- Everest Region Nepal
- Gokyo Valley/Renjo la Pass
- Gokyo Ri/Peak
- (5,357 Meter/17,575 Ft)
- 15 Nights/16 Days
- Kathmandu To Kathmandu
- Couples, Family Or Friends
- Solos Private Trek
- Luxury Hotels In City
- Best Local Sherpa Lodge
- Daily Breakfasts In City
- 3 Meals daily During Trek
- Reliable & friendly
- Authentic sherpa guide
- Spring: (February to May)
- (September to December)
If it’s a clear day when you are flying into Kathmandu, then your tour begins right from the skies itself. The sights from the windows of our jet show us glimmering snow-capped mountain peaks spread out down below us, giving us the first thrills of our just begun vacation, sparking off a whole reaction of unforgettable experiences that stay with us for some time to come. As soon as your plane hits the tarmac of Tribhuwan International Airport, Mountain Sherpa Treks office representative and driver will be on standby to meet and greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. The rep will help you check into your designated hotel, and after going to our rooms and refreshing ourselves we will be briefed about our daily activities. The rest of your time is free to move around the neighborhood and get familiar with your surroundings. In the evening we will meet our senior trek guide who will brief the group about details related to our trek. Your first overnight in the ancient city of temples, probably the most in the world. Breakfast
After a good night’s sleep and enjoying a hearty b/fast, we proceed for our tour of Basantapur Durbar Square. Recorded by UNESCO as a cultural World Heritage site, Kathmandu Durbar Square is a bunch of medieval temples, palaces, courtyards, and streets that date back to the 12th and 18th centuries. within this square we will find Hanumandhoka Palace Museum, Taleju Temple, Kumari Ghar (House of the Living Goddess), Kasthamandap and other temples and buildings as old as the city itself; from here we head for a tour of the famous Boudhanath Stupa {said to be the largest in the world) and a major center of Tibetan culture in Kathmandu. The stupa is designed to be like a giant mandala (a representation of the Buddhist cosmos). We next drive down to Swayambhunath {popularly known as Monkey Temple} “Swayambhu” means “self-created” and refers to the myth that the hill sprung up suddenly from a great lake that once covered Kathmandu Valley. Our next destination is Pashupatinath Temple. This temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Shiva and is said to be the holiest Hindu shrine in Nepal. We then wrap up our Heritage tour with a trip to Patan which is one of the three medieval cities in Kathmandu and a destination for connoisseurs of great arts. We return back to our hotel, refresh, and maybe do some shopping, have an early supper, and retire to bed, most probably. Breakfast
After being well-rested after a solid night’s sleep, we wake up fresh the next morning, have an early breakfast, and get into our vehicle for a drive to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu airport for an early morning flight to Hillary’s Lukla (2,800m/9,186ft), a gateway destination from where our trip commences. After an adventurous scenic 40 minute flight above the stunning green and white mountains, we reach the Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla. Arguably, this is one of the most beautiful sky routes in the world which concludes in a remarkable landing on a hillside surrounded by high mountains peaks. Upon arrival at Lukla, we meet the other crew members and after some sorting and packing and arrangements, we start our trek through the pretty wealthy village of Lukla until we reach Phakding. To assist in acclimatization, we only have a short hike today. However, if you are interested in additional activities we can take a side trip to a nearby monastery. This is our first Overnight in Phakding. All meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (B, L, and D)
Walking through a beautiful pine forest, the track leads us along the Dudh Koshi River through many suspension bridges, one of which is the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge. First, we catch superb scenes of the glistening Mt. Thamserku (6618m). Through the settlement of Benkar, Chumoa, Monjo, we come to the check post and entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. We pass through the last village of Jorsale before reaching Namche Bazaar. The trail climbs through the forests and bridges until we reach the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers. After a final steep ascent of about two hours, we get first sight of Mt. Everest peering over the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge. At this juncture, we stop at Chautara to admire the views. We still need to hike for about 1.5 hours to reach Namche Bazaar, a gateway to Mt. Everest and the main trading center of this region. Overnight in Namche [Las Vegas of the Khumbu] – B. L. D
If we are to hike a few hundred feet upwards during the day, this gives us some useful acclimatization. We go for a stroll down to the Tourist Visitor Center near the Sagarmatha National Park headquarters and observe a lot of history related to the first Everest ascenders, Sherpa culture and get some interesting insights into the plant and animal life of the Everest region. We also have options to walk up to Khumjung and climb up to the famous airstrip at Syangboche. Just above the airstrip is the Everest View Hotel, a Japanese design to build a deluxe hotel with great views of the highest mountains on the planet. The Khumjung valley is encompassed by the snowy peaks of Kongde and Thamserku and the holy peak of Khumbila hosts a well-known monastery that is also home to the yeti scalp. We visit Hillary School which is at the same site. After enjoying lunch and spending some time in Syangboche, we trot back down to Namche Bazaar.
