Diversity of Flora and Fauna
Everyone knows the diversity of Sagarmatha National Park, but few know the diverse flora and fauna found here. It's home to more than a hundred species of musk deers, mammals, red panda, snow leopard(rare occasion), and much more.
Lush Oak and pine forest accompanied by vivid rhododendrons make the landscape serene. Further, the rushing streams, chimes of yak herding, and cool breeze of the Himalayas lure every trekker's soul.
The placid vegetation also changes as we climb further to 3,500 meters. And 5,500 meters, we'll walk over the rugged and barren landscape of the Everest region.
Respect the culture and ethnic values
The Sherpa people in the Everest region practice Buddhism and celebrate Hindu and Buddhist festivals. The preserved culture, tradition, and ethnic lifestyle of the Sherpa community are also a focal attraction.
Some trekkers sometimes mock people and their cultures, which is not what we encourage. "Give respect, take respect" has to be the main motto. Most people in Khumbu don't understand foreign languages, which creates a cultural difference. Thus, to understand, you must communicate with your trek guide. The guide will assist you in better understanding the culture of the Sherpa people when needed.
Trekkers may not get permission to click photos at some places. Some trekkers also wish to photograph locals, but they get angry with such an act. You have to ask for permission to capture them. These are the nuances that create cultural disrespect. Thus, the only better way is to minimize them.
Meals in Everest Three High Passes Trek
When trekking in the Everest region, you must keep up the pace to maintain the hike with groups. The 8 hours of the trek on some days becomes tiring. Thus, consuming adequate foods, hygienic and nutritious, is a must. But, there are certain foods you should and shouldn't eat.
For breakfast, you'll get porridge, cheese toast, omelets, butter and jam, soups, etc.
You'll also get fresh fruits for breakfast at places like Lukla, Phakding, and Namche.
The lunch includes fries, Spaghetti, mushroom soups, vegetables, fruits, chicken, dumplings, and Tibetan bread. Nepali Dal Bhat is a prominent source of protein and carbohydrates. Thus, whatever you eat, don't forget to include Dal Bhat as the main dish.
For dinner, Nepali Dal Bhat is the staple diet. It includes lentil soup as protein, rice, potatoes as carbohydrates, and pickles for better taste.
Food tips: Try consuming soupy items like lentil soup, noodles, and mushroom soups at higher altitudes. Don't consume caffeine and alcoholic beverages. You may feel thirsty after consuming these products.
Accommodation in Everest Three High Passes Trek
Accommodation in Everest Three Passes trek is tea house based. You'll find luxurious hotels and budget-friendly tea houses en route. For this trek, we'll manage the accommodation at the best tea house available.
The accommodation service in the Everest region has improved with extensive commercialization.
The tea houses offer comfort overnight. During peak trekking season, you have to accommodate a twin sharing basis. You'll get an attached bathroom at most tea houses.
But places like Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorak Shep, offer basic accommodation. Also, there are few tea houses for overnight sleep. We recommend you carry sleeping bags and pillowcases for comfortable overnight stay at these places.
You'll also get solar-powered hot showers, boiled water, and internet services by paying extra charges. Some tea houses at Lobuche also offer firewood heated water for bathing. But, at such an altitude, you'll get cold and cough in the shower. Hence, we recommend you shower at Namche or Lukla after the trek.
We'll not pay for your shower, internet, and hot water.
Everest Three Passes Trek Difficulty
The 17 days long trek to Everest Three Passes is strenuous. Thus, previous high-altitude trekking experience and physical endurance are a must.
Trekking to Kala Patthar, Everest Base Camp, and crossing Cho La, Kongma La, and Renjo La, is arduous and tiring. At some places in this terrain, you may need to ascend and abseil using a fixed rope.
The climb of Kongma La pass and crossing Khumbu Glacier to reach Lobuche is physically demanding. On top, it's 8 hours-long hikes on arduous terrain. Crossing Cho La Pass to Gokyo is also challenging as we have to climb and descend steep ridges.
But, we'll have a day of rest in Dingboche, Gokyo Valley, and a 3-hour short hike from Thangnak to Gokyo Valley. These rest will help us replenish the energy to further hikes to Marlung and Thame.
Our experienced trek guides and porters will assist you throughout the hike. On their constant observation, you'll be in safe hands.
Safety and Security in Everest Three High Passes Trek
Sublime Trails always focuses on trekkers' safety and security. We give utmost care for your meals, accommodations, first aid, and emergency rescue if needed.
Trekking at high altitudes demands nutritious foods. On top, it has to be hygienic. Hence, Sublime Trails assures your meals are rich in nutrition and 100% safe. In this way, you'll never get sick due to food safety issues. Report to the food server or trek guide if you have allergies to certain food items.
