Nepal – Everest Base Camp

Experience Required

You should have above 4000m trekking experience. You will be trekking from 2800m to above 5000m in undulating mountain terrain with a personal backpack load of 5-6kg for more than 10 days. Days are filled with long hours of walking, going up and down the mountain route through villages and cross many swinging bridges. After Namche Bazzar, you will be trekking and sleeping at above 4000m. At the altitude above 4000m, the air is thin and weather is more hash.

Equipment and Gear

You will need thermal base layers, a fleece jacket and an outer shell jacket. When at the tea house, after sundown and at above 4000m, a down jacket will help keep you warm. A down sleeping bag is also needed and provided.

A packing list will be provided to all our participants. Please refer to our Resource Centre page to learn about the layering system and choose the right gear/equipment for your trek.

2024

2025

• Dates listed are for open international group
• You can also form a private group. For enquiry, send an email to us at [email protected]

Inclusions

• Return airport transfer in Kathmandu
• Return domestic KTM-Lukla airfare (max 15kg check in baggage)
• All land transfer as indicated in itinerary
• Half day city tour in Kathmandu
• Meals as indicated in itinerary
• Twin/Trip sharing accommodation in Kathmandu and in teahouse during trek
• Trek gear: Sleeping mats, sleeping bags, down jacket and duffel bags
• Trek support: Climbing guide, assistant climbing guide and porters (1 porter to 1 trekker for open international group)
• Boiled drinking water, tea and coffee during meals on trek
• Permits & fees: Trekking permit (TIMS) fee; Sagarmatha National Park entry fee
• Portable oxygen cylinder and comprehensive first aid kit.

Exclusions

• International air tickets, airline taxes and fuel surcharge
• Visa Fee
• Single Supplement
• Meals not indicated in itinerary
• All tipping (Budget around 10-15% of the package fee per trekker for the tip for the trekking crew)
• Personal porters
• Personal travel insurance (mandatory to cover travel agent insolvency and trekking up to 6000m)
• Personal expenses like shopping, laundry etc
• Personal services during trek like hot shower, WIFI usage and charging of electronic appliances etc
• Personal travel & trekking gear – warm clothing, shoes, backpacks etc
• Emergency evacuation and medical expenses
• Compensation for damaged or lost of personal items (eg: climbing/trekking gear and equipment, cameras and any valuable items etc)
• Any expenses including accommodation, meals & transfer outside the stipulated trek/climb itinerary – i.e. any person leaving the group for personal travel, illness/injury or any form of extension of stay
• NEW* Pre-departure COVID-19 Test in Singapore; Pre-departure COVID-19 test in Nepal before returning to Singapore; Serve Stay-Home-Notice (SHN) in Singapore & PCR test before the end of SHN

Please refer to the latest Travel Health Control Measures (Category I, II, III,IV): 
https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/shn-and-swab-summary

Support from Ace Adventure Expeditions

We provide pre-trip support to prepare you for the climb:
1. Trip briefing and information kit
2. Gear list and gear discount from selected Singapore outdoor outfitters
3. Training guideline kit
4. Rope skill workshop (For climbs that require rope up and/or fixed rope skill)

We carefully select and establish strong working relationship with our local trek operator to ensure safe participation by everyone. Our local partner is the top 10 companies out of around 2000 trekking companies in Nepal, awarded by the Nepal Mountaineering Association.

Our local climbing guides have extensive experience in guiding treks in all regions in Nepal, possess  intimate knowledge of the local surroundings, conditions and culture and are trained in wilderness 1st aid and emergency rescue. They carry a portable oxygen cylinder, pulse oximeter and comprehensive first aid kit for emergency purpose.

Fair Treatment to Porters

Our porter to trekker ratio is 1:1. This is to ensure fair treatment to the porters that each porter does not carry an excessive heavy load for the duration of the trek. The 1:1 ration also helps to create more jobs for the locals who work as porters for a living.

Visa

A visa for Nepal can be obtained on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu and at border entry points in Kakadvitta, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Gaddachowki on the Nepal-India border and Kodari on the Nepal-China border. Outside of Nepal, a visa can also be obtained at the nearest Nepal Embassy or Diplomatic Mission.

Nationals from Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan will need to obtain visa from Nepal Embassies or Diplomatic Missions in their respective countries, as they do not get visa on arrival at the immigration entry points of Nepal.

For first visit in one visa year (January to December), gratis visa for 30 days is available only for nationals of South Asian countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Indian nationals do not require visa to enter into Nepal.

