge into the world of wild jungle. A trip to Chitwan National Park will be remembered for riding elephants and possible swimming with them, swimming in narrow traditional boats in the river with crocodiles. Perhaps during the safari you will even be able to see a wild rhino. And in the evening the local aborigines will entertain you with their dances and songs.
For this excursion, please allow an additional +3 days after the end of the program. Our local representative will help you with the organization of the trip. But please inform the manager about your plans in advance.
The manager will advise you on equipment, help you choose the best flight, share information on hotels and excursions. You make payments and purchases yourself. If you want the manager to buy a ticket for you, then this is possible, but for extra money, because this is a big responsibility. More in the article: additional services and service fee
Depending on the weather conditions, condition and general wishes of the group, the guide has the right to make changes to the route.
Visa to Nepal is issued directly at the border, the cost of visa for 30 days of stay - $50. Detailed instructions on how to apply here >>. To get a visa you need only a valid passport, valid for more than 6 months from the date of return flight.
To participate in the trekking you must be free of diseases incompatible with active tourism: the list here.
After an Everest Base Camp Trek via Gokyo Lakes, we recommend the following routes:
You need to buy tickets in advance, as soon as we confirm your participation in the track. It is often the cheapest to fly with AirArabia and FlyDubai, the cost of the flight is $500-700. Also fly Turkish Airlines, Qatar and others, with more convenient connections, but ticket prices from $ 1000 and above. Please note that luggage may not be included in the initial cost and you will need to order 20 kg at the time of purchase, or take a package that includes 1 baggage space. When checking in for the flight at the airport, you may be asked to show the card from which the tickets were paid - do not forget it!
You need to be in Kathmandu on the first day of the program during the day, time does not matter. If the morning flight - you will have time to rest from the road, if necessary, go to the market to buy some equipment, exchange currency. The next day at about 6 am we have a flight to Lukla.
We recommend taking return tickets for evening flights on the 15th day, or the next day, as there may be delays or postponements of domestic flights.
If you plan to visit Chitwan National Park (elephant safari in the jungle, canoeing on the river with crocodiles ...), then add +3 days.
After purchasing tickets, send the data on your arrival/departure flights to your manager.
To find the best flight options use the form below:
To participate in the program, you need to take good insurance that is valid at altitudes up to 6,000 m, covers mountain hiking, and includes helicopter evacuation. Please do not neglect this point. It has saved some participants thousands of dollars. Our insurance recommendations can be found here: "Insurance for Kuluar ir Hikers".
Programs with a local guide are cheaper and possible for virtually any date.
Participants are required to:
In classic programs, all these issues are covered by the team leader Kuluar.
As always, we take care of all the organization and reservations, and our consultants will help with the preparation for the program, selection of air tickets and equipment.
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met at the airport by our Nepalese representative (will be with a name tag or a Coulouard flag), taken to the hotel, assisted with check-in. If necessary, he will organize a tour of the capital, tell you where it is better to eat or buy normal equipment at the local market.
He will instruct you on the timing, give you tickets and necessary documents, and the next day he will provide your transfer to the airport and flight to Lukla, where an experienced and reliable local guide will be waiting for you (with a name tag or shouting). Then you start trekking with him. He will definitely monitor your well-being, give advice, tell you about the route and local culture.
Mobile communication, 3G - is available on the track up to Pangboche. For some reason, it works poorly in Lukla, but in other places it is good. In Dingboche, Fericha, Dugla, Lobuche - no connection. In Gorak Shep it reappears, weak, but it pulls.
Wi-Fi, Everest link - a system that provides good wi-fi on the entire track. It is sold by cards, is available for 200 MB, costs about 500 rupees. Attention: Internet works for 15 hours after activation, there is a binding to the device. This is a good option, not too expensive and fast. In Namche Bazaar there is free Wi-Fi in cafes.
Electricity is normal only up to Pangboche, then - solar panels. Accordingly, the prices for charging will be high, about 1000 rupees per power bank.
