Itinerary Include flights Expand all London to London Day 1 17 MAY - Depart London The group flight is an overnight flight departing London this evening. Day 2 18 MAY - Arrive Kathmandu The tour starts at the Hotel Royal Singi in Kathmandu. The group flights arrive into Kathmandu in the morning and those travelling on them will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. There will be a full briefing this evening where you will be given your marathon kitbag, T-shirt and bib. Royal Singi Hotel Day 3 19 MAY - Drive to Manthali (Ramechhap) airport; short but spectacular flight to Lukla (2800m); trek to Phakding. We will need to depart the hotel at around 2-3am to drive to Manthali (Ramechhap) airport. At this time of day when there is usually light traffic, the drive should take about 4 hours. Please be aware that roads in Nepal are not of the same standard as in the west, there may be potholed areas and the last section is unsurfaced. The flights to Lukla start from approx. 6/6:30am. (Occasionally flights may run directly from Kathmandu to Lukla, in which case we will use these instead if possible.) We fly to the mountain airstrip of Lukla (2,800m), and set off on the first short leg of our trek, heading northwards up the valley of the Dudh Kosi (or 'milk river'). We descend from the small plateau, down into the forested valley. The trail offers some tantalising views before reaching the small settlement of Phakding (2,652m), where we spend our first night. Tea-house (sleeping altitude 2,652m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 4 20 MAY - Follow the Dudh Kosi and ascend to Namche Bazaar, with time to explore the Sherpa villages Heading out of Phakding we follow the Dudh Kosi northwards. This day's walk takes us through magnificent forests with glimpses of the mountains ahead. We cross the river several times by bridges as we pass through the villages of Benkar, Monzo and Jorsale. A final bridge brings us to the foot of the steep climb to Namche. Halfway up this ascent, we may get our first glimpse, cloud-permitting, of the summit of Everest appearing majestically behind the great ridge of Nuptse-Lhotse. A last 300m of climbing brings us to Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capital and the main town in the area. Namche is a prosperous Sherpa town and an important trading centre. It has a weekly market on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, but the town bustles all day every day with trekkers, coffee shops, bakeries and stores selling all kinds of trekking and climbing gear as well as Tibetan souvenirs. Tea-house (sleeping altitude 3,440m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 5 21 MAY - Acclimatisation walk to Kunde and Khumjung; descend to Kyanjuma We climb steeply out of Namche past the airstrip at Shyangboche to the Everest View Hotel, the highpoint of our day at 3,880m. Built by the Japanese, this spectacularly situated hotel with wonderful views of Everest and Ama Dablam is an ideal place for a tea break. Descending through forest we come to Khumjung, where we have lunch close to the Sir Edmund Hillary School. After lunch, we walk up to Kunde and visit the Edmund Hillary Hospital. The twin villages of Kunde and Khumjung are set below Khumbila, the rocky peak sacred to all Sherpas. For much of the walk, we have great views of Ama Dablam and other Himalayan giants. We walk back down through Khumjumg to the monastery. Sadly, it was damaged in the earthquake but is now being repaired. Inside is a small box and after paying the entry fee (which goes towards the repairs) - we will be shown the only Yeti scalp in the world! Descending to the main trail we spend the night at Kyanjuma. Paul Goldstein and his support team will join us at the lodge in Kyanjuma this evening. Look out for the tiger suit coming around the mountain! Paul will accompany you from this point onwards, until the day after the marathon (30th May), when he will get a head start back to Lukla and Kathmandu. Tea-house (sleeping altitude 3,600m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 22 MAY - Trek through the Sherpa heartland to the monastery at Thyangboche for superb mountain views This morning we descend to the river; we cross it at the little settlement of Phunki Thangkha at 3,250m, then climb steeply through the forest to Thyangboche at 3,867m. We will be here by lunchtime, and in the afternoon we will visit the famous monastery. The sunset and sunrise on the fantastic panorama of mountains surrounding us are not to be missed - Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse and Ama Dablam provide a wonderful backdrop to our teahouse. Look out for Himalayan Tahr in the forest surrounding the monastery. Tea-house (sleeping altitude 3,870m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 7 23 MAY - Continue up the Khumbu Valley and then the Imja Valley to Dingboche We descend through the forest to Devoche and a little further on we cross the rushing Imja Khola, whose valley we now follow. Climbing steadily, the trail enters Pangboche, at 3,900m, the highest permanent settlement in this valley. Ascending the valley, we have lunch at Shomore, after