Everest Panorama Trek - 13 Days

Duration  :  13 days

This program comprises of a total number of 13 days in Nepal with 07 nights/08 days Everest Panorama trek: 4 nights in Kathmandu and 01 night in Ramechhap. One extra day has been kept as a layover day in case of a Lukla flight cancellation.

Grade: Medium

Everest Panorama trek is rated as a medium range trek. Involves walking for around 4 to 7 hours over the ridges of high Himalayan peaks with steep climbs and descents of 500 meters or more.

Altitude Problem:

It reaches 3,950 m which can pose a bit of challenge as regard to altitude problem depending on individual. Altitude sickness can affect anyone in the elevation beyond the safer limits of 2500m above sea level. But less in comparison to Everest Base Camp.

As you ascend higher into the atmosphere, the oxygen content of the air decreases, making it more difficult for the body to adapt to the new altitude and perhaps leading to altitude sickness. Altitude sickness can happen very quickly. It can be lethal if it’s not treated on time.

If you have a headache, cough, racing heart or trouble breathing, difficulty in sleeping, weak you might be affected by altitude problems. In such cases you need to consult with your guide and stop ascending to higher elevation. The only remedy for altitude problems is descending to lower elevation immediately.

Prevention:

• Allow ample time between trek days to let your body acclimatize well.
• Do not increase the altitude by more than 500m per day
• Drink plenty of liquid and don’t let your body get dehydrated
• Eat plentiful and keep your body fit
• Move slowly and don’t stress too much in your body
• If you are smoking cut it out.

However, even after following the prevention rules if someone is still affected then one needs to DESCENT down to the lower elevation asap as altitude problem can be life threatening.

Preparation For the Everest Panorama Trek:

The trek is graded medium, so a bit of preparation is required, especially if you are not a regular trekker. Proper preparation and planning are good to have a safe and enjoyable trek.

Mental Preparation:

It is important to do the reality check before signing up for the trip.

• Make sure that this is the right trekking for you
• Check out with your GP or doctor if this trekking is good for you in case if you any medical problem.
• Practice meditation to build your mental strength which you might need during trek to stay positive

Physical Preparation:

It is crucial toning your legs & body muscles, stamina, ready to take up the challenges of the Himalayas.  If you are a regular trekker and have already done several treks so not much preparation is needed but for a novice it is essential to prepare yourself with proper training as early as possible. As to when you should start training, you would want to begin at least 3 months before your journey. The longer you train, the fitter and stronger you will become and thus more likely to enjoy the trek without adding any additional stress to your body and avoid injury.

• Start hiking covering 9 – 12 kms per day with bit of weight 5-15kg. Try this quite frequently and increase the distance. This will slowly build strong muscles in your legs and body, also help as to how you move on the trail. Practice with the hiking boots that you plan on taking to avoid blisters during the trek.
• Also, you can build up your strength, endurance, stability and self-assurance by doing stair walking. You can start slowly and then gradually prolong it for a bit longer period.
• You can work on a treadmill as it will strengthen your calves and Achilles tendons and improves your cardio and leg endurance. This can be done by increasing the incline each week till you can tolerate 45-60 m at a 15% incline.
• Other fitness activities like swimming, cycling, jogging is all helpful

Type of Trek:

In this region trekking can be done in different ways like FULL PACKAGE TRIP and GAP BASIS

• FULL PACKAGE TRIP: We organize basically everything which is required for the trip i.e. the Pasang Lhamu Municipal Tax, Park Permit, Guide and Porters support, Accommodation, Three Meals (Breakfast+Lunch+Dinner), Flights, Transportation and a Duffle bag required for the trek.
• GAP TREK STYLE: In this package system the arrangement would be almost like a full package trip but just that in this package we do not include meals. One can always choose their own meals and pay directly in the lodge.

Season:

Weather plays an important role for having an enjoyable trek in the Himalayas because without the view of the snowy peak the trek can be a bit incomplete.

Though the trek can be done almost throughout the year with the exception in the Monsoon season but to enjoy the trek fully the ideal time is autumn between mid-October till mid-December where most of the time you can have unobstructed view of the lofty Himalayas. The trek also becomes pleasant as it is not too hot but in November the weather can be colder.

Springtime between mid-March till end of April is another good time to trek in the Himalayas. But during this time the weather can be a bit hazy and sometimes you can have rain. But since the weather pattern is changing, it’s hard to be precise.

