Comfort Trek

 

 Detailed Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu: 1300m/4265ft (BB)
Arrival in Kathmandu where you will be met and transferred to Hotel, just walking distance to any styles of good restaurants and shops. Our Representative will give you short briefing on hotel facilities and safety. Tonight we only have a short introduction to the area, just what you need to know before the main briefing tomorrow. O/N at Hotel Nirvana Garden Kathmandu.

Day 02: Sightseeing of World Heritage sites: (BB)
After breakfast, trek briefing will take place around 9 am. All aspects of gear and conditions are discussed to make sure you're fully prepared for the trip, and any last minute questions answered. After lunch we explore this medieval capital. We visit Boudhanath, also known as little Tibet. Then we visit Pasupatinath, holy temple of Hindu where cremation takes place by the holy river Bagmati. Later we visit Patan Durbar Square. Evening: welcome dinner hosted by Basanta Adventure. O/N at Hotel Nirvana Garden in Kathmandu.

Day 03: Fly Kathmandu – Lukla: 2840m/9315ft, Lunch at Lukla: (Full Board)
An early start to transfer to the domestic airport for one of the most thrilling experience of flying to the dramatic airfield at Lukla where we are immediately in amongst the peaks. There is no need to walk today, just relax at the first of our excellent lodges and adjust to the change in altitude (and pace of life!). Our Sherpa leader takes care of everything, checking us into our comfortable en-suite rooms. Guide will happily take us for a gentle stroll in the afternoon. Most standard treks do not have overnight here. But on this trek we have our first night at this level, taking it very easy, and acclimatizing perfectly before we go on. O/N at Everest Summit Lodge in Lukla.

Day 04: Lukla – Monzo: 2840m/9315ft, Lunch at Phakding: (Full Board)
After our first night at this height we are now in fine fettle for our first leisurely day’s walk. This is an easy introduction to the trek up the beautiful Dudh Kosi river valley, passing huge carved Mani stones and prayer wheel shrines typical of this wonderful Sherpa Buddhist country. The morning is more or less level, even a little downhill initially to our lunch stop at Phakding (2650m). In the short afternoon walk through blue pine and rhododendron forests we very gradually gain some height, through small villages with the peaks of Kongde Ri ahead and Kusum Kanguru and Thamserku up the side valleys on the right. There are excellent new metal suspension bridges on which we cross several times, giving great views up and down river. We will see many dzopkio, as the Sherpas call the yak-cow cross predominant at this level - a splendid beast that can both carry and give milk. We reach Monzo at the entrance to the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park, tonight’s luxury lodge situated amongst terraced gardens just above the village. O/N at Everest Summit Lodge in Monzo.

Day 05: Monzo - Namche Bazaar: 3440m/11283ft, Lunch at Namche: (Full Board)
Entering the National Park, we cross the river and back, at the foot of increasingly spectacular scenery: great rockfaces with long waterfalls, tall pine forests high overhead. We make our way up to the original steel suspension bridge, Hillary Bridge, at the confluence of the Imam and Nangpa rivers which form the mighty Dudh Kosi, and then start the long gradual climb up the Namche hill. The path is good and wide, zig-zagging at an even ascent through these beautiful forested slopes. This is the habitat of the Himalayan Tahr, and we have every chance of seeing groups of these big curved horned deer grazing in amongst the rhododendrons. We have plenty of time, all day if necessary, to take our own pace up the hill and enjoy the unfolding views particularly of the sheer many water fall flanks of Kongde Ri across the valley. You will find steep hill of before you reach Namche the hardest portion of the trek later. And half way up, from a platform beside the trail, is our first view of Everest itself, and a very fine one at that. We normally reach Namche comfortably by lunch time and check into the Panorama Lodge overlooking the town. This is undoubtedly the best lodge in Namche, and run by a warmly hospitable Sherpa family, with excellent cooking by the landlady Lhakpa. It’s a traditional design with a large ornately decorated glazed dining hall, and newly built en-suite rooms. O/N at Panorama Lodge in Namche.

