Trek essentials

Packing checklist

Guests must bring their personal trekking gear. We provide a water filter, map and trash bag.

Everest Base Camp Trek

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Accommodation

Khumbu

Experience the simplicity of the Himalayas with basic private and shared toilet and bathroom facilities. Alternatively, we can arrange for comfortable hotel stays in Lukla, Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Dibuche, Dingboche and Labuche offering upgraded amenities.

The Khumbu Everest region provides a well established network of teahouses and lodges catering to trekkers throughout the route. Accommodation is generally clean and comfortable, offering twin sharing rooms with basic furnishings and shared bathroom facilities. In major trekking hubs such as Lukla, Namche Bazaar, Dingboche, and Lobuche, select lodges offer upgraded amenities including attached bathrooms, hot showers, charging points, and Wi-Fi services at an additional cost. As altitude increases, accommodation becomes more basic, reflecting the remote mountain environment.

Manaslu

The Manaslu region offers simple rooms with shared toilets and bathrooms. Dharmasala is the place where tea houses are very basic and share rooms. If there are too many tourists then need to adjust with other guests but rooms are separate for men and women.

Kanchenjunga

Kanchenjunga region offers simple rooms with private/share toilets and bathrooms. Sele Le Kharka is the place where tea houses are very basic and share rooms. If there are too many tourists then need to adjust with other guests for sleeping but rooms are separate for men and women.

Dolpo

Accommodation during the Lower Dolpo Trek consists mainly of basic tea houses in villages and fully supported tented camps in more remote sections. Tea houses provide simple twin sharing rooms with shared toilets and limited facilities, while camping includes sleeping tents, dining tents, kitchen setup, and support staff. Due to the remoteness of the region, comfort levels are modest but clean and well managed.

The trek combines both tea house stays and organized tent camping. Tea houses are available in established villages, while camping is arranged in isolated areas where lodges do not exist. All camping logistics, including tents, kitchen equipment, and support staff, are managed by the trekking team to ensure safety and comfort in remote terrain.

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Food and drinks

Drinking water above 5,000 m

Above 5,000 m, glacier and snowmelt water may look clean but should not be drunk untreated. We recommend properly boiled water from lodges or bottled mineral water. Budget for drinking water and stay hydrated.

Khumbu

Indulge in a diverse range of national and international cuisines, including Nepali, Indian, Tibetan, and Italian. Along the trek, discover cozy café restaurants and bars serving hot and cold beverages to enhance your journey.

Teahouses and lodges along the trekking route offer a diverse selection of meals, ranging from traditional Nepali and Tibetan cuisine to simple western dishes. Common menu items include Dal bhat, rice, noodles, pasta, soups, potatoes, and seasonal vegetables. Breakfast options typically consist of eggs, pancakes, porridge, bread, and cereals. A variety of hot beverages such as tea, coffee, and hot chocolate are widely available. Due to transportation challenges at higher altitudes, food and beverage prices gradually increase along the trail.

Manaslu

Manaslu region provides a variety of national and international cuisine. Along your trek, you'll find simple cafes and restaurants offering a variety of hot drinks to enhance your experience.

Kanchenjunga

Kanchenjunga region provides a variety of national and international cuisine. Along your trek, you'll find simple cafes and restaurants which are basics, offering a variety of hot/fizzy drinks and food.

Dolpo

Meals, drinking water and accommodation during the Dolpo trip are included. Fizzy drinks and alcohol are not included.

Meals are freshly prepared and typically include traditional Nepali dishes such as Dal Bhat, noodles, soups, potatoes, and limited Western options in tea houses. On camping days, a trekking cook prepares varied and nutritious meals. Boiled drinking water, tea, and coffee are widely available, while soft drinks and limited alcoholic beverages can be found in larger villages.

During the tent camping sections of the trek, we provide simple, prepare meals made with locally sourced ingredients. Our animals carry only the necessary packaging and locally purchased produce specifically for the camping days.

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Food safety

Khumbu

(Important note on consuming non-vegetarian food in the Everest region)

We don’t discourage eating meat during your trek in Nepal, we do care about your health and safety. In the Everest region, there is no direct road access to most trekking areas. This means meat must be carried by local porters or animals from lower valleys, which can take 3-7 days to reach higher altitude tea houses. If you wish to try non-vegetarian food, we recommend to try in Kathmandu city where the meat supply is generally fresher.