There are rare occasions of theft and robbery of trekkers in the Everest region. There'll be no one except trekkers, guides, porters, and tea house owners in Everest trekking. Everyone has one motto, make an Everest trekking experience awesome. If you feel skeptical, we recommend you carry lockers for backpacks.
Our government-licensed trekking guides possess first aid knowledge. They can take care of your minor injuries with first aid kits. Also, their experience comes in handy during such accidents. In instances like AMS and emergencies, you'll get helicopter evacuation ASAP. The helicopter will take you to the hospital in Lukla or Kathmandu as a priority. Thus, we ensure your 100% safe Everest Three High Passes Trek.
But, for helicopter evacuation, you must purchase travel insurance before heading for this trip. Sublime Trails won't bear your hospital and helicopter evacuation cost.
Travel insurance in Everest Three High Passes Trek
Travel insurance is a must for every trekker who wants to join the Everest Three Passes trek in Autumn 2022 from Sublime Trails. Travel insurance is for your safety, and we don't make any arrangements for your insurance.
Travel insurance has significant benefits if you fall sick or need helicopter evacuation. High-altitude helicopter rescues are expensive and are difficult to get in an emergency. Thus, with your travel insurance, you'll get emergency rescue on time, and the best part, the insurance covers every penny of expenses, including hospital bills.
Thus, for worryless trekking, travel insurance is mandatory.
Guides and Porters Safety
Guides and Porters are staff employed from Sublime Trails. Thus, we arrange quality accommodation, meals, and other facilities to trek guides and porters throughout the trek.
We believe quality guidance and assistance are possible only with healthy and bona fide guides and porters. For their health and safety, we buy insurance for every staff on the trek. On top, we perform health checkups of guides and porters before every Everest Three High Passes Trek.
Baggage weight limit for porter and airline
As per guidelines, two trekkers can employ a porter with no more than a combined 30 kg. The minimum weight a porter carries for an individual is 10kg.
Thus, make your backpack below 15kg. If the weight exceeds the limit, you must hire an extra porter that only adds to the cost.
During check-in, airlines allow 15 kg of weighted luggage to each traveler. It includes a 10 kg baggage and a 5 kg hand carrier bag. For additional kilograms, airlines will charge a minimum of USD 1, to as much as their weight fare policy.
Hence, the best way to minimize the weight and extra cost is to include only necessary things for the trek.
Backpack and gears for Everest Three High Passes Trek
The Everest trek route is rugged. On top, crossing the glacier moraines, high passes, and altitudes over 5,500 meters are tiring. Thus, proper gear can make the hike comfortable and less tiring.
Wearable gears are crucial to day hikes and night colds. For the day hike, thin sleeves, fleeces, and windproof and rainproof jackets come in handy. Also, a scarf, and hat, protect the face from being sunburned and dry by the cold wind. For possible rains, carrying a poncho will be wise. Otherwise, you won't require warm gear for a day hike.
The premium trekking shoes give the utmost comfort of your day hike. You won't feel much strain on your legs with quality hiking shoes. On top, trekking poles also help you during the ascend and descent of Everest's Three Passes.
During the morning and evening, the temperature drops around freezing at high altitudes. At night, the temperature averages around -7 degrees in Spring and Autumn. Thus, layers of thick clothes are a must. Three-layered down jackets, woolen hoodies, sweaters, thermocoat, and trousers are must-wear apparel. Also, woolen caps, neck warmer, and woolen gloves are compulsory. For overnight sleep, multi-layered sleeping bags with zips are best. When choosing a sleeping bag, look for those suitable for high-altitude camping.
Skin care products like sunblock lotion, lip balm, and moisturizer are crucial. Toothbrush, paste, wet wipes, sanitizers, and toilet paper comes in handy. We recommend water bottles and pouches with a drinking pipe, electrolytes, and water purifying tablets.
Gadgets like cameras, binoculars, mobile phones, and iPods for music are trekkers' favorites. Also, carrying your favorite book lets you timepass during acclimatization and rest at places.
Learn more about the complete backpacking list for Everest Three High Passes Trek.
Elevation in Everest Three High Passs Trek
Different altitude holds a significant Himalayan aesthetic that never tires the glazing eyes. Every corner of Khumbu is affluent with serene natural elements.
We'll start this trek from Lukla at 2,850 meters to the highest climb of Kongma La Pass at 5,540 meters and Kala Patthar at 5,644 meters.
Namche Bazar sits over 3,440 meters, and Hotel Everest View sits at 3,880 meters. Likewise, Tengboche sits over 3,860 meters, Dingboche at 4,410 meters, Chhukung at 4,730 meters, and Lobuche at 4,940 meters.