Day 06: Namche acclimatization day: (Full Board)
Namche Bazaar (3445m) is the Khumbu district capital village, built within a dramatic natural amphitheatre setting surrounded by peaks. Today we take a carefully planned and essential rest day to allow us to adapt naturally to the gain in altitude. There is plenty to do and explore in and around Namche. In the morning we take a short walk up the ridge path above the town to catch our next view of Everest at its best, and on the way back visit the Sherpa Culture Museum. This has a fascinating collection of historical photographs and documentation that traces the origins of the Sherpa people as Tibetan migrants who set up the trade route over the Nangpa La between the high plateau and the lush lowlands, establishing the Bazaar at Namche. In the fifties, as this trade was disrupted by political events in Tibet, the first climbing expeditions appeared in Nepal to take on the highest peaks in the world, and the Sherpas took this new 'trade' on with typical resourcefulness. Finding themselves essential to every success on these 8,000 meter peaks, it is hugely to their credit that they have managed the popular introduction of trekking to the area with such skill. Of all the areas of the Himalayas, they have set up the best environmental protection and their deep-rooted culture has even benefited from the process rather than been eroded as elsewhere. The museum is a great insight into this cultural background, along with their pride in their mountaineering achievements. Returning to the lodge for lunch, we can relax in the afternoon or visit the Bazaar itself, and browse the artifact shops in the village. O/N at Panorama Lodge in Namche.

Day 07: Namche – Tashinga: 3350m/10988ft, Lunch at Sanasa: (Full Board)
Now well acclimatized we continue from Namche on a beautifully made trail contouring the hillsides of fragrant shrubs high above the Imja Khola, where we have more chance of seeing some Tahr, or even the spectacularly colored Danphe, Nepal's national bird. We are heading straight toward Everest now and before long it comes into view again. There are excellent panoramas here, a prayer-flagged chorten in the foreground, with Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse ahead, mirrored across the valley by the twin peaks of Ama Dablam, probably the most beautiful mountain in the world. We take our time to enjoy the best time of the day, and have a leisurely lunch at the great viewpoint of Sanasa (3600m). Staying up here for as long as possible is perfect to boost our acclimatization anyway. After lunch its a short drop on a good trail to the beautiful forests around the village of Tashinga. Our luxury lodge is just outside the village, another Everest Summit lodge, and every bit as comfortable. We are far from the power lines here, but you would hardly know it as the lodge incorporates state-of-the-art 'renewable' energy systems: photo-voltaic cells converting daylight to power to provide all the lighting, and solar hot water in all the en-suite bathrooms. O/N at Everest Summit Lodge in Tashinga.

Day 08: Thyangboche monastery day trip: 3860m/12660ft, Lunch at Thyangboche Guest House: (Full Board)
Tashinga is the last overnight point of luxury lodge trek, so today we set out on a day trip to our final destination in this direction, the famous monastery of Thyangboche. In the crisp early morning we head down on the forested trail past large mani carvings in the rocks beside the path, to cross the river to Pungo Tenga. Here there are some wonderful water driven prayer-wheels, seen by Buddhists to continually spiral the sacred texts contained within upward to the spiritual realm. The winding uphill trail from here all the way to the monastery is almost as long as the Namche hill. But now we have more acclimatization advantage, and it does not seem so, especially as we can really take our time to enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery on the Everest route. At first we are in lush forests where we have had many wildlife sightings on previous trips, and then gradually climb out onto open hillside where the views really open out. By mid to late morning we come out on top at the monastery itself, the most important gompa in the Sherpa region, and home to the Rimpoche (abbot) and about 80 monks and novices following Nyingmapa Buddhism, the predominant Sherpa sect. It is a very evocative site, no doubt inspiring its selection as the spiritual centre for the whole Khumbu area. On a wide mountain plateau, at the meeting of three great valleys, it is surrounded on all sides by dramatic ice peaks. It is significant that it is in full view of the most sacred peak of all, 'the goddess mother of the universe' - Chomolongma, as the Sherpas call Everest in their original Tibetan. We take our time to visit the monastery. The main gompa itself has a very interesting history and its second rebuilding this century is now nearly complete, after burning down again in 1989. Then we head along the trail for some 20 minute to Deboche, where we have lunch at a garden lodge set amongst beautiful forests, and visit the nearby nunnery. In the afternoon we stroll back down at our own pace to Tashinga and another comfortable night here. O/N at Everest Summit Lodge in Tashinga.