Access:

The Trek to Everest Base Camp normally starts with a flight to Lukla.  During the season time flights to Lukla operates mostly from a town called Ramechhap which is around 5 hours’ drive from Kathmandu. From Ramechhap it’s a short flight to Lukla and you have several flights flying from there.  Only very few flights fly directly to Lukla from Kathmandu.

Option driving to Ramechhap can be either the same day of the flight very early in the morning i.e. 0200 hrs or driving one day earlier and spend the night at Ramechhap to catch the flight next day.

Flights to Lukla:

The flight to Lukla is in a small aircraft with a capacity of around 17 seats. Big aircraft can’t do the flight due to mountainous zone with small airstrip. Good time for flight to Lukla is early in the morning hour as the weather are favorable. The afternoon starts getting windy and becomes gloomy resulting in cancellation of flights.

However, flights to and fro are completely weather dependent. Delays and cancellation are quite frequent.  In case of cancellation, we need to wait for the weather to become better and the flight to operate. Sometimes the flight can get cancelled for several days.

Option is chartering a helicopter which can take off and fly even at a visibility range of 1500 m which is lesser that 5000 m normally required by a Twin Otter, as per Civil Aviation rules.

Helicopter chartering can be expensive, but the cost is determined by the number of people sharing it–the more the people sharing a chartered flight, the lower the cost per person. Capacity is 5 people in a helicopter (this is the present Govt. regulation but can change anytime)

Baggage:

Weight allowance for baggage for flight to Lukla is 10+5 Kgs, excess weight is chargeable at USD 1.33 or more per Kilo (subject to change without any prior information).

Since this is a small aircraft with limited space baggage sometimes can be shifted to another flight or misplaced resulting in delay arrival of the baggage.  You must make sure that important items like medication, valuable items etc need to be carried in your day pack.

During the trek your main baggage will be taken and carried by our porters. You just need to carry a day pack with a water bottle, camera, sunscreen, spare jacket, personal medication etc. For this trip you will need to have small day pack to carry by you during the trek, FAR OUT will be supplying you with the main trekking bag for all your trekking gears but you will also need to carry a small lockable bag for travel clothes or anything that you do not need during trek to store at hotel’s locker room/safe deposit box in Kathmandu for free of charge.

Staff Support:

You will have the support of a Govt. registered trekking guide who can speak Basic English language and well acquainted with the area. All our Guides have received training in basic skills and knowledge about administering first aid and emergency medication.

We provide porters to carry your personal baggage and gear, leaving just the day pack to be carried by you.

There will be one porter for every two trekkers and one porter generally carries a baggage weighing not more than 30 Kgs, i.e. 15 Kgs per trekker. So, you will need to pack your baggage accordingly.

Accommodation:

Your nights, during the trek, will be spent at basic and simple lodges having private rooms partitioned with wooden walls. These rooms accommodate two single beds with cotton pillows and a blanket provided. However, it is always good to bring your own sleeping bag. Most of the lodges have a solar lighting system and hence are slightly dim. Bathrooms & toilets in such lodges are usually common.

In this trek trail in some places, you have an upgraded guest houses/lodges having private bathrooms and rest rooms, electric blanket. But the cost is more expensive.

Meals:

This trip is on a full board basis, which means 3 meals a day are included each day.  You can find a wide variety of Nepali, Western, Chinese & Indian cuisine.

Breakfast offerings include muesli, a variety of porridges, pancakes and bread with jam or eggs. For lunch it is worth considering what can be quickly prepared, with veg noodle soup being popular. Pancakes and Tibetan bread are also relatively quick to make. Increasingly toasted sandwiches are on menus too. Apple pie is generally delicious, deep fried in the same way as the spring rolls are.

Dinner you can start with soup, then you can choose the main dish either macaroni/ spaghetti/ potato/ pizza/rice etc.

Most meal choices are carbohydrate-heavy; exactly what trekkers require. All lodges serve tea, coffee, hot chocolate, hot lemon, soft drinks and beer (check its temperature first) and some places even offer wine.

Avoid having uncooked food like salads, meat products during the trek or even in Kathmandu.