Type of outlets in Nepal
In Kathmandu we will stay at the Hotel Arts 4*. Standard accommodation in 2-bed rooms.
During the trek we live in lodges, which are tourist shelters with a public shower and toilet (sometimes in the room). Food we order in the same lodge where we live. Rooms are very simple, small, for 2-3 people, not heated. Of furniture there are often only beds. Beds are made with linens, but it is recommended to take your sleeping bag and sleep in it. Upon request, you can ask the hosts for a blanket. Electricity is available in almost all the loggias, but in the rooms there are rarely outlets.
There are gas showers along the whole route, but the higher you go, the worse it is. Good showers in Namche Bazaar, Pyramid and Lukla, where we try to stay in rooms with showers in the room. In the other localities, at an altitude of 4,000 m or higher, we do not recommend showers, as you can easily get sick.
On the 11th day of the trek we plan to spend the night in "The Pyramid" at an altitude of 5050m, where you can enjoy comfortable rooms, hot showers, free charging and unlimited tea/coffee and delicious food.
To better understand the living conditions, we highly recommend watching some examples of lodges from our tracks. Click on the name: a nice lodge in Namche Bazar with a shower in the room, a basic lodge in Dole - no shower and with ice in the sink, cool rooms at the Eco Resort in Gokyo, a standard lodge in Chukung, a mug of tea after a night in a room in Gorak Shep. Even if you sleep in other localities, the lodges will be about the same level.
Individual accommodations are possible for the entire program, it costs +$250. Be sure to notify the manager in advance.
The menu at all lodges is extremely varied (different types of eggs, pasta, soups, potatoes, pizza, rice). An interesting feature is that the same dishes in different lodges may be cooked differently and taste completely different! Food prices increase proportionally with altitude. On average, it will take $15-$25 per day to get a decent meal.
For an example, we recommend looking at some of the most expensive prices on the route in the village of Gokyo, and here is a folder with photos of menus and food from other lodges on the trek to Everest.
Let's face it, some people like Nepalese food a lot, but there are also those who "don't get it". Meat is usually scarce on the trek, so you can take some lard and a stick of sausage with you.
These people are porters who carry your things for money. One porter can carry no more than 24 kg. The cost of this service is about $ 20 per day, but you can take one porter for two - it will be twice cheaper! It is not customary to feel sorry for porters, no matter how much they might unload on themselves. Nor is it customary to invite them to your table. Porters have their own room in the lodges where they eat and sleep with their friends. The best thanks on your part would be a tip equal to the porter's daily wage. So prepare an extra $20-30 to tip the porter and the Nepali guide. For more details about the porter's work, see the article "Porter on the trek - to take or not to take".
As in other regions of Nepal, there are two seasons for trekking in the Himalayas, spring (mid-March to late May) and fall (mid-October to mid-December). If you go in early spring, you should be prepared for the fact that there is still a lot of snow on the pass and the approaches to the lakes, and the lakes themselves are hidden under the ice. Closer to the middle of April the first lakes will melt, the snow on the trail will remain only on the approach to the base camp. A big plus during this period is the blooming rhododendron forests, which against the background of snow-white mountains create incredible contrasting pictures. In the afternoon in spring the sky is often covered with clouds and at about 3 or 4 o'clock in the afternoon it may rain or snow. But by this time we usually arrive at the boat house. Also, spring is the active season for climbers of Everest and Lhotse, so the sections of the classic trail will be oooh-full of people and cargo animals. But there is an upside to this - April and May are the base camp full of life, with lots of tents and would-be climbers. Autumn is warmer, there are hardly any clouds, the snow is already melted everywhere; base camp is empty.
Most of the trek is at moderate altitudes. Temperatures will be around +20 degrees during the day and can drop to freezing at night. At the highest overnights the temperature can drop to -15 outside, and to 0...-2 in the rooms. Rains are not frequent. Characteristic weather for the mountain regions is clear mornings and cloudy evenings.
