EVEREST EXPEDITION

Everest Region with no doubt is the most admired destination in Nepal as it is the region of crowning Mt. Everest (8,848m/29,029ft). It was on 29th May 1953 when the summit of tallest mountain of the world, Mt. Everest was first conquered by two legends Tenzing Norgay Sherpa from Nepal and Sir Edmund Hillary from New Zealand from the Southern slope. Since then, hundreds of climbers have successfully conquered the summit of Mt. Everest.  The Mt. Everest has around 1000 summit attempts every year and has become a benchmark of climbing achievements.

The climbing to the summit of Everest is an incredible experience. This lifetime experience climbing formally starts exactly from the Everest base camp which is positioned at the height of 5300m. Mt. Everest expedition is technically difficult. It needs good physical and mental effort to attempts this type of climbing. Therefore, climbing peaks below 8000m like Island peak, Pisang peak etc. before attempting this expedition is highly suggested. The climb takes us along the normal route via the south Col, crossing the base camp and additional four camps in Mt. Everest at approximately 5800, 6200m, 7200m and 8000m respectively.

Afterwards we cross the last section known as Hillary step to reach summit. The Hillary step is the most difficult section throughout the climbing period. The Southside route is technically straightforward and easy than the north side. It is also the most frequently-used and busy route than the northeast ridge from China. But we should be aware of the potential sudden weather changes and the risks involved. The weather in Everest is unpredictable. Therefore a good preparation before climbing is highly suggested.

Everest region consists of two main climbing routes, the southeast ridge from Nepal and the northeast ridge from China. The northeast ridge is technically difficult and less frequently climbed route. The southeast ridge is the route used by Hillary and Tenzing in 1953. Moreover it is the first recognized route of fifteen routes to the top by 1996.

Day 01:  Arrival at Kathmandu and transfer to hotel

Day 02: Kathmandu sightseeing program

Day 03: Preparation day for expedition

Day 04: Fly to Lukla (2886m), & trek to Phakding (2640m.), 3 hr O/N lodge/camp

Day 05: Trek to Namche Bazaar (3440 m.), 5 hrs..

Day 06: Rest at Namche Bazaar for acclimatization and excursion

Day 07: Trek to Tyangboche (3867 m.) 5hrs. O/N lodge/camp

Day 08: Trek to Dingboche (4260m.) 5hrs. O/N lodge/camp

Day 09: Rest at Dingboche for acclimatization and excursion

Day 10: Trek to Lobuche (4930 m.), 6 hrs. O/N lodge/camp

Day 11: Trek to Kala Patthar via Gorakshep O/N lodge/camp

Day 12: Trek to & from Everest Base camp (5545 m).O/N lodge/camp

Day 13-53: Mount Everest Climbing period

Day 54: Trek to Pheriche (4240 m). O/N lodge/camp

Day 55: Trek to Tyangboche (3860 m.), 4 hrs. O/N lodge/camp

Day 56: Trek to Monjo. O/N lodge/camp

Day 57: Trek to Lukla. O/N lodge/camp

Day 58: Fly back from Lukla to Kathmandu & transfer to hotel

Day 59: Rest day in Kathmandu. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu

Day 60: Final departure

Meals on Mountaineering Expeditions and Treks:

The food varieties and meals on trekking and Mountaineering Expeditions are all prepared healthy and balance food in all trips with varieties of choices on menu as per the cooks ration, it also depends entirely on the travel destination as per your choice of trips with Traveltimes Treks. Normally all foods carried for the trips have 3 set of meals that’s breakfast-lunch and dinner includes morning wake up tea / coffee and biscuits and afternoon tea as well. Dining on trekking trip, supported by separate kitchen unit includes head cook, 02nd cook kitchen staffs with guides and porters. The food varies day to day so that the clients with Traveltimes Treks won’t’ get bored with the same type of menu. Most of the food supplies are carried from Kathmandu of excellent quality and keeping in mind with all hygiene and quality product when it is purchased; When the meals are served you’ll be amazed at the Nepal treks usually with a healthy breakfast, a lunch and a dinner of what it comes up with our kitchen team and excellent prepared dishes with the existing kitchen.

Food for Expeditions:

In all our expeditions we strongly rely on our kitchen team, as good food is very important and to keep all the members fit throughout the trip and to provide a good performance. In the base camp we provide three meals a day including bed tea as wake up call with cookies. It is good that some members should carry some home made products for their own use that’s what’s not found in Nepal. In food store in Kathmandu nearly all Western and Asian food products are available in good quality.