It’s a pretty strenuous ascent of the day as we have to pass the Mong La, a very charming place perched on the spur of Mt. Khumbila. An ancient historical Chorten stands at the center of the settlement of Mong La. We stop at the top of Mong La to admire the grandest views of surrounding snow-capped mountains and valleys while having lunch. The most outstanding feature of the trail today is the abundance of plant and animal vegetation including wildflowers and Rhododendrons. While on the way it will not be unusual to spot wild fauna like pheasants, mountain goats, and the elusive musk deer. Traversing through forests, some waterfalls and bridges, we reach Mongla for our overnight – B. L. D
From Dole, we climb steadily along the side of the valley, where the rhododendron forests give way to scrub juniper as the altitude increases. The trail passes many summer settlements [yersa], which are used when yaks are taken to these pastures to graze in the summer months. Ahead of us are excellent views of Cho Oyu, while at the rear are the peaks of Kantega and Thamserku. Today’s trek is a somewhat short one and we will arrive at Machermo in time for lunch. Overnight Machhermo – B. L. D
Heady Gokyo Ri looms above the village on the northern edge of the lake. We leave camp just after first light, following a steep path up the hillside. As we climb, the summits of Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu slowly come into view and the sight from the summit of Gokyo Ri itself, is said to be one of the premium sights to behold in the Everest region - some say it is even better than that from Kala Pattar. Overnight at our lodge - B. L. D
Heady Gokyo Ri looms above the village on the northern edge of the lake. We leave camp just after first light, following a steep path up the hillside. As we climb, the summits of Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu slowly come into view and the sight from the summit of Gokyo Ri itself, is said to be one of the premium sights to behold in the Everest region - some say it is even better than that from Kala Pattar. After lunch, it is a short walk back to Gokyo for our overnight. B. L. D
It’s important that we take a break at dawn today as we have to trace our trail up to Lunde after conquering Renjo La. As there is no alternative to Lunde for overnight today, we need to start early. Down from the Gokyo Valley, we leave the main trail and turn to Renjo La trail by Dudh Pokhari. After about 3 hours, we gain the Renjo La where a dazzling vista awaits. The Everest itself, Lhotse, Cholatse, and Taboche can be seen shining in the sun. Views from Renjo La are much like that from Gokyo Ri with third Gokyo Lake and Gokyo Village beneath the gray smear of Ngozumpa Glacier. Continuing on from the past, the trail winds down a stone staircase and then scramble over loose scree to reach the south bank of a small lake called the Angladumba Tsho. The presence of ice on the trail while descending down can make our descent a bit dangerous. Along the way, we see Relama Tsho and Renjo Lake. However, we walk down through a narrow valley clogged with giant boulders to Lunde where there is a support Lodge but it can be closed often. If this turns out to be the case, we walk further for another hour from Lunde to get to Marlung on the east bank of the Bhote Kosi. Overnight at Lunde or Marlung - B. L. D
From Lunde, the route turns west and the trail is almost level as we head up the Bhote Kosi Valley, once a popular trading route into Tibet. Along the way we pass many prayer flags and mani stones, all pinpointing to the Tibetan Buddhist culture of this area. After descending to the Bhote Kosi the trail climbs steeply to Thame. From here there are good views of the peaks of Teng Kangpoche and Kwangde. To the north is the Nangpa La, the pass leading to Tibet. Thame Gompa is situated above the village overlooking the valley and is the site for the famous spring celebrations of the Mani Rimdu festival. We crash out in Thame for the night. B. L. D
The trail descends steeply downward so we need to walk slowly and under control as our wobbling legs continuously battle the rocky terrain. After crossing the suspension bridges over the fast flowing Dudh Koshi and its tributaries the trail becomes more level and natural. By today we start to get warmed up by the light breeze. Any remaining sore throats and colds will be gone by today as we pass through this delightful mountain air. Although we are traveling the same route down, we feel completely different views. We snap a combo of open plains, rhododendron, and pine forests, and in the distance snow-covered peaks. We walk through the Sherpa villages' observing their notable faith in Buddhism and culture of prayer stones and prayers flag while walking through the villages. Overnight in bustling Namche where it’s all happening. B. L. D