Day 09: Trek Mende, via Khumjung: 3700m/12136ft, Lunch at Khumjung: (Full Board)
Up to this point we have been heading towards Everest on the main and only trail in that direction. Today we add a different dimension to the rich experience of this trek and head right off the tourist trail to visit some really unspoilt Sherpa areas. We head for the handsome village of Khumjung, the home of many of the most important Sherpa families, to see indigenous life at its most traditional. This is also the site of the first school built by Edmund Hillary and his Himalayan Trust, which has been gradually expanded to senior level, making it no longer necessary for Sherpa children to have to go to Kathmandu to continue their education. This has been very significant in developing the self-esteem of the local population, resulting in much pride in the school and the achievements of its dedicated staff. We visit the village gompa in its juniper grove above the village; far more intimate than Thyangboche, and occasionally home to an infamous 'yeti scalp'. The jury is still out on this one, but that certainly does not rule out the mysterious beast's actual existence, past or present! (No hard evidence either way, but a sighting by the most respected and reliable explorer ever, the great Eric Shipton, responsible for discovering the ultimately successful route up Everest, is perhaps hard to ignore.) We take a short detour to our fabulous lunch site, the Syangboche Panorama lodge, definitely the restaurant with the best view in the world. The windows on all side of the upper dining room look out onto 360 degrees of the most spectacular peaks imaginable, including Everest - you feel you could almost touch them! From here we contour across on a little trail winding through fragrant shrubs and rocky outcrops, and then down into the lovely unspoilt forests of the Tsangpo valley. Joining a larger and remarkably level path, this is one of the most delightful sections of trail anywhere in the Himalaya, passing little villages with stupa shrines and crystal clear streams coming down from craggy side valleys. The views ahead are dominated by a completely new line of snow peaks. Rounding a corner marked by another chorten, Mende monastery comes into view on the hillside ahead. Our luxury lodge at Mende is below it, still a fair way up, but the rewards of the location far outweigh the steady plod up to reach it. This will probably be the best tea-time you are ever likely to have, sitting out on the terrace in front of the lodge with the whole valley and its line of peaks spread out in front. This is another Everest Summit lodge, and just as good as the others. O/N at Everest Summit Lodge in Mende.

Day 10: Thame monastery day trip: 3820m/12529ft, Lunch at Thame: (Full Board)
The Thame valley has to be one of the highlights of this trip. It is much less visited than the standard route to Everest, but its beauty makes it much loved by the local population. In the morning we head on up the valley, gradually making our way up to the handsome village of Thame itself. Above is the monastery, nestled in the cliff-face, and we follow a winding path, lined all the way by a mani wall of thousands of individually carved stone mantras, to reach this amazing location. An intimate site that feels unchanged for centuries, this gompa gives us a real sense of the tranquility and gentle pace of traditional Sherpa monastic existence. Returning, we first detour to the small ridge alongside the monastery to take in the view far up the long straight Nangpo valley. This leads directly to the most frequented traditional trade route to Tibet via the glacial but relatively beneath Nangpa La pass. Depending on the current frequently changing policy on border control we may see groups of eager, friendly and very wild and hairy Tibetans who come over to sell their Chinese goods to their Khumbu neighbors. The Sherpas regard them with respect and much good humor. We have lunch in Thame and then head gently back to Mende, directly or by an alternative route via another ancient monastery. O/N at Everest Summit Lodge in Mende.

Day 11: Mende – Monzo: 2840m/9315ft, Lunch at Namche: (Full Board)
We head back down this delightful valley and contour over to arrive in Namche from the other side, where we plan to have lunch. Then we descend the hill to the Dudh Kosi and a nice easy day to return to our lodge in Monzo. O/N at Everest Summit Lodge in Monzo.

Day 12: Monzo – Lukla: 2840m/9315ft, Lunch at ThadoKoshi: (Full Board)
Taking our time and stopping for lunch in Phakding we make our way down to Lukla, back to the lodge where it all began - a fantastic place for a little celebration. This will be your last night with your trekking crew except trekking Guide. Trekking crew will organize a farewell ceremony, Nepali song and dance, staff members will be allowed to drink to join the party. You may want to try local drink called “Rakshi”, please be aware; it does not taste good and is very strong. O/N at Everest Summit Lodge in Lukla.

Day 13: Fly Lukla – Kathmandu: 1300m/4265ft (BB)
The flight time to Kathmandu, are schedule for morning normally, because of the wind in the afternoon, sometime the flight time can be delayed due to bad weather and other reason beyond our command. Anyway we will fly back to Kathmandu. You will be transferred to hotel. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, any hire gears will be collected and your international flight tickets will be distributed. O/N at Hotel Himalaya in Kathmandu.

Day 14: Day at leisure: (BB)
This pleasant day you may have full day at leisure and either relax at hotel or explore Kathmandu city, shopping etc. O/N at Hotel Himalaya in Kathmandu.

Day 15: Holiday extension or transfer to airport for final departure:
Today either you’ll have your holiday extension for another tour or we will transfer you to airport for final departure flight. 

