Mountain weather in the Khumbu region varies significantly by season, elevation, and time of day.

• Spring (March to May): Stable weather, clear mornings, and blooming rhododendron forests. Daytime temperatures range from 10°C to 15°C at moderate elevations, dropping below freezing (-5°C to -10°C) above 4,000 m.
• Autumn (September to November): Crisp air, clear skies, and consistent mountain visibility. Daytime temperatures average 8°C to 12°C at lower elevations, while night temperatures at Gorak Shep can plummet to -15°C.
• Monsoon (June to August): Heavy rainfall, clouds, leeches at lower elevations, and frequent flight disruptions. Trekking is generally not recommended.
• Winter (December to February): Dry and clear, but daytime cold is severe (-15°C to -20°C at night at high altitudes), with heavy snow closing higher passes.

Note: Weather in high mountain valleys changes rapidly. Wind, unexpected snow, and afternoon clouds can arise regardless of seasonal averages, directly impacting visibility, walking conditions, and aviation operations.

Food On Trek

Teahouse menus offer a combination of local, regional, and simple international dishes:

• Nepali Staples: Dal Bhat (steamed rice, lentil soup, seasonal vegetable curry, and pickles)—nutritious, cooked fresh, and unlimited top-ups.
• International Options: Fried rice, noodles, pasta, momos (dumplings), porridge, eggs, potatoes, and soups.
• Dietary Needs: Vegetarian and vegan preferences are readily accommodated throughout the trail. Please inform us of severe food allergies during your Day 2 briefing. Meat options are available at lower elevations, but avoiding meat above Namche is advised due to transport chain limitations.

Drinking Water

• Untreated tap water along the trail is not safe to drink.
• Safe Water Practices: Bring reusable, insulated water bottles or bladders. Refill with boiled water purchased at teahouses, or treat stream/tap water using purification tablets, SteriPENs, or heavy-duty filtration systems.
• To minimize plastic waste, purchasing single-use plastic water bottles is discouraged.

• Licensed Leadership: Your lead guide holds official government certification, wilderness first-aid training, and years of high-altitude experience.
• Health Monitoring: Daily health checks are conducted every evening using pulse oximeters to track heart rate and blood oxygen levels ($SpO_2$) alongside standard symptom checks.
• Terrain Safety: Trails involve uneven terrain, steep steps, loose rock, and suspension bridges. Walk on the mountain side (inside edge) when yielding to yaks, mules, or porters.
• Securing Valuables: Keep passports, travel documents, cash, and essential medication in your daypack at all times.
• Risk Management: While strict protocols mitigate foreseeable hazards, mountain travel carries inherent environmental risks including rockfall, landslides, weather changes, and altitude-related illnesses.

• National Language: Nepali is the official language across Nepal.
• Local Language: Sherpa is spoken widely among indigenous communities in the Khumbu region.
• English Proficiency: English is widely spoken by trekking guides, hotel staff, tea-house managers, and merchants along the primary Everest route.
• Useful Expressions:
  • Namaste (Nam-as-tay): Hello / I bow to the divine in you.
  • Dhanyabad (Dhan-ya-baad): Thank you.
  • Mero naam... ho: My name is...
  • Tashi Delek: Sherpa / Tibetan blessing and greeting.

The Khumbu region is the ancestral homeland of the Sherpa people and holds deep sacred significance within Tibetan Buddhism.

• Religious Sites: Pass mani stones (carved prayer stones), stupas, and prayer wheels on your left-hand side (clockwise direction).
• Monasteries: Remove shoes and hats before entering monastery halls. Maintain silence and refrain from taking photos where signs forbid it.
• Photography Etiquette: Always ask permission before photographing local residents, monks, or children.
• Attire: Dress modestly. Avoid walking through villages in revealing athletic clothing.
• Environmental Care: Carry out all non-biodegradable trash, avoid plastic bottles, and stay on designated paths to minimize erosion.