The trail from Namche Bazar clings to the steep wooded slope beyond Kyangjuma, winding through several bends. It’s interesting to look out for wildlife such as mountain goats, snow leopards, and colorful pheasants while we pass through the forest by the trail. A steep descent from Namche Hill leads to the suspension bridge crossing the Dudh Kosi river near the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and the Bhote Koshi Rivers. We cross the Dudh Koshi River twice at separate locations before reaching Monjo. Upon this juncture, we are out of the Sagarmatha National Park after exiting from its official entrance near Monjo and finally reach Monjo Village. Monjo is comparatively a quieter place to stay than Namche and it also means our porters have a less strenuous walk back to Lukla the next day. Overnight in the docile village of Monjo – B. L. D
Today, we begin to get warmed up by the light cool breeze. Although we are traveling the same route down, we enjoy completely different views. We snap a mixture of open plains, rhododendron, and pine forests, and in the distance snow-covered peaks. We take time and walk at our own pace today as this is the last day of our trek. We experience the Sherpa villages' impressive faith in Buddhism and culture of prayer stones and prayer flags while we walk through the villages. Upon arrival in Lukla, we have plenty of time to relax, stretch those aching legs, and recall the experiences of the last couple of days. We experience the culmination of a fantastic trek on a happy note with everyone back safe and sound with truly happy faces! While in Lukla, we stroll around while our leader will re-confirm our flight tickets. In the evening, we enjoy the last dinner with our crew and make it a party night which calls for a celebration. Overnight at our Lodge - B. L. D
Today, after a hale and hearty b/fast, we fly back to Kathmandu after our long mountain journey. The early morning flight drops us in Kathmandu. We can rest and relax throughout the day at our hotel. If interested, we could buy some gifts to take home from Nepal for loved ones and friends, and relatives; we can visit some nearby shops or venture out in Thamel for typical Nepalese goods. This short excursion either can be assisted by Mountain Sherpa’s guides or we can do it ourselves too. If we want to explore any other areas in Kathmandu, we have to manage time for this today as well! At eventide, we will attend an exciting celebration dinner together for successfully completing our trek to the whole of EVEREST hosted by Mountain Sherpa Trekking and Expeditions! Overnight in Kathmandu, the valley of the gods, they say (B, D) Day 16: Reserve day (In case of flight cancellation due to Bad Weather) This is more or less a contingency day we keep in hand in the event of a delay in flights from Lukla to Kathmandu, which sometimes happens; so, if this doesn’t happen which is good and fortunate, and then it’s just great. It’s your free day to do whatever you wish, at your cool pace that suits your convenience. You could simply use this day for some shopping for souvenirs or penning a few postcards for the loved ones at home. It’s your day anyways. Breakfast
After b/fast, our rep and office vehicle will be on standby at our hotel to transfer us to the airport for our connecting flight home. Serving you was a wonderful joy and pleasure, we at Mountain Sherpa Trekking and Expeditions will cherish the bonds of our relationship created over the time you spent with us and we thank you for choosing us as your travel partner and for visiting this amazing country Nepal. We are sure that trekking in this beautiful region of the Khumbu [Everest region] will give you lifetime memories of a vacation well enjoyed. Ciao friends! Till we meet again. Breakfast Please Note: that although we try to follow the itinerary given above, at times local trial or weather conditions may necessitate slight changes if necessary. The trekking itinerary may also vary slightly depending on our trekkers' acclimatization rates. This adventure goes into wild territory above the timberline, so we seek to request maximum flexibility if and when required for the safety of your trip and your life. Thank you so much for your understanding.