Gorak Shep sits over 5,120 meters, Dzongla sits over 4,830 meters, Thangnak sits at 4,700 meters, and Gokyo Valley sits at 4,790 meters.
Further, Gokyo Ri at 5,375 meters, Lumde at 5,360 meters, Renjo La Pass at 5,360 meters, and Thame sits at 3,800 meters.
Flight delays and transportation
You'll get a complimentary airport pick-up and drop service from Sublime Trails.
We'll fly to Lukla from Kathmandu on a clear weather day. If the weather turns bad, the flight gets delayed and postponed. To cope with such situations, we'll have a buffer day.
If you wish to fly by helicopter to Lukla, we'll arrange the flight on your request, private and group sharing.
Throughout the trek, the porters and yaks will carry the logistics.
The flight gets delayed while returning from Lukla if the weather worsens. In worse cases, the flight to Kathmandu from Lukla gets canceled or postponed for several days. You'll have a single choice, alternative Jiri-Kathmandu route. If the weather improves, a helicopter flying out to Kathmandu from Lukla becomes likely doable.
Since we operate Everest Three High Passes Trek during the best season, there's a low chance of flight being delayed, postponed, or canceled. However, we have to be prepared mentally for the worst-case scenario.
Weather and temperature throughout Everest Three High Passes Trek
Weather and temperature have to be ideal for Everest Three High Passes Trek. For best sightseeing, easier ascend and descend to/from high passes, rain-free hike, etc.
March to May and September to November are the best times for this trek. Mountains look awesome, and the Everest trek route gets tons of trekkers.
Weather and Temperature in Spring
The moderate temperature, clear visibility, and fresh and green outlook make it the best time for the Everest region trek. The sightseeing of mountains, lakes, glaciers, moraines, and landscape becomes unmatched in Spring.
The temperature averages 10 degrees in the daytime and -7 degrees at nighttime. Wind Speed also averages around 5 mph.
Weather and Temperature in Summer
The summer months, often the rainy days, are not best for this trek. The Everest trek route becomes slippery. Most prominent note, the regular airlines to Lukla are very few to none during monsoon. If you wish for a summer trek, a helicopter to Lukla will be the only option.
The daytime temperature of 17 degrees becomes comfortable for a day hike. Nighttime temperature averages around freezing point, a bearable temperature with warm jackets. Windspeed, however, increases to 12 mph in summer.
Weather and temperature in Autumn
After Spring, Autumn is the best time for Everest Three High Passes Trek. The greenery and clear and fresh outlook make the landscape striking. Also, the festive time in Autumn is best for trekkers to enjoy the cultural aspect of Khumbu.
The mild temperature of 13 degrees in the daytime and freezing temperature at night is bearable.
Weather and temperature in Winter
Everest Three Passes Trek in Winter is not the best time for first-time trekkers. Experienced trekkers adore the adventure of crossing the high Himalayas Passes. The abseiling on fixed ropes on glaciers, and descending from Renjo La Pass, Cho La Pass are thrilling in winter.
Even in harsh colds, the weather clears up mostly in winter. Thus, you'll get an ideal view of snow-occupied mountains in winter.
The daytime temperature is 4 degrees, which is near freezing. Also, nights are extremely cold with temperatures below -10 degrees. The wind speed also increases to 10 mph.
Tipping to Guides and Porters
There are not any standard rates for tipping guides and porters. But, each day, most trekkers give service tips of USD 10 for porters and USD 15 for trek guides.
The earnings of porters and guides are from trekking salaries and tips from trekkers. Thus, you make a lot of the difference in their life.
They'll accompany you throughout Everest Three Passes Trek. They'll smile on your highs and encourage you on your lows. They'll work hard for your assistance so that you complete the trip and make a safe return.
At the end of the trekking, at Lukla, trekkers offer a meal, drinks, and tips to the trek crew. A happy ending for everyone. A joyous end to an adventurous 17 days in the Himalayas. A farewell to the sublime experience of a lifetime.
Important documents to carry while traveling in Nepal
As a foreign traveler in Nepal, you must have government-issued documents for identification and legal purposes. Here is a list of legal documents and why you should have them as a traveler.
Passport and Citizenship - For Everest region trekking permits, on arrival visa process, obtaining Nepali carrier, flight tickets to Lukla etc.
Travel insurance proof- Crucial during emergency evacuation and hospitalization.
Covid-19 vaccination card or PCR test reports within 48 hours.
Passport sized photos for permits and other purposes.
Contact details of your family back home to contact during mishaps.
Name tag on baggage