Water:

It is recommended to take plenty of water during the trek to avoid dehydration.  Mineral Water is available, but we do not advise as the plastic bottle pollutes the region so carry Water bottle with water purifying tablets.  You can fill the water from the restaurant or stream on the trail.

Group Size:

Normally our group size is between 2 to 10 participants – it is always great to have a small group instead of big groups.

Typical Day in The Trek:

Usually, the day begins around 6 am with tea or coffee and then I do wash and shave.  After you need to go back to your room and pack your gear, followed by breakfast in the restaurant which will be as per your choice. Then we start our trek, which will be around 3 hours then have a lunch break – our guide will choose a good place to eat and will see that you get an opportunity to enjoy the view of mountains.  We again start our trek for around three to four hours and then we end our night in the Lodge.  Dinner will be in the restaurant/lodge, and you get a menu to choose your meal.

Trekking Equipment:

For trekking in the Everest region, you will need walking boots, sleeping bag (4 seasons), waterproof jacket and trousers, fleece jacket, warm hat and gloves, sunglasses, water bottle, sun cream and day pack. Complete list of equipment will be forwarded upon confirmation of the trip.  Most of the gears can either be bought or rented out in a different trekking shop in Kathmandu.

Health, Vaccinations and Medical:

You should obtain professional advice from a travel clinic or your local GP preferably 8 weeks before your travel regarding the vaccination, medicines and the health care facilities of Nepal.  A dental check-up is a good idea as there will be no dental facilities while on the trek.

Medical services and facilities in Nepal although slowly have been improving but not at a par with the one you have in the West or some other Asian countries.

First Aid Kit:

It is important to bring your own medication while traveling to Nepal as some of the medication might not be available or match with the one you are taking. While bringing the medication please bring along the prescription and good to check with Nepal Embassy if that medicine is allowed in Nepal or not.  Because some of the drugs even though prescribed by the doctor out there might be illegal.

Insurance:

Whether it might be a short easy trek or difficult one Insurance is a ‘MUST’ if you’re planning a trek in the Himalayas.  Treks in the Himalayas although exciting but due to difficult terrain potential health risk is involved.  In case of emergency Insurance plays an important role covering you with helicopter evacuation which is very expensive, your medical bills or sometimes your accommodation and upgraded air journey.

But make sure that a policy that covers your health, travel, medical treatment, accidents, loss of property, theft as well as emergency helicopter evacuation

Communication:

Internet access and mobile connection is in most of the places around Everest Region.  But in some place’s connection is bit poor due to a mountainous terrain.

Environmental Concerns:

Far Out discourages all its clients from buying plastic mineral water bottles when up in the mountains and abstaining from using hot water for baths that have been heated by burning firewood. We carefully select lodges that particularly use kerosene, solar energy, or cow dung instead of firewood for all heating, lighting and cooking purposes.

Visa Requirements:

All foreigners require a visa for entry into Nepal. You can get from a Nepalese embassy overseas or on arrival in Nepal. Most people will obtain their visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport.  For obtaining the visa your passport should have at least 6 months validity on the day of departure and the right amount of visa fee on US $ cash. To get it done bit quicker you can fill up the online visa submission form Online Services (immigration.gov.np) and present the print slip to the Immigration but this needs to be done between 15 to your arrival days.

15 days USD$  30 or equivalent convertible currency

30 days USD$  50 or equivalent convertible currency

90 days USD$120 or equivalent convertible currency

Permits:

You only require two different permits — Pasang Lhamu Municipal Tax and Everest Park Permit.

While issuing these permits, you’ll require your passport details i.e. Name as in the passport, date of birth, nationality, passport no and validity of the passport. Also, you will need to carry the passport during the trek.

About Adventure Travel:

The concept of mountain trekking is ‘adventure traveling’, which can be unpredictable most of the time. While traveling through the remote mountainous regions of Nepal, please do not expect standards you are used to at home, since these areas are still underdeveloped.

The posted trek itinerary should be seen as a guide only. Situations like inclement weather, forces of nature and circumstances beyond our control may convince us to alter the itinerary. Therefore, you are advised to be flexible, positive and eager to take on the challenge if the need arises. In case of uncertainty regarding the suitability of this trek for you, please do speak with your trekking agent.

Note :

The trip notes posted on this page indicate in its entirety the most current information for this itinerary. Thus, they may supersede any or all existing information printed on our brochures and other forms of advertisements including the media.