Mount Everest Lodge To Lodge Base Camp Trek 16D15N, Guided

- The departure and finish point is Kathmandu
- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Kathmandu. Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport is the closest airport and receives airlines mostly from South-east Asia and Europe. A number of direct flights fly from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Varanasi to Kathmandu. Popular airlines that operate regularly are Jet Airways, Air India, IndiGo and Nepal Airlines.

The main trekking season in Nepal is from October to mid-May when daytime temperatures at most altitudes are generally comfortable for walking, the sky is clear much of the time and rain and snow are occasional occurrences. Daytime temperatures will vary from 150 to 35C (58F to 95F) in the Kathmandu Valley to around 10C (50F) at 11,810ft (3,600m) and progressively lower the higher we go. Different seasons offer different advantages for trekking.

Post-monsoon/autumn: Mid-September to November
The main trekking season in Nepal. Day temperatures in Kathmandu are approximately above 20C (88F). Skies are usually clear and days on trek are sunny and mild with clear mountain views. Nights will be colder with temperatures dropping as low as -10C (14F) at the highest altitudes.

Winter: December to end of February
Despite the cooler conditions, this is an ideal time to trek in Nepal. Skies are usually very clear, especially in December, and the mountain views are at their best. Nights will be very cold with temperatures down to -20C (-4F) at the highest altitudes but days are pleasant and sunny. The trails are also much less busy at this time of year. In Kathmandu, maximum daytime temperatures are 19C (68F).

Pre-monsoon/spring: March to May
Both day and night temperatures will be warmer in general but often a haze will build in the afternoons. It is very hot in the lowlands and temperatures rise to 35C (95F) in Kathmandu. Flowers bloom in this season, one of the reasons people chose to trek in spring.

Snow should be expected on any departure, usually at the higher altitudes. Please remember, in any mountain area the weather is never wholly predictable, and you should be equipped to deal with any differences in weather beyond the conditions described above.

The walking level on this trip is rated Level 5 Challenging

Level 1 Leisurely: Experience is not necessary; anyone fit and healthy enough to complete a weekend walk wil thrive. Wals are often optional. Tralls are seldom fat, so expect a reasonable number of escents and descents. You normally walk for two to five hours per day: dally ascents will likely be around 988 to 1.540ft (300m to 500m, perhaps with the odd day around 1.970 (800m).

Level 3 Moderate: Expect easy, medium-length walks or harder, shorter walks. Some experiences ustu but not essential. Good health and reasonable fitness are important. There will be walks at higher altitudes and some longer, handler days. Generally, though, the underfoot conditions will be fair. A walking days normally five to seven hours; dally escents will likely be around 1.640ft to 2,625 (500m to 800m), perhaps with the odd day around 2.955 to 3.290 000 to 1,000m

Level 5 Challenging: Fitness is vital with extended walking in mountainous temain. You might also experience high altitude, challenging climates and remote locations. Trekking experience deable, but not vital if you are confident in your physical condition. Walking days are usually between six and sight hours, although they may be longer for passes or peaks. Dally escents can be around 2.965 to 3.250ft (900m to 1.000m peace with the odd day around 3,610ft to 3.940 (1.100m to 1.200m

Level 7 Tough: Trekking experience is essential and preferably at altitude. You need complete confidence In your ability to trek for many days over difficult terrain. You may encounter extreme altitude and weather conditions and may need to use ice axes and crampons. Stamina is essential as walking days last six to nine hours (sometimes more on occasions. Dally ascents will likely be around 2.965 to 3.280ft (200m to 1,000m), perhaps with the odd day around 3.610ft to 3,940ft (1,100 to 1,200m)

Split and optional grades: Where a trip falls between two grades, an intermediate or split grade is used For example. Level 2 (Leisurely Moderate). Occasionally there are optional ascents available in this case. the grade will be highlighted.

There are 12 days of walking with full porterage throughout-you need only carry your dayback You should have some trekking experience and if you do not regularly exercise or walk then you should do some physical preparation beforehand. The trall crosses approximately seven modem suspension bridges (twice), all of which have mesh sides; some are quite long and high, so anyone with a strong fear of heights or vertigo may find themdifficult.

The maximum attude on this trek is 18,192 (5.545m) and the average
approximately 12.798 (3,900m). Ample time is given for ecolimatisation, but altitude is a factor and must be considered.

Trek with experienced English-speaking local leaders who are qualified in first aid and trained in recognising and dealing with altitude sickness. One of the highest staff-to-client ratios on the trek with one staff member to every four clients. Staff carry oxygen and a first-aid kit.

Many of our treks in Nepal use domestic fights to reach the trekking areas. The mountainous Nepalese terrain is subject to changeable weather, which makes flying conditions complex and challenging, and unfortunately there are significantly more incidents here than in other countries, including fatalities. The EU highlighted the poor safety record in Nepal in 2013 by including all Necese-registered arines on the EU benned lat, which prevents them from flying in EU airspace. While no Nepalese-registered airines cumently ty within the EU the EU instigated this ben to highlight the risk of flying in Nepal to EU citizens. These airines are unlikely to be members of any internationally recognised safety audit systems and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Nepal does not operate to the same standards as those of Western nations.

