CHECK LIST

EQUIPMENT CHECK LIST

The equipment and clothing you require depends on where and when you trek. Of course, you will not need the same equipment if you are going up to the Everest Base Camp in the middle of winter or if you are doing a short, low altitude trek.

For Trekking

• One backpack to be carried by the porter with a large plastic bag to put inside the backpack in case of rain
• One light day pack
• One warm sleeping bag, especially if you camp. In tea houses, there is no heating in the rooms
• One pair of waterproof trekking shoes (no need to say that they should not be new!) and three pairs of socks
• One rain coat
• One down-jacket
• One pair of long pants and one pair of short pants
• Three T-shirts, long and short sleeves
• One sweater
• Three pairs of underwear
• One bathing suit (there may be hot springs along the trek)
• One pair of gloves
• One warm hat / one sun hat 
• One pair of sunglasses, with good eye protection if you intend to climb glaciers
• And also: head torch with extra batteries, multi-purpose knife, sun tan lotion, towel, soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, a water bottle to refill it along the trek (in order to avoid buying plastic bottles), iodine / purification drops to treat the water, medicine (band-aids, blister pads, painkillers, stomach pills, anti-diarrhea tablets, antibiotic, sterile plain and crepe bandages, tube of antiseptic cream, decongestants/antihistamines, throat lozenges, paracetamol or aspirin ….), camera equipment, binoculars, walking stick….

Remember that all this equipment can also be bought or rented in Kathmandu

For peak climbing

In addition to the equipment above referenced, you also will need:

• Climbing boots 
• Crampons 
• Ice axe 
• Harness 
• Carabiners 
• Ice screws 
• Snow bars 
• Tapes/slings 
• Rock pegs 
• Helmet (crash hat) 
• Warm climbing trousers 
• Waterproof climbing jacket 
• Gaiters 
• Lightweight thermal/ insulated ski gloves
• Down high altitude sleeping bag 
• Climbing sunglasses 
• Lightweight fleece 
• Fleece/wool for climbing 
• Descenders 
• Ascenders

TREKKING GRADES

USEFUL INFORMATION

A typical trekking day…

A typical day’s walk lasts from five to seven hours and involves a number of ascents and descents. It is rare to spend much time at the same level. On an organized camping trek, the day is run to a remarkably tight schedule: up at 6 am with a cup of tea, pack the gear before breakfast, start walking at 7 am, stop for lunch around 12 o’clock for about half an hour, start after lunch at noon and stop walking at about 3 pm. The dinner is served around 6.30 pm and followed by a briefing for the next trekking day, then it is time to go to sleep.

Please be aware that this time table may be adjusted according to weather conditions, availability of camp sites, water supply…

To ensure you will fully enjoy your trek and make the most of it, we also advise you about the following points which should be seriously taken into account:

Food and Water: 

Lodges and tea houses are carefully chosen by our staff all along the trek

We will make sure that excellent food will be provided to you and that water is boiled or adequately treated, this is one of the basic rules for healthy trekking 

On a camping organized trek, your only concern with food is sitting down to eat it! The porters carry all the food along with them and there will be a cook with assistants who can turn out meals of often stunning complexity, like baking a cake 

Altitude: 

Acclimatization is very important for trekking above 3500m. Our trekking schedules have been carefully designed to maximize your ability to acclimatize safely. We ascend slowly and ensure an adequate number of rest days. 

However, it is still possible for mountain sickness and your guide will be watching for symptoms with an experienced eye throughout the trip. These symptoms are commonly headache, nausea, lethargy and sometimes breathlessness. If you or any of the group members display any of these symptoms he will be able to provide informed advice and ensure a proper course of action. 

Insurance: 

Please make sure that your medical insurance policy will cover in case of need for helicopter evacuation since the fee for such an evacuation can amount to US$ 2000.00 per rescue. Please also check the maximum altitude to which you are covered. Sometimes, you have to subscribe a complementary insurance above 4000 m.

First aid kit: 

Although a first aid kit is provided, we strongly recommend that you take with you the medicine we listed in the equipment check-list as well as your personal medicines as prescribed by your physician

Trekking permit: 

A valid permit is required for certain areas. In order to obtain it (upon your arrival), two working days and two passports size photographs are required. 

Money: 

Everything is included in the price of the trek, except for the purchase of water and soft / hard drinks so we advise you to always carry Nepalese rupees in on your trek. The amount to be cared depends on the area and the duration of the trek. 

BE A RESPONSIBLE TREKKER AND MINIMIZE YOUR IMPACT…

• Although trekking in the Himalayas plays a vital role in the economy of many mountain areas; it also may have a negative impact which has become a major concern.
• On an ecological point of view, always carry your rubbish with you, drink treated instead of mineral water in order to reduce the use of plastic bottles.
• Be respectful with the flora and the fauna.
• On a human point of view, please respect Nepalese culture and traditions. It is a good thing before leaving for the trek to have a look at the “Do and Don’t” since an inappropriate behaviour, though considered normal in Western countries, could severely shock or hurt local people.
• Do not “steal” pictures and always ask authorization to people before photographing them.
• Discourage children from begging: sometimes, by just giving them a sweet, you will contribute to their dental problems since they are not taught how to take care of their teeth.

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