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Book you Private gokyo Valley renjo la pass trek with your beloved people
If you would like to do a private Gokyo Valley renjo la pass trek with your spouse, you’re family, or a few friends. Choose the travel dates that work for you and send us a request for the private trek. We are ready to arrange the best private trips just for you and the traveling friends of your choice.
Explore the beauty of Sherpa land with local Sherpa private guides. Stay in good hotels, including clean and cozy Sherpa lodges throughout trekking.
Just pick your travel dates—we’ll take care of the rest. Please send an Email to us to reserve your date.
| Travellers | Pricing From (USD) † |
|---|---|
| 1-1 | $1619 |
| † Double occupancy |
* Trip elements may be adjusted on smaller group sizes.
Have a custom tour designed exactly to your interests
A custom tour is an independent travel plan designed and arranged as per the client’s interest and request. Tell us what your dream trip would be and we'll make it happen! Like a tailor making a bespoke suit, it will fit you perfectly.
As a local Sherpa expert, we can craft unforgettable experiences for you or your specific group—and work within your needs and budget. Get in touch with a local expert for your perfect vacation.
Any part of this itinerary can be changed to fit your needs and budget, e.g. hotel accommodation, city tour add/skip, trek length, food… click the below link button to request a quote.
We will craft the best tailor-made program for you.
Transports & Accommodations
- Private Transfers upon arrival and departure
- Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu Round-trip flight
- 4 Night hotels in city as specified in Itinerary
- 10 nights local Sherpa lodge accommodations during trek
- Airport Transfers for domestic flight from Hotel
Meals & Drinks
- Daily hygienic breakfast in city as specified in Itinerary
- Daily 3 meals entire trek (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
- Tea or Coffee as per choice ( Per day 5 Cups)
- Welcome dinner at best local restaurant with cultural show
- Fully boiled Safe drinking Water ( Per day 4 liters Per person)
Gear & Equipment
- Complimentary T-shirt, Water bottle and walking pole
- Sleeping bags and down Jackets if required
- Duffel bag, Trek Map & group medical Kit
- Pulse oximeter for oxygen saturation as well as heart rates
- Hot water bag to warm your feet inside the sleeping bag
Support
- Reliable and honest Local Sherpa guide
- Hardworking and trustworthy porters ( 1 porter for 2 People)
- Free extra luggage storage service
- Free help to get SIM Card, renting or buying gears
- Call support for anytime 24/7 for Emergency
Pays & Permit
- Pay and insurance for guide and support staff
- Sagarmatha National Park entry permit fee
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality Entrance Permit
- Half day Cultural tour in city including guide and driver
- Entrance fees to historic sites, temples and monuments
Additional Service
- We help you, if an airline loses your luggage, or delayed
- International flight ticket Reconfirmation service if required
- We help our clients to buy souvenirs at wholesale price
- We show you around local areas, recommend to eat etc
Latest Traveller's Reviews
Travel experiences of our clients who recently returned from their trips.
Mountain Sherpa trekking
We also trekked in Bhutan, arranged by mountain Sherpa, and the arrangements were excellent.
We highly recommend Mountain Sherpa for your visit to Nepal or Bhutan.
Susan and Jim
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Visa on Arrival:
A tourist visa can be obtained on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu. The current fee for a multiple-entry visa valid for 15 days is USD $30. A multiple-entry visa valid for 30 days is USD $50. All fees are subject to change without notice and must be paid in cash in U.S. dollars. Carrying two passport-size photos is also recommended.
'On Arrival' visa procedure is very quick and simple. You can expect some queues during peak Tourist season. If you wish to skip those queues, you can also consider getting Visa from Nepalese Diplomatic Missions stationed abroad prior to your arrival. The choice is yours.
Once you arrive at the airport, please follow these simple procedures for Tourist Visa on Arrival.