Pack Lunch and snacks:

It is important that expeditions member who have big appetite should carry some snacks with them such as Mars Bars or Energy Bar or Biscuits to keep them going till lunch is ready as in expeditions and trekking lunch time depending upon the right spot with clean water and place to cook the meals, this can be 3-4 hrs after breakfast, as this will be a hot cooked lunch in the meantime you can use your snacks till the lunch is ready.

Nights in a hotel:

We are very careful in choosing the right types of Hotels in Kathmandu or Lodge on route trekking by offering the best possible qualities during your adventure journey or when trekking itself. Please note that the standard of accommodation in each place may vary from one lodge to another. Thus, trekking in Nepal in a “lodge” (a typical local inn) which has minimum western facilities due to altitude and harsh terrain, but lower some lodge are better than the higher ones due to high elevation and extreme cold conditions, however all these lodge are neat and hygienic and cozy with good food menus and friendly service.

Tea House/Lodge Trekking:

Most of the Lodge on trekking route such as Annapurna-Everest and Langtang region have simple but comfortable rooms due to high terrain and cold temperature to accommodate in attach bathroom would be disaster as the plumbing system will be hard to function in this type of high country and harsh climate, most of the lodge on route are limited, so we try to adjust all our clients on twin sharing basis in rooms with two separate beds in one rooms whatever the region most of the lodge rooms offers excellent views of the mountains and landscapes, most of our trip in lodge treks are of common bathrooms basis in places for extra charge is added especially in hot showers please let the owners know about this. The Dining are warm with pot bellied stoves fed by yak and cow dung fuels we do not allow fire wood as we are with the eco system and discourage wood burning and deforestation. Some lodge might have solar energy to keep the place warm and to recharge the battery if required. On lodge trekking it minimize the staffs such as kitchen crews, and porters to carry the food and camping equipments. On Lodge trek there will be minimum staff and porters to cater your needs.

Tent nights – Camping:

On Camping we provide the very best quality tents offering a tent each for twin sharing unless booked for single supplement in advance at extra cost. The tents allocation on camping will be the same partner as in the hotel rooms in Kathmandu on arrival before the trek departure. Along with tent we provide good comfortable mats with extra tarpaulin so you won’t get wet in bad weather conditions. People if they carry their own thermal mats for extra comfort can do so.

High camp experience:

As for new trekkers and adventurer high camp will be a real experience camping in absolute wilderness, however, the day will be busy in high camp with a lot of mountaineering work. Normally it is always best to reach the high camp before noon this allows for acclimatization with enough time for cooking and for necessary recovery from the high pressure and altitude. Setting high camp is exhausting normally even the simple task becomes difficult with the increase in altitude and makes strenuous. But to be in good physical and mentally fresh is to have good cooked food with enough nutrition’s.

Important in high camp:

In all high elevation it is rule and must that each member should consume lot of fluids such as water, soups and tea’s, drinking plenty of fluids at high altitude is extremely important, even though you have not sweated. A well balance fluid intake is very important and to maintain your good physical conditions.

Food – high altitude food

Rest and little exercise are the main good acclimatization at high camp especially above 5,500m to 6,000 meters the food prepared won’t be exactly tasty as in the lower altitude due to high pressure and taking time on boiling water temperature as it takes longer than lower elevation, this is when your instant food supply are handy from here onwards till the summit bid, high proteins and carbohydrates food are necessary and intake of fluids to keep you physically fit is very important.

Equipment and Gears

Very important how you prepare for the extreme weather conditions take all necessary gear with you, when in tents place your equipments and dress carefully so it won’t be a mess in the morning, as in high altitude putting clothes is a hard job, sometime zipper does not work due to cold. Place your inner clothing warm and dry beside you when going to sleep and keep your battery warm for the camera as well. Morning for the next high camp or for summit bid keep the oxygen bottle handy before going to sleep. Socks and boots should be easy to put not frozen this is done in the night time keeping in the safe and dry spot. Wear your dress accordingly as the temperature allows and keep your necessary items handy always. When sharing a tent with fellow members can be a confusion when there’s not much space in the tents so be prepared keeping your gears safe and handy as much as possible to save the energy.

Summit day

For the final summit bid lighter the better for the last push or haul, a light backpack is better with all your necessary items in it like water bottle, gloves, bandages and good chocolate and energy bar extra snow goggles. It is an old saying lighter the better.