International Flights

• International airfare is not included in the package cost.
• Travellers must arrange their own arrival into Kathmandu on Day 1 and departure on Day 14.
• Ensure your international travel coverage permits schedule changes if domestic weather causes delayed returns from the mountains.

Domestic Flights & Transfers

• Fixed-Wing Flights: Scheduled STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) aircraft fly between Kathmandu/Ramechhap and Lukla.
• Seasonal Diversions: During high seasons (March–May & October–November), civil aviation authorities route Lukla flights via Ramechhap (Manthali Airport) to manage congestion. Overland transfers between Kathmandu and Ramechhap are provided by private vehicle.
• Baggage Limits: Fixed-wing flights enforce a strict allowance of 15 kg per passenger total (10 kg hold duffel + 5 kg hand carry). Excess weight is subject to airline fees or exclusion.
• Helicopter Segment: The return flight on Day 12 is operated by commercial helicopter from Gorak Shep to Lukla and Kathmandu. Helicopters carry up to 5 passengers depending on total payload weight and high-altitude weather limits. 

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) occurs when ascending faster than the human body can adapt to reduced atmospheric oxygen pressure. Fitness levels do not guarantee immunity.

• Early Symptoms: Mild headache, fatigue, lightheadedness, loss of appetite, nausea, or disturbed sleep.
• Severe Warning Signs (HAPE/HACE): Persistent vomiting, extreme breathlessness at rest, loss of physical coordination (ataxia), confusion, or severe chest tightness.
• Prevention Strategies:
  • Pacing: Walk slowly (Bistari) without overexerting yourself.
  • Hydration: Drink 3 to 4 liters of fluid (water, herbal tea, clear soups) daily.
  • Avoid Alcohol: Refrain from consuming alcohol, tobacco, or sleeping pills above 3,000 m.
  • Acclimatisation Days: Utilize built-in rest days at Namche and Dingboche fully.
• Protocol: Report any symptoms to your lead guide immediately. If symptoms worsen, the primary treatment is immediate descent to a lower elevation.

Emergency evacuations are coordinated by our Kathmandu operations hub in consultation with your lead guide and insurance provider.

• Helicopter Evacuation: Helicopters can respond to life-threatening medical situations or severe AMS at designated high-altitude landing spots (e.g., Gorak Shep, Lobuche, Dingboche).
• Operational Limits: Evacuations are never guaranteed. Flights depend strictly on daylight, mountain visibility, cloud cover, and high-altitude wind currents.
• Financial Responsibility: Travellers are personally liable for all emergency rescue costs not pre-approved or directly paid by their travel insurance provider.
• Required Coverage: Your insurance plan must explicitly cover helicopter search and rescue up to 5,500 m elevation without restrictive deductibles.

• Duration: 14 Days
• Trek Region: Khumbu / Everest Region, Sagarmatha National Park
• Maximum Altitude: 5,364 m (17,598 ft) at Everest Base Camp / 5,180 m sleeping elevation at Gorak Shep
• Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
• Best Seasons: Spring (March – May) & Autumn (September – November)
• Starting Point: Kathmandu (Fly/Drive to Lukla)
• Ending Point: Kathmandu (Heli return from Gorak Shep via Lukla)
• Average Walking Time: 4 – 7 hours per day (varies by terrain and elevation)
• Accommodation: 5-Star Hotels (Kathmandu) / Teahouses & Mountain Lodges (Trek)
• Meals: Full Board on Trek (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner); Breakfast and select specialty dinners in Kathmandu
• Guide: Included (Licensed English-speaking lead guide)
• Porter: Included (1 porter per 2 trekkers, max weight allocation 10–12 kg per client)
• International Flights: Not included (Travellers arrange independently)
• Travel Insurance: Mandatory (Travellers arrange independently; must cover rescue up to 5,500 m)
• Emergency Evacuation: Coordinated by Trekking Mate; paid/covered via client’s mandatory insurance policy