1st Step:
Fill in ' Arrival Card '
Fill in the Online Tourist Visa form (you can fill it out prior to your arrival by visiting the official website of the Department of Immigration / fill it up using Kiosk machines upon your arrival at the airport). If you fill it from the website, you will get a submission Receipt with a barcode, please print it out and bring it along for acquiring a visa. It works for fifteen days and becomes invalid then after. If so, you will have to fill it up again.
2nd Step:
Make payment at the bank according to your visa requirement (15/30/90 Days) Get the receipt
While you can use different modes of payments (at the visa fees collection counter), we advise you to carry some cash to be on the safe side.
3rd Step:
Proceed to the Immigration Desk with your online form, payment receipts, and your passport. Hand in your documents to the immigration officer for visa processing. He/she issues a visa to you upon his/her satisfaction.
On Arrival Visa Fee
15 Days – 30 USD
30 Days – 50 USD
90 Days – 125 USD
CASH & CREDIT CARDS:
Nepal: Cash transactions can generally be made in either U.S. dollars or local currency. U.S.dollars should be recently issued bills in smaller denominations. Major credit cards are accepted mainly in the larger shops, hotels, and tourist category restaurants. Access to ATM machines is available in bigger cities like Kathmandu & Pokhara but is limited in rural areas.
This trek includes 3 Nights Deluxe accommodations in Kathmandu at a comfortable and luxurious hotel. As we know, the best accommodation is a crucial part of your trip planning, our hand-selected best hotel accommodations are clean, in a good location, and give you value for your money. Our selected luxury 5-star hotels provide a wide array of excellent services and modern amenities. Our handpicked hotels offer a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere, privacy when preferred, and attentive service. You can treat yourself to a relaxing spa day at our 5-star hotel in Kathmandu after your trek. Or rest and relax in a tranquil and peaceful garden resort. We have two different package options available as outlined below. Book your perfect dream holiday trek package with a local Sherpa expert and get exceptional service.
- Our 3 Star Hotel Package start from $1619 USD Per Person only
- Our 5 Star Hotel Package start from $1829 USD Per Person only
3 STAR HOTEL PACKAGE OPTIONS:
- Sampada Garden Hotel- Located in peaceful area Lazimpat, Katmandu. 15-20 minute walk from Thamel
- Mandala Boutique Hotel - This Hotel is located at Chhetrapati, just 3-5 minute walk from Thamel
5 STAR HOTEL PACKAGE OPTIONS:
- Marriott Kathmandu - Located at Naxal, Kathmandu. Combine the modern design with local creativity
- Yak and Yeti Hotel - Centrally located Luxury 5 star hotel in Kathmandu
SHERPA MOUNTAIN LODGE
During the trek, we provide you best available sherpa mountain lodge with a cozy room with a shared bathroom for 12 nights. Among 12 nights, we will accommodate you 5 Nights room with an attached bathroom Lodge. Here are the lists of Places where rooms have attached bathroom options
Day 03: Phakding (2,652m/8,700ft)
Day 04 & 05 : Namche Bazaar (3440M/11,280ft)
Day 12: Namche Bazaar (3440M/11,280ft)
Day 13: Lukla (2,860 M/9,380 ft.)
For the 4 Nights hotel in Kathmandu, single rooms are available at a supplementary cost.
WHAT KIND OF FOOD I CAN EXPECT DURING TREK?
Morning Breakfast between 6:30-8:00 AM
- Tea or Coffee, Hot chocolate, lemon tea, hot milk, or green tea
- Eggs items- Fried Eggs, Boiled Eggs, scramble eggs, Omelet,
- Bread items- Toast, Pancakes, Chapati & Tibetan Bread
- Porridge with Honey
Afternoon Lunch between 12:30 – 1:00 PM
- Nepal Dal Bhat, Curry with Rice, Pasta or Noodles item,
- Fried rice, fried Potatoes, Mo.Mo
Evening Dinner between 6:00-8:30 PM
- Garlic Soup Sherpa Stew, vegetable Soup, mixed Soup, Potato Shop
- Dal Bhat Tarkari – a soup of lentils with rice and a vegetable curry
- Fried potatoes with veg, MO. MO, fried Noodles, Pasta, mash potatoes with Cheese, etc
Drinking-Water during Everest Base Camp Trek
For many of us, the perfect choice may be to go for mineral water. After all, it’s sealed and safe to drink, plus it provides an income for the local traders – right? Regrettably, things are never quite that simple. Mineral water produces a vast number of knock-on problems for mountain societies.