 

General Information on Treks:

Best Time to Trek:

Spring (February-April) 

Spring is a good time to trek especially the latter half. This is the time for a wide variety of wild flowers to bloom. Along the trek routes, many hillsides look spectacular with rhododendrons blossoming in many hues. During this season, the hillsides above 5000 meters turn into beautiful landscapes. It is mildly warm at lower elevations, and as you climb higher (above 4000 meters), the mountain views are superb and the temperature is quite moderate.

Pre-Monsoon (May-mid June) 

It gets that much hotter, hazier and unsettled in May & early June. The warming Asian landmass has begun drawing up air from the south, ushering in the pre-monsoon – a season of erratic weather and increasingly frequent afternoon storms. If you are looking for solitude on your trek, this is a good time to go. It is also a good time for going high but be prepared for rain, especially in the traditionally wet areas of Annapurna and eastern Nepal. 

Monsoon (mid-June to September) 

Few foreigners trek during this period because of the rain, mud, leeches, travel difficulties caused by landslides and general lack of mountain views. However, some treks in Nepal’s far west are sheltered from the impact of the monsoon. And even in wet areas, mornings are often clear, and wild flowers and butterflies can be seen in abundance.

Autumn: (October to November)

Autumn is the possibly the best time to trek and visit Nepal in terms of weather, festival activities. The main festival of Nepal takes place during October and November called Dasain and Tihar (festival of light). The disadvantage of this season is heavy tourist traffic, BATE have been encouraging valued guest to visit in spring if possible in order to avoid busy tourist season. 

Winter: (December to January)

This is consider cold season, there are many group visit Nepal to celebrate Christmas and New Year. Trekking is possible in most of the area including Everest base camp. This season is ideal to visit Pokhara and Chitwan National Park where temperature is much warmer than Kathmandu. 

Clothes and Other Tips:

While having the right kit with you for a trek is important, high-tech kit is not essential, especially for the lower treks which some people do in trainers, especially in the warmer months. Mountain Travel treks provide porters who will carry personal belonging but it is an idea to have a day-pack for essentials such as a water bottle, torch, gloves, hat, sun cream etc. Bring plenty of sun screens and never underestimate the power of the sun at high altitude. (We shall send you detail check-list on request)

Packing:

We recommend that the best type of luggage on trek is a good sized, strong, cylindrical bag with a top-length zip. In addition you will require a day-pack and an additional bag for things that you may wish to leave in Kathmandu.

What to leave in Kathmandu: 

Basically, leave whatever “smart” clothes (if any) you have brought for evening and city day wear. Things are very informal at even the best hotels in Kathmandu and many visitors wear clean trekking clothes throughout the day. Bags can be left in the safe-keeping of your hotel whilst on trek as hotels in Kathmandu hotels are well-versed in the habits of trekkers and mountaineers. Do not leave valuables in your luggage. Arrange with the manager for them to be deposited in the hotel safe. We suggest leaving valuable documents, ornament, original passport and anything you think that you do not need on trek.

What to wear on trek:

You must anticipate your daily clothing requirements at the beginning of each day and you will be assisted in this choice by your Sherpa leader or sirdar. Mornings and late afternoons are cool in the mountains, so you will start the day’s walk warmly clad and proceed to shed clothes as the sun’s heat increases. For example, you may start the day in trousers and pullover but by midday shorts and a light shirt will do. This is where the day pack comes in handy.

What you carry on trek:

On an organized trek you will just need to carry your day pack which should be a small, soft, light rucksack, comfortable enough to carry throughout the day. Fully packed it should weigh 5-7 pounds and should hold your warm or lightweight clothing, jacket, pullover, trousers or shorts. Also, a lightweight waterproof, water bottle, camera, notebook, map and other personal effects should be kept with you - try to anticipate what you will need for the day as the rest of your luggage will be ahead or behind you with the porters. Keep your day pack light or else misery will result!

What will be carried for you?

The porters will carry your bag containing clothes and personal items not required during the day and are carried from camp/teahouse to camp/teahouse in a pannier on a porter’s back.

Once you have packed your duffel bag in the morning, you will not see it until the next camp or teahouse is reached in the late afternoon. A duffel or soft canvas bag should be used, not a suitcase as it has to be packed into a basket. Crushable or fragile items in the bag are prone to damage if not well-padded with clothes...

Food and drink: 

BATE Full Support treks provide each person with substantial and delicious food throughout the day. Early morning your Sherpa leader will wake you with tea and coffee and hot water for washing. A light breakfast of bread, butter, jam and crackers will then be served - the point of the light breakfast is that the early start allows you to make the most of the day on the trail, frequently the best mountain views are in the morning.