which we leave the trees behind and cross a wooden bridge at the confluence of the Khumbu and Imja Kholas. A short steep climb brings us to Dingboche, at 4,350m, a summer settlement where great peaks surround us. Tea-house (sleeping altitude 4,350m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 24 MAY - Spend the day at Dingboche for acclimatisation We spend the day at Dingboche to continue our acclimatisation. Those adapting well to the altitude can climb Nangkartshang Peak at 5,100m for great views of Makalu, Lhotse, Chalotse, Tawoche and Ama Dablam. Tea-house Meals included: Breakfast Day 9 25 MAY - Continue the ascent to Lobuje The trail climbs steeply out of Dingboche past a chorten and ascends the valley gradually to Dugla at the end of the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. From here we have a short, steep climb up to Chukpo Lari, a beautiful, yet poignant place where there is a line of memorials in tribute to the climbers who have died on Everest and from where we have a beautiful panorama of the peaks lying on the Nepal-Tibet border. The trail then eases off as we follow the valley to Lobuje, a tiny hamlet with a few teahouses. The sunset on Nuptse is not to be missed. Tea-house (sleeping altitude 4,930m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 10 26 MAY - Follow the Khumbu Glacier to Gorak Shep; optional ascent of Kala Pattar We leave early and follow the Khumbu Glacier northwards to Gorak Shep (5,184m). The trail undulates up and down the moraine with some short steep sections. The trail is rocky in places as we are now on the lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. It will take us 3-4 hours to reach Gorak Shep where we will have a rest and something to eat. In the afternoon we climb steeply above Gorak Shep to the small peak of Kala Pattar, 'Black Rock', at 5,545m from where we can look down over the base camps of the various Everest expeditions. This climb affords a magnificent view of the Khumbu Glacier and above all a close-up view of the world's highest mountain. We return to Gorak Shep for the night. We will need to reorganise our kitbags tonight. Tomorrow morning, we will leave our main luggage at Gorak Shep and take with us to Base Camp only a small bag with enough gear for the next 2 nights and for race day. Exodus porters will take your smaller bag to Base Camp before doubling back to collect your main kitbag from Gorak Shep on their way back to Namche. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 5,184m) (Trek Profile: 3.5-4 hrs walking Lobuje to Gorak Shep and 4 hrs up and down Kala Pattar) Meals included: Breakfast Day 11 27 MAY - Continue along the lateral moraine to Everest Base Camp. Camp overnight A short but tough walk to Everest Base Camp. We start by walking across the sandy flat at Gorak Shep and climb onto the lateral moraine of the Khumbu glacier. The trail ascends the side of the glacier for a couple of hours before finally descending onto the rocky glacial moraine itself. The trail winds up and down through fascinating ice seracs to the area known as Everest Base Camp, which in spring is full of expedition teams as they prepare to climb the mountain. We walk past the base camp rock (5300m), which is covered in prayer flags and where the normal trekking groups go to, and continue through the rocky moraine into the actual base camp. We will get to our camp by lunchtime, report to the marathon organisers, and the afternoon is free to gaze in awe at our surroundings. We will be right below the Khumbu Ice Fall and we can appreciate just how difficult it is to negotiate a route through the huge blocks of ice. Nuptse towers above us and Pumori rears up behind us. Full-service camping (sleeping altitude 5,364m) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 12 28 MAY - Everest Marathon briefing and mock race. Camp overnight There will be a full marathon briefing and a mock race today. Participants may be required to report to the race doctors who are stationed here prior to tomorrow's race. As excitement and anticipation builds, we spend the rest of the day gently exploring the area around Base Camp to acclimatise and prepare for tomorrow's race. We may be able to meet climbing Sherpas preparing for or returning from their summit climb and may well be able to watch climbers as they ascend/descend the Khumbu Ice Fall. If it is there (and they are quiet), we can visit the Everest ER medical tent. Full-service camping (sleeping altitude 5,364m) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 13 29 MAY - MARATHON DAY: Everest Base Camp to Namche Bazaar We'll be up early to eat some breakfast before the race - it's recommended to finish eating approx. 2 hours before. The race starts at 07:00 in the morning (around sunrise). Exodus' Paul Goldstein and his striped tiger suit will be ready and raring to undertake this endurance test in support of the 'Worth More Alive' campaign, raising money to protect the endangered Bengal tiger... wish him and his feline friend luck! The first approx. 