While it does provide an income to local people it also generates an extraordinary, heart-breaking amount of waste and spoiling. Most places simply do not have the resources to do anything with the empty plastic bottles – and they burn them, releasing toxic gases into the air, or leave them in piles just out of sight of travelers, where they take more than 450 years to decompose.
Take, for example, Everest Base Camp. The recommended amount of water intake on a high-altitude trek like this is 3-4 litters a day. The trek is 12 days long. That’s more than 40 litter and 40 plastic bottles, which won’t decompose until the year 2466 – per person.
For a full MST group of 12 people, just one trip will result in more than 500 mineral water bottles. And the salt in the wound is that plastic doesn’t decompose at high altitudes, so those 500 or more bottles will be up there forever. But what can you do? You have to drink, so how can you get around the problem?
The Alternatives: The great news is that there are really various options that will help you out of the bottled water trap. Here are just four of the best. All you have to do is pick which one is right for you.
Striped- Steripen is the most trusted model on the market. This technique uses exactly the same process as most mineral water undergoes before it is bottled. It’s UV filtering, exactly the same treatment as the majority of bottled water undergoes to be purified, but on the go. The technology has been around for much longer than you think, but it’s only recently been competitively priced enough to be on the market. SteriPen is an American company; other UV filters are also available.
Boiled water– This isn’t always an option if you’re out and about, but boiled water is an excellent option for safe drinking water on trek. Boiling the water kills any nastiness lurking there. It is the safest and most convenient option. Most lodges serve it, and it is great to ward off the cold. Prices range anywhere between NPR 50 and 120 per liter. This means the cost of drinking water will be around $40-$60 for 10 days Gokyo valley trek. Please note that 3-4 liters of fully boiled drinkable water will be provided daily. Book our all-inclusive Gokyo valley trek package for safe and hassle-free service. There is no hidden cost.
Purification tablets– Water refining tablets or chemicals like chlorine dioxide are frequently used. They are easy to carry and cheap to buy. However, they are not as effective as UV filters or boiled water and need a few hours to act. Besides these, LifeStraw and iodine-based treatments are also available but have their drawbacks.
Twin Otter aircraft is the usual mode of transport to and from Lukla. This service is fairly dependable, however in case the flights are cancelled due to mountain weather conditions, Mountain Sherpa Trekking & Expeditions will charter a helicopter to ensure you are on schedule for your international flight connections.
The helicopters can fly if the visibility is 1500m, while the Twin Otter can fly if the visibility is 5000m as per the Civil Aviation Rules. The cost of the helicopter is payable directly to our Kathmandu office in the event that this service is utilized. US cash, traveller’s cheque, or credit cards (Visa, MasterCard & American Express only) are accepted. You will be given a receipt upon payment so that you may claim the amount from your travel insurance. The minimum cost will be US$350 and the maximum US$650 depending on the number of group members.
The maximum allowance for checked luggage on these flights is 15kg per person and 5kg for hand luggage. These limits are strictly adhered to so please pack carefully. Please note that approx. 5.5kgs of this weight will be taken up by the sleeping bag (2.5kg), down jacket (1.5kg), kit bag (1kg) and sleeping bag liner (0.5kg) that you are provided.
EXTRA COSTS:
Our Everest base camp trek packages are all-inclusive but we advise that you budget between $300 and $400 for additional expenses on your trek including tips. We also suggest you plan on having extra money available in cash or on a credit card in case you require to book a helicopter in the event your flight is cancelled.
Unforeseen cost due to flight cancellation, weather conditions etc. You are responsible for extra hotel nights and meals in Kathmandu or Lukla that are a result of flight delays.
Nepal entry visa ($40 USD).
Meals:
All the meals are included on the trek however we only include breakfast while you are in the city. you can budget $10-15 per day for lunch and dinner in Kathmandu.