For your health and safety during the trek, we strongly recommend consuming vegetarian or vegan meals in the upper Khumbu region. Due to the remote location, meat is often transported from lower Solukhumbu to higher villages, which can take 3 to 7 days. During this time, it is typically carried in baskets and wrapped in plastic, without proper refrigeration. As a result, hygiene standards may not always be reliable, increasing the risk of illness. To avoid potential health issues, we advise our guests not to consume meat in the upper valleys. If you wish to enjoy non-vegetarian meals, it is best to do so in cities or lower villages near road access, where food is fresher and handled more safely.

At Himalayan Green Trips, your well-being is our priority. We encourage eating freshly prepared, locally grown vegetables and fruits throughout the trek. This not only helps keep you healthy but also supports local farmers and small businesses in the region.

Manaslu

(Important note on consuming non-vegetarian food in the Manaslu region)

We don’t discourage eating meat during your trek in Nepal, we do care about your health and safety. In the Manaslu region, there is no direct road access to most trekking areas. This means meat must be carried by local porters or animals from lower valleys, which can take 3-7 days to reach higher altitude tea houses. If you wish to try non-vegetarian food, we recommend to try in Machhakhola, Jagat, Va Bhimthang, Tilje and Besi Sahar, where the supply route is shorter (2-3 days), and the meat is generally fresher.

Kanchenjunga To supply

Dolpo To supply

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Phone and Wi-Fi

Khumbu

In the Everest region, most the tea houses offer rechargeable Wi-Fi cards, providing relatively reliable internet access. While the connection is generally good, some areas may experience outages or weak signals. For seamless internet access, please consult with your guide or local hotel owner for assistance.

Mobile phone coverage is available in most populated areas of the Khumbu region, primarily through local service providers such as Ncell and Nepal Telecom (NTC). Network coverage may be intermittent and limited in remote sections of the trail and at higher elevations. Wi-Fi services are commonly available in lodges through prepaid Everest Link cards; however, connection speeds can be slow and unreliable due to terrain and weather conditions. Internet access becomes increasingly limited at higher altitudes.

Manaslu

Most areas along the route offer Wi-Fi service, but phone network coverage can be limited. We recommend getting a local SIM card so you can use your own phone for network and internet access whenever possible. However, the internet and phone service are limited between Dharmasala and Bhimthang.

Kanchenjunga

Some of the tea houses offer Wi-Fi service but most of the places no phone and internet services. Phone network coverage only some places.

Dolpo

Mobile network coverage in Lower Dolpo is limited and unreliable, with occasional signal available in larger villages such as Dunai. Internet access is very basic and often unavailable in higher or remote areas. Trekkers should be prepared for minimal connectivity throughout most of the journey.

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Travel and flight delays

Khumbu

Please be aware that Lukla Airport can be impacted by cloud cover, especially in early September, March, late May, and November, leading to potential flight delays or cancellations. Sometimes this means waiting hours or even days for a flight. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility.

If flights aren’t possible, we can arrange alternatives like helicopter transfers or road travel to get you back on track. We do our best to arrange flights from Kathmandu to Lukla and back, but sometimes weather or other factors might require adjustments.

Flights between Kathmandu and Lukla are highly weather dependent and subject to frequent delays or cancellations due to factors such as poor visibility, strong winds, and cloud cover. During peak trekking seasons, congestion at Kathmandu airport and limited flight windows at Lukla can further impact schedules. Travelers are strongly advised to include contingency days in their itinerary to accommodate potential flight disruptions.

Important note:

October and November usually offer stable weather and clear skies. However, mountain flights between Kathmandu and Lukla can still be affected by sudden weather changes. Therefore, it is important to be prepared with backup options:

If helicopter flights are also not possible due to bad weather, or if the cost is not affordable, the only option will be to wait an extra day in Kathmandu or Lukla until flights resume. This situation may apply on either side.

Please note that if flights are canceled due to weather, the airline will provide a full refund for the flight tickets. This refunded amount can help reduce the cost of arranging a helicopter charter.

Also, the helicopter charter cost will include a seat for your guide, as Nepali guides are not able to afford helicopter fares separately.

We hope you understand that these arrangements are necessary to ensure safety and smooth travel in the mountains.)

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Safety and rescue

Khumbu

The Everest region has reliable helicopter rescue services available every day, especially during the trekking and climbing seasons. In case of an emergency, helicopter evacuation can be arranged quickly from most areas, depending on weather conditions and visibility.

However, we only request helicopter rescue if the situation is critical, such as severe altitude sickness, serious injury, or any medical condition that requires immediate evacuation. For mild symptoms or non-emergency cases, our first priority is always safety through proper acclimatization, rest, and descending to a lower altitude. In most cases, descending is the safest and most effective solution.