5km present the most challenging terrain of the marathon as the trail crosses back over the rocky, boulder-strewn Khumbu Glacier back to Gorak Shep. Joining the main Everest trail, the footing becomes easier. The route descends through Lobuche (9.6km/6mi, 4,940m) and on to Dingboche (17.3km/10.7, 4,359m), where runners will make a loop at Biber before continuing along the Imja Valley. Orsho (21km/13mi) marks the half way point and you should really start to notice the higher oxygen levels here. Continue through Pangboche (27.5km/17.1, 4,012m), Deboche, Tengboche (32.6km/20.3, 3,868m) to Phunki Tenga (34km/21.1) - here you cross a bridge over the river and tackle the longest climb of the race, ascending 523m up to Khunde. The marathon culminates with one last descent past the Hillary School into Namche Bazaar (3,550m). Any supporting non-runners will be waiting in Namche to cheer you on over the finish line! It's not surprising that a Nepali runner, Mr. Deepak Rai, holds the record, with a staggeringly rapid time of 3 hours 28minutes and 27 seconds (2006). Noodle soup or porridge will be available at Dingboche. Your main kitbag that you left at Gorak Shep will be waiting for you in Namche. Your smaller bag that you left at Base Camp will arrive either later today or early tomorrow morning. Teahouse (sleeping altitude 3,550m) Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 14 30 MAY - Descend to Monzo Spend a leisurely morning resting or exploring Namche before making the short descent to Monzo. Paul will part ways with us again today, setting off for Lukla and the journey back to Kathmandu. Tea-house (sleeping altitude 2,850m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 15 31 MAY - Continue to Lukla We retrace our steps to Chaunrikhara where we start the last climb to the airstrip at Lukla. Tea-house (sleeping altitude 2,800m) Meals included: Breakfast Day 16 1 JUNE - Fly to Manthali (Ramechhap) airport and transfer to Kathmandu We fly back to Manthali (Ramechhap) airport and transfer to our hotel in Kathmandu. Please note that at this time of day there can be heavy traffic, especially coming into Kathmandu itself, and the drive is likely to take 5 hours or more. (Occasionally flights may run directly from Lukla to Kathmandu, in which case we will use these instead if possible.) Royal Singi Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 17 2 JUNE - Free day in Kathmandu to explore the city Today is free for sightseeing in Kathmandu (it is also a spare day to allow for any delays in the flights to or from Lukla). You may wish to visit the monkey temple at Swayambunath, one of the largest Buddhist Stupas in the world at Bodnath, or the most important Hindu temple in the valley at Pashupatinath. We offer a full range of sightseeing tours which can be booked and paid for locally. Please see the Optional Excursions section within the Trip Notes or the Exodus notice board in the hotel in Kathmandu. Royal Singi Hotel Meals included: Breakfast Day 18 3 JUNE - Fly to London The tour ends in after breakfast. Those on the group flights will be transferred to the airport in time for the daytime flight back to London. Meals included: Breakfast
Nepal Most nationalities require a visa for Nepal, which can be obtained in advance or on entry (at present, the Immigration Department of Nepal have suspended 'visas on arrival' for certain nationalities - please check if this applies to you). All Nepal tourist visas are multiple entry. We recommend that you apply in advance as queues on arrival can be very long – applications can be made directly through the Nepal Embassy (by post or in person) or through our recommended visa agency, Travcour. The current cost for a visa in advance is GB£20 for a 15-day visa and GB£35 for a 30-day visa for UK passport holders (plus processing and postage fees if applying through Travcour). The current cost for a visa on arrival is US$30 for 15 days, US$50 for 30 days, or US$125 for 90 days for UK passport holders. The fee can be paid for in any major currency at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. On arrival in the immigration hall there are 3 queues (if you have obtained a visa in advance go straight to (3) - immigration): (Step 1) Fill in a 'Tourist Visa' form: either online before travel (recommended) via the Department of Immigration website - print the submission receipt with barcode (valid for 15 days) and bring it with you, or use the electronic kiosk machines on arrival at the airport. If using the kiosks, after inserting your passport the machine will automatically fill out an application form, take an electronic photograph of you and print a paper slip. If the machine won’t read your passport you can complete the details manually using the touch screen. We recommend taking 1 passport photo with you just in case. (Step 2) Proceed to the visa fees collection counter and pay the visa fee (we advise to take some cash) – make sure to keep the receipt. (Step 3) Lastly, go to the relevant immigration desk and present your tourist visa form, payment receipt and passport to obtain your 15, 30 or 90-day visa stamp. Please check you have been given the correct visa duration. Non-UK nationals should check requirements with their nearest embassy (a few nationalities are not permitted visas on arrival).
