Your Trekking Guide and Support Team

From your arrival in Kathmandu until the end of your trek, Alpinist Club coordinates your trekking arrangements and provides experienced staff to support your journey. Your lead guide is your main point of contact and is responsible for route planning, daily coordination, communication, and the safety of the group.

Your guide will monitor trail conditions, weather forecasts, and the group's well-being, particularly when crossing Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La. Follow the guide's instructions and communicate any concerns about your health, equipment, or walking pace. Mountain conditions can change quickly, and the itinerary may need to be adjusted for safety.

Your Nepalese Trekking Team

Depending on the group size, route, and support requirements, your team may include the following staff:

• Lead Guide (Sirdar): Oversees the trekking operation, coordinates the team, manages daily arrangements, and makes safety-related decisions in consultation with the group.
• Assistant Guide: Supports the lead guide, assists trekkers on the trail, and helps coordinate daily activities when additional support is required.
• Porters: Carry the group's main luggage between overnight stops, allowing trekkers to walk with a lighter daypack.

For groups of four or more trekkers, Alpinist Club may arrange one lead guide, one assistant guide, and two porters, depending on the final group size and support requirements. The staffing arrangement will be confirmed before departure.

Porter Baggage Allowance

For this teahouse-based trek, the standard porter baggage allowance is up to 15 kg per trekker, according to the confirmed package and porter arrangement. You should carry your own daypack with essential items such as water, snacks, waterproof clothing, sun protection, personal medication, and valuables.

Alpinist Club arranges appropriate staff insurance, wages, and equipment in accordance with the agreed services and applicable requirements.

Lukla Flight Information

Flights to Lukla are weather-dependent and may operate from Kathmandu or Ramechhap, depending on seasonal schedules and aviation arrangements.

If your flight departs from Ramechhap, a road transfer from Kathmandu is required. Flight times, departure airports, and transfer arrangements will be confirmed as closely as possible before departure.

Weather conditions can cause delays or cancellations. If a flight is postponed, you may need to stay an additional night in Kathmandu, Ramechhap, or Lukla, depending on your location and the circumstances.

We recommend arriving in Kathmandu at least one day before the trek and allowing one or two extra days after the scheduled trek for possible flight disruptions. Additional accommodation, meals, transportation, or other expenses caused by delays should be clarified in your booking terms.

Accommodation in Kathmandu

During your stay in Kathmandu, you will be accommodated in a comfortable hotel, generally on a twin-sharing basis, according to your confirmed package. Hotel selection depends on availability and the final booking arrangements.

Meals in Kathmandu

Breakfast is included at the hotel according to the confirmed package. A welcome dinner is provided on arrival, and a farewell meal may be arranged after the trek if specified in your package.

Kathmandu has a wide choice of restaurants serving traditional Nepali dishes, international cuisine, vegetarian meals, and other options. Meals not listed as included in your package are at your own expense.

Accommodation During the Everest Three Passes Trek

You will stay mainly in local teahouses and mountain lodges throughout the trek. These provide a welcoming place to rest after each day's walk, enjoy meals, and meet other trekkers.

Rooms are generally simple and twin-sharing, with shared bathroom facilities in many locations. Attached bathrooms may be available in some lower-altitude villages, such as Lukla, Phakding, and Namche Bazaar, and in selected lodges elsewhere. Availability is not guaranteed, and facilities become more basic at higher elevations.

Accommodation in places such as Lobuche and Gorak Shep is particularly simple because of the remote location and limited infrastructure. Room availability may also be limited during busy trekking seasons.

Meals During the Trek

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included during the trekking days, according to your confirmed package. Meals are generally prepared by the teahouse kitchen using locally available ingredients.

Typical meal choices include:

• Breakfast: Eggs, toast, chapati, Tibetan bread, pancakes, porridge, jam, butter, tea, or coffee.
• Lunch: Dal bhat, noodles, fried rice, potatoes, soups, pasta, or other available main dishes.
• Dinner: Soup, dal bhat, rice, noodles, pasta, potatoes, vegetables, and other local or international options.

Fresh fruit may be available in lower villages, while choices become more limited at higher elevations. Vegetarian options are generally available, but trekkers with allergies or specific dietary requirements should inform Alpinist Club before departure.

Tea or coffee may be included with meals according to the package terms. Bottled drinks, alcoholic beverages, snacks, extra hot drinks, and other personal purchases are generally at your own expense.

Drinking Water

Staying hydrated is important at high altitude. Carry reusable water bottles or a suitable hydration system and refill them with treated water.

Water purification tablets or another suitable treatment method are recommended. You can also ask teahouses about boiled or otherwise treated drinking water, usually for an additional fee. Avoid relying on untreated stream or tap water.

Physical Fitness and Trekking Difficulty

The Everest Three Passes Trek is a strenuous to very challenging high-altitude trek. It involves long walking days, steep ascents and descents, rocky trails, glacial terrain, and three passes above 5,000 m.

Trekkers should have good cardiovascular fitness, strong endurance, and preferably previous experience with multi-day trekking or high-altitude hiking. Daily walking times commonly range from five to eight hours, with longer days possible when crossing the high passes.

The difficulty is not determined by distance alone. Thin air, cold temperatures, changing weather, uneven ground, and accumulated fatigue can make the trek considerably harder than a low-altitude hike.

Recommended Preparation

Begin training at least 8–12 weeks before departure, or earlier if you are not already active.

• Build cardiovascular endurance through hiking, cycling, running, swimming, or stair climbing.
• Take regular hikes of four to six hours on uneven or hilly terrain.
• Practice walking with a daypack similar to the one you will carry during the trek.
• Strengthen your legs and core with suitable exercises.
• Break in your trekking boots before arriving in Nepal.
• Prepare for cold temperatures, wind, snow, and rapidly changing weather.
• Allow sufficient time for acclimatization and avoid rushing to higher elevations.