Flying within Nepal is therefore a known risk and we strongly encourage you to consider this carefully before booking. We suggest you refer to the following sources:
- The current travel advice for Nepellesued by the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office
- The Air Safety Network entry for Nepal

In response to concerns over this safety record, Exodus arranges for Independent e-safety auditora to visit Nepal annually to assess the suitability of the avellable centers. We then restrict our use to only those approved as part of this audit in emergency situations, we will need to use helicopters, so we also have a at of approved halloopter centers. Should concerne anse regarding the safety of an airing on our approved list, we will remove the cemer from the at immediately, and it would only be reinstated once our arty auditors are confident that the airline mests acceptable safety standards.

Internal flight delays: Adverse weather conditions at Luke airport occasionally mean that fights to/from Kathmandu cannot operate. We include an additional day at the end of the itinerary to allow for this, but, on occasion, persistent bad weather may delay the start of your trek or return to Kathmandu. Should there be a lengthy delay at the start of a trip, we aim to provide a shortened Everest trak, but if adverse weather conditions continue and the main objective of the trek becomes impossible to reach, an alternative trek to another region of Nepal will be offered. When fixed-wing planes are unable to fly, but helicopters to Luke are available, clients may choose to travel by helicopter, in this event, the price per person will be ecproximately US$600 per person, of which Exodus will cover half.

Should there be a significant delay at the end of your trek, we will endeavor to get you on the first available fixed-wing fights to Kathmandu. If hallcopters are allowed to fly, we will consider paying for these on a case-by-case basis to enable clients to meet their international fights. In the case of persistent adverse weather. Bodus will rebook International fights for Flight Inclusive clients. Please note clients booking on a Land Only basis will be responsible for rebooking their onward travel and for any associated coasts.

Seasonal Airport Change: October to November and March to May. During the high season from 1 October to 30 November and 28 March-10 May, all flights to and from Lukla will no longer operate in/out of Kathmandu Airport (KTM), these fights have been transferred to operate in/out of Manthali Airport (RHP), which is in the Tamakoshi River Valley in Manthali, 82mi (122km) east of Kathmandu. The journey from Kathmandu to Manthali is a four-hour bus drive in the early morning and the return leg from Manthali to Kathmandu is usually five to six hours due to heavier traffic later in the day. The flight time between Manthali and Lukla is about 20 minutes.

If you are travelling during these seasonal periods, it is necessary to depart your hotel in Kathmandu at approximately 3am by bus to ensure arriving in Manthali for 7am-7.30am in time for the fights to Luka (between 8:30am-9am). Your Kathmandu hotel will provide a packed breakfast for the journey.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However, if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

The 12 nights on trek are spent in lodges (teahouses) and the three nights in Kathmandu are in a comfortable hotel. In Kathmandu, we usually stay at the Hotel Royal Singi, a four-star hotel within walking distance of the Thamel district. All rooms have en suite facilities and there is a restaurant, bar, outdoor courtyard and complimentary wifi throughout.

Teahouses on this trip are basic but adequate. The hub of teahouse living 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). Some teahouses above 3000m may not be heated due to local environmental restrictions. Occasionally kerosene burners can be used to heat common areas if requested. We recommend against using these due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and your leader will not offer this to you. 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. Charging facilities are generally available only in the dining room (charged at approximately 200-500 Nepalese rupees/US$1.50-US$3.80 per hour per device). Many of the lodges use solar power, so sometimes there is not enough electricity for charging. Many lodges have wifi, though it can be slow and temperamental.

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 outside the main lodge building. Toilets are usually squat-style toilets, although many lodges have now installed seated ones. Toilet paper is not provided, so you should bring your own or buy it locally (please dispose of it in the bin provided). If there is not a flush handle, there should be a container of water to pour down - if it is empty (or frozen), please refill it or ask the lodge to.

Some lodges now have hot 'showers" (charged at approximately 250-500 rupees/US$1.90-US$3.80 per shower). Sometimes a hot shower is simply a bucket of hot water.

Standards of cleanliness vary, especially in the peak trekking season and in winter when the water freezes at night. 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 mealtimes.

Generally, the higher the altitude, the more basic the lodges and the more expensive food and services.

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, single rooms cannot be guaranteed so these have not been included in the single supplement price paid in advance. However, if a single room is available on arrival to a tea-house, you can pay locally on a day-by-day basis.

Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.

Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.

A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 90 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 90 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.

Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.

General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 90 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 90 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance

Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.

Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.

Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.

Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.

Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.

Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.

Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a tour with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the tour has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any tour up to 60 days prior to departure if the minimum number requirement of 4 is unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the tour or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.

Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.

Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
In the genuine spirit of expedition travel, we encourage exploration and adventure offering flexibility in challenging environments. This itinerary is only a guide and is subject to change due to weather, sea and other conditions beyond our control.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.

Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.