The currency of the country is the Nepalese rupee. The exchange rate is approximately 100 rupees to 1 dollar. You can exchange at the hotel reception or at the exchange office, with which we have long had an agreement for a more favorable rate. The teamleader will take you to the right place. It's noteworthy that Nepalis are very careless about paper money - so don't be surprised if you get a bundle of rupees punctured with a stapler - it's quite normal. All expenses en route are in rupees only. Exchange about $500 for them before the trek. Bank cards are only accepted at some points in Kathmandu, so be sure to take cash. Also, there are big restrictions on ATM cash withdrawals and fees are racked up.
You should buy souvenirs at the stalls in Thamel (the tourist district of Kathmandu), not at the sights. Always haggle with Nepalis; sometimes the price can be discounted several times over.
If you want to see the top of the world - Everest, want to spend maximum days among the Himalayan mountains, enjoy the views of Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu and other beautiful peaks - this program is for you. Also this trek will be interesting for those who want to climb higher than Elbrus - to the top of Kala Patkhar (5645 m). We will have only a couple of days on the route. Most of the time we spend among the majestic mountains and Himalayan plateaus. Take into account that this is a classic track to Everest, which is followed not only by tourists, but also by porters, yaks, the entire local population, as well as climbers to Everest, Lhotse, Island Peak. Therefore, be prepared to constantly warm up with them on the trail, especially in the spring. If you are more looking for solitude with nature, pay attention to the trek to Everest via Gokyo, trek around Annapurna or Manaslu, Langtang, Mardi Himal trek.
Due to the fact that we sleep and eat in lodges, backpacks on the route will be relatively light. In addition, there is always the possibility to hire a porter, which we strongly recommend to all participants. He will carry the main part of your things (up to 12 kg), and you will go with a small backpack, in which you will carry a warm jacket, water, documents and money. The trek to Everest base camp is not the easiest, but not the most difficult by the standards of Nepal. To participate in the program, it is desirable to have experience of previous treks or good physical fitness, so often even beginners sign up for this track. The best way to prepare for the mountain track is running (about 6-8 km 2-3 times a week), squats, cardio exercises, which will not only increase your endurance, but also train your legs for daily transitions. The better your physical shape is, the easier you will tolerate the altitude, acclimatize and enjoy the track and the landscapes around you more.
Read more about physical preparation for the hike in the article "Training before hiking in the mountains".
Everyone probably knows that Nepal is famous for extremely cheap travel gear. Well, it really is! You can buy a flicer for $5, a down jacket from $30, trekking poles from $10. But you have to understand that despite the tag - it's not branded equipment, but made somewhere in the local basements. There are stores with the original, but prices are the same as ours. In general, do not necessarily carry a whole pile of equipment from home, most you can buy cheap already on the spot. Tourist stores simply unreal number. Read more about equipment in a separate article =>>.
The cost of the program depends on the number of participants in the group
The total amount of compulsory expenses, which are not included in the price, will be approximately 600-800 (including flight Lukla-Kathmandu-Lukla $375) + airfare to Kathmandu.
RECOMMENDED: For $110 you can order a porter (will carry your 12 kg) for the whole trek. For those who have little trekking experience, we strongly advise you to order a porter at once and not spoil your impression of the trek with a heavy backpack.
*Please, pay your attention: it's not the manager's task to choose a flight for each participant. The manager gives general recommendations, based on his experience and shares the flights of other participants, so you can fly together. It's up to the participant to select and purchase his own convenient airfare. If you want the manager to buy you a ticket, book a hotel or an additional excursion, read the terms and conditions on the page: additional services.
To reserve a place in a group, you need to pay a $300 deposit. This money is needed to make passes and hotel reservations. Methods of payment and conditions of return in case of cancellation or leaving the route here. The rest of the payment you are to give to teamleader at the first day of the program.
Friends! We kindly ask you to pick up dollar bills of 2003 and newer. Dollars from the 90's are not accepted in many countries and we sometimes have problems with local partners. Thank you for your understanding and new dollars to all:)