Everest & Kongde The Royal Himalayan Trek 12 days

DISTANCE - BELOW AVERAGE

Distance is not a major consideration in your training program. However, you should still incorporate some long walks as it will increase your cardiovascular fitness. Altitude is an issue on this walk so you must do some training over the kilometres outlined above.

ELEVATION - ABOVE AVERAGE

Elevation training is a major consideration in your overall training program. You must include walks with serious hill climbs. If you do not have access to hills, it it essential to replicate the elevation level you will be undertaking in any way possible via a treadmill or stair climber. Prioritizing resistance training assumes heightened significance in this context, emphasizing the incorporation of stair climbing whenever feasible. Walking up and down stairs at work, at a local oval with a grandstand, or up and down small hills, boring as that sounds, is incredibly useful. Elevation is the chief walk killer, not distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles. If high altitude is a factor, incorporate sessions at a higher altitude to acclimatise your body to reduced oxygen levels ( this may not be possible). Ensure you can comfortably walk the average elevation per day displayed in the graph, at least one month before you undertake your hike.

MOUNTAINOUS / UNDULATING TERRAIN

As terrain associated with Mountain climbs is often somewhat uneven and or rocky balancing and core exercises are vital. Try to also include some form of elevation in more than 50% of your walking and prioritise resistance training, whilst incorporating stairs anytime you can. Walking up mountains or hills or up and down stairs at work, at a local oval with a grandstand or up and down small hills, boring as that sounds, is incredibly useful. Elevation is often the chief walk killer, not distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles. So concentrate on doing lots of squats and lunges to build your glute muscles.

WHY TRAVEL WITH US - THE AUSWALK DIFFERENCE

Travel without stress or delays

• Most visitors travel to Lukla via aeroplane, however, flights are often subject to weather-related delays or cancellations.  Hence we use helicopters which are far less susceptible to such issues, helping to deliver your trip as per the carefully planned itinerary. This saves up to 3 days of repeat walking and eliminates having to travel for 5 hours to Ramechhap for your Lukla flight
• Returning from the peak via helicopter also eliminates walking all the same way back down to the trailhead in Lukla – your knees will be very grateful!
• Built-in contingency day in case the weather delays departure from the mountains.  This rarely happens with helicopters but we know you wouldn’t want to miss your international flight in the unusual event that it did!
• Priority use of our team’s 4 helicopters in case of an emergency

The best possible food and accommodation

• Staying in a 4-star hotel in the quietest part of the bustling Thamel area in Kathmandu, where you can enjoy all of the tourist spots but are insulated from the crowds
• Enjoying the best accommodation options available on the trek.  Note: accommodation levels vary and, where possible, rooms have ensuites.   Accommodations at a few high altitude locations are less luxurious but still comfortable
• Since food plays a significant role in hiking at higher elevations, we strive to serve our guests fresh and healthy meals every time

Be well guided and looked after

• Sufficient time to visit Kathmandu’s unmissable 7 World Heritage sites with our guided tour
• Highly experienced fun-loving guides with fluent English
• Guide to hiker ratio of 1 to 4 passengers so you will be very well looked after
• Our professional safety-focused team on the ground ensure the best possible experience

We support the region and the environment

• We support the Himalayan Sherpa Hospital at Phakding through the Himalayan Sherpa Foundation
• We support the organisation KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project). KEEP provides valuable training programs for guides, including language training, map reading, and a porter welfare program
• We offset our carbon emissions, raise money and donate to Odonata, an environmental charity committed to supporting biodiversity
• Auswalk has earned Advanced Eco Tourism Certification

AVAILABILITY

This walk is available in March, April, May, September, October and November.

Please contact us if the departure dates displayed do not suit you as we can easily arrange another more suitable date for your group.

If you have your own small group, we can lock away your departure date from your group at 4 or more pax.

THE WALKING

Challenging: This track is rated slightly lower than our other Everest region treks because we can really take our time ascending and avoid some of the walking at altitude with the crowds, whilst not sacrificing any of the experience.

Tracks and trails on this tour will have prolonged ascents, but virtually no descent, along mainly well-travelled tracks. There are a few long sections of elevation and some sections of steps.  An average of 9km, 600m ascent each day. Having an active lifestyle and preparing or being an experienced walker will make the journey more enjoyable. Altitude is the biggest challenge, but rest assured:  we have 2 acclimatisation days and take extra care not to ascend too quickly.

Your local guide is an expert mountaineer with in-depth knowledge of the track.

TIPPING

Tipping is customary in Nepal and is a way to show appreciation for the hard work of your trekking team. The price of your Auswalk walking holiday does not include tips. To help you plan, we suggest the following tipping amounts per hiker per day:

• 1000NPR (head guide) per hiker per day
• 500NPR (assistant guide) per hiker per day
• 500NPR (per porter) per hiker per day

You will have the opportunity to present your tips to your guide and porters at the farewell dinner as a token of your gratitude for their invaluable support throughout your trek.

HOW TO GET THERE AND AWAY

This walk starts and ends at Kathmandu Airport. 

Kathmandu Airport 
The trip starts with a transfer from Kathmandu Airport to your accommodation. You will be met at the airport by one of our representatives so please let us know your travel plans so we can arrange your private transfer. If you are already in Nepal then the walk starts at your hotel.

At the end of the trip, we transfer you back to the airport for your international flight.

A useful planning tool for travel is Rome2Rio should you be travelling from or to other destinations.

LUGGAGE

When you arrive in Kathmandu you will receive a duffle bag to pack all of your items for your trek. As each porter will carry two duffle bags each, the maximum weight per duffle bag is 12.5kg. 

Each morning it will be up to you to pack your bag and place your luggage outside your room. Your guide will let you know what to do.

Any excess kilos can be stored at the hotel in Kathmandu.

INSURANCE

We require that you have adequate travel insurance against potential losses, damage or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.

For all trips that require international travel, you must have purchased travel insurance that also includes medical evacuation coverage.

For all walks in Nepal you will need insurance that covers trekking above 5000m and helicopter evacuation. Please note: If you are evacuated via helicopter you are required to pay the helicopter company prior to your departure from Nepal (and pay any additional costs as a result of the evacuation). Upon returning home you will need to personally make any insurance claims.

We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred by our suppliers and in the office.  See the FAQ section for more information.

HELICOPTER EVACUATION

We require that you have adequate travel insurance against potential losses, damage or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.

For all trips that require international travel, you must have purchased travel insurance that also includes medical evacuation coverage.

For all walks in Nepal you will need insurance that covers trekking above 5000m and helicopter evacuation. Please note: If you are evacuated via helicopter you are required to pay the helicopter company prior to your departure from Nepal (and pay any additional costs as a result of the evacuation). Upon returning home you will need to personally make any insurance claims.

We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred by our suppliers and in the office.  See the FAQ section for more information.

POWER SUPPLY

The Everest region is powered by hydro electricity.  In peak season, supply is limited and power outages may occur so we advise bringing a powerbank/ back up batteries for your phones, cameras and electronics.

Hot showers are mostly powered by solar panels or a gas-fired water heater.  On very rare occasions hot showers may not be available.