Expedition mountaineering generally:

Each expedition are led by our professional mountaineering guides who have led high altitude and climbing for more than two decades, all our climbing staff are well equipped with necessary gears for this type of jobs.

Hazard Statement:

All our programs and itineraries are well planned in advance we try to keep our program as per the itinerary as much as we can, however sometimes due to bad weather conditions it needs a little adjustment, if there’s a danger and too risky when we have to abandoned the climb and just wait for the clear nice weather and turning back to base camp.

Despite all our mountaineering and trekking itineraries in high altitude we always keep the top priority of our clients safety if there’s too much danger due avalanche and snow storms we will plan and decide at the base camp what is necessary plan to be taken and keep you well informed of next steps.

Note summit aims:

As well planned with necessary gear stored in each high camp for the summit attempt a final ascent to the summit will be decided from the base camp as per the weather conditions and change of route if it occurs due to snow slide and avalanche movement this all be taken care before the final climb to the summit and for the high altitude trekking as well.

Philosophy:

As all the mountains are the abode of local holy spirit and god and goddesses in Hindu and as well in Buddhism religion and traditions so to keep the local philosophy and culture intact when climbing the mountains and crossing some high passes, all climbers pray in the local monastery and takes the blessing of the high priest and monks before heading to the desired point and praying at the base camp to respect the local mountain spirit and keeping in mind with the local philosophy, this help all the climbers spiritually and mentally before starting the final attempt this will help to keep the mind fresh and positive from upcoming hazard and to make this trip a successful one.

Concept:

We at Traveltimes Treks is fully committed to keep your adventure safe and sound in all respects, sometimes it all depends among the clients itself whether they have chosen the right trips at the right time, some clients must have booked the adventure by own choice and feel they can able to cope with the conditions what lies ahead. As for some might feel unsafe and insecure, we will make your dream comes true as much we can, as all our expeditions are well planned in advance as per ecological and cultural aspects. The garbage or unwanted waste materials produced or used by us are properly dispose back at the end of the expedition at proper disposal sites and dumping areas. Our staff and guides are present in all expeditions, however, not all guides are leaders we have local leaders as well so that they can give you the in-depth of the country and tradition, our expedition leader jobs are coordination, organization, security expect and of course directly as a consultant for tactical questions place.

All our expeditions are well prepared and perfectly planned with acclimatization days in the program.

Light Luggage

Flight baggage and luggage is better to declare on port of arrival, 20-25 kg are allowed in international flight, the extra weights has to be borne by the clients itself, in domestic flights 20 kg is the limit without weighing the hand baggage assuming as 5 kg, whatever the weight in domestic flight it is better to put your heavy boots and down jackets on flight to minimize the load in bigger baggage. Rest of the heavy gear in the luggage when weigh if it comes to above 20 kg this should be at extra cost as per the airline rules and should be paid on checking, rest of the minor problem on weights will be taken care by us to keep the good service as usual.

Tipping

Tipping is generally expected and part of everyday life. We generally tip our own local staff as a whole. It is also usual to put approximately 1000 rupees into the pot for the Puja or mountain blessing – a very important part of Himalayan climbing

Departure tax

No more departure tax required for international flight but have to pay Rs.1200/- (approx. $ 12/-) for domestic flight.

Terms and condition

Traveltimes Treks Pvt.Ltd is trustworthy company incorporated under the law of Nepal Government (Regd. no. 67189/066/067). Participation in our program means that you, as a client of our services, fully accept these terms and conditions. The term “Company” shall refer to Traveltimes Treks Pvt. Ltd. The term “client/s” refers to the service seekers from the Company.

BOOKING AND PAYMENT OF A TRIP
For booking, the Company sends the booking form. After filling, it has to be returned to the Company. Along with the form, the Company shall request you to deposit 25% amount from total trip cost in our account and provide with scanned passport copy. This will be confirmation of your trip and departure.

Please make payments on our Travel Times Treks (P) Ltd. account:

US Dollar and Euro Account 019 02677500015
Paying Bank : HIMALAYAN BANK LTD
KSK Building, Tridevi Marg, Thamel, Kathmandu.
Ph no.0977-1-4227749, 4250201, Fax no. 00977-1-4222800
SWIFT code: HIMANPKA

If you prefer, you can also pay your holiday balance on arrival in cash or with credit card (Visa & Master card) at the office of Traveltimes Treks. Visa and Master card clients will pay a 3 % handling charge.
We don’t accept cheques due to complicated bank procedures.