For latest updates and details of visa application, please visit http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np/page/tourist-visa.

Money

There are plenty of moneychangers located in Thamel in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Some moneychangers may ask for a photocopy of your passport to complete the transaction. Rates are very competitive and usually better than outside of Nepal. Currencies widely accepted for exchange include USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, SGD, etc.

ATM machines are available in Kathmandu and Pokhara. It is advisable to take cash with you when travelling to the more remote areas of Nepal and when trekking as the nearest ATM may be only in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Major credit cards are widely accepted in hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Restaurants that cater mainly to foreigners accept credit cards too. However, many of the smaller and local restaurants and shops prefer or accept only cash payments. It is best to carry and make payment in cash. If paying using a credit card, do check if the credit card service fee is absorbed by the shop or charged back to the credit card holder.

Electricity

Nepal’s electricity is 230V and 50HZ. There are three types of plugs used in Nepal. Two-pronged round pins commonly used in Europe (Type C), three-pronged round pins (Type D) and three-pronged large round pins (Type M).

Nepal does not produce enough electricity and energy distribution is poor throughout the country. In order to equally distribute Nepal’s limited energy throughout the country, the government plans power cuts in advance, especially in winter. Such power cuts, known as “load shedding” can last as long as more than 10 hours. In cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara, the restaurants, cafes, shops and hotels catering to tourists mostly have their own power generators to continue electricity supply to sustain their business operations during the power cuts. The electricity, however, can still be intermittent. Voltage fluctuation and blackouts are common.

Language

It is quite easy to get by with English in Nepal; most of the service staff in hotels, restaurants and shops in Kathmandu and Pokhara speak good English.

Along the main trekking trails, particularly the Annapurna and Everest regions, English are widely understood. However, it is interesting and advantageous to learn at least a little Nepali and it is quite an easy language to pick up. Nepali is closely related to Hindi and, like Hindi, is a member of the Indo-European group of languages.

There is one Nepali word every visitor soon picks up – Namaste. Strictly translated it means I salute the god in you, but it is used as an everyday greeting encompassing everything from ‘Hello’ to ‘How are you?’ and even ‘see you again soon’. Properly used, it should be accompanied with the palms pressed together, the Nepali gesture, which is the equivalent of westerners shaking hands.

Food

There are dozens of tourist restaurants clustered in Thamel, Kathmandu and Lake Side, Pokhara, serving everything from Middle Eastern, European, Western, Mexican to Asian cuisines. Indian and Nepali dishes are always the best tasting — and best priced. Among all, Nepali and Newari cuisine are very popular. Nepali favourite dish ‘Momo’ (dumplings) is world-renowned. Dal, Bhat, Kukhura ko Masu, Tarkari & Achar: A typical Nepali set meal consists of rice, lentil, chicken curry, vegetables and pickle. Do not hesitate to state your preference for spiciness. Those who venture into smaller places are often rewarded with better prices. Inspect your bill and count your change before leaving.

In general, set aside around Rs300-500 per dinner and slightly lesser for breakfast and lunch, depending on what, where and how well you want to eat per meal.

• Coke & other soft drinks – Rs45 per bottle
• Indian meals with chapatis – Rs150-200
• Fried rice/noodle – Rs200-300
• Pizza – Rs250-700
• Steak – Rs500-1000

Drinking Water

It is strictly not recommended to drink water straight from the tap. It must at least be boiled first or treated with purification tabs. Bottles of mineral water can be easily purchased in hotels, restaurants and supermarkets. Many hotels also provide a small bottle of complimentary mineral water per day to each guest.

Tipping

Giving a tip to tour guides, drivers, and trekking crew such as guides and porters is a common practice in Nepal and an important part of their income. In major hotels and restaurants, service charges may already be included. For service staff in other smaller establishments and taxi drivers in general do not expect a tip from tourists. A tip of Rs20 is sufficient for the bellboy.

Travel Immunization Advice 

There is no compulsory vaccine to be taken to enter Nepal. You should, however, be up to date on routine vaccinations, especially vaccines against water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (examples: hepatitis, typhoid and tuberculosis) while traveling to any destination. You are encouraged to consider having vaccinations before you travel. At least eight weeks before you depart, make an appointment with your doctor or travel clinic for a basic health check-up, and to discuss your travel plans and any implications for your health, particularly if you have an existing medical condition.

Recommended routine vaccinations for travellers in general:

For more information and professional advice on travel vaccinations, please consult your doctor or travel clinic.