Gratuities:
Tipping is always appreciated and should be based totally on your satisfaction. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your trips.
Wifi, Batteries Charging and hot Showers are also not included in the trek package. Wifi is available in some teahouses for $3 to $5 an hour. Hot Showers are also available in a few of the teahouses for between $4 and $6. You can also charge your electronic devices in the lodges and charging costs between $1 and $3 an hour.
The importance of Insurance
Travel insurance is necessary for any trip but is mainly important when undertaking activities such as high-altitude trekking in remote regions where medical facilities or assistance may not be close at hand. You’ll enjoy your adventure better with the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have the right insurance cover in place should a mishap occur.
This can be anything from medical emergencies, trip cancellation, trip interruption, delays, lost or stolen luggage to a full helicopter rescue of a mountain. For high altitude trek, you need to confirm that your travel insurance covers Helicopter Rescue with a height limit of no less than 5,5000m. Most standard policies provide cover for walking up to a maximum of 2,500 meters.
The Nepal Trekking Activity Pack add-on extends cover to include trekking between 4,600m and up to 7,000m within Nepal and also includes all activities in the Extreme Activity and Activity packs.
Obtaining travel insurance before you leave home is strongly recommended. This way, if something happens, and this is rare, you will not be out of pocket a tremendous amount of money. Mountain Sherpa trekking will provide a letter and your invoice to submit to your insurance, in this case, to help expedite your processing.
Altitude Sickness:
If you trek to a high altitude without letting your body adjust to the new elevation, you may experience altitude sickness. Symptoms include headache and nausea. If you return to a lower elevation, your symptoms will likely go away without needing treatment. In severe cases, altitude sickness can be life-threatening.
When we hike above 8,000 to 12,000 feet above sea level our bodies need to acclimatize to the decreasing amount of oxygen available. You may have symptoms if you travel to a high altitude without giving your body time to adjust to less oxygen. Even if you’re physically fit, you can still experience altitude sickness.
Mountain Sherpa Annapurna sanctuary trek itinerary is carefully designed to avoid altitude sickness. Over the years we have come up with the best itinerary to aid in the acclimatization process. Our trek itinerary is fully flexible & can modify on the spot if required.
Remember the trek to the Himalayas is not a race. Even those in the best shape will suffer from altitude sickness when they race to the top of the mountain too quickly. Go slowly, it will give your body time to adjust to the mountain. However, during the acclimatization process, you may experience some of the following symptoms.
- Tiredness
- Minor Headache
- Troubled sleep
- Loss of appetite/nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- Palpitation
- Swelling of the hands and face
Each Person acclimatizes at different rates. Our best suggestion is to take your time and drink plenty of water. These symptoms may not indicate the onset of A.M.S. and if you experience them it does not necessarily mean that you should not continue. All our Sherpa guides have extensive first aid training and we request you to talk with the Sherpa guide at all times should you believe you have any symptoms in order that we can efficiently monitor your symptoms. The only cure for Acute Mountain Sickness is to descend.
You must remember that this is your holiday and you do not want to stress out about the possibility of getting sick from the mountains. Do everything slowly. Drink lots of water. And enjoy the Himalaya's views. If anything does happen and you, unfortunately, get sick, let your guide know right away –Please note that your guide has ultimate responsibility and may ask you to descend if symptoms persist.
The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. The packed weight of your kit bag while trekking should be no more than 15 KG/33Lbs. Please note that this gear list is only a guide. Those are basic to bring the listed items, but you can decide from your desired brands using your expertise. Plus, you can shop the trekking gear and clothing at a good price at stores in Thamel, Kathmandu.
YOU MUST BRING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
Upper Body - Head / Ears / Eyes
- Sun hat
- Headlamp with Fresh Batteries
- Wool or synthetic hat that covers the ears
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Neck gaiter or bandana (for sun protection)
- Face Masks
- Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose, etc.)