Please note that we are not liable of any delay or loss during the transfer process. If in case due to use of mediator bank or any other reasons if the money received by us is less than the amount sent, you are requested upon arrival to pay accordingly so that the total is equivalent to the product cost.

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY

If you must cancel your reservation, you must notify us in writing an email. We calculate your refund on the day we receive written cancellation.

• Number of days [Before Departure] Cancellation
  70 days or more Full Refund
  65 – 50 days 10%
  45 – 35 days 25%
  30 – 15 days 60%
  10 days 90%
  Less than 9 days or no show No Refund

FITNESS AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS:
Clients are required to fulfill minimum health and fitness requirement for the trips and services sought by them. The company must be properly notified of any physical and mental challenges that may result into hindrance and complicacies during the trips. The Company may refuse the trip without refund of the payment made by client/s for the failure of notifying the Company. Some expeditions may require certain level of knowledge and experience of the client/s. The Company is not required to provide any special facilities unless it has agreed to do so in writing though the Company will do its best to meet Clients special requests including dietary. The trip destinations being away from residential areas and away from proper medical service centers, emergency situations have to be properly considered by clients. The Company makes no representations and gives no warranties in relation to the standard of medical facilities. The Company will try its best to insure the safety of its clients.

INSURANCE:
Adequate and valid travel insurance covering accidents, injury, illness and death, medical expenses, including any related to pre-existing medical conditions, emergency repatriation (including helicopter rescue and air ambulance where applicable) and personal liability is compulsory for all travelers. You must carry proof of insurance with you and produce it if reasonably requested by the company employees or suppliers. The Company recommends the insurance against theft, flight delays etc. which is up to clients for decision.

PASSPORT AND VISAS

The visa complications and the validity of the passport shall be the responsibility of the clients and company do not hold the responsibility upon those issues.

RISK AND LIABILITIES

ITINERARY AND PROGRAM:
Though the trips are well planned and prepared, the actual execution of the plans and success of the trips are subject to the weather conditions(heavy rain and show, high winds) and unforeseen and unavoidable events such as natural disasters (avalanche, rock fall etc.), flight delays, accidents, local political disturbance etc. occurring at the sites. The company and/or its staff may make omissions or alterations to the program as seen necessary for the safety of clients and reserve the right to do so.

Responsible Tourism

Clients are expected to abide by the ethical code of conduct meant for tourists whereby our Company’s clients shall not do the activities that may cause environmental, social and cultural damage.

TRIP AMENDMENT
The Company shall try its best to amend the itinerary and programs upon the request by client/s. The amendment is the subject to the time left till the trip begins and other considerations to be agreed by both client/s and the Company including the alteration in the charge resulting from the amendment.

UNUSED OR MISSED SERVICE
The company will not refund money back for the service un-used or missed which are mentioned and agreed in the purchased trip. This includes voluntary/involuntary termination/departure from tour, i.e. sickness, death of a family member etc, late arrival on the tour, or premature departure either voluntarily or involuntarily.

PRIVACY
Both party (clients & Company) agree to protect the confidentiality of each other. Clients’ email and personal details are for the sole purpose of processing inquiries, operating trips and contact clients by the Company. Although the company may use images of clients taken during the trip without any compensation for publicity and promotion through whatever medium.

High Altitude Article
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is an illness or disorder that occurs due to high altitude where there is a substantially lower amount of oxygen available for the person to breathe and may be experienced when the body of individual is not acclimatized properly to the altitude. The air becomes thinner at the high altitude which leads less oxygen to breathe because of lower atmospheric pressure. Acute mountain Sickness commonly occurs when an individual trek or travel above 2,400 meters (8,000 ft). The lack of oxygen in human body leads an individual to adapt new environment or conditions. As a result, individuals breathe faster than usual, gets short of breathe with mental stress and passing urine more frequently.

Causes

High Altitude:
The high altitude is the main cause for Acute Mountain Sickness. There is low atmospheric pressure at high altitude which result presence of less oxygen in the air. Acute mountain Sickness commonly occurs when an individual trek or travel above 2,400 meters (8,000 ft).

Improper Acclimatization:
An individual may be experienced Acute Mountain Sickness when their body is not acclimatized properly to the altitude. Altitude acclimatization is the process of adjusting human body to decreasing oxygen level at the high altitude. The trekkers may have to spend more than couple of nights at same place to adjust their body with the altitude.