Nepal There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. There is low to no risk of malaria throughout Nepal and antimalarial tablets are not usually advised although may be considered for certain higher risk groups; you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. The risk is highest in the low lying southern ‘terai’ districts bordering India. A yellow fever certificate is only required if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or for travellers having transited for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of transmission. Dengue fever is a known risk in Nepal. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. As of August 2019, there has been a recent outbreak of Dengue fever in southeast Nepal and we therefore recommend you take extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites (such as wearing full length trousers, long sleeves and applying insect repellent during the day as well as at dawn and dusk). Most of our trips to Nepal go to high altitudes where there is a risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness. Our itineraries are designed to enable everyone to acclimatise to these altitudes, but you should be aware that it is still possible for you to be affected. Please refer to the Altitude Warning within the Trip Notes for further advice on AMS.
Hotels, Lodges & Camping This tour spends three nights in a comfortable hotel in Kathmandu, eleven nights in lodges (teahouses) and two nights full-service camping at Everest Base Camp. In Kathmandu we usually stay at the Hotel Royal Singi, located within walking distance of the Thamel district. All rooms have en suite facilities and there is a restaurant, a bar and an outdoor courtyard. There is complimentary Wi-Fi throughout. There is an Exodus desk in the hotel lobby and an Exodus representative will usually be available daily in the mornings and evenings. The teahouses are basic but adequate; please be realistic about what to expect in the mountains. The hub of the teahouse is the dining room, usually decorated with colourful traditional rugs, sometimes with a stove or heater (some lodges charge a fee to put the heater on). Most teahouses sell snacks and other essentials such as tissues, soap and toilet paper. Almost all lodges have electricity but it is not wholly reliable and lighting may not be bright enough to read by – a torch is essential. Electrical charging facilities are generally available only in the dining room (charged at approx. Rs150-350 per hour per device). Most lodges in the Everest region offer Wi-Fi. - below Kyanjuma you have to pay for it in each lodge (approx. NPR500 per stay). Above Kyanjuma you can buy an Everest link data card for about NPR2000 that should work in all the lodges above Kyanjuma. Sometimes the Wi-Fi may not work because of the poor network coverage or power cuts. We book twin-share bedrooms throughout this trek. Beds with foam mattresses, bedsheets and a pillow are provided. Bedrooms are unheated and can get cold at night so you will need to bring or hire a sleeping bag. Most lodges have only one or two basic toilets and sometimes these are located outside the main lodge building. Toilets are usually Asian ’squat’ style; although many lodges have now installed ‘western style’ seated ones. Toilet paper is not provided so you should bring your own or buy it locally (please dispose of it the bin provided – do not put it in the bowl). If there is not a flush handle, there should be a container of water to pour down – if it is empty (or frozen) please either refill it or ask the lodge to. Some lodges now have hot 'showers' (charged at approx. Rs250-500 per shower). Sometimes a hot shower is simply a bucket of hot water and not a shower head. Standards of cleanliness vary especially in the peak trekking season and in winter when the water freezes at night. As a general rule, the higher altitude you go to, the more basic the lodges and the more expensive food and services become. The lodges at Gorak Shep are very basic. Please report any problems to your leader or the lodge and be vigilant in your personal hygiene regime – use soap or hand sanitizer gel before and after toilet breaks, snacks and meal times. For the two nights camping, mattresses are provided and you will sleep in tents pitched on the glacial moraine. There will be a dining tent with chairs, toilet tents and full camp staff. All food and hot drinks, snacks and water are provided whilst camping. Extra Accommodation If you require any additional accommodation in Kathmandu either before or after the tour, Exodus can book this for you (subject to availability), please enquire with your Sales Consultant. Single Accommodation If you prefer your own room, we offer a single supplement for the hotel nights in Kathmandu only (subject to availability). While in the tea-houses and camping, single rooms/tents cannot be guaranteed but if a single room is available in the lodge that night, you can pay locally on a day by day basis.
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