Brunch on the trail will consist of porridge, eggs (usually with sausage or meat and beans), potatoes, bread, jam etc. with tea or coffee. On arrival at the campsite it is possible to have tea consisting of a hot drink, bread, crackers, jam, peanut butter and probably cheese (depending on local supply). The evening meal will consist of soup, main course, sometimes a dessert and hot drinks. 

For those doing a teahouse trek, the teahouses are well stocked for trekkers offering a staple diet of eggs, porridge, custard, chocolate and muesli amongst other foods. Often, the international delicacies promised on the menu are unavailable… Local dishes of dal bhaat, chowmein, packet noodles and seasonal vegetables are readily available unlike much of the western food on offer.

Trek Permit:

Due to a recent change in government regulations many areas no longer require trekking permits. However, should one be required we will forward you a trekking permit application form which should be completed as soon as possible and returned to us with 3 passport sized photographs and photocopy of the relevant pages of your passport. Your actual trekking permit will be handed over in Kathmandu.

For those planning to trek independently you will need to look into whether or not you need a permit. Permits are no longer required for the standard routes in the Annapurna, Everest and Langtang/Helambu/Gosainkunda areas. However, National Park Fees and TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) are required before entry.

Permits are still required for treks passing through the restricted areas of Kanchenjunga, Olangchung Gola, Rolwaling, Manacle, Upper Mustang, Dolpo, Mugu, Humla and Api-Saipal. Permits for these routes must be obtained by or through a registered agency, and for some routes a government liaison officer is required

Different Types of Trekking Arrangement: 

Trekking, the meaning of which is “travel by foot along mountain trails”, can be done for just a few days or for a month or more, in the same style as exploratory or mountaineering expeditions. Whilst trekking, Sherpas serve as guides, interpreters, cooks and camp staffs. Porters, horses or yaks carry all food, fuel, camping equipment and your personal belongings so that you need only carry what you might want during the day. At night either you can stay in tents or local lodges known as tea-houses and sleep in sleeping bags, all of which are carried with the trekking party.

Full Support Treks: 

Full Support treks provide a charming angle to trekking in the Himalayas. Accommodation is in the form of luxury tents, which are put up at the end of each day by BATE’s expert porters who carry the equipment from place to place throughout the trek with the help of pack animals. 3-course meals are prepared and cooked for you by our trained chefs that accompany you on your trek. Fresh supplies of vegetables, eggs and meat are purchased locally wherever available. Warm water is provided for washing in the mornings and evenings.

Full Support Group Treks & Expeditions: 

We have offered some popular trekking and tours in Nepal and Tibet on a fixed departure basis. These trips are joined by our valued clients from all around the world and are normally comprised of between three and ten participants. Most of the trips are guaranteed to operate with only two persons without affecting the cost. 

Tailor - Made Full Support Treks:

BATE designs customized itineraries for individuals, families, and small groups of friends wishing to trek alone with full support services.

Full - Arrangement Tea House Treks: 

BATE highly recommends this Eco-friendly arrangement of trek wherever the lodges have been built so money can be spent locally. During this trek client will spend night in a cozy tea houses which is a normally built in a traditional Nepali house with private room with 2 beds with bedding, bathroom normally shared by 2 or 3 rooms. We provide with a guide as well as a porter for your personal belongings and sleeping bags. Meals are taken in the restaurant of tea houses.

Part - Arrangement Tea House Treks: 

We also arrange guide, porter, accommodation support for the more independent-minded trekker who do not mind organizing their own meal as per their budget.  We set you on your way with one of our experienced guides and a porter to carry your equipment.

Expedition Services:

We cater for major full scale Himalayan expeditions. Our involvement can be tailored to suit the budget of the Expedition but in most cases we cut out the bureaucratic hurdles involved with obtaining permission as well as provide the support of some of our top Sherpas.

Expedition Support Treks:

For major Himalayan expeditions we also organize special support treks to expedition base camps for families & supporters of the expedition members.

Recreational Climbing: 

Today, many of the smaller Himalayan peaks can be successfully climbed by recreational mountaineers on a relatively short holiday expedition. Considering the distances one must fly, the costs can be quite reasonable, and a small expedition to Nepal need no longer be an impossible dream. We organize short-duration expeditions to a number of 20,000-foot Himalayan peaks.

School Expeditions:

We also offer a complete Himalayan treks & expedition service to schools. We can advise on the appropriate region and destination in the Himalayas to suit the school's objectives. We will handle all the arrangements, supplying detailed itineraries, comprehensive information booklets and equipment lists. 