Our team closely monitors each participant’s health throughout the trek and takes early action if anyone shows signs of altitude related illness. We always follow a responsible rescue policy to ensure both the safety of our clients and the ethical use of helicopter services in the Himalayas.

Dolpo

In case of serious medical emergencies, helicopter evacuation is available depending on weather conditions. Comprehensive travel insurance covering high altitude trekking and helicopter rescue is mandatory. Guides carry first aid kits and are trained to monitor altitude related health conditions, ensuring client safety throughout the trek.

Manaslu To supply

Kanchenjunga To supply

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Tipping

Tipping in Nepal is not mandatory, but it is widely appreciated, especially in the tourism and service sectors. Many restaurants, particularly in urban areas, may include a service charge in the bill; in such cases, additional tipping is entirely optional.

In trekking and adventure tourism, tipping guides, porters, and support staff is customary and often contributes significantly to their overall income. Tips are typically given at the end of the trek and are usually collected as a group and distributed among the trekking team. The amount may vary depending on the duration of the trek, group size, and quality of service, and is commonly calculated on a per-day, per-staff-member basis.

In our case, our staffs are fairly compensated; however, tips are always appreciated as a kind acknowledgment of their effort and support.

Taxi drivers generally do not expect tips for regular rides. However, if you hire a vehicle for a round trip, city tour, sightseeing excursion, or multi-day journey, tipping the driver is appreciated and commonly expected as recognition of their service and assistance.

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Gear and clothing

Guests must bring their personal trekking gear. We provide a water filter, map and trash bag.

  • Waterproof jacket (hard shell or rain jacket)
  • Down jacket
  • Fleece jacket
  • Thermal set (top and bottom)
  • Warm pants for evening and morning
  • T-shirts
  • Long-sleeved shirt
  • Warm hat
  • Cap
  • Neck gaiter (Buff)
  • Gloves
  • Trekking boots
  • Spikes
  • Light shoes or sandals
  • Down sleeping bag
  • Dry towel
  • Trekking poles
  • Daypack and bag cover
  • Reusable water bottle and light thermos
  • Sunglasses
  • Solar charger
  • Headlamp and extra batteries
  • Crampons (in case of use)
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Personal items

  • PassportPassport & insurance documents
  • Insurance document
  • ATM card and extra money for external expenses (food and drinks)ATM card & extra cash
  • Personal beauty care kitBasic care kit
  • Personal medicines
  • Toiletriestoilet paper, towel, soaps and shampoo are not provided by teahouse in Nepal
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Waste and responsible travel

Khumbu

The Nepal Himalayas are increasingly facing serious waste management challenges, and the Everest region is no exception. As one of the world’s most popular destinations for trekking and mountaineering, the Khumbu region attracts hundreds of visitors each day. This growing number of visitors contributes to a significant increase in waste, including plastic, cans, paper, glass, and batteries etc, much of which is not properly recycled.Although local organizations and communities are making ongoing efforts to keep the region clean, the accumulation of waste continues to rise each year. Improper disposal methods, including open burning, further damage the fragile mountain environment.

At Himalayan Green Trips, we are committed to minimizing environmental impact by reducing the use and consumption of plastic, cans, and glass products during our trips. We actively promote responsible practices, such as reuse and mindful consumption, to help protect the Himalayas. We also encourage our guests to be conscious of their environmental footprint. Avoiding plastic-packaged products and bottled beverages can make a meaningful difference. Your actions speak louder than words, by choosing not to purchase items that contribute to pollution, you help preserve the mountains while also inspiring fellow travelers and local communities to adopt more sustainable habits. Together, we can protect the beauty and purity of the Everest region for future generations.

Manaslu · Kanchenjunga

By simply following the “Pack In, Pack Out” principle with Himalayan Green Trip, carrying out what you bring in, you are already making a meaningful contribution to preserving the mountains.

Imagine that your journey is more than just a trek, it's an opportunity to create a positive impact. By helping care for the trails and mountains, you become part of a meaningful effort to protect the Himalayas. Together, we can preserve this extraordinary landscape and ensure it remains a pristine and inspiring destination for generations to come.

Dolpo

  • Carry required permits at all times
  • Respect local culture, monasteries & traditions
  • Follow Leave Only Footprints practices ( please contact HGT team to manage your waste)
  • Camp only in designated areas
  • Do not disturb wildlife or pick plants
  • Stick to marked trails
  • Avoid open fires
  • Ask permission before photographing locals
  • Support local businesses
  • To minimize use of plastic please bring a reusable water bottle or containers to put your personal trekking items
  • Treat guides & porters fairly
  • Follow acclimatization recommendations
  • Keep noise levels low avoid loud speakers
  • Follow safety precautions in changing weather
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