For people residing in Singapore, you may visit The Travellers’ Health and Vaccination Clinic (THVC) at Tan Tock Seng Hospital:

Travellers’ Health & Vaccination Clinic
Address: Level 4, Clinic 4B, Tan Tock Seng Hospital Medical Centre
Contact number: 6357 2222
Website : https://www.ttsh.com.sg/Patients-and-Visitors/Medical-Services/Travellers-Health-and-Vaccination-Clinic/Pages/default.aspx

General Health Advice for Nepal

Respiratory Issues

The Kathmandu Valley often has air pollution. People with chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, may suffer exacerbations in Kathmandu, particularly after a viral upper respiratory infection. Exacerbation of chronic respiratory disease has not been a problem for tourists outside Kathmandu.

Viral upper respiratory infections are extremely common, and the percentage of these that lead to bacterial sinusitis or bronchitis is high. Trekkers should consider carrying an antibiotic, such as azithromycin, to empirically treat a respiratory infection that lasts more than 7 days.

Khumbu cough – High Altitude Bronchitis

The Khumbu cough, also known as the high altitude cough, is named after the area in the Everest region, although it is not specific to Everest. Most cases of high-altitude cough have no obvious infectious etiology.Nearly all people who spend time at extreme altitude (over 5500m) will develop some degree of the Khumbu cough. The pathophysiology is thought to be due to the low humidity and sub-zero temperatures experienced at altitude combined with overexertion. The increased breathing rate at high altitude exposes the delicate lung lining to excessive cold air, which often results in dried out membranes and partially damaged bronchi. This causes extreme irritation that manifests itself in the form of a dry, persistent cough, which can restrict breathing. Eventually the cough can be so violent and put so much strain on the chest cavity that it causes its victim to tear chest muscles or break ribs.

Prevention Measures:

Travel Safety Advice 

There is a low rate of serious crime in Nepal. Although Nepal is a safe and stable place, these general travel safety tips may help you along the way. Such basic precautions can keep you and your possessions safe.

Demonstrations & Strikes 

Nepal has a long history of demonstrations and strikes due to many years of political infighting. The political situation has greatly improved and is more stable now but occasionally, demonstrations still occur and they can turn violent. Keep a lookout of news of any impending demonstrations, strikes or curfews; avoid affected areas and do not break curfews.

Scams

Nepali people are generally very friendly and as with many parts of the world, unsuspecting tourists may be easy targets to scams that prey on their fascination of the local culture and kindness. Be aware of scams such as:

• Deals offered by gem dealers that involve you buying stones to sell for a ‘vast profit’ at home. The dealers normally claim they are not able to export the stones without paying heavy taxes, so you take them and meet another dealer when you get home, who will sell them to a local contact and you both share the profit. Except you do not hear from anyone and the gems may be fake.
• Children or young mothers asking for milk. You buy the milk at a designated store at an inflated price, the child then returns the milk and pockets some of the mark-up.
• Be wary of kids who seem to know the capital of any country you can think of; they are charming but a request for money will arrive at some point.
• ‘Holy men’ who do their best to plant a tika (a red paste denoting a blessing) on your forehead, only to then demand significant payment.
• Credit card scams are not unheard of; travellers have bought souvenirs and then found thousands of dollars’ worth of internet porn subscriptions chalked up on their bill.

These are some general tips on travel safety:

• Avoid isolated areas, especially alleys, small streets and stretches of beach.
• Avoid being alone, especially if you are a woman.
• Do not accept drinks or food from someone you do not know, and be sceptical of anyone who comes up to you on the street asking whether you remember them from the airport, your hotel or wherever.
• Duck into a shop if you need to get your bearings or look at a map or suspect that you are being followed.
• Be cognizant of your surroundings.
• Carry your passport, money and other documents in a pouch against your skin, hidden under loose-fitting clothing. Or, better, store valuables in a hotel safe, if there is a reliable one, ideally inside a pouch with a lockable zip to prevent tampering.
• Have your luggage as consolidated as possible, with your valuables well hidden.
• Do not flaunt personal valuables openly.
• If you are mugged, do not fight back. It is better to lose a few dollars and a wristwatch than get injured.

It is also a good practice to register with your respective foreign ministry if there is such a service provided to citizens, to contact you in order to make sure that you are safe and, if need be, assist you should an emergency (e.g. natural disasters, civil unrest, etc.) occur when you are overseas.

For Singaporeans, this is the link to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs eRegister :
https://eregister.mfa.gov.sg/eregisterportal/common/preLoginEregisterView.action.