Gap Year Programme:

• BATE have been successfully organising long and short term Gap Year program for both student experience individual since 2001. 
• BATE is official Nepal representative for Oyster Worldwide, United Kingdom. www.oysterworldwide.com
• BATE is the official Travel partner of Future for Nepal, an INGO that has organized charity treks to raise funds for their charity activities www.futurefornepal.com/charity treks
• BATE also provides logistic support to volunteers from (FOTWA) friends of Tibetan woman association. www.artrefugee.com 

Special Interest Treks:

Many individuals or organizations want to arrange a special interest trek which is precisely tailored to suit their particular interest. These trips might be culturally orientated or specifically for bird watching and the like. Together with our associate companies we are also able to provide trek leaders with expert knowledge on specific subjects. BATE have already organized Ayurvedic Tour, Buddhist Pilgrimage tour both in Nepal and other outbound destination, Tour of Power places.  

Quid Pro Quo for Trekking:

It is up to the trekker as to what sort of trek he/she would like to do and this can be discussed with BATE’s expert team of advisors when you come to book your trek. Trekking does involve an element of fitness and obviously, the more strenuous the trek, the better it is to be fit. People of all ages, standards and abilities trek through the Himalayas - whatever your specifications, BATE can fulfill them.

If your trek goes through any of the national parks or conservation areas a separate entry ticket is required. In most cases the fee is simply collected at entry point; however, for Annapurna treks tickets must be bought in advance in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Children under 10 receive free admission.

Other considerations before embarking on a trek include good insurance that covers “hazardous sports”. It is also a good idea to register with your embassy in Kathmandu as this will speed up the rescue process in the highly unlikely event that you will need rescuing. 

Trek Cost: 

Full support trek prices include:

• All meals on treks cook by our chef.
• All communal equipments such as sleeping, dining, toilet tents, chair and table, crockery etc. 
• The service of an English speaking guide, Sherpa crew, cooks and all portage. 
• Trek staff insurance. 
• Trekking permit. 
• National Park Fee and government formalities.
• Back up support of BATE in case of emergency.
• Overland transportation to and from trek initiation point as necessary.

Full arrangement tea house treks include:

• Accommodation in Lodge en-route.
• The services of an English speaking guide and all Porterage. 
• All meal major meal en-route (breakfast, lunch and dinner). 
• Trek staff insurance. 
• Trekking permit. 
• National Park Fee and government formalities.
• Back up support of BATE in case of emergency. 
• Overland transportation to and from trek initiation point as necessary.

Part arrangement tea-house trek include:

• Accommodation in Lodge en-route.
• The services of an English speaking guide and all Porterage. 
• Trek staff insurance. 
• Trekking permit.
• National Park Fee and government formalities.
• Back up support of BATE in case of emergency. 
• Overland transportation to and from trek initiation point as necessary.

Note: All part arrangement tea houses and meals must be paid for directly.

Health:

No inoculations are legally required for Nepal. However, we recommend shots against Typhoid, Tetanus, Meningitis, and Polio & Hepatitis. Please also check on your polio immunization. Please consult your doctor well in advance of departure as some jabs require 3 doses over a period of 3-6 weeks. And carry certificates as proof of immunizations, should they be required.

Malaria: 

Malaria is present throughout India and lowland Nepal, especially in the more heavily populated plains. Anti-malaria courses in tablet form are advised during the warmer period (February – May).

Health on trek: 

Blistered feet, coughs, colds and minor stomach upsets are the most common troubles on a trek in Nepal. If your feet feel sore, sit down at once and apply a moleskin or fabric Elastoplasts. Do not delay or a blister will form and cripple you for days. We cannot emphasis too strongly the need for comfortable well-fitting training type shoes on low altitude treks and well-broken in boots for those higher altitude treks. Look after your feet!

Sore throats must be guarded against since they are common and can often lead to long-lasting colds and coughs. Ensure that you keep warm especially in the evenings and early mornings.

Stomach troubles do occur while trekking and water is the usual culprit – you need to drink plenty of fluids on your trek. However clean and clear a mountain stream looks assume that all running water is contaminated and is in need of being treated. Bring a supply of purification tablets or iodine crystal solution as an extra precaution if you like. Given sufficient time these will sterilize possibly-contaminated water. To make it more palatable orange-flavored tablets such as Redo on (available from chemists) are a good idea.

For Full Support treks do not on any account drink water that is not boiled for you first by your trek Sherpas. Upon request, water will be boiled in the evenings for use in your water bottles the following day.