Hand
- Fleece/Wool Gloves
- Glove Liners
- Heavier shell glove
Core Body
- Base layer shirts
- Moisture-wicking long-sleeve t-shirts (1)
- Moisture-wicking short-sleeve t-shirt (optional)
- Fleece jacket or warm windproof jacket with hood
- Synthetic sports bras (for women)
- Insulated Warm jacket
- Underwear (4-5 pairs)
- Sleeping bag (comfort rated –10ºC)*
Lower Body – Legs
- Hiking Pants (Convertible, Quick-Dry, Lightweight) 1-2
- Warm hiking pants with waterproof Windproof and breathable
- Rain Pants (Lightweight, Waterproof, Breathable)- optional
- Gaiters (needed Dec-Feb)
- Long underwear
Feet
- Hiking boots with ankle support recommend
- Camp shoes or tennis shoes for lodge
- Hiking Socks (Synthetic or Wool) 5-7 pairs recommended
Food & Snacks
- Snacks (combine protein & carbs for well-balanced energy)
- Thermos (optional for hot beverages)
- Re-hydration gels or powder
Toiletries
- Sunscreen, Lip balm with sunscreen
- Toilet Paper
- Soap
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Razor (as needed)
- Shampoo
- Wet wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Feminine hygiene products (as needed)
- Face lotion
- Hairbrush
- Hair ties
Other necessary important items:
- Passport and extra passport size photos (2-4 copies)
- Visa (these are easy to attain when you land in Kathmandu—bring $30 (15 Days) or $50 (30 Days) USD for Visa Application
- Money ($200-300 cash is suggested—while there are occasional ATMs on the trail, they are almost always out of order)
- Travel insurance- most recommended
- Airline tickets (Please make a copy and leave one at our office in KTM just in case if you need to change the date of yours)
- Durable wallet/pouch for travel documents, money & passport
- Water bottles 1 Liter x 2 (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single-use plastic)
- Water purification Iodine tablets
- Toilet paper (you can buy this in the lodges
- Travel towel
- Small padlock (to lock your kit bag)
- Antibacterial handwash
Additional Supplies
- Portable solar charger/power bank
- Book
- Journal/pen
- Playing cards
Basic First Aid Kit including antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhea treatment (Imodium), altitude (Diamox), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, insect repellent, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Glucose tablets and multi-vitamin tablets are also a good idea
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE OPTIONAL:
- Trekking poles – if you don't have poles, We can provide you complimentary trekking.
- Sleeping bag liner
- Pillowcase, Scarf, or buff
- Swimwear (for the hotel pool in Kathmandu)
- Earplugs (particularly if you are not the one snoring)
- Travel clothes
- Camera
- Pen-knife (remember to pack sharp objects in hold baggage)
- Repair kit – (eg. needle, thread, duct tape)
- Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)
Note:
The Nepalese are still traditional and conservative in the way they dress. Hence to avoid discomfiture on both sides we advise that you respect this and do not wear revealing clothing or sleeveless tops while visiting Nepal. Shorts are acceptable, but they should reach just above the knee and be modest and for women, it is better to wear trousers or a long skirt.
Additional info:
As you pack for Gokyo Valley Trek, remember that your gear will be separated into two packs: your daypack that you will carry each day as you trek, and your duffle bag which will be carried between tea houses by porters. All extra baggage (non- trekking items) can be stored at the hotel before you start your trek. We provide you with a free duffel bag in Kathmandu. You can use it to pack your essential trekking equipment. We provide one-porter services for two people. Porters will carry up to 25 kg - 30 Kg or 55-66 pounds of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and down jackets. Therefore your duffel bag should not weigh more than 12 kg-15 kg or 26 pounds to 33 pounds.
INSIDE YOUR DAYPACKS:
Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always recommend the smaller, the better. Around the 25l to 30l size is good for the EBC trek. You need to carry your own backpack (with waterproof cover) where you can carry your daily needed items in your own backpack. For instance: Water bottle, Extra money for drinks, souvenirs & tips, sunhat, camera, important documents, toiletries, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, rain gear, music (iPhone), etc.
If you don’t have your own down jacket & sleeping bag, don’t worry. We will provide you 4 season sleeping bags and a good down jacket with a hood for complementary use. Good quality sleeping bag and down jacket are most important for high altitude trek.