Dehydration:
As we trek to the higher altitude, higher rate of water vapor evaporate from the lungs. Due to less presence of water in our body, we may experience Acute Mountain Sickness.

Rapid Ascent:
Some trekkers try to cover some destination within the short period of time. This leads person suffer from Acute Mountain Sickness.
Symptoms

Primary Symptoms
• Loss of Sleep
• Dizziness
• Fatigue/ Fatigue/weakness
• Headache
• Poor appetite
• Nausea or vomiting
• Rapid pulse (heart rate)
• Shortness of breath with stress
• Cough

Severe Symptoms

• Blue color to the skin (cyanosis)
• Chest tightness or congestion
• Confusion
• Raspy dry cough
• Coughing up blood
• Gradual loss of consciousness
• Unsteady gait
• Blur Vision
• Shortness of breath at rest

Prevention

Acclimatization:
The proper adjustment of human body to the decreasing oxygen level avoids the risks of Acute Mountain Sickness. The trekkers may have to spend more than couple of nights at same place to adjust their body with the altitude.

Medicines:
The drug ‘Acetazolamide’ (Diamox) helps to reduce the impacts of Acute Mountain Sickness on human body. You can get this drug in any Medical store here in Nepal. This drug is effective if started early in the course of AMS.

Descend to lower Altitude:
As soon as the symptoms are seen, we should move to the lower altitude to avoid the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness. The presence of oxygen is more in the lower altitude than higher altitude.

Other methods:

• Drink plenty of liquids but avoid alcoholic drinks
• Consume high calorie diet
• Ascent Gradually at high altitude
• Avoid smoking
• Sleep at a lower altitude when possible

Please remember that every trekker or climber feels normal altitude symptoms. Every trekker will experience some or all of these, no matter how slowly they ascend. Nevertheless, our professional trekking crew members (from trek operators to assistance guide) are highly acknowledged about acute mountain sickness and regular first aid courses to tackle any emergency situation. Moreover, we are able to evacuate seriously ill group members by helicopter if needed.

• 5 nights 4 star standard hotels in Kathmandu with bed & breakfast.
• Mt. Everest peak permit Fee ($15,000 per person).
• Sagarmatha National Park Fee.
• SPCC Fee.
• Liaison officer insurance, wedge and equipment allowance.
• Helicopter Rescue insurance for Nepali staffs.
• Each member 8 oxygen bottle and 1 regulator mask and set (2 regulators and mask will be carried extra for safety purpose).
• Each climbing Sherpa and climbing leader 5 bottle oxygen and regulator and mask set.
• Generator or Solar panel at Base Camp for light and devices charging
• Sleeping Tent (There will be individual tent at base camp. Above Base camp, two persons will share a single tent).
• Lodging and catering service (from Lukla to Base camp we will do lodge trek. These lodges provide both satisfactory lodging and foods. At base camp and Camp2, our well experienced kitchen staffs prepare excellent foods. For camp1 and camp3 high altitude food and energy drinks and bars will be provided. The foods provided by our company will be very hygienic, highly nutritious and of great varieties).
• 1 experience high altitude Sherpa.
• Base camp services (heated dining tent, Tables, Chairs, Toilet tent, Kitchen tent and shower tent, store tent, kitchen crew)
• Gamow bag (at base camp only),
• Oxygen and regulator mask at each camp for medical purposes.
• Camp 2 services (dining tent, Kitchen tent toilet tent, 1 cook and 2 helpers.
• Mountain guide and climbing Sherpa, Daily wages, equipment allowance and load ferry and summit bonus.
• Base camp cook, helper and camp2 cook and helper daily wages and equipment allowance.
• Porters or Yak charges for carrying gears, food, fuel and equipment from Lukla to Base camp and back.
• Transportation: Kathmandu to Lukla and return flight tickets for the members & flight cargo for the food and equipment.
• Garbage Deposit.
• Communication (1 walkie talkie for each member and climbing guide and Sherpa , 2 radio base station at base camp and camp2, internet at base camp.
• Satellite phone in payable basis (per minute $ 5)

• International flight to and from Kathmandu
• Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
• Laundry, postage, telephone calls and all other items of personal nature.
• Entry visa and Re-entry for Nepal.
• International departure tax.
• Personal Expenses.
• Medical and rescue insurance.
• Personal Climbing equipment
• Bar Bills and beverage
• Medicine and first aid expenses
• Emergency rescue evacuation if required and
• Local mobile phone service