Fitness: 

Prior to embarking on a trek it is best to have a medical check-up especially if you are in any doubt about your health. Certain chronic heart and respiratory complaints may be aggravated by physical exertion at high altitudes so inform your doctor of your intentions and the altitude to be reached.

Mountain or Altitude Sickness: 

Mountain or Altitude sickness normally manifests itself at altitudes in excess of 11,000ft and respects no one. A young fit sportsman may suffer when the other older less fit members of the party do not. Every year we arrange treks for many people well into their 60s and 70s and they experience no discomfort; in fact they are probably less susceptible for they tend not to race around the routes as the younger generation do and are more willing to admit they feel unwell. The golden rule is doing go too high too fast. Take things at a leisurely pace in the mountains for trekking is not a forced route march and with this basic rule adhered to, altitude sickness should not be a problem. Above 3000m, the daily net elevation gain should be no more than 500m. Drink plenty of fluids at altitude as the air is extremely dry – the rule of thumb is that unless your pee is clear, you are not drinking enough. Symptoms of Mountain sickness include headaches, dizziness, insomnia, nausea, loss of appetite, shortness of breath and swelling of the hands and feet. One or two of these shouldn't be cause for panic but they are a sign that your body hasn’t yet adjusted to the elevation. You shouldn’t ascend further until you start feeling better or if you do keep going, be prepared to make a hasty retreat if the conditions get worse. Serious symptoms (persistent vomiting, delirium, loss of co-ordination, bubbly breathing and bloody sputum, rapid heart rate or breathlessness, blueness of face and lips) can develop within hours and, if ignored, can result in death. The only effective cure for Mountain Sickness is descent. Anyone showing serious signs of the illness should be taken downhill immediately, regardless of the time of day or night, preferably by porter or pack animal. Recovery is usually dramatic, often after a descent of only a few hundred vertical meters. Barraged by medical advice and horror stories, trekkers all too often develop altitude paranoia. The fact is that just about everyone who treks over 4000m experiences some mild symptoms of mountain sickness but serious cases are very rare and the simple cure, descent, almost always brings immediate recovery. In addition to being physically fit, trekkers should also be prepared to adopt a mental flexibility during the trip. Nepal is a beautiful country with delightful people but a developing country nevertheless and world apart from home. One must adapt accordingly when traveling through a region where there will be different cultures, customs and values.

Other health considerations on the mountain: 

Understandably, much emphasis is placed on the prevention of Altitude Sickness but frostbite and hypothermia also pose a threat to trekkers, especially those trekking above 3000m.

The symptoms of hypothermia are similar to those of Mountain Sickness – slurred speech, fatigue, irrational behavior and loss of co-ordination. Low body temperature is the surest sign. Heat is the treatment. Put the victim in a good sleeping bag, preferably with another person for body heat, and ply with warm food and drink.

Frostbite appears initially as small white patches on exposed skin, caused by local freezing. The skin will feel cold & numb. To treat, apply with warmth. Avoid a second dose of frostbite as this can lead to permanent damage.

Getting into shape: 

For all but the most strenuous routes, walking is the best training for trekking. Do as much as you can in the weeks prior to your trek. If you are a regular hill walker or rambler you can cope with almost any trek in the Nepal Himalayas. Trekking is not a tough, masochistic exercise, but a slightly strenuous walk through some of the world’s most magnificent mountain scenery. If you are reasonably fit and healthy you will enjoy it all the more. However, for long treks at high altitude you cannot be fit enough and we advise a serious training programme. 

High altitude treks are quite safe provided that you are physically fit and prepared for walking. Treks follow trails through the mountains and merely require walking not climbing. Going too fast is a certain recipe for trouble and this is why our expert Sherpa sirdar gauges the pace of the trek according to the physical abilities of each individual.

Water: 

On camping trek, our staff will boil and cook meals treated by potassium permanganate or iodine. On half arrangement lodge trek, you will be able to buy safe hot drinks in the tea house. We recommend you to bring water purification pills iodine tablet to treat water, use one each tablet for one liter of water and leave half an hour to enable iodine to be effective. You can now buy iodine and neutralizer in one pack in local pharmacy. Speak to your BATE guide for assistant.

Important note:

In the event that you have an accident or become seriously ill whilst on trek it may be necessary to bring you back to Kathmandu by helicopter. Should this happen you are required to pay for the helicopter and any other subsequent charges plus the mandatory 10% service fee. These costs should be paid directly before you leave Nepal. We require all participants on trek to sign a “Risk and release guarantee” form prior to departing on trek to agree to this and other matters.

