Everest Base Camp
PRE TRIP ESSENTIALS
Get these things sorted now…
So, you’ve spoken with Phil and his team, and you’re now booked to join us and fellow Conquerors on the trip of a lifetime in Nepal – to get to Everest Base Camp!
Below are a few things you’ll need to start thinking about and preparing for before embarking on your trip with us.
Travel Insurance - Get it Now
Travel insurance is compulsary on a Conqueror Adventures trip. We recommend World Nomads for our trips, as their cover includes medical cover, repatriations in emergencies and tour cancellation.
Get in touch with them directly!
You may also have a travel insurer who you have worked with in the past but please remember to make sure they will cover you for our destinations.
Book your flights
The sooner you get on to your flights, the better. You may have a travel agent you regularly work with for your travel requirements, so get on to them asap.
You might also like to check out the following flight websites to shop around for the best deals. And remember – you can fly in to Kathmandu at ANY time on day 1 of the Everest Base Camp trip, and depart at any time on the last day of the trip (Day 12).
Trip Advisor Flights – https://www.tripadvisor.com/CheapFlightsHome
Getting Physically Prepared
The Everest Base Camp Trek requires a good level of fitness. While it’s impossible to assess your individual level of readiness to embark on this trip from afar, there are a few general rules that we can apply in order for you to get into great physical shape for the trip.
Practice Hikes – Find some local trails, hike through your town, or just get out and walk. Get used to long walks. Learn where your body struggles and how far you can push yourself. You’ll be amazed at how far you can go once you get used to pushing through the first wave of discomfort.
Training Program (2X per week):
- Hike or take a long walk
- Build up to 5-6 hours with minimal rests
- Choose hilly, uneven terrain whenever possible
- Wear your daypack and slowly increase the weight of its contents to 25lbs over time
OR
Gym Program – If you don’t have access to good trails, here is a basic training program that will prepare you for Everest Base Camp using a treadmill and stair machine. If you don’t have access to these machines, a running track in the park or going around the neighborhood will work just as well.
Training Program (2X per week)
- 45 minutes on the treadmill hill setting at a walk or slow job
- 10 minutes stair-stepping machine for at a speed of 30-45 steps per minute
- 5 minutes slow walk with no incline to catch your breath
- Repeat 2-3X
Increase the time of each interval as you’re able. For additional strength training, adding 3 sets each of 30 lunges and squats to build those leg muscles. Watch your form, and make sure you’re stretching after!
Breaking in your Hiking Boots - Do It Now!
OK, so first things first – you’ll need hiking BOOTS, with ankle support and they’ll need to be able to keep moisture out. They’ll also need to be sturdy enough with good stiching and construction. For unbiased reviews of hiking boots, check out Outdoor Gear Lab’s 2022 hiking boots review: https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/shoes-and-boots/best-hiking-boots
Now go and hike in them, and do it regularly until you leave for the trip. The more you can break in your boots – i.e. get them moulded to your feet – the better. There’s NOTHING worse than finding that your hiking boots are giving you blisters or are uncomfortable when you’re halfway through a trek.
Travel Documentation
There’s always at least a little bit of bureaucracy to deal with, and Nepal is no different.
Visas are currently required for Australian, New Zealand, US, Canadian or UK/EU passport holders wishing to visit Nepal. If you are outside these regions, please check with your embassy. You can also check the Visa HQ website for up todate information.
To obtain a Nepal visa, you can simply purchase this on arrival in Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu at a cost of US$50 (It’s essentially an arrival tax). Or you can get this in advance by contacting the nearest Nepal Embassy near you. most people simply aquire the visa upon arrival.
Bringing Money And Changing Money
The Nepaese Rupee is the offical currency of Nepal. Kathmandu has a large number of exchange centers, most of them in Thamel, the tourist hub of the city. Foreign currency can be changed in many places here and you can also exchange foreign currency for the Nepalese rupee at the airport itself or in banks. You can also use your debit or credit card at many places of commerce.
There are also ATMs in Kathmandu where you can withdraw local Nepalese Rupees using your debit or credit card.
Above all, bringing a small amount of USD in cash with you is advisable so you can quickly obtain local currency upon your arrival.
COVID Travel Documentation/Requirements
You’ll need to check with your airline as to what their requirements are regarding coid travel safety.
May 19th 2022 Update: You no longer need a COVID-19 test to travel to Nepal if you’re fully vaccinated. Most pandemic restrictions have now been lifted. However, you’ll still need to present your COVID-19 vaccination certificate on arrival in Nepal.
Gear and Gear Rental
Please see oue Everest Base Camp gear list here: https://theconqueroradventures.com/everest-base-camp-gear-list/
If you are looking to rent gear from us, get in touch with us directly. Note – items unavailable for rent are – Rain jackets, hiking boots, beanies, hats.
Adding Pre and Post Trip Accommodation
If you’re arriving into Kathmandu before Day 1 of the trip, and/or leaving after the last day of the trip (Day 12), and you require extra accommodation to be booked for you, let us know and we can do this, and we’ll add this to your final balance invoice. We’ll be able to provide you with options for this.
Dietary and Medical Information
We know you’ve already provided these details to us in your traveler information forms when you booked, but sometimes this important information can evolve or change, so please let us know if we need any updates on your dietary or important medical information.