Previous experience at altitude is beneficial, but it does not eliminate the risk of altitude illness.

Medical Check-Up Before the Trek

A medical consultation before departure is recommended, particularly for a trek that reaches elevations above 5,500 m. Discuss your itinerary, physical fitness, medications, and any existing health concerns with a qualified healthcare professional.

A dental check-up before departure can also be helpful, as dental discomfort may become more troublesome during a remote mountain journey.

If you have concerns about altitude exposure or a history of altitude-related problems, consider consulting a healthcare professional experienced in mountain medicine. Bring your personal medication and inform your guide about any important medical requirements.

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and Acclimatization

Acute Mountain Sickness can affect anyone travelling to high altitude, regardless of fitness or previous trekking experience. Common symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, unusual fatigue, and loss of appetite.

More serious altitude illnesses can involve the lungs or brain and require urgent treatment. Warning signs include breathlessness at rest, difficulty walking straight, confusion, or a worsening headache accompanied by other symptoms.

To reduce the risk of altitude illness:

• Follow the planned acclimatization schedule.
• Ascend gradually and avoid pushing through significant symptoms.
• Drink fluids regularly and eat enough to maintain energy.
• Tell your guide promptly if you feel unwell.

Never continue ascending when experiencing symptoms that may indicate altitude illness.

The safest response to worsening altitude symptoms may be to stop ascending and descend. Severe symptoms require urgent medical assessment and evacuation when necessary.

Medication such as acetazolamide (Diamox) may be appropriate for some trekkers, but it should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional before use. Medication does not replace gradual acclimatization or safe decisions about ascending and descending.

Group Size

Alpinist Club generally organizes the Everest Three Passes Trek for small groups of 1–10 trekkers. Small groups allow more flexibility, easier coordination, and a more personal trekking experience.

Private departures can also be arranged. Group size and staff support may affect the final guide and porter arrangements, which will be confirmed before departure.

If you are travelling with friends or family, please let us know when booking so that we can coordinate your group accordingly.

Personal Trekking Equipment

Personal trekking equipment is not automatically included in the package. Alpinist Club will provide a detailed packing list and help you prepare for the weather, altitude, and trail conditions.

Essential items generally include:

• Well-broken-in trekking boots and comfortable trekking socks.
• Moisture-wicking base layers and insulating mid-layers.
• A warm down jacket and waterproof jacket and trousers.
• Warm gloves, a hat, and sun protection.
• A daypack, reusable water bottles, and water purification supplies.
• Sunglasses suitable for strong high-altitude sunlight.
• A headlamp with spare batteries.
• Personal medication, basic toiletries, and a small personal first-aid kit.
• A warm sleeping bag suitable for the expected temperatures, if required by your accommodation arrangements.

Sleeping bags and down jackets may be available to rent through Alpinist Club, subject to availability and rental terms. Rental equipment should be returned in good condition, and any deposit or rental charge will be confirmed before use.

Your guide can help review your equipment before the trek to identify any important missing items.

Safety During the Everest Three Passes Trek

Your safety is a priority throughout the journey. Alpinist Club plans the trek with attention to route conditions, weather forecasts, acclimatization, and the physical condition of the group.

Your guide will assess the conditions before attempting Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La. Snow, ice, poor visibility, strong winds, or other hazards may require a delayed crossing or a change of route. Completing all three passes cannot be guaranteed if conditions are unsafe.

The trekking team carries appropriate first-aid supplies and uses communication equipment suitable for the route and the confirmed arrangements. However, medical facilities and rescue services are limited in remote areas, and evacuation may take time.

Follow your guide's instructions, keep essential items in your daypack, and report any symptoms or concerns early. Safety decisions take priority over the planned schedule.

Travel Insurance and Emergency Evacuation

Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended and should cover high-altitude trekking to the maximum elevation of the itinerary, emergency medical treatment, helicopter evacuation, and trip interruption.

Check your policy carefully to ensure that it specifically covers trekking above 5,500 m and any activities included in your itinerary. Do not assume that a standard travel insurance policy includes high-altitude trekking or helicopter rescue.

Keep your insurer's emergency contact details and policy information accessible throughout the trip. Emergency evacuation, medical treatment, and additional accommodation may involve significant expenses, so confirm the coverage and payment procedures before departure.

Weather and High-Pass Conditions

Weather in the Everest region can change quickly. Spring and autumn are generally the preferred seasons, but snow, ice, strong winds, and poor visibility can occur at any time.

The high passes may become difficult or temporarily inaccessible because of recent snowfall or unfavorable conditions. Your guide will assess the situation and determine whether crossing is safe.

Bring suitable clothing and equipment for cold conditions, and remain flexible with the itinerary. A safe alternative or additional overnight stay may be necessary when mountain conditions change.

Responsible Trekking and Environmental Care

The Everest region is a fragile mountain environment, and responsible trekking helps protect its natural beauty and local communities.

Carry reusable water bottles, minimize single-use plastic, dispose of waste responsibly, and follow local cultural practices when visiting villages and monasteries. Ask permission before photographing people, respect religious sites, and support local businesses where possible.

Treat porters, guides, lodge owners, and other community members with respect. Responsible travel helps preserve the region for future generations while supporting the people who make your journey possible.

Important Final Reminders

Before departure, confirm your flight arrangements, trekking permits, accommodation, guide and porter services, equipment requirements, and package inclusions with Alpinist Club.

Allow flexibility for weather-related delays, carry adequate travel insurance, and prepare physically for the demands of high-altitude trekking. With proper planning, realistic expectations, and cooperation with your guide, you can enjoy a more comfortable and rewarding Everest Three Passes Trek.