Insurance: 

Please note that it is essential that you are fully insured. Proof of insurance may be requested after your arrival in Kathmandu. We advise that helicopter evacuation is also included. Insurance is not readily available in Nepal.

First Aid Kit:

We supply a first aid kit with standard medicines prescribed by trekking doctors. It would be better if you bring your own medical supplies. We suggest that you take some pain-killing pills with you and enough medicine for cold, diarrhea, nausea and fever. Some nasal ointment and throat-moistening pills will greatly be of help for those who are sensitive to chilly or freezing weather conditions and enough medicine if you are taking any routine medicine. Age is no barrier to take an unforgettable trekking experience.

Finance: 

Whilst credit cards are now widely accepted we suggest that you rely on traveler’s cheques or cash.

On arrival, change some money into small denominations – useful for tipping ( new regulation 10% services charge normally included in restaurant, hotel bills) and paying taxis (no-one ever has any change). A word of warning – do not accept any torn or damaged notes as these will be difficult to pass on. 
Discourage begging: you will notice many beggar

Rescue/Evacuations: 

In case of a serious sickness or a casualty, which we believe will not happen; we will do everything to transfer you to the nearest hospital. Since you are entirely liable for all the expense incurred in evacuation please make sure that it is covered by your insurance before assigning for it or be prepared to pay on your own after getting back to Kathmandu.

Insurance: 

you must bring insurance covering cancellation, medical expenses, helicopter evacuation, burglary and emergency repatriation.

Responsible Travel:  

The beautiful environment of the Himalayas is also an extremely fragile one.  BATE is extremely conscious about the environment and aim to minimize the detrimental impact on the environment as much as possible. 

As deforestation is one of the greatest environmental threats. We also discourage trekkers from using wood-fuelled hot showers in lodges along the way. Many lodges, however, now provide solar hot showers, a far more eco-friendly alternative.

Garbage disposal is another major problem. Some of the busier trails are at times strewn with litter and garbage thrown by irresponsible trekking groups. Our staff members are well motivated towards eco-friendly practices. We carry the non-biodegradable garbage, apart from that which can be safely and easily burnt at the campsite. Our aim is to help protect and preserve this beautiful environment for future generations of trekkers to enjoy.

Trip Extensions: 

In addition to your trek, we can organize extensions both within Nepal and other neighboring countries. You may want to try rafting or a jungle safari in Nepal or Nepal Cultural Tours .If you wish, you may as well take a trip to Tibet, India or Bhutan. 

Social Responsibility: 

BATE has been involved in various social activities working closely with some dedicated local NGO and INGO to help underprivileged communities with various activities including community work. BATE currently maintain garden belong a refugee camp.  BATE have been also engaged in community development project through its gap year project since 2001. BATE provide all the necessary logistic travel arrangement of Future for Nepal... www.futurefornepal.com 

Care for Porters and Staff: 

We ensure that all porters and all other staff going into high altitude conditions are provided with adequate clothing and equipment. We make sure each of our field staff are insured and continue providing training to improve their efficiency and for their personal development. 

Leader(s) & Staff Arrangements:

All our Trek Leaders are well experience and professional. They are humble but highly respectful in trekking field and capable of handling extreme situation. We request our valued customer not to underestimate their capability and treat them with respect.

A Typical Day on Trek:

• Early morning your Sherpa will knock on your door offer bed tea.
• Followed by a basin of hot water to wash in. 
• Then it's time to order breakfast.
• Pack up your kit. 
• Trek Begins.
• Reach next overnight place, check-in lodge or camp. 
• Serve tea/coffee.
• Dinner is served.
• Trek briefing for next day, some leisure time.
• Good night sleep.

Pre Trek Briefing:

Prior to all our expeditions and treks, we host a Pre-Trip meeting here in Kathmandu on the 2nd day.   We will that that point introduce you to your trek Leader and will provide an opportunity for individuals to ask questions about the trek and to introduce you to other team members.

Accommodation:

During lodge trekking accommodation are mainly in lodge. We provide twin bedded room with shared bathroom. Most Lodges now provide hot shower for extra charge. 

In cities, we provide accommodation in one of the best known Hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara and of course per our client's preferences.  For best value we use Hotel Nirvana Garden www.nirvanagarden.com located in a quiet area of famous district of Thamel where all facilities are in walking distance and in Pokhara we use Hotel Meera, a landmark of Pokhara located in the Lake Side owned by ex. British Gorkha officer.  